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Great guitars that just aren't for you....


saturn

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Posted

Are there any guitars that you think are really great...great looking, well made, great sounding....but you just don't ever see yourself with a need to own one?

 

I think for me, that would be a Rickenbacker. As beautiful and well-made as they are, I just don't see myself ever having a use for one. Unless of course one was available for little or no cost. But, if I had to spend my own money, I just think there would always be something else more useful to MY needs.

 

Again, please don't think I'm trying to rag on, or ask you all to rag on a guitar you think is over rated or something. I'm talking about a guitar you think is very good. Just not for you.

Posted

You know I really wanna like a PRS.

I have just never met one I fell for yet. Maybe someday.

 

That said, if I did have money for a new geet I would really consider me a Parker.

Posted

Telecasters, Rickenbackers (except for bass) and to some degree Gretsch.

 

I like them on other players hands but I am power chord hack that cannot make them shine.

 

I hate the PRS looks, I would not keep one even if it was a gift.

Posted

interesting question [thumbup]

 

I consider SG's maybe the best looking guitars ever but I have tried a few and don't think I'd be likely own one - I seem to prefer the 60's Epi solidbody version I have as a player. Strats - probably much the same, not too interested in 'em, and I have a 'sort of' Strat type guitar with a couple of single coils in it. Gretsch - nope, I have tried and they fought me too hard. Les Paul Standard - when the urge for an LP becomes too much, I'm quite sure a matt black Studio will suffice. - great guitars one and all, but that was the question.

 

I'm more confident I'll get a Tele at some stage, but it might well be a MIM.

Posted

Interesting topic.

 

As much as I love Filtertron pickups, I got rid of my Gretsch Nashville 6120 because the body was just too big, I just couldn't deal with the Bigsby, and access to upper frets was poor. That said, I hope to have a Penguin one day.

 

I had a 1999 American Standard Strat that I modded with locking tuners, a Hipshot trem stabilizer, and Dimarzio Virtual Vintage pickups, and as hard as I tried, I could never bond with that guitar. I especially didn't like the neck or the maple fretboard, but the sound never really grabbed me. I really like my American Standard Tele for lots of reasons, but the guitars I bond with best are hollow and semi-hollows with hum buckers or P-90-type pickups.

Posted

I'm the same with Rickenbackers, PRS, Teles and Gretches. I've never GASed for these styles at all. I actually think it's down to your musical influences. I'm a rock and metal guy so it's LPs, SGs and superstrats for me. To an extent I'm OK with Vs and Explorers but none of my guitar heroes played them so I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one.

 

Me buying a Wildkat was a surprise to me but I fancied trying P90s, and I liked the looks and versatility. I think some of the guys on the Epi forum made a good argument and I'm glad I went with it as it's a great guitar. So, if something catches your eye and you get a bit of encouragement, GAS can come upon you when you least expect it....

 

P.S. My favourite guitarists include Angus Young, Ace Frehley, Billy Gibbons, Jake E Lee, EVH, Alex Skolnik, Adrian Smith/Dave Murray and Vivian Cambell. These players left lasting imprints on me as a teenager so I guess this now middle aged man is trying to rekindle those good times in his formative years, with the guitars he now buys....

Posted

Oh, most definitely...

 

I know the Stratocaster is a rock icon, and used by every guitarist worth a damn, at one time or another... but I just don't like the tone. I prefer Telecasters, as far as Fenders go.

 

PRS guitars, as well. I know they're a respectable guitar used by many... but I don't like the look of them, and they just miss the mark for me, somehow.

 

Then there are the likes of Ibanez, Schecter, ESP, etc. guitars. Blech!

Posted

A few come to mind for me;

 

* A Fender Stratocaster.

I've never been attracted to the body shape, and I have admittedly had a few come in an out of my possession.

They never hung around long.

My Fender Telecaster delivers all the 'Fender' sounds and tones I'll ever need, truth be told, and so a Strat is very low on my list of desirable guitars.

 

* The Gibson Flying V.

Great guitar, with a great pedigree.

Just doesn't appeal to me in any way though.

Wonderful for other people, but not for me.

 

* Paul Reed Smith guitars, in general.

