Guitar choices...

Nikon_Nick

Nikon_Nick

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So, in a few weeks from now, I will purchasing a new guitar. Ive made the decision on which model by having a 'play' with a few in my local music store (I say 'play', but am still very much learning).

As I dont have Gibson money, im going for an Epiphone Les Paul. What I cant decide on though, is the finish. They really are beautiful guitars, and I believe this will help motivate me to actually WANT to pick it up (which will obviously help with the learning).

So, can the other guitarists out there let me know your preferences on colours? I know its down to personal taste, but I like all of the ones ive looked at quite equally.

Im looking at either Vintage Sunburst, heritage cherry, Honeyburst or desertburst. Do any of you owm either a Gibson or Epiphone les Paul in any of these finishes? Do you have pictures of yours?

Help!
 
I honestly think it's pointless asking for advice on colour, it's such a personal thing. Go with whatever appeals to you. Any of the colours you mention aren't outrageous, so if you do get bored with the guitar or decide to trade up you'll be able to shift it without any problems.

I've got a Gibson LP signature T in wine red but don't have any decent pics of it. In fact I should sort out pics of all my guitars. I, cough, have a few!

Epiphones are good value for money and decently built, whatever you decide on, enjoy! When you do get one, come over and join us at The Fretboard forum. http://www.thefretboard.co.uk
Lots of good advice to be had there and it's a friendly place.
 
No Gibsons (had one - flogged it because it wasn't particularly good) but here's my Tokai '59 replica:

Case03.jpg


Tolai59LP02.jpg


Here's my Heritage Les Paul (hand made in the old Gibson Nashville factory by ex-Gibson Luthiers) in vintage sunburst.
Heritage.jpg


Finishedaxe.jpg


Given those finish choices, I'd pick honeyburts or VSB. Be aware that every guitar is an individual instrument, and as much as possible you should choose the one that works best for you. Also when you come to finally select an instrument, check how it souds unplugged first - the best guitars tend to be relatively loud and resonant, while those that are quiet and unresonant often sound a bit dead when plugged in. The Tokai above - one of the best Les Paul types I've ever played - weighs in at around 8 1/2lb (low for an LP) un-chambered, and is resonant and a delight to play.

Hope you get a good one. :)

NB - all pics taken with a compact several years ago.
 
Good advice from Ancient Mariner.

Nice looking Tokai btw. Funnily enough I deliberately set out to buy a Tokai LP once and found a couple in Andys in Denmark St. They looked lovely but both played appallingly, rattles and buzzes all over the neck. I think a decent set up would have probably sorted them out but I was amazed that a "pro" guitar shop would try to sell them in that state. Perhaps that's why they eventually went bust. I bought a Gordon Smith from Musiccground instead.

Ps. That Cactus Crunch you sold me is still sounding great. I replaced the pots. ;)
 
boogie man said:
I honestly think it's pointless asking for advice on colour, it's such a personal thing. Go with whatever appeals to you. Any of the colours you mention aren't outrageous, so if you do get bored with the guitar or decide to trade up you'll be able to shift it without any problems.

I've got a Gibson LP signature T in wine red but don't have any decent pics of it. In fact I should sort out pics of all my guitars. I, cough, have a few!

Epiphones are good value for money and decently built, whatever you decide on, enjoy! When you do get one, come over and join us at The Fretboard forum. http://www.thefretboard.co.uk
Lots of good advice to be had there and it's a friendly place.
Click to expand...

Thanks Larry, yes, I appreciate the difficulty in such a question. I guess I was just hoping to see lots of pretty pictures to help sway me either way :D
 
ancient_mariner said:
No Gibsons (had one - flogged it because it wasn't particularly good) but here's my Tokai '59 replica:

Case03.jpg


Tolai59LP02.jpg


Here's my Heritage Les Paul (hand made in the old Gibson Nashville factory by ex-Gibson Luthiers) in vintage sunburst.
Heritage.jpg


Finishedaxe.jpg


Given those finish choices, I'd pick honeyburts or VSB. Be aware that every guitar is an individual instrument, and as much as possible you should choose the one that works best for you. Also when you come to finally select an instrument, check how it souds unplugged first - the best guitars tend to be relatively loud and resonant, while those that are quiet and unresonant often sound a bit dead when plugged in. The Tokai above - one of the best Les Paul types I've ever played - weighs in at around 8 1/2lb (low for an LP) un-chambered, and is resonant and a delight to play.

