Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Other Stuff => Guitars => Topic started by: Platefire on October 01, 2011, 04:00:01 pm
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Want to start a new thread that you can tag onto. I think all of us pickers/tinkerers have cheap guitars we've stumbled unto that turned out to be great players. I welcome you to share yours! Here's mine---
1-Peavey Preditor International. I recieved this ax to do some repairs to it and when I got it fixed, it played so well and sounded so good I traded one of my favorite long time owned axes for it.
2-Fender Affinity Squire "Tele" Butterscotch. I professional musician friend fell in love with my Stagg White Les Paul Custom on one of his tours stops at our Church and promised to send me one of his teles if he could make off with the Stagg, I agreed. I added a neck pickup(original was a little weak), re-wired and shilded it to get the hum out but it plays and sounds fantastic IMHO.
3-Epiphone Special. One of my Daughters recently got married and while I was over at my new Son-in-Laws house he handed this to me off the wall where it was hanging covered with dust. I took it home, cleaned it up, put on a new set of strings and been impressed with its performance ever since. The original pickups sound like vintage LP, the action is great and even with a bolt on neck has a great LP sound/tone. I even like the location of the volume and tone controls better than a classic LP because it's more handy for volume swells on the Special.
These all require set up to your taste but IMHO are great values. Platefire
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Mexican Strats from the early nineties have quality body parts and excellent playability. They can be had quite inexpensively. The electronics are really poor but we can change that easily on Strats. It is a fun way to experiment with pick-ups and wiring on the cheap.
Jim
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Dunno how I missed this, but anyway.
I don't have a pic, but I bought a Gibson knockoff at the local music store a while back. No idea who really made it, but if I had to guess I'd say Ibanez, only because the neck is so nice. The pots are shot and could use new pups, but it plays really nice. Specially for a buck25. It was played a LOT, so someone else must have thought it was a decent guitar as well.
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I picked up a Vineyard Tele for $120. I had to do a minor repair to the p/u switch, but it is real nice for the $$$. These are made in China but set up in Cal.
I also got a Epi LP100 for $90. Just had to re-do the setup and real nice for the buck. Bolt on neck, but I'm not prejudiced.
Also, got a Memphis MG100. Brass nut and Brass inlays on the neck made in Japan. Dept store guitar but I like it. Some kind of Gibson clone. Traded an amp I listed on cl for $200 for it.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Al
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Speaking of bolt on necks, I've never minded them either. I know they don't look as nice, but purty is as purty does.
But, I have noticed that a lot of times the necks are not exactly true with the strings - I mean, the bottom string might be closer or further away from the edge of the neck than the top string. I've thought about ways to keep the neck from moving around, and glue in addition to the screws is the only thing I've thought of.
Gabriel? :icon_biggrin:
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Mexican Strats from the early nineties have quality body parts and excellent playability. They can be had quite inexpensively. The electronics are really poor but we can change that easily on Strats. It is a fun way to experiment with pick-ups and wiring on the cheap.
Jim
Agreed. My main Tele pictured at left is a 1994 Mexican Standard. It has a great neck and the weight of the body feels right. The neck pickup is even original, and it sounds good. The original bridge pickup wasn't great so it's been replaced....also the big knock against that era of Mexi-tele is the lack of through-body strings. My solution was to install a Bigsby.
I'm less impressed with later MIM and other non-USA or CIJ Fenders.
j.
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I've never owned a Mexican strat or tele but have played them and even recorded with a standard strat and all felt and sounded great. I do have a CIJ 54 re-issue strat (1998 model) and it's a keeper for sure--put Texas Specials in it and real happy with those.
My only American guitar is actually a Hwy 1 Tele and as I understand it not all the parts are USA. So all my guitars is way under the grand range--more like $180 to $600 range. Having said that, I'm really happy with them all! Platefire
BTW-Here is a Austin PRS knockoff that I picked up cheap that plays really well--got the fattest sounding pickups.
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I got ahold of a Epiphone. It is called a scroll and they made a few in the mid to late 70's. Two pup humbuckers with a 24 fret neck. Mahogony body, set neck. The body is about the thickness of an SG. Badass bridge. It didn't make any sound when plugged in and has about 1/2 inch ofr dust on it. The case inside looks like Dracula's Coffin. I Installed a set of PAF's and it was wired for coil tapping, so I kept it in place. The neck on this thing is the longest I have ever seen. It really filled a hole I had in various sounds and styles. It is very jazz sounding and warm, but not as thick as a Les Paul. Really a great $50 guitar. Not sure what it is really worth, but since it is an older Epiphone it may be worth a few bucks.
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Nice. I think I remember that ax when they came out in the 70's. I recently tried out a Epipone SG Classic with the Maestro whammy in a Pawn Shop just to get the feel and man the neck seemed a mile long.
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Here is my X-Hoyer LP copy that I picked up cheap as a pawn shop prize in the 80's for $55.00 with case. It turned out to be a great quality guitar and did my LP chores all those years until recently where I sold it on e-bay for $500.00 to a Hoyer collector.
I re-invested the funds back into some ebay Epiphone LP's to keep my LP habit satified :icon_biggrin:
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This is a great thread. Thanks for starting it PlateFire.
I bought a Washburn similar to this one. I has the Buzz Feiten system of intonation. I also like the tap (as opposed to conventional tone) controls, which allow you to progressively roll between humbucker and single coil. It looks, plays and sounds like a much more expensive guitar. I think I paid like $400, got it from Musician's Friend or AMS.
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Hi CrqaigB
That's a cool Washburn kind of in the Les Paul vain but with a double cutaway. My CIJ 54 Strat reissue has a buzz feiten intonation mod done to it. As far as coil taps, I had a Kona Electric that I picked up at a thrift shop for $50.00 with two Humbuckers with coil taps that was a PRS knockoff. The thing would actually sounded like a tele in single coil mode. Another guitar player at church fell in love with it so he talked me into selling it to him.
Lately I've been druelling over the $130.00 SX Liquid lately. There are good reviews and raves about it on the net--being a lot of guitar for the $$$. I think it's way cool!! Platefire
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Got more incoming son in law guitars. It seems both of my son in laws are want to be guitar players and I just learned about this one when he brought two electrics with him when he, my daughter and granddaughter came in for Christmas. A 60's MIJ Kingston and a Yamaha Pacifica model 112. He's not giving them to me but wants me to keep them and set them up while he goes back to Afghanistan for another tour in the US Army. He will leave immediatly after Christmas and be back November 2012.
I've fooled around with the Pacifica and it would definitely come under the heading of cheap guitars that play well. The Kingston has no strings on it so I haven't got it up and running to make a comment. Did a serial number check on the internet for the Pacifica and found out it was manufactured 04 May 1996 the 299th unit. I like the feel of the neck. It has the feel of an old fender. I will take some pictures and post them soon. Now if I can just find room to stash these guitars---that makes a grand total of 13 electics in the house plus 3 at Church. :dontknow: Platefire
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Here's a Univox LP copy I just rebuilt for my gig-mate Eric, who'se standing behind it. It was found by his friend in the garbage! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2734891541131&set=a.2734890861114.2106569.1522597440&type=1&theater (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2734891541131&set=a.2734890861114.2106569.1522597440&type=1&theater)
The neck, frets, body, 3-way switch, bridge & tailpiece were fine. Everything else was a complete basket case. Not monetarily worth fixing except for DIY. Martin branded tuning pegs left over from an upgrade to his (Martin kit) acoustic -- required enlargement of rear, but not front of, peghead holes. Bone nut replaces cheap plastic. Washburn humbuckers left over from another project; decent enough. Required routing to enlarge the pick-up cavities to standard humbucker size; a Dremel tool to mill down the inside lips of the PU covers, blah, blah. Full-size quality pots, required enlargement of body holes. All new large-gauge wiring with star grounding. Orange drop tone caps. New rear cavity cover (non-standard size) cut to fit from black sheet aluminum which was on-hand.
This puppy does not feel or play like a cheap guitar. It feels fine (which is why I did the rebuild). Sounds like an LP should.
BTW: I discovered a good way to use drill bits -- step bits & regular bits -- to enlarge existing holes by hand: using a tapping bar.
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I am working on a Kay Acoustic 1960
I will post as I go
I have her with no clothes on now
looks like this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1961-era-Kay-Kelvinator-archtop-jazz-guitar-sunburst-with-case-/230752764971?pt=Guitar&hash=item35b9efc42b (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1961-era-Kay-Kelvinator-archtop-jazz-guitar-sunburst-with-case-/230752764971?pt=Guitar&hash=item35b9efc42b)
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I have her with no clothes on now
:w2: Hey now, this is a family web site!
Brad :laugh:
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I have her with no clothes on now
:w2: Hey now, this is a family web site!
Brad :laugh:
Yes you are right
Here she is no clothes no Make up no julery
(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/supro66/GUITARS%20MUSIC/DSC02260.jpg)
(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/supro66/GUITARS%20MUSIC/DSC02261.jpg)
I am getting new knees March 29 2012
I will work on her later
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She's looking good.
My wife's mother and father both got new knees, did them a world of good. I wish you well on your journey.
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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I am 64 now I got that when I was 14
So I wanted a new paint scheme
Red Neck Black sides
Yep I got yelled at so it sat many years in the closet
now that I have half a brain I looked at it and it was made of all solid wood
no plywood
So I put on the costume jewelry and she sounded good with out the electronics
Since I am retired it is going to give me a project
I would like to do the sunburst
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Pretty much any Yamaha ever made at any time. Even the cheapest ones play great.
Dave
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Pretty much any Yamaha ever made at any time. Even the cheapest ones play great.
Dave
I got two Matin Sigma Guitars 1990 era
6 string
12 string
they sound great
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sigma-12-string-acoustic-guitar-by-Martin-Co-very-good-condition-w-nice-case-/300678963088?pt=Guitar&hash=item4601dcdf90 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sigma-12-string-acoustic-guitar-by-Martin-Co-very-good-condition-w-nice-case-/300678963088?pt=Guitar&hash=item4601dcdf90)
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jjasilli---That's a cool LP. I always liked a goldtop. Looks like you did a great job and enjoying playing it!!
Supro66---Your blessed to have one of your original guitars from 14. My first guitar at 14 was a hollowbody too--a Harmoney archtop that I later added Kent pickups to. I'm 64 too. At about 15 I got my first solidbody Airline/Mongomery Ward/Valco guitar like the attached picture. The picture is not my guitar but mine was exactly like it including the rectangular black/white case. I had a silvertone 1482 amp at the time to run it through. I was big into the Ventures in those days. Platefire
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jjasilli---That's a cool LP. I always liked a goldtop. Looks like you did a great job and enjoying playing it!!
Supro66---Your blessed to have one of your original guitars from 14. My first guitar at 14 was a hollowbody too--a Harmoney archtop that I later added Kent pickups to.
I would not say blessd
Back in the 60's play a guitar pick up girls
I kind of felt sorry for the accordion players
Sax players did well also
I played Tuba in the school band
Dated a French horn player
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I played 2nd Trombone in the high school band but I traded it in on a guitar as soon as I graduated in 65. Got a Kalamazoo which was Gibson's version of a Fender Mustang----I latter got a 1967 Fender Jazzmaster for $300.00 with case. On amps I moved up from a Silvertone 1482 to a Gretch Variety 2-12 combo($360.00). Only amp I ever saw with a bass and lead channel----thus "Variety". I got a Framous Bass($200.00)---I played bass with one group and lead with the other. Yes in those days the girls was a nice side perk that went along with the music. Good memories! Platefire
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Pretty much any Yamaha ever made at any time. Even the cheapest ones play great.
