Elias Graves Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Here's the deal...I bought a 2011 Gibson LP Jr humbucker model last year. It's a terrific playing guitar, but I've decided I'm just not a humbucker guy. I got the guitar for $500 new with some discounts. It's in decent shape, but does have some play wear. From what I see, these go for around $400 or so used. I also had an Epi AlleyKat that I got rid of for various reasons, the humbucker issue being one of them. Other than that, I liked the Kat very much. I can get a trade for a new Wildkat with case in trade for my used LP. Nuts or what? EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopcicle Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Not nuts at all! If you don't like it you will tend to not play it so that renders it useless to you! The Wildkat is an awesome little beast and has become my go to for lately! I think here in the states new Kats are going for 299.99$ and the case is 89.00$ so if your have found your guitar used going fro around 400 that trade would be in the wheelhouse! Maybe you should try a private sale through Craigslist, List it for 500 and see if anyone bites the worst that can happen is you end up doing the original trade ! Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 Yeah, I mostly liked my Alley Kat. Great size, shape and playablilty. The Gibson feels a little nicer, but it's probably all in my head. :) The master volume setup was awful with humbuckers, but I imagine it'd work nicely with P90s. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ESPJDR17 Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I say go for it. Like poopcicle said if you don't play it why let it gather dust? I would definitely insist on a case for it in the trade though. Good Luck. B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigneil Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 you could always pop in some p94s then save up for an alleycat aswell....then you get to have too cool guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 In an ideal world, sure. I have limited space for gear. One in? One out! EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 +1, for P-94's in place of the stock humbuckers. I'd Keep the Gibson! Wild Kats are easy to find, and inexpensive. The Gibson (generally) will retain it's value, much better, in the used market. As long as you take care of it, etc. And...There's a reason it "feels better!" If you do change pickups, keep the originals, in case you later want to sell it, for some other reason. But...I like the "Kat" series Epi's too. So...you should Do, whatever YOU want. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Nope, you're not nuts at all. I both recently bought a leftover AlleyKat and returned a LP Jr.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 There is an archtop vs solid body question to consider here too as well as whether you already have a similar one of either. What type of music will you play on it? If space is limited but you otherwise like the Gibby and its quality I'd keep it and change to a humbuck sized P90, or the even more flexible P-Rails as suggested above. Don't also forget that Wildkats are now MIC so there may be differences compared to your former Alleykat which was almost certainly Korean made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Valid points made by Alan regarding the archtop vs. solid-top preference. Since I had both already it was an easier decision to discard the solid-bodied LP Jr And yes, my 2006 AlleyKat was made at the Saein plant in Korea in 2006. But just being built in China re the WildKat isn't reason for automatic dismissal. Play one and see what you find is the only way to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSDx Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Do it ...... Wildkat is on my shortlist of future guitars (should the day come I can actually splurge on myself a bit again.. ;) ) I have played a couple, loved 'em both....really really loved them. Do it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Keep in mind, if you take your guitar into a dealer and trade straight across, you are taking a price hit twice. First, a dealer can't and will never give you full value for your guitar. He HAS to be able to make a profit, so you will only get 50-70% (give or take) of what it is actually worth. When buying a new guitar, just like a car, you lose money as you exit the store. The new guitar is now used. The reason buying new often makes sense, is you get convenience and selection. You get to pick your preference and the best sounding types. Buying used, you get what you find. Often, to get a guitar you REALLY like, the extra money you spend is worth the return. (That's just an opinion). But, also, keep in mind, a USED guitar at a dealer will be priced at a RETAIL used price, which is NOT the same as an AVERAGE used price. Not saying any of this to suggest you shouldn't do it. It's only money. Spending it on a hobby is supposed to be for enjoyment. Just be aware, if you walk in with a 500$ guitar and trade straight across, you will likely walk out with something worth roughly 1/4 of 500$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest enoch21 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Yeah, I mostly liked my Alley Kat. Great size, shape and playablilty. The Gibson feels a little nicer, but it's probably all in my head. :) The master volume setup was awful with humbuckers, but I imagine it'd work nicely with P90s. EG thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 But just being built in China re the WildKat isn't reason for automatic dismissal. Play one and see what you find is the only way to be sure. LPDEN - I think the point was that the Wildkat's playability may feel different from the OP's previously owned Alleykat due to the factories of origin, not necessarily a slam re the country of origin. Btw, I've got an Alleykat (made by Samick) in transport which should arrive Monday. Had kind of forgotten about this model until reading your recent Alleykat thread, so thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 1332489993[/url]' post='1158049']LPDEN - I think the point was that the Wildkat's playability may feel different from the OP's previously owned Alleykat due to the factories of origin, not necessarily a slam re the country of origin. Btw, I've got an Alleykat (made by Samick) in transport which should arrive Monday. Had kind of forgotten about this model until reading your recent Alleykat thread, so thanks! No problem. There was a time that I felt many instruments out of China were only good for keeping my fireplace going through the winter months. So far I've kept my Alleykat stock, but a change I am looking at is swapping out the nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvar Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Here's the deal...I bought a 2011 Gibson LP Jr humbucker model last year. It's a terrific playing guitar, but I've decided I'm just not a humbucker guy. I got the guitar for $500 new with some discounts. It's in decent shape, but does have some play wear. From what I see, these go for around $400 or so used. I also had an Epi AlleyKat that I got rid of for various reasons, the humbucker issue being one of them. Other than that, I liked the Kat very much. I can get a trade for a new Wildkat with case in trade for my used LP. Nuts or what? EG I'll trade with ya'! sorry, all I could find was a gig bag, haven't been able to find a case to fit it. ' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 Let's see if I can respond to everyone... My former Alleykat-07 made in China. Well made; I had no issues with the build. Pickup swaps-Remember, my Jr only has a bridge pickup. That's one of its shortcomings to me. An H90 would likely help, but I've tried out a bunch of different ones and haven't been thrilled with any. The BG Pure 90 was the best of the lot, but still not quite the same sound. Given the different dimensions, they just can't sound identical to a real P90. Archtop vs solid-I mostly play archtops. Right now, my #1 is a modified Godin 5th Avenue. It has an old Teisco gold foil pup in it. However, last night I stopped by GC to get some strings and I played a casino for a while. I'm doomed. :D EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ESPJDR17 Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Valid points made by Alan regarding the archtop vs. solid-top preference. Since I had both already it was an easier decision to discard the solid-bodied LP Jr And yes, my 2006 AlleyKat was made at the Saein plant in Korea in 2006. But just being built in China re the WildKat isn't reason for automatic dismissal. Play one and see what you find is the only way to be sure. Fuzzy picture is fuzzy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fadedepi Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 +1, for P-94's in place of the stock humbuckers. I'd Keep the Gibson! Wild Kats are easy to find, and inexpensive. The Gibson (generally) will retain it's value, much better, in the used market. As long as you take care of it, etc. And...There's a reason it "feels better!" If you do change pickups, keep the originals, in case you later want to sell it, for some other reason. But...I like the "Kat" series Epi's too. So...you should Do, whatever YOU want. CB I'm going to have to stick with CB on this one. My experience here has been, DON'T EVER TRADE A GIBSON FOR ANY EPIPHONE; UNLESS MAYBE AN EPI ELITIST. Otherwise it won't be worth it in the long run. In a year or 2 that Gibby will be worth a couple hundred more than you paid for it. Been there, done that ! Faded.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Fuzzy picture is fuzzy. My cam isn't all great in close-up mode when the lighting is poor... I turned off the flash to eliminate the reflection. I try to save in the camera dept. to put that cash towards my instruments. But a better camera is due one of these years... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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