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Musicman20

By Musicman20,
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Musicman20 Grand Master

Musicman20

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When it comes to basses, I know what I’m doing. I know what to look for, what pickups I like, what style/body/neck I like, etc.

Guitar wise, its different. All I know is that I like how some guitars look and sound. To me, all of the necks seem small as I started on bass and always used big fat P bass copy necks. So, all guitar necks seem quite fast to me, (although I played an Epiphone Les Paul once that was just plain uncomfortable).

I currently have a USA Tele from about 2000 ish. It’s a very well built and fantastic sounding guitar. In all that time, I’ve barely had chance to play much guitar compared to bass but its coming out much more often now and I’m thinking of taking guitar more seriously.

I don’t need a new guitar, but I’d like one. Same old instrument obsession.

Here is the thing, I have no idea what to get.

I love the twang and simplicity of the Telecaster. I have no desire for super high gain shredding or anything really heavy, just a good clean sound and the ability to get nice and dirty/fuzzy but still have clarity.

My safe bet is to go against the grain of most the guitarist I personally know (they all play Gibsons/ESPs/etc) and get a Stratocaster. This sound bizarre, but I barely see any bands recently using them, but I know they are probably one of the most iconic guitars ever designed.

The Strat would be familiar territory. I would probably stick to either a Roadworn or an American Standard.

Should I just try something completely different to Fender but still ‘safe’?

Part of me would like to try an Albert Lee Musicman guitar because of the cool shape, but they are almost double the price of a Fender strat and would probably cost more than any of my basses, which is probably wasted at my current level of playing!

I then thought about something with P90s, like an Epiphone Casino, but would I be disappointed with the quality coming from a decent Fender?

I don’t think the SG/Les Paul are for me, as much as I quite like them.

Open to ideas! A nice semi hollow guitar might be nice, or just a straight up 3 single coil strat. I must admit, the tone I’m chasing seems to be single coils…

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Mr Arkadin Apprentice

Mr Arkadin

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To be honest, without considering what you already have, from your description I would have recommended a Tele! It sounds like you already have the guitar you like.

I've gone off Strats a lot in the last few years, maybe they just became too ubiquitous for me. I prefer Jags these days (although mine is humbuckers, I want a single coil version too). Maybe try one of the single coil models.

Another option might be the baritone Tele - you get a Tele and something nearer to the bass that you're used too.

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Musicman20 Grand Master

Musicman20

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[quote name='Mr Arkadin' timestamp='1400665063' post='2455846']
To be honest, without considering what you already have, from your description I would have recommended a Tele! It sounds like you already have the guitar you like.

I've gone off Strats a lot in the last few years, maybe they just became too ubiquitous for me. I prefer Jags these days (although mine is humbuckers, I want a single coil version too). Maybe try one of the single coil models.

Another option might be the baritone Tele - you get a Tele and something nearer to the bass that you're used too.
[/quote]

Ay, the Jag is a cool looking guitar! I love the Johnny Marr artist model.

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Ancient Mariner Collaborator

Ancient Mariner

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A strat would certainly be a good option. There are a huge variety of different models around, and it might be worth looking at one with dual P90s, as well as the more classic designs with 3 singles. I'm a strat player - it's my natural guitar.

Consider also a Les Paul Junior, again with P90s. It's simple, much lighter than a standard Les Paul and should give that clear, direct sound that you like.

If you were happy to stay with a Tele design then look up the Cabronita - Gretsch style mini humbuckers for a very different tone to a traditonal bucker.

If you're willing to go a little off-piste then have a look at JJ guitars Jewel http://www.jjguitars.com/jj_jewel_guitar.html Twin P90s in a doublecut body, but with Gibson scale length. I have a JJ Goldtop special (twin Dimarzio mini humbuckers, splittable to single coils too - might be moving it on shortly too) and it's a very playable, lightish guitar with a nice chunky neck. Made in the UK too.