Dave
Right on, BB!!!
I picked up a Yamaha SE203M (since I didn't have a true SSS Strat) and it is quickly becoming my
favorite axe!
Best of all, it only set me back $118 bucks!!!
It's slightly smaller & lighter than a standard strat, and plays like a dream! Hard to decifer Yamaha serial #'s, but I think it's an '88(?)
Geezer
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/jallenshaw/YamahaSE203M.jpg)
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Another pawn shop find (they didn't know what they had :icon_biggrin:).....
This is a 1987 Squire Tele (parts made in Japan(?), assembled in Korea as they were transitioning from the Japanese to Korean plants, or so I've been told). The serial # is silver & starts with "E1".
Butterscotch Blonde (in person you can see the wood grain thru the finish), fantastic neck, beautiful body & finish.....every bit as good as any USA Tele I've ever played.
Got it for $150 "out the door".
I go day-to-day between this guitar & the Yamaha being my new "#1".....poor old Ibanez is feeling neglected. :sad2:
Geezer
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/jallenshaw/TeleBlonde.jpg)
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Very nice! Looks like new. I love Teles. I see the neck is a strat type pu, is that stock? I love my 2003 Butterscotch Affinity Squire CIC, play it as much a my USA Hwy 1 tele. Plate
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I see the neck is a strat type pu, is that stock?
It's standard tele size, but without a cover....the pups are Bill Lawrence (Wilde pickups, built by the real Bill Lawrence) Noise free set.....the bridge is an L290TL and the neck is an L280TN. Cost ~~$100 for the set (shipped) but well worth it!
G
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Geezer,
Nice guitars! I especially like the Tele. I'd say you did well with those.
With respect, Tubenit
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OK, just one more......this is my LAST guitar purchase for a LONG time!
I had never owned a semi-hollow (ES-335) or hollowbody electric before & wanted to try one (to see what all the fuss was about). I saw this one on ebay & took a chance. So glad I did!
It's a copy (Korean made) of a Gibson ES-150DC....same exact shape as an ES335, but a full 3" deep body. It also doesn't have a full block under the bridge, just a small support block directly under. Trapeze tailpiece is also a 1st for me.
The guy I bought it from never even played it (it's a 2005).....he just had it hanging on the wall for display! It still had the plastic on the pickguard (which I removed to show off the flame maple a bit more) and not a scratch or scuff on it.
With my Dumble-style OD amps, this thing is quite unbelieveable in stunning tone! The "fatness" & sustain are almost unending, and the action & playability, fit & finish are every bit as good as any Gibson I've every owned or played. This one's a keeper!
Oh, and the fact that I paid $230 is just gravy!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/jallenshaw/DSC00005.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/jallenshaw/DSC00009.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/jallenshaw/DSC00006.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/jallenshaw/DSC00007.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/jallenshaw/DSC00010.jpg)
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Magnificent guitar! What a remarkable find. Congrats. The price was incredible.
With respect, Tubenit
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During an enforced period of hardship, I ended up with a £50 Jedson Telecaster - a cheap and nasty Japanese copy (Japanese guitars were rubbish back then).
It was AWFUL - rusted strings, lousy action, body made from blockboard, etc. My band almost chucked me out because of it.
However, after a new set of strings and a bit of TLC, it played great and sounded great.
At one gig, two young guys were watching me all night. At the end, they approached me and one asked "Hey Mister, how come your Fender Telecaster sounds so good ?"
I laughed and explained that it was only a cheap imitation, at which one of the guys thumped his mate on the shoulder and said, "You've got a REAL one and it doesn't sound anything like as good !"
They made my night !
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Jedson is a new one on me, never heard of that brand? Got a pix?
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Well I picked up an ION Strat Copy yesterday. Everybody knows there are millions of strat copies everywhere. The whole world is flooded with them falling out the windows and running into the street. I've been passing over them for years and never give it a second thought---however yesterday out running some errons decided to stop by the thrift shop and saw this ION sunburst strat, strings missing, loose jack, loose turning keys but all the parts were intact. The guitar has been abused with heavy dents behind the trem/bridge, cracks in the body(yet solid) and the trem arm broke off flush in the trem block. The thing that caught my eye was the sunburst finish with an emphasis on the red shade that I really liked. Looked at the price tag---$20.00. As I moved on continuing to look around I kept thinking about that ax and finally grabbed it and laid down the twenty bucks.
Got it home tightened up everything, installed a new set of strings, took off the pickguard cleaned the pots/switch with contact cleaner, set the action and intonation. To my surprise the body is solid wood, not plywood. No fretting out or buzzes up and down the neck. Ajusted pickup height. Tuning keys work good after I thightened them up. The pickups are not wonderful but not bad either and is very quiet through an amp. Another thing, it's staying in tune very well after I got the strings stretched out. So far I'm pretty impressed and was fun bringing it back to life. I'll be jamming on it a while:>). I'll post some pixs soon. Love that sunburst finish. Plate
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Welcome to the Rebel Alliance. I'm glad you are stepping away from the Dark Side!
Jim :m8
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Yeah, I feel so much better now! :l2:
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Well I used the ION in a live group setting tonight and it performed well. Got to play it with visiting Gospel Artist Randy Miller at our Church. Those cheap ceramic mag pickups retain that strat sound in a true enough way and reponded very well to playing dynamics. It stayed in tune without any retuning required--I liked that. Got the action set down right for me and the neck and strings had a good feel. I was able to pull off all my normal stuff on it with relative ease. Humm-strange the feeling I got when I spyed it in the thrift shop in its ragged dirty condition that I would actually go for it--after passing on all the other strat copies all these years. Thank you Jesus! Had to be you. Plate
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Right on, Brother!
You rescued her out of the miry clay :icon_biggrin:
I'm still playing both of my Turser guitars as my #1 and #2.
I'm looking for a different set of pups for the Squier Tele....the Bill Lawrence just aren't doing it for me.....maybe some Joe Barden's.
Ha....they would cost twice what I paid for the guitar!
Congrats on the cool find....
G
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Thanks Geezer! That Turser Hollow Body you have picture previous is a fine looking guitar. I know on my Turser, JT-DLPH the quality is nice as anything I have or maybe even better. On my Affinity Squire Butterscotch Tele special, the guy I got it from told me it had a Dimarzio in the bridge position. I can't verify that because there isn't any identifing markers that I can tell but I like the way it sounds. The neck pickup must have been original because it was weak and thin. I put one of those stu mac Golden Age 7.0K in there and have been happey ever since. I play on the neck position most of the time on a tele and I like it kind of thick and punchy. Bridge thick but not with twang dialed out. Without the twang what would be the use in having a tele anyway:>)----of course on a strat I hang out on the middle/bridge position(quack) most of the time and the rest on the neck. Ain't it fun :laugh: Plate
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Thinking about a set of these pickups for the ION strat as a cheap alinco V upgrade from the original ceramics.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111062508360?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2269wt_952 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/111062508360?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2269wt_952)
maybe this wiring kid too. On this ax the action/feel is good and stays in tune very well with lot of bending---so thinking it my be worthy of a 0verall $75.00 upgrade. Plate
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Primo-Wiring-Kit-For-Stratocaster-CTS-Oak-Switchcraft-022uf-Sprague-225P-Strat/400523793164?_trksid=p3984.m2206&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D31%26meid%3D8870019905776169795%26pid%3D100052%26prg%3D1023%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D400486388881%26#ht_3883wt_820 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Primo-Wiring-Kit-For-Stratocaster-CTS-Oak-Switchcraft-022uf-Sprague-225P-Strat/400523793164?_trksid=p3984.m2206&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D31%26meid%3D8870019905776169795%26pid%3D100052%26prg%3D1023%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D400486388881%26#ht_3883wt_820)
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Been jamming a lot on the ION strat--I'm liking those ceramic PU's and for now will leave them in. I'm an old Hedndrex fan and the neck pup has that glassy "Hay Joe" "wind crys Mary" tone. The neck and action are just great. A lot of satisfaction for $20.00 :>)
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I don't know if these qualify as cheap but they are certainly a fraction of what their Gibson namesakes sell for. I found a 1989 Epiphone Les Paul Standard on Craigslist a few years ago. Honey tiger eye burst with a hardshell case. Seller was out in the sticks about an hour and a half south of Atlanta so no takers. He started at $400 and gradually dropped the price by $25 at a pop until he got to $275. Final price drop. I pulled the trigger and made a nice Sunday afternoon drive out of it. Outstanding guitar. I snapped it up. Seems that 1989 was the first year that Epiphone actually offered true Les Paul Standard and Custom models. They were initially contracted out to Samick in Korea. They also briefly featured a modified open tapered book headstock. They went to the "boat paddle" sometime in 1990.
I have since scored three 1989 Epi Customs. Two from Craigslist and one from an online forum. The two with pickguards weren't necessarily cheap ($430 for the white one and $475 for the black one with a case) but again much cheaper than a Gibson. I have owned a couple really nice 80's Gibson Customs. The black one plays every bit as good as my old 88 three pickup Custom. The white one in the middle is a close second.
About a month ago I scored the yellowed one in the corner for $250 on CL. It needed a new nut and I swapped the pickups out for a set of Duncan 59's I had laying around. Installed a new Tonepros locking bridge and tailpiece last weekend. The yellowed one may be the best of the three. The luthier who installed the new nut is a local custom builder and he was shocked at how good it is.
These aren't as bargain basement cheap as some of the others in the thread but these aren't just "great for the money" guitars. These are "rivals guitars costing 4-5 times as much" guitars.
The little Junior was just something I picked up after my place was robbed just to have a guitar to play. Dropped a Duncan 59 in it and a set of no name aftermarket sealed keys from GFS and it is entirely road worthy. I have $230 in it. Wish I had had a guitar this good when I first started playing.
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You got a great collection of LP's there! :worthy1: I love Les Pauls too! In the 70's I had a Gibson Custom Black Beauty and also Gibson LP Deluxe with mini humbuckers but never bonded to those guitars. In the late 80's I picked up a Hoyer Les Paul Copy and really bonded with that guitar and kept it until 2012. Bought it for $55 and sold it for $500. I then needed another les Paul so I bought two off e-bay---one Epi Black Standard and one Epi Alpine White studio. I just played them both for a while to see which one I liked. It ended up being the Studio. I've bonded with the Studio and it does the LP thing even better than the Gibson custom I had in the 70's. BTW I picked up the Studio for $198.00 in great shape that included a nice Road Runner gig bag. I go through cycles---so long on a strat/tele and I have to have a good thick LP break. Har! Plate
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Back to my ION strat copy, what tool would you use the remove the remaining broke off trem arm from the block with the top of the remaining about 1/8" below the top?? Tried getting it to move with a screwdriver and drill counterclockwise and no unscrewing movement back out yet! Platefire
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Depending on the diameter of the broken stud, you might try what's called an "easy out" ....it's a reverse threaded screw/drill bit type thing.
You have to drill a hole in the center of the stud. Then, as you screw the easy-out into the drilled hole (counter-clockwise) it tightens into the hole and allows you to back the stud out of the hole.
