dlknight Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I just started about a month ago. I bought a Dot but knew I would upgrae within a month until I eventually could get the one I will end up with. I am wanting to play blues, classic rock, southern rock, rockabilly. The GC where I live does not have any of these in stock and may not get any of them, so I can't try them out. Will have to order one and take a chance. I can return it if I don't like it though and get another one. So here are the one I am looking at: All Epiphones of course: Les Paul Black Beauty, Limited Edition Riviera, BB King Lucille, and the Casino. I have read some bad reviews about the Riviera, but not sure if any of the concerns listed have been corrected or if it is still worth it and make the changes. Would appreciate any help and or suggestions given. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I just started about a month ago. I bought a Dot but knew I would upgrade within a month until I eventually could get the one I will end up with. You've only been playing a month and you have already outgrown your Dot? Sorry - I'm not being sarcastic, I just don't quite understand what you are saying. A Dot seems like a good choice for the music styles you are talking about playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlknight Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 It is a really good starter. The thing is that as long as I upgrade within 30 days I get full credit for the one I have. When I started the 4 that I listed were the ones I liked. I could not afford them. So I figured I would start out with lower price ones and work my way up to one of those. I actually had a Squire Strat when I started and 2 weeks later I got the Dot. I will say that is was a huge difference in the sound. Anyway to keep going I can end up with one of the 4 that I listed above and the money that I have already spent will keep working towards it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mud guy Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 At this rate you'll be the proud owner of a White Falcon or a Super 400 CES by Labour Day! I have been GASing for the limited edition Riviera for some time, however I continue to satisfy myself with my stock Dot which manages to produce reasonable facsimiles of the styles of music you want to play. Cal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Welllllll..... I'm currently back in the Southern Rock phase, specifically learning/relearning the LEADS as I can already play the rhythm parts... Molly Hatchett, 38 special, Skynyrd, Black Oak Arkansas, Outlaws, Allman Bros..... I'm playing on EPI LPs. Don't forget that the SOUND you may be looking for will be determined in part by the AMP settings - max gain/distortion doesn't fit the "sound". What are you currently playing thru? What gain/vol settings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlknight Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 I have a Vox VT15. I am still learning to use it. I am 47 years old and just learning. I will probably never play in front of people except family and maybe a few friends. I am doing this for me. My wife works 2pm to 10pm so I am home alone in the evenings with not a lot to do but feed chickens, collect eggs, and feed the cats. I help out around the house as well. I have wanted to do this for a long time, US Navy, kids, and not having or not making the time got in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewddawg1 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Congrats on taking up the guitar. Like you I had always dreamed of playing but didn't start playing til I was 42. I am now 48. I have had a few road bumps on the way causing some long periods away from the guitar due to health and back problems but I keep coming back. I am no virtuoso by any stretch of the imagination but have had the opportunity to play with a few professional local bands and it was experience I'll never forget. Keep plugging away man and you might be lucky enough to play for a small crowd if you want! You are never to old for rock n roll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Navy vet, Myself! OOOOOO-RAH! I did 6 years in "Uncle Sam's Canoe Club", specifically Subs. I WAS able to take my guitar underway with me (A Gibson LP), and would head to the Sonar Equipment Space to play thru a ROCKMAN X-100 belt-clip "amp". One cool thing that happened was that during a port call, a bunch of us went to a BAR (sailors - go figger...) that had a "one man band" with a lot of gear on stage. My "buds" went behind my back and told the performer about me. I was invited to come on up and jammed with the guy for about an hour with a packed house. During this "jam" the Captain and XO showed up at the same bar and sat and listened while we played request after request. Got a pat on the back from the Cap himself. NEVER forgot that... I agree with Rewddawg - NEVER too old to Rock! Set your amp to minimum gain, and a little volume. Check out what it sounds like. Then, set to MAX gain and a little volume, and compare. somewhere inbetween those will be the sound you're looking for, just have to find it. And experiment with the guitar Volume and tone lvels, they will also influence the sound... Hope this helps SOME.