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Guitars: Let's see 'em!

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  • wow! well i sure appreciate all you pro types reassuring me about my extravagent purchase! i doubt ill ever be allowed to hold a real Gibson let alone play it!! - nice to know my first decent axe was worth the trouble.

    now if i could just ask you to repeat all this to my girl! = she actually burst into tears when i brought the LP home!!!!

    it was second hand too, and i part exchanged it for a Variax 300 = i only paid £130 for it on top!! = what's to cry about eh?? :?: :roll: :? :?:
  • Hey Archon, Congrats on the new \"toys\" :) . I know you are a big fan of Jimmy Page, so that LP should fit in nice. That Vox looks sweet, too.


    So if you give your girlfriend's number I'll be more than happy to talk to her. Do you think she would like Texas? :P Archon, just kidding about that!

    ENJOY!
  • 8) - what's that corny old joke?

    \"take my wife....PLEASE!\" :lol:

    only kidding - she'd cost you at least a couple of camels (or marlboros)

    (damn good thing she hates guitars and will never read this post! :twisted: )

    That VOX is excellent btw - valve (tube) poweramp = makes a world of difference, means i will DEFINATELY be investigating some kind of valve power amp for the GNX - or maybe a prper valve amp and be done with it!
  • Here are mine.

    Ibanez JEM Jr & Cort MR710F

    DSCN0268.jpg

    cort.jpg
  • I tried messing around with synth for about a week, but didn't have the patients to change (clean up) my technique.

    Here's a picture with that \"Wart\" on my broom, before I took it off.

    synth1.jpg
  • edited May 2006
    \bezial\ wrote:
    hewes a few

    A) One of your guitar's left handed ?

    B) This has to be the thread with the most views on this forum ever !!!! Love it !!!!
  • This is just a couple of my guitars. I've got about 8 or so. The top one is an Ibanez Prestige RGA121. The bottom one is an Ibanez ARC300.



    ibanez-vi.jpg
  • \mfergel\ wrote:
    This is just a couple of my guitars. I've got about 8 or so. The top one is an Ibanez Prestige RGA121. The bottom one is an Ibanez ARC300.

    What are your comments on the ARC300 ?
  • The ARC300 is a hidden gem. It's only $399 because it's made in China vs. the rest of the Ibanez line. Here's a review I posted on Harmony Central about it. The only thing that may be inaccurate about my review is that it may actually be a maple top. If it is, it's not much more than 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, but that's more than enough.

    Price Paid: US $399

    Features: 9
    What year was it made? Where was is made? (Japan, Mexico, USA, etc...)
    How many frets? 2005 model - Made in China, which is why the price is much less than a lot of other Ibanez guitars.


    Solid-Top? Laminated top? Despite the contoured top, I think the top is actually a veneer. The reason being is that the binding follows the shape of the top. If it were a solid maple top, parts of the maple top would actually have to peak out near the bottom of the binding near the neck. This can actually be seen on some Gibson Les Pauls and others as well. Regardless, the maple top looks great.


    Which controls are given (volume, tone, 5-way selector, 3-way, tap, etc...)? Two volume pots, one tone pot and a 2 way switch.


    Pickup configuration? (S/S/H, H/H, S/H, Piezo, etc...) Dual humbuckers


    Make and model of pickups? The Humbuckers are an Ibanez design. Nothing fantastic but they are not bad either. Very much in line with the Epiphone Les Paul pickups.


    Active or Passive electronics? Passive


    Body and neck woods? (Maple, Mahogany, Alder, Ash, Basswood, Koa, Plywood, etc...) Body and neck are a nice looking mahogony with a flamed maple top (veneer I believe as mentioned earlier). The back of the headstock also has a two-part veneer that looks really classy. The body and neck also have a 3 piece binding all the way around. Incredibly well done on mine.


    Finish (Satin, transparent, quilted top, flamed top, etc...)The finish is a nicely polished gloss with a flamed top. The guitar is a very dark burst with the middle being a bit darker than most guitars I've seen (like strats). In a dark room, the maple top is hardle noticeable, but under a nice light, it really comes to life.


    Body style (strat, tele, dreadnought, cutaway, thinline, etc...) The body is kind of a combination of a Les Paul, but the shape of the cutout is more similar to the newer Yamaha Les Paul style guitars in that it is rounded instead of pointed. The top of the body has a very deep, contoured top. Quite beautiful actually. The back edges are all rounded and the area where the neck joins the body is actually angled a bit. It's hard to describe, but it isn't just a flat joint like you would find on most set neck guitars. You really have to see it to understand it, but it does make upper fret access a bit easier.