The thing is though, you have to have a large enough section of stud to drill into the center of it......
HTH, G
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They also briefly featured a modified open tapered book headstock. They went to the "boat paddle" sometime in 1990.
Yeah, that's what I really don't like about the newer epiphones, that ugly headstock.
That's a very nice collection you've got. My son has a black Epi LP Standard that plays every bit as good as the Gibby std I bought in '76
G
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Does the wang bar hole extend all the way through the block? If so, try to drill it out from the back side. Drill should be smaller diameter than the thread size. It should spin it right out. I'm not a big fan of easy-outs when the diameter is small. It tends to blow out the sides and tighten everything up when you tap it in and before it grabs. Geez, I dont think I've seen one small enough for a wang bar diameter? Or try to find a left hand twist drill to reverse it out the top. These bars are usually soft on the inside so the drill should bite. Good luck!
Jim
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Jim
The wang bar hole don't go all the way through. I was in guitar center today and wanted to ask the repair tech about that but he was so busy I didn't bother him. i've pecked around on it with screwdriver and hammer trying to get it moving counterclockwise but never could get it to move. I might try putting some WD40 on it to loosen it up and maybe try a punch/hammer. If I could get it started and I think I could work it the rest of the way out. Thanks, Plate
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Plate, I'd try something besides WD40 to loosen any rust, something like Gibbs or PowerBlaster if they stock it down there. If you can find Kroil, that's about the best. Then, if your block is off the guitar and supported on something, take a punch that's slightly smaller than the stud, a heavy hammer, and smack it hard just once. This jars the threads loose if they're rusted. But If that block is aluminum, don't do that.
Something else I'd try *if it were me* - I'd very carefully increase the size of the hole you're drilling in the middle of the broken stud.
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Kroil +1
It's about the best stuff I've used. Better than most other 'liquid wrench' penetrating oils.
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I did try it with a WD40 and small screwdriver and couldn't get it to budge. It's not rusty. I'll look for the Kroil. Plate
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Just curious, did you manage to get it out, and if so how? (always looking for new tips)
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Nope! can't get it to budge!
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Well I have to come back and say I am still amazed at the feel of the neck, action and tone of this ION strat copy. It's just a pleasure to play. I decided to leave the original ceramic pickups in there because they just convey what I would consider a great strat tone and I don't want to change it. And when it comes to "Quack", it has my other two strat type guitars beat. So inspired me to proclaim this guitar the "Quack Master". Plate
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Awhile back i posted that my roomy purchased a peavey predator on the cheap.Well as it turns out the seller's mother went off over him selling and made him get it back.When he took it back the mother gave him $20 extra over the refund for the trouble.So he got payed for buying a guitar that was never really for sell lol.So i started looking at craigslist and found a Stagg tele copy for $65 and he went and bought it that day.The nicest neck i've ever felt on a guitar and sounds great for the money.Could use some upgraded electrics,tuners and a new pro cut nut.For no more than he has in it i'm very impressed with it's sound and feel.Alder sunburst body with a white pickguard and a maple neck and board.
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Well Mama knows best! :l2:
I had a Stagg White Les Paul Custom copy that I really liked that I picked up from a pawn shop for $150 just like brand new. Liked it so much I bought a hard case for it. Understand I had a Gibson Black LP custom back in the 70's and was kinda amazed that from what I could remember, it played as good or better than the gibson. In fact I had a lot of problems with the gibson. A professional musician friend of mine did a concert at our church and ask me if he could play on the stagg, he loved it and made off with the stagg and sent me one of his teles for a trade. Of course I agreed to that but my wife didn't like it one little bit, because she liked the stagg too. So they are OK guitars for their price from my experiance. Platefire
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Am Excited about the transformation of my Epi LP Special after I changed the pickups to Duncan Design 102 Humbucker set plus changed the trim to cream. I like the way it looks a whole lot better plus I love the way the new humbuckers sound and respond. Having owned several Gibson and Epi LP's in my time, I can say this little buddy had great LP operation to be the lowest of the lowest in the LP line. Platefire
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I just got one of these cheapie electromatics made in Korea.
Quality of the build is pretty good and heaps of binding everywhere.
Pups are brightish which is good for surf. Whammy is excellent too.
(http://media.fmicdirect.com/gretsch/images/products/guitars/2504811553_frt_wlg_001.jpg)
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Ooooooo....... nice!!!!!!!
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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Man! Dats a goodun! nice :blob8:
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hi
so looking at cheap guitars . well .........i found this .....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFyQXy74xz4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFyQXy74xz4)
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Awesome! The guy totally proved his point! That pickup will sound good in anything.
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Well I picked up another ax today---kind of an odd one--A 1984 Electra/Westone Spectrum LX Model X189. It was made at the famous Matsumoku Plant in Japan. The body and neck is maple. The color is call "Pearl Burst". The three knobs are pull switches with a lot of pickup combinations with the H/S/H pickups in conjunction with the 3 way pickup switch on the upper horn. The appearance in person is the body looks like a big slab of marble and it feels like it to, it weighs 8 3/4 Pounds. It came with a hard case which was an old Peavey T-60 case. I traded my Peavey Predator and Fender case for it. Here is some pixs. Platefire
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Rear Views:
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Had this Electra/Westone/Spectrum a month or so now and the only thing I can find wrong with it is some of the original tuning keys had a little slack. I learned from "Thorney" on the Electra Forum that GFS had a black set of staggered locking tuners that would fit the same existing screw holes and didn't require reaming out the tuning key holes, so I picked them up and installed them. Installed without a hitch, fit like a glove and are solid feeling tuners. I can now report that my tuning stability situation on the guitar in now stable :evil5: . Go home now, relax and rest in peace. Platefire
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Well here we go again. I won a solid white Squire Deluxe strat on e-bay and is on its way. Every since I was a Hendrix fan back in the 70's I've had the desire for a solid white strat with maple fingerboard. Now in my old age I'm not so much a Hendrix fan but still a fan of the white strat/blonde neck. Don't get me wrong, Hendrix was a super talented musician that the Lord blessed him with a super playing innovative ability. I just think he made some very bad choices that we all do when we are young that eventually did himself in. I often wonder if he could have withdrew himself out of all the hype, drugs, insanity and survived, how a old man Hendrix might have played and lived. Regardless his guitar playing influence has had its effect on me where sometimes I play a certain passage and think, that's Hendrix influenced!
So this is my first deposit at the bottom of the white strat chain to fulfill that desire and hopefully I will get a usable instrument before I reach an Am Std. I will post some pixs when it shows up. Platefire
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My Squier Deluxe Strat came in today. The seller said it was like new, I was glad to find it was true. No dings, scratches or flaws that I can find. Here is some pixs:
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Dear Plate,
See I always told people you were a good guy!!!
Yer pal,
Jim :m8
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I like white Strats!
Looks real good.
Brad :m8
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Thanks! Sure Good Guys Play White Strats!!! :icon_biggrin:
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Yeah. :laugh:
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Seriously Guys, I've always wanted a white strat being an old Hendrix fan and he seemed to favor white strats even though he played a lot of other stuff. In my old age I see where he squandered a lot of his God given talent and life with foolishness IMHO. Nevertheless his talent is undeniable and the appearance of the solid white strat with the maple/blonde fingerboard always remained something I had a desire for. I thought I would start at the bottom of the white strat with maple fingerboard chain and work my way up since I'm a cheapskate and skinflint! :dontknow:
First problem I encountered was tough action. i couldn't seem to do what I normally do with my other axes and was looking down the neck and other stuff trying to figure it out. Finally I got to comparing the strings that came on it and discovered it had 10's and I normally play 9's. So when I install some of my fav EB Super Slinkeys the great transformation to the action happened. I wouldn't have thought that just going from 10's to 9's would have made that much difference, but for me it did. My whole style of playing was developed using 9's and every attempt to move to heavier always derailed that ability. So I don't even go there anymore.
With the actions/playablity solved it was time to jam and get a real feel of it. The whammy feels really good to me with two springs but it kept going out of tune. I doctored the string trees and nut with a combination of lite WD40 and Graphite and finally played about a two hour session of my tunes and held tuning very well(with a lot of mild whammy).
It's got Duncan Design Alnico 5 pickups. Been trying to decide about them. One thing I have noticed, they have what I would consider a classic tone, yet a little hot but to my amazement seem to have that glassy hendrix tone like you hear on "The Wind Cries Mary" or "Little Wing" especially on the neck position. So I guess that's a plus. So I'm generally pretty happy so far and looking forward to playing it with my Praise Band Group Sunday. Platefire
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Wow lot's of cool guitars!!
Nice!
I'm a hollowbody fan normally but some of those solidbodies were pretty damn cool
Here's my Cheapo Gibson 400/Gretsch Country Club Mockup
Aria FA-71 cheap Jazz Guitar(17" lower bought ,3.75" deep, long scale neck) Bought used and tricked out with surface mounted Dearmond Pickups(new ones Dearmond 200s or Dearmond lites)
This is a BIG guitar! Yeah!
Tried old harmony Dearmond mustache pickups originally, cool sounding pretty pickups but I like a little more clarity
Made a custom ebony bridge with bone saddle (pinned on the bass side but still floating) and a bound pearl pickguard, added a Bigsby, Grover Imperials, and cause i didn't want to make any holes I mounted the pickup selector switch in the bass side F-hole
Cute rose decals courtesy of my mom :icon_biggrin:
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And the 2008 Gretsch electromatic i souped up to essentially the same as my 64 double anniversary
Also a picture next to each other
bound the F-holes, painted the pickguard, made a one piece ebony bridge with bone saddle, hilotron pickups etc etc
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Nice Hollow bodies! The electromatic looks just like the 64. You must be somewhat a guitar tech/craftsman to do all that!
I've always drooled over the White Falcon. I seem to have a thing for white guitars :icon_biggrin:
The ARIA really had a 50's vintage look. Being an old codger I recall in the 50's the natural blone hollow-bodies was really popular. Mostly old Silvertones around my hometown. Only a few had Fenders like a duosonic or musicmaster and a deluxe reverb amp. Some dano's here and there. Never a Gretsch of Gibson to be found. Only thing Gretsch I ever had was a Gretsch Variety Amp in the 60's.
I've got an ARIA TA-50 335 copy that I like a lot. Just recently upgraded the electronics and pickups since I decided it was a keeper. That's the only semi-hollow body I got. Once had a Guild Starfire. Platefire
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I played the white falcon but I settled on the Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose
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My favourite Guitar is my 1964 Gretsch Tennesean (both my gretsch's are 1964 by fluke)
Lovely guitars the Tennesean!
I applaud your choice!
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Got a musician friend and amp/guitar tinkerer in the next town about 30 miles away. We talk a couple times a week by phone. He just got a Tennessee Rose lately and every time he calls he is raving about that guitar--he's an old strat man too! So it must be something to those Gretsches. Maybe some day when I grow up I can have one :icon_biggrin: Platefire
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Got a musician friend and amp/guitar tinkerer in the next town about 30 miles away. We talk a couple times a week by phone. He just got a Tennessee Rose lately and every time he calls he is raving about that guitar--he's an old strat man too! So it must be something to those Gretsches. Maybe some day when I grow up I can have one :icon_biggrin: Platefire
Geez Plate, if you sell a few dozen of the guitars you own now, you could buy a couple!!! :laugh:
But you really have no need..... :m8
Jim
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The Tennessean is a lovely, oft under-appreciated guitar, They play nice and the low output pickups sound really pretty.
