The guitar corner

[BFrank]

Would like to improve my comping and rhythm playing - I prefer that to lead playing, anway.

[susanaraya]

Hi guys!

I love my Epiphone Joe Pass signature! Hope you enjoy, 7/4!

I traded it towards my Gretsch 6118 Double Anniversary, so that's some consolation.

Nice.

The Epiphone didn't have a case. I bought a $40 gig bag. It looks like a techno sneaker. When I do play a gig, I use gig bags, I unload and I'll wear the guitar to the bathroom, to the diner. I don't like carrying guitars in guitar cases.

I don't use soft cases because every show I've ever played, we loaded the guitars into the car. I'm terrified of anything happening.

I usually use a soft bag, it´s easy to carry with the bike . But when I travel by car I try to use hard case, I´m scary, like AfricaBrass. But what it´s really terrible is low cost flight companies where I usually use in Europe. I have had a lot of problems to keep my guitar with me in the cabine, really they dont have any sensibility for this instrument!

[7/4]

I tried a Godin ACS nylon string electric today, so now I'm having some serious jones to buy one. I think this week I'll sell a guitar to buy one.

Edited August 9, 2009 by 7/4

[Joe G]

Nice. I've been considering my options for nylon string, both guitar-wise and amp-wise. Played through one of those Acoustic-Image amps the other day. Those are really nice.

[7/4]

I have keyboard amps I can play it through, left over from my guitar synth days.

I'm going to hold off a few days and be careful about what guitar I sell to get this one.

[jazzbo]

Well, that's a nice guitar.

Here's what I bought myself, a '59 Jazzmaster reissue, Thin Skin edition. Has a modern neck (9.5" radius). Love it.

[7/4]

Sweet!

...

[Jim R]

Lon, you have definitely caught the bug! That's a great looking Jazzmaster... pretty sunburst.

[jazzbo]

Yeah, they're beautiful, real vintage (i.e. no poly underlayer, all nitro finish) finish. Fit and finish is excellent on this guitar. I like the Jazzmaster, there's really two neck pickup sounds you can set, because you use teh rhythm circuit (the pot-wheels have a darker sound than the other tone circuit) and you can also set a neck pickup sound with the other circuit. For a neck pickup lover, it's an ultimate guitar. I love that you can have two sounds just by flicking one switch and can go back and forth. The bridge and the bridge plate makes an interesting sound. Very sparkly, very much like an acoustic to me as well as an electric. The short sustain is very jazz guitar like as well. Leo really came up with a superior design and put a lot of thought into the guitar.

The photo is not actually mine but looks exactly like mine.

I think I've finished with the bug, I've got the guitars I've really found work for me. I'd distill my collection down to three if I had to: this Jazzmaster, my Billy Corgan Stratocaster (this hardtail is the most versatile and easy playing guitar I've had, impresses me every day), and the Deluxe Stratocaster with the mahogany body (another real player and great tone). I'd probably keep the Breadwinner too after restoration, which I really ought to do. It's one of the earliest, with the nylon string saddles and single-ended pickups, and it's a guitar that is so rugged it'd last a thousand years.

[7/4]

I think I've finished with the bug, I've got the guitars I've really found work for me. I'd distill my collection down to three if I had to: this Jazzmaster, my Billy Corgan Stratocaster (this hardtail is the most versatile and easy playing guitar I've had, impresses me every day), and the Deluxe Stratocaster with the mahogany body (another real player and great tone). I'd probably keep the Breadwinner too after restoration, which I really ought to do. It's one of the earliest, with the nylon string saddles and single-ended pickups, and it's a guitar that is so rugged it'd last a thousand years.

With a mahogany body, what's the weight like?

My Stratosonic has one, the weight bothers me and I never even use it standing up.

[BFrank]

You would keep 2 Strats rather than keep your Tele Thinline?

[jazzbo]

Yup.

Strats are more comfortable to play and more versatile to me than Teles. The Thinline is a great guitar, but I view it as a sort of one trick poney. It has one sound really, that's it.

[BFrank]

Yup.

Strats are more comfortable to play and more versatile to me than Teles. The Thinline is a great guitar, but I view it as a sort of one trick poney. It has one sound really, that's it.

But it's a GREAT sound!

[jazzbo]

I think I've finished with the bug, I've got the guitars I've really found work for me. I'd distill my collection down to three if I had to: this Jazzmaster, my Billy Corgan Stratocaster (this hardtail is the most versatile and easy playing guitar I've had, impresses me every day), and the Deluxe Stratocaster with the mahogany body (another real player and great tone). I'd probably keep the Breadwinner too after restoration, which I really ought to do. It's one of the earliest, with the nylon string saddles and single-ended pickups, and it's a guitar that is so rugged it'd last a thousand years.

With a mahogany body, what's the weight like?

My Stratosonic has one, the weight bothers me and I never even use it standing up.

Not too heavy, about 8 pounds. In between my Corgan and my Jazzmaster in weight.

I love the SCN pickups and the S-1 switching and the neck is awesome. Add the mahogany tone and it's really something.

Yup.

Strats are more comfortable to play and more versatile to me than Teles. The Thinline is a great guitar, but I view it as a sort of one trick poney. It has one sound really, that's it.

But it's a GREAT sound!

You like it better than I do. I've tried different strings and even through my '59 Bassman it is too bright and thin for me. I only like it a lot when distorted.

Edited August 15, 2009 by jazzbo

[7/4]

I tried a Godin ACS nylon string electric today, so now I'm having some serious jones to buy one. I think this week I'll sell a guitar to buy one.

I didn't give in to GAS, which is good because I won't be playing for a while!

Still...I really liked that guitar. It would have been my great nylon string solution.

[jazzbo]

Hope your hand gets better soon, really soon!

Yeah, probably good to get past the GAS for now. I've resisted nylon string GAS, and am having fun with steel strings right now.

[fasstrack]

I tried a Godin ACS nylon string electric today, so now I'm having some serious jones to buy one. I think this week I'll sell a guitar to buy one.

I didn't give in to GAS, which is good because I won't be playing for a while!

Still...I really liked that guitar. It would have been my great nylon string solution.

How are their acoustic steel strings? If I like one I'll try to cut an endorsement deal with them. I already told them I like the Kingpin archtop a lot.

[7/4]

I don't know. I've been curious about this one for a while and I rarely see Godins in stores. Guitar Center just happened to have one hanging on the wall.

But it just wasn't meant to be...I broke both my elbows a few days ago and I won't be playing for a while.

...

[AllenLowe]

geez, what happened? Forgot to pay your loan shark?

[7/4]

geez, what happened? Forgot to pay your loan shark?

gee...I havent' heard that one yet. I'm surprised no one used that yet.

...

[AllenLowe]

I'm always a little ahead of the rest of the world. It's a burden I have to bear.

Edited August 15, 2009 by AllenLowe

[7/4]

I know what you mean. For example, it's not easy being incredibly handsome, but I've learned to live with it.

...

[7/4]

We are proud to call this the reintroduction of the Charlie Christian pickup.

Hope your hand gets better soon, really soon!

thanks.

Edited August 16, 2009 by 7/4

[jazzbo]

Wow, looks like a real nice pickup recreation.

[fasstrack]

Wow. I'm not sure what to think. On one hand, it's great that Christian is being remembered all these years later. On the other, marketing the 'Charlie Christian sound' is sort of lame----though it is the American Way.........

Edited August 16, 2009 by fasstrack