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I just started about a month ago. I bought a Dot but knew I would upgrae within a month until I eventually could get the one I will end up with... So here are the one I am looking at: All Epiphones of course: Les Paul Black Beauty' date=' Limited Edition Riviera, BB King Lucille, and the Casino... Would appreciate any help and or suggestions given. [/quote'] dlknight, choosing a guitar is a very personal thing, so you and others may reach different conclusions that are right for you and them, but I wouln't consider any of those upgrades to a Dot. DIFFERENT from, yes, but not an upgrade. The Dot is the most versatile electric guitar design ever. You can do almost anything with it. Some of the guitars listed may do something or other better than a Dot, but none can do as many things as well (the BB King as a possible exception, as it is basically the same design, but with the varitone electronics). My point is that, while it's certainly your perogative, you shouldn't have to feel like you need to upgrade your Dot. It's Gibson's most perfect design, and has never been out of production (even the mighty Les Paul was discontinued, replaced with the SG, and then finally reintroduced). The Epiphone Dot is a very worthy edition, too. The only upgrade to it (besides modifications, I mean), is to a used Epiphone Elitist Dot, or to a Gibson version, but that's a big leap (in $$$) for a new player. Just food for thought. I salute you for taking up the guitar. Good luck with it. It just takes patience and practice! Have fun! Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsmith3 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I continue to satisfy myself with my stock Dot which manages to produce reasonable facsimiles of the styles of music you want to play. Great description! That fits me, too, including the completely stock Dot that I have owned for exactly one month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsmith3 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I continue to satisfy myself with my stock Dot which manages to produce reasonable facsimiles of the styles of music you want to play. Great description! That fits me, too, including the completely stock Dot that I have owned for exactly one month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Red333 wrote: It's Gibson's most perfect design, and the only guitar they've ever issued that has never been out of production. According to my books on the history of various Gibson models, the ES-175 has also been in continuous production, and since it was introduced in 1949, it is the longest-running continuous production electric. I would add a hearty "hear, hear!" to Red333's comments that while the other models you mentioned might do certain things better than a Dot, none of them are "better" guitars from a standpoint of usable sounds, playability or overall versatility. You may find you prefer the looks or feel of one or another of them, but a Dot can give you sweet crisp clean tones, as warm or biting as you like, and a buttery sustain not so different from what most players like LP's for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamaroKid Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I've been playing for most of my life (I'm 41) and been through many, many guitars. Strats, Super-Strats, Gibson Les Pauls, etc etc...when I finally changed my playing style from rock (Van Halen, Rhoades) to blues I bought an Elitist Casino and fell in love with it. Only downfall on her is the upper fret access is impossible (17th fret and up) but the sound she puts out makes up for it. So to solve this issue, a year later I bought an Elitist Sheraton (a cousin to a 335) which is now my main lead guitar and the "sexiest" guitar I have ever owned. I wouldn't rule out your "DOT", she may be a keeper, but it can't hurt to also check out B.B.'s & a Sheraton. These archtops are ment for the blues and I love 'em! Good luck with you choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strumbone Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Navy vet' date=' Myself! OOOOOO-RAH! I did 6 years in"Uncle Sam's Canoe Club", specifically Subs. I WAS able to take my guitar underway with me (A Gibson LP), and would head to the Sonar Equipment Space to play thru a ROCKMAN X-100 belt-clip "amp". One cool thing that happened was that during a port call, a bunch of us went to a BAR (sailors - go figger...) that had a "one man band" with a lot of gear on stage. My "buds" went behind my back and told the performer about me. I was invited to come on up and jammed with the guy for about an hour with a packed house. During this "jam" the Captain and XO showed up at the same bar and sat and listened while we played request after request. Got a pat on the back from the Cap himself. NEVER forgot that... [/quote'] animalfarm, FTC(SS)-Ret. here, and that story sounds uncannily familiar! One of my shipmates always practiced in the torpedo room after watch through one of those rockman things with headphones, and he was pretty good. Anyway, while in a bar in Gibraltar listening to a local group, he was invited up on stage (I think he too was setup by his buds) where he ripped into Johnnie B Good and brought the house down! This was around 1995 IIRC. At a Karaoke bar the next night, I entered the contest and did some old Righteous Bros, Four Tops, and some stuff from the 60s and won...still have the T-shirt! Oh what fond memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Who wudda thought a couple of Bubbleheads would end up on the same guitar forum? Me be RM1(SS), Honorably Discharged. Gawd, I remember "hot-racking" on the torpedos when I first reported onboard, on the first of many West-Pac deployments. (to the forum: Hot-racking in essence means sleeping on a bunk on TOP of LIVE