Lets look at our guitars thread
Discussion
Animal said:
The EC is the best guitar I've owned, I think. If it had a satin-finished neck it'd be perfect. Locking tuners, Seymour Duncan pickups, 24 frets and it looks nice (Trans Amber). Great sound and the volume & tone pots are very effective. Sits pretty comfortably, better than my Les Paul. It's got a better-shaped neck joint and a small cutaway on the inside of the lower horn which makes it easier to get to the higher frets.
I use a Spark 40 modelling amp, so tone comparisons are sort of limited, but it has a pretty broad range all the way from stuff like Pantera/Machine Head to Kyuss or Ozzy Osbourne/Zakk Wylde stuff.
It is obviously a bit heavier than a super strat-type guitar though so sits differently. For comparison, my Ibanez Universe (which has the best range of sounds of any guitar I've played) is probably a bit more comfortable to play (7-string neck notwithstanding) but I get too exasperated with locking trem units!
There's a white ESP EC-1000 on Reverb (bit dinged up, but people pay a fortune for a relic-ed Fender!) for £500 that has a set of EMGs in it.
Have you tried Fishman Fluence pickups? Supposed to be pretty good. Again, there's a EC-1000 on Reverb for £700.
Well I learnt something, I hadn't really clocked what reverb was. I'm coming back to this after a long time away from playing, that's been so helpful to know that thanks. The feedback on how you find the guitar is helpful too.I use a Spark 40 modelling amp, so tone comparisons are sort of limited, but it has a pretty broad range all the way from stuff like Pantera/Machine Head to Kyuss or Ozzy Osbourne/Zakk Wylde stuff.
It is obviously a bit heavier than a super strat-type guitar though so sits differently. For comparison, my Ibanez Universe (which has the best range of sounds of any guitar I've played) is probably a bit more comfortable to play (7-string neck notwithstanding) but I get too exasperated with locking trem units!
There's a white ESP EC-1000 on Reverb (bit dinged up, but people pay a fortune for a relic-ed Fender!) for £500 that has a set of EMGs in it.
Have you tried Fishman Fluence pickups? Supposed to be pretty good. Again, there's a EC-1000 on Reverb for £700.
I've not tried the fishman but I had my eye on them, they seemed a bit out of my price range on new stuff but I will keep an eye out on reverb now till I see something I like. Those examples you gave are good food for thought. I don't mind the odd ding either.
At some point I will get out and try some stuff out to see what's going to work best
Best sounding guitar I've ever played out the box was an ESP EII Eclipse. 2.5k worth and loaded with EMG 57 and 66 pickups. Slightly less common EMG combo, and it just sounded insane.
I sold it as it weighed an absolute ton. I found a second hand one / older with the same EMG combo for a fraction of the price and thought I'd have another and so I have an older gloss black one now.
If I hadn't gotten so used to the Fender Jag shape / weight and scale, the ESP would be my number one I think.
If you want to downtune, look at Schecter as they have some models around the 1k mark, brand new with reinforced necks. I tried a Gray Ghost and loved it. I also was hooked on the EMG sound and active thing but since, I'm happy with almost any decent passives as my Line6 Helix always gets me to where I want, sound wise. I've heard many guitars through a Helix that chug with the very best of them.
I sold it as it weighed an absolute ton. I found a second hand one / older with the same EMG combo for a fraction of the price and thought I'd have another and so I have an older gloss black one now.
If I hadn't gotten so used to the Fender Jag shape / weight and scale, the ESP would be my number one I think.
If you want to downtune, look at Schecter as they have some models around the 1k mark, brand new with reinforced necks. I tried a Gray Ghost and loved it. I also was hooked on the EMG sound and active thing but since, I'm happy with almost any decent passives as my Line6 Helix always gets me to where I want, sound wise. I've heard many guitars through a Helix that chug with the very best of them.