And there aren't that many wine coloured/brown hollowbodies out there
My battered but well loved guitar
Okay back to the regular scheduled programming!
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Toxophilite, which style Bigsby wammy bar do you like better, the flat style or the round?
I would think the flat style is less comfortable and harder to work with?
Brad :think1:
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I've used that Tennesean for about 25 years so I was pretty used to the flat bar(I don't think I was aware there was another)
Then I had a two tone single Anniversary from the 50s with a Dearmond, I found another Dearmond and then i saw a wiggly Chet style bigsby and I had to have one cause it looked so cool!! (In fact when I bought my Tennessean in Seattle a million years ago it was $700, had five strings on it and one pickup was on upside down, but I looked at it(I had driven from Vancouver to buy it) and went oooo ahhhh coool, played a a couple of gimpy 5 string chords and bought it!)
When I got that blk double anniversary(I think someone refinished a sunburst) I bought the bendy arm for the stock bigsby
I would say I'm more used to the flat arm and fine it quite handy, it's certainly less prone to coming loose, rotating etc
The round arms, look amazing!, are quite handy as well, round to get your pinky around nicely, but a little thicker.
The main thing I don't like about the modern ones is the stupid set screws into the aluminum frame. The one on my Anniversary needs to be attended to every once in a while, I should put some lock-tite on it. I think it only has one screw right now and that's not original as the tiny gimpy original one stripped quite easily
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Ok, thanks.
I'm used to the round bar on my strat. The few times I've tried a Bigsby, while I liked the Bigsby itself I didn't like the flat bar in my hand.
Brad :dontknow:
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Bottom line--its a wiggle stick--grab that thing an wiggle the daylights out of it! :guitar1
Ah Ha! and on that statement about my mocho guitars, I'm holding to my limit of 14. It appears 14 of my guitars=one Gretsch :rolleyes: The tele stays!
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MY Gretschs are easily worth 50 normal guitars each! and I'm not talking about money! :icon_biggrin:
I didn't know Willabe was referring to the round bar used in the strats
That's a much smaller unit and they're way more sensitive too, you can't dive bomb on a bigsby
I think strats and tele's are very cool sounding instruments and I owned one of each at one point or another
I just can't get used to playing small solidbody guitars, I tried!,just my personal preference, probably from starting on acoustic.
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I didn't know Willabe was referring to the round bar used in the strats
That's a much smaller unit and they're way more sensitive too,
No, I was not referring to a strat type sized bar. Just that the flat Bigsby bar is uncomfortable in my hand. I find the round Bigsby bar more comfortable to grab ahold of.
you can't dive bomb on a bigsby
Me, divebomb? No, no, no, no, haha, no. :laugh:
I'm more of a blues and roots music player, I just like to shake the cord a little.
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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I really like a variety of guitars. No matter how good one is sounding, after so long of continuous playing, I'm ready to switch to another for a while. Same with amps. That keeps it interesting for me. Platefire
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:laugh:
I wasn't suggesting that you'd dive bomb..or even plain 'bomb'
just that you couldn't with a bigsby, it's not that sort of tremelo, which I now know you know...no?
I barely even bend notes for crying out loud
I just like to bend chords on the bigsby , with a flat bar it's something you give a push occasionally and once in a while play with it in your hand, though as you suggest it's not ideal for that.
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Here is another addition--Pawn Shop find. I found this marked $39.99. Didn't plug it into an amp, played real easy, no buzzes, neck straight, no dings and seemed OK and everything was intact. No whammy bar or case.
I offered $30 and they said they couldn't but would let me have it for $39.99 including tax. So it was $36.69 before tax.
Got it home and pickups/electronics worked ok. The intonation had never been set and the trem springs where tightened up all the way where it wouldn't even move. Did my setup to it setting the trem to floating, had to remove some of the bridge saddle springs to get them back far enough to get a perfect 12th fret octive but got intonation right on all the strings. Lubed the nut and string trees with WD40. Cleaned it, waxed it & put a new set of string on. The pickups are a little weak but do have a sweet straty sound. What can I say, couldn't resist a solid white strat for $40 bucks. Platefire
BTW-it also has a usb connection module and headphone jack.
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Huh, $40? Yeah I'd buy it too!
Looks real nice, how's the neck?
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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Hay Brad
The neck has got a little flatter radius than I'm use to---probably 12"R but it has the small frets like the vintage fenders which is kind of nice because you can even feel them---no fret drag. I just discovered a fret buz while ago on the big E string on the 1st fret F note--kinda aggravated about that. I going to try to raise the bridge saddle to see if that will help---I really don't want the string any higher. Everything else is working fine. Platefire
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I just discovered a fret buz while ago on the big E string on the 1st fret F note--kinda aggravated about that.
Then don't play that note! :laugh: (Come to think about it, unless I was play'in in the key of F, I can't think of a reason or time of needing that low fretted F? Unless I was walking down a bass line over a cord.)
Really, for ~$40, you have plenty of room to work with.
Heck, for that price you could give it to a young'n at church to give him/her a leg up. :wink:
Free lesson's optional. :laugh:
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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Yeah! I was thinking about that myself. I've actually got two strat clones I could let go, the IAxe and an ION. We don't have many youngsters going to out church, mostly old folks like me! I'll keep my eyes open though. I have given lessons before and not crazy about it. If you' get a dedicated student that works hard at it, it's fun but most I've found are not that way. If you have a good student, you can just spend 30 minuets with him a week. Show him a few new things and he has it mastered by the next week ready for more. I don't mind teaching those kinds but haven't got much patience with the others. One guy I tried to teach just wanted to sit and watch me play--I finally played hooky on him permanently. Platefire
BTW-I really enjoy the challenge of setting up these cheap electrics to see if I can make them perform correctly. I'm convinced that I can take the cheapest classic strat type trem and set it up for floating where it will return to pitch. You can actually live without the string trees if they cause too much of a problem. I read where Eric Johnson removed his string trees. On this strat copy I tried a new lube mixture of Vaseline & graphite on the nut slots and string trees. So far it's working well. My last frontier is learning to dress frets. So the entertainment factor in these cheap copies is also a draw for me.
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Just had good success at upgrading my ION strat copy. As preveiously mentioned in this thread the trem arm was broke off in the block when I bought it. Never had any success in trying to extract the old nub out. I recently bought a new affinity Squier trem assembly off e-bay and installed it. It fit perfectly(2 1/16" Spacing) and I set it up for floating. I used all three springs that came with it and it has just the feel I like--not to soft/loose and not too firm eigher--just right! With a little Vaseline/graphite combo lubrication on the nut and string trees--it returns to pitch well.
Also I just purchased some new white fender PU covers, springs and screws for a set of used Highway 1 Fender strat pickups that I've had on hand and installed those. While I was at it I installed some used CST 250K pots for the vol and neck pu tone along with a 150 Mallory .0475 tone cap. I left the mid pu original midi 250K pot in there but transferred tone operation to the bridge pu on the pickup selector.
The body has a couple of cracks--from inside lower horn cut out to trem spring cut out and also from just under rear strap button to bottom of trem spring housing. I drilled two pilot holes through each crack and installed a 2" drywall screw along with some wood glue which pulled the cracks together taut--what I hoped it would do! I covered the entry holes with some dark wood filler. Sanded it off smooth and darkened it up with a sharpie to match the black finish.
I am so happy with the results, I'm just beside myself. Back in 1994 I sold a 1965 Sunburst Stratocaster with rosewood fingerboard to a collector because I needed money to buy a new pickup truck. I actually regretted that I sold it after the fact, but it was a done deal. As I begin to jam on this upgraded ION, I was amazed that the sound reminds me of that 65 strat. The guitar even looks like the old 65 with the exception of headstock and the sunburst had some yellow in it. So in a way I've got my old 65 back if not in actuality but in function and spirit. Platefire
BTW-I love messing with this stuff;>)
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This is another El Cheapo strat rework! New Artec Alnico 5 pickups and Re-wire. Platefire
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I just discovered a fret buz while ago on the big E string on the 1st fret F note--kinda aggravated about that.
Then don't play that note! :laugh: (Come to think about it, unless I was play'in in the key of F, I can't think of a reason or time of needing that low fretted F? Unless I was walking down a bass line over a cord.)
If'n you picked hillbilly geetar you might us it a tad more cause it is all over the key of C and F and makes a nice half step bend in A minor. Keith Richards probably wouldn't mind at all if he fretted out all over the 6th.
Tune it to G and use it for playing The Stones. I always wanted to do that, now this cheap guitar thread got me thinking.
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Keith Richards probably wouldn't mind at all if he fretted out all over the 6th.
Yeah, he has a custom 5 string (no low E) for playing tuned up for slide. :icon_biggrin:
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Well that's just the problem---I'm a classic guy playing classic notes :dontknow: Not so much hill billy but Dwain Eddie or Ventures. I'm allays looking for an opportunity to switch on a Tremolo pedal and play on those low notes---twang-warble-twang-warble--you know what I mean. Don't need twang-warble-buzz :help:
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Don't need twang-warble-buzz :help:
:laugh:
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:icon_biggrin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABKE9lDPQX4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABKE9lDPQX4)
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Har! Now that's what I'm talking about---didn't hear any "Buzz" in that! I actually have an old LP record of Duane E that I picked up at a thrift shop several years back and was amazed to find his playing ability is a lot more progressive than the simple notes he plays on Rebel Rouser and his other hits. I think it really takes a lot of restraint to play like that and keep it simple. Now if I can find a Ventures version of "Stranger on the Shore"or theme from "A Summer Place" our twang experience will be complete--maybe Doug will record it---his early background is the same. Thanks! Platefire
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Hey Plate, Here's one for you.
Just paid $250AU
(http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx254/Timbo-08/001%202_4.jpg) (http://s761.photobucket.com/user/Timbo-08/media/001%202_4.jpg.html)
Its Japanese made in 1989 150 series #3611
It was bought by an elderly lady for her granddaughter who mention that she would like to play guitar.
Being young girl at the time, really wasn't that interested in learning and didn't want to disappoint her grandmother and accepted the present.
So for the past 26years it's been in a hardcase under a bed along with a ROSS SYSTENS RG-10 amplifier (still in box)
THE GUITAR HAS NEVER BEEN PLAYED.
http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/charvel-japan-import-guitars.php (http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/charvel-japan-import-guitars.php)
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Hey! Good deal. How does it sound and play??Looks good.
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Hey Plate, NOT real good.
On research the TREMS aren't that great and to tune it been a bit of a job.
The neck had a buzz on the first fret and even with a 1/4" gap under the strings at the base of the neck.
Some adjustment of the truss rod fixed the bow in the neck and I was able to lower the action, but still couldn't get it to stay in tune.
I'm not a great fan of the trem so I will investigate a better one or just block it in place. I also read that the posts on the trem can break and the ones on this guitar are already on a lean.
I think I can invest a few more bucks to rectify a few problems and get it working better.
Not sure on the pickups (not active) just yet, I'll give it a blast over the weekend.
