Lets look at our guitars thread

[JLC25]

smn159 said:

Maybe it's just me but I really don't get the whole 'relic'd' thing. If a guitar is genuinely well used / old and has consummate wear then fine, but to make a new guitar look artificially old just doesn't seem right to me. Bit like wood effect laminate flooring - stuff purporting to be something that it isn't.

Each to their own though and I understand why others will disagree

I'd be going for an extremely light relic - "played in" feel more than found in a burnt out building - Half of my equipment is basically in the same condition anyway (One of my strats has a chip so wide and deep you can put a pound coin in it)

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I've seen Guitar Build before but no idea on the actual real life quality. Tempted to build a Walnut bodied tele with a lace hum in the bridge and single in the neck! Unfinished preferred as I'd rather give it a stain myself.

[CardinalFang]

bga said:

CardinalFang said:

Also, (& this is the bit I'm not sure about), over the next few decades, the worlds supply of virgin, properly aged hardwoods practically disappeared. Either through deforestation, or environmental protection measures put in place to stop deforestation. You just can't get those woods: they literally don't make them like that any more.

There is a lot of nostalgia around vintage instruments & its worth remembering that most of the decisions made by Fender were cost and/or speed of production related. For example we like to wax lyrical about a nitro finish but had poly been around then Leo would have used that . The same goes for the woods, they used whatever ash (and then alder) they could that was in spec and available. The guitars were very much lashed together and if you have a chance to look closely at an early body then the routing will likely be a bit messy, the body thickness will not be particularly consistent (none of which matters!). Of course CBS came along and quality went down but objectively speaking it was never that much of a priority to start with.

None of that should take away from what is a lovely piece of history & IMO should be played and enjoyed :-)

Fair comment - I had no knowledge of actual production methods/woods/technologies/process around at the time & yes, I guess we can't assume hand-made always means "to the highest humanly-possible standards". Good info - thanks!

Edited by CardinalFang on Wednesday 25th January 13:33

[neal1980]

Evangelion said:

According to the Guitar Dater Project website, the serial number indicates 1960-61, but the position of the scratchplate screws indicates after mid-62, and the headstock decal says post-64. Have any parts been changed that you know of?

Not that it matters, it's gorgeous! May I up the offer to £20?

I saw my dad yesterday and showed him this thread, he had changed the scratchplate back in the 70's, his mate also put the decal on the neck as it was worn away this again was done in the 70's. This is not the original decal that was on it just one at the time.

It's a cool guitar wasted on me though lol

[davepoth]

smn159 said:

Maybe it's just me but I really don't get the whole 'relic'd' thing. If a guitar is genuinely well used / old and has consummate wear then fine, but to make a new guitar look artificially old just doesn't seem right to me. Bit like wood effect laminate flooring - stuff purporting to be something that it isn't.

Each to their own though and I understand why others will disagree

Laminate I can understand, it looks better than lino. Relic'd guitars are just daft. Play the thing properly and it'll look used soon enough.

[Tom_C76]

languagetimothy said:

JLC25 said:

Anyone know where to get the best quality guitar bodies and necks in the UK are? Importing Warmoth can be a bit of a killer price wise and I would rather support a UK maker. It's either that or plump for a Fraser '51 telecaster with some mods!

I've had some stuff from these people, not body or necks.. yet... but they might be worth a look at, prices look good. Anyone on here had a body from them? Northwest guitars

http://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/bodies-necks/?se...

My current project has one of their necks (body is from Guitarbuild as I had specific requirements). The neck seems very nicely finished, though I haven't strung it yet.

[enjo]

What can I say... I like wood.

[Don1]

Think that covers all the bases!

[Kuroblack350]

enjo said:

What can I say... I like wood.

Looks like a mahogany GS Mini..? Just bought one of those, great guitar

[enjo]

It is indeed!
I have changed the pick guard to black, added a Taylor bone nut and ebony bridge pins. It is lovely to play and sounds great.

[Don1]

That is a good looking guitar.

[The Nur]

You have an explorer that you've not been using? Thinking of letting it go?

[Emonda03]

got a thing for doubleneck guitars, this came up & incredibly rare, apparently only 100 or so trac tuners ( the 12 string tuning system ) were ever made, also has the transtrem on the 6 string

Have been really surprised how good it is, fantastic neck, a real quality feel to it, sounds pretty good too..shame Steinberger went down the pan really because this really is a very good guitar indeed





In fact so impressed with it I thought I would treat myself to a straight 6 string version, justified it to myself in that as its small I can practice my scales and what not sitting on the sofa next to the mrs without bashing her on the head etc...again very impressed, lovely action & feel , fantastic as a compact guitar for sofa playing!

[Don1]

Stunning. I feel a 'travel guitar' and a double neck are on the list...

[FreeLitres]

Can I revisit this topic and get some amp recommendations please?

I currently have a ~20 year old 30w Marshall Valvestate amp (solid state, not valve). I'm not impressed with the tone and I would like to explore my first valve amp.