Thanks both. I don't mind the schecters either but I always wanted an esp. I can imagine I'll probably get to where you are when you say you've done the emg thing. But you know it's like, its just one of those things I need to do else ill be left wondering, and then I'll probably agree with you 
I just noticed they are re issuing the mk 2c+ uh oh
I just noticed they are re issuing the mk 2c+ uh oh
Edited by White-Noise on Saturday 30th November 20:46
I've generally been quite happy with EMGs, though I've an 81 ( I think) in the bridge position of my current Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR-S (say that 3 times fast) and I find it overly hot. Previous owner fitted it and kept the EMG retro active that they originally come with and I'm tempted to put it back in. I am playing strictly with plugins and monitor headphones so very much hearing every detail.
Only think I'll see with my LTD EC-1000 I didn't bond with was the neck, on two aspects. Firstly it was gloss which is never my first choice, couldn't bring myself to sand it. Secondly I found the strings to be quite close to the edge of the fretboard, so with lower tuning I'd often slip the low E off the side of the fret. This could well just be me and I am very much an amateur so bad technique maybe? Not an issue I've found on any other guitars over the years.
Only think I'll see with my LTD EC-1000 I didn't bond with was the neck, on two aspects. Firstly it was gloss which is never my first choice, couldn't bring myself to sand it. Secondly I found the strings to be quite close to the edge of the fretboard, so with lower tuning I'd often slip the low E off the side of the fret. This could well just be me and I am very much an amateur so bad technique maybe? Not an issue I've found on any other guitars over the years.
Rod200SX said:
I've generally been quite happy with EMGs, though I've an 81 ( I think) in the bridge position of my current Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR-S (say that 3 times fast) and I find it overly hot. Previous owner fitted it and kept the EMG retro active that they originally come with and I'm tempted to put it back in. I am playing strictly with plugins and monitor headphones so very much hearing every detail.
Only think I'll see with my LTD EC-1000 I didn't bond with was the neck, on two aspects. Firstly it was gloss which is never my first choice, couldn't bring myself to sand it. Secondly I found the strings to be quite close to the edge of the fretboard, so with lower tuning I'd often slip the low E off the side of the fret. This could well just be me and I am very much an amateur so bad technique maybe? Not an issue I've found on any other guitars over the years.
That's an interesting point about slipping off the fretboard. I've seen others mention this in reviews, and it would bug me. The gloss on the neck I've not tried yet so I will need to see if that suits but my gut says that will be a blocker.Only think I'll see with my LTD EC-1000 I didn't bond with was the neck, on two aspects. Firstly it was gloss which is never my first choice, couldn't bring myself to sand it. Secondly I found the strings to be quite close to the edge of the fretboard, so with lower tuning I'd often slip the low E off the side of the fret. This could well just be me and I am very much an amateur so bad technique maybe? Not an issue I've found on any other guitars over the years.
If you play metal, (presumably) would you mind sharing some clips and details on what plugins you use? If you wanted to that could be done outside the thread. I've been looking at stuff like neural dsp. I'm not quite ready to commit to a half stack and neither is my street!
Thank you.
White-Noise said:
Rod200SX said:
I've generally been quite happy with EMGs, though I've an 81 ( I think) in the bridge position of my current Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR-S (say that 3 times fast) and I find it overly hot. Previous owner fitted it and kept the EMG retro active that they originally come with and I'm tempted to put it back in. I am playing strictly with plugins and monitor headphones so very much hearing every detail.
Only think I'll see with my LTD EC-1000 I didn't bond with was the neck, on two aspects. Firstly it was gloss which is never my first choice, couldn't bring myself to sand it. Secondly I found the strings to be quite close to the edge of the fretboard, so with lower tuning I'd often slip the low E off the side of the fret. This could well just be me and I am very much an amateur so bad technique maybe? Not an issue I've found on any other guitars over the years.
