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[Bigbazz]

Bad idea, nothing is to say that the Epiphone would be any better than either of your guitars. £320 is not a lot of money for a guitar and isnt likely to get you anything special, unless you don't particularely like the guitars then I would suggest you keep them!

It may be the guitar you love, but personally I would say you'd be better off saving up to buy it and still keeping your other guitars. Or at the very least try out a whole bunch of the guitars at different shops to find the specific one you want. At the cheap end of the scale (£320 is fairly cheap) there can be big difference from guitar to guitar, with plenty of duds, and very few gems.

To be honest, that last bit of advice is true at any price range, but the more you spend the better you can generally expect it to be!



Personally I've been looking at 3 different guitars, quite contrasting but I love them all.

1. Fender Custom Shop 51 Relic Nocaster

2. Fender Custom Shop 56 Heavy Relic Stratocaster

3. Completely different, 2012 Ibanez JEM77

I already have 2 Strats and a JEM, so maybe I should be leaning towards the Telecaster (Nocaster), but they seem to be extremely popular at the moment, everyone is playing them, while I love them I don't know if jumping on the bus with everyone else is what I really want.

 

[livemusic]

I really liked that Ibanez.

 

[F1 fan]

Fast Fret is the dogs.

I tried that stuff years ago. Wasn't for me.

Seriously considering selling my Pacifica and Explorer to get enough money to buy a Epi Les Paul Custom.

Weren't you originally going to buy the custom but then changed your mind and decide on the explorer? Why the sudden change of heart? In my opinion, you should never sacrifice on the guitar you want. If you do that, then you'll either never be happy with your guitar, or you'll buy a different one, change your mind and sell it to finance the next guitar. Which will lose you money. As for those who are never happy, there's a guy at the mylespaul forum who has the signature "My studio kicks your standard's ass"... Right...

Decide what guitar you want. Whether it's a Gibson Les Paul and Ibanez jem, a strat... Then start saving. I know you're young and those guitars are expensive, but the two you have will serve you well in the mean time. Saving for the guitar you really want is better (i.e, quicker) and better for your wallet than moving one step up at a time.

Personally I've been looking at 3 different guitars, quite contrasting but I love them all.

I'm curious. Why do you like the "reliced" guitars? My #1 les paul has seen hundreds of gigs and rehearsals over the course of seven years yet is still in far better condition. I'm just curious why people are so keen to put extra money down on a guitar with false mojo.

I already have 2 Strats and a JEM, so maybe I should be leaning towards the Telecaster (Nocaster), but they seem to be extremely popular at the moment, everyone is playing them, while I love them I don't know if jumping on the bus with everyone else is what I really want.

Looking at your collection, it is missing a good telecaster and a les paul. Might not be your kind of thing, but I'm a les paul man and even I will admit that every good collection needs at least 1 Strat, 1 Tele and 1 Les Paul. Of course, the collection I aspire to have in ten years will consist of 10 Les Pauls.

Anyway, last night I gave my Les Paul a deep clean. It's the first time in years that I've done this, so I spent a long time making sure it was done right. Took the pickups out, bridge and stopbar off. The finish is as new, the fretboard was thoroughly cleaned with lemon oil, and the hardware is as good as can be. The bridge is a little tarnished, not much I can do about that without buying a replacement bridge. Will get some pictures up soon.

 

[Camaroyenko]

I'm curious. Why do you like the "reliced" guitars? My #1 les paul has seen hundreds of gigs and rehearsals over the course of seven years yet is still in far better condition. I'm just curious why people are so keen to put extra money down on a guitar with false mojo.

Some people just like them (I LOVE them).


What's not to love about an Arctic White Strat that has a few miles on it?

 

[Bigbazz]

I'm curious. Why do you like the "reliced" guitars? My #1 les paul has seen hundreds of gigs and rehearsals over the course of seven years yet is still in far better condition. I'm just curious why people are so keen to put extra money down on a guitar with false mojo.




Looking at your collection, it is missing a good telecaster and a les paul. Might not be your kind of thing, but I'm a les paul man and even I will admit that every good collection needs at least 1 Strat, 1 Tele and 1 Les Paul. Of course, the collection I aspire to have in ten years will consist of 10 Les Pauls.