Great workmanship, fantastic reputation, and a large variety of stars who play them and love them.

But they have never done anything for me, and I really don't see myself ever owning one.

 

* Any bass guitar with more than five strings.

 

* Any electric guitar with more than six strings.

 

Okay, I'm gonna shut up now.

 

 

[crying]

Posted

I am going to say Martin Acoustic. I love the sound of great acoustic guitars, but have played many, many guitars by Gibson, Fender, Washburn, hell Yamaha that sound just like or as good as some of the Martins that cost as much as my first car.

Posted

I always anted a Gretsch Country Gentleman being the Chester and Harrison fan that I am. I finally got enough dough, hunted down one with all the bells and whistles, tremolo, dual mutes, the works. Picked it up and nearly bent in two it was so heavy. Maybe if I had been younger...

Posted

Oh, most definitely...

 

I know the Stratocaster is a rock icon, and used by every guitarist worth a damn, at time or another... but I just don't like the tone. I prefer Telecasters, as far as Fenders go.

 

 

A few come to mind for me;

 

* A Fender Stratocaster.

I've never been attracted to the body shape, and I have admittedly had a few come in an out of my possession.

They never hung around long.

My Fender Telecaster delivers all the 'Fender' sounds and tones I'll ever need, truth be told, and so a Strat is very low on my list of desirable guitars.

 

I'm with you on the Strats. An iconic guitar that just never did anything for me. I've owned two American Stats and both had major fretboard issues. I don't care for the thin pickup sound or the center pickup that I inevitably hit with my pick while playing. I felt like I had to have a Strat in my collection, but I could never bond with one and sold both within months of buying them. Maybe I'll get a "Strat-type" guitar like a G&L someday, but not another Fender. I love my Teles, though. Like you said, I can get all the Fender tones I desire from a Tele.

 

As for other iconic guitars that I never bonded with, the ES series comes to mind. Something about the semi-hollow thing just didn't work for me. I don't see myself ever owning a Flying V or Explorer either. A Firebird, maybe.

Posted

And here I thought I was the only guy who didn't like Strat's! I bought a MIM Strat about 7-8 years ago, because, well, I NEEDED a Strat, right? Well. not so much. The guitar and I have just never bonded ergonomically, and hence it's about 9th on my go to list of 8. I'll admit that I've become much more of a hollow/semi hollow/humbucker/P90 guy, but the Strat just doesn't do it for me. Don't get me wrong, it's a great guitar, it's just not for me. That said, I won't sell it because I NEED a Strat! [laugh] Well, you know...

Posted

PRS! They're lovely, nicely made, good components, etc.

But, I've never warmed up to one, yet! I have no real

idea why, either! But, I've never liked their head-stock

shape!

 

I've never warmed up to Taylor acoustic's, either, for some

reason. I have friends that have them, and love 'em. But,

(so far) I haven't succumbed to their charms.

 

CB

Posted

I've always wanted a Strat. I don't like the looks of the telecaster but the Strats are very nice. I tried playing some at guitar center a few times and don't like them. There just not for me and the neck doesn't feel right.

Posted

I love Stratocasters! Especially old Pre-CBS versions. My very first electric guitar

was my '64 L-series Strat. I still have it, and would never part with it. I love

Telecasters, as well. But, currently only have one! But, they're both always on my

quest radar. [biggrin]

 

CB

Posted

 

As for other iconic guitars that I never bonded with, the ES series comes to mind. Something about the semi-hollow thing just didn't work for me. I don't see myself ever owning a Flying V or Explorer either. A Firebird, maybe.

 

Funny… I love ES-style guitars, but I found over time that I loved the idea of them more than the reality of playing them. Too cumbersome. That said, I have an Epi ES-339 which I love. It's a smaller ES body than the 335, 330, Casino, etc. and I found that did the trick for me.

 

I once owned a Firebird. But as cool as I think they are, they, too, turned out to be a bit impractical. They're very neck-heavy and the guitar would tilt downward as soon as I took my left arm away from the neck, or didn't hold down the rear with my right hand. It didn't last long in my collection.

