# The Great Ongoing Guitar Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 31, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172 "2010-01-31T23:20:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 118
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2342 "2012-03-01T22:16:41Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I have a 1973 Limited Edition Les Paul Black Beauty '54 reissue Is that the J-maker one that’s so good a replica that it beats Gibson’s offering? > [@WordMan](#): > > First guitar geek-out thread in a long time. Have patience. Will do. Your geekery is definitely worth perusing. I’ve just skimmed what you wrote, not really absorbed, but will return to it after work-time. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2343 "2012-03-01T22:21:49Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Is that the J-maker one that’s so good a replica that it beats Gibson’s offering? No - that’s a 1980-or-so Japanese-made “Burny” - it was a more-faithful repro of 50’s style Les Pauls vs. the ones Gibson was making at the time. These days, a Gibson VOS/Historic is a decently faithful replica of a 50’s LP, but at the time, Gibson wasn’t doing that. This is the Burny [here](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n86/WordMan567/flame1.jpg). The '73 looks like a 50’s Les Paul Custom and it is a real Gibson - [here](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n86/WordMan567/AAGracieandGracie-2006-07.jpg). > [@](#): > > Will do. Your geekery is definitely worth perusing. I’ve just skimmed what you wrote, not really absorbed, but will return to it after work-time. Cool. Let me know what you think… ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2344 "2012-03-01T22:31:37Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > No - that’s a 1980-or-so Japanese-made “Burny” - it was a more-faithful repro of 50’s style Les Pauls vs. the ones Gibson was making at the time. These days, a Gibson VOS/Historic is a decently faithful replica of a 50’s LP, but at the time, Gibson wasn’t doing that. This is the Burny [here](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n86/WordMan567/flame1.jpg). > > The '73 looks like a 50’s Les Paul Custom and it is a real Gibson - [here](http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n86/WordMan567/AAGracieandGracie-2006-07.jpg). Ah, thank you. I guess was conflating the black one with the Burny. Man, that black LP is quite a looker. I’ve been GASing for an LP for some time, I’m quite jealous. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2345 "2012-03-01T22:37:02Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Ah, thank you. I guess was conflating the black one with the Burny. Man, that black LP is quite a looker. I’ve been GASing for an LP for some time, I’m quite jealous. I shared the picture of the Black Les Paul, aka Gracie, on a different website and a guy chased me down about trying to buy it - from your same neck of the woods, too (I was half-entertaining the thought since there is always another nice vintage acoustic I want to pursue, but his company had a layoff scare and he took a step back - now is not the time to pursue a collectible old guitar, eh?). It is a truly great Les Paul - the one-piece mahogany body is light and super resonant (LP Customs do not have a maple cap like LP standards). But you have to love P-90’s and the Alnico V “staple” pickup in the neck position - they aren’t the same as humbuckers; but you know that given the LP your occasional guitar instructor uses… ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2346 "2012-03-01T23:47:08Z")
Thank you, sir for the info on Apache, and that grinning young guy with the Red Strat. I’d be grinning just like that, if they’d let me sit in on the drums on that tune!🙂 Secondly, Amazon’s been sending me mail about re-issues of Ventures’ albums with the original covers. The company is Sundazed Records. I’m well-stocked with almost everything the boys have ever recorded (on cd only in my collection), and I believe Sundazed’s sales angle is the original artwork, but please correct me if I’m wrong. Have any of you bought one of these reissues and what did you think? Did you compare the quality to a previous cd of the same album? Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2347 "2012-03-03T16:24:56Z")
Why did nobody ever tell me Johnny Cash is so much fun to play for a beginner? I can’t decide if Boy Named Sue or Busted is best, really. I’m even getting some fingerpicking practice in with Boy Named Sue. It’s perfect. ---
**Author:** ![toonerama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@toonerama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toonerama)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2348 "2012-03-04T09:38:29Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > I’m gonna tempt you now, Mr. toonerama. > [http://store.guitarfetish.com/XV-890-Setneck-Flamed-Maple-Dual-Humbuckers-Amberburst\_p\_4255.html](http://store.guitarfetish.com/XV-890-Setneck-Flamed-Maple-Dual-Humbuckers-Amberburst_p_4255.html) > > You want it, don’t you? So cheap, so round, so firm, so fully packed. > > Have I described the ‘ultimate nerd guitar’ I’m working with a guy on yet, by the way? It’s the Flying V design. Ooh, tempt me you have. But maybe it’s too cheap to be that good? Have you tried one? And I would love to hear about the nerd-axe. Last year, I nearly dropped $1,800 on a new Ibanez Artist, but real life kicked in. Damn, it’s a lovely guitar. The look & specs are similar to the Xaviere. I really am tempted. You’re a bad influence. ---
**Author:** ![toonerama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@toonerama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toonerama)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2349 "2012-03-04T09:44:36Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I have a 1973 Limited Edition Les Paul Black Beauty '54 reissue (say that 3 times fast) with an ebony fingerboard that would make you drool. So easy to play and it adds a bit of snap to the tone of this one-piece, solid mahogany guitar… Consider me drooling. I just hope you’re good player with an axe like that!