leicester35 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Well, as we have all grown (rightfully) bored of the endless Gibson vs Epiphone debates. In my experience, it used to be the case that you were either first and foremost a Gibson player, or a Fender player. Me...I'm a Fender guy. If the house caught fire, I'd grab my Stratocaster first. But Epiphone make very good Gibson-type guitars affordable. So I have a nice "second" guitar which I feel holds up quality-wise. I'd never buy an SG Standard (heck, I could get a '62 reissue Jazzmaster with that money), but I like my G-400. So...are you Gibson/Epiphone through and through? Or Fender (but open to different experiences)? [Rickenbacker players, just accept that you're a select minority...] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarxBros Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I own and I'll play anything from a Ric to a Dano to a Silvertone, whatever sound I want. Now certainly some of these lesser brands are not as player friendly or well built, but the unique sounds are there nonetheless. As far as Fenders my fav strat is a parts mutt of non fender parts and my fav Tele is of the same breed actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mugatu Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I like lots of different guitars for different reasons, so no, I'm not averse to owning something from the Fender stable. My wife owns a Squier P Bass (which I pick up occasionally, and I do like it!) and to be really honest, yes, I'd like a strat... I may even buy one at some point. My acoustic is by another luthier as well. So I'm certainly not a "one make" kind of guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexygibson Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I have owned several very nice Fenders but always seem to go back to a Les Paul. I think my Fender days are over for good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 Perhaps this was a dumb question to ask at this forum...(!) a lot of people here seem to keep very large 'stables.' [are you listening, Charlie Brown... :- ] I've only ever managed to own 2 or 3 electric guitars (at most) + 1 acoustic at the same time...And usually (for me) that follows the format of a Fender as my main instrument, and something else as my second. For years, that format was a Fender American Standard Telecaster and an Epiphone Firebird; right now it's a Fender American Standard Stratocaster and an Epiphone G-400. But I've promised myself to never sell another guitar... So, the G-400 is going to be set-up for slide...and I'm still tossing a coin between an Epiphone semi or a Reverend semi... Also, I'd love a Gibson Firebird one day. But that will be it. I'm never going to have a whole rack of guitars... Pinch me though, I'm still a Fender man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 As far as electric playing goes, I probably play my Strat and my Casino equally. I use the Casino for stuff that should sound more acoustic, and the Strat for something that doesn't. I use the Strat for Brian Wilson - it's a perfect match. I start the song in position three, and after the first chorus, I flip down to position one. My arrangement is a bit different than the radio, though... it's a cover of Barenaked Ladies' cover of Brian Wilson's cover of a Barenaked Ladies song. If you're familiar with the band, that explains it enough. For those who aren't... this is how it goes... Steven Page wrote the song in the late-80s in his parents' basement. Barenaked Ladies played it early on in their career, and recorded it on their debut (major-label) album, Gordon. It became a staple of their live shows - the live recording from 1996 (the Rock Spectacle album) is my favourite to this day. In 2000, they were in the studio recording their Maroon album, and Brian Wilson with his band stopped by. They played their version of the song, where the first two verses and chorus are sung a cappella. After that, BNL started performing it similarly - the first two verses are sung with only the guitar, then the chorus. The chorus is repeated a second time with no instruments, and Ed comes in with Steve. After that, the band starts. I essentially do it the way Barenaked Ladies do it now - but I don't generally have a band or a second singer. [Wow, that went really off-topic...] To bring us back - the guitar I'm looking for now is a combination of a Fender and a Gibson. I made this on some website: Since I can't find that guitar, or anything similar enough, I'll probably end up buying a PRS SE Custom semi-hollow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin134 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Leicester, have you heard of the new Pete Anderson Reverend coming out? I think it is a Hollow body though, not a Semi like the Club King or Manta Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 Leicester' date=' have you heard of the new Pete Anderson Reverend coming out? I think it is a Hollow body though, not a Semi like the Club King or Manta Ray[/quote'] Thanks for tipping me off about that Kev... Once Christmas is behind me, I'm going to treat myself to a new semi... I like the Sheraton II, but truth is...I've set my heart on the Rev. Manta Ray 290 (sunburst). My local store has one on order for me (although that might be news to