Reply With QuoteDug this one out for a quick play yesterday - reckon it's nigh on eight years since it last came out of its case.
Played very nicely to say all I did was tune it and plug it in.
Unfortunately couldn't find a knotted hanky...
Plan to finally work out how to use this. My beautiful Fender Rumble amp, pedals & bass all went up in smoke last NYE in a fire at the studio. Gradually reassembling gear, but we've had to stop gigging in the meantime. Bought this as a kind of amp modeller/multi-fx solution, just need to buy a small monitor to plug it into, as headphones aren't working for me. Hopefully the image uploads.
Dug this one out for a quick play yesterday - reckon it's nigh on eight years since it last came out of its case.
Played very nicely to say all I did was tune it and plug it in.
Unfortunately couldn't find a knotted hanky...
I hope you banged out God Save the Queen on it 👍Originally Posted by Crazytrain
Dug this one out for a quick play yesterday - reckon it's nigh on eight years since it last came out of its case.
Played very nicely to say all I did was tune it and plug it in.
Unfortunately couldn't find a knotted hanky...
It must be torture John!Hee hee!!
I have my eye on another Sigma in the marketplace on facey Neil but can't get out to go and buy it thith this darned lockdown
I've seen a Seiko King Qtz that's like new as well but the same problem applies
John...
Two lovely articles.
Cheers,
Neil.
For the intermediate player, Shutup & Play Guitar Tutorials are excellent individual song lessons.
I've been planning on posting my guitars here for a while and don't seem to have an excuse for putting it off any more! Here you go:
Epiphone Les Paul
This wine red Les Paul was my first 'proper' guitar and replaced an awful encore strat that had strings about an inch off the fretboard. Bought about 20 years ago, it's seen some stuff- I gigged with it at uni. There's a big crack in the body where it smashed onto the floor of the Garage music venue in North London mid performance due to an uncharacteristically enthusiastic windmill attempt and a very dodgy strap lock. The main criticism of these Les Paul's is the pickups so I swapped them out for some pretty hot Bare Knuckle pups, which sound great.
Fender US Strat
Strats are a particular favourite of mine, and I'm luck enough to have two of them. The first is about 15 years old and I bought it after falling in love with the same model that Hendrix played. Since then I've upgraded to EMG noise cancelling pickups in a relentless and- so far fruitless- attempt to emulate David Gilmour. This one is pretty battered too.
Fender US strat HSS
I decided at some point that I needed a strat with a humbucker to get somewhere near the versatility I was after, so this is a standard off the rack HSS black strat. The neck is a little chunkier and I prefer the headstock- sounds great and is aging nicely. I struggle with choking two tone bends on this one at the moment
Fender US Telecaster
For me, the Fender Telecaster is a bit like the Omega Speedmaster of the guitar world. It's a workhorse, it's steeped in history, it won't let you down... and everyone has one because it's just such high quality. I bought this on a whim because when I noodled around with it in a guitar shop it played so well I had to have it. I'm usually searching for ages trying to find the guitar that plays right, but this was the first one I tried and I didn't dare miss the chance to own it!
Epiphone 'Dove'
As a douchebag student I realised that playing the guitar wasn't a terrible way of attracting the odd girl while their senses were otherwise compromised by snakebite and black. Did a few open mic nights with this one back in the day. Some rather earnest strumming over the years has seen the dove start to disappear:
Gretsch G5622T Electromatic Center Block Double-Cut
This Gretsch electromatic centre block is a beautiful thing and satisfied my urge for that lovely shimmering bigsby vibrato. Stays in tune nicer than most and is at home with many genres of music. I think Gretsch make some of the best finishes out there and this Aspen Green colour is fantastic- there's a subtle sparkle to it in person. I think Fender own Gretsch so am surprised some of the colours haven't made their way to Fender guitars.
Epiphone Casino
My favourite guitar is also one of the cheapest I own- the Epiphone Casino. This guitar is legendary in the history of rock music and mine has pride of place in the living room, so is the one I pick up most regularly. As it's completely hollow it sounds great unplugged and can also be used for pointless noodling or my wife's *ahem* 'favourite' game of 'figure out the advert jingle'...