That's an interesting point about slipping off the fretboard. I've seen others mention this in reviews, and it would bug me. The gloss on the neck I've not tried yet so I will need to see if that suits but my gut says that will be a blocker.Only think I'll see with my LTD EC-1000 I didn't bond with was the neck, on two aspects. Firstly it was gloss which is never my first choice, couldn't bring myself to sand it. Secondly I found the strings to be quite close to the edge of the fretboard, so with lower tuning I'd often slip the low E off the side of the fret. This could well just be me and I am very much an amateur so bad technique maybe? Not an issue I've found on any other guitars over the years.
If you play metal, (presumably) would you mind sharing some clips and details on what plugins you use? If you wanted to that could be done outside the thread. I've been looking at stuff like neural dsp. I'm not quite ready to commit to a half stack and neither is my street!
Thank you.
I've no clips unfortunately but I'm almost exclusively playing the Neural DSP Gojira X plugin. I've got the Rabea and petrucci ones as well. the down-tuner is a godsend as my main guitar has a floyd rose so it covers me for all my drop tuning, then my other go-to is tuned 1 step down so it covers me for all 'stanard' tunings. Going from drop D to drop B with a simple scroll of the mouse wheel is tremendous.
I've got a couple ampknob ones (the trivium ones are very good) but they've not got the built in down-tuner and they're far more simple. You accumulate random free plugins over time, too.
The DSP stuff is fantastic, especially the free X updates, gives you the doubler which is a game changer for if you're just casually playing. The only thing I've found is I've got a focusrite 2i2 and the input is quite hot on them anyway, so you've got to have the gain dialed fully down on the interface & then likely have the plugin dialled in to suit. Does take a bit of practice to get used to.
I've had a few amps from old line6 stuff to tubes and latterly a boss katana mk2 100w and these days I'm only going through the plugins. Purely a home player though, not a gigger.
Rod200SX said:
Glad it wasn't just me then, if others were having the same issues. Worth trying to have a shot of one or even a variance of the model at a store if possible.
I've no clips unfortunately but I'm almost exclusively playing the Neural DSP Gojira X plugin. I've got the Rabea and petrucci ones as well. the down-tuner is a godsend as my main guitar has a floyd rose so it covers me for all my drop tuning, then my other go-to is tuned 1 step down so it covers me for all 'stanard' tunings. Going from drop D to drop B with a simple scroll of the mouse wheel is tremendous.
I've got a couple ampknob ones (the trivium ones are very good) but they've not got the built in down-tuner and they're far more simple. You accumulate random free plugins over time, too.
The DSP stuff is fantastic, especially the free X updates, gives you the doubler which is a game changer for if you're just casually playing. The only thing I've found is I've got a focusrite 2i2 and the input is quite hot on them anyway, so you've got to have the gain dialed fully down on the interface & then likely have the plugin dialled in to suit. Does take a bit of practice to get used to.
I've had a few amps from old line6 stuff to tubes and latterly a boss katana mk2 100w and these days I'm only going through the plugins. Purely a home player though, not a gigger.
Thanks Rod. I listened to the JP review by Ola and it really did sound good, the drop tuning looks brilliant too. I think this can be a good starting point before having to get a new axe I've no clips unfortunately but I'm almost exclusively playing the Neural DSP Gojira X plugin. I've got the Rabea and petrucci ones as well. the down-tuner is a godsend as my main guitar has a floyd rose so it covers me for all my drop tuning, then my other go-to is tuned 1 step down so it covers me for all 'stanard' tunings. Going from drop D to drop B with a simple scroll of the mouse wheel is tremendous.
I've got a couple ampknob ones (the trivium ones are very good) but they've not got the built in down-tuner and they're far more simple. You accumulate random free plugins over time, too.
The DSP stuff is fantastic, especially the free X updates, gives you the doubler which is a game changer for if you're just casually playing. The only thing I've found is I've got a focusrite 2i2 and the input is quite hot on them anyway, so you've got to have the gain dialed fully down on the interface & then likely have the plugin dialled in to suit. Does take a bit of practice to get used to.
I've had a few amps from old line6 stuff to tubes and latterly a boss katana mk2 100w and these days I'm only going through the plugins. Purely a home player though, not a gigger.
