Fuller's Vintage Guitars -- what's their story?

[JakeK]

Even though my Houston trip is in exactly a week, I'm all excited now!

It's always been my dream to go to Fuller's Vintage Guitars, because I know they have a large selection of guitars/basses/etc to choose from. I was looking at their site, and saw an impressive lineup of stuff, and plan to test these combos out:

Rickenbacker 350v63 with Vox AC-30HW2
Gibson Firebird VII with Fender Twin Reverb (getting my Brian Jones on!)
Classic 60s RI Strat and Classic 60s Tele with Fender Twin and Super Reverbs
Fender Jazzmaster '66 RI and '52 Telecaster with Fender Super Reverb (my dream amp)
Gretsch Tenessean and 6120 '59 Chet Atkins with Fender Tweed Bassman and Tweed Twin

with dozens of other guitars/amps as well.

From their site, Fuller's as an impressive selection of stuff, but how is the service? Is it friendly? Will they get ticked off if I spend all my time doodling on stuff? I do plan to get a few sets of strings...

Also, do Fuller's have used guitars that they don't list on their site? Do they have more than just what is on the website?

[jingle_jangle]

Although I've never visited their store, I have met and spoken to the principals on a couple of occasions. Nice folks. I hope their pleasant attitude carries through into the "in-store" experience!

[elreydlp]

I have a friend who has purchased a couple of guitars from them. He says they are a class act.

[JakeK]

Last week, I visited them. Best. Guitar. Store. Ever!!!!!!

I played top quality guitars from Gretsch, Fender Japan, Martin and Gibson. They let me play whatever I wanted and gave me a T-shirt, a bumper sticker and a set of strings.

This is probably my favorite photo of myself ever, taken in their store.

[wmthor]

Jake, I'm just now seeing this thread. If I had seen it earlier, I probably could made arrangements to meet you in person. Fullers is about 35 to 40 minutes from