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Musicman20 Grand Master

Musicman20

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[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1400666075' post='2455861']
How much do you want to spend?
[/quote]

Roughly £1200, although give or take a little more/less depending on the guitar. This takes the Musicman guitars out of the equation I guess.

Thanks all.

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Musicman20 Grand Master

Musicman20

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[quote name='Ancient Mariner' timestamp='1400666202' post='2455862']
A strat would certainly be a good option. There are a huge variety of different models around, and it might be worth looking at one with dual P90s, as well as the more classic designs with 3 singles. I'm a strat player - it's my natural guitar.

Consider also a Les Paul Junior, again with P90s. It's simple, much lighter than a standard Les Paul and should give that clear, direct sound that you like.

If you were happy to stay with a Tele design then look up the Cabronita - Gretsch style mini humbuckers for a very different tone to a traditonal bucker.

If you're willing to go a little off-piste then have a look at JJ guitars Jewel [url="http://www.jjguitars.com/jj_jewel_guitar.html"]http://www.jjguitars...wel_guitar.html[/url] Twin P90s in a doublecut body, but with Gibson scale length. I have a JJ Goldtop special (twin Dimarzio mini humbuckers, splittable to single coils too - might be moving it on shortly too) and it's a very playable, lightish guitar with a nice chunky neck. Made in the UK too.
[/quote]

I will check those out, cheers.

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KK Jale Proficient

KK Jale

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Re. Casino: see if you can find an Elitist model to try. They're made by Terada in Japan and the quality’s way up on the Chinese ones.

Otherwise, a secondhand P- or R- serial prefix Casino will have come from the Peerless factory, they're the best of the Korean bunch IMO.

I'm down to just a Tele and a Gibson 330 (same thing as the Casino, as you know). Totally different, but so complementary. An ideal pair.

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andydye Mentor

andydye

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if you're looking at a les paul junior type thing with p90's have a long look at Gordon SMith as they do a GS1 with a p90 (or two if you like) and it'd be around £500 for a brand new one!

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Roger2611 Experienced

Roger2611

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I used to gig a Les Paul, then a Junior, then a 335, always took my Strat as a back up, ended up selling the others and just using the Strat, unadventurous, yes, predictable...again yes, Swiss army knife of guitar oh yes.....mine is a beautiful Japanese 62 std reissue in Lake Placid Blue with a set of Custom Shop 69's under the hood

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skej21 Mentor

skej21

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The 60th anniversary commemorative Stratocaster is really nice. Should hold its value well and the special design 1954 pickups are fantastic!!

http://www.fender.com/series/american-standard/60th-anniversary-commemorative-stratocaster-maple-fingerboard-2-color-sunburst/

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Kiwi Grand Master

Kiwi

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Are you looking for variations on the same sonic (i.e. single coil) theme or are you looking to cover musical situations?

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1400882417' post='2457974']
[url="http://www.fender.com/series/american-standard/60th-anniversary-commemorative-stratocaster-maple-fingerboard-2-color-sunburst/"]http://www.fender.co...color-sunburst/[/url]
[/quote]
Is it my eyes or does the dark sunburst look a little inconsistent as it follows the edge of the body?

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mike257 Experienced

mike257

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A good Tele is a guitar for life. I have an '04 that just feels exceptional and I know I'll never move it on. If you're getting more into guitar then I'd suggest having something different enough from your current guitar that you're broadening your tonal pallete a bit. If you like the Fender aesthetic, there's loads of variations on the Tele theme that will give you something different. The Cabronita mentioned above sounds great, or you could look at the '72 Deluxe reissue - humbuckers with LP style controls, Tele body but Strat-esque contours for comfort and the big 70's Strat headstock. I have one and love it, feels and sounds different to my Tele and LP despite the nods to both in the design.