    Bridge style (Tune-O-Matic, Floyd Rose, Wilkinson, Tele-style, String-thru body, stop tailpiece, etc...) Man, this is one of the nicest things about this guitar. It has a Gibralter III bridge and the tailpiece features fine tuners. That is the first time I've seen that on a guitar in this price range. The contact the tail piece makes with the body is flawless and quite large. Not like your typical Les Paul style guitar with two posts. I truly feel this setup results in more sustain than most other guitars.


    Tuners (Locking? Non-locking? brand of tuners - Sperzel, Gotoh, Grover, Schaller, etc...) I believe these are just an Ibanez non-locking set. They do a fine job.


    Neck/Scale (Fat, Thin, Jumbo Frets, Rosewood, Maple, etc...)Set neck, 22 frets. Medium width and not anywhere near as fat as a Les Paul. No where near as wide as most Ibanez guitars.


    Any included accessories? (Case, gig bag, strap, cable, tools, humidifier, etc...) Nothing

    Sound: 9
    How does it suit your music style (and what is that style)? Sounds great. I wanted something with Les Paul style (but not a Les Paul) with a stop tailpiece so I could change tunings without having to remove/add springs, etc (ie. floating trem). I mostly use it to play stuff like Aerosmith, Zepplin, etc. ie. Classic Rock. Like I mentioned the pickups are OK and they more than do the job. I switched them out though and put in a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and a Seymour Duncan Jazz in the neck. The JB is a much hotter pickup (more gain) for the bridge and the Jazz has a much fatter sound than the stock neck pickup.


    What amps and effects are you using it with? Multiple devices. A stock and modifed ADA MP-1 and a Digitech GNX3000 primarily. Both run into a Peavey Classic 50/50 into a pair of 2x12's.


    Is it noisy? On what settings? Not at all.


    Rich/Full sound? Bright sound? Stock pickups have a nice sound. Not quite as fat or high gain as I would like, which is why I swapped them out.


    What kind of sounds can the guitar make? How much variety? I don't know. That's subjective. It does a really good job of playing classic rock for me. My Washburn N4 and Ibanez RGA121 are much better at playing really heavy stuff. However, I think this guitar is better than the Schecter Tempest I replaced it with. The Schecter had Dimarzio Super Distortions in it. The Ibanez does a much better job of pinch harmonics on the lower strings than the Schecter. I had problems getting the Schecter to respond sometimes.
    Likes and dislikes?

    Action, Fit, & Finish: 9
    How well was the guitar set-up at the factory? (How was the action?) The action was really nice. It was as low as it could have gotten.


    How well were the pickups adjusted? Good


    Properly bookmatched top? Properly routed bridge? Yes. As mentioned, I think this is a veneer.


    Did the guitar contain any flaws? (misaligned bracing, poorly filed fretwire, finish flaws, poor quality wood, rusted or oxidized hardware, loose tuning pegs, poorly cut nut, poorly fit saddle, noisy pickup selector, loose controls, etc...) Well, the bone nut on the G-string is a bit tight, so the string sticks a bit. Also, the edge of the rear cavity cutout wasn't properly sanded prior to being painted, so the paint kind of formed a wierd lip there. It's hard to describe and it's not super noticeable, but it could have been done a little better. Otherwise, the guitar is great. No rough fret ends, no gaps between bindings. The fret mark indicators are a two piece square with no gaps, excessive fillers, etc. There is nothing about this guitar that screams assembly line or cheap craftmanship.

    Reliability/Durability: 10
    Will this guitar withstand live playing? Absolutley. The only drawback would be scratching it, etc. This is a great guitar.


    Does the hardware seem like it will last? As far as I can tell, yes. It's always a bit hard to know how thick chrome plating is on parts. It's possible that the bridge chrome could wear out eventually from resting the palm of your hand on it, but it's hard to say. The bridge and tailpiece are solid, the electronics are all mounted tightly.


    Is the finish good enough to last, or does it seem thin and easy to wear off with lots of playing? Well, that depends on how much playing you do. As the area of the guitar where your forearm rests isn't contoured (like a Les Paul), it could eventually wear thin. However, as most folks know, guitars nowdays are finished in polyurethane and that stuff is pretty thick. Heck, I stripped the paint and sealer from a Squier '51 recently. There was 1/4\" inch of sealer and paint. My Ibanez RG320DX was just over 1/8\" thick. I had to use a heat gun in order to remove the finish as I couldn't find a stripper that would eat through all the layers. I doubt this one is any different.


