What Guitars do you Play?

[Wolfdog]

timsch said:

Sweet strat Wolfdog. what about the mic pictured with the Peavey. I take it you record with this thing. I'm looking for a good recording mic. Any suggestions?

I like my Studio Projects stuff. I have a VTB-1 tube preamp and a B-1 condenser mic. The B-1 mic is around $100 and compares with studio condensers that sell for $500.

[timsch]

I like my Studio Projects stuff. I have a VTB-1 tube preamp and a B-1 condenser mic. The B-1 mic is around $100 and compares with studio condensers that sell for $500[/

That's really reasonable. Do you have anything posted( myspace etc.) where I could check out your sound? Thanks for the great info. T

[mrblasty]

My local Music Go Round is closing up shop, and is having a liquidation sale. I thought I'd stop in and take a look around, not really intending on buying anything, but, you know...can't stay away.
Ended up walking out with this:



Cort Mr 780FX

Cort makes a lot of the guitars for other manufacturers, including Fender, and many others. They are one of the largest guitar makers in the world, but aren't well known.
This is a great guitar. The sides, back and headstock are solid Birdseye maple
and is a glossy natural finish.
Also has the Fishman Premium SOB EQ & Matrix pickup.
Really happy with this. An absolutely beautiful and great sounding guitar.

[ndesimon]

Play? well define 'play'...

A million years ago I witnessed PW strum the intro to Unsatisfied on a black Guild D-25 (with a missing string no less). Mesmerized, I saved my pennies and bought the very same guitar.

I remain the worst guitar player on the east coast (maybe the hemisphere). But I love my guitar.

I can only imagine Paul's version was smashed to bits by the late eighties.

N

[timsch]

Isn't it amazing how seeing one of your heros ( guitar etc.) can make you just jones for a particular instrument. I count myself guilty. Although I am really interested in the tone of the instrument, I must confess that I have bought most of my guitars because one of my heros played one. ( 52 tele- Springsteen, Stratocaster - Hendrix, Gretsch 6120 - Setzer etc.) Does this make me a guitar whore?

[timsch]

Does anybody have any advice on epiphone 335 vs gibson 335. I know the gibsons are about 5-6 times more expensive than the epiphones, but why? I'm sure there are reasons, but I'm sort of a novice in this arena and I was looking for some info. Anybody got an epiphone 335? What do you think?
Thanks, Tim

[FreeRider]

Isn't Epiphone now owned by Gibson anyway?? I also have to think the mark ups on the Gibsons are due to the higher quality of materials they use in the production of their models AND because it carries the brand name: Gibson.

[FreeRider]

timsch said:

Isn't it amazing how seeing one of your heros ( guitar etc.) can make you just jones for a particular instrument. I count myself guilty....I must confess that I have bought most of my guitars because one of my heros played one..... Does this make me a guitar whore?

No, not a guitar whore. Just a fan who loves the guitar sound of your guitar heroes. I made a similar purchase, based on emotion, and the giddiness in thinking that I'll be able to replicate that SOUND of one of my heroes. Boy, was I wrong! *

I found out that it was just one part of the process of acquiring that kind of sound. The pick ups in the guitar, the amp, the effects....


*(I'm referring to Neil Young. He doesn't use the standard pickup in his black Les Paul. He instead has a Gibson Firebird pickup in it that he claims is the hottest pickup he's ever played, that he can literally talk thru his pickup like it was a microphone. His sound is just unique...)

[timsch]

I also have to think the mark ups on the Gibsons are due to the higher quality of materials they use in the production of their models AND because it carries the brand name: Gibson.[/i]

Thanks for the info. I have a buddy who buys nothing but Gibsons. I have to believe he does it for the investment. He'll be the first to admit that he's not much of a guitar player but he likes the chase and hunt for vintage Gibsons. He's always telling me I need to get the real thing but I'm more of a tone junkie. If it brings the tone, I'm happy.
The epiphone 335's are really affordable ( at least for my budget). I just don't know what kind of sound you can get out of them.
The one splurge I did take was to buy a Gretsch 6120 a few years back and play it through a vintage tube amp. Talk about tone. simply incredible. plays like butter!!!!

[Jer]

Gibsons are superior in quality of materials. They use better parts and are put together with more care. They are constructed of better grades of wood, paint, frets, electronics and pickups. A well maintained Gibson will retain and increase its value over time. They are made in the USA.

Epiphones are primarily made in China now. You will not get the same sustain and tone with an Epi that you would with its Gibson counterpart due to the cheaper wood and pickups. The 3rd world assembly line attention to detail doesn't help either. You occasionally see big names playing them, but the Epis of today are not the same Epiphones that John Lennon was playing on top of the Apple building.

That said, you have to go with what you can afford and you will pay alot for those extras. For what they cost, Epiphones are fine guitars capable of decent tone. Like the Japanese and Mexican Fenders, they are decent options for someone who isn't looking to spend close to a grand or more.

[timsch]

thanks Jer. That's the same line of reasoning my friend uses on me every time we have the discussion. When I check ebay for the Gibson 335's, they typically go for 1500-3000 and that is just out of my league. I know that if I hold onto them for an extended period of time they actually become more valuable but its hard to swallow the up front charge.
I really do appreciate the info though because to be honest with you, as a nubian to the world of Gibson and Epiphone, I really couldn't see the differences.