Anyway, last night I gave my Les Paul a deep clean. It's the first time in years that I've done this, so I spent a long time making sure it was done right. Took the pickups out, bridge and stopbar off. The finish is as new, the fretboard was thoroughly cleaned with lemon oil, and the hardware is as good as can be. The bridge is a little tarnished, not much I can do about that without buying a replacement bridge. Will get some pictures up soon.

I love the relic'd guitars just because of the way they look, my JEM is 18 years old, has played hundreds of gigs between 2005-2011 and is in far better condition than those relic guitars, but its the kinda guitar that looks good that way.

I also own a 1976 Fender P-bass, that was my dads, it looks old and it looks beat up, the varnish has darkened a bit due to years of smoke infested clubs and pubs and it just looks like its been on a journey (because it really has).... The problem is that it plays that way too, it needs a lot of love if its ever going to be a serious players instrument again, because all those years of abuse does affect the way it plays, and the way it sounds, lets just say that it could use a good refret, setup and maybe rewound pickups.

The point with the Relic guitars is that they are new guitars, in perfect playing condition straight out of the customshop built by exceptionally good guitar luthers, they look like my dads bass (or even more beat up than that sometimes), but they still play like exceptional as-new guitars. I just love the beat-up look, If I wanted a genuine 51nocaster, even if it was that banged up it would cost near enough the price of a house, and it still wouldnt likely play near as well as the Custom Shop Relic.


As for the Les Pauls, i've never got on with them, played one live once, a buddy of mine also owns an LP Standard, also played a bunch of Epiphones and for the most part I never really liked the guitars. The best LP i've ever played was a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Standard, the guy I was buying my Cornford from owned it, and let me play it while trying the amp. Lovely sounding guitar and it felt beautiful to play, but the body shape doesnt do it for me, I'm too used to strat shapes I think.

 

[F1 fan]

What's not to love about an Arctic White Strat that has a few miles on it?

I do like the look of an Arctic White strat, but I'd prefer the pristine look. I love white guitars, but I'm not crazy about the relics. If it was honest wear, it would be different.

The point with the Relic guitars is that they are new guitars, in perfect playing condition straight out of the customshop built by exceptionally good guitar luthers, they look like my dads bass (or even more beat up than that sometimes), but they still play like exceptional as-new guitars.

But there are a world of affordable beat up guitars in excellent playing condition too. I'm not knocking it, I just don't understand it.

As for the Les Pauls, i've never got on with them, played one live once, a buddy of mine also owns an LP Standard, also played a bunch of Epiphones and for the most part I never really liked the guitars. The best LP i've ever played was a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Standard, the guy I was buying my Cornford from owned it, and let me play it while trying the amp. Lovely sounding guitar and it felt beautiful to play, but the body shape doesnt do it for me, I'm too used to strat shapes I think.

I'm the same with Strats. I've owned three. First guitar was a squier strat. And not one of the good ones. I owned an American deluxe strat for one week, but took it back before the return period was up. That thing was a piece of crap. The third time was a charm. I bought an early 90's (iirc) made in Japan strat. I did partially bond with that one but was going through a phase where I thought I needed a floyd rose. Ended up trading it in for a Jackson Randy Rhoads. Which I quickly got bored of and decided to stick with Les Pauls.

Since I'm in Japan, I think I'll try to replace that MIJ strat at some point. It's just a case of finding one I can bond with.

 

[Bigbazz]

But there are a world of affordable beat up guitars in excellent playing condition too. I'm not knocking it, I just don't understand it.

Like I said, I'm looking at the Fender Custom Shop so its not about affordable, you're getting a brand new guitar right at the top end of quality, were talking £2000+ guitars here, that are only cosmetically damaged and worn, where as genuinely worn guitars are likely to have recieved that from years of abuse that does affect the guitar more than cosmetically, and any "affordable" guitar really isnt going to be even in the same league, a Tom Anderson or a Suhr Telecaster is going to cost you the same ammount of money, and most other boutique level guitars from various companies will also fall into that same rough price range.

