brannon67 Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 I remember owning 12 electric guitars at one time. Now I own one electric(no amp now, except for a Phil Jones) and 2 Epi Masterbilts, J45 Standard, Ovation(since 88) Hummingbird Pro, and Songwriter Special. So, you could say, im mostly acoustic playing these days. Cant tell you the last time I plugged in my electric. Im thinking about selling my one electric I have for the money. Its collecting dust, and has been for 2 years now. Anyone else gone mostly acoustic these days? Anyone else sell your electrics off in favour of acoustics?
ParlourMan Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Yes, I used to own a fluctuating collection of Electrics and two dodgy cheapo acoustics... The electric collection consisted of at one point 4 Gretsches, 7 Telecasters, 335's, old dano's, LP's, the lot (although I was never a strat man at all) I had an Ibanez Artcore acoustic and a 21 year old Yamaha acoustic... I've sold all the electrics bar 2 Gretsches (in the sig) and replaced it with the others you will see in my sig too. I haven't even touched an electric guitar in ages, I'll probably get round to selling a further one, but I doubt I'd part with the country gent, I love it, even if it rarely gets used these days. It's handy to have an electric for recording anyway.
brannon67 Posted January 12, 2012 Author Posted January 12, 2012 I really never was that much of a flashy, fast player on electric anyway. When I reach for a guitar, its an acoustic now. I mostly strum, writing stuff, doing covers, I may throw in a few lead lines here and there, but Im mostly strumming, harmonica, and doing the folky/ roots sounding stuff now. Man, how times have changed. I would have never thought. Im must be getting old. Ha sad but true.
Versatile Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Good luck in your quest for satisfying tones and guitars to match On a personal note, I've always enjoyed the wide potential of the electric guitar And play most finger-styles, including classical, on electric guitars mainly.... V
Tiny Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Just last month I traded my only electric -- a '75 Telecaster -- for a J-45, straight up. The Tele was great but I found myself gravitating toward acoustics (and fell in love with the J-45 in particular), and felt silly having such a nice electric sitting on a stand all day. I've since replaced the '75 with a cheaper Tele, but I'm almost exclusively playing the acoustic. I often fiddle around on the electric (unplugged, ironically) after the wife and kids go to bed, but otherwise I'm grabbing the Gibby.
zombywoof Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Yup, about 10 or so years ago. For alot of decades my favorite electric was a 1958 Tele (an early year string through body guitar) which I plugged into first a Blackface Fender Bandmaster. I never really got the hang of a flatpick so played with my fingers. I always kept an acoustic on hand (I had a 1930s L-00 for alot of years) and played in an acoustic blues band in the 1970s as well as my regular rock outfit which had kicked off in 1966. In the late 1970s I hung up my rock and roll shoes and sold off the amp and a 1960 Esquire and 1967 Strat I had picked but could not sell off the Tele maybe just because it had been with me for so long. The Tele though was spending most of its time in case under the bed and realizing it deserved to be played I finally let it go to a friend who had always loved it. But to this day it is the only guitar that I ever parted with that gave me nightmares for weeks. These days I still keep an electric around (two if you count my Oahu Lap Steel) - a 1963 Harmony Stratotone which I plug into a Supro amp (the only amp I own). On a rare occasion I will use an electric sitting in with folks but mostly playing slide. For me the biggest problem going back and forth between electrics and acoustics is I tend to overplay the electric. There is, of course, always the knowing that every screwup you do with an electric is going to be heard. It seems to be alot harder to cover mistakes up with an electric than an acosutic.
Mojorule Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Since I got my Woody Guthrie, I've certainly given it more of an airing than my Howard Roberts, but I think that the reason is more to do with the time and circumstances of my playing than my age. I have three kids and only really have time to play when they go to bed, so I need to be quiet. Before I got the Woody, I played the Howard a lot, mainly unplugged. Even unplugged it is a joy, because it feels so good (best neck I've ever encountered on an electric). Sounds reasonable unplugged too, but if playing acoustically, a proper acoustic is evidently more enjoyable than a semi-solid, even if played quietly. To have a chance of practising daily or thereabouts and really enjoying it, I decided I needed a quality acoustic at this stage of my life. I can't see myself ever getting rid of the Howard though. It was a gift, it sounds fantastic through my currently absent Fender Pro Reverb, it has revived the adventurous side of my playing (attempts at rockabilly, Chet-esque fingerstyle, a return to jazz), it has facilitated an increase in speed in my lead playing (that neck), and it has provided a reliable platform on which to enjoy playing in all manner of different styles, which I never found in my Epi Casino. It also inspired me to look into Gibsons when I started my search for a better acoustic. So Howard led me to Woody in a sense. With this in mind, I bought a new VHT Special 6 as a Christmas present to myself and the Howard. I was tending to play the Woody more even when I had a chance to play at higher volume, mainly because the only amp I had here was a Zinky's Smokie. Cool, fits in the case, means never being without an amp. But it doesn't exactly show the Howard off to its full potential. The VHT will have to go back to the shop for replacement or repair, because this particular one cuts out randomly. But it does sound good when working, and reminds me of the Fender sound I crave, so I know the model is right for me. Together with the Howard it has reminded me that electric blues playing is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. So my New Year's resolution is to make more time to play the Howard, while still playing the Woody as much as before. It's nice to have one great, top-level electric and one great, top-level acoustic. They offer a lovely choice, and cover pretty well all major bases, but make up a selection which is small enough for there to be a real chance that both will get played.
