JayinLA Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 I know that I'm guilty. Just like at the car dealership. I will be at the guitar store and see some badass looking Gretch type thing in seafoam green, walk over to it, with all the excitement of a kid looking at a Corvette only to get close enough to it to see that it's some far east clone with toy parts in it. That's not a Corvette...it's a Datsun! Immediately, I am mad at myself for being tricked. But what caused the trick to begin with? I feel that I have some relatively decent taste...i think? Maybe not? Now I'm pissed off with a taste complex! There has to be something sexy about the look of a guitar that makes it "cool" just like a sweet sports car. Then you have the paintjob. The nitrocellelose (new-car smell) and work of the Burst and Burst with flame, that IMO makes the LP the best looking instrument on the planet, the color palletes of Fender and Gretch, the shape of the V or Explorer?. I don't know how to explain it, but a cool guitar has to look cool, not just play great. About a year ago I almost bought a black Rickenbacker C series. I love the way it looks. I plugged it into 3 or so amps in the store, and couldn't for the life of me get the tone out of it that I associate with my playing style. I played with it endlessly. The salesman, who knew the history of Rickenbacker had me frothing, it was black with a white pick gaurd. As much as I didn't like the tonality, I almost bought it. THen a sense of reason came over me, and I walked out of the store with a few sets of strings. It wasn't for me. But what made me look at it to begin with? It had eyeball. Therefor, it was already cool...i guess?
sparquelito Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 Good topic, Jay. In my opinion, all guitars are cool, but some are much more cool than others. But of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I find classic shapes and established designs to be very cool, while others fancy radical shapes and insane colors. My all time top (personal favorite) cool guitars include a black (or gold-top) Les Paul, a red ES-335, a blonde Telecaster, and an orange Gretsch. For some reasons, I am not all that keen on PRS guitar shapes, though I do find the Parker Fly to be relatively cool and attractive. Nor have I ever been attracted to a Gibson Flying V. I really don't care for most of the crazy hair-metal band guitars, including most of the Deans with the huge Y-shaped headstocks, and the ones that are neon colored or zebra-striped. I really dig chrome or pewter trim and bits, but am not at all fond of gold-plated or gold-colored metal parts and pickup covers. Oh well, again, we all have our own preferences. My own tastes are odd, probably. And my taste in women is even more odd, in the view of most of my friends. :/
JayinLA Posted January 17, 2016 Author Posted January 17, 2016 Gonna have to agree to disagree about the ladies, but guitars, I with you!
capmaster Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 ... And my taste in women is even more odd, in the view of most of my friends. :/ I wouldn't say it's odd, rather the opposite. Back to guitars now. Catching a glimpse of all the guitars hanging on a shop wall will make me aware of some of them earlier, and these typically are the flashy looking ones. Just a second later I typically become curious about the timbers of those with transparent finishes. When it comes to possibly trying and buying a guitar, my approach is a sensible, rational one. Tone and playability are what counts, and finally what the guitar may contribute to expanding my range of sonic expression through them. I need useful, decent tools. I am reserved about looks. My general attitude is: The more I can see through to the wood, the better. Moreover, to me conservative looking guitars may serve a virtually unlimited field of musical styles and sorts of events. Playing live is usually not for a handful of guitar players only but for the entire audience. I don't want people getting distracted by a flashy look that may match the musical style or not. Due to lack of options I also own some guitars and basses with solid colours, and a few of them can be considered as eye-catching. However, I think in most cases they will be that just for a moment to most viewers. Nothing really flashy among them.
dbrian66 Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 I've been there as well, but I have gone as far as to buy the guitar based on the look. In fact, I've done it several times. Once I get them home I play them in my basement, a lot at first, but after awhile they sit more than they get played. Eventually they go on Craigslist and I have money to do it all again. In my opinion, the look is very important. But in the end, it all comes down to how they play.
charlie brown Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 How can one not love "Audrey?!" But, she's "my type," so...I'm prejudice, that way. As to guitars? I like a lot of different sounding, and looking gear. I own Ric's, Gretsch, Fender's, Gibson's, Epiphone's, and even a little "Dano" '59 (12-string). To me, they're ALL "Cool!" But all quite different looking. So...??? CB
charlie brown Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 About a year ago I almost bought a black Rickenbacker C series. I love the way it looks. I plugged it into 3 or so amps in the store, and couldn't for the life of me get the tone out of it that I associate with my playing style. I played with it endlessly. The salesman, who knew the history of Rickenbacker had me frothing, it was black with a white pick gaurd. As much as I didn't like the tonality, I almost bought it. THen a sense of reason came over me, and I walked out of the store with a few sets of strings. It wasn't for me. But what made me look at it to begin with? It had eyeball. Therefor, it was already cool...i guess? While I understand the notion that not every guitar is a person's "Cup of tea," I'm always curious, as to "why" they couldn't find their "tone/sound" with those particular guitars, that they couldn't "bond" with. Not a criticism, only a curiosity. What was it, about the Ric, in particular, that you didn't like, tone wise? Too "jangly," or "Round" sounding? CB
rocketman Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 For me I try to get the best of both. I think I hit it with my 339.
