iankinzel Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I'm selling off a bunch of guitars - a cheap hand-crafted pine unit, an old Washburn acoustic, an Epi LP Standard, Epi G400, Oscar Schmidt OE40 hollow body and Oscar Schmidt Delta King - to consolidate all that value into purchasing one really good guitar, something that can stand on its own without being seen (justly or unjustly) as a lesser version of another model (by, say, Gibson). So far, I'm thinking of getting one of the following: -Epiphone: Wiltshire Pro, Casino w/Bigsby, ES 345, ES 355, Riviera Custom P93, Wildkat, or Wildkat Royale -Ibanez: AF 75TDG, AGR 73T -Eastwood: Airline Bighorn, Supro Dual Tone, Airline Twin Tone, Airline H44 DLX, Ichiban, Classic 6 Deluxe I'm not interested in Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, etc., because they strike me as being done to death at this point; likewise, POS and the like are too over-the-top (can't stand the gaudy finishes that look like sand on a beach). I want something that's different, that will stand out. Vibrato is a plus, I'm crazy about P90s and/or humbuckers (can't stand Fender single coils, though I'm digging the Argyle Diamonds), I also like big and bulky, and anything that's just a little bit weird in a retro fashion is cool. Anyway, I'm here for three things: #1). I have a poll on which Epiphone model to pick. I'm primarily interested in seeing people's feedback on the models I'm eyeing, and hope that the poll will help drive that discussion. #2). I want to know if anybody sees a pronounced difference between the 345 and the 355, and between the Wildkat and the Wildkat Royale. #3). I also want to know if anybody knows of any other guitars that might match my interests. Try to keep this under $700. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennyman Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 The only difference between the 'Kat and the 'Kat Royale is the finish. The 'Kat (standard) only currently comes in the "Antique Natural" finish. The Royale comes in white with gold-fleck binding. There *may* be a black Royale, depending on where you are. Or, you could look for a used 'Kat in a different finish - I think the options are Sunrise Orange, Trans Black, Red Flake, or Turquoise - the last two being somewhat rare and hard-to-find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Well, I voted Wildkat.......However, what I mean is, for $700.00, get both Wildkats; the Royale and the current antique one......... Now, if, as you state, you want a bizzare looking guitar; Go for the Eastwood.....Any of them will do.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sada Yairi Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 I voted Wildkat too, without hesitation. Regarding your $700 budget though, what country are you in? That'll greatly influence what $700 will buy. Truth is, several of the guitars on your list would be great options. The Wilshire (which I happen to be fond of) doesn't have the flexibility of a Wildkat or a 355. You've also included the Casino and Ibanez AF75 which (whilst both lovely guitars) are hollow bodies and therefore prone to feedback - maybe that's an issue for the type of music you play, or maybe not. You mentioned wanting to stand out - that's something I can identify with, as well as not wanting something that's a cheaper copy of something else. The Wildkat ticks those boxes - unusual size (between LP and 335), and how many single-cut semi hollows do you see around? It's a beautiful guitar in appearance, has character, is an original Epi design, has lovely p90s, and is adaptable (IMO) to pretty much everything other than really heavy stuff. Go the Wildkat; you won't regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iankinzel Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 I'm located in the US, actually - California. Around here, the Wildkat's going for $299...I think I'll order it off of Zzounds.com. This is really exciting for me, because I've never actually had a new guitar before. Next, I think I'll revisit the Les Paul by getting one that's a little less similar to the Gibson models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sada Yairi Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Makes me cry when I see you guys can get a Wildkat for $299 - they retail for $999 in Aus. Especially at $299 it really is a no brainer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSAR Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 I love my Wilshire Pro. If you're okay with thickish neck profiles then these things are the BEST. One of the most comfortable guitar I've played, standing or sitting, except (for me) the neck should be a little thinner. And if you're willing to go up to $700, get a bone nut and some nice new pickups and electronics installed while you're at it. Then you'll have a GREAT guitar. And, with the coil taps (or splits, whichever it is), a Wilshire is definitely the most versatile option you've suggested... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennyman Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 LSAR brings up a great point. You have a budget of $700. Do NOT blow it all on the guitar - keep some cash in reserve for upgrades, mods, & extras. Whatever guitar you choose, you may well want to upgrade the pots & such at some point, plus maybe a new nut, roller bridge / saddles... Maybe you need a capo, some extra strings, a stand, a new cable... OK, so those last few things aren't expensive on their own, but they do add up. Point is, keep some of that stuff in mind when you're getting ready to lay out your cash. And let us know what you decide to do. (Pics, of course, will be required.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 I'm at a little bit of a disadvantage in that I have not had the chance to play a Wilshire Pro. I do, however, own a Casino (my vote). It was the first Epiphone that I got. Of the 7 guitars that I have now, the Casino is a close second to my Ric12, as my favorite, if-I-could-only-own-one-guitar. As an all-around guitar, I think that they are hard to beat. I have been intrigued by the Wilshire, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopcicle Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 I also voted the Wildkat! Great tone,size and playability stock...... only gets better with upgrades! The others you listed are nice also the 3 series would be my next choice followed by the Casino. I loved my Casino but it was prone to feed back on me in live applications, (this may be user fault! :) ) but it was enough to make me trade her out! When I make my Billions a Casino will be back in the mix! Good Luck in what ever choice you make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSAR Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 And just another Wilshire note: Sometime this year there will be a T.V. Silver Wilshire Pro coming out, which has neck binding. There is also an Emerald Green Phant-O-Matic coming out this year, with a white racing stripe down the middle... