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New dude saying hi w/questions


whitebread

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Hello everybody, I'm a long time player but a recent convert to epi. I picked up a Korean Lucille a few months ago and absolutely love it, it does that blues thing well.

 

I also have an older Guild Starfire 4 (es335), it has an amazing organic wood tone that really comes through the amp. What I'm looking for now is an affordable ($500-600-ish)USD semi-hollow or hollow body with P-90's and vibrato that will also trasmit that "wood vibration" through my amp. I played a Sunburst Korean Casino with a bigsby a few months ago and was blown away. I pulled together some coin by selling off a few odds and ends on Ebay and went back to the store to see if he still had it...it was gone. I'm having trouble finding one now, but I came across the new Chinese made Riveria P93 in the online stores. It looks interesting, but I understand that it is semi-hollow, and I am worried about the "China" stigma. Is this a completely different sounding guitar? Is the center-block worth some sound difference to avoid feedback? How easy does the Casino feedback? (I only played at moderate volume at the guitar store through a tube amp but had no problems at all)

 

Thanks in advance and sorry to be so wordy.

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Hello everybody' date=' I'm a long time player but a recent convert to epi. I picked up a Korean Lucille a few months ago and absolutely love it, it does that blues thing well.

 

I also have an older Guild Starfire 4 (es335), it has an amazing organic wood tone that really comes through the amp. What I'm looking for now is an affordable ($500-600-ish)USD semi-hollow or hollow body with P-90's and vibrato that will also trasmit that "wood vibration" through my amp. I played a Sunburst Korean Casino with a bigsby a few months ago and was blown away. I pulled together some coin by selling off a few odds and ends on Ebay and went back to the store to see if he still had it...it was gone. I'm having trouble finding one now, but I came across the new Chinese made Riveria P93 in the online stores. It looks interesting, but I understand that it is semi-hollow, and I am worried about the "China" stigma. Is this a completely different sounding guitar? Is the center-block worth some sound difference to avoid feedback? How easy does the Casino feedback? (I only played at moderate volume at the guitar store through a tube amp but had no problems at all)

 

Thanks in advance and sorry to be so wordy.[/quote']

 

look at the Wildkat http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=2&CollectionID=1

that might fit your bill. i have played one and they are nice.

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For what it's worth, I just picked up a Chinese Epi Dot last month and I think it sounds very nice - and it's the cheapest guitar in my collection. Also, I (so far) haven't had issues w/ loose pots or jack, static in switches or any other problems with the electronics and build quality overall is nice for the price. If Chinese Epi's are considered inferior to their Korean counterparts, I sure can't tell.

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For what it's worth' date=' I just picked up a Chinese Epi Dot last month and I think it sounds very nice - and it's the cheapest guitar in my collection. Also, I (so far) haven't had issues w/ loose pots or jack, static in switches or any other problems with the electronics and build quality overall is nice for the price. If Chinese Epi's are considered inferior to their Korean counterparts, I sure can't tell.[/quote']

 

I also picked up a Chinese Dot last WEEK, and so far I love it! Maybe it's just me, but it seems the newer Chinese stuff has improved.. No issues for me either with loose pots or jack, or any problems at all with the new Dot. I am blown away by the quality of this Chinese Epi Dot. The finish is amazing for the price... Maybe I got a good one, but I am really impressed with it so far..

 

The only other guitars in my arsenal that are cheaper are my Epi SG EB-O bass, and my Epi LP Jr. - the cheap one w/ the humbucker (a better guitar than you might think, by the way - love the action on this one....), and I have to tell you: The Jr. into my Marshall is Leslie West City - Not bad for a hundred dollar axe...

 

I've had three years with the EB-0 and two years with the Junior and have had no problems whatsoever with either one. I'm hoping the Dot will do the same, and I'm sure it will.. I also have an American Tele and Strat, and Guild S-280, as well as some nice acoustics, so I have the "good" stuff, too, but I love my Epi's!!

BTW, the EB-0 bass plugged into my SWR bass combo (LA15) is sweet!

 

Epi-Man

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I love the wildkat.. and have wanted one for a long time.

I have a bigsby on my epi lp.

I have a sheraton with p90s.

 

I would seriously look at the p93.. if at all possible.

the price is great, the reports from owners are ALL positive.. three pups and a bigs for peanuts.

 

still like the wildkat.. smaller body for one thing.. but that p93 gets me good!

 

TWANG

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I've never been convinced by the China v Korea argument. I've yet to see (or hear) anything to make me believe that there's a significant difference in quality across the board. And no, isolated examples aren't proof.

 

Re: the Riviera P93/ It looks gorgeous and the P90s make me want one. The reports I've read have been mostly positive, with the exception of a few tuning issue when the Bigsby is used. But hey, that's trems for you.

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It's good to know the quality reports have been positive so far. The P93 Riveria is dead sexy and it's crazy cheap. I want one for sure. I've just had no experience with the Chinese guitars, I've just recently got my first Korean guitar (the Lucille) before that I was only into US or MIJ guitars. I was quite impressed when I got over my snobbishness and just played the Lucille, I fell in love with it. I also got a MIM Strat Deluxe Player for my b'day and I'd have to say it's better than any US or MIJ strat I've owned, and I've had a few. So, I've gotten over the country label and now I'm open to just judge a guitar based on it's playability/sound/vibe. If anyone has played a P93 and a Casino; How close is the sound?

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locking tuners were an afterthought on my epi lp.. with bigsby.

the roller bridge fixed any problems coming back in tune.

I think graph tech saddles would do the same. saving some cash on a bridge upgrade.

 

I think a casino/p93 comparison would be interesting, too!

TWANG

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