Criteria;
Must sound good at low levels
Would prefer something relatively portable like a combo, but it will mainly stay in my bedroom
I hate tiny speakers with no bass sound
I will be using this amp with a multi effects pedal - need an effects loop?
I want a versatile range of tones as I play a range of blues, metal, lead/shred, etc

My research indicates that I might want a Blackstar HT5 combo

Any other recommendations? It it worth investing in a bigger amp or would this not give nice tones at low levels?

[Lucas CAV]

FreeLitres said:

Can I revisit this topic and get some amp recommendations please?

I currently have a ~20 year old 30w Marshall Valvestate amp (solid state, not valve). I'm not impressed with the tone and I would like to explore my first valve amp.

Criteria;
Must sound good at low levels
Would prefer something relatively portable like a combo, but it will mainly stay in my bedroom
I hate tiny speakers with no bass sound
I will be using this amp with a multi effects pedal - need an effects loop?
I want a versatile range of tones as I play a range of blues, metal, lead/shred, etc

My research indicates that I might want a Blackstar HT5 combo

Any other recommendations? It it worth investing in a bigger amp or would this not give nice tones at low levels?

Get the HT-5 -- the Marshall will sound like a fizzing coke can next to it.

[JLC25]

FreeLitres said:

Can I revisit this topic and get some amp recommendations please?

I currently have a ~20 year old 30w Marshall Valvestate amp (solid state, not valve). I'm not impressed with the tone and I would like to explore my first valve amp.

Criteria;
Must sound good at low levels
Would prefer something relatively portable like a combo, but it will mainly stay in my bedroom
I hate tiny speakers with no bass sound
I will be using this amp with a multi effects pedal - need an effects loop?
I want a versatile range of tones as I play a range of blues, metal, lead/shred, etc

My research indicates that I might want a Blackstar HT5 combo

Any other recommendations? It it worth investing in a bigger amp or would this not give nice tones at low levels?

Depends, does the multi effects allow you to set it up so you can split your effects between the front end and FX loop of the amp (like Tc Electronic Gsystem or the Line 6 m13) lets you, or is it simply all in front? if so, you don't NEED one.

You can play any sized amp low level, the question is if you ever need headroom. Also there's a difference between Power and pre amp distortion, which an amp with a Master Volume can help out with.

Versatility is the tricky part. I'm not a massive fan of the Ht range in all honesty. I would rather spend the money on something like this https://www.thomann.de/gb/jet_city_amplification_j... (I know it's not a combo, but it's still small and easy to transport) They also do bigger amps if you decided that more volume is better(Hint: It is ) and have the flexibility of trading the cab over later than a ht-5. For ultimate versatility (with a compromise on size) I'd be on the lookout for a used Laney VC-50 Combo.

Just to add as well, the Egnater Tweaker is great too: https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/TWEAKER/guitar-amp-h...

Edited by JLC25 on Tuesday 31st January 12:00

[Tom_C76]

FreeLitres said:

Can I revisit this topic and get some amp recommendations please?

I currently have a ~20 year old 30w Marshall Valvestate amp (solid state, not valve). I'm not impressed with the tone and I would like to explore my first valve amp.

Criteria;
Must sound good at low levels
Would prefer something relatively portable like a combo, but it will mainly stay in my bedroom
I hate tiny speakers with no bass sound
I will be using this amp with a multi effects pedal - need an effects loop?
I want a versatile range of tones as I play a range of blues, metal, lead/shred, etc

My research indicates that I might want a Blackstar HT5 combo

Any other recommendations? It it worth investing in a bigger amp or would this not give nice tones at low levels?

If you like the Marshall sound, why not get a Marshall valve amp? Look out for a Class 5, or a DSL40C. Or ping me a message if you fancy a chat about a potential cull from my collection... Or I'll sell you my Fender Twin, which meets none of your requirements but is incredibly loud

[andy-xr]

The early Valvestates that had a valve in the pre-amp were actually alright to my ears, the later ones (models starting VS) werent quite as good.

I think if you want something more up to date, I'd be looking at the DSL range. I really like the DSL40C, for all it's unBritishness, it's actually quite a nice sounding amp. But if you're getting all your tone from a pedal, why not get a cheap JMP1 and a small 2x12 cab? If you want to spend a bit more, look at a JVM410, either head or combo

I've tried a lot of Blackstars and they all left me feeling a bit underwhelemed, I think some of it for me anyway is just that I want something that says Marshall on it

[Don1]

I followed this thread with interest... Amps

[Tom_C76]

andy-xr said:

The early Valvestates that had a valve in the pre-amp were actually alright to my ears, the later ones (models starting VS) werent quite as good.

I think if you want something more up to date, I'd be looking at the DSL range. I really like the DSL40C, for all it's unBritishness, it's actually quite a nice sounding amp. But if you're getting all your tone from a pedal, why not get a cheap JMP1 and a small 2x12 cab? If you want to spend a bit more, look at a JVM410, either head or combo

I've tried a lot of Blackstars and they all left me feeling a bit underwhelemed, I think some of it for me anyway is just that I want something that says Marshall on it

I used to be almost exclusively into Marshall, I've a DSL100, 1987X, JTM30 and a 1W head as well. They look so right. But last weekend I gigged with a Mesa Mini Rec, albeit running through my Marshall 4x12 for stage presence