# 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:** 120
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2383 "2012-03-17T21:17:52Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > Gibson classic 57 humbuckers. Sounds like a fun guitar. How much can you get it for? Do you like the neck? ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2384 "2012-03-18T13:53:47Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Sounds like a fun guitar. How much can you get it for? Do you like the neck? I can get it for just less than 1000usd. I haven’t played it but it has the same neck as a ES-175 and I have played one of those a few times and like it. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2385 "2012-03-18T14:12:58Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > I can get it for just less than 1000usd. I haven’t played it but it has the same neck as a ES-175 and I have played one of those a few times and like it. Does it have F-Holes, or it is like [this one](http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store-Used-USED-GIBSON-ES135-VINTAGE-SUNBURST-W-OHSC-222-8-5-CD-106976155-i2212648.gc?source=4WFRWXX&CAWELAID=1066496138)listed at ~$1,000 USD at a Guitar Center? Either way, have fun checking it out. The biggest challenge I have when checking out guitars is filtering out my preconceived hopes and fears so I can really listen to and feel the guitar itself. Sometimes I show up and the guitar I want to look at is very close to what I want it to be - often because I have been researching and trying different examples of that model so know more what to expect. But when I am trying a new model that I suspect I will/should like, I really need to spend time with it. I often end up digging a completely different guitar than the one I showed up to check out… ---
**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 19, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2386 "2012-03-19T01:16:21Z")
At that price, I’d _really_ consider trying the Epiphone ES-135 as well. Just to see if you can tell the difference. Gibson’s getting such really bad reviews these days. ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2387 "2012-03-19T04:42:24Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > At that price, I’d _really_ consider trying the Epiphone ES-135 as well. Just to see if you can tell the difference. Gibson’s getting such really bad reviews these days. Well Epiphone is Gibson except they’re made in China. I have an Epiphone Casino that I just do not like and I have for sale locally for not much less than the Gibson 135. I played both a ES335 and an ES175 at the local music store and they were far better than my Casino. Of course the 335 was out of my price range but it was a really fantastic guitar. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2388 "2012-03-19T11:32:53Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Gibson’s getting such really bad reviews these days. Are they? I am not keeping up that much, other than the constant noise about Gibson’s build quality - which can be an issue and is a pain to listen to on the boards because ultimately, when it comes down to it, you either understand and want what you can get from a Gibson and are trying to find one that works for you, or you’re not. I get frustrated with people telling me why I shouldn’t like Gibson - or, for that matter, why I should. I know what I want from one, and know how to find one that works for me; that’s all that counts. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2389 "2012-03-19T13:01:00Z")
Just got my first real archtop this week 🆒 [Gibson L-4](http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Archtop/Gibson-Custom/L-4-CES-Mahogany.aspx) It has been hanging on the wall at my local music store for a year and a half, and I have played it many times in the store, trying not to drool on it. Their price was already much lower than online prices, and the fellow chopped several hundred off that price when I bought it, so I imagine that nice jazz boxes just aren’t in demand in my corner of New Jersey. Some found money came my way at work (a long-term-incentive grant from years ago that I had totally forgotten about vested). Now the guitar is hanging on my wall and I am extremely happy. This instrument is far beyond my skill level, but at least I will never question whether the guitar or the guitarist is at fault. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2390 "2012-03-19T14:15:04Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > Just got my first real archtop this week 🆒 > > [Gibson L-4](http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Archtop/Gibson-Custom/L-4-CES-Mahogany.aspx) > > It has been hanging on the wall at my local music store for a year and a half, and I have played it many times in the store, trying not to drool on it. > Their price was already much lower than online prices, and the fellow chopped several hundred off that price when I bought it, so I imagine that nice jazz boxes just aren’t in demand in my corner of New Jersey. > > Some found money came my way at work (a long-term-incentive grant from years ago that I had totally forgotten about vested). > > Now the guitar is hanging on my wall and I am extremely happy. This instrument is far beyond my skill level, but at least I will never question whether the guitar or the guitarist is at fault. Drool!! Congrats; that is a gorgeous guitar. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2391 "2012-03-19T16:32:29Z")