torpedos. Yeah, crazy! The Navy gave us Psych testing before we were allowed to go subs, I think it was to make SURE we were crazy...). Excellent, Chief! Ah, the Sea stories.... Missed becoming a shellback by 50 miles. We had to turn and follow a contact "of interest". Bummer. dlknight: Had a chance to experiment with the amp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlknight Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 I am a disabled vet myself or I would be retired today. I am ok though. I missed being a shellback because of the freakin Lybians were out firing on some off shore oil rigs and they also caused me to not be able to go to France. animalfarm. I need to go print the owners manual so I know what everything stands for. Right now I am just trying to set it up for a very clean sound. I just picked up the Dot on Friday so I am trying to get used to setting it up as well. I was just getting ready to go in and practice a bit. I think I have a couple of problems. I can't make the cords unless the head is pointed up pretty high. I have short fat fingers. C cord is near impossible for me so far. I wish I was progressing faster though. If I could change the cords quick enough I could actually play a song. Oh, strummimg patterns kill me also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewddawg1 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 dlknight, I can appreciate the dillemma with short fingers but IMO you may want to try an SG with jumbo frets. Sg's tend to have slim tapered necks and are alot more player friendly than some guitars. They are available with an array of pickups from P-90's to Dirty Fingers pickups and everything in between. They are also light and come in a variety of colors. I never liked SG's until I actually heard someone play one in the local music store and was able to play it after him and as you can see I now own 2. Good Luck P.S. You need to learn to bend your wrist as far as you can then position your fingers to form a chord. After over 40 plus years of not doing something like that it will seem awkward and even hurt but if you persist your wrist will stretch and get used to it and chords will be easier to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Tried to find something that specifically addresses the VT-15, was able to find a decent demo vid for the VT-30, assuming that the controls are the same, just different output wattage. If this is not helpful, go to YOUTUBE and search for Vox VT-15, has different videos. [YOUTUBE] [/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Red333 wrote: According to my books on the history of various Gibson models' date=' the ES-175 has also been in continuous production, and since it was introduced in 1949, it is the longest-running continuous production electric. [/quote'] You are right, Parabar. I'll edit my post, above. Thanks for the correction. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
touron Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 My first guitar was a "Mako" strat and I thought playing that for 2 yrs. was a long time. Seems everything has to be so fast.....It took me 20yrs to own my first Epip LP!! Not player haten on you but....do you even know if you will stick with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewddawg1 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 dlknight check your emails and messages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlknight Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 turon, I understand what you are saying. Some would ask why not start with an accoustic . I am pretty confident I am gonna stick with this. It is something I really want to do. I don't think anyone can say 100% that they will never quit. I have read a lot of post on many different forums about guys giving up 20 years ago and picking up again. I figure I can get almost all of my money back out of good equipment. I don't plan on giving up though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I always default to "get a Sheraton". I wish they had better sunburst finishes these days. That Sweetwater guitar was butt ugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 New member here. I too am and older beginner. I started off about 1.5 years ago playing a MIM strat. Nice guitar, but the neck always felt a little too slim. Recently, I tried a friend Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop and that session fired up an amazing amount of GAS. I settled on a 2001 Epiphone LP classic sunburst finish. Looks just like the avatar in Jeffrey Smith's post above. I am very pleased with it find the range of tones amazing. I am using a Vox VT30 that is a pretty versatile modeling amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewddawg1 Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 New member here. I too am and older beginner. I started off about 1.5 years ago playing a MIM strat. Nice guitar' date=' but the neck always felt a little too slim. Recently, I tried a friend Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop and that session fired up an amazing amount of GAS. I settled on a 2001 Epiphone LP classic sunburst finish. Looks just like the avatar in Jeffrey Smith's post above. I am very pleased with it find the range of tones amazing. I am using a Vox VT30 that is a pretty versatile modeling amp.[/quote'] Welcome to the forum Colin, Do you have any pics you can post it's kind of a tradition to post pics of your Epi guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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