    Are the strap buttons solid? Yes. I actually replaced them with Schaller strap locks, but the stock ones were firly mounted and designed well enough to hold the strap on fairly well (better than most strats).


    Can you depend on it? Would you use it on a gig without a backup? Absolutely, although I always believe in a backup in case a string breaks.

    Customer Support: N/A
    Don't know.

    Overall Rating: 10
    How long have you been playing? 20 years off and on (probably more).


    What other gear do you own? Several low end guitars but I also own a Washburn N4, Ibanez RGA121, etc.


    Is there something you wish you had asked before buying this guitar? No.


    If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else? I always feel that the true determination of how good a guitar really is can be determined by if you would buy a second one or not. Absolutely I would. This is a great guitar. If you want this guitar, but want to save a little money, you can also look at the ACR-100. The major differences is the 100 is a solid color, simpler fret inlays and other minor cosmetics. The parts, etc. are the same between both and the 100 is only $299.


    What do you love about it? What do you hate? What is your favorite feature? I like the fact that you get the Les Paul style without the Les Paul price and drawbacks (weight, this is more comfortable, etc).


    Did you compare it to other guitars? Which ones? Why did you choose this one? I actually went into the store to get one of the newer Ibanez neck-thru strat style guitars. I actually like this better. It just seemed a little bit easier to play.


    Anything you wish it had? I really like the burst that Schecter is using lately. It's a much brighter amber center with dark brown outsides. This guitar would look great with that type of finish. Otherwise, I love this guitar the way it is.


    Anything else you'd like to share? If this guitar weren't made in China, you'd be paying a lot more for it. There is nothing about this guitar that is cheap other than the labor. For the dollar, this guitar is way better than nearly any Epiphone I've ever seen (heck, even a lot of Gibson's).

    Submitted by Mark F at 03/22/2006 08:09
  • Thanks for that mfergel !

    I am considering a Les Paul shape and Ibanez are were in the running. They have a good name and one does feel comfortable with a branded product.

    For example, I am sure that my Squire tele is very good as compared to non-Fender tele clones.

    I think that a guitar purchase is quite an emotion driven thing. Well there is the technical stuff of type of neck, type of pups, brand of pups, number of frets kind of thing. But it appears that a guitar purchase does have a whole bunch of \"impulse purchase\" factoring in.


    Right now, I am sitting on a fence, but appear that I will go with TOKAI of Japan for the Les Paul. Their reports at Harmony Central look like Nadia Comaneci's results at the Olympics !!

    Unfortunately at the Tokai forums, a lot of talk is about how old their Tokai is or how nice the wood looks.
  • This stuff sits in my den ( all the guitars are on the wall.. I put the 3 on the floor in front cause' I'm too lazy to post more pics....Anyway, 4 ibanez's ( RTG320Q, SZ320, PF, G10 Bass) and 1 Strat ( Just got that one- Got an amazing deal on it at GC.. cleaned up great and sounds /feels amazing to me) .... The amp is a Valvetronix with a vintage make-over by me to change the chrome grill to vintage cloth (Great mod... only $2 in cloth- Love the amp, hate the chrome grill....) the GNX3000 is linked to the computer and the line out on the Vox ( Wires run through wire tubes or under rug... I hate wires). I also have a M-Audio Radium for soft synths, that also runs to the computer. I use M-Audio BX5A monitors which I am likely taking back in the next day or so.. The old Philco Radio in the background is getting slowly refurbished.. And the little RCA 45 record player works... DSCN0638.jpg
  • edited May 2006
    I got my dream Guitar. Pictures below.

    Thread on... \"If you reach your dream, then what?\" coming up. (or build on other existing)
  • The search is over for me.

    I did it, I'm done. Got it as a \"Scratch and Dent\", blemished. (still haven't found the blemish!) I saved hundreds!


    steinberger1.JPG

    Yeah, It's white... But I'm older now and it's time for a change. It gives me a new \"Feeling\"

    .

    Here's a pic of it next to a copy that's in my closet now. (might put up on ebay)

    steinbergerAndCopy.JPG

    Here's a pic of an original that I used to play for 17+ years

    oldsteiney.JPG
  • [img][/img]IM000751.jpg

    Here's my 2006 Gibson SG Standard I just got it today! :twisted:
  • Congratulations !!