So I'm looking at a 51 Nocaster reissue, that cosmetically looks like it has been used for 60 years, but plays like it just came out of the workshop, so you look at that £2000+ price tag, the genuine article would cost you x10-20 that price or more.

End of the day If I was going to buy a Telecaster I'd be looking at a Custom Shop Nocaster 51, now with a choice between a brand new looking one or a relic, I'd take the relic'd one because it will look just how i'd want it to look.

This is the 51 NOS Nocaster

vs the 51 Relic Nocaster

A few years ago when I first saw the relics I thought it was crazy, but now I find myself wanting one. All this talking about this Telecaster (Nocaster?) has got me wanting it now, more so than the other two guitars, I'd take either of them, but the relic just... I just like it more, if I had the NOS one it would still look brand new in 10 years because I'd not want to scratch it. I realise that makes no sense.

 

[F1 fan]

Like I said, I'm looking at the Fender Custom Shop so its not about affordable, you're getting a brand new guitar right at the top end of quality, were talking £2000+ guitars here, that are only cosmetically damaged and worn, where as genuinely worn guitars are likely to have recieved that from years of abuse that does affect the guitar more than cosmetically,

Depends on the kind of guitar and age. I've seen some 70's Les Paul customs for sale at around the £2000 mark. Heavy belt scratching on the back, some dings on the top and some finish wear where the arm goes. A lot of them have had a fairly recent refret and are physically sound guitars that will survive for decades. And play as good as new. I once had a jam with a guy who owned a 73 custom. He was the original owner and it had more or less been his only guitar. He loved it to pieces. It was in the same condition I described, but also had some finish wear on the neck. Having owned several Gibsons myself and played many many more, I can honestly say that that guitar was a player and didn't have any issues.

I suppose we're in different markets, but you could always check out a used telecaster if you have the chance. I didn't mean an original 50's one. Of course that would be too expensive, but I wouldn't get hung up on the reissue. At the end of the day, it's still a reissue, no matter what year they want to put on it. I found some nice 80's ones on ebay. As for quality, that's debatable. No matter the company, you'll find dud guitars at any level. I played a Gibson R9 recently that had the worst cut nut I've ever seen on any guitar. I asked the salesman if I could play it and he kept showing me other R9's and asking if I'd like to play that instead. Surprised they hadn't sent that one back.

 

[Nish]

Can't make the image size small enough to post here via my ps3 so I'll just say what I have for now. I have a Japanese Vantage Les Pauls Sunburst with black strings.

 

[Tom]

Decided that my best bet would to get a semi-acoustic guitar. Got around £200 to spend at the moment, suggestions?

 

[Slash]

Decided that my best bet would to get a semi-acoustic guitar. Got around £200 to spend at the moment, suggestions?

Save it and put it towards something big.

 

[F1 fan]

Save it and put it towards something big.

This. In all honesty Tom, you've moved around a lot with guitars. That's not necessarily a bad thing as it lets you find out what you like/dislike about certain guitars. But the guitars you have been playing are not necessarily a step up in the food chain. They've all been fairly comparable quality wise. If you're fine with that in the long run, then that's okay. But if part of you is really aspiring to own a Gibson or a MIA Fender or a similarly pricey item, it may be wise to save the money you have.

 

[FordMKIVJ5]

Decided that my best bet would to get a semi-acoustic guitar. Got around £200 to spend at the moment, suggestions?

Yes, stop buying stuff and save.

 

[Camaroyenko]

Decided that my best bet would to get a semi-acoustic guitar. Got around £200 to spend at the moment, suggestions?

Save up and buy an Epiphone Dot in sunburst;then put a trapeze tailpiece on it

 

[F1 fan]

Save up and buy an Epiphone Dot in sunburst;then put a trapeze tailpiece on it

Don't bother with the trapeze tailpiece.

 

[Scaff]

Don't bother with the trapeze tailpiece.

Agree it doesn't need it and it should be black as well.

Just like mine....



...good enough for Josh Homme.