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfunkz Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 i voted for the casino, more for the fact it has the bigsby, you gotta love a bigsby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the guitar butcher Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Check out the Sheraton and drop a Duncan in bridge u will be in love Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sada Yairi Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 I like the Wilshire too, but given the initial comments about single coils, the coil tapping of the Wilshire may be not helpful. The p90s on the other hand, whilst still a single coil pickup, are a chunky pickup that sounds nothing like the Fender single coils. And then if you do like the Bigsby, the Wildkat has that too. And if you like more resonance, like with the hollow Casino, well the Wildkat has some of that too (without the feedback). See how the Wildkat ticks so many boxes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSAR Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 I'm just gonna throw in that the Wilshire's coil taps don't sound very Fendery to me, they sound way thicker, not to the extent of P-90s though, sort of half way. One of my favorite settings is both tones on at half, volumes full and both pups on and split. You can do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roosto7 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 For what it's worth, I sure like my Broadway at 700 bucks- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 The Wildkat seems to be ticking all the boxes for the OP. It gets my vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 My first reaction was to go Wildkat, but you said big and bulky so I went with Casino (not necessarily big/bulky, but bigger than the Wildkat). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Up until I bought my John Lennon 1965 Casino the Strat was my favourite guitar-now it's the Casino-hands down.The Casino is by far the most comfortable guitar that I've ever played and the beautiful sound of the P-90s is hard to beat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iankinzel Posted June 24, 2012 Author Share Posted June 24, 2012 After my recent unfortunate foray, and after realizing that hollowbodies don't interact too well with my fuzz pedals, I've ironically decided to hold on to my Epiphone LP Standard and modify that guitar to my liking. By the time I'm finished, I hope to have switched in the following: Stetsbar vibrato bridge with Fender whammy bar (done) A neck P90 pickup (Seymour Duncan Fat Cat?) A bridge humbucker that's clear and bright, but still has decent output (any suggestions?) 1meg volume pots TBX tone pots Planet Waves Auto-Trim tuners Graphite nut My inner madman has also flirted with the idea of carving out a cavity for a third pickup, but so far I think I'll abstain. (Then again, my dad - a professional carpenter - has taught me a lot about woodwork over the last twenty years...NO! NO! DON'T DO IT!). Here's a picture of where my guitar stands as of now, with the Stetsbar/Fender hybrid and a cheap P90 in the neck (an experiment to see if I liked that type of pickup before shelling out $80-90 for the Phat Cat). Two questions: #1 - Any thoughts on metal pick guards, or does it not matter? #2 - Any suggestions for a bridge humbucker to pair up with the Phat Cat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSAR Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 I don't know too much about pups, so I'm gonna keep my mouth shut there. I think another P-94 style pup could look nice in the middle, as long as it matches the neck. Pickguards are are a personal choice, I don't like them if they aren't holding my controls, so I'd leave that as it is now. Looks good so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 That trem is very cool! The JB might be the pickup for you. Check out my youtube vid below to see how it sounds in an Epi LP. Any excess brightness and heat heard on my vid can easily be rolled off with tone and volume pots, BTW. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9rI5yP4v_k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iankinzel Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 What about a Gretsch Filtertron-style pickup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkrejcik Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 I can't decide if that's the ugliest thing I've ever seen, or not. Dang. Anyway, If you're going for a Neil Youn sort of thing, staying with the more traditional Bigsby would be the deal, then getting a minibucker and P90. You can get adapters for them. Of course, I like my gold sparkletop Standard with Bigsby. As a Limited Edition, it's better made, better looking and better sounding. I don't remember you saying what music you want to do, but you can get a Phat Cat (or GFS Dream/Mean 90) or something from a better winder (I recommend VintageVibe; Pete can make anything you need). You could get those new SD pickups that include singles, P90s and hummers all in one, and set up the switching. You seem to want versatility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 Here are a few pictures of some Epiphones that I have had the pleasure to have. All $700 or less Casino (MIC) Nice guitar, easy to play and "jangly" I guess is the best way to describe the tone. No Bigsby. I got it used but a new one is about $600 P93 Riviera Another beautiful instrument. The P90's give it a deeper tone. I installed a roller bridge. Here is a Broadway.Probably one of the best guitars I've ever played. I put on a different bridge piece and knobs. Sounds wicked. Blues, country and rock. And an Emperor Regent, for jazz Or maybe you might like a Les Paul style (LP or SG ? ) Any ideas ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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