just saw this clip of [Tony Melendez, who plays guitar with his feet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuIkrsdrJLY). Clearly, an alternate tuning, but incredibly inspirational and motivating (and humbling)! ---
**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 22, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2392 "2012-03-22T15:44:27Z")
Yep, I referred to the ‘constant noise about Gibson’s build quality’. If you find your 135 and like it, go for it. There are simply good ones and bad ones and the bad ones are worse than good Epis. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2393 "2012-03-22T17:23:23Z")
> [@Clockwork\_Jackal](#): > > Yep, that’s called low G setup, from what I understand. It’s more common on tenors. > > I think the longer scale length might be more of a help than anything. > > I love my tenor Uke. I have this one. - [Amazon.com: Lanikai SM-T Custom Series Spalted Mango Tenor Ukulele : Musical Instruments](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001V5K2QU/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1331235760&sr=8-1) > Beautiful look and sound. Can’t recommend it enough. I traded my Ovation Soprano and laid down some cash for the Luna High tide with pickup. The neck size is much easier for me to play and it sounds great. > **[Promo Codes, Coupons & Cash Back | Rakuten](https://www.rakuten.com)** > > Shop Big Give Week! (May 5 to May 12) - Since 1999, we've paid our members over $3.6 Billion in Cash Back. Join now for an extra 10% Cash Back boost. Shop 3,500+ stores using coupons or cash back! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2394 "2012-03-22T20:29:04Z")
Easy-peasy except for that damned B7!😃 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZzU9FgNTYrU/hqdefault.jpg "great day to whoop somebody's ass") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzU9FgNTYrU) > **[Play all Paul Thorn songs at E-Chords.com](https://www.e-chords.com/chords/paul-thorn/its-a-great-day-(for-me-to-whoop-somebodys-ass))** > > Play all Paul Thorn songs at E-Chords. Watch and learn how to play Paul Thorn chords and tabs with our video lessons. I checked the above site, btw, and it’s safe. Scroll down till you see the song and its chords and enjoy! 😉 Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2395 "2012-03-22T20:35:47Z")
> [@phungi](#): > > just saw this clip of [Tony Melendez, who plays guitar with his feet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuIkrsdrJLY). > > Clearly, an alternate tuning, but incredibly inspirational and motivating (and humbling)! This choked me up and made my eyes burn. I completely agree, **phungi** , and thank you very much for sharing it. Quasi ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2396 "2012-03-24T13:47:53Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > If you find your 135 and like it, go for it. There are simply good ones and bad ones and the bad ones are worse than good Epis. Would this be something you have learned by playing these instruments? ---
**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 24, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2397 "2012-03-24T14:31:41Z")
No, I admit, it’s what I’ve learned by listening to people who have annoyingly huge amounts of disposable income to dump on these instruments. I’m more a bottom feeder type. From what I understand, the ‘bright line’ is somewhere north of $1,500. Below that, you takes your chances. Which is, you know, pretty okay, as long as you get a chance to mess with the guitar beforehand. In other news, I just was just informed that my former neighbor played Wild Thing somewhat recently. As a hired gun for the Troggs. At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I can’t find a recording or evidence of this ever happening, and it was a relayed message, so god knows how true it is. He certainly would be capable of doing so, and it is what he does, he’s a studio musician. (And probably the reason I didn’t pick up a guitar earlier. He’s so good it’s embarrassing to be a student near him.) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2398 "2012-03-26T11:49:23Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > Would this be something you have learned by playing these instruments? E-Sabs may not have played a bunch and is echoing what’s on line, but there is some truth to it - I have played and owned a bunch. What I find frustrating with the Gibson hype on line in general is that it seems more like mean girl hissiness than it does helpful. Guitars are made of wood - all wood varies. The quality of the woods selected tend to increase with the price point of the guitar. Because Gibsons can be pricey, people get frustrated that a $1,500 guitar may be one of the few that is only “okay” vs. great or even special. Which of course implies that folks can agree on what “great” and “special” sound and play like. I don’t know that particular model, the ES-135, in terms of playing experience. Bottom line is that you should play it and if it makes you want to play it more, you should seriously consider it. Best of luck. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2399 "2012-03-31T04:51:42Z")