Danner Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 I keep a maple necked Mexican Telecaster around for grins, and because it is so darn easy to play.
Joe M Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Yup, got rid of almost all of my electrics this summer. Kept 4 that I just couldn't get rid of, although one of those needs to leave. Also sold all of my amps but one. I don't remember the last time I plugged in one of my electrics. Took all the cash I got from the purge and went on a acoustic buying frenzy. My first purchase was a Martin HD28V which I thought would be all the acoustic I would ever need. It is, indeed, a fine guitar. Then, I really caught the sickness, as you can see from my signature. I rediscovered Gibson (and along the way bought another Martin and Taylor) and find myself having a hard time stopping... In fact, right now, one of my local Gibson dealers has been dangling a Woody Guthrie SJ in my face that I'm having a hard time refusing. Luckily my house is paid for and my kids have long left so, with the sale of my electrics, I have this disposable income available. It's been a wild ride so far and I don't think it's over yet..... :)
j45nick Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Right now, my two electrics--both ES 335's--are getting zero playing time. I just don't have enough hours in the day to concentrate on both acoustic and electric, and acoustic is still my first love. Don't feel like selling the electrics, however. You need to cling to those rock 'n roll roots.
Scratch47 Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 I've heard it said: "Once you go acoustic, you'll find it difficult to go back". I think it kinda goes with age too; lots of ole hard-rockers now doing the Acoustic Americana thing.
BluesKing777 Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Yes, I still have a vintage Telecaster helping to hold a wall of my music room up! The sad part is this old geezer bought the damn thing new... Not sure why I keep it - I haven't touched it in 10+ years. I also have a Strat that I bought in 1983 and a Mesa Boogie amp which is the little side table that holds my tuner, slides, capos.... Probably should have made the resolution to ditch them all, but I guess that will have to wait until next New Years. I have put a lot of work into my acoustic playing and have realised that the tele and strat just don't happen anymore, and Mojorules' Howard Roberts would be a better fit to combine fingerpicking with electric Gibson! What am I saying. No more guitars, No HR Gibson........... BluesKing777.
retrorod Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 My 58 year old *** still maintains a stable of 12. 50/50,,,'coustic/'lectric.....ALL Gibson xcept for a '76 Tele and a '00 Guild Jumbo. I am definitelty sitting.... and lean to the acoustic side....but don,t want to 'give up' the 'grunge' side of music yet... Rod
Rambler Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 Got rid of my electrics when i moved up the country. That turned out to be a major incentive for getting into finger-picking, to fill the sound out.
Harmonics101 Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 I haven't gone as far as selling my electric(s). My ONLY electric, my Gibson Les Paul Firebrand. Last time i plugged in though ?? Hmmmmm....that would be 25 years ago. You get so lazy when you get older. Get out the amp, get out the adapter plugins, get out any special effects pedals, etc etc Fer cryin' out loud, its just so much easier to pick up your guitar and play !! B) Harmonics101
Stubee Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 I'd keep the electric. I learned on a Harmony Rocket back in the moon landing days, then played flattops for 20 years or so. Got into electrics about 1980 or so for band stuff but still mainly played flattop. We are talking a period here from about 1970 until 2010 where I played my flattop probably 95%+ of the time. I gigged with both for all types of music. The past year I've been enjoying a Telecaster I've had for about four years. My friends like me to bring it to jams & gigs because it'll do about anything and provides a contrast to their flattops, I can play it quietly thru an amp or headphones while my wife is watching TV, it roars when needed at any volume thru the right rig and I just plain like it. My flattops have rested now or a very long time. Keep one of each around if you can.
Mojorule Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 Right now, my two electrics--both ES 335's--are getting zero playing time. I just don't have enough hours in the day to concentrate on both acoustic and electric, and acoustic is still my first love. Don't feel like selling the electrics, however. You need to cling to those rock 'n roll roots. I'll happily play one of them for you, Nick. I'm cheaper than a Tonerite. Oh, and Blues King, the HR is great for fingerpicking, but it still only has the standard Gibby electric 1 11/16 nut. I suppose the slightly chunkier neck makes a difference (supposedly a 59 LP profile - though as that was the blurb for the neck around discontinuation time a couple of years ago, and as mine is a 91, I'm not absolutely sure). Should be more in keeping with fingerpicking on a Gibson acoustic than an older Tele, but I do have to adjust consciously to the Woody's 1.725 nut if I've been playing the Howard. This in spite of years of classical playing where wide nuts were the norm.
