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Edukator
Free MemberIt’s surprising what you can repair with a big drill bit, a suitably carved dowel and some good glue.
The problem was that Fender'd removed too much wood- very thin at the bridge and had gone really deep in the pickup recess, so there just wasn't much strength in it- it cracked right through the body so there was a loose chunk of wood about an inch across, and some collateral damage in the web, so it needed a bunch of repair but also a lot of strength added.
So we did that- I was working in a guitar shop, our luthier removed the whole broken part, routed a letterbox and put a fat bridge of good wood right across the back of the pickup cavity supported in the strong wings of the body, better than new- but it lost a fair bit of pickup space and needed refinished... so I stuck the second best parts on it and sold it to another maniac, who was planning a single humbucker conversion (I'm guessing this was about 2000 so maybe it was a Delonge thing, never saw the finished built)
This one hadn't cracked yet so I put more strength into it and switched it to lighter strings to stress it a bit less. Though putting it in a case with no strings on for 15 years made that all a bit irrelevant 🙂
I’ve bought a new Epiphone acoustic in an N+1
An Inspired By Gibson one, with solid woods? My Hummingbird sounds every bit as good as the Gibson Songwriter I have here too. Bonkers good for £800ish
A Peter Frampton Texan with all solid woods. Sound wise I don't think it's in quite the same league as current Gibsons and Martins with a comparable body. It's a jangly strummer rather than super warm sounding. In fact my old plywood Sigma Martin has more bottom end, but that's been drying out for 40 years and has very light bracing.
I bought it mainly for the neck. It's a thin C which is very close to my standard Strats and Telecasters, the string spacing is identical at the 41mm nut and 51mm at the bridge, 1mm less than my Teles. It's Telecaster scale lenght, my podgy fingers don't fit as well in Gibsons beyond the tenth fret. I wanted the neck, I don't think I'd have bought it just for the sound, I'd have bought the inspired by Gibson J-45 or Hummingbird as you have, Rickon, if sound were the priority.
I first played a Frampton in a shop in Berlin back to back with a Martin D18 or D28, I can't remember which, I didn't know whether to be disappointed by the Martin or impressed by the Epi. Going through the guitars in that shop it struck me that Gibson was deliberately holding the Indonesians back on two points - Nitro and bracing, let them use nitro and lighter bracing and blind tests would get complicated.
Nitro and bracing, let them use nitro and lighter bracing and blind tests would get complicated.
Totally agree. So annoying using poly.
I took home a Inspired By EJ-200, and the bracing and panels were so thick it robbed the high and low end away. You had to play it so hard for it to vibrate enough to sound good. It sounded lovely when strummed hard, but fingerstyle got totally lost.
The Hummingbird is very different, feels light, and you a feel the vibrations at low volumes. I removed all the electrics, which made a good difference too.
Anyone any experience of Rickenbacker bass’
I have the chance to buy a 4003 in jetglow (black & white) for a decent price. My plan is to sell it on if I don’t get on with it, but like a P Bass, it feels like I should at least own one once! I’m a sucker for the case and case candy too.
Fret levelling and crowning done. Plays a lot better. Still one or two minor buzzes, but for my first time levelling im not fussed.
Will be polishing them up this week to a nice shine, and then dropping in my Brandonwound wide range pickups.
Squier to Sire!
Well done. A couple of other possibles:
A string with a slight kink in it.
I've a Tele with big vintage brass saddles with no grooves and the Zitar effect sounds like a buzz on some notes.
Anyone played the new Epiphone 339?
Yep. I've got one 🙂 What would you like to know?
Finished...soldered all the bits in, set up the neck relief, saddle heights and the intonation.
Little bit of buzz in the low E, so might need to do a bit of fret leveling.
Sounds so nice, the neck P90 has plenty of growl, and the mid position is a good mix.
The bridge pickup is a bit gutless (it's only a cheapy), might upgrade to something nicer at some point.
Here it is next to it's sibling (built last year)
Nicely done @ajantom 🙂
I'm still trying to make my fingers make some nice sounds come out of my guitars. It definitely doesn't come naturally but I'm going to keep trying.
@rickon - what are you thoughts?
I guess my question would be if it feels like a "proper" guitar? That's quite vague. I've generally found standard Epiphones to be a bit plasticky/dead with necks that don't feel right. Always found the customs to be better - comparable with a standard Gibson
Sorry, I was a bit late to reply!
The new Inspired By series is phenomenal. They feel and play just like the Gibsons.
