Problem: I'm struggling to spend money...

Mr Grumpy

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...I've never had this problem with guitar gear before.

Since I got the SG faded and Yamaha THR10, I've been practicing more and improving better (ok, I switched to right-handed, so anything is an improvement...), and, my urge to buy stuff, while still there, is struggling to dominate the conversation as it once did. The SG and Yamaha are easy to play, fun and perfect for home practice.

sg_yam.JPG

I've sold nearly everything else, all I have left is one left-handed bass that's up for sale. That's it. No pedals at all, no other amps and no other guitars.

A nice-ish PRS has been sent back and I have a shop credit for about $450, but I can add another $500 or so to that if I wish; the money is in the bank waiting (actually, I could add more if I want).

prs2.JPG

There's loads of stuff at the shop to buy, and some at decent prices: 스쿨뮤직 - 약속을 지키는 사람들

I just have to give them the code number, and it'll be delivered the next day...

I've been gassing for ages for a Les Paul, and that's why I ended up with the PRS (I couldn't find a LP junior that I really wanted at the right price), but a few days later got the SG at a good price, my playing is ok, so now I can confidently goto shops, pick up the guitar and see how it plays. Herein lies the problem - I want something that plays well, sounds good and is good value compared to the SG.

I've tried loads of LPs, and even a $1300 2016 LP studio, that looks great, just doesn't do it for me on the playing side. I really like the scale length and 60s neck of Gibsons.

650_165.jpg


Meh... To me, it's not worth double the price of the SG when I'll play it less. Lovely case though.

This one is still a possible, 2016 SG standard - I really love the 2011 and 2016 Gibsons - batwings galore.

SG2_650.jpg


$1100 is ok, but there's no case with 2016s, and I think I'd prefer cherry and I really would prefer P90s. It's just not worth, to me, $500 more than the faded. I do like it though. The 490/498T is very nice, but the faded has 490/AY, so not much difference there.

$800 for this:

650_142.jpg


I want P90s, I want a LP, the fittings on this are just as I like them, the price is good. But, I'm not sure about the black or the finish, and sadly this isn't one I can play, so there's a risk there - probably not much risk; these 2016T 60s tributes are supposed to be really nice.

I'd love a Goldtop though:

650_513.jpg


$1100 seems too much for this NOS 2013, but it has the faded back and neck that I like aswellas the Godltop. New knobs, tuners, switchtip and poker chip would have this looking eggsackery as I'd want it. And, it comes with 57/57+ which I've never owned before - this guitar sings! But, I don't wanna pay more than $900 for it...

P90 SGs!

650_485.jpg


NOS 2013 50s tribute for $675, a nice pickguard and some pups and she'd play lovely.

650_3.jpg


$650 for this 2016 special?

Neither of these two play as nicely as the faded, imho, due to the neck finish, so why would I buy one when I know I'll just play the faded instead? I really love the faded neck; the finish, or lack of, is just lovely!

Amps then?

This could be cool:

650_223.jpg


For $470 what's not to like? But, I only play at home and I don't need that volume. Clubs here all have amps ready for you, most have a Marshall and a couple of others to choose from. I just don't need it - &, herein lies another problem: sensible decision making! This has never been an issue before, maybe it's an age thing???

Surely some sexy pedals could do the job???

650_341.jpg


I've wanted one of these for ages, but I'm not sure I want it $190 worth...

How about an acoustic to just jam with friends, take out and about?

16670_9_full_front_large.jpg


$600 Taylor GS mini - what could go wrong?

Meh... I've always liked the idea of an acoustic, but owned 3 and never much played any of them. I like the idea of jamming with friends over a few beers, but whenever I've done it have found it boring...

Maybe I'll just get a case for the SG faded and, oh, I don't know...

:alien:
 
All nice stuff but if you really like what you have why not stay with it.
The THR 10 is a really nice amplifier. I have one and I actually gig with
it sometimes. When I take it to a gig I leave the pedals at home and
plug the guitar straight into the amp. It sounds that good. Then I
mic the amp and I'm good to go.
 
The THR 10 is a really nice amplifier. I have one and I actually gig with
it sometimes. When I take it to a gig I leave the pedals at home and
plug the guitar straight into the amp. It sounds that good. Then I
mic the amp and I'm good to go.

Interesting. I don't often put the volume above half way, but when I do it sounds really nice; maybe I should be playing it louder! :D

It's just so convenient with many sounds in it (lacks a nice fuzzy sound, imho, but not much else - maybe I can get that with the Messa setting without too much gain; I'll try later). If you gig with it, and it sounds good then that's praise indeed - ever taken the line out to the desk?

if you really like what you have why not stay with it

Yeah, this is maybe the first time I've been happy with my gear and don't really want anything to improve it. Well, maybe a small tube amp and a nice fuzz pedal? It just feels wrong to have only one guitar! I have thought about, and may yet, just get a cherry SG faded and change it to P90s. Hmmm...

:BH: :io:
 
I use 5 presets I wrote and stored with the THR editor software.
The editor vastly expands the tweaking possibilities.

