DrGregC Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 I'm learning Chicago blues & have been practicing on my faithful Strat through a Super Champ XD. I'm looking for an instrument with a fuller, rounder sound - think BB King - and have played both the Epi Dot and Alleykat. I like the smaller Alleykat body. 1. Which of the moderately priced Epi's would produce that Chicago blues sound the best? 2. If the Alleykat is an option, I need to learn more about it. Pros/cons. I know it's discontinued, but I played a new one recently at a local music store. It was in Heritage Cherry Sunburst. Did the Alleykat ever come in other colors like the Dot's Natural or Cherry finishes? Any help is appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 I'm not familiar with the Allykat, but another option would be the Wildkat. It, like the Allykat, has the smaller body. http://epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=2&CollectionID=1 I just looked at the Allykat when I was copying the Wildkat link. Oh no, more gas coming on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwillow777 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 I think it also came in Tran black. You can't go wrong with a Dot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 I think it also came in Tran black. The Ebony colour has been discontinued for a few months. It's only available in Natural now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 You can't go wrong with a Dot. If you're on a budget then this would seem to be the most obvious choice... Mind you, Mike Bloomfield coaxed some nice tones out of a Les Paul through a Fender Twin. something to think about with your Superchamp XD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarxBros Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 There's no reason a strat can't make great, fat blues tones. Don't expect some whiney little amp turned down low to deliver the goods though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Bloomfield used a Telecaster, first...then the Les Paul. So, his "tone" was mostly in his heart/soul, and fingers! I've achieve that "BB King" tone, with a Telecaster, too. I have a Gibson "Lucille," for comparison, so I know it's possible. But...to answer your question...a "Dot," Sheraton, or the Alleykat, would all work...just fine! You do need some volume, to get to that "Sweet spot" (where tone and that creamy distortion live) in the amp. But, if "bedroom" volumes are all that's allowed, a good "overdrive" pedal will get you quite close. The Alleykat is really cool, in that it not only has the smaller body, but..the "mini-humbucker" in the neck position...which keeps it from getting "muddy," as some full size humbuckers might do. But, really...anything (including your Strat) will work. The Blues is about feeling, and a "style," more than any particular guitar. Buddy Guy uses as Strat, and he's about as "Chicago Blues" as you get! LOL! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrGregC Posted November 30, 2008 Author Share Posted November 30, 2008 Lots of great information. Thanks. Charlie Brown is right on the money with his comments. I understand. Unfortunately, I need all the help can get. Even if I played golf with Tiger Woods' golf clubs, I still couldn't break 100. I know it's not always about the equipment - or guitar. I guess I should be asking, which pick-ups naturally produce more of of blues sound - the humbuckers or the P-90's? Can the small body guitars - Alleykat & Wildkat - produce the same tone as the larger models? Thanks. BTW the Super Champ XD is not "some whiney little amp." For use in my home, it produces a wide variety of beautiful tones -- tubes and very good amp modeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 I haven't had a chance to try out a "Super Champ XD," but from what I've read, and heard from other's that have, it's an excellent little amp! (Might have to get me one, as well?) P-90's are AWEsome "Blues" pickups! They have lovely cleans, bright and articulate, and can get "down and dirty" with the best of them...without getting muddy. Humbuckers are excellent, too. Just a bit different in tone and response...SO...I may depend on what "tone" YOU prefer, as opposed to "which is better?" That's always such a subjective question/opinion, etc. Some great "blues" was done with full hollow bodied "Jazz" boxes, too. So, again...depends on what you really like/prefer, tone wise. The Semi's (thin-lines 335 equiv.) are the best compromise, between solid body (LP/SG) and full hollow bodied Jazz boxes...IMHO. So... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevCharlieD Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 If you listen to some of the early recordings of "Chicago Blues" the guitars actually "BOING" rather than the fat sound that's so popular. The key is technique and the most important ingredient is SOUL. If you don't feel it, it's just a note. If you feel the sound, you can make the sound. It comes from inside you, not from the instrument. "Music is what feelings sound like... especially the blues." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Speaking of "Semi-hollow bodied" (335 types)...if you lean toward P-90's, and can wait about 4-5 months, the Epiphone "Riviera P-93LE" is a MONSTER guitar, especially for the price...499.99. Several of us, here...have them, and I can't say enough good things about mine! The 4-5 month wait, is because they seem to be sold out, until late March, early April? But, if you can find one, somewhere...check it out. Might be just your "cup of tea,"....or not? But most of us, that have them, LOVE them, and at the time, we ALL "took a chance," because they were really "unknown" and a brand new, limited edition, model. But, at that price point, it was a gamble I/we felt was worth the pursuing. For myself, it may have been the best $499.99 I've ever spent, on a guitar. Gush, Gush, Gush!! LOL! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 For good electric blues (Chicago, Liverpool, wherever..., it's all good) amp/effects/speaker are more important than the guitar. I suggest trying a real good compressor and distortion pedal before throwing your strat baby out with the bathwater. It comes from inside you' date=' not from the instrument. "Music is what feelings sound like... especially the blues."[/quote']Amen Rev. for preachin' Blues church 101. Check out John Mayall's 70th birthday concert (2003) - three tremendous bluesmen just laying it flat... Buddy Whittington - strat - solid body Eric Clapton - strat - solid body Mick Taylor - LP - tele - solid bodies More proof that make/model guitars are of minimal/no importance for electric blues. WELCOME to the forum DrGregC! Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Speaking of "Semi-hollow bodied" (335 types)...if you lean toward P-90's' date=' and can wait about 4-5 months, the Epiphone "Riviera P-93LE" is a MONSTER guitar, especially for the price...499.99. [/quote'] You are certain that it's going to come back on the market at $499.99 CB! I hope so, beacuse I'm vacationing in Virginia in the spring, and I'm sure that I will somehow end up in Guitar Center in Richmond.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Actually, MOST of Epi's Hollow/Semi Hollow's and several of their solid bodies as well would put out fine C'Blues tones. I get howling tones from a stock Sheraton II, but a Casino, Dot, Any of the "Cat" models, and most Jazz Boxes would be suitable. I also get nasty tones from an SG, a V-Factor(a VERY pleasant surprise), a Tele (w/hot p'ups & a Bigsby), and a GLP. Once I get my amp set just right, (modeling a Twin reverb, Bassman, or Dumble o/d special) almost any of my guitars will produce the growl/squeal I'm looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloozeguy Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Talk about Chicago blues... There's a new flick coming out this coming weekend entitled Cadillac Blues, about the early days of Chess Records--and that's about as "Chicago blues" as you can get! Methinks Beyonce is playing Etta James. Never mind that for now. I saw a still in the local fishwrap of someone (couldn't recognize who--I'll feel real silly when someone fills us in on this) appearing to play Muddy (and in the background, someone appearing to play Little Walter) at a recording studio, playing a goldtop LP with P90s. Yeah, Epi discontinued the '56 replica, but some shops still have them hanging around, and there's always the used/ebay etc. route. This was also a prominent ax in the works of Hubert Sumlin (see above: "...about as 'Chicago' blues as you can get..."), and there's an early photo of Hooker with one, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 You are certain that it's going to come back on the market at $499.99 CB! I hope so' date=' beacuse I'm vacationing in Virginia in the spring, and I'm sure that I will somehow end up in Guitar Center in Richmond....[/quote'] LOL! I'm not "certain," of anything except death and taxes!! Much less what Gibson or Epiphone will do, with guitars! BUT, we're all "Hoping" they will continue making the Riviera P-93LE. But, only Epiphone knows that, for sure. Time will tell... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulsaslim Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 If I was a betting man I'm guessing that Epi didn't count on the tremendous response they got with the P-93. I think they originally intended to make 'just one batch' and when tha batch sold out in (what seemed) like a matter of days they decided that maybe they'd better make another batch. Just my opinion. BTW, I'm one who bought one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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