Rod200SX said:
I've generally been quite happy with EMGs, though I've an 81 ( I think) in the bridge position of my current Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR-S (say that 3 times fast) and I find it overly hot. Previous owner fitted it and kept the EMG retro active that they originally come with and I'm tempted to put it back in. I am playing strictly with plugins and monitor headphones so very much hearing every detail.
Only think I'll see with my LTD EC-1000 I didn't bond with was the neck, on two aspects. Firstly it was gloss which is never my first choice, couldn't bring myself to sand it. Secondly I found the strings to be quite close to the edge of the fretboard, so with lower tuning I'd often slip the low E off the side of the fret. This could well just be me and I am very much an amateur so bad technique maybe? Not an issue I've found on any other guitars over the years.
The gloss neck is the one thing I really don't like about the guitar - at some point I'll strip the lacquer off and just have an oiled satin finish.Only think I'll see with my LTD EC-1000 I didn't bond with was the neck, on two aspects. Firstly it was gloss which is never my first choice, couldn't bring myself to sand it. Secondly I found the strings to be quite close to the edge of the fretboard, so with lower tuning I'd often slip the low E off the side of the fret. This could well just be me and I am very much an amateur so bad technique maybe? Not an issue I've found on any other guitars over the years.
For anyone reading, I ordered a couple of the neural dsp models just now. They are half price in black Friday till 4th dec.
Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
White-Noise said:
For anyone reading, I ordered a couple of the neural dsp models just now. They are half price in black Friday till 4th dec.
Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
Looking at those prices, I'm glad I went for the Fender Tone Master Pro! Just had the second update, and received a host of new amps and effects, FOC.Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
AdeTuono said:
White-Noise said:
For anyone reading, I ordered a couple of the neural dsp models just now. They are half price in black Friday till 4th dec.
Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
Looking at those prices, I'm glad I went for the Fender Tone Master Pro! Just had the second update, and received a host of new amps and effects, FOC.Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
White-Noise said:
AdeTuono said:
White-Noise said:
For anyone reading, I ordered a couple of the neural dsp models just now. They are half price in black Friday till 4th dec.
Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
Looking at those prices, I'm glad I went for the Fender Tone Master Pro! Just had the second update, and received a host of new amps and effects, FOC.Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
AdeTuono said:
White-Noise said:
AdeTuono said:
White-Noise said:
For anyone reading, I ordered a couple of the neural dsp models just now. They are half price in black Friday till 4th dec.
Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
Looking at those prices, I'm glad I went for the Fender Tone Master Pro! Just had the second update, and received a host of new amps and effects, FOC.Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
There isn't much to show any difference since I last posted pictures of this guitar, but it's been on a diet. 
II've been trying to buy a lighter body for my heavy partscaster Tele. However, I had a few problems trying to buy lighter bodies that had the holes drilled in the right place, or that were actually any lighter than the one I planned to replace. I even nearly bought a Tele Thinline body, but I just can't get on with the looks of the pickguard that they have to use to cover the various holes.
Instead I've made my own 'nearly Thinline' Telecaster.
Before the diet:
I'd already done some routing since the above photo, but this was yesterday after I removed as much wood from under the pickguard area as I could. I even took the bridge pickup rout deeper while I was at it. Then a coat of conductive paint to tidy it up and help screen the guitar. The bottom part is similar to what Fender did at one point and is called a 'smuggler's Tele'.
Looks a bit ugly, but it's all hidden by the pickguard anyway:
End result after reassembling it (with the non-original Fender OV pickups from my Mexican Tele):
I've also fitted a new bone nut, stripped, cleaned & regreased the tuners and done spot level on the frets to sort a couple of high spots, followed by a full dress and polish, so it's playing really nicely now.
The plan is to strip it down next spring and refinish it in a white shade of 'Blonde' as I've gone off the 'butterscotch' look. I might take a 'belly cut' off the back of it too.