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Musicman20 Grand Master

Musicman20

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Thanks all. Things have advanced a little. After spending a fair few hours writing on guitar this weekend I've realised I can get fairly decent on a guitar (not lead) fairly quickly and writing is really fun.

It's a different thing to bass...I enjoy it but bass feels 'normal' to me. I suspect this is just being used to it.

I've now decided to move on my 00/01 Telecaster and put it on ebay to opt for a different Telecaster and an Albert Lee HH Musicman...not sure which Tele model I fancy yet, but I feel like despite my old one being immaculate and great to play, I fancy a change,

One good thing is that it is stopping me mounting up more and more basses which quite frankly I will never need now. A few guitars is a nice variation.

I'm hoping to end up with:

Musicman Albert Lee HH - I've loved this shape/model since it came out, and the HH will give me a nice change, plus all rosewood neck, YUM.
Fender Telecaster (s) - Either an American Vintage reissue, or a new modern American Standard and a Road Worn. If I choose to get just one Telecaster, I might also opt for a Roadworn Strat.

Rig sounds great, and I have more than enough pedals to keep me occupied.

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dlloyd Rising Star

dlloyd

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[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1401277836' post='2461909']I've now decided to move on my 00/01 Telecaster and put it on ebay to opt for a different Telecaster and an Albert Lee HH Musicman...not sure which Tele model I fancy yet, but I feel like despite my old one being immaculate and great to play, I fancy a change,
[/quote]

Have you thought about the Musicman Axis Supersport? Tele-ish shape... I bought one from Dubjunkie here on Basschat when I was after a tele... wish I still had it.

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/dlloydbass/media/ass.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/dlloydbass/ass.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

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Musicman20 Grand Master

Musicman20

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[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1401377698' post='2463005']
Have you thought about the Musicman Axis Supersport? Tele-ish shape... I bought one from Dubjunkie here on Basschat when I was after a tele... wish I still had it.

[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/dlloydbass/media/ass.jpg.html"][/url]
[/quote]

They look great! I'm checking prices on the Silhouette Special vs a Strat American Standard at the mo.

Albert Lee HH is a definite.

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Musicman20 Grand Master

Musicman20

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[quote name='charic' timestamp='1401438315' post='2463530']
Nah, get the new Majesty guitar ;)
[/quote]
Hhaha! They are a bit beyond my needs...as much as it would be cool to own, I don't even listen to DT but massive respect to them as monster players.

The Majesty is beautiful but the Albert Lee has that retro thing going on which is more my taste.

My guitar talent would be wasted on a Majesty! I'd do it no justice.

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Bassnut62 Community Regular

Bassnut62

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[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1401377698' post='2463005']
Have you thought about the Musicman Axis Supersport? Tele-ish shape... I bought one from Dubjunkie here on Basschat when I was after a tele... wish I still had it.

[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/dlloydbass/media/ass.jpg.html"][/url]
[/quote]

I bought my Tele-ish guitar from DubJunkie too - he has great taste! Mine is a G&L Asat Special and thankfully I still own it and am unlikely ever to part with it. USA G&L guitars and basses are among the very best IMO.

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Bassnut62 Community Regular

Bassnut62

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[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1401439386' post='2463545']
Hhaha! They are a bit beyond my needs...as much as it would be cool to own, I don't even listen to DT but massive respect to them as monster players.

The Majesty is beautiful but the Albert Lee has that retro thing going on which is more my taste.

My guitar talent would be wasted on a Majesty! I'd do it no justice.
[/quote]
I saw Albert Lee live the other day at a village hall near Mansfield, Notts. He was on fire and playing his MusicMan through a Fender Tone Master amp....wow, what a sound and what a great player and singer too.

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nugget Enthusiast

nugget

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[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1401277836' post='2461909']
..not sure which Tele model I fancy yet, but I feel like despite my old one being immaculate and great to play, I fancy a change,


[/quote]

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/6540/fs-ft-firecreek-custom-telecaster-600#latest

Nice tele.....

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