[Nudge]

slugbug said:

Epiphones are primarily made in China now. You will not get the same sustain and tone with an Epi that you would with its Gibson counterpart due to the cheaper wood and pickups. The 3rd world assembly line attention to detail doesn't help either. You occasionally see big names playing them, but the Epis of today are not the same Epiphones that John Lennon was playing on top of the Apple building.

your right about that but that's also why when it came to the epi/gibson deal for me i opted for the Epiphone elitist series, they are made in the U.S with all the same stuff as the Gibsons and are a little cheaper, i've had my Sheraton Elitist for many years now and it sounds and plays the same as it's Gibson counterpart.

but with that being said when it comes to hollowbodys it's Gretsch all the way for me though.

[timsch]

Cool CD!!!!

[ussinners]

I use mainly a black 86 Les Paul Standard. For bass I have a Fender Precision.

I have a cool 59 Les Paul double cutaway that I traded tigerstriped Fender Tele for. The guy then sold the Tele for $100.

My prize possession is a Gibson double neck (exactly like Page's) sometimes I'm afraid to touch it.

Weird guitars
2 - Bond electroglides (Mick Jones with B.A.D. used this guitar) they're electronic and have steps instead of frets. When the neck wears down you remove and replace it.

A Gittler, there are supposedly only about 100 of these ever made. It's metal and looks like a fishbone. Andy Summers swings one over his head in a Police video.

Guild Asbury bass, it's like plastic with rubber strings, electronic and the size of a mandolin. When turned on it sounds like a stand-up.

My mandolin is made by Johnson and has an aluminum body. It kind of sounds like a banjo when you're playing.

[timsch]

Weird guitars
2 - Bond electroglides (Mick Jones with B.A.D. used this guitar) they're electronic and have steps instead of frets. When the neck wears down you remove and replace it.

A Gittler, there are supposedly only about 100 of these ever made. It's metal and looks like a fishbone. Andy Summers swings one over his head in a Police video.

Guild Asbury bass, it's like plastic with rubber strings, electronic and the size of a mandolin. When turned on it sounds like a stand-up.

My mandolin is made by Johnson and has an aluminum body. It kind of sounds like a banjo when you're playing.

Wow those are some exotic instruments. Why did you choose them other thanthey were just unique? Also, I once went to a yardsale early. Guy sells me an american made Fender strat for$125 but he woun't part with his cheap ass Hondo les paul copy for less than $500. I just laughed under my breath, gave him the $125 and "bang zoom" I'm gone!!!

[Man Who Never Learned to Fly]

I'll preface this by saying that I am less than a mediocre player.

Martin D-15:


Fender Class 50's Telecaster:


Gretsch Electromatic G5120:

[ussinners]

[/blockquote]

Wow those are some exotic instruments. Why did you choose them other thanthey were just unique? Also, I once went to a yardsale early. Guy sells me an american made Fender strat for$125 but he woun't part with his cheap ass Hondo les paul copy for less than $500. I just laughed under my breath, gave him the $125 and "bang zoom" I'm gone!!![/quote]

Don't you love getting bargains. I blew it at a garage sale from a guy who held one every week. He's selling a lap-steel for $20 (yep $20) every week for months he had it. I kept offering $10 - $15 and he always refused. Then it was gone. I saw it in a music store later for $400. I BLEW IT big time, cause I always wanted a lap steel.

As for exotic instruments. I have my Gibson's that I use to record and play around with, the others are show guitars. I like goofy guitars, the only one I'm missing from my collection is a Veleno. They go for about 10 grand now, and well, I don't even have a job.

[timsch]

I'll preface this by saying that I am less than a mediocre player.

That's a really cool Gretsch. I don't think I have ever seen one in that color. Is that the actual color of your guitar? Don't you just love that "Great Gretsch Sound"? I've had a 6120 for years and I never get tired of it. They are beautiful and they play like butter!!!

[timsch]

Don't you love getting bargains. I blew it at a garage sale from a guy who held one every week. He's selling a lap-steel for $20 (yep $20) every week for months he had it. I kept offering $10 - $15 and he always refused. Then it was gone. I saw it in a music store later for $400. I BLEW IT big time, cause I always wanted a lap steel.

There are bargains out there if you have time to look. Most of the guitars I still have were gained through some sort of swindle at an auction, garage sale etc. Even if your not crazy about the guitar, if its a good bargain, you can always use it to trade for something you really like. I've often traded two or three guitars that I might only have $300 wrapped up in for some Fender, Gretsch etc. Its great. Sort of like found money!!!

[Man Who Never Learned to Fly]

timsch said:

That's a really cool Gretsch. I don't think I have ever seen one in that color. Is that the actual color of your guitar? Don't you just love that "Great Gretsch Sound"? I've had a 6120 for years and I never get tired of it. They are beautiful and they play like butter!!!

I love my Gretsch, and it was pretty reasonably priced (I got it for under $600). I've never had a hollowbody electric either. I like how when you get it going, it starts to feel like it's breathing.

My Gretsch isn't that color. It's orange, but it's an "oranger" orange and more like the traditional Gretsch orange.