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Post by Leftee on Mar 23, 2024 11:23:57 GMT -5
I wouldn't say unsatisfied. Under-satisfied. 🤣
There's a fine line.
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on Mar 23, 2024 12:17:51 GMT -5
At some point many years ago I realized I'd probably played over a 1000 Strats alone. I have no idea how many guitars I've played. Every price point, vintage treasures, Squiers, you name it.
Lots of cool guitars out there. It gives you a good idea on what is out there to search for. It didn't leave me with a "tone is in the fingers" opinion where gear doesn't matter. It does, and there are some amazing instruments out there. But, there is also a limit to just how transcendent playing a certain guitar is going to be. Many guitars will give an "a ha!" where you realize "oh, so THAT'S how they got that sound..." The things that get advertised to help you nail a tone are often mirages, at least partially.
The guitars I own aren't the best sounding/playing ones I've had in my hands, but they're good enough. If I played more and wanted to drop more money, I'd have a better idea now than 20 years ago how to find stuff that would really satisfy me. I wouldn't have to search too long. I know what I like and what the important variables are going to be.
If I was independently wealthy I'd start building to try to make guitars that fill the gaps of what people are trying to get, but no one is making. Semi-hollows with spruce tops, for example, would deliver a bouncier, more airy tone that I think people THINK they're going to get when they pickup a semi-hollow and are disappointed not to get. It would take some experimenting to keep it from being too bright, but there is a lot of potential there to get it right. Developing a new pickup form factor could get a perfect halfway point between a hot Strat pickup and a lightly wound P-90 that would suit a lot of players very nicely, but you won't get that by adapting any current form factors.
A lot of times nailing a sound has more to do with an amp or a recording environment, too. A mediocre guitar with a great amp is going to sound better than a great guitar and a mediocre amp. Doesn't mean the guitars are a waste of time/money... but, there is a ceiling there. If you've tried a hundred Strats but only two amps and you can't nail the tone you're looking for, you should probably switch to trying amps for a while.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 24, 2024 7:31:54 GMT -5
^ pro observation!
Your post rings with truth. At this point in my journey I definitely get the ceiling you speak of.
A great amp is the multiplier. And, in my opinion, the amp and guitar join together to make the “instrument.”
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 24, 2024 7:59:26 GMT -5
Sometimes I feel like a painter whose missed days of perfect lighting fussing over the right brush, oils, canvas and beret, lol.
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Post by LeftyMeister on Mar 24, 2024 8:09:20 GMT -5
the amp and guitar join together to make the “instrument.” True! I was thinking yesterday about the guitarists in our church. It's a large church and the sound is very professional. The two guitarists are very good but they sound exactly alike. They play different guitars, and both switch them out occasionally, but they all sound the same, whether it's a Strat, SHB, or Jaguar. The common denominator is they both go direct with modelers. I don't know if they share patches, or just have them tweaked the same. I realize the purpose is to eliminate stage volume but they surely don't sound like a good amp.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 24, 2024 8:27:02 GMT -5
I’d bet they’re sharing patches.
Our church is also direct. I hear different tones from guitars and patches.
The last time I looked, the main guitarist plays through a Kemper.
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Post by insanecooker on Mar 24, 2024 10:44:56 GMT -5
I can confidently say I’m not searching anymore. I have better guitar gear than many of my favorite recordings were done with, so I’ve run out of excuses.
If anything, I have some duplication that I would like to eliminate, but I’m worried about how it would make me feel due to non-musical factors. For example, I honestly don’t need two humbucker Les Pauls, but one was my Dad’s, and the other he bought for me. I don’t think I can easily sell either.
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Ryder
Wholenote
Butterscotch Blues
Posts: 856
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Post by Ryder on Mar 24, 2024 11:06:26 GMT -5
I can confidently say I’m not searching anymore. I have better guitar gear than many of my favorite recordings were done with, so I’ve run out of excuses. If anything, I have some duplication that I would like to eliminate, but I’m worried about how it would make me feel due to non-musical factors. For example, I honestly don’t need two humbucker Les Pauls, but one was my Dad’s, and the other he bought for me. I don’t think I can easily sell either. No, don't sell those or one of those. Those are keepers for sure.
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Post by insanecooker on Mar 24, 2024 11:19:44 GMT -5
I can confidently say I’m not searching anymore. I have better guitar gear than many of my favorite recordings were done with, so I’ve run out of excuses. If anything, I have some duplication that I would like to eliminate, but I’m worried about how it would make me feel due to non-musical factors. For example, I honestly don’t need two humbucker Les Pauls, but one was my Dad’s, and the other he bought for me. I don’t think I can easily sell either. No, don't sell those or one of those. Those are keepers for sure. I know, that’s why I don’t. The challenge is that there are too many such instances in my collection because my Dad was a player too, e.g., two similar-sized acoustics where I prefer one but the other was his, and on. It’s not a problem in any way, but certainly factors in my decision to not buy more guitars.