🆒 ---
**Author:** ![toonerama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@toonerama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toonerama)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2350 "2012-03-04T10:43:22Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I shared the picture of the Black Les Paul, aka Gracie, on a different website and a guy chased me down about trying to buy it - from your same neck of the woods, too (I was half-entertaining the thought since there is always another nice vintage acoustic I want to pursue, but his company had a layoff scare and he took a step back - now is not the time to pursue a collectible old guitar, eh?). It is a truly great Les Paul - the one-piece mahogany body is light and super resonant (LP Customs do not have a maple cap like LP standards). But you have to love P-90’s and the Alnico V “staple” pickup in the neck position - they aren’t the same as humbuckers; but you know that given the LP your occasional guitar instructor uses… Just curious, if you don’t mind - how much is The Black Beauty worth these days? ---
**Author:** ![toonerama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@toonerama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toonerama)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2351 "2012-03-04T10:46:38Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Why did nobody ever tell me Johnny Cash is so much fun to play for a beginner? I can’t decide if Boy Named Sue or Busted is best, really. I’m even getting some fingerpicking practice in with Boy Named Sue. It’s perfect. Absolutely. I learned “Ring of Fire” very early on 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2352 "2012-03-05T04:29:11Z")
“Wanted Man” is one of my easy Cash tunes. I think Mr. Zimmerman wrote that especially for John, didn’t he, guys? Glad I’m not the only one suffering from too much gear syndrome! 🙂 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2353 "2012-03-05T12:25:55Z")
Right now, I’m going back and forth between Busted and Daddy Sang Bass. Because they’re fun. As far as the quality of the Xavieres: Good pickups, decent wood, good necks, iffy wiring. $1800 or $239. Your call. (Heck, Ibanez doesn’t give you the good pickups.) [http://store.guitarfetish.com/Xaviere-XV-880-Dual-humbucker-Floyd-Rose-Equipped-\_c\_358.html](http://store.guitarfetish.com/Xaviere-XV-880-Dual-humbucker-Floyd-Rose-Equipped-_c_358.html) This one doesn’t have the binding or the reversed headstock, but otherwise it’s essentially the same guitar. And the blackout one is certainly none more black. As far as the extreme nerd guitar: I know a guy who makes lightsabers for a hobby. And for a job: he works for Bioware Austin on a video game. I’m going to work with him on the world’s most nerdy Flying V design. Two humbuckers, snake-head, probably a wraparound bridge. Maybe, if we’re feeling ambitious, a neck-through design. That’s not very nerdy, is it? It is if you realize the guitar’s shaped like an Imperial Star Destroyer, the dots on the neck are TIE Fighters and the truss cover is the Millenium Falcon. ---
**Author:** ![toonerama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@toonerama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toonerama)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2354 "2012-03-06T07:54:05Z")
Hey, anyone know/remember the Dutch band Focus? I stumbled on my collection, and reminded myself what a genius Jan Akkerman is. They were/are(?) such an incredibly _musical_ outfit, and his playing is sublime. That’s if you appreciate an approach that often bordered rock, classical and, well, smooth jazz. Check it! ---
**Author:** ![toonerama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@toonerama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toonerama)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2355 "2012-03-06T07:58:41Z")
E-Sabbath, if your nerd-axe were to get into production, you’d have to call your company “Clone Wars”. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2356 "2012-03-06T09:24:05Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9fEkYxRCl_c/hqdefault.jpg "Focus - Hocus Pocus (Live Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fEkYxRCl_c) Live! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2357 "2012-03-06T13:20:55Z")
> [@toonerama](#): > > Hey, anyone know/remember the Dutch band Focus? I stumbled on my collection, and reminded myself what a genius Jan Akkerman is. They were/are(?) such an incredibly _musical_ outfit, and his playing is sublime. That’s if you appreciate an approach that often bordered rock, classical and, well, smooth jazz. Check it! Aren’t those the guys that did “Hocus Pocus” in the 70’s? I thought they were kind of a novelty one-hit-wonder rock act. The video posted by Quasimodem is not the way I remember them–oh wait, then I got to the second half. [Here is the Hocus Pocus I remember](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4ouPGGLI6Q&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AVGxdCwVVULXfQRw6TSsXHW76elepe-B6T). I saw that when it aired on The Midnight Special when I was a high-school rock guitarist. Actually pretty tasty except for those weird “vocal” breaks. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2359 "2012-03-06T13:55:20Z")
> [@toonerama](#): > > Hey, anyone know/remember the Dutch band Focus? I stumbled on my collection, and reminded myself what a genius Jan Akkerman is. They were/are(?) such an incredibly _musical_ outfit, and his playing is sublime. That’s if you appreciate an approach that often bordered rock, classical and, well, smooth jazz. Check it! They have their fans on the Dope, and Akkerman gets mentioned amongst prog types. ---
**Author:** ![I-VI-ii-V](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c89c15/32.png) [@I-VI-ii-V](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I-VI-ii-V)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2360 "2012-03-07T19:45:43Z")
Since there was some talk about ukes recently, I’ve got a question for you all. Which would be better for a bassist who plays some [acoustic nylon string] guitar, a concert or tenor uke? I plan to mainly strum chords and play melodies once in while. Would the traditional octave higher G string on the concert be a problem? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2361 "2012-03-07T23:32:42Z")
I can’t help. All I can think about is kazookeleles. Oh, by the way. How would 60 year old sweet gum tree wood be for a guitar? I got a line on an old barn made out of the stuff. It’s _really really dry_. ---
**Author:** ![Clockwork\_Jackal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Clockwork\_Jackal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clockwork_Jackal)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2362 "2012-03-08T00:10:30Z")
> [@I-VI-ii-V](#): > > Since there was some talk about ukes recently, I’ve got a question for you all. Which would be better for a bassist who plays some [acoustic nylon string] guitar, a concert or tenor uke? I plan to mainly strum chords and play melodies once in while. Would the traditional octave higher G string on the concert be a problem? Well, you could string either one gCEA. That’s how they’re all traditionally strung. Sometimes the tenor is strung with a low G. Any size would be good to strum, from Soprano to Concert to Tenor (can’t tell you about Baritone, never played a Baritone.) What kind of sound are you looking for? High and bright and punchy or lower and warmer? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=117) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=119)