Gibson Les Paul Classic
And of course there's a guitar here from sales corner. The Gibson Les Paul, and the one I wanted all those years ago when I could barely afford the Epiphone! Beautiful finish and legendary sustain. I can often be seen playing this guitar outside churches in the windswept dessert
Yamaha Acoustic Guitalele, GL1
And finally, a bit of fun. I had a collection of ukuleles, banjos and mandolins at one point but they've all gone by the wayside. The guitalele is a well kept secret it appears- it's a guitar in standard tuning that is the same size of- and sounds like- a ukulele. Opens you up to all the possibilities of a uke but without having to rely on (and remember) inverted chords. If you've got young kids eager to play guitar then get one of these for c£50 off eBay. I particularly recommend playing Enter Sandman on this and having your friends sing along
Well, there it is. Sorry for the bad pictures but guitars are awkward to photograph for some reason. I'm much more of a collector of guitars than a player of them nowadays but- unlike watches- they do take up a lot of space so o expect I'll only get a couple more over the years, and a Duesenberg is on the hitlist. Or, a Jaguar. Or, a Jazzmaster, Or, a Firebird...or.... oh dear.
Last edited by Thom4711; 6th April 2020 at 17:14.
IMG_0351.JPG my epiphone les Paul custom
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Hello again Thom,I've been planning on posting my guitars here for a while and don't seem to have an excuse for putting it off any more! Here you go:
Epiphone Les Paul
This wine red Les Paul was my first 'proper' guitar and replaced an awful encore strat that had strings about an inch off the fretboard. Bought about 20 years ago, it's seen some stuff- I gigged with it at uni. There's a big crack in the body where it smashed onto the floor of the Garage music venue in North London mid performance due to an uncharacteristically enthusiastic windmill attempt and a very dodgy strap lock. The main criticism of these Les Paul's is the pickups so I swapped them out for some pretty hot Bare Knuckle pups, which sound great.
Fender US Strat
Strats are a particular favourite of mine, and I'm luck enough to have two of them. The first is about 15 years old and I bought it after falling in love with the same model that Hendrix played. Since then I've upgraded to EMG noise cancelling pickups in a relentless and- so far fruitless- attempt to emulate David Gilmour. This one is pretty battered too.
Fender US strat HSS
I decided at some point that I needed a strat with a humbucker to get somewhere near the versatility I was after, so this is a standard off the rack HSS black strat. The neck is a little chunkier and I prefer the headstock- sounds great and is aging nicely. I struggle with choking two tone bends on this one at the moment
Fender US Telecaster
For me, the Fender Telecaster is a bit like the Omega Speedmaster of the guitar world. It's a workhorse, it's steeped in history, it won't let you down... and everyone has one because it's just such high quality. I bought this on a whim because when I noodled around with it in a guitar shop it played so well I had to have it. I'm usually searching for ages trying to find the guitar that plays right, but this was the first one I tried and I didn't dare miss the chance to own it!
Epiphone 'Dove'
As a douchebag student I realised that playing the guitar wasn't a terrible way of attracting the odd girl while their senses were otherwise compromised by snakebite and black. Did a few open mic nights with this one back in the day. Some rather earnest strumming over the years has seen the dove start to disappear:
Gretsch G5622T Electromatic Center Block Double-Cut
This Gretsch electromatic centre block is a beautiful thing and satisfied my urge for that lovely shimmering bigsby vibrato. Stays in tune nicer than most and is at home with many genres of music. I think Gretsch make some of the best finishes out there and this Aspen Green colour is fantastic- there's a subtle sparkle to it in person. I think Fender own Gretsch so am surprised some of the colours haven't made their way to Fender guitars.
Epiphone Casino
My favourite guitar is also one of the cheapest I own- the Epiphone Casino. This guitar is legendary in the history of rock music and mine has pride of place in the living room, so is the one I pick up most regularly. As it's completely hollow it sounds great unplugged and can also be used for pointless noodling or my wife's *ahem* 'favourite' game of 'figure out the advert jingle'...