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Post by reverendrob on Mar 24, 2024 12:21:30 GMT -5
At some point many years ago I realized I'd probably played over a 1000 Strats alone. I have no idea how many guitars I've played. Every price point, vintage treasures, Squiers, you name it. ... A lot of times nailing a sound has more to do with an amp or a recording environment, too. A mediocre guitar with a great amp is going to sound better than a great guitar and a mediocre amp. Doesn't mean the guitars are a waste of time/money... but, there is a ceiling there. If you've tried a hundred Strats but only two amps and you can't nail the tone you're looking for, you should probably switch to trying amps for a while. Feel you on that. I have MAGICAL $300 beaters..and magical multi-k treasures. It's about how a particular beast fits my hand, plays, and sounds - to a point I don't change a damn thing. I'm still using the same string (type) that came on my Gibson LP HPs stock because of that - everything else is stainless. When I was younger I couldn't hold onto things due to ..ups and downs, now I wilL NOT get rid of the keepers unless it's "death or that" and know what stays. And the recording thing is 120% honestly - a bunch of good dudes on YT have shown that time and time again. The Circle of Tone guy uses usually "junker" guitars well set up with pickups that meet his needs, but focuses on the ...playing...and the recording techniques, mics, and speakers. And gets so close that the YT algos kill his videos.
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Post by bluzcat on Mar 24, 2024 13:05:51 GMT -5
I have two Strats, a Tele, and a Martin 000. Both Strats are 20+ years old, the Tele was my dad’s. I guess I’ve been pretty settled for a while. Other guitars have popped in and left during that time, but there are only one or two I miss.
I still enjoy messing with Les Pauls, but have owned three variants and a clone and none have stayed. Maybe I just haven’t found “the One”.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 24, 2024 15:08:27 GMT -5
I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a Yamaha FS800T acoustic. Don't have the funds for a Martin and have been very impressed with my Yamaha CSF1M parlor. I want to fill the slot between my parlor and big old Martin dread. The search apparently continues.
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on Mar 24, 2024 17:42:01 GMT -5
^ pro observation! Your post rings with truth. At this point in my journey I definitely get the ceiling you speak of. A great amp is the multiplier. And, in my opinion, the amp and guitar join together to make the “instrument.” A guitar teacher I knew would tell his students to always play plugged in, because when you play guitar you're actually "playing the amp". He wasn't wrong. Early music store days when you have dozens of guitars and dozens of amps in front of you definitely shows you this pretty quickly. If I was still playing more, I'd definitely be nowhere near being done "searching". Lots of amps are just too harsh for me. Super Reverb is my favorite so far, but never sounded good mic'ed. I've long wondered if you can get that full, open sound out of a 2x10 instead of a 4x10 if you have a bigger baffle than is typical for a Vibrolux and made some other design choices along the way. Lots of 12" speakers have an upper midrange spike that wears down the ears pretty quickly, I think. This is a rabbit hole I'm yet to go down, and I know it goes VERY deep.
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on Mar 24, 2024 17:44:29 GMT -5
I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a Yamaha FS800T acoustic. Don't have the funds for a Martin and have been very impressed with my Yamaha CSF1M parlor. I want to fill the slot between my parlor and big old Martin dread. The search apparently continues. Not sure if it applies to your acoustic purchase or not, but I guess there's always the continual searching as your playing evolves. Opting for a concert size instead of a booming dread seems to imply you're playing some new stuff.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 24, 2024 17:55:04 GMT -5
I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a Yamaha FS800T acoustic. Don't have the funds for a Martin and have been very impressed with my Yamaha CSF1M parlor. I want to fill the slot between my parlor and big old Martin dread. The search apparently continues. Not sure if it applies to your acoustic purchase or not, but I guess there's always the continual searching as your playing evolves. Opting for a concert size instead of a booming dread seems to imply you're playing some new stuff. My Martin D17M is a Cannon but rarely gets out of the case unless I'm recording (a rarity these days). The parlor gets the most acoustic action but sometimes I wish I had something a bit bigger. I've always been comfortable with medium sized acoustics, would love a 000-15M but it's out of my price range. I need something to kick me in the butt musically, maybe a bigger couch guitar will inspire. If not I can always give it to our son's fiancee, she plays a little.
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on Mar 24, 2024 18:30:10 GMT -5
Ah, the rut. I know it well. I almost started a thread over at Moe's about it, but thought it was too rambly. Maybe when my thoughts are more focused.
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Post by larryguitar54 on Mar 24, 2024 19:20:29 GMT -5
I feel like I"m done. Like a lot of people on this board I went through a phase where I bought a lot of equipment. At one point I was up to about 15 fine guitars and 10 or 12 really good amps. But starting last year I started either selling or giving away equipment languishing in my closet and keeping the few items I just couldn't part with. So I'm down to:
For electrics 52 RI Telecaster, Strat, Les Paul. Rickenbacker 12. TRRI, DRRI, Bjr about 10 pedals.
Martin HD28, Gibson SJ200,J45 Alvarez 12 string. Oh and a National Reso. Bose S1 Fishman Aura
Everything else is either sold or on the way out. The only thing I feel I might want someday but I'm not willing to pay the obscene price is a Gibson L5.