Scaff

 

[Bigbazz]

Tom I'm gonna say the same as everyone else, save up and buy something special, buying £200 guitars is alright if you wanna try new things, but you're just trying lots of cheap guitars, chances are you arent going to be satisfied and will be looking to the next guitar within a few weeks if you keep buying cheapy budget guitars!.

Save up your money, you want to double it at least, preferably tripple it, then go and check out the used market! Chances of you finding something amazing will be considerably higher! it will also have much higher quality hardware, better pickups etc.

It is a lot of money, you could buy 2-3x cheapy guitars for the money, but a cheapy guitar is not likely to satisfy what you're looking for. Every so often you might come accross an amazing squier, or a exceptional epiphone, but those are really rare beauties, you could spend thousands on cheapy guitars before you come accross one.

 

[Tom]

I value your advice but the only reason I want a semi-acoustic is because my band is writing a lot of material that's acoustic for my band. It only needs to be cheap, hence the £200 limit. I've got £300 which I'm not spending sitting at my dads as I'm saving it.

 

[jcm]

Just bought a used Ibanez JS100 for 400$ Also came with a really nice hard case, meaning I saved 600$, which I can use to get new Malmsteem pickups on my strat

 

[F1 fan]

I value your advice but the only reason I want a semi-acoustic is because my band is writing a lot of material that's acoustic for my band. It only needs to be cheap, hence the £200 limit. I've got £300 which I'm not spending sitting at my dads as I'm saving it.

Well then you have £500. Half the way to a used Gibson les paul standard. More than half way to a new strat. May I ask, what kind of guitar do you really want?

Edit:

I've previously been very negative about chambered guitars. Today, I got the chance to play a chambered les paul hand built by a guy who lives near me. He doesn't use power tools either. He even made his own pickups which he custom wound for the guitar. All work was done with hand tools. He spent a long time experimenting with the chambering as he was building it. The result, his guitar was very resonant and had tons of sustain. Normally, I prefer heavy guitars, but I really liked that one. I probably wouldn't buy a chambered Gibson though.

 

[Tom]

Well then you have £500. Half the way to a used Gibson les paul standard. More than half way to a new strat. May I ask, what kind of guitar do you really want?

Edit:

I've previously been very negative about chambered guitars. Today, I got the chance to play a chambered les paul hand built by a guy who lives near me. He doesn't use power tools either. He even made his own pickups which he custom wound for the guitar. All work was done with hand tools. He spent a long time experimenting with the chambering as he was building it. The result, his guitar was very resonant and had tons of sustain. Normally, I prefer heavy guitars, but I really liked that one. I probably wouldn't buy a chambered Gibson though.

I'm saving the remaining £300 for other things...

 

[F1 fan]

I'm saving the remaining £300 for other things...

T'was a hypothetical question. Hypothetically, if you were to find £2000 in a bag, hand it in to the police and be contacted months later to be told that no-one had claimed it and it was yours, what guitar would you buy?

 

[F1 fan]

Been meaning to do this for a while.

This is my #1. I'm the original owner and I've had it since April 2005.

I've played hundreds of gigs with it. It's just perfect for me. The neck is a perfect fit for my hand. I'm going to add "jimmy page" wiring with bumblebee capacitors as the ones Gibson use nowadays are inferior. The only problem is that I'll need to change the pickups for 4 conductor ones. Mine are 2 conductor. Tempted to go for the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups. Or I may just buy a 4 conductor set of the same pickups (burstbucker pros).

Trying to decide whether to stick the pickguard on. Think it looks good with it on. Answers on a postcard please.

I've owned other Les Pauls, but this one has always been my favourite. It's my only guitar atm, but I'll soon change that.

 

[Tom]

That is , especially the quilted maple finish. Sadly, I dislike the necks on Les Paul's, far too chunky for my liking. Also, put the scratch plate on.

 

[F1 fan]

That is , especially the quilted maple finish. Sadly, I dislike the necks on Les Paul's, far too chunky for my liking. Also, put the scratch plate on.