Gibson Les Paul Classic
And of course there's a guitar here from sales corner. The Gibson Les Paul, and the one I wanted all those years ago when I could barely afford the Epiphone! Beautiful finish and legendary sustain. I can often be seen playing this guitar outside churches in the windswept dessert
Yamaha Acoustic Guitalele, GL1
And finally, a bit of fun. I had a collection of ukuleles, banjos and mandolins at one point but they've all gone by the wayside. The guitalele is a well kept secret it appears- it's a guitar in standard tuning that is the same size of- and sounds like- a ukulele. Opens you up to all the possibilities of a uke but without having to rely on (and remember) inverted chords. If you've got young kids eager to play guitar then get one of these for c£50 off eBay. I particularly recommend playing Enter Sandman on this and having your friends sing along
Well, there it is. Sorry for the bad pictures but guitars are awkward to photograph for some reason. I'm much more of a collector of guitars than a player of them nowadays but- unlike watches- they do take up a lot of space so o expect I'll only get a couple more over the years, and a Duesenberg is on the hitlist. Or, a Jaguar. Or, a Jazzmaster, Or, a Firebird...or.... oh dear.
nice to see your lovely collection.
Did I spot you outside that church in a windswept desert?
Thanks for posting.
Cheers,
Neil.
Advice please chaps. Would a fender telecaster be a good choice for a beginner?
Not really into rock or heavy stuff, more country and that kind of thing.
Cheers
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Yes, absolutely. If you have a budget then it'd be worth buying a cheaper telecaster (fender do a range of made in Mexico models which are still decent spec) and then paying a few bob for a luthier to set it up properly so the string height is comfortable for you etc
Hi Neil,Hello again Thom,
nice to see your lovely collection.
Did I spot you outside that church in a windswept desert?
Thanks for posting.
Maybe. It was so windy my top hat fell off and my fag went out
I actually missed a guitar from my post- a Taylor 12 string which is a beautiful thing- very affordable- and is absolutely necessary if you want to play 60s/ 70s stuff. As many will know, you haven't played hard days night, wish you were here, hotel California etc until you've played them on 12 strings.
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Both are marked as 'SOLD' Neil so someone is flouting the non essential travel, I've had to delete loads more that's sold as well from my 'Saved' folderIt must be torture John!
Two lovely articles.
John
Thanks. If anyone happens to have one to move on that could be posted, I’ll put something in WTB.
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Should be a good choice. That or a Strat. When I got my first guitar a few years ago, I asked here and got some really good advice. I’ll see if I can find the thread for you. Found it - https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...ic-or-electric
In terms of getting a guitar, will also be looking at the music shops to see what they have used or ex-demo. Can be a minefield buying your first guitar to learn on. Good luck with it!
Last edited by bambam; 7th April 2020 at 19:01.
Picking up from this, just wondered what the opinion was on a Epiphone Les Paul as a first electric guitar? I have just started practising again, currently have a tanglewood acoustic so i know most of the basic chords and simple finger picking but i fancy my first electric. Im considering this as a starter guitar
https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/produ...imited-edition
Suitable?
Thanks in advance
- - - Updated - - -
Picking up from this, just wondered what the opinion was on a Epiphone Les Paul as a first electric guitar? I have just started practising again, currently have a tanglewood acoustic so i know most of the basic chords and simple finger picking but i fancy my first electric. Im considering this as a starter guitar
https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/190509343416008--epiphone-les-paul-standard-lite-ebony-limited-edition
Suitable?
Thanks in advance
Yep, it worked for me! I still have and play my epiphone les paul, my first proper electric guitar
Best advice anyone will give you is to get the guitar (and several others) in your hands and try it before buying. Something to look forward to post-lockdown?
The lockdown has encouraged me to pick up the guitar a little more and I succumbed to this last week....
It's the perfect companion for my Strat
Have also decided that my Budda 18w amp is just too loud for the home so I've been playing about with an audio various software amp sims through an audio interface and I'm sold. Trialing 3 or 4 at the moment before deciding which one to buy but so far really impressed with Neural DSP. Most of their presets are a bit high gain for my liking but they're really high quality and if you spend some time tweaking them they're very usable. Never thought I'd give up valves but who knows!
Thanks, also looking at Harley Benton guitar bundles over at Thomann uk. I think it's there own brand(?) And the one review I've read seems favourable. Tempted with a bundle as I probably couldn't do either guitar justice. Any one have first hand experience with either Harley Benton or the Thomann website.
Thanks
What’s your budget? Apologies if you’ve already stated it earlier.
Also, do you prefer the shape and look of a Strat, a Telecaster or a Les Paul? Or maybe an off-set like a Jazzmaster? There are loads of options out there depending on budget and style. Going down the used route may be worth looking at too. Plenty on EBay, Reverb and Facebook.