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Yeah, keep tweaking it and it will come around. I'm pretty good with tweaking everything but frets. I need to learn that. I gave up on Floyd Rose style double locking tremolos, too. Quirky for me
Those fine tuners were always running out of play, then you have to pull the locking nut off again and recalibrate the fine tuners. The classic type trem I can manage better. Platefire
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I've really been into my strats lately. I've got a desire for another project guitar. Thinking Affinity Squier because they are an Alder body. Color Aztec Gold. Mapel fret board. Pickup configuration HSS. Don't know if I'll act on it, but find myself searching eBay with that in mind😉
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Just bought a friends Squier Esprit. Wow. It needs a little setup, but plays easy anyway, and the sound is spectacular.
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Great! A picture would be nice!
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http://www.whitstableguitars.co.uk/Squier%20Esprit%20MIK%202%202005%20(3).JPG (http://www.whitstableguitars.co.uk/Squier%20Esprit%20MIK%202%202005%20(3).JPG)
I'm too lazy to dig out the camera. :icon_biggrin: But this is real close to what mine looks like.
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Wow! That's nice. kind of like a solid body 339. Well get it set up to your taste and you'll R n R'en soon :icon_biggrin:
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Yeah, I can get a lot of different tones/styles out of it. Sounds great playing jazz, can sound plenty nasty doing rock, and everything in between. Now I finally have to take my Epi LP into Coffey music and put it on consignment. I know it won't bring what I have in it, but I rarely play it anymore. Plexi50 is the one that started me down the double cutaway path with that ESP. :icon_biggrin:
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NAW! You don't want to sell your LP :sad2: Every guitar player needs a paul :evil5: :think1:
I Don't play mine often but when I do I really enjoy it. Back in the 70's I got some LP's that were dogs and my Epi plays better than those Gibsons I had back then. So I'm hanging on to mine :laugh:
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Nope, it's gotta go. I'm not going to be one of those guys with 8 guitars or something. Getting too close to that already. lol
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New project guitar I seen in a pawn shop for $40 and couldn't resist. It's 1998 Crafted in Indonesia Affinity Squire Strat. IC in the Serial Number indicates that it was built at the Cort plant that has a good reputation. Platefire
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$40 Fender Strat with rosewood fret board and standard trem? Nice! :icon_biggrin:
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Well I've been eying Affinity strats because as I understand it have Alder bodies. A good building block to build on. I'm hoping when I pull the pickguard it's routed for a bridge humbuckers, and then I could make it into a fat strat.
Just trying to get it set up as is for now. Platefire
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I'm hoping when I pull the pickguard it's routed for a bridge humbuckers, and then I could make it into a fat strat.
:w2: :sad:
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You no lika Phat Strats?? :dontknow:
I did take the pick-guard off yesterday because something was terribly wrong with the wiring. The neck tone pot didn't even work. After taking off the Pick guard off I seen the tone pot for the neck pu wasn't even connected and yes it is routed for a humbucker in the bridge position. It's got the normal squire ceramic pickups--two bar magnet bars on each side of the pole pieces on each one. I don't have and re-wiring parts on replacement pickups as off now, so just fixing existing to be workable.
I could tell someone had messed with the wiring and things were kind of messed around. It is the cheap 500K mini pots and a little green .033 tone cap on the mid pu pot---usually on the neck one. The volume pot has a cap and resistor across terms 1 and 2 apparently added by a mod at some point(treble bleed cap?). I liked the way the volume pot was working, so I left that alone. I put the existing .033 cap on the neck pu pot as normal and tied it to the mid pu pot except I rewired the mid pu tone pot on the switch to control the bridge pu.
I have got the neck bow out and straight and installed my favorite Ernie Ball Super Slinkey .009's and got the action set very much to my liking. The intonation is very close as is. I jammed on some tunes this morning with my JamMan band and was very happy the way it performed. Those ceramics are all over that quack tone :laugh: Platefire
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I removed the existing treble bleed cap and resistor from the Affinity Squier last night and the ax sounds a lot fatter. The previous owner had installed it and I decided I would give it a try but figured out real quick it wasn't for me. I enjoy the mellowing down when you turn the volume down instead of getting brighter. In fact my whole style of playing includes that effect, so big improvement.
Also the taper seems back to normal where I can do effective Volume swells.. Platefire
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New project guitar I seen in a pawn shop for $40 and couldn't resist. It's 1998 Crafted in Indonesia Affinity Squire Strat. IC in the Serial Number indicates that it was built at the Cort plant that has a good reputation. Platefire
Tell me about the console Magnavox Stereo behind the Strat. Is it a toob phono. Looks cool.
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Sorry Ed, I just now saw your post :w2:
That is a 1958 Magnavox Record Player(no radio). It is the very beginning of stereo called "Stereophonic High Fidelity". It does have a stereo balance knob but it's not on top with the controls, it on top of the amp chassis. You know you can't trust the public with a "balance knob" they will go crazy with it :think1:
I got it at a thrift shop for $10. It had tubes in it, that's all I needed to know. I figured I could use it for parts if nothing else. When I got it home on the front porch. I decided I try to play the stereo once before I gutted it. I had a Beatles "Yesterday and Today" album I picked up at the same thrift shop, so I put it in there and fired it up. Wow! I couldn't believe the sound I heard coming out of that console. I decided then and there I wasn't parting that out. It's been in my living room every since. That was about 15 Years ago.
It has two 6V6 push pull power amps, I forget the pre's. It's got a 12AT7 PI's. That's the only tube that ever went bad that I replaced. I'm big into classic gospel music, so I got a pretty good little collection. It needs a little maintenance, maybe I'll get to it someday :dontknow: Platefire
BTW-while I'm at it, here is a YouTube of my new project Affinity Strat going through the Kalart projector amp. The amp is stock except I removed a 1.5 Meg grid resistor they had in the input for some reason? Nice thick clean tone, I like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OnwPXEcIm8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OnwPXEcIm8)
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Sorry Ed, I just now saw your post :w2:
That is a 1958 Magnavox Record Player(no radio). It is the very beginning of stereo called "Stereophonic High Fidelity". It does have a stereo balance knob but it's not on top with the controls, it on top of the amp chassis. You know you can't trust the public with a "balance knob" they will go crazy with it :think1:
I got it at a thrift shop for $10. It had tubes in it, that's all I needed to know. I figured I could use it for parts if nothing else. When I got it home on the front porch. I decided I try to play the stereo once before I gutted it. I had a Beatles "Yesterday and Today" album I picked up at the same thrift shop, so I put it in there and fired it up. Wow! I couldn't believe the sound I heard coming out of that console. I decided then and there I wasn't parting that out. It's been in my living room every since. That was about 15 Years ago.
It has two 6V6 push pull power amps, I forget the pre's. It's got a 12AT7 PI's. That's the only tube that ever went bad that I replaced. I'm big into classic gospel music, so I got a pretty good little collection. It needs a little maintenance, maybe I'll get to it someday :dontknow: Platefire
BTW-while I'm at it, here is a YouTube of my new project Affinity Strat going through the Kalart projector amp. The amp is stock except I removed a 1.5 Meg grid resistor they had in the input for some reason? Nice thick clean tone, I like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OnwPXEcIm8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OnwPXEcIm8)
Sounds great. Actually I sort of went backwards to tube amp repair. I started with TV of course, then very old radio. When I got my first Tube Console Stereo I could not believe how great it sounded and I have had some great solid state stuff as well.
I am restoring a 1949 Zenith Dual Cobramatic, actually almost done. My Pride and Joy is a Stromburg Carlson Console with JBL 15's and a couple of Martin Logan Ribbon Tweeters.
I don't say much about HiFi because I try to keep from being called a cork sniffer. :laugh:
I like me some old Gospel myself and have plenty of vinyl. I miss the old console stuff, so I have found some really nice pieces for out living room in the Mountain home.
Thanks for sharing it.
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Hay Ed, if you got some pixs of your console restorations, would like to see them. Before I got into tube amps, I recall getting a tube console from my Brother in Law. I recall gutting it for the speakers to use with another integrated Amp I had. I recall looking at the tube chassis and trying to hook a guitar up to it but never got it to work---just didn't know what I was doing. I ended up hauling that chassis, tubes and transformers to the dump. Now when I think of that, sounds so ignorant!
You speaking of your mountain Home---makes me think of Mountain Home, Ark. We just passed through there coming back from Branson. We stayed in a town called Mountain View. They had Flea markets everywhere there. Man if you want to get away from the world there is some pretty desolate places back in those hills. I swear, there were some turns I went around that were 90 degrees that you had to almost stop to make. Can't imagine when they traveled them same trails in horse and wagon:>( Platefire
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Hay Ed, if you got some pixs of your console restorations, would like to see them. Before I got into tube amps, I recall getting a tube console from my Brother in Law. I recall gutting it for the speakers to use with another integrated Amp I had. I recall looking at the tube chassis and trying to hook a guitar up to it but never got it to work---just didn't know what I was doing. I ended up hauling that chassis, tubes and transformers to the dump. Now when I think of that, sounds so ignorant!
You speaking of your mountain Home---makes me think of Mountain Home, Ark. We just passed through there coming back from Branson. We stayed in a town called Mountain View. They had Flea markets everywhere there. Man if you want to get away from the world there is some pretty desolate places back in those hills. I swear, there were some turns I went around that were 90 degrees that you had to almost stop to make. Can't imagine when they traveled them same trails in horse and wagon:>( Platefire
My home is just up the road from Mountain City which is in very North Georgia. That is Rabun County and is the home of flea markets for sure.
I am awful about photos. I never think to take them. I will post a few of the ones I have done soon.
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Ok, good to talk with you. Platefire
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Update to Post #113
A little upgrade to this project guitar as a reward for being so good.
This guitar has really became a friend since I picked it up in August this year.
The only thing causing me grief is those flakey original trapezoid tuners.
So I installed a vintage set of staggered Goth tuners. I had almost forgot
how much I liked the feel of vintage Fender style tuners with the split shaft being able
tuck the end of the string down in the shaft. Also with a new feature being
Staggered post, I was able to removed my string trees for better tuning stability.
Sweet indeed! Platefire
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Latest Aquasition on the way;>)
I've been admiring this cheap little beast for a long time, Epi Les Paul Special l P-90's, TV-Yellow. I've never had a P-90 guitar before. I love the looks with the vintage LP look and Wrap around bridge. Hopefully I can get it playable.
I know they make the Gibson LP Special 100 that is a fixed neck, double cut and I have been looking close at those. The last major production in 2015 can be had used from $600 to $800 and were about $1200 new I think?
The cheaper Epi has reviews all over the place but best I can tell from my searches, the P-90's are Alnico 5. The TV-Yellow has been out of stock since first part of 2017 at MF and GC. So when the yellow came into stock Memorial day, that pushed me over the edge. So here we go!!! Platefire
Here is the Epi and the Gibby DC:
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I'd love to have the double cutaway for tuning to E for slide. :icon_biggrin:
They make adjustable wrap around bridges so you can intonate it. Tone Pros has a very nice one and it locks to the stud bars.
And I'd change that plastic 1/4" jack plate to a chrome steel plate before it breaks and from what I've read, it will. :w2:
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How goes it Willabe?
