Alright NS. Who has the nicest guitar?
- Thread starter Aaaron.
- Start date
Darth.Maul
Active member
Nice! Love the silverburst finish.
I'm still sitting on my ol' guitars. No new ones to add to the family.
I'm still sitting on my ol' guitars. No new ones to add to the family.
zbphoto
Active member
Norman B20, mine is a bit darker than the stock photo and has fishman electronics in it. Accidentally dropped it on it's hard case and put a nice crack a few inches long right above the bridge..... Still plays really well though.
Epiphone SG, my first guitar. I don't use it that much anymore, I'm always playing my acoustic.
I also have a little 10 or 15 watt Orange Amp.
Haven't played in a number of months, couldn't bring my acoustic to Whistler which was really a bummer, looking forward to playing more when I move home....
snowmosexual
Active member
fortyvalve
Active member
guitar and rig? well here's mine. just got that guitar a week ago, in love.
op14
Active member
ANyone here teach themselves how to play electric guitar or do you recommend lessons? I bought a basic les paul guitar back in eighth grade and spent a fuck ton of money on it but never actually got around to getting into it because i started switching school and kind of drifted away from it.
Zoro
Active member
I just finished putting her together yesterday.
'98 Mexican Strat with vintage noiseless pickups and completely upgraded electronics. I modified the wiring system for master volume, master tone, and a blend knob that makes it possible to blend the neck or bridge pickups in with an existing combination. The leather pickgaurd I added just looked awesome.
I have pictures throughout the project on my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.price.583/media_set?set=a.10202296361231724.1073741830.1272072985&type=3
I call it my cowboy guitar.
'98 Mexican Strat with vintage noiseless pickups and completely upgraded electronics. I modified the wiring system for master volume, master tone, and a blend knob that makes it possible to blend the neck or bridge pickups in with an existing combination. The leather pickgaurd I added just looked awesome.
I have pictures throughout the project on my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.price.583/media_set?set=a.10202296361231724.1073741830.1272072985&type=3
I call it my cowboy guitar.
NigelStein
Member
Currently have an '06 Fender American Standard Tele. Love that thing, it just rings. Saving for a D-28 Johnny Cash edition though.
Zoro
Active member
^He still kills it at 87. He's really great to work with but he definitely knows what he wants. A quote from rehearsal: "I have to walk out on stage and you people have to knock their dicks into the dirt on that first note." You also might notice that the bari sax is seated on the left and that's because "I like the bari right up my ass."
His outfits were very interesting but not unexpected.
His outfits were very interesting but not unexpected.
division.bell
Active member
13140590:lIllI said:
Who makes a better Strat than Fender for a fraction of the price?
I'm keeping my own opinions out of this.
13140842:Aaaron. said:
Oh I agree. I live and die by my Fender strat. Still, getting a Fender that isn't plastered in poly (more of a feel than a sound thing, but I digress) will cost you more than some cheaper alternatives. I'm not saying Fenders or Gibsons are bad, it's more of a price/performance ratio that has been on a bit of a downward slant for the past ~20 years (or so they tell me).
13140829:division.bell said:
First brand that comes to mind is Nash. A comparable Fender custom shop will run $2,500 - $5,000. I've also played way too many terrible Gibsons with a $1,300 price tag on them (QC is through the floor due to corporate policy going down the crapper). Might as well go custom at that point.
Curious as to what your thoughts on the matter are, being a luthier and all.
13140997:Aaaron. said:
How is a Nash any more of a partscaster than a Fender?
If you're in the $1,500+ range it's hard to go wrong with any of them. Fender's economies of scale have given it the ability to make some of the best dirt-cheap guitars (Classic Vibe). My comment applies to that odd $500 - $1,000 range where the benefits of having that Fender logo on the headstock wears a bit thin due to competition.
division.bell
Active member
13140991:lIllI said:
Ha, it seems I underestimated your implied budget. I think most people intent on spending $3000+ on a Strat are going to be pretty dead set on a Strat (or Tele for that matter). And there definitely isn't much performance to value to speak of once you get above a few grand. Custom Shops/Artist models of any flavor don't get you much for the cost in my opinion, except for the nostalgia or sentiment.
While I'd love a David Gilmour Strat, I'm not going to drop the $4k+ to get one. Shit, I'd go for a plain Custom Shop NOS '69 Strat for that matter, but again, I'm not willing to pay for it. I'd be better off picking up an American Strat and upgrading the frets, pickups, saddles, nut, string tree, and possibly bridge/tremolo, but that wouldn't cost an additional $2000, and I'd end up with a better guitar at a better value than purchasing something from the Custom Shop.