I prefer the look of the les paul, budget wise I dont really want to go above £350. There is a Sheraton 2 I've seen advertised second hand in our town but I think that would be too weighted towards jazz style.?I'm looking for an all rounder, blues,finger picking and general strumming.
You could do all of that on a Sheraton.
The bodies are quite large if you are used to solid body electrics but they are good quality guitars.
Regarding your earlier query about Harley Benton, a couple of experienced chaps on a forum I inhabit have bought their own make Juniors and Specials and are very complimentary plus you can't go wrong with Thomann.
Most electrics do a similar thing, just pick the one you like the look of best.
Cheers,
Neil.
Thanks, this will be my first electric. I've found two local options (2nd hand), an Epiphone Les Paul standard traditional pro and the sheraton. £50 difference so now i'm torn between the two, i think the sheraton would be the better quality guitar as the original, new price would have been higher, is that good reasoning?
I'm guessing size wouldn't be too much of an issue as i'm used to my acoustic
If you're buying from a big box-shifter like Thomann, then you'll need to factor in a setup when you receive it, as you can guarantee that the guitar won't have been looked at since leaving the factory. Nothing wrong with Thomann (I've bought a couple of basses from them in the past) but both have needed setup work when I got them.
When my daughter wanted to learn guitar, we went to a local shop, and had a brilliant experience. They asked her what kind of music she liked, what style she wanted to play etc, and basically left us in a sound proof room with 50 guitars hanging up, and a couple of seats and an amp! The best thing about the local place was that they setup every single guitar prior to selling it. This meant that some of their £300 guitars played better than many £1500 guitars I've played.
Worth noting that they also do delivery for this social-distancing times, and they're very helpful and attentive on the chat function on their website: -
https://rguitars.co.uk. (based in Stratford-upon-Avon)
Several guitars within your budget, too. No affinity to them, other than being a happy customer.
As with a few others decided to have a go at learning the guitar again , been a few years since I was taking lessons. The guy who used to teach me started some group lessons for beginners and ones for more experienced players but in current situation had to put them on hold so is doing Skype tuition. Bit the bullet and started couple of weeks back and really enjoying getting back into it and surprised guitar still ok after non-use! Couple of pics of my guitars , I have a MIM Strat as well but eldest has annexed it so it’s in Edinburgh at present. Two of mine still at home is my Fender Bullet and the Vintage V100 Lemon Drop
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Thanks, just had a quick look, another brand to throw into the mix. Cort.
If you’re going to broaden your search then tale a look at Yamaha too. Some really good guitars at all prices. My first one was a Yamaha Pacifica. Solid build, reasonable components, versatile and well priced. Should be able to find a used one easily.
Any recommendations for a guitar stand?
Needs to be sturdy enough to survive a cat running his head against it.
Thanks!
Best to keep it well away from the cat. Would a wall hanger be acceptable? ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hercules-GS.../dp/B000EEJGRK
I looked at those / similar but wife & my lack of DIY ability would mean an unlikely solution.
Been a while since i posted an image so hopefully this works. Decided on the Sheraton as my first electric and was able to pick up a little amp for £10. That's me banned to the summer house at the end of the garden
Last edited by fierbois16; 11th May 2020 at 08:47. Reason: edit photo link
That will keep you quiet - or loud.
Cheers,
Neil.
Thanks, i'm surprised how loud such a little amp is. Enjoying playing around with the pick ups, tones etc also discovered a little button on the amp that gives it a bit of distortion (?) / gain (?) whatever its called its making my attempt at Seasick Steves 'Cut my wings' a bit more authentic, to my ears at least
On the down side, home schooling has been a bit relaxed today
That Tanglewood looks like it needs a clean. That would make me twitch if it was mine.
Yep its filthy, no excuse really as ive just changed the strings. Could be classed as patina
I picked this up a few weeks ago, haven't played since the late eighties but have got plenty of time to practice at the moment. It's a Nashville Telecaster, the eagle eyed will have spotted that it has an additional Stratocaster pick-up in the middle position.
That Tele looks lovely! Did you buy it new?I picked this up a few weeks ago, haven't played since the late eighties but have got plenty of time to practice at the moment. It's a Nashville Telecaster, the eagle eyed will have spotted that it has an additional Stratocaster pick-up in the middle position.