Good to hear from you. Yeah this little P-90 Special is a trip. It's just different enough from my other axes to be really interesting. I've been looking at the adjustable wrap arounds and classic tuners but right now I'm just going to enjoy it as is and figure out what I might do to it later. Right now the bridge and tuners are doing OK. The P-90's are super hot for single coils IMHO and measure out at 9.69K bridge and 8.10K neck. I have to turn the amp vol way down from previous tele/strat settings. I'm proud of myself, I sold another guitar to make room for this one----so I want have to hang it from the ceiling to make room or anything like that:>) Platefire
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Well I know nobody gets too excited about cheap guitars but here is some pictures of my newest acquisition. Just thinking, most all my guitars were aquired used. This is a new guitar untouched my anyone but the builders/inspectors---kind of nice. This guitar is surprisingly good for $150 new. Platefire
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I had the double cutaway many years ago, I loved that guitar! And so did Leslie West! Great score!
Jim
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Well I know nobody gets too excited about cheap guitars but here is some pictures of my newest acquisition.
No, that's a great deal!!!!!! I'd prefer a double cut away, but hey, I'd have bought that in a heart beat for $150! :blob8:
But I'd use it for slide. :icon_biggrin:
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Thanks! The honeymoon is still going on. Love those P-90's. The P-90 sound is it has some of the thickness of a humbucker and some of the brightness of a fender style single coil all mixed into one. That's kind of hard to describe but I sure like it. I normally play on the neck PU a lot on a strat/tele but find myself on the bridge PU a lot on this ax. Just got in from mowing grass and as soon as I get a shower and a bite to eat, me and the wife are going to run through some tunes and give it a work out. I know I'll eventually get back to my strat but for now, here we go! Platefire
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So the Saga continues. Been hankering for a Fat Strat. Just a Squire or something similar I could work as a project. I been looking on e-bay and in pawn shops for a while. When I saw this the other night on e-bay for $99.99 including shipping, couldn't pass it up. It's in route as we speak but I can't help but get excited even for a Squire cause I've transformed some into great players. Hoping the same for thisun. Platefire
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Had some good experiences with the Fat Strat this weekend, so that's heads up on that one. Having the bucker is like having an extra power pack you can kick in at any time, Nice! Platefire
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I picked up a Chinese classic vibe thinline a few months ago. The frets and maple neck were not to my liking so I removed the frets. Began to sand off that thick finish.
Well, it is not a finish. It is some sort of photo wrap and when the poly is removed it is not maple. I really have never seen a neck made this way. The grain is very dark and doesn't seem to form growth rings.
Anyway, the neck does not vibrate at all when playing. Never did. Even the skunk stripe was some sort of plastic. I refretted it anyway and it is awful. Everyone inn the past has told me they are slab cut maple.
I will install a real neck as the guitar sounds good plugged in. Don Made pups helped a bunch.
Anyone else seen this neck?
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I've got an old CIJ Foto Flame P-Bass where they put some kind of film over the top to make it look nice figured wood but---I would have never guessed they would do such a thing to a fake maple neck?? I wonder it they use that procedure on the other CV's?? Platefire
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Just got this yesterday. 1999 MIK Epiphone Les Paul Junior P90 double cutaway. Bolt on neck. I paid $339 shipped on eBay. Most folks would say I overpaid and maybe I did but try to find a double cut Epiphone Jr for sale. They don't come up that often. Right out of the box it played well and sounded amazing but needed some TLC. The tuners were junk. We all know that. I replaced them immediately with Grover Deluxe tuners (my new favorite tuner). The pickup sounded great - really hot - but was microphonic bad. It sounded so good I made my first foray into wax potting. Success! No more squeal. New Grovers, wax potting, some Gerlitz Guitar Honey on the fingerboard and a fret polish and some slight dressing and lubing of the plastic nut. D'Addarrio XL110 strings and set the bridge height. I really like these cheap lightning bolt wrap around bridges that these Epi's come with.
All put back together and it screams. I am in for $390 and the guitar is amazing. Plays and sounds better than others two or three times the price. I also own a Made in Indonesia HB single cutaway counterpart to this. I put new keys and a Duncan 59 on it (the old microhponic pickup wasn't really all that great tone wise - not worth saving). These are the two cheapest guitars in my stable and two of the best playing, best sounding and fun to play.
We live in the age of great inexpensive guitars. I wish the cheap stuff back in my day (late 1970s) had been this good.
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Hay alerich
I like it! I'm a big Epi fan. Their quality is very good IMHO. Those P-90's and wrap around bridges is a trip. Platefire
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I got this Duo-Sonic about 3 months ago. It's getting more play time lately than my Gibsons, PRSs, and Rickys. I'm really impressed with it. It's a very bright guitar that in single coil mode I'd equate to a cross between a Tele and Mustang sound. In humbucker mode, it retains it's brightness to a degree that I'd liken to a Gibson 498 but not as loud. Anyways, I recommend it. I think I paid $300. Worth every penny.
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I've crossed paths with the old vintage Duo Sonics. My guitar buddy that I was raised up in school had a sunburst one with a DR for years. Great Sound! Latter in years when we formed a group in our older years, he bought another vintage one Beige that had the metal guard--very nice!
Yours looks lovely! It's nice when an expected zero turns out to be a hero! Love the color that matches up great with the maple board. Also love a humbucker in the bridge position on strats, can imagine it rather lovely on a Duo Sonic Also. Platefire
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I got this brand new in a Black Friday sale - for about the same price as a Squire Classic Vibe strat
24.5" scale medium-C neck with 12" radius rosewood slab board, with 1&11/16" wide ally nut. Agathis body. Bridge pup has a HB/SC coil split. Neck pup is SC 10k impedance. Roller saddle bridge
Build quality is excellent
Plays and sounds like a dream for the price
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That looks a lot like the old Mosrite guitars. Thanks for sharing the photo and info.
With respect, Tubenit
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:thumbsup:
Nice nut width. My Dano's neck is a but narrow for me so I use it for slide. But a zero fret throws me off visually, so unfortunately I can't use them. I sold a Mosrite on account of that!
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tubeswell----that is one cool Dano. Being an old Ventures fan I've always wanted a Ventures model Mosrite but off course the price is out of sight. That puts a more modern rendition of it within reach of us budget minded folks. I'm a big fan of sunburst too and that one looks nice and with a Bigsby. Platefire
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I got this brand new in a Black Friday sale - for about the same price as a Squire Classic Vibe strat
24.5" scale medium-C neck with 12" radius rosewood slab board, with 1&11/16" wide ally nut. Agathis body. Bridge pup has a HB/SC coil split. Neck pup is SC 10k impedance. Roller saddle bridge
Build quality is excellent
Plays and sounds like a dream for the price
I like these ok, but that custom built triple pup tele is KEWL. I am sure it is not cheap.
I picked up a Shector Hellraiser a few weeks ago like the attached for $75.00 and it had EMG pups not working. It was only the battery snap and was setup and playing within an hour of getting this home. These are really nice guitars. I have another one so I am going to sell this one to a young man is really becoming a great player. I am not really an EMG Pup fan, so mine has Duncan Antiquities in it. Will it scream, you bet ya!
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Nice! I've always liked those. Great Price. That always helps when it's not making sound, they mark it down and it turns out to be something simple. I hope the up and coming picker will appreciate it. Platefire
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Ed,
You know those EMG Hellraiser's go for 5-700 used and a grand new? Sustainiacs bring even more. They are great guitars but boy do they weigh a ton! I've got the Schecter C1 Platinum and it plays like a dream. The EMG's sound really nice, I was impressed - and that says a lot coming from a single coil guy! The tonal spectrum is outstanding. The sustainiac is really cool too and you can hear that in the "Jojo Afterburner" sound clip I posted. I've played quite a few PRS and some crap brand called sure, smog, sewer, smegg, slabitchure - I cant remember the silly name...., and the Schecter blew them away at less than half the price.
Jim
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Ed,
You know those EMG Hellraiser's go for 5-700 used and a grand new? Sustainiacs bring even more. They are great guitars but boy do they weigh a ton! I've got the Schecter C1 Platinum and it plays like a dream. The EMG's sound really nice, I was impressed - and that says a lot coming from a single coil guy! The tonal spectrum is outstanding. The sustainiac is really cool too and you can hear that in the "Jojo Afterburner" sound clip I posted. I've played quite a few PRS and some crap brand called sure, smog, sewer, smegg, slabitchure - I cant remember the silly name...., and the Schecter blew them away at less than half the price.
Jim
I like it that you are so opinionated and clueless at the same time. Makes for great reading.
No, they are not anywhere near $1000. Here is one in Atlanta Craigslist with hard case for $350 and it ain't selling. https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/msg/d/very-good-condition-schecter/6772696406.html It will for $250, like I told you the other day. The $75 one had a couple of scratches that buffed out.
And of course you like EMG pups. You have to knock the shit out of the front of a Marshall, I mean don't you understand anything. A Marshall was a Bassman, it was the Germanium Booster and a 12Ax7 in V1, which is basically what the EMG does that moved Jim Marshall to the Throne of the Father of Loud!
So Bud, next time you are dancing with Sissy, you tell her you are sure glad Ed is not at Gillys or you would be a wallflower. Are you a real cowboy?
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Ed, Ed, Ed.....
O ye of little faith. Unlike you, my stories of lore and wisdom are backed by facts, not your fantasies about how good you WERE. I believe this is your guitar?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schecter-Hellraiser-C-1-FR-Electric-Guitar-Black-Cherry-Set-Neck-EMG-81-89-1794/381998955779?epid=23011376436&hash=item58f0e97d03:rk:4:pf:0
Oh and yes I am a Cowboy but I wasn't dancing with Sissy. I was dancing with Precious AND Grace....
Jimbob
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Who needs a pick? (at 1:58 on...) :dontknow:
Who knew of Jimbob and Ed's past together??? (and why they're always bickering?) Back in their hay day...
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Haha! That WAS my hair back in the 70's!!! And yes, that looks like Ed's cosmic rig - a Marshall with nothing plugged in and not turned on!
Jim
sorry for the hijack, have to defend meself against these rouge characters!
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That is not a Marshall behind the guy not plugged in. What an idiot.
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Ed, Ed, Ed.....
O ye of little faith. Unlike you, my stories of lore and wisdom are backed by facts, not your fantasies about how good you WERE. I believe this is your guitar?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schecter-Hellraiser-C-1-FR-Electric-Guitar-Black-Cherry-Set-Neck-EMG-81-89-1794/381998955779?epid=23011376436&hash=item58f0e97d03:rk:4:pf:0 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schecter-Hellraiser-C-1-FR-Electric-Guitar-Black-Cherry-Set-Neck-EMG-81-89-1794/381998955779?epid=23011376436&hash=item58f0e97d03:rk:4:pf:0)
Oh and yes I am a Cowboy but I wasn't dancing with Sissy. I was dancing with Precious AND Grace....
Jimbob
you see you linked to retail. If you think they cost more how many will you buy for 500 dollars. Half price?
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Oh my gosh, their posting chick rock now! :huh: :embarrassed:
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Willabe! Ed and Jojo are picking on me. :sad2: They need to leave the forum if they are not going to be nice to me!!!! Once again, I never did anything to deserve this treatment!
Jim :icon_biggrin: :hijack1:
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Willabe! Ed and Jojo are picking on me. :sad2: They need to leave the forum if they are not going to be nice to me!!!! Once again, I never did anything to deserve this treatment!