I finally pulled the trigger on a guitar purchase I’ve been eyeing for years: the Godin Fifth Avenue Kingpin II. (I went with the Burgundy finish.) Acoustically, it’s a terrific instrument that matches my style fairly well. My dad likes the Martins that sing like angels for days when you hit a note, but I came of age admiring folks like Ani Difranco and Amy Ray who like to hit those acoustic guitars _hard_ because it’s fun, dammit. The thinner archtop is a great match for that style, since it seems to give you more tone up front even as it drops off faster, rewarding and encouraging my abuse. At the same time, if you’re trying to play with precision it really rewards precision. Plugged straight into my Blues Jr. it gives you everything you want from clean and really nice acoustic sound (great since I’m playing and singing in my sister’s wedding in a few weeks) to that nice nasal jazz tone. But plugged into my full rig it really wants to sing. I have three pedals–MXR Carbon Copy Delay, Fulltone OCD, and MXR Super Comp. The CC and Super Comp give me plenty of tasty acoustic tone to play with, but when I fire up the OCD in between them it’s just nothing but gorgeous tone for _days_. Like our boy Nigel, I just want to hit notes and go out and have a bite and come back to still hear it playing. I can dial in all the tasty and satisfying Neil Young tone I want. So in short, I’m in love. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2400 "2012-03-31T15:25:25Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > I finally pulled the trigger on a guitar purchase I’ve been eyeing for years: the Godin Fifth Avenue Kingpin II. (I went with the Burgundy finish.) > > Acoustically, it’s a terrific instrument that matches my style fairly well. My dad likes the Martins that sing like angels for days when you hit a note, but I came of age admiring folks like Ani Difranco and Amy Ray who like to hit those acoustic guitars _hard_ because it’s fun, dammit. The thinner archtop is a great match for that style, since it seems to give you more tone up front even as it drops off faster, rewarding and encouraging my abuse. At the same time, if you’re trying to play with precision it really rewards precision. > > Plugged straight into my Blues Jr. it gives you everything you want from clean and really nice acoustic sound (great since I’m playing and singing in my sister’s wedding in a few weeks) to that nice nasal jazz tone. > > But plugged into my full rig it really wants to sing. I have three pedals–MXR Carbon Copy Delay, Fulltone OCD, and MXR Super Comp. The CC and Super Comp give me plenty of tasty acoustic tone to play with, but when I fire up the OCD in between them it’s just nothing but gorgeous tone for _days_. Like our boy Nigel, I just want to hit notes and go out and have a bite and come back to still hear it playing. I can dial in all the tasty and satisfying Neil Young tone I want. > > So in short, I’m in love. I love those guitars. I pick one up whenever I come across one. Sounds like an excellent choice for you. And it sounds like the Blues Jr. + pedals gives you great tone without hollow-body feedback. Totally cool. Congrats! I am taking one of my old acoustics to the shop - needs a once-over and this one scratch I seem to have put into it checked out (an easy fix with old-time lacquer - you just “re-melt” it - but smart to do right when it happens…) ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2401 "2012-03-31T16:11:20Z")
I’ve never done a comparison, but I would think that the type of neck doesn’t change the sound of an electric guitar to _any_ noticeable effect. For instance, a one-piece maple neck will sound exactly like a neck with a rosewood fingerboard on a Strat. It seems to me that for the purposes of the sound of a guitar, a string resting on a bone or plastic nut will sound the same whether that nut is anchored to mahogany or teak or whatever. Anyone disagree and/or have any link to a scientific comparision/analysis of different guitar necks? ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2402 "2012-03-31T16:13:43Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > Just got my first real archtop this week 🆒 Beautiful. That things glows like the sun! Congratulations. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=119) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=121)