Thanks, yes, I bought it new. It is a beauty, if only I was capable of making it sound as good as it looks.
Haha you are not alone. I don’t have the talent for my lowly Epiphone LP. I know it needs a proper setting up after shops open, but I am by far the limiting factor!
Fret buzz on E string 2nd fret is testing my patience though!
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Raise the bridge slightly, as per step 9 of this guide. It almost certainly won't improve the overall set up, but it might help with the buzz until you can get the guitar looked at.
https://www.musicradar.com/news/how-...-up-a-les-paul
Turn up the distortion - you'll never hear it!
Cheers,
Neil.
Brilliant, thanks. Think I’m going to have to loosen the strings off though as can’t budge it even remotely in either direction having just tried on a conference call.
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I like your thinking!Turn up the distortion - you'll never hear it!
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Treated myself again. This is a 'Classic Vibe' Stratocaster, made in Indonesia. I was annoyed when it arrived (from Andertons) because the fingerboard was very dry, the frets were dull and the strings were actually scraping on the frets on a string bend (yuck).
But a highly therapeutic hour or so conditioning the fingerboard and polishing frets has made a remarkable difference; the fingerboard (interestingly laurel, not rosewood) has come up a treat.
Always fancied a pink Strat. The quality of construction is not far behind a modern US Strat (and decidedly better than some of the older ones I've had). I already have a Classic Vibe Tele so I expected that it would be pretty good.
A couple of observations: the frets are supposed to be "narrow tall" according to the spec on the Andertons site but they aren't; they are emphatically vintage style, small frets. It does play nicely though and it reminds of me of my old '82 JV Strat before I had it refretted, which is nice.
Interesting that there's a skunk stripe, as an original early '60s Strat wouldn't have had this. But of course it's not intended as an exact reproduction of an early '60s instrument, hence the (very welcome) truss rod adjustment at the headstock end. I hate having to dislocate a neck just to adjust the truss rod tension.
I actually took this pic before putting new strings on, so I CGI-ed them on using the GIMP.
Electric vs. Acoustic for a complete beginner?
Depends what you want to do .. if you want to play predominantly electric guitar once you've learned to play, then there's nothing wrong with an electric as your first guitar. You can pick it up and practice without plugging it in, if you want. But you'll want to buy an amp regardless, of course.
That Strat looks very cool. The dark neck really works with the body colour. Not great of Anderson’s to ship it like that but good that you’ve got it set up better after fettling it.Treated myself again. This is a 'Classic Vibe' Stratocaster, made in Indonesia. I was annoyed when it arrived (from Andertons) because the fingerboard was very dry, the frets were dull and the strings were actually scraping on the frets on a string bend (yuck).
But a highly therapeutic hour or so conditioning the fingerboard and polishing frets has made a remarkable difference; the fingerboard (interestingly laurel, not rosewood) has come up a treat.
Always fancied a pink Strat. The quality of construction is not far behind a modern US Strat (and decidedly better than some of the older ones I've had). I already have a Classic Vibe Tele so I expected that it would be pretty good.
A couple of observations: the frets are supposed to be "narrow tall" according to the spec on the Andertons site but they aren't; they are emphatically vintage style, small frets. It does play nicely though and it reminds of me of my old '82 JV Strat before I had it refretted, which is nice.
Interesting that there's a skunk stripe, as an original early '60s Strat wouldn't have had this. But of course it's not intended as an exact reproduction of an early '60s instrument, hence the (very welcome) truss rod adjustment at the headstock end. I hate having to dislocate a neck just to adjust the truss rod tension.
I actually took this pic before putting new strings on, so I CGI-ed them on using the GIMP.
Happy playing.
I'd have thought that with the volumes Andertons shift, it wouldn't be possible to check every guitar.
Whichever you fancy most. As monogroover said, you will want an amp of you choose electric. Picked this up for £15 from a local pawn shop. No idea of the wattage but unless you live in a remote farmhouse it's more than loud enough.
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Last edited by Ruggertech; 7th June 2020 at 17:53.
StatusWith delivery courier : Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 09:59
ShipperANDERTONS MUSIC COMPANY
What will it be???
It's arrived.
Now the agony. I don't want to risk a change of temperature causing finish checking so need to leave it a few hours to come up to room temp before I open the case.
IMG_1045 (1) by Alan Brown, on Flickr
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