my missus :- ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Leicester, I love Fender`s, and the guitar I am most comfortable with is the good old "Tele". Having owned a few over the years, with one of the best actually being a Tokai copy, I earlier this year year made one out of Fender parts, and which has been brilliant since I first Tuned it up. In the summer, on a whim, I purchased a Mexican made Classic player 60`s Stratocaster in Sonic Blue for £304.00. Now I have owned a few Strats in my time, but this is the most vibrant and toneful Strat, I have ever played, and I`m absolutely stunned at how good it has turned out to be, once I got it set up. I cannot say whether they are all this good, but if you want a Strat for little money, you have to give these Mexican 50`s and 60`s Classic players a serious going over. Having said all that, I don`t think there is anything in the guitar world as beautiful as an Epiphone Casino, the mid 60`s version with the large hourglass h/stock, in Ice tea finish, and with Nickel hardware, has to be the goddess of guitars for me, and who knows, one day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generation zero Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 To bring us back - the guitar I'm looking for now is a combination of a Fender and a Gibson. I made this on some website: Since I can't find that guitar' date=' or anything similar enough, I'll probably end up buying a PRS SE Custom semi-hollow.[/quote'] You could easily build that guitar using parts from Warmoth... Probably for around 400 to 500 bucks. As for me, when it comes to mid level guitars, I'll play a fender or an epi... Or a squire for that matter. I do generally prefer Les Pauls, but I like my mexi standard tele too. When you get to the high end though, I lose all interest in fenders. It is my personal opinion that if you're going to charge me 2,000 bucks for a guitar, you better have a little more craftsmanship invested than atattching the neck with a couple of screws. Bolt on neck just equates to lesser quality, IMO. You don't see a $600 version of the LP-100... Unless you count the Les Paul Standard, of course. I do really like those set neck, carved top twin humbucker Teles fender put out a few years ago though... Basically, it's a fender version of a Les Paul though, so it makes sense that I like it, LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSDx Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 So...are you Gibson/Epiphone through and through? Or Fender (but open to different experiences)? [Rickenbacker players' date= just accept that you're a select minority...] Well, have always lusted after a Gibby LP..... I love my affordable Epi LP ..... never cared much for Strats, but wouldn't turn one down ...... I WOULD love to pick up a Tele at some point in my life ..... I pledge allegiance to no manufacturer of anything :- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Chico Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Since I can't find that guitar' date=' or anything similar enough, I'll probably end up buying a PRS SE Custom semi-hollow.[/quote'] Doesn't Stan have a strat with humbuckers? I'm not sure if it's exactly like that one but it seems pretty close. GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulsaslim Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I own a bunch of both. I love them but for different reasons. First, as much as I respect the strats, I cannot play one comfortably being a lefty who plays righty with 'right hand issues' so almost all my Fenders are some flavor of tele. As you know, Gib and Fender have completely different philosophies about guitars. I've always thought of Fenders as 'the Liberty Ship of Guitars'. By that I mean Leo figured out a way to cut every corner he could in the manufacturing process & still make a fully functional guitar. I find beauty in that. But that's also why a custom shop Fender costs about the same as a 'cheap' Gibson. All in all I prefer a humbucker guitar so I'm more of a Gibson guy but will say that any of my 3 Fender tele specials with carved tops, set necks, and SD humbuckers absolutely blow away any of my 3 sgs. Not even close. Also, there is nothing in the Fender line that can match up to an LP or a 335. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 You could easily build that guitar using parts from Warmoth... Probably for around 400 to 500 bucks. I've tried - a flat-top, bound, flamed maple, rear-routed Strat body is $300... plus $220 for a blueburst finish. A maple neck with maple fretboard is $157, plus a $25 nut, and the finish is another $75. So for just the wood and finish, it's $777. Add in a set of pickups, bridge, tuners, and electronics, and that's easily $1100. I would have no problem paying that - if I had no problem paying it. $1100 is quite a bit of money. I'd actually prefer a flat-top Les Paul DC body, but the website I made that on doesn't have their Les Paul builder online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntelligentAl Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Since I mostly listen to bands like AC/DC and The Beatles, who always seemed to favour Gibson and Epiphone guitars(though not exclusively, of course), it is these that seem to fit my style of playing more. If I wanted to sound like a particular band, I'm going to get that sound from a Gibson or Epiphone. However, I really really really really like Fenders as well. Honestly, I wouldn't say that was more inclined to buy one make over another, because I like them both. It is true, those twin humbucker Telecasters are a thing of beauty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Perhaps this was a dumb question to ask at this forum...