I've always thought Gibsons to be overpriced, and after owning a Gibson SG Standard, and some of the new IBG range I firmly believe it.
The ES-339 feels incredibly well made, the frets are well finished, the pickups sound lovely, clear and like nice humbuckers should.
The setup from the factory was actually spot on, no fret buzz at all, and it was super low.
The real revelation is the rounded C neck. It's so fast to play. The poly gloss coating feels lovely, totally non-sticky and fast.
Switch and knobs are non-scratchy. And it's fitted with Grovers that hold tune really well and have no dead space.
If you bought a £2k Gibson, I doubt you'd be able to tell the difference in feel or tone.
Even the Kalamazoo headstock is lovely. And it's really nice they're not using the big E on the pick guard.
I've tried the Epi 'Inspired by' Firebird and it is really sweet - but golly it feels long. Very well made though. If I was in the market for an LP that is definitely the range I'd check first.
On another point Dave Simpson has Blues part 4 up now.
Been steadily working my way through them.
For a significant celebration - any reason not to go for an AMERICAN ULTRA STRATOCASTER®
It seems like a solid no-nonsense choice.
Looks like I'll need to see if Guitar Guitar has one of those Epi 339s in stock. A pal works there so I generally get £100 off or whatever which makes it a pretty attractive proposition. Though maybe not after Covid.... I'm guessing it just comes with a gig bag?
You mean the Warmoth Stratocaster copy, Oldtennis shoes? Fender have put a Warmoth Shredder neck, the Wizard on here,
https://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/backcontours.aspx
on a Strat. And put some noiseless pickups in. I've got a Wizard neck on a Tele and quite like it. Comfortable block saddles, two point trem, there's a lot to like there.
I’m guessing it just comes with a gig bag?
You guess wrong!
It comes with a cardboard box.
If you want a case, you'll have to shell out that £100 you saved!
Ok quick poll time, where do you get strings and picks etc from -other than Amazon? I'd like to support a UK retailer ideally not an Amazon shop or ebayer.
Ok quick poll time, where do you get strings and picks etc from -other than Amazon? I’d like to support a UK retailer ideally not an Amazon shop or ebayer.
My local (to work) guitar shop, Marvel Guitars in Timperley
http://www.marvelguitars.co.uk/
if you like rotosound strings... made in ingerlend!!
£5 a set + the dreaded
https://www.axetec.co.uk/guitar_parts_uk_080.htm
Strings Direct - they stock the pure nickel wrapped Daddario EPN110 I like. LGS don't stock any pure-nickel wraps.
any reason not to go for an AMERICAN ULTRA STRATOCASTER®
It seems like a solid no-nonsense choice.
Kind of. Have you played one? The funky cut and the heel joint feel pretty out there.
It’s nice but if you want a really modern guitar then IMO get a modern guitar. If you want the Strattiest Strat then the AmProIIs get great reviews and are a bit more traditional.
But I’d want to play a few before deciding.
edhornby
Full Member
Ok quick poll time, where do you get strings and picks etc from -other than Amazon? I’d like to support a UK retailer ideally not an Amazon shop or ebayer.
Hi Ed....hope all ok with your lot. 🙂
Either of my local shops, tbh. Louandy's in Colne or ProSolo in Burnley.
Both cheaper than Andertons or PMT etc on strings, ProSolo cheaper on MXR pedals and accessories too.
No, I've no idea how they do it either.
It's the LBS thing all over again. They give me great trade-ins and proper setups on new guitars, which ends up cheaper even if their headline price on new guitars is a few quid more expensive.
If you want the Strattiest Strat then the AmProIIs get great reviews and are a bit more traditional.
Or get a Limited Collection Japanese Fender.
Nitro, USA Custom Shop pickups, flawless finish and build for a few hundred quid less.
Be quick if you find one......
edhornby
Full MemberOk quick poll time, where do you get strings and picks etc from -other than Amazon? I’d like to support a UK retailer ideally not an Amazon shop or ebayer.
Like everyone else- I go into my local guitar shop, play all the guitars, try out all the amps, maybe try on a strap or two, then after 10 hours in the shop I buy exactly 2 picks.
Had my first jam in a rehearsal room the other day - went better than expected!
However, did find it a bit of a lottery about the guitar amps they use.
So, I just ordered one of these:
It's so small I'm going to mount it on my pedalboard! Be handy as I normally walk to the jam so taking my other amps doesn't work. Prefer to have my own amp so I can dial in the amp and pedals beforehand.