    I am waiting to pull the trigger on a TOKAI SG. There is no chance for me to check out an SG before I buy it. So here are some questions :

    A) Is it heavy ?

    B) I heard that the neck on the SG can be quite large. How many mm is it at the nut and last fret ?

    Thanks !!
  • :D Right on new stuff rewlz.

    Gibson SGs are very light. The faded I had was super light it had no finish the Standard I have now is heavyer but no way as heavy as a strat.
    Mine is very balanced not neck heavy at all ...
    the EPI Standard copy I had was very neck heavy I did not like that about it . They put heavy stamped grovers on it that did not help. a wide leather strap helped with that but it was anoying when recording.


    I have heard nothing but good things about the TOKAI SGs if you go to
    http://everythingsg.com/forum/ You can find out all about that make of SG before you buy the guys are great there. good luck with your new SG (the greatest guitar ever made) :twisted: :twisted: IM000755.jpg[/url]
  • Here is the link to my guitar gallery:

    www.913media.com/JL_AxePics

    Just got the Agile last week...
  • zapzap
    edited September 2006
    Found a picture of a red Westone Dimension IV just like one of mine. I had it many years before discovering the 2 coil taps. I guess you could say I have a redneck. :oops: http://www.westone.info/dimensioniv.html

    Maybe Santa Clause will bring a digital camera this year.
  • Patmedia lost my other photos, so here's the updated ones.

    Collection1a.jpg

    Collection2a.jpg
  • Hey AC Sweet Ovation!! I want to get one like that someday!! Is it a shallow Bowl?? Looks like it. Anyhow some nice guitars there!!

    God Bless!!
    Partch
  • \partch\ wrote:
    Hey AC Sweet Ovation!! I want to get one like that someday!! Is it a shallow Bowl?? Looks like it. Anyhow some nice guitars there!!

    God Bless!!
    Partch

    Thanks Partch! Yep, it's a shallow body 1868 Elite. I think it's about eight years old. You'll hear it soon as it's the main guitar in a new song that I'm wrapping up. I don' t know what they did to it, but it never goes out of tune and is very consistant plugged in. People either love 'em or hate 'em though. :lol:
  • <div style="displaynone">fiogf49gjkf0d</div>ACWild

    Nice collection!!! shock
    Like the color of the PRS Custom 24.
    Man , I only have a few guitars, and my wife says I have a lot!!

    Awesome

    -Bababoey
  • Thanks Bababoey! I don't think I picked the color of any my guitars. I usually go to the store, try out as many as I can, then pick the one that I really connected with best. The color isn't something that I really put much thought into.
    The PRS doesn't get as much play time as it used to. I mainly use the strat and the Petrucci 7-string now. :D
  • edited September 2006
    Here are most of mine:

    electrics.jpg

    Gibson Les Paul Studio, Fender Strat XII, Red Homemade strat, Strat So-Cal, Godin LGX-SA, Gibson Blues Hawk, 70's strat of dubious origin, Rogue sitar

    Acoustics.jpg

    1917 Martin 1-18, Godin LR Baggs, Martin Alternative X midi, Martin DC-1E, Martin backpacker, Gibson Chet Atkins SST, Martin D1-12, Ovation Celebrity, Taylor 714 CE, 60's Guild Mark I Classical (mahogany)

    My Clapton strat was already posted in another pic. Missing from pics - MIM Tele, Smoove Grooves scalloped neck Hondo/Squier strat, Epiphone Emily the Strange SG, Squier Showmaster, 1 other homemade strat, Brian Moore 8.13, Aria Classical travel guitar.
  • Most?!? :shock:
    Holy cow man, what music shop is that taken from? :lol: Very nice collection. I'm drooling badly looking at it. Is that a Gibson Blueshawk? :?:
  • O yeah, sorry about that, I skipped over the Blues Hawk - Great little guitar.
  • O yeah, sorry about that, I skipped over the Blues Hawk - Great little guitar.

    I thought so. Tal and Dons keep talking about how much they love them and that they just discontinued production. You have great taste! 8)
  • I made an edit to the caption and noted the Blues Hawk. Its a shame they've discontinued production. BB King loves that guitar. It was the lowest selling price hollow body Gibson. The rotator switch gives a great selection of tones.
  • MAN AREN'T YOU GUYS A COUPLE O' GASSERS :lol:

    Nice collections :)
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