Clean with delay and reverb.
Clean with chorus and reverb.
Compressed countryrockabillyish twang.
(The editor opens up a full featured compressor.)
Dirty with delay and reverb.
Dirtier with bigger delay, reverb and slight modulation.
Those can cover pretty much everything for me.

I have also taken the line out into a Tech 21 PE 60 and played 60 watt 1 X 12 sized gigs with it.
No pedals that way either. The amplifier also sounds very good in this "larger format".

It's the size of a loaf of wonder bread, weighs just over 6 pounds and sounds great.
What more could I/you/we/they want?
 
That little vox is cool.
Half the fun is in the hunt. Does your store credit have an expiration date? (Might want to verify that) if not take your time.
I have played several of the guitars you mention here. P90 Sg is awesome. The p90 Lester also great and a good value. But no rush enjoy stalking your next victim .....
 
^ good advice, mate.

I must say that for the first time in my guitar playing life, I am just sitting at home, playing scales up and down the neck and playing little runs and free flowing around the major notes in the scales in different ways, adding in the occasional blues or bum notes and just really enjoying myself. This SG faded is a joy to play, it seems to like me and work with me. To you decent players, this is normal, but to me, an utterly shite player, I'm kinda moving from the beginner to the intermediate space where time gets lost and life is good. Very very happy at the moment. I will still likely pick up an SG or LP P90, but I'll wait until the right one comes along.

Good advice, eSGEe, because I usually spend spend spend straight away, but I know what I want now: 60s or slim taper asymmetrical neck, worn or satin neck which isn't sticky and you can feel the wood against your fingers, not paint or polly or other nasty stuff. I'll just wait until the perfect guitar comes along, I'll keep trying them out... I have a couple of nice P90s waiting that I wanna use, but they can stay in the drawer.
 
Betty, if you wind up finding a reasonable priced guitar that is comfortable in all criteria including the neck, but it has one that is not Satin, or might feels sticky is a cheap ol scotchbrite pad rubbed up and down the back of the neck and that will slicken the feel nicely for you.

I can vouch for how good those Epi LP's are. Mine was a step down from these LP Pro's
But it still kicked butt for feel and playability once I got a few bugs worked out. Mainly the Tailpiece studs lifting out of the body, and I had a bone nut and pro setup done to mine.

This guitar is now so killer to play, it is my #1 tone machine. The LP pro's have USA pups and electronics if I am remembering correctly.
 
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I don't like the big guitars, I like the little dinky ones, so the 339 is out.

I have thought about that honeryburst although I'm not fond of the thin photo/picture tops they use on the plustops - I prefer the plain tops. &, I buy and sell so much that when I can get a Gibaon SG faded NOS for $620 there really isn't much money to lose there when/if I sell it. Also, I just love the 60s slim taper neck on the Gibsons - by far the nicest neck I've ever played.
 
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Betty, if you wind up finding a reasonable priced guitar that is comfortable in all criteria including the neck, but it has one that is not Satin, or might feel sticky is a cheap ol scotchbrite pad rubbed up and down the back of the neck and that will slicken the feel nicely for you.

Good advice, thank you.

Funnily enough, I keep looking for an Epi LP/SG special one with the P90, but haven't come across one here in Korea yet. I'll snap one up when I see one.
 
I don't like the big guitars, I like the little dinky ones, so the 339 is out.

I have thought about that honeryburst although I'm not fond of the thin photo/picture tops they use on the plustops - I prefer the plain tops. &, I buy and sell so much that when I can get a Gibaon SG faded NOS for $620 there really isn't much money to lose there when/if I sell it. Also, I just love the 60s slim taper neck on the Gibsons - by far the nicest neck I've ever played.
Understood, but 339s are not that big, closer to LP size than 335 size IMO.
 
What RVA said, Betty. The 339's are close to LP size. Col Mustard has one he raves about.

I never played large guitars much either, yet once I got my 2 Epi ES guitars and replaced a severed headstock on my buddy's Epi Dot Deluxe ES335 copy, I truly dug all 3. sadly my finances warranted selling my Dot, and my Epi ES175, but they both were great guitars.
 
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IF--- I where to have4 pick of the liter so to speak. The mini Hum SG would be my pick (Yes I know I am a LEster guy--- and I LOVE that Epi LEster Honey) but --- based on Grumpy Boos wish list and --- knowing how my Future Tribute FEELS the neck the 60s slim--- the not over thick clear caoted wood etc. (and the mini hum beastie is just dead fooking gorgeous)
THAT would be my recommendation :
650_3.jpg


And at 650.......with your store credit......you caould add a little and get the Marshall too! ;) IF I had to chose....today....right now--- THAT would be my pick--- Southern Classic ROCK tones would flow for REAL outta a Marshall and mini hums in a gibson body.........period, hands down
 
...I've never had this problem with guitar gear before.

Since I got the SG faded and Yamaha THR10, I've been practicing more and improving better (ok, I switched to right-handed, so anything is an improvement...), and, my urge to buy stuff, while still there, is struggling to dominate the conversation as it once did. The SG and Yamaha are easy to play, fun and perfect for home practice.

