Bought my first ever Gibson

[Littlewyan]

Unfortunately I've decided to send the guitar back. After going back and forth between the Gibson and my Epi I've decided that I prefer the slim 60s neck on my Epi and the pickups. The Alnico 2 Pickups in the Gibson are just too smooth and weak for me. I thought I liked Alnico 2s as I have them in the pickups in the Epi but the pickup is wound to 13K so that might have something to do with the extra bite.

Anyway as we're all noticed the new Gibsons are shit. So not sure what I'll get now. Just hoping I can send the guitar back ok first, should be fine as its within 14 days.

[Colossal]

Unfortunately I've decided to send the guitar back.

What's unfortunate? The guitar, for the money, does not possess the required value. You tried to make it work. A guitar, like tone, is a personal thing. We spend a lot of money in pursuit of it, but nobody wants to feel ripped off.

Like I said, I wouldn't even own a Gibson if it weren't for my '59 R9 Historic. I visited Chicago Music Exchange about 7 years ago and saw the Gibson US made guitars and I was appalled at the lack of quality, given the asking price. Gaps in neck joints, poor binding, poor fretwork, shoddy bezel inject molding, shoddy inlay work. They were something like USD$2799 at the time. Not remotely worth it.

My R9 is a pretty incredible guitar but even then, there's orange peeling in the nitrocellulose, the binding (again) is not on par with the price, gunk in the nitro by the neck joint, analine staining the binding pink. C'mon...

[Littlewyan]

Well when you put it like that you're right. One good thing came out of this though, I know I want a slim neck and I don't like weak pickups. I reckon if those pickups had Alnico V Magnets in they'd rock.

I wish I could afford that R9! I think I'm going to have to go for 2nd hand, the G Force Tuning and new Nut look horrible on the new guitars. I can't get over how even the Traditional has these features. Its called a Traditional for a reason!

[Phil_S]

I realize you are in the UK and that you'll pay more over there.

Here are some dynamite guitars. Worth trying if you can get one. I Googled...GuitarGuitar has them.

I believe this first one is Korean made. With proper setup, you'll never know.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-Paul-Reed- ... 27f9257fc0

The more expensive ones are US made, actually about 60 miles from where I live.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-S2-Singlecu ... 5412de144b

[Littlewyan]

If I was going to buy a PRS I think I'd go for the normal PRS Shape as their standard shape looks great. Once I'm alright to drive further again I'm going to go to GAK in Brighton (big guitar store) and try out loads of guitars. Already picked a few online that I quite like.

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/esp-eclipse-i/22793

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/esp-ltd-elite-e ... -csb/77778

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/esp-e-ii-ec-fm- ... -csb/94682

http://www.andertons.co.uk/solid-body-e ... cherry.asp

I threw the Gibson in there as it is one that I think I'd like, only issue I can see is the pickups might be a bit too weak for me and its still rather pricey. Also I don't think I could buy a new Gibson Historic as they all seem to lose £1500 straight away! Have to say though after seeing the ESP Guitars I've really gone off Gibsons. Only issue with the ESPs is they seem to be more for the metalhead rather than the rock n roll guy (me), but the guitars I've listed could be good.

[tony hunt]

The S/H LP looks tasty, but. At three grand GBP you should be able to find an original SG Junior from the early sixties. Just saying.

One of the very first ones, with the Les Paul logo, is my no.1 since well over thirty years. Cost me 365 quid and I could not afford to eat properly for a few months.

These things are still sleepers, but need to be taken care of in a gigging environment. There's a great video out there with Angus playing one on his sofa

[Phil_S]

If I were going to spend this kind of money on a guitar, I'd really want it to be the perfect one for me. I really can't imagine how challenging it can be to show patience and restraint once the cash is in-hand and you are ready. I believe you'll reap your rewards from taking your time with this.

[Structo]

I know PRS guitars are good quality but I find the clear coat a bit too thick and makes the whole thing look plastic coated.

Yeah, it's important not to settle for something that doesn't meet your expectations.

I have faith that you will find "the right one".

Try not to be in a hurry to find the one.

[Colossal]

If I were going to spend this kind of money on a guitar, I'd really want it to be the perfect one for me. I really can't imagine how challenging it can be to show patience and restraint once the cash is in-hand and you are ready. I believe you'll reap your rewards from taking your time with this.

I agree. Cash wise, you are most of the way there. Try to look for a used 2014 R9 Historic. They really got it right.

That said, I used to have two PRS Singlecuts. One was an SC245 McCarty Burst with a quilt top and 245 pickups and single stop tail bridge, and the other was an SC58 burst with 57/08 pickups a flame top and PRSs more Gibson-like two piece bridge. The 245 was very light and a very clear but thick and meaty tone. The SC58 was a heavy beast, much more like my R9 and a much brighter sound than the 245. I really liked the sound of the 245. It was smoother and warmer and just killer with a high gain amp. More even sounding like a basswood guitar. The 58 was more like a Les Paul (as I think PRS intended), but still the Gibson has its own unique and immediately recognizable sound!

Playing Kashmir with the R9 through an Express or a Super Lead into a Scumback loaded 4x12...wow.

[rp]

http://elderly.com/vintage/items/30U-18503.htm

Bet you wish you were in the USA right now, sorry for the tease. This is an old reputable store (or always was AFAIK and hopefully still are) and while they can't tell you if a guitar is a good 'um or a dog they won't lie about quality, repairs, flaws etc. I would never have a guitar shipped overseas however.

Know anyone in Lansing Michigan that is capable of giving a guitar a once over and can tell a good one, who's flying to England anytime soon?

Anyway UK is a big place, I'm sure you can find something equivalent used. Only new guitar I ever bought was an Santa Cruz DPW. Spent 3 months driving up and down the east coast on weekends trying acoustics before finding an exceptional one. Gave me nothing but trouble too, last time I ever buy a new guitar. One thing about a used 20+ year old guitar is if the wood's going to move it's already done it!

[Littlewyan]

I do wish I was in the USA. You guys have all the guitars, guitar parts, amp parts and over here we have sod all! You just seem to have a larger selection than we do. Probably something to do with the size of the USA and the size of the UK but still. I think I definitely need to visit a big guitar shop and just walk around until something catches my eye. As at the moment I'm just looking at photos of guitars on the internet and looking at specs which clouds my judgement. It'll be much better if I walk around the shop, see a nice looking guitar and just try it without knowing anything about it. The other issue is whether the shop has an amp that will give me my sound, a good Marshall will do but I doubt I'll be allowed to crank a 1959SLP .

[Phil_S]

If you have decent chops and aren't just making noise, a big shop is likely not to object and may even encourage you. If you are a hack, then no, you won't be able to crank it. It's good for the customers to hear someone actually doing something musical even if it's loud. Don't assume and don't be bashful about it. If in doubt, just ask.

[matt h]

(deleted)

[Structo]

Well, that could be that UK cops don't carry firearms.

[Littlewyan]

Yeah I have to say its quite rare to see police with guns here. If you do see a cop with a gun then something is going down!

I've started looking at Tokai guitars, only issue is the specs dont go into much detail and I know some of them have 50s necks. They have a forum though so I'll have a look on there later and see what I can find out. 2nd hand Gibson LP Standards look good as well. ESPs still look rather tempting. Again the best thing is for me to try them out in store without knowing specs so I dont cloud my judgement.