Can't help with any of the modelling stuff: I have a Mooer Preamp live I use for headphone practice at home, but it's started playing up lately and 'forgetting' it's settings. I started looking at replacements and got stuff in analysis paralysis: I went from looking at Tonex One, Boss IR2, then a used Iradium pedal. I just hate anything with digital parts inside because there is little I can do to fix them if they go wrong (which they inevitably do at some point). Tempted to go cheap and treat it as a disposable item, but I think I missed the Black Friday deals...
II've been trying to buy a lighter body for my heavy partscaster Tele. However, I had a few problems trying to buy lighter bodies that had the holes drilled in the right place, or that were actually any lighter than the one I planned to replace. I even nearly bought a Tele Thinline body, but I just can't get on with the looks of the pickguard that they have to use to cover the various holes.
Instead I've made my own 'nearly Thinline' Telecaster.
Before the diet:
I'd already done some routing since the above photo, but this was yesterday after I removed as much wood from under the pickguard area as I could. I even took the bridge pickup rout deeper while I was at it. Then a coat of conductive paint to tidy it up and help screen the guitar. The bottom part is similar to what Fender did at one point and is called a 'smuggler's Tele'.
Looks a bit ugly, but it's all hidden by the pickguard anyway:
End result after reassembling it (with the non-original Fender OV pickups from my Mexican Tele):
I've also fitted a new bone nut, stripped, cleaned & regreased the tuners and done spot level on the frets to sort a couple of high spots, followed by a full dress and polish, so it's playing really nicely now.
The plan is to strip it down next spring and refinish it in a white shade of 'Blonde' as I've gone off the 'butterscotch' look. I might take a 'belly cut' off the back of it too.
Can't help with any of the modelling stuff: I have a Mooer Preamp live I use for headphone practice at home, but it's started playing up lately and 'forgetting' it's settings. I started looking at replacements and got stuff in analysis paralysis: I went from looking at Tonex One, Boss IR2, then a used Iradium pedal. I just hate anything with digital parts inside because there is little I can do to fix them if they go wrong (which they inevitably do at some point). Tempted to go cheap and treat it as a disposable item, but I think I missed the Black Friday deals...
White-Noise said:
AdeTuono said:
White-Noise said:
AdeTuono said:
White-Noise said:
For anyone reading, I ordered a couple of the neural dsp models just now. They are half price in black Friday till 4th dec.
Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
Looking at those prices, I'm glad I went for the Fender Tone Master Pro! Just had the second update, and received a host of new amps and effects, FOC.Here's the link..
https://neuraldsp.com/plugins
Just wanted somewhere to vent my annoyance and frustration, so apologies.
In the last year I've bought two hand-wired Fender reissue amps: a Tweed Deluxe back in February, and a Deluxe Reverb a couple of weeks ago. On Tuesday I was playing through the Tweed Deluxe and it started popping and crackling. I quickly turned it off, waited a couple of minutes and switched it back on. No sound, apart from a loud hum. So, amp number one gives up the ghost.
Earlier this evening I was playing through the Deluxe Reverb. Same thing happens: popping and crackling, followed by zero sound. Tried the other inputs. Nothing. Power is on as the power light is lit up. It blew a main fuse on Monday, which I replaced with the correct one, so something weird clearly going on. Bear in mind this is the second Deluxe Reverb that was sent out. The first was dead on arrival and was kindly swapped out immediately by Andertons.
Both amps are allowed to warm up. I power my amps up for a minute or two before turning on the standby switch.
Am I cursed? Are Fender's high-end hand-wired amps a load of crap? Has anyone else experienced this before? To lose one amp in a week is unlucky, but two! Extremely poor quality issues? Also bear in mind both amps have been used for no more than four or five hours since I bough them.
Ok, and breathe...
In the last year I've bought two hand-wired Fender reissue amps: a Tweed Deluxe back in February, and a Deluxe Reverb a couple of weeks ago. On Tuesday I was playing through the Tweed Deluxe and it started popping and crackling. I quickly turned it off, waited a couple of minutes and switched it back on. No sound, apart from a loud hum. So, amp number one gives up the ghost.