View attachment 5077

I've sold nearly everything else, all I have left is one left-handed bass that's up for sale. That's it. No pedals at all, no other amps and no other guitars.

A nice-ish PRS has been sent back and I have a shop credit for about $450, but I can add another $500 or so to that if I wish; the money is in the bank waiting (actually, I could add more if I want).

View attachment 5076

There's loads of stuff at the shop to buy, and some at decent prices: 스쿨뮤직 - 약속을 지키는 사람들

I just have to give them the code number, and it'll be delivered the next day...

I've been gassing for ages for a Les Paul, and that's why I ended up with the PRS (I couldn't find a LP junior that I really wanted at the right price), but a few days later got the SG at a good price, my playing is ok, so now I can confidently goto shops, pick up the guitar and see how it plays. Herein lies the problem - I want something that plays well, sounds good and is good value compared to the SG.

I've tried loads of LPs, and even a $1300 2016 LP studio, that looks great, just doesn't do it for me on the playing side. I really like the scale length and 60s neck of Gibsons.

650_165.jpg


Meh... To me, it's not worth double the price of the SG when I'll play it less. Lovely case though.

This one is still a possible, 2016 SG standard - I really love the 2011 and 2016 Gibsons - batwings galore.

SG2_650.jpg


$1100 is ok, but there's no case with 2016s, and I think I'd prefer cherry and I really would prefer P90s. It's just not worth, to me, $500 more than the faded. I do like it though. The 490/498T is very nice, but the faded has 490/AY, so not much difference there.

$800 for this:

650_142.jpg


I want P90s, I want a LP, the fittings on this are just as I like them, the price is good. But, I'm not sure about the black or the finish, and sadly this isn't one I can play, so there's a risk there - probably not much risk; these 2016T 60s tributes are supposed to be really nice.

I'd love a Goldtop though:

650_513.jpg


$1100 seems too much for this NOS 2013, but it has the faded back and neck that I like aswellas the Godltop. New knobs, tuners, switchtip and poker chip would have this looking eggsackery as I'd want it. And, it comes with 57/57+ which I've never owned before - this guitar sings! But, I don't wanna pay more than $900 for it...

P90 SGs!

650_485.jpg


NOS 2013 50s tribute for $675, a nice pickguard and some pups and she'd play lovely.

650_3.jpg


$650 for this 2016 special?

Neither of these two play as nicely as the faded, imho, due to the neck finish, so why would I buy one when I know I'll just play the faded instead? I really love the faded neck; the finish, or lack of, is just lovely!

Amps then?

This could be cool:

650_223.jpg


For $470 what's not to like? But, I only play at home and I don't need that volume. Clubs here all have amps ready for you, most have a Marshall and a couple of others to choose from. I just don't need it - &, herein lies another problem: sensible decision making! This has never been an issue before, maybe it's an age thing???

Surely some sexy pedals could do the job???

650_341.jpg


I've wanted one of these for ages, but I'm not sure I want it $190 worth...

How about an acoustic to just jam with friends, take out and about?

16670_9_full_front_large.jpg


$600 Taylor GS mini - what could go wrong?

Meh... I've always liked the idea of an acoustic, but owned 3 and never much played any of them. I like the idea of jamming with friends over a few beers, but whenever I've done it have found it boring...

Maybe I'll just get a case for the SG faded and, oh, I don't know...

:alien:

Grumpy,

You know...I just bought a 2016 Les Paul Goldtop and it was disappointing. That really got me to re-thinking my guitar buying. Last night, I auditioned for a professional band with my heavily-modded (no Gibson pickups or wiring anymore and lots of copper shielding) 2016 Gibson SG T Series with just a cable and my 40 watt DSL40C. The tone was better, fatter and with more edge than most of what I been hearing lately, and bigger than most auditionee's that rolled in with designer hardware. My pickups are wound like an early PAF - only 7.93/7.88k - so I really stuck to the basics and it was a really great experience.

I think you got a couple of great guitars....save your money... :-)
 
Grumpy,

You know...I just bought a 2016 Les Paul Goldtop and it was disappointing. That really got me to re-thinking my guitar buying. Last night, I auditioned for a professional band with my heavily-modded (no Gibson pickups or wiring anymore and lots of copper shielding) 2016 Gibson SG T Series with just a cable and my 40 watt DSL40C. The tone was better, fatter and with more edge than most of what I been hearing lately, and bigger than most auditionee's that rolled in with designer hardware. My pickups are wound like an early PAF - only 7.93/7.88k - so I really stuck to the basics and it was a really great experience.

I think you got a couple of great guitars....save your money... :)
How did the audition go, Robert?
 
Amps...

For home recording and coffee shop type venues, you cannot beat Blackstar for versatility and price. For bigger live performances, you gotta have tubes. I saw firsthand last night the limitations of the Blackstar SS amps in a stage volume scenario. Guys were driving them into oblivion trying to cut through the mix, and my DSL40C was screaming at the top of the mix between 5 and 6....
 
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