Hope you get a good one. :)

NB - all pics taken with a compact several years ago.
Click to expand...

Great advice re: resonance, thanks very much.

That Tokai is a lovely looking instrument :love:
 
Nikon_Nick said:
Thanks Larry, yes, I appreciate the difficulty in such a question. I guess I was just hoping to see lots of pretty pictures to help sway me either way :D
Click to expand...
Are you buying through the music shop where you saw the guitars? If so, you might find one that jumps out at you in terms of colour or sometimes you get a nice bit of grain showing through the finish that makes it a bit special. Finding "The One" is a really individual thing, sounds daft, but sometimes they speak to you: "buy me, buy me!"

Incidentally I would advise buying through a bricks and mortar place if you don't know much about guitars. They can sort out any problems you might have far easier than a web dealer and they can help advise you with other things like choice of amp, strings etc.
 
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strumstrum said:
all I will say is budget £40-£60 for a pro set up, a well set up guitar can be magical. and as you say you are still 'learning' you will probably put every fault down to technique when in some cases it will be the factory set up that is at fault.
Click to expand...

Thanks David. Not the first time ive heard that, and very good advice. Ive asked the guys in the shop im purchasing from, and they have said they'll do it for £45 (string change, action/neck adjust) Dont think id have the confidence to start messing with the truss rod etc :D
 
boogie man said:
Are you buying through the music shop where you saw the guitars? If so, you might find one that jumps out at you in terms of colour or sometimes you get a nice bit of grain showing through the finish that makes it a bit special. Finding "The One" is a really individual thing, sounds daft, but sometimes they speak to you: "buy me, but me!"
Click to expand...

Yes.

When I go in to buy, ill ask if I can see all the stock they have of a particular finish, so that I can hopefully pick the one I like the most. So, far, Ilooked at one of each of the finishes mentioned above, and although none really screamed at me, I did have a slight preference for the honeyburst.

...that could all change obvously :)
 
boogie man said:
Good advice from Ancient Mariner.

Nice looking Tokai btw. Funnily enough I deliberately set out to buy a Tokai LP once and found a couple in Andys in Denmark St. They looked lovely but both played appallingly, rattles and buzzes all over the neck. I think a decent set up would have probably sorted them out but I was amazed that a "pro" guitar shop would try to sell them in that state. Perhaps that's why they eventually went bust. I bought a Gordon Smith from Musiccground instead.

Ps. That Cactus Crunch you sold me is still sounding great. I replaced the pots. ;)
Click to expand...

FWIW I tried a couple of Tokai Love Rocks in Rokas in Denmark street quite a while back. I have never played such completely dead guitars - it was like they were a black hole for resonance and responsiveness. Weird. This one I bought from a guy near Crawley, and he was selling it because he'd bought a Gibson '58 VOS (if I ever thought the neck on the '59 was big, the '58 was enormous) and neck size apart, there was little to choose between them. It's had a neck break, repaired tolerably, but noticeable, so I got it for a great price.

Glad the CC still works for you, though sorry you had to do a pot-swap. :)
 
I had a purple flake one. Very glam rock. Looked cool until i started playing.
 
boogie man said:
... whatever you decide on, enjoy! When you do get one, come over and join us at The Fretboard forum. http://www.thefretboard.co.uk
Lots of good advice to be had there and it's a friendly place.
Click to expand...
+1 It's a bit like the talkphotography equivalent for guitars - some real experts and lots of good and friendly advice.

FWIW my choice out of those options would be the heritage cherry sunburst - I'm not a huge fan of the dark edges that you get on a VSB or desertburst
 
What I would do is visit the shop, pick a few that you like the LOOK of then have a quick play on the shortlist. One or 2 of them will probably feel and/or sound better than the others. If it's still a choice between a couple, buy both!!!
 
Nikon_Nick said:
...and I would be handed the divorce papers very shortly afterwards :D
Click to expand...
Coincidentally, my ex-wife was in court earlier this week for assaulting me - by hitting me with a couple of my guitars :(
The judge asked, "First offender"?
"No", she replied. "First a Gibson, then a Fender!"

I'll get me coat..... :exit:
 
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