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Post by langford on Mar 25, 2024 7:27:26 GMT -5
I think I'm satisfied. I have a couple of good acoustics, a resonator or two, and an appropriate mix of single-coil and humbucking electrics of different solid and hollow body types. There are about 10 in all, which feels like too many for me. A couple of years ago, I really began to believe I didn't need to own a particular type of guitar to enjoy it. I could be happy simply knowing it existed. Still, I'm jonesing hard for an LP Junior. I have no idea what I'd do with one, but I'm toying with the idea of asking a builder I know how much it would cost to make one for me. The only thing holding me back is a nagging feeling that I'm just over-consuming. I'd do it if I could bring myself to sell one of the guitars I already own, but I can't get there.
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Post by insanecooker on Mar 25, 2024 8:52:40 GMT -5
Still, I'm jonesing hard for an LP Junior. They are fun enough to have one at least once. I did that (in the proper, wraparound bridge way) and an Esquire at the same time on a single-pup kick.
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Post by Laker on Mar 25, 2024 10:09:50 GMT -5
A friend of mine, who does not play guitar (or any instrument) collects guitars and presently owns around 130 with a few basses thrown in the mix. During the years that I ran my weekly jam session (ended when COVID hit) he would bring three of four guitars each week for people to play. Some are really oddball guitars like the Gibson reverse flying V. I guess you could say he’s still searching.
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Post by langford on Mar 25, 2024 13:40:35 GMT -5
Still, I'm jonesing hard for an LP Junior. They are fun enough to have one at least once. I did that (in the proper, wraparound bridge way) and an Esquire at the same time on a single-pup kick. You're pushing closer to the edge. IC.
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Post by snakeboy on Mar 26, 2024 7:57:50 GMT -5
I'm pretty happy with my little collection. I've got the classic 3 old man guitars.......Strat, Tele, and Les Paul. On the acoustic side I've got two really nice Yamahas.....steel and nylon. ......and a National Style O resonator.
I might get a lap steel at some point, but I'm probably done buying guitars at this point.
......But I keep looking for some reason.
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Post by langford on Mar 27, 2024 13:29:20 GMT -5
They are fun enough to have one at least once. I did that (in the proper, wraparound bridge way) and an Esquire at the same time on a single-pup kick. You're pushing closer to the edge. IC. Well, I did send a note the builder and writing my post. Just a hypothetical question... but we're going to have a "conversation." Oh, brother.
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Post by Larry Madsen on Mar 29, 2024 20:42:35 GMT -5
The last one I had a specific hankering for, I eventually found a pristine specimen w/HSC and purchased it for a dream of a price $400.00. That was this Ibanez AR325: DSC_3071 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr DSC_3067 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr I can think of some I'd think it was pretty cool to own, but nothing real pressing, other than possibly an Explorer.
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Post by rickyguitar on Mar 30, 2024 18:03:20 GMT -5
G&L, PRS, Crafter D-35 (really nice), Guild 12 String (2512e I think). Mexican P bass, low end mandolin, low end banjo. G&L is super. Crafter we bought for our daughter and she gave up. It is a Korean build (for Hohner maybe), she had to have the pricier one for the inlay. I am really glad. I have been playing it for 20 years and every time I pick it up I am wowed. Guild 12's are always good.
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Post by reverendrob on Mar 30, 2024 23:02:24 GMT -5
I wouldn't say unsatisfied. Under-satisfied. 🤣 There's a fine line.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 31, 2024 6:03:21 GMT -5
I’m way overdue for another viewing of that movie.
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professor
Wholenote
"Now I want you to go in that bag and find my wallet." / KMMFA
Posts: 621
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Post by professor on Apr 4, 2024 9:49:51 GMT -5
Seems I went on a buying spree about 20 years ago, so I'm covered. Mostly rotating between a SG Classic (p90s) and a LP Deluxe. They're comfortable and provide a big palette to work from. Now and then I'll take one out of the pile and will have the same brief experience of "..oh yeah this is different" and then after a bit of playing I'll remember what I wasn't thrilled about and put it back. There are still a couple guitars I would like to have, but I'm not actively searching. Same goes for amps. Pedals are the things I'm most likely to a look for, but nothing jumps out enough to buy, yet.
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Post by Leftee on Apr 4, 2024 10:11:49 GMT -5
I’ve pared down a bit this year, which is my plan. When you see I’ve bought something, at least two pieces of gear already left. Sometimes 3.
The toughest part is selling off some of my builds. It’s not the money, it’s that I have an oversized attachment. 😂
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leftrightout
Wholenote
Sometimes I pretend to be normal and then it becomes boring..............
Posts: 206
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Post by leftrightout on Apr 4, 2024 17:46:59 GMT -5
I’ve pared down a bit this year, which is my plan. When you see I’ve bought something, at least two pieces of gear already left. Sometimes 3. The toughest part is selling off some of my builds. It’s not the money, it’s that I have an oversized attachment. 😂 If you built right handed guitars that wouldn't be an issue
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