4Hayden Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 A guitar is like a woman , beautiful , well built , feels good in your hands and nice to look at . You don't want a fat ugly woman. 4H
4Hayden Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 How can one not love "Audrey?!" But, she's "my type," so...I'm prejudice, that way. As to guitars? I like a lot of different sounding, and looking gear. I own Ric's, Gretsch, Fender's, Gibson's, Epiphone's, and even a little "Dano" '59 (12-string). To me, they're ALL "Cool!" But all quite different looking. So...??? CB I'd hit it 4H
matonanjin Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 How can one not love "Audrey?!" But, she's "my type," so...I'm prejudice, that way. As to guitars? I like a lot of different sounding, and looking gear. I own Ric's, Gretsch, Fender's, Gibson's, Epiphone's, and even a little "Dano" '59 (12-string). To me, they're ALL "Cool!" But all quite different looking. So...??? CB Audrey is Certainly gorgeous, especially those eyes. But....... Oh? Guitars.... While I understand the notion that not every guitar is a person's "Cup of tea," I'm always curious, as to "why" they couldn't find their "tone/sound" with those particular guitars, that they couldn't "bond" with. Not a criticism, only a curiosity. What was it, about the Ric, in particular, that you didn't like, tone wise? Too "jangly," or "Round" sounding? CB This is something I am just starting to relate to. My "starter guitar" was a Yamaha Pacifica that Santa brought me. I played/studied with it for some number of months. Then I figured out that the reason I wasn't playing better was because I had a cheap piece of Sh#% guitar so I needed a better guitar. So I bought a Les Paul (and a Fender Blues, Jr. 3) and, of course, I was progressing better. In hind-site it was unquestionably the excitement of the new equipment and I practiced more. (A year or so later that little Pacifica played just fine! But to your point I now have the two above and have added a Fender American Standard Strat and an Epiphone Casino Coupe and I would love to tell you that I play them and different times for the different tone or feel. But I can't. I just grab them at random. And actually the reason I got the Epi was for the light weight after two spinal surgeries. And it is all I play with rare exception playing the Strat. I probably haven't picked up the LP since last April. I hope that someday I can honestly tell the difference and justify it! Then maybe I'll have to get a Tele.... Or a PRS Or a ???? B)
Retired Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 1453053624[/url]' post='1731433']A guitar is like a woman , beautiful , well built , feels good in your hands and nice to look at . You don't want a fat ugly woman. 4H That's me! I'm taken by sight, Jayin, nothing wrong with attraction, I'm like that with guitars, cars, women, about everything. Sparquelito, I said it before and again, I like #2. Not attractive to Sparky. Who is that other one? Audrey Hepburn? A little to thin for me. I like guitars not too thin and not too fat. Always wanted a telecaster until I played some, just doesn't feel right too me. Too thin and didn't care for the neck. Don't care for fat body's, I had a Ovation 12 string once, loved that sound but never could get used to that fat belly. It was uncomfortable to play for me. A Gibson or an Epiphone is just. Right. I tried wide necks and got rid of them, I have short fat fingers and they were hard to stretch my fingers across the frets. A 60's neck seems perfect for me. But when it comes down to it, I love the flashy guitars but own plain colors. Two black, one Gold Top, and two wood. Price and sound are what it comes down to for me. How much for that Halle Berry? I would take her over not attractive to Sparky!!
cody78 Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 Guitar wise I'm drawn to the traditional style mainly, especially archtops, Les Pauls & SG's. This is not so much because they are 'cool', but because they are the most attractive to me in all aspects, as they look, feel, sound and play the best for me generally. I do own a handful of other makes of guitars, but rarely play them compared to my archtops, LP's & SG's. There are some guitars that never appealed much to me and the Flying V is one. This is mainly because you can't play them sitting down very well and also because I find them pretty ugly in appearance. Likewise, I never liked the look of most Burns guitars or BC Rich (though I do love the Mockingbird for some reason!). Women wise I would say Eva Mendes is my ultimate [love]
sparquelito Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 Okay, let's compromise. Here's Audrey Hepburn with a cool guitar!!
merciful-evans Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 Taste can change... I used to adore the lines of the Fender Strat. Fortunately I loved the sound even more. Its was my ideal when I was a teenager. I got one and kept it for 25 years, but NEVER got used to the way it handled in all that time. I part-exed the Strat eventually for something more playable. I dont particularly like Strat looks anymore, although I still adore the sound of them. Nowadays I prefer the lines of a ES-330 / ES-339 or a Double Cut Les Paul. Below: Nevada Music have one of these in store for quite a while. I think its one of the most beautiful guitars I have seen, but soundwise? yuk! :( (shudder)
the dog Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 At one time when I started to learn guitar I thought pointy head stock guitars were the coolest looking.....(1984 Kramer Baretta ,Ibanez RG models , Jackson's and all of them with a Floyd Rose) but now and for the past few years it doesn't get better than a Les Paul.....and now that I'm a geezer that will probably never change...
NHTom Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 One that I've always struggled with is the Dean Cadillac.......like an LP with an explorer lower horn and the big V headstock. I've played a few of the sought after older ones and love the way they played, but just couldn't get into it. Never really loved the look of SG's either......not sure why. Played many that play and sound awesome, just not into the look. Had a couple of BC Rich Mockngbirds back in the day cause I love the look of them. One was awesome, the other was awefull, but it looked great. NHTom
JayinLA Posted January 18, 2016 Author Posted January 18, 2016 While I understand the notion that not every guitar is a person's "Cup of tea," I'm always curious, as to "why" they couldn't find their "tone/sound" with those particular guitars, that they couldn't "bond" with. Not a criticism, only a curiosity. What was it, about the Ric, in particular, that you didn't like, tone wise? Too "jangly," or "Round" sounding? CB A tone is a tone. The stuff I play with my band requires alot of sonic coverage and my guitar is basically the instrument that keeps the groove together. Big guitar sound is a function of guitar, amp, and style of play. And the only missing formula with the Ric was the guitar. It would be great for leads or anything that needs a tremelo, (which I don't use) and my Gibsons handle my leads with a level of sustain not there in the Ric.
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