Your next guitar?

[theEmbark]

The road worn, relic look all started with Kieth Richards. He called up fender and wanted a new strat. Him being KR and them being FMIC went to work and built him a custom one.... He sent it back. "I can't play this guitar it looks to pretty. Rough it up a bit" After that they did the SRV signature.

My strat "Upgraded" has been through hell and back and it still looks in newer condition. I did some research on my strat oddly. The year before plus models were issued they did a limited run of upgraded with TBX tone controls and Lace Sensors. I was always curious as to why it didn't say plus on the headstock.

I honestly went with the road worn/relic more for the difference in feel then anything else . Love these humbuckers though. They sound better then just about any I've ever heard.

[tapper mike]

What does brand/model identity mean to the non-playing public?
How much does brand identity mean to you?

A few years back I was playing my Samick Fastback in front of some friends


I bought it for $175 New... A buddy of mine was amazed because it looked and sounded pretty to him. He couldn't believe it could be had for under $2K. I think it's an okay LP copy but not amazing. Guitar player friends think it's to feminine because of the curvature/lines. The top is carved maple but it's contact paper finish.

[Uncle E]

What does brand/model identity mean to the non-playing public?
How much does brand identity mean to you?

A few years back I was playing my Samick Fastback in front of some friends


I bought it for $175 New... A buddy of mine was amazed because it looked and sounded pretty to him. He couldn't believe it could be had for under $2K. I think it's an okay LP copy but not amazing. Guitar player friends think it's to feminine because of the curvature/lines. The top is carved maple but it's contact paper finish.

Fixed the image for you

[tapper mike]

Thanks.

[incubus]

I like that guitar. Looks like the cutaway is better than a LP. I can't play upper frets on an LP.

[tapper mike]

The cutaway is better and the offset design makes it easier to balance while standing. Quite a lot of punchy bass sound from the bridge pup oddly.

[incubus]

If it's mahogany with a maple top, nah, that makes sense.

[stimresp]

Howdy,

I'm by no means the competent guitar player I wish to be (yet), but I've been enjoying the journey for the past 6 years or so. Lots of Eureka moments along the way and improving all the time.

All the while I've been using a Pacifica 120 SJ that I played acoustically on the sofa for the first couple of years. Only later I got into amp sims, and eventually modding it with splittable Seymour Duncan Humbuckers. It's a really well-built guitar I got for 120 euro, and now so personal that will go to the grave with me.

But recently I got a new job and decided it was time to save-up for something different. I was particularly interested in having P-90 pickups. After a lot of research I plumped for another Yamaha Pacifica, the VFMX 611. I saw that this newer 'special edition' was on the horizon so I held out and snagged one last week.

Soundwise, it's essentially the same guitar used by Bireli Lagrene, so I'll let him give you a flavour. I can attest that the P-90 sounds deliciously smooth. Creamy and spanky at the same time. I'm totally in love.



When it arrived I was a bit surprised at how dark it looks. I mean a bit evil dark. I DID order black but the maple veneer (let's be generous) doesn't pop.





It is a satin/matte finish but I kinda expected it to be a lighter shade. If you really shine a light on it has a bluey/grey tint. Weird.

Otherwise the finish feels really nice, the aluminium pickguard is a nice touch. It does look badass overall. Maybe too baddass for a jazz guitar?

I say that because I find the humbucker (Syemour Duncan Custom 5) to be a bit muddy when not split. My first thought was 'boxy'. When split it really shines - lovely spangly clean sound. But overall I find the SD JB-5 I put in my older guitar sound a tad more defined, heavier and meatier.

An observation, not a complaint, because overall this is a really really nice sounding guitar. But I wouldn't call it a rock guitar an certainly not a shredder, so the look is somewhat deceptive.

But I only play cleans, sometimes with a tube overdrive in front- I aspire to play blues and jazz. So it suits me. That P-90 is to die for. It inspires me to play.

The tremolo is a tricky one. People say Wilkinson trems are top, but I find it a bit disconcerting the way it grinds against the body. Seems a bit brutal, and it's not very sensitive. Mind you, I have barely used a trem before so maybe I just need more time. Or just not use it

The neck is a standard Pacifica neck - narrow. The Rosewood fingerboard seems a bit dried-out a shows small cracks, but nothing to worry about after a splash of lemon oil. Surprisingly, the frets are poorly finished, to the point of being painful. I will have to get it looked at.