(!) a lot of people here seem to keep very large 'stables.' [are you listening' date= Charlie Brown... :- [/quote] Well, Yeah...way more than I need/deserve, for sure! But, my "stable," is the result more of not wanting to part with guitars I love (anymore), as opposed to just blindly adding others. And, it's taken 40+ years to get there. As most have mentioned already, I like the diversity of tone, looks, and playability (although, All my guitars are great players...to bad their owner isn't... ;>) ). I have kind of the same problem with cameras, too. Too many of those, as well! It's a (Fun) sickness, I guess? CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 It's a (Fun) sickness' date=' I guess? CB [/quote'] There are worse addictions in life, CB. Like most librarians, I'm a bibliomaniac. If I go into Borders / Barnes & Noble / Waterstones / used book store / antiquarian dealer, I know I'm going to leave with a) lots of books & B) no money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generation zero Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I've tried - a flat-top' date=' bound, flamed maple, rear-routed Strat body is $300... plus $220 for a blueburst finish. A maple neck with maple fretboard is $157, plus a $25 nut, and the finish is another $75. So for just the wood and finish, it's $777. Add in a set of pickups, bridge, tuners, and electronics, and that's easily $1100. I would have no problem paying that - if I had no problem paying it. $1100 is quite a bit of money. I'd actually prefer a flat-top Les Paul DC body, but the website I made that on doesn't have their Les Paul builder online.[/quote'] yeah, my bad. I tend to forget that not everyone has access to finish materials and equipment, or tha ability to finish their own guitars. Or a pile of spare humbuckers laying around. I guess what I should have said is you could probably get the body and neck for around $500, since that's pretty much all I would need to buy to build that guitar... Barring maybe a bridge and a set of tuners. Sorry 'bout that, LOL! Hmm... You could always pay me 1000 to build it for you, and save a hundred bucks? B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 My dad build custom drag cars for people, and one of his friends does all the painting... I could probably get a decent price on finishing - Fender used automotive paint, after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I have a Dot and like it. I pretty much play clean and have a preference for the bridge pickup. But I also like the classic and distinctive Strat sounds. I'm thinking that a HSS Strat might be my next electric. Gotta love 'em all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larkin38 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I own 2 Strats along with all my Epi and Gibby guitars. The reason I like the Epi and Gibby better is the scale of the guitar. Coz I have small fingers it`s easier to play Epi`s and Gibby`s. With my amp modeling boxes I can make any guitar sound like anything I want it to. It`s just easier for me to play the shorter scale neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan 58 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 No bound body but something like that. Stan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 No bound body but something like that. Stan. Hey Stan' date=' when you're not playing guitar, is your other big hobby in life, er... [i']landscaping[/i]... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan 58 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 No, thats the wife! But you can guess who does the heavy lifting! Stan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwhi2001 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 As you can see I favour both! For most of my time playing I've favoured Fenders - usually Strats. However, the last 3 years I've been playing classic rock covers in 4-5 piece bands and more and more it's been P90s or humbuckers. I usually take 2 guitars to a gig; it's mostly pubs and bars and there isn't really room for more. With gain or level boost I can get tones out of all my guitars which are good for soloing. For chord work I'm less satisfied with the Strat - too thin. The most verstatile is the doublecut with P90s. I find I can mix P90 guitars with humbucker guitars without needing to change amp settings, but swapping between the Fenders and humbuckers I end up with a tone I'm not completely happy with. I can get a nice chord sound with the Tele, but then if I swap to a humbucker guitar I need to fiddle with the amp, and we like to do quick changes between songs. I love the doublecut because it's a similar weight and thickness to a Strat, a nice slim 60s neck, but a ballsier sound. I've always sought a Gibson sound from a guitar with a Fender feel - the doublecut is the best I've found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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