First up was this great '93 Jazzmaster, a last-minute iPhone eBay win while I was at a street fair:
It was a great deal even if you don't consider that it came with Duncans already installed. Just my color too!
I'm either going to go for a Mastery bridge or some Tusq saddles for it, as the Mustang bridge hasn't been so great so far. Otherwise the guitar has been excellent and the Duncans sound great!Next up, an '05 R8 Les Paul:
After having a multitude of problems with a Country Gent, I made the decision to go with a more straightforward guitar next. I wanted something that wasn't finicky and didn't have too many silly bells and whistles - I just wanted something that played and sounded great and that I wouldn't have to think too much about while playing. I initially made the decision to go for a 60's ES-330, a fully-hollow guitar with a pair of p-90's. After searching unsuccessfully for several months (every single one I came across was either way overpriced or a dog that needed repairs), this Les Paul just called out to me one day while I was in Mandolin Bros.
The first thing I did, naturally, was pick it up. Super light. Later, i found it it was chambered. It has a huge, beefy neck (my preference). They called it a "plaintop" - clearly, it isn't. The coloring was gorgeous, the pickups sounded great, and it practically played itself (I have it streung up with 11's now - it puts up a bit more if a fight!).
The hardest part of the decision was deciding to go with (in Paul W parlance) a "bellybutton guitar". My tastes have always been a bit off-center - after all, I do hang out at this forum quite a bit.
I don't really dig on Page, Slash, or Clapton all that much (much respect to those dudes though, naturally!) nor do I try to sound like them. But I decided to take the plunge anyway, and boy am I glad I did. It might just be the best guitar I've ever owned.The last one came this past week - a 1962 Bass VI, in custom translucent Blonde finish (Not sure what this color would be called exactly):
Yes folks, I traded my 4005WB for this, straight across, to Rudy's. What a fun instrument! Never owned one or anything like it before. Lots of interesting sounds to be found here. I even gigged with it yesterday in lieu of a "real" bass and it performed beautifully. I just need to find some flatwound strings for it (any ideas?).
I really love mine, in part for the reason you said - it's just a no-nonsense guitar that sounds great and isn't 'finicky.' Might I suggest some linear pots, different caps, and Duncans...made a huge difference for me.