That's me though, thankfully we all like different guitars for the most part. I'm not a hater, I just have preferences. I have a good friend who's way into metal and has an american made BC Rich Kerry King model which was signed by BC Rich right before he passed away. I guess there are a total of 3 guitars in this color pattern or some shit. Not my thing, but I can enjoy and respect the quality and craftsmanship that went into the guitar. In the opposite regard, if you want a good laugh, find a Squier Strat and remove the paint/finish. It's truly eyeopening at how many pieces of plywood can be glued together to make a guitar body. Lots of guitars out there and lots of ways to put them together.
There just aren't too many off the wall and widely available electric guitars out there that I'd actually spend my money on these days.
Even in the $1000 price range, there isn't much out there that I would choose over a Strat if I was leaning in the direction of a single coil/bolt on neck guitar. Obviously going custom and/or piecing something together would be the best value if you are trying to buy new and avoid Fender, but if you're talking off the wall guitars, not much. Sure, I've played some cheap ass Ibanez that cost less than $200 that played better than a handful of guitars that cost 20 times that, but a cheap ass Ibanez isn't my idea of a guitar in the same league as Strat.
If the budget went up a little bit to $1500-$2500, I'd personally be looking at G&L's. I've always wanted a semi hollow ASAT for some reason. But I really enjoy the playability and sound of the G&L's. It would be my choice for a Fender replacement.
$1300 doesn't buy much guitar in a Gibson anymore. Not that it ever really did, but there were a few models that played and sounded well beyond their cost (The old Blueshawk is one that does come to mind).
Continuing with Gibson, I'm never been a huge fan of the singlecut Les Paul's. They sound awesome and when setup correctly, play amazingly. But, again the perceived or somehow measured value to cost ratio just isn't there. While I'd personally love a Les Paul Custom Silverburst from the early 80's, I'm not paying for it. It seems in order to even get an aesthetically pleasing maple top on a Les Paul these days it's near $2000.
When I first saw my Gibson on the wall at the shop, I think I was drawn to the fact that it was a Les Paul that was not like the others. Drove an hour and a half each way every weekend for 5 weeks to play it until I had the cash to take it home. Hard to believe that was 13 years ago already.
There are a ton of other double humbucker set neck guitars out there; semi hollow or solid body. Gibson's in general certainly don't have the appeal to me that they once did, though I can't comment on their current quality since it's been a while since I've been near any new Gibson. I've been on an acoustic kick for the past few years and would only hit up shops to look at acoustics. What's been sliding?
If you want a sustain friendly 9lb chunk of mahogany and maple swinging from your neck, most people can't go wrong with a Les Paul. But what about those of us that don't get off on the antiquated Les Paul?
I still have my Strat/Paul Koa/Mahogany hybrid sitting in a case and in pieces waiting to be finished. I just need to rout out the neck pocket/pickup cavities, attach and shape neck, fret neck, attach hardware, wire it up, breakdown, prep sand and apply finish...some day.
For the record, I do own both a Strat (mexi Fender 50th Anniversary) and a Les Paul (Double Cut Plus) and enjoy both for different reasons.
fortyvalve
Active member
I agree with the fact that Fender and Gibson have overall gone to shit since their glory days, but there are plenty of companies that will build you a better custom for less than most Fender/Gibsons.
There is G&L which is actually a direct branch off of fender from Leo Fender himself. Their guitars are beautiful and I would personally play them over any fender. The G&L Asat is roughly $1500 and far more superior in terms of build quality and materials and sound. These guys are the closest to actual fender/gibson pricing but you are getting a much better build quality. http://www.glguitars.com/index.asp
Legator guitars is a relatively young company, but they are doing it right. When I inquired about a custom from them they immediately offered me endorsed artist pricing and pretty much full flexibility with what I wanted to create. (an artist signature guitar goes for around $1000) http://legatorguitars.com/]http://wwwhttp://legatorguitars.com/[/url]
And finally the last company I will mention is Pure Salem guitars. Once again a relatively new company but they offer an extremely old school style of guitars with great prices again, and they have 11 models to choose from. (the wood soul goes for $715) http://www.puresalemguitars.com/
At the end of the day everyone has their preference but realistically with most Fender and Gibson guitars today you really aren't 'getting what you paid for' anymore. There are far superior companies in every aspect and a lot of people won't care just because they aren't a household name like the rest.
