Guest Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Good post Bennerley, long ago I have given up the ghost on owning a dream guitar... and now not a guitar snob,my lads mates come to our converted forge house to jam,I have a strat copy,a Hondo from '73 which the young uns won't put down when they visit..they seem to love old instruments even if they were crappy copies back then.my cheap battered Akai bass,they love that,went into a pub the other week to collect my lads kit..the landlord gave me a burns guitar and a ' crybaby'!!.. been dumped!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bennerley 19 Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Someone can dump a Burns Split Sonic or Bison Bass my way any time!!!!!! I had a Split Sonic played it until it took a fall at the Horse and Jockey, Bulwell, Knocked the headstock clean of! the funeral was a private quiet affair! I did have it repaired, a really great job but they never seem to play the same. Apart from the Gibson EB2 basses I've owned, two and one Epiphone version [love em' cab crushing monsters that they are] the best guitar I ever owned was a jap built Fender Strat re-issue, it knocked spots of any yank Strat! it had such a tonal range the top end would break windows and you could play bass solo's on the bottom end! Sadly, stolen. Just realised the F95 is in my profile pic! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barclaycon 569 Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 There's something about old guitars - even cheap ones. I remember when my brother and I got the parts for a Watkins Rapier and spent ages in my dad's garage trying to spray it and put it together. The wood was like chipboard and the pickups were toytown. Made us appreciate what was good about Gibsons and Fenders! Robert Smith (of The Cure) had a favourite guitar. A Woolworths Top 20 which he used with a Roland amp with its Chorus control turned right up. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Had a Kay semi acoustic were they woolies? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BeestonMick 263 Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 If you fancy a new quality guitar electric or acoustic have a look at PRS guitars. They are now the 3rd largest manufacturer of guitars in the world and are all hand made apart from a CNC routing machine. They have US made ones in the region of £800 to £8000+ and cheaper ones made in Korea usually designated 'SE' which some people say means 'student edition' but that's not true. The main difference with PRS is that the Korean made ones are as revered as much as the US made guitars and, in my experience, play equally as well unlike Fender and Gibson who's non-US made guitars are classed as second rate and really aren't up to the quality of the US made ones. I have a couple of SE's available if anyone wants first dibs before I stick 'em on eBay or Gumtree: This is one of the earliest SE's made by PRS - it a 2001 PRS Santana signature SE This is a 2004 (if I remember correctly) PRS Paul Allender SE signature - it's a proper shredders machine so if you like your heavy stuff this the beasty for you. Note the bat inlays on the fretboard, quite unusual, PRS normally have moons or falcons. Both guitars are used but in good condition fully working with no major dings or scratches. They're both reasonably priced. If anyone is interested please PM me, I don't want to discuss finances in public, I would but the mods may not like it, I dunno. Both are cheap and would make excellent Christmas presents Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barclaycon 569 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 I'm a fan of most of the 'classic' guitars like Strats and Les Pauls but I particularly like some of the more unusual looking models. I really like the Thomas Maltese Surfer that Ian Hunter used to use. He said he got rid of it because it got photographed more than he did ! There's a guitar made by a company called Parker which feels as though it has a metal body (I think it's actually carbon fibre). Has quite a unique tone. In italy I worked with a guitarist who played a Paridis guitar. Electric but with nylon strings AND with a sub-octave for every string. And of course, who can foget the Dan Armstrong plexi guitar. Clear plastic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BeestonMick 263 Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Like this? Personally I don't like 'em but each to his own. I can't see how there's enough wood to give any lasting sustain but there must be, there's been enough of them played in the past. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roger peatman 337 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 I didn't know Gibson manufactured the brand outside the US. -- where are they made ? I don't include Epiphone although I have a '96 Epi Les Paul and a 2008 Gibson Les Paul Supreme -- the difference of £2k in the prices I paid isn't really reflected in the sound/quality of the 2 guitars, but do like the 2 Eggles I have -- a '97 Berlin Pro and a '97 Iommi Atist sig.. SG. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 How much is a Ted Newman these days? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BeestonMick 263 Posted November 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 I didn't know Gibson manufactured the brand outside the US. -- where are they made ? I was on about Epiphone, they can be made in Korea, China, Indonesia and Mexico (Mexico branded as Gibson I think) How much is a Ted Newman these days? One sold on eBay for $8,500.00 in 2012 This quote from the Fender site always makes me smile: I got no problems with Mexican Fenders, they're made in Mexico by Mexicans instead of made in California by Mexicans Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bennerley 19 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 The two Gibson basses I owned were American and so was the Epiphone, I suppose to match the Epiphone Casino six string, I'm pretty sure the Epi's had a slightly less powered hum bucking pickup, simpler controls and a poorer finish, I think all Epi's are now made in SE Asia. The Epiphone Texan was a great acoustic guitar, I always wanted one! I ended up having a custom made acoustic that was modelled on the Texan and made by a guy called Al Gormley a local guitar maker. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 Serious question, because I would like to know the answer: We hear of Fenders and Gibsons being the best guitars, but what makes them great. To me they are pieces of shaped solid wood, with a neck, strings and pick-ups. Is there something in the electronics that makes them sound 'better' than all others? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roger peatman 337 Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 Whilst Fender and Gibson do indeed make "Great" guitars, so do many other manufacturers, past and present. As a guitarist , we all want a certain sound and feel from our instruments, it's just a matter of opinion. "Tone" can come from the guitar, the fingers and the amplification/effects in the case of electric guitars. With accoustic guitars , the sound is more to do with the material/quality and the construction/design of the body. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dgbrit 258 Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 My Gibson Les Paul weighs a ton that's why I don't like playing it much The Fender Strat is still a good piece of lumber about 3/4 the wt of the Gibson I think the wood used gives it more sustain Now to acoustic guitars I do like my Martin dred Mahogany & Alvarez 12 string but expencive Yamaha NTX700 nylon string electric/acoustic most played out of the bunch good price good quality best buy ever. La Patrie hybrid Canadian made solid wood no laminate better bass. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted November 23, 2015 Report Share Posted November 23, 2015 Old and heavy,great tone and action..bedded in..new seem plasticy and cheap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 So, to the listener it doesn't matter what make/type of guitar it is, it is the player who appreciates the instrument and its ergonomics? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Annesley Red 80 Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 That would depend on what you want. I tend to buy mine via the t'interweb from trusted dealers of new and second hand guitars and equipm(ent. Anything specific? Dreadnought, but I have got to play them so darent use net Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TBI 2,351 Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 So, to the listener it doesn't matter what make/type of guitar it is, it is the player who appreciates the instrument and its ergonomics? I would say yes. Members of any audience aren't usually concerned with the player's instrument, just the sound produced. From the player's perspective, it's the same as any accomplished person doing any task, they want the best tool for the job they can afford. In the early fifties, Fender produced the Stratocaster as an improved alternative to the Telecaster and it ticked all the boxes for player's who wanted a solid-body guitar ( semi-acoustics have different characteristics and therefore different appeal ). About the same time, Gibson produced the Les Paul, a very different guitar to the Strat, which gave a different sound. These two became the benchmark for everything that followed and thus responsible for the massive reputations these brands have. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roger peatman 337 Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 So, to the listener it doesn't matter what make/type of guitar it is, it is the player who appreciates the instrument and its ergonomics? Exactly !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BeestonMick 263 Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 I just bought myself a Christmas present. I got my sticky fingers on this 2001 PRS SC245 Dark Cherry Sunburst Quilt #7 pick ups with a wide fat 24.5" scale neck. It's immaculate and, of course, sounds wonderful. I published a couple of pics on the PRS bulletin board and got this back: "Aha! Congrats. That used to be my guitar. I bought it in 2001 on my trip to the Birds & Moons members meeting. The excellent Brian Meader (then of Chuck Levins) pulled some strings for me to get it before I returned to the UK. Here is a photo from my trip to the factory:" "Its the guitar at the end of the rack just on its way to the buffing room" So, not only did I get a real quality guitar but I've got it's history as well!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BeestonMick 263 Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 We hear of Fenders and Gibsons being the best guitars Don't forget PRS, they are as big as the other two and produce some fabulous machines. Then there's Godin in Canada as well, messrs Fender and Gibson no longer rule the roost. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Annesleyred1865 137 Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 Anyone played or know anything about a Yamaha Acoustic LL6ARE. I've looked at the reviews but they are all sales pitch -esque. I want a new acoustic with a low action and that looks my type but they are all on line. Thanks Gaz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mess 617 Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 It gets excellent reviews here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/open-box-yamaha-ll6r-l-series-rosewood-spruce-dreadnought-acoustic-electric-guitar#productDetail The Musicians Friend site is hosted by musicians who know their stuff. There's no sales pitch. I've used it myself and always found the reviews helpful and unbiased. Harmony Central is a similar site for and by musicians. I've had a Yamaha acoustic model CJ838SII for many years and it's a brilliant guitar. Some reviews say it's as good as a Gibson SJ-200. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,134 Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 I bought a Yamaha 12 string some years ago and it had a nice easy action. Since I chopped off the tip of my third finger, left hand, in a horticultural incident a couple of years ago it doesn’t get played much now! Highly recommended instruments. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TBI 2,351 Posted December 15, 2017 Report Share Posted December 15, 2017 I recall the legend Django Reinhardt, played minus a couple of fingers on his left hand. I've had arthritis in the fingers on my right hand for a while now. My left, the one I fret with is completely free, I wonder if playing keeps them more supple. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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