Posted

I always anted a Gretsch Country Gentleman being the Chester and Harrison fan that I am. I finally got enough dough, hunted down one with all the bells and whistles, tremolo, dual mutes, the works. Picked it up and nearly bent in two it was so heavy. Maybe if I had been younger...

 

Love my '66 Country Gent! But, a good neoprene bass strap, helps a LOT! They are big,

and have a feel, all their own. But, once you get used to it...Love that Great Gretsch

Sound!! [thumbup][biggrin]

 

 

CB

Posted

CB, a good friend plays a Gretsch into an Orange CR 120 head. It sounds as brutal as you'd think it would - I think you'd like it! [biggrin]

Posted

CB, a good friend plays a Gretsch into an Orange CR 120 head. It sounds as brutal as you'd think it would - I think you'd like it! [biggrin]

 

That's what I'm afraid of! [flapper] LOL [biggrin] There's just NO end, to it! [tongue][scared][biggrin]

 

CB

Posted

Are there any guitars that you think are really great...great looking, well made, great sounding....but you just don't ever see yourself with a need to own one?

 

...

The terms "great" and "need" are catchy in this respect. There are for sure guitars possibly great but unknown to me. Some are basically great but not well playable for me. Finally there are lots that are not great from my point of view. Some of my pet hates are described below. There are three exceptions mentioned though, they all were of no need from the start, but I simply love them. ;)

 

My most important dislikes are:

 

- Bridges on electrics with less adjustable saddles than strings. No wooden bridges, no three-saddle Telecasters, no 12-string electrics, please. This shortcoming prevents me from lots of possible GAS. :) In case of emergency I would swap any non-adjustable bridge or tailpiece for an adjustable one in a heartbeat. If this wasn't possible via drop-in, it would be a deal-breaker for me.

 

- Non-locking vibratos. Just useless in my opinion. Securely keeps me from GASsing for lots of Fenders including circa 99% of the Stratocasters. :) Exceptions: My Frank Zappa "Roxy" SGs. The original had been what made me want to play guitar, the tones are unique, I stay patient while tuning, and I just leave the Maestro/Lyra system alone. Frank mostly did that, too, although he had added it or had it added. Otherwise I was desillusionated within a short period in 1981. My then Ibanez Strat copy bought used still remains the only guitar I ever traded.

 

- Very small fretboard radiuses, in particular 7.25" Fenders. Exception: My Fender 65 Mustang Bass Reissue. The small radius is not that hard to handle for me on a bass. I even mimic it through saddle height adjustments although I don't want to bow the strings. [biggrin]

 

- Small, shallow fret wire. Strings become polygons rather fast through indentations and will sound poor. Pals of mine from the 1980's had them on old Fenders. Exception: Again my Fender 65 Mustang Bass Reissue, and again not that annoying for me on a bass. If I live to hear it call for refretting one day - who knows... [rolleyes]

 

- No more single-coil pickups, please. Noiseless or nothing. Life's too short to bear avoidable hum and buzz. The few "real" stock SC leftovers in my guitars will be enough for several times the rest of my life, so I'm done with them. They typically live their lives as wallflowers. I often use coil splits of HBs for clean tones but being limited to SCs is too limited for me.

Posted

Gretsch guitars are not really my cup of tea. They don't suit my needs, at all. Maybe, one day I will warm up to them.

 

PRS guitars. I bought a great looking custom 24 last year on an impulse, because I needed one in my collection. Couple of months later, I sold it. Hated the sound of it. Too much of that "ice pick to the ear" kind of sound. Just a harsh sounding specimen. PRS really needs to work on their pick-ups. I have tried many guitars since I sold my custom 24, but they all didn't have that sound.

 

Gibson Flying V. As cool as they look and sound, they just don't look right on me. I don't play that kind of music, and I look nothing like the guys that are usually associated with V's.

 

Fender Telecaster. Never really cared for the look of them. They do sound good, but I find myself drawn to a Strat just a little bit more.

Posted

I ought to spend a couple of hours with a good SG.

Never have....yet, always avoided them.

Same with Rics. So far.

 

Fender Jazzmaster is another that doesn't move me. I played a nice one a couple of years ago but...no, sorry.

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