There is G&L which is actually a direct branch off of fender from Leo Fender himself. Their guitars are beautiful and I would personally play them over any fender. The G&L Asat is roughly $1500 and far more superior in terms of build quality and materials and sound. These guys are the closest to actual fender/gibson pricing but you are getting a much better build quality. http://www.glguitars.com/index.asp
Legator guitars is a relatively young company, but they are doing it right. When I inquired about a custom from them they immediately offered me endorsed artist pricing and pretty much full flexibility with what I wanted to create. (an artist signature guitar goes for around $1000) http://legatorguitars.com/]http://wwwhttp://legatorguitars.com/[/url]
And finally the last company I will mention is Pure Salem guitars. Once again a relatively new company but they offer an extremely old school style of guitars with great prices again, and they have 11 models to choose from. (the wood soul goes for $715) http://www.puresalemguitars.com/
At the end of the day everyone has their preference but realistically with most Fender and Gibson guitars today you really aren't 'getting what you paid for' anymore. There are far superior companies in every aspect and a lot of people won't care just because they aren't a household name like the rest.
division.bell
Active member
13141467:swordsandpens said:
This is the exact topic of conversation right here.
Although, I definitely don't consider Legator or Pure Salem to be "far superior companies in every aspect" to Fender and Gibson, I am curious what makes them so special in your opinion?
I'm not a Gibson or Fender fanboy, but there is a different, yet to be discussed, large scale guitar manufacturer that I despise far more than the rest.
yuck
Active member
12302585:zbphoto said:
Norman B20, mine is a bit darker than the stock photo and has fishman electronics in it. Accidentally dropped it on it's hard case and put a nice crack a few inches long right above the bridge..... Still plays really well though.
beauty, i also have a B20 Studio. i love that guitar! learned to play on a B20 from the 80s that my mom has, then when i bought my first guitar it ended up being a B20S
division.bell
Active member
13141803:lIllI said:
Haha, far from it. Ibanez actually has some good value in some of their guitars.
I was referring to a more popular, more "boutique" company.
fortyvalve
Active member
13141616:division.bell said:
I speak from experience meaning I've been lucky enough to play beautiful Fender and Gibsons as well as all of the companies I listed. In terms of build quality, durability, customer interaction and service all of these companies surpass both Fender and Gibson in my opinion. Maybe every aspect was an exaggeration, but given the chance I would choose those companies over Fender/Gibson any day.
As far as the other one I'm gonna guess Ibanez (if so we are in the same boat)
fortyvalve
Active member
13141819:division.bell said:
Oh damn you replied while I was typing but idk I never found an ibanez I fell in love with
division.bell
Active member
13141820:swordsandpens said:
Fair enough. We'll agree to disagree. Although, you won't hear a bad word about G&L from me. I enjoy their guitars tremendously.
I have no loyalty to Fender or Gibson, or any guitar company for that matter. When I go out with the intention of buying a guitar, I make a mental list of criteria (what do I really want vs what I really need) and then play as many guitars as I can get my hands on regardless of whether or not they fulfill my criteria. It always helps to be able to compare and contrast. When I pick up the "one" and know that this is "the one"; I know because it's screaming at me "Take me home, I'm yours!" That guitar will be exactly what I'm looking for. That's how I ended up with my Gibson, yet no other Gibson I've played has given me anywhere near the same sensation.
Customer interaction and service is not typically something I'd measure a guitar company by however. Maybe it's just because I've never been forced to contact the manufacturer for service or support, maybe it's just an aspect of my guitar buying process that I have never cared about, I honestly don't know. I've met some guitar company owners and ambassador/employees and still know people in a variety of guitar factories, large and small. Sometimes it's meeting someone at a company or two that can really kill their reputation in your mind. Sometimes their opinions and manufacturing/business practices can permanently remove the prospect of owning one of their guitars from your mind.
With all of that said, I don't necessarily have to like a company to like their guitars. But it's ideal to stand behind a good company putting out quality instruments.
Have you had issues with guitars that you've brought to the manufacturer(s)?
13141821:swordsandpens said:
I don't love Ibanez guitars. But I don't hate them either. I have never played on one that I thought would be worth buying. Well, I guess I did buy one, but I bought it so I could see the look on my friend's face when he took me to the local shop to show me this "amazing Ibanez...dream guitar" and found out that it had been purchased earlier that day. In the parking lot I had to convince him that it was me that bought it so he could follow me home to pick it up. He was in a financial bind at the time and I didn't want to see him lose this guitar so I bought it and let him pay me back when he could. I guess if he could find an Ibanez that called his name, then theoretically one exists for me? I won't be seeking it out though.
I've played on a large variety of their guitars and each one has been different. Most have been enjoyable, but none of them have been captivating. A good friend sold a limited Gibson SG at a huge loss to buy 2 Ibanez's; an Artcore hollowbody and an Artcore semi hollow electric. I didn't understand one bit why he did it, both Artcores sounded dead to me. Not a very lively sound. And then recently he sold both those guitars for an acoustic/electric. Didn't see that one coming...
13141956:Hughes said:
It's hardly relevant. My opinions are far from the gospel. I've just been fortunate to be around and play on a ton of guitars from $5 to way more than my cars.