BluesKing777 Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 I'll happily play one of them for you, Nick. I'm cheaper than a Tonerite. Oh, and Blues King, the HR is great for fingerpicking, but it still only has the standard Gibby electric 1 11/16 nut. I suppose the slightly chunkier neck makes a difference (supposedly a 59 LP profile - though as that was the blurb for the neck around discontinuation time a couple of years ago, and as mine is a 91, I'm not absolutely sure). Should be more in keeping with fingerpicking on a Gibson acoustic than an older Tele, but I do have to adjust consciously to the Woody's 1.725 nut if I've been playing the Howard. This in spite of years of classical playing where wide nuts were the norm. And look, there happens to be a HR fusion on the eBay, damn lucky the neck is too skinny. (Ya just get used to what you are playing - I have just put down my 12 string with 2" nut. Although I found when I went to my 000-15 Martin (1 11/16), I could get the C on string 2 to ring out as well as when I play my Blues King (1.1725). Do any of these Electric Gibsons have the 1.725 (or wider) nut? What am I doing - I don't care, care, care.......... http://www.ebay.com/...n-/230676500149 BluesKing777.
j45nick Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 I'll happily play one of them for you, Nick. I'm cheaper than a Tonerite. Well.......pick one. My ES 335 sisters: born more than 40 years apart, in different cities (Kalamazoo, and Nashville). Different, but still sisters under the skin.
Mojorule Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 Well.......pick one. My ES 335 sisters: born more than 40 years apart, in different cities (Kalamazoo, and Nashville). Different, but still sisters under the skin. How could I turn down your R59 in custom cherry?!? Seriously, drool, drool. The 12 looks in very good condition for its age! You can't seriously contemplate ever getting rid of either. You really need an amp and jam that make you want to plug them in on a regular basis, even though they're obviously not going to be so easily to hand as the similarly custom J45. That's it, though - horses for courses. A course can always suddenly appear where there wasn't one before. You need the electrics just in case. I do think you have the ideal 6-string electric and 6-string acoustic really - with a 45 and 335 you should be able to do just about anything. The 12 and your other stuff can then cover more specialized bases as and when. Joyous.
j45nick Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 How could I turn down your R59 in custom cherry?!? Seriously, drool, drool. The 12 looks in very good condition for its age! You can't seriously contemplate ever getting rid of either. You really need an amp and jam that make you want to plug them in on a regular basis, even though they're obviously not going to be so easily to hand as the similarly custom J45. That's it, though - horses for courses. A course can always suddenly appear where there wasn't one before. You need the electrics just in case. I do think you have the ideal 6-string electric and 6-string acoustic really - with a 45 and 335 you should be able to do just about anything. The 12 and your other stuff can then cover more specialized bases as and when. Joyous. I actually buy guitars with specific songs in mind, which can be a dangerous thing if you've got a lot of songs running through your head. The 12 is now almost 45 years old, and shows little evidence of having been played, other than a few bumps. (and the song, in case you're interested, was "It Won't be Wrong", with Jim McGuinn and Clarence White, sometimes know as the Byrds, who also had that Crosby singing guy. (No, no.....David, not Bing) The old J-45 is the love of my life. The only regret there is the fact that Gibson narrowed the board during a 1968 repair job. It left the guitar with an oddly hybrid neck: 1 9/16" at the nut, 2 1/8" string spacing at the saddle, yet the neck is the original full-depth "C" profile from 1948. It is much more playable than the other narrow-nut Gibsons I have tried, even though the board is tight in the first position. By the time you get up to the fifth fret or so, it's not a problem at all. Interestingly, the string spacing at the saddle on the J-45 is only 1/16" less than that on my '47 L-7, even though the L-7 is almost 1 3/4" at the nut. And the spacing at the saddle on the '59 ES 335 is actually 1/8" less than that of the J-45, even though it's 1 11/16" at the nut. When you switch guitars, it takes about a half hour for your brain to catch up. Go figure. But I digress....
j45nick Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 How could I turn down your R59 in custom cherry?!? Interestingsly, there are no Gibson records of any red ES 335's shipped before 1960. That would make this cherry '59 Historic a .... unicorn. Charlie Gelber (es-335.net) swears he has seen an original-finish cherry '59 ES 345, so they probably exist. Still looking for that magic orange Kalamazoo label with a 1959 serial number with "TDC" on the label....
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