Earlier this evening I was playing through the Deluxe Reverb. Same thing happens: popping and crackling, followed by zero sound. Tried the other inputs. Nothing. Power is on as the power light is lit up. It blew a main fuse on Monday, which I replaced with the correct one, so something weird clearly going on. Bear in mind this is the second Deluxe Reverb that was sent out. The first was dead on arrival and was kindly swapped out immediately by Andertons.
Both amps are allowed to warm up. I power my amps up for a minute or two before turning on the standby switch.
Am I cursed? Are Fender's high-end hand-wired amps a load of crap? Has anyone else experienced this before? To lose one amp in a week is unlucky, but two! Extremely poor quality issues? Also bear in mind both amps have been used for no more than four or five hours since I bough them.
Ok, and breathe...
oddball1313 said:
chemistry said:
oddball1313 said:
Oh the same tangent i'm getting weird urges for one of these...
https://reverb.com/uk/item/84747595-parker-fly-pre...
That would be cool. Very forward thinking guitars; apparently they were also built to incredibly high quality standards.https://reverb.com/uk/item/84747595-parker-fly-pre...
Quite a few on Reverb like the one you’ve linked to. Also one coming up in next month’s guitar auction.
https://www.guitar-auctions.co.uk/sale/229/567/199...
Edited by chemistry on Sunday 17th November 13:29
I might have to have a punt
Chubbyross said:
Just wanted somewhere to vent my annoyance and frustration, so apologies.
In the last year I've bought two hand-wired Fender reissue amps: a Tweed Deluxe back in February, and a Deluxe Reverb a couple of weeks ago. On Tuesday I was playing through the Tweed Deluxe and it started popping and crackling. I quickly turned it off, waited a couple of minutes and switched it back on. No sound, apart from a loud hum. So, amp number one gives up the ghost.
Earlier this evening I was playing through the Deluxe Reverb. Same thing happens: popping and crackling, followed by zero sound. Tried the other inputs. Nothing. Power is on as the power light is lit up. It blew a main fuse on Monday, which I replaced with the correct one, so something weird clearly going on. Bear in mind this is the second Deluxe Reverb that was sent out. The first was dead on arrival and was kindly swapped out immediately by Andertons.
Both amps are allowed to warm up. I power my amps up for a minute or two before turning on the standby switch.
Am I cursed? Are Fender's high-end hand-wired amps a load of crap? Has anyone else experienced this before? To lose one amp in a week is unlucky, but two! Extremely poor quality issues? Also bear in mind both amps have been used for no more than four or five hours since I bough them.
Ok, and breathe...
Welcome to the exciting world of valve amplification. In the last year I've bought two hand-wired Fender reissue amps: a Tweed Deluxe back in February, and a Deluxe Reverb a couple of weeks ago. On Tuesday I was playing through the Tweed Deluxe and it started popping and crackling. I quickly turned it off, waited a couple of minutes and switched it back on. No sound, apart from a loud hum. So, amp number one gives up the ghost.
Earlier this evening I was playing through the Deluxe Reverb. Same thing happens: popping and crackling, followed by zero sound. Tried the other inputs. Nothing. Power is on as the power light is lit up. It blew a main fuse on Monday, which I replaced with the correct one, so something weird clearly going on. Bear in mind this is the second Deluxe Reverb that was sent out. The first was dead on arrival and was kindly swapped out immediately by Andertons.
Both amps are allowed to warm up. I power my amps up for a minute or two before turning on the standby switch.
Am I cursed? Are Fender's high-end hand-wired amps a load of crap? Has anyone else experienced this before? To lose one amp in a week is unlucky, but two! Extremely poor quality issues? Also bear in mind both amps have been used for no more than four or five hours since I bough them.
Ok, and breathe...
Could be loads of things, you either need to find a good tech, one familiar with valve amps, or exchange them if they are still under warranty.
Standby switches are a waste of time, they don’t achieve anything.
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