The intonation was off too, which is an easy fix, but seems unusual for Yamaha. I thought they had better quality control on their Indonesian models.

Overall, although I was able to price match and get 80 euro off the asking price, I still believe I paid too much. I would put it in the 600 Euro category. This is supposed to be high-end Pacifica, and it certainly feels and sounds good but lacks the final quality touches.

With a little work this guitar will be awesome. It's feels good to play and the sound is truly inspiring. I think this guitar will give me years of pleasure.

[Uncle E]

All the while I've been using a Pacifica 120 SJ that I played acoustically on the sofa for the first couple of years. Only later I got into amp sims, and eventually modding it with splittable Seymour Duncan Humbuckers. It's a really well-built guitar I got for 120 euro, and now so personal that will go to the grave with me.

I like Yamaha's. I used to have a Gretsch-style semi-hollow AES1500 that was just OK but I'd really love to get one of the Image guitars (Yamaha's answer to PRS) they made in the late 80's. Also, they used to make a Baritone guitar with a Floyd Rose that I'd like to try out.

I say that because I find the humbucker (Syemour Duncan Custom 5) to be a bit muddy when not split. My first thought was 'boxy'. When split it really shines - lovely spangly clean sound. But overall I find the SD JB-5 I put in my older guitar sound a tad more defined, heavier and meatier.

The JB has much more bite and output than most pickups. It's still one of the most popular pickups we sell from any company.

The tremolo is a tricky one. People say Wilkinson trems are top, but I find it a bit disconcerting the way it grinds against the body. Seems a bit brutal, and it's not very sensitive.

It sounds to me like it was set up incorrectly. I've installed many Wilkinsons and have not experienced what you're describing.

The neck is a standard Pacifica neck - narrow. The Rosewood fingerboard seems a bit dried-out a shows small cracks, but nothing to worry about after a splash of lemon oil. Surprisingly, the frets are poorly finished, to the point of being painful. I will have to get it looked at.

The intonation was off too, which is an easy fix, but seems unusual for Yamaha. I thought they had better quality control on their Indonesian models.

It's almost unavoidable. I would actually blame Yamaha Europe and not the Indonesian factory because those things need to be taken care of in the destination country.

[incubus]

...

Images don't show up here.

[Russell Grand]

I had an Ibanez strat SSH RG series ... Neck was flawless back in 95' it was cheap as hell . It amazes me sometimes the cheap ones beat the expensive ones alot . I have a Lakland 4 string that I swapped pickups out.. it's really nice bass . $300 for a nice bass is a steal ...

My two jazz boxes (now only one) were $300 each



They are the finest sub $2000 jazz guitars I've ever played.... No seriously. (to be honest I haven't tried the new D'angelico's) Had to drop the 17 inch (floating mini humbucker) Kept the Gold 16. I'm swapping the humbuckers for Charlie Christians.

I'm tempted to pick up this Raines for 300+ Shipping
https://reverb.com/item/134668-raines-s ... ric-guitar
But I want to buy one of his jazz boxes first.

Beautiful!

[Mister Natural]

stimresp - happy new gtr day

Yamahas are excellent instruments, sounds like you need a proper set-up. Go to a local specialist shop to have this done correctly - it's worth every penny they might charge for this service

[incubus]

They have a Chapman down yonder here ... Pretty cool and looks great, but I think it's too much of a project guitar. I'd rather just save the money.

[incubus]

So here's the chapman:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Chapma ... 3274144.gc

I think it's gorgeous. I don't think that is a good price though (I'm pretty sure it was a sub 500 guitar new)

Feels really good, probably would want to swap out the electronics and pups. What I'd do is rip out the middle and go with my dimarzio 3 way switch I have left over from my manic Ibanez days.

No clue what pups, but definitely KILL the push/pull (I f**king hate those ) ... maybe even go toneless.

[werp]

So here's the chapman:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Chapma ... 3274144.gc

I think it's gorgeous. I don't think that is a good price though (I'm pretty sure it was a sub 500 guitar new)

Feels really good, probably would want to swap out the electronics and pups. What I'd do is rip out the middle and go with my dimarzio 3 way switch I have left over from my manic Ibanez days.

No clue what pups, but definitely KILL the push/pull (I f**king hate those ) ... maybe even go toneless.

A new ML-1 is $830 in Australian dollars here. Your trans- black is $532 plus change AUD.
The Rabea model is $1300 AUD new.