Gibson custom shop vs. Fender custom shop guitars
@bill_graham Oh I didn't know about the metric. There is a beautiful cherry sunburst Epiphone Les Paul at the music store here that is tempting. But I'm hesitant. Like buying a Fleetwood and it says Fleetwood on the car but it's also NOT a Cadillac. It's something else. It just seems to diminish the excitement.
The Allman Brothers Band never used them as far as I know but how many here still love hearing a hot Telecaster being played?!
https://youtube.com/shorts/cL0nO9zN-lE?feature=share
@robertdee as long as you don't plan tyring to install Gibson LP hardware in an Epi they are fine guitars IMHO.
If I didn't already own a Gibson Les Paul I would buy an Epi as they are good quality for the $$$ I think.
Interesting list. There are other guitar makes which are well crafted instruments. But no doubt Gibson and Fender are the Ford and Chevrolet of electric guitar world.
And today little doubt the Les Paul and the Stratocaster are the most famous guitar makes and designs of all time.
Best Gibson Les Paul to buy in 2023
https://guitar.com/guides/buyers-guide/best-les-paul-electric-guitars-gibson-epiphone/
1960's Gibson Les Paul Custom history
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/late-60s-gibson-les-paul-custom
I would have picked a cherry sunburst Les Paul.
But this guy surprised me. Never would have thought someone would pick this one.
https://youtube.com/shorts/zzSy-cqaZgc?feature=share
Jimmy Page's #3 guitar
Speaking of Led Zeppelin, I really enjoyed Jason Bonham's LZ tribute band opening for Govt Mule at last night's Boston show. They played about an hour of LZ songs, his band sounded fantastic, and the large crowd really got into it. He mentioned a headlining tour later this year which I will definitely check out
Article on Japanese guitar player in Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience band.The guy was really good last night and nailed Jimmy's playing.
https://www.loudersound.com/news/led-zeppelin-mr-jimmy-trailer
Fender guitars recycled wood guitars
https://www.guitarworld.com/news/fender-california-streetwoods-2023
Epiphone Korina Flying V and Explorer reviews
https://www.guitarplayer.com/reviews/epiphone-1958-korina-flying-v-and-explorer-reviews
I am on a Yes live concerts jag right now and am a big fan of 70's Prog rock, Yes, ELP, Genesis etc., and the Mellotron was a key instrument for many a band back in the day.
With the advent of digital it seems the old analog Mellotron is no longer in fashion.
Saw this video posted on the SHM forum and thought it was a cool pedal that allows you to simulate a Mellotron with a guitar. Wish I had a use for it but they are too expensive to hack around on for me.
Not a perfect copy of an Analog Mellotron but pretty close. Check it out.
@bill_graham Mellotrons still get a lot of studio use. Not a recent release, but check Wilco's "Summerteeth" album. The late, Jay Bennett made great use of the Mellotron. Mellotrons use(d) actual tape loops of recorded ... sounds. You can hear the tape hissing and slipping as the instrument is played. To me, they sounded more interesting when the tapes began to drag and slip!
Archaic devices at this point, for sure. They're not very big, but they are heavy for their size. With so many digital work stations and controllers - nobody seems to want to lug those things around anymore!
@rusty good info thanks.
Was reading in a book about Yes that Wakeman's mellotron was always out of tune (?) And they could not handle life on the road as the frames would bend in transport.
Sounds like they were not the most reliable instruments for touring but they sure sounded cool!
I agree with you that they sounded more interesting when they played out of tune.
What is YOUR FAVORITE GUITAR out of your collection?
I have just two. An old Strat from 1960 and a 64 SG. I like the Strat for most blues things and the SG for rock and pop. And when I want a big fat Les Paul sound, I sit in the bathroom with the SG.
This guy has a nice collection and his favorite is.....?
https://youtube.com/shorts/DLOm_NQgGE0?feature=share
My favorite guitar (in my collection of 13... I think) is my Martin EC0028 (Clapton model). It ain't just me - everybody who plays it loves it! Probably my most prized possession. True story: My house was pretty much totaled after a tornado in 2011. Inspectors and county officials went as far as to rope it off - telling us to stay out of it because it was not safe. I ignored this advice and crawled on my belly through the wreckage to where the guitar was and pulled it back out with me. Yeah, I had insurance - but there is no replacing this guitar!
My favorite ... or most used electric is my MIM Fender Strat ("Black Label - Squier Series (not a Squier!) Strat. I've only done some very slight upgrades and mod's to it, but it has the most incredible Strat sound! Fun to play - hard to put down!
1964 Stratocaster with a fantastic tone. Norm's place.
https://youtube.com/shorts/P5cNsOMMIH0?si=Ti5c35X_9tWaDfwl
I only have 3 guitars and my 2000 Les Paul Standard Raw Power natural is my favorite. It came with Grover tuners which I like better than the Kluson's most LP's ship with.
From what I read on the Gibson forum this model is fairly rare. Less than 200 made in 2000 and 2001 total. Only the ones that were Guitar Center Exclusives had EMG active pickups. Never played a guitar with active pickups but the Gibson 496R/498T stock pickups sound good to me.
Natural finish with a very lightweight clearcoat that you can barely feel.
I also have a 1987 ESP Mirage Custom neckthru lawsuit headstock Super Strat. Bought that new in 1988 during the pointy guitar headstock super strat 1980's hair metal era. Made in Japan and it is a beautifully made guitar with an ebony fingerboard.
Also have a ESP LTD 2001 Strat style made in Korea guitar I got used real cheap. I bought it with the idea of swapping pickups for hacking around the house but never got around to it. Very nice guitar for the money. Sort of ESP's equivalent to a Fender Squire or Epiphone budget line guitars. It is a neckthru construction and decent quality build. They now make them in Thailand I believe and do a set neck instead of neckthru the body to save Mfg cost so the older ones are nicer quality IMHO.
Would love to get a natural finish Fender American Strat and a Gibson ES335 but not sure the better half would be too happy considering I already have 3 guitars I barley have time to play. Maybe when I finally retire.
@bill_graham The Les Paul looks great. Sounds as if you have one that sounds real good and is unique!
I've never tried an ESP guitar but the guys at the big music store here tell me they are very well made and good playing instruments.
I was looking at a top 7 best made electric guitars list just last week on line and ESP made the cut.
10 bands who peaked with the first song off their first album. In other words they never duplicated or topped the first track off their first album. That was a hot as they ever got!!
The Allman Brothers Band isn't on the list. Apparently they topped the first track later on their first album.
Spencer Davis and Ed Hardin wrote it didn't they? I think it was a song Dickey and Oakley brought in from the Second Coming.
A 1898 Mandolin hand built by Orville Gibson founder of Gibson Musical Instruments.
https://youtube.com/shorts/vuSEm0EYzYI?si=PBkfsIt_o4VJPZ5D
@bill_graham Here is a Gender Fender something guitar. Looks like a woman but plays like a man!!
https://youtube.com/shorts/s-Bl6zo0XAU?si=uf5uWrQt4j5Mb6Nm
Saw 10 Years After twice years ago. They could ROCK!!
This is from 1969 in Germany.
@robertdee Alvin Lee playing a Strat! His ES335 ("Big Red") - one of the most altered guitars in rock history!