Thanks. It has a really nice flame. Wasn't marked as a plus top, which surprised me. Try and play the "60's neck". That's what this has. Not clunky at all. Going to add some volume and tone knob pointers as well. May just add the pickguard too. Can't wait to add the page wiring. This guitar is versatile as it is, but after I add the page wiring with the coil taps and phase switches, I'll be in heaven.

 

[F1 fan]

Couple more.

Nice shot of the back.

And a quick lesson why not to wear a belt while playing guitar.

Other than a few small dings on the headstock, that's pretty much the only damage on this guitar. It's been gigged hundreds of times and has survived the trip from the UK to Japan.

 

[slackbladder]

Oooh, so many nice guitars here! Almost pornographic! I guess I could post a few of mine. Apologies for the crappy photo's.

First up is a Fender Telecaster Custom - but it's not an expensive guitar, just a made in Korea job. But it has Seymour Duncan humbuckers ('59 humbucker neck pickup and Pearly Gates bridge) plus push-pull tone for single coil and a quilted maple top.


Next is my Ibanez S570b which was the first guitar I got last year (I've actually been playing since I was 12 but I hadn't had a guitar since 2004). It has a nice "ZR-2 tremolo system" which makes it light and very easy to use. It's a light guitar with a nice body shape.


This is my favourite. Fender Stratocaster Special MIA but I've changed the pick-ups to EMG DG20's - basically a set of EMG SA active pick-ups with an SPC presence and EXG tone expander for the tone controls. It's a mimic of David Gilmours red strat he used in the early 90's and can be seen in Pulse for example. They really do sound good but are not cheap! Might change the neck as the head is the wrong shape.


Finally my new Burny RLC-80-S. What makes it special (to me) is that it is a Les Paul shape but has a Floyd Rose fitted and a Fernandes Sustainer pick-up fitted at the neck. It's quite the party piece. I even have a short demo here.


So, that' the lot, for now. Might get a James Tyler Variax at some point. Need to save up for that. Anyway, sorry about the pics (must get a good camera) and hope the post wasn't too long!

 

[Pako]

Nice collection you have there! 👍

Yes, this thread is full of all kinds of guitar porn!

 

[Tom]

It's been a while since I've uploaded some pictures of my guitars. Here's what we have from left to right.

Yamaha APX500II, Chapman ML-1, Yamaha Pacifica and a Vintage SG VS6 with Gold Hardware.

I sold the Explorer a few months back as I hardly used it, the neck I never managed to get on with plus I never bought a case which meant I only used it when I didn't have my ML-1 or Pacifica to hand, which was very rarely, so I decided that it wasn't worth keeping. The Yamaha APX500II I bought* as I'm producing an Acoustic Covers Album and I needed something that sounds good unplugged and fits my tall and skinny frame, I paid £310 brand new with a Hard Case from a Local Guitar Shop. The Vintage VS6 is actually belongs to the drummer in my band, I need another guitar for a gig next week so he's let me borrow it. You may notice that the part of the bridge is missing, which is because I'm re-stringing it and I've got to re-solder the wiring, fortunately I owned one which I sold back in June 2011 to the guitarist in my Band, so I know them inside and out.

*I've borrowed the money off of my Dad and will pay him back over time.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

You guys would go nuts at the stuff around my parents' house. Everybody in my family but me are accomplished guitarists and my mom and younger brother both play and gig basically full-time. (Mom retired from her real job and brother never had a real job haha.) My brother alone has at least 10 guitars and most of them are good stuff like American-made Fenders and Gibsons, as well as a bunch of amps including a big Vox and a Marshall stack. That's not even getting into my parents' vintage stuff, which includes a Pre-CBS LH Strat and a vintage LH ES-335, one of the first 100 MusicMan guitars that Leo Fender made after leaving Fender, etc etc.

All I have is a dark blue Mexican Fat Strat from around '98 or so. Unfortunately it's in pretty bad shape because it ended up in my brother's room after I moved out and didn't take it with me, and there's always like 15 guys in there smoking and banging into stuff. The first thing I did when I reclaimed it was replace all the hardware that I could to replace the nasty tobacco-yellowed stuff, but not much I can do about the dents in the paint. I need to actually learn to play it again, it's been years.