:laugh:
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Hate to break up the love fest here :l2: but I have a problem I'm hoping you guys can solve. Picked up a pawn shop special yesterday. It's a vintage Les Paul copy but has no name at all on the headstock and no serial number visible that we could find. There is a very aged looking sticker on the back of the headstock that has LP19B printed on it. Guitar is black with a carved top, block inlays in the fretboard, no inlay on the headstock. White binding on guitar fretboard and headstock that has yellowed with age. Tuning keys have been replaced with Grovers. Probably not correct as old screw holes are exposed but that's just cosmetic and they work great. The bridge and tailpeice are bowed a bit and and it needs a fret job. One of the tone knobs is missing and replaced with a knurled chrome speed knob. Action was set way high to keep the strings from buzzing when playing on the worn frets. Pots are a bit scratchy. Buzzes a bit when you touch the chrome knob.
Sound like a piece of junk? Why would we buy something so messed up? Well, it happens to be a tone monster. Almost scared to fix whats wrong for fear of messing up the MOJO. Looked inside the rear routes and it appears it is a mahogany plywood body. How can this thing sound so good? No clue what make of pickups is in it. Pawn shop had it marked at 119. we gave em 100. Got it home and plugged into a decent amp and I must say I think we got a bargain.
If anyone can shed some light on what this is we would be deeply indebted. Google yields possibly a japanese copy by kawai, secova, tokai, honda.... who knows.
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more
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That looks like many a Japanese or Korean copy from the 70’s. Actually looks a lot like a Sears copy I bought back then! One of the things I always ran into with those copies back then was they were never set up. I would clean it up, put strings on it, and check the truss rod. It might be better than you think. I have a Strat copy that was my go to for years that had some of the best single coils I’ve ever heard. Sometimes you luck into some magic!
Jim
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OK, I think I have some promising leads on the origin of this Les Paul copy and boy is it a weird one.
We broke the guitar down last night to give it a good cleaning and inspect it for any identifying features/numbers inside. There were none.
So there are a few distinct features about this guitar that I am looking at that are not found in the thousands of other 70's LP copies.
1. the strap knob is located on the heel
2. the truss rod cover is a unique shape, similar to the gretsch design cover.
3. the sticker on the back of the headstock
4. tailstop is not slotted around the posts.
5. back route covers are odd shape and ill fitting.
6. the zero fret below the nut.
7. the tombstone shape headstock rather than pointed or open book.
8. Plywood body
9. Block inlays but no headstock inlay.
I have only found one example that exhibits all of these odd features. The EKO EROS. Info is a liittle sketchy. EKO appears to still be in business and I am going to contact them and see if I get any response.
It appears EKO was an Italian company that manufactured guitars in Recanati, Italy in the 50's and 60's as well as electronic keyboards and organs. They produced primarily acoustic guitars until the late 60's. When the electric guitar market began to take hold, they recognized it was better to go with the flow than against it so they began producing a cheap, sub brand of electric guitars based largely on Fender and Gibson models. They apparently had them manufactured in Japan under the EROS name. I am trying to find what factory in Japan built the EROS guitars, apparently there were not a lot made and they were only porduced for a few years in the late 60's early 70's?
It also appears they were imported to the UK by Rosetti? I have sent an email to Rosetti to try and confirm.
If anybody can share info on this or correct wrong information I may have, it would be appreciated.
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Looks like an old 'Carlos' LP copy budget basement guitar. You can tell by the pot knobs and the pups. I had one when I was a teenager in the '70s. They were under $100 new IIRC.
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I've got a couple of Clearwater cheapies which sound gairly good...one Mandocaster and one lap steel. Yes, I've replaced the electrics and cheap pots. Yes, I had to tidy up the frets and pop a new nut on. And yes, the scae length of the lap steel is probably a bit small for me...but for the price they play and sound good now, plus I have fun doing the tweaks. I've also got a Harley Benton 7 string which I really like. And two bitsa Teles I put together with cheap parts which are ace...I just popped decent pots and pickups in.
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Pictures Please!
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Ed,
Believe it or not, Jojo DID record an epic song and also an even EPIC better video!!!! :huh:
Jim
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Yes! It is good very!
Jim
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Holy crap how did that come out but what a nice porn stache eh? Speaking of which I found Jimbo and Ed's first forey's into music when they wanted to be a percussionist and flute player respectively...or is this just one of their foreplay routines?
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Couldn't even get started. Sorry, bit odd don't ya think?
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You guys sure know how to wreck a good thread!
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Yeah, what he said! I think those guys need to be banned.
Jim
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:icon_biggrin:
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Ok I will try to get this thang back on track.....
I recently stopped in at a store that buys club store overstocks and sells them for 30-70% off. For example I got a HUGE document (or small firearm) fire safe for $50, retailed for over $300. Stopped in earlier this year and found a black left handed strat copy. Came with a tuner, stand, SS practice amp with 8" speaker, and a gig bag. All for $30. Of course I bought it! The clerk kept telling me that they couldn't sell it because it was a lefty. "You do know this is a left handed guitar?" "This guitar will only work for left handed people..." Guessing her age I said, "Remember Jimi Hendrix?" She looked surprised and said, "Of course!" I then explained what I had in mind. I've got several sets of pickups and the neck was surprisingly good, maple with rosewood fingerboard, so I wasn't worried. If worse comes to worse, I could sacrifice it at a big gig (if that ever happens...). Fret ends needed a little touchup but after filing the nut, new strings, rod adjustment, relocating strap button, and my patented floating whammy setup - the moment of truth. Plugged in and holy crap! This thing sounds like Brian May's Red Special! Pups have a pronounced sparkle on the bridge and vowel like at the neck. Five way switch and I can dial in every queen song I can ever remember trying to play. Plays really really nice. Pics coming.
Jim
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Now that's a good story. Cheap too! Perfect for this thread. Platefire will come callin' soon. :icon_biggrin:
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All I can say is watch the video
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Boy!+You+are+in+a+Heap+of+Troble&&view=detail&mid=6CEDAF2963A12F670D756CEDAF2963A12F670D75&rvsmid=1E159556FEC619A234EF1E159556FEC619A234EF&FORM=VDRVRV
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The right to remain silent!?!
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What about a Whacky Guitar player that sounds good???
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Whackey+Guitar+Player&view=detail&mid=699A78D35714DD70382F699A78D35714DD70382F&FORM=VIRE (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Whackey+Guitar+Player&view=detail&mid=699A78D35714DD70382F699A78D35714DD70382F&FORM=VIRE)
MAYBE ANOTHER
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Whackey+Guitar+Player&&view=detail&mid=10E7A0E2973E0D4EE46C10E7A0E2973E0D4EE46C&rvsmid=699A78D35714DD70382F699A78D35714DD70382F&FORM=VDQVAP (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Whackey+Guitar+Player&&view=detail&mid=10E7A0E2973E0D4EE46C10E7A0E2973E0D4EE46C&rvsmid=699A78D35714DD70382F699A78D35714DD70382F&FORM=VDQVAP)
LAST BUT ______ LEAST
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Whackey+Guitar+Player&&view=detail&mid=68AB39122555159C18E768AB39122555159C18E7&&FORM=VDRVRV (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Whackey+Guitar+Player&&view=detail&mid=68AB39122555159C18E768AB39122555159C18E7&&FORM=VDRVRV)
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Trevor Wilkinson, the pickup and hardware designer was working in conjunction with Fret King and making some nice Fender type guitars. Are not very cheap, but now they have started these:
https://vintageguitarsus.com/electric-reissued-series/
I have a friend with a music store who started selling these. You can get one out the door for $400 or less, I know the wholesale cost. If when you purchase any you know how to fret level and do a proper setup, basically improving the playability any of them are fine instruments with nice hardware.
I bought one to route for a low output neck humbucker 6.8DCR with alnico 2 and the Bridge is actually cold rolled steel like the old Blackguard but has compensated saddles. Not saying out the door they are not ok, but after a good once over if I didn't use a G and B bender tele, I would have one of these dragging around.
That is my favorite thing about cheaper guitars. Drag them around for 6 months and sell them as Road Worn on Craigslist. Seriously, nice instruments with poor fit and finish.
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Hi Ed
I took a look at the link. They look like a nice selection there. I've always had a thing for the while LP custom with gold hardware. They have one that looks really nice! Even though gold hardware seems to tarnish right off the bat. I once had a Les Paul Custom Black Beauty back in the 70's but it was a dog. I now hate black guitars as far as appearance. I now have a white Epi LP Studio doing LP duties and I'm pretty pleased with. What can I say, I've got too many guitars. I've run out of room to stash them! Same way with amps. I almost bought another strat the other day. I made a low-ball offer and he accepted but I didn't have enough cash on hand and ask him would he take a Debit. He said I don't have a Debit machine. I walked out mumbling something about I guess I could go to an ATM but after a few minuets away from the shop I came to my senses and went home.
So yeah, I got to many cheap guitars that play good and I'm not going to give up my bed so I can stack them on there. I got a new rule. In order to get another guitar, I must first get rid of one first so the count don't increase. Problem is, I like them all. So I'll have to find something that really rocks my boat to make me get rid of one. Platefire
BTW-Merry Christmas
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I here you Bob. I had a rule. I only need 2 amps about 12 to 15 watts each. Then I said 2 about 30 watts would be nice. I went on a selling spree and now I only have 9 Guitar amps. My favorite guitar is a 1969 Black and Gold Les Paul and yes it is a good one. Dad never really learned to play, but he did have a 1964 Super Reverb that I now have as well. I used to play the Les Paul, but it is worth too much to damage or get stolen, so now it plays at home.
I just finished making one of the Vintage guitars a Telecaster with a humbucker in the neck and a Broadcaster type bridge. 2 concentric post where I can have 500K for the hum bucker tone and volume and 250K for the bridge. I have completed everything except wiring it up. After doing the frets, the thing plays like a $1500 guitar.
So I guess my rules get broken sometimes. Like Jimbob kept on about Strats and still does. I finally got one and then another. Someone gave me one and I repaired it and then went and bought another new one. 4 Strats now. Telecasters? I am ashamed and will not say! I will say I have 3 with "B" and "G" benders. One in Blackguard dress, one is 60 Dress and one Modern Deluxe.
I found an Affinity Strat at a goodwill for $9. Replaced the PUPS and switch and did a setup. Sanded off the headstock and painted it black to match the body and put a friends of mine's son, his name is Freddy, using the same font fender uses. I give him lessons from time to time. Really nice kid and great player. He plays a Epiphone Led Paul, but want a strat. Turned out nice.
Merry Christmas!
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using the same font fender uses
Hey Ed, would that be a true type font? Would you let me have the file? You have my email addy. THX
...and Merry Christmas!
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using the same font fender uses
Hey Ed, would that be a true type font? Would you let me have the file? You have my email addy. THX
...and Merry Christmas!
Sent!
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Hay Ed, I been meaning to respond to you previous post since before Christmas and just now doing it. So you won't confess to how many guitars you do own or have owned at one time---ok :dontknow: I recently removed the bed out of one bedroom to make a jam room. The guitars that went under that bed I then had to find a place for. So they are now in a pile in the washing/computer room. I also quit buying hard cases and started using gig bags because you can huddle up more guitars in gig bags(under a bed) than hard cases. I have called it quits of acquiring any more as of about 2 years ago. I was about that time I thing I built my last amp----I think?
I'll have to look up your post on your last tele builds. I've always wanted to play a tele in the humbucker in the neck position. I play in the neck position most of the time. so that sounds interesting. Also having the 250/500 pots separated to control their corresponding pu's is also interesting. IMHO there could be no substitute to having a real tele pickup/bridge plate in the bridge position or in your case Broadcaster pu for a tele. A tele just has to have that twang thang going on at the bridge. So should be some nice tone in the middle combined position also.