Found a guitar shop knocking them out for £79 new which is a little less than a used one on eBay so I can't really lose!
Wowsers! That Boutique one looks great. A couple of then could make for a cheap stereo or wet/dry rig,
Now you've got me thinking! My 4*12 is mono/stereo switchable. Though you get 2x8 ohms instead of a single 4 ohm so wouldn't get any extra power (the power output is impedance related)
Though you get 2×8 ohms instead of a single 4 ohm so wouldn’t get any extra power
Yeah, but wet/dry!
Maybe even go for a lower gain version for the second one.
Wet/dry/wet is for true champs
I keep a tab of my 'music' spending
It eye watering as an overall figure
but at £20 a week over my lifetime since I started playing at 19
Seems like a really reasonable hobby
Wet/dry/wet is for true champs
So I've heard. Must stop looking at That Pedal Show. I do prefer the new logo.
Thanks all for the tips on strings and the like - I like Rotosound 10s on my tele so that's a bonus
As per the strats, Pete makes a good point about the Japanese ones but definitely go and try lots because that's a fair whack to lay out and details like neck carve and heel joint make a difference - also gives you a genuine reason to play all the cool stuff in the shop as you are going to actually buy 🙂
The Ultra's and AMII are poly finish and noiseless pickups whereas the Americal Original are nitro with the 65 pickups and 6screw bridge, depends on what you like really.
(PS Hello Pete, yes we are all well thanks, hope you and Sue are doing ok)
I keep a tab of my ‘music’ spending
It eye watering as an overall figure
but at £20 a week over my lifetime since I started playing at 19
Seems like a really reasonable hobby
Wow. ~£1k / yr. Not at all unreasonable for a hobby I guess, and less than I spend on bikes. In that vein, my guitars are extremely good value for money since I've probably spent no more than £250/year over my playing 'career' (lol).
Having said that, some of those years I've barely picked up a guitar. In the last 12 months barely a day has gone by where I haven't played.
Perhaps I need to buy more guitars? I'll have one of those new Epiphone 335s. Or maybe a Thinline tele.
I was up the hill today where I leave the Harley Benton T-type I mentioned a few pages back and a first generation Mustang II. Here's a chuggy take on Sharp Dressed man with an "British 90s" levels of gain.
Here's one Simon has already done with the same pickup but a clean Fender amp model. You inspired me to spend more time than I should have, Simon. 😉 I must have listened to one bit 20 times before I think I twigged what was going on.
You inspired me to spend more time than I should have, Simon.
Jolly good 🙂
I still need to find some time to learn the rest of the song. I'm dreadful for just learning an intro and then moving onto something else!
I always feel a fool singing Jagger so there's no incentive to learn the whole song. It must be quite hard to sing and play at the same time, the time signature isn't easy and then placing the vocals awkward. I'm stil trying to place the vocals on Pinball Wizard. I can remember them now but on a couple of occasions they run over the bar. Sharp Dressed man is really easy to sing, Gibbons keeps it simple when he's singing.
I can't sing at all so all of my covers will be instrumental only 🙂
You've just reminded me I was going to try the intro to Pinball Wizard!
Nailed it 😉
None of the Youtubers I looked at before having a go gets it right from the point the strumming starts after the initial run down the scale, and Townsend never plays it the same way twice, so I guess anything goes.
Edit: now seen your vid, you've got the run down, now it gets interesting - keep going. Townsend is up there with the very best of the fast strummers with interesting strumming patterns.
I keep a tab of my ‘music’ spending
It eye watering as an overall figure
but at £20 a week over my lifetime since I started playing at 19
Seems like a really reasonable hobby
Guitar gear seems to hold its value very well.
If you take into account money back through selling gear and the accumulated value of your collection I suspect that it'll effectively cost a lot less than that. (Modern digital amps excluded - they lose value.)
This is true. The guitar I spent £120 on 25 years ago (MIM Strat) is worth three times that now.
You could almost argue that’s a solid investment.
Guitar gear seems to hold its value very well.
If you take into account money back through selling gear and the accumulated value of your collection I suspect that it’ll effectively cost a lot less than that. (Modern digital amps excluded – they lose value.)
Thats a great point actually - I sold a lot off stuff during the pandemic and reinvested.
As I'm getting older i've made a conscious decision that I will get rid of everything but 2 guitars, an amp and my pedal board when i'm 60 - 4 years and counting