I truley enjoy playing all my guitars because each one brings out another side of my playing in a different way.I enjoy the variety. When it come to burning down the house playing, full blown kick out the jams, with me the strat is the ultimate weapon---considering the end of the world playing is in my own limited capacity when compared to all the other players in the world. I stiill enjoy it as much as the big boys even though the end result might be slightly different :laugh:
On your $9 strat, I thought I had gone pretty cheap on my $20 ION strat but have to admit you have about a 55% advantage there. Now that I have leaned to do a pretty decent set up on a strat, it's amazing to me how well a cheap strat copy can be made to play with a good setup---of course if the copy isn't too cheaply made where it can't be adjusted out. Hope your having a excellent New Year. Platefire (Bob)
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Enjoying a sunday morning leasure and opened this to see what cheap stuff is, and man I haven't laughed so good since last night...some hillarious chit in the middle pages, and not being a Pro, I got some deeper knowledge...eye bleach quick.
But to the Title, it seems some good deals are in the PRS SE line and G&L tributes I think. Gibson's Tributes also get good mentions for 'newer' cheap. SE Asia and China are really making nice stuff now, sadly for me as a dyed in wool american working class burro. So it goes. I have recently come to the realization that a really good neck with AAA resonant quality is half of a elec's overall tone, so bolt on good neck with hi end electricals can make a great instrument, but as always it is each instrument, no guarentees.
Thanks for the laughs! Great stuff :dontknow:
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Hay Ed, I been meaning to respond to you previous post since before Christmas and just now doing it. So you won't confess to how many guitars you do own or have owned at one time---ok :dontknow: I recently removed the bed out of one bedroom to make a jam room. The guitars that went under that bed I then had to find a place for. So they are now in a pile in the washing/computer room. I also quit buying hard cases and started using gig bags because you can huddle up more guitars in gig bags(under a bed) than hard cases. I have called it quits of acquiring any more as of about 2 years ago. I was about that time I thing I built my last amp----I think?
I'll have to look up your post on your last tele builds. I've always wanted to play a tele in the humbucker in the neck position. I play in the neck position most of the time. so that sounds interesting. Also having the 250/500 pots separated to control their corresponding pu's is also interesting. IMHO there could be no substitute to having a real tele pickup/bridge plate in the bridge position or in your case Broadcaster pu for a tele. A tele just has to have that twang thang going on at the bridge. So should be some nice tone in the middle combined position also.
I truley enjoy playing all my guitars because each one brings out another side of my playing in a different way.I enjoy the variety. When it come to burning down the house playing, full blown kick out the jams, with me the strat is the ultimate weapon---considering the end of the world playing is in my own limited capacity when compared to all the other players in the world. I stiill enjoy it as much as the big boys even though the end result might be slightly different :laugh:
On your $9 strat, I thought I had gone pretty cheap on my $20 ION strat but have to admit you have about a 55% advantage there. Now that I have leaned to do a pretty decent set up on a strat, it's amazing to me how well a cheap strat copy can be made to play with a good setup---of course if the copy isn't too cheaply made where it can't be adjusted out. Hope your having a excellent New Year. Platefire (Bob)
Plate, I don't mind admitting how many guitars I have, but I am also a parts collector. Makes it difficult to count. I have a guitar with a 1967 Fender Strat neck that hooks to the body. Loosen the strings and it will fit into my Shotgun case with an old Stephens Single Shot Shotgun 16 ga.
Sort of like having a single shot rifle and a one eyed dog. I have a 3/4 Telecaster with 5 strings too. I went to Songbirds 2 weeks ago, Guitar Museum in Chattanooga. It is not a huge place, but they did open the case of these Byrdlands and let me smell them. :icon_biggrin:
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Ooooooooo! Ahhhhhhh! Ed, that is too cool. Lots of history there! I drop in from time to time to a local place in St. Louis called Killer Vintage. Their walls are lined with photos of players like Ronnie Wood, Jeff Beck, Malmsteen, on and on - all pictures of them taken when they were visiting the store. They have some choice stuff and are well respected. The owner does business world wide. After plinking around on their inventory I've come to the realization that a lot of the old stuff is just that - OLD. And mostly worn out. The prices are staggering. Every once and a while there will be a neck that just feels like home (that 57 strat, sigh…) or a pickup that shines. However, I'll take a newer guitar any day. Not saying that those Birdlands are junk, far from it! I'm saying I think the majority of the vintage gear pricing is driven by non-playing cork sniffers or those with more money than talent. There are certainly exceptions where the craftsmanship is stellar and the combination of wood, neck, and electronics is magical.
Bottom line, I'm exceedingly cheap (which is why I'm posting on this thread :laugh: ). I figure if I cant make a $30 guitar sound halfway decent, spending 6 figures on a guitar isn't going to help fix that problem.....
Jim
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Here's my second submission to "cheap guitars that play good". It's a G&L Tribute Fallout. I replaced the bridge pickup with a TV Jones Classic Plus. It's splittable to single coil. Also, because my OCD requires numbers, I changed the barrel knobs to Jazz Master knobs. I'm not a super huge fan of humbuckers but I really like the TV Jones. It blends perfectly with the P90 in the middle position.
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Ok, I am going to tell you about one that got away. Went to a trivia night last night with a silent auction. Low and behold there was a Schecter S-1 Elite, brand spanking new and the bid going into the last few minutes was $160. The S-1 is a LP Jr style double cutaway in red with abalone neck inlays and Duncan pups, just a beautiful guitar. Used on Fleabay for $700. So in the last minute it hit $200 and I am ready to sweep in and snipe, trying to balance how much trouble I would get into with my wife (who wasn't there) for bringing it home against my massive guitar greed. 10 seconds to go and a guy older than me (so dirt old) walked up and put $275 on it. I was going into convulsions trying to decided if I should thrown down $276 and suddenly it was over. Awww crap. Our table was right next to it. So for the last hour of the night, there it was.... Taunting me. Laughing at me. The neck looking like one big tall middle finger to my indecisiveness.... I was trying to make myself feel better by saying over and over that my wife would have killed me if I brought home another guitar. Then my daughters were admonishing me for not getting it saying "Mom buys all sorts of stuff, you should have got it! Geez dad, why didn't you just get it?!?!" Even my daughters were calling me a puss..... :sad2: :sad2: :sad2:
Fast forward to this morning after a long tearful night of what might have been. I told my wife about it when she got home from work (nurse) thinking I would get points for my restraint. "Why didn't you just get it?!?!"
Jim :BangHead: :sad2: :BangHead: :sad2:
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Jim,
That is one funny story!! :l2: Thanks for sharing it!
Jeff
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Ok, I am going to tell you about one that got away. Went to a trivia night last night with a silent auction. Low and behold there was a Schecter S-1 Elite, brand spanking new and the bid going into the last few minutes was $160. The S-1 is a LP Jr style double cutaway in red with abalone neck inlays and Duncan pups, just a beautiful guitar. Used on Fleabay for $700. So in the last minute it hit $200 and I am ready to sweep in and snipe, trying to balance how much trouble I would get into with my wife (who wasn't there) for bringing it home against my massive guitar greed. 10 seconds to go and a guy older than me (so dirt old) walked up and put $275 on it. I was going into convulsions trying to decided if I should thrown down $276 and suddenly it was over. Awww crap. Our table was right next to it. So for the last hour of the night, there it was.... Taunting me. Laughing at me. The neck looking like one big tall middle finger to my indecisiveness.... I was trying to make myself feel better by saying over and over that my wife would have killed me if I brought home another guitar. Then my daughters were admonishing me for not getting it saying "Mom buys all sorts of stuff, you should have got it! Geez dad, why didn't you just get it?!?!" Even my daughters were calling me a puss..... :sad2: :sad2: :sad2:
Fast forward to this morning after a long tearful night of what might have been. I told my wife about it when she got home from work (nurse) thinking I would get points for my restraint. "Why didn't you just get it?!?!"
Jim :BangHead: :sad2: :BangHead: :sad2:
You let it go for under $300. You have got to be older cause we know you are more senile than the guy that got it.
I often wonder about you!
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My daughter wants to (re)learn to play guitar. I taught her a few chords when she was in her early teens and now (age 26) she wants to take guitar playing farther. I visited her a few months ago and she asked me to help her pick out a guitar. I told her IMO electric guitars are the easiest to learn on for a variety of reasons. We tried several guitars under $300 and the Epiphone SG Special VE was the only one that had proper intonation, string height and without dead notes. It's lightweight, thin and comfortably contoured. It's only drawback is the pickups sound thin. She paid $180 (new) and I bought her an Orange Crush Mini, cord and guitar strap to go with it.
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Nice guitar! THANKS for sharing the story. It's pretty cool when our kids pick up the passion for playing guitar also.
With respect, Jeff
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Grab her a set of Golden Age humbuckers from StewMac!
They do a pretty good job of sounding like PAF Gibson pickups for a lot less money!
https://www.stewmac.com/electronics/pickups/shop-all-our-pickups/golden-age-humbuckers.html
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Hey guys,
I just purchased a Washburn N1 for AU$500 in great condition
1990s Washburn N1 Nuno Bettencourt Electric Guitar Vintage White, Japan | Reverb (https://reverb.com/item/40586147-1990s-washburn-n1-nuno-bettencourt-electric-guitar-vintage-white-japan)
Similar to this one but in red stain
So after playing it for the last week I'm chuffed that a "cheap" guitar can be so well built
I'm now looking for a project to build (from cheap well built) bones and do some upgrades
The Yamaha pacifica is a bit of a contender that has the super strat look
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I'm beginning to think I've reached the end of my guitar purchases, cheap or high end. I for sure have got more than I got room for. I don't want to speak to loud though, cause something might jump out at me unexpected :blob10:
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How about something different !?
Dolphin guitars was a brand from Brazil, very good instruments, guitars and basses,
i got the luck to work in the factory where i learned the luthier profession, late 80s, 88-89.
Dolphin was the first guitar in Brazil to have a Floyd Rose tremolo.
I got two guitars from Dolphin of same model but the first I got is left hand, playing with that guitar since the late 80s, I got so used to it that the need to modify the right hand one was unavoidable, so a new body is in place now. Model name GX-508, X for tremolo, GA-508 no tremolo.
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My vote: Danelectro
D'Angelico Premier Series Bedford SH
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Anybody have any experience with these cheap guitars? https://www.guitarfetish.com/Electric-Guitars_c_116.html
I've not owned or played any but have read some reviews that were favorable.
Lots of folks have used their pickups and like them.
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One of my favorites is a Squire Custom II P90 TELE. The quality is high and the "Duncan Designed" pickups sound great. No current production, and I see the used prices are all over the place $300 (good deal) to $850 (good luck)
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This 2009 Squire Deluxe Stratocaster still makes me smile. One of my better buys
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Speaking of cheap guitars that play and sound good. I've been hearing a lot of mostly good reports on Firefly Guitars lately. Seems they are in the $200 to $300 range, have a lot of extras only higher end guitar have and the reviews are generally impressive. Anybody with experience with these?
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Most all the "factory direct" cheap import guitars seem to come out of the same factory.
Back in the late 80's & 90's most imports came out of the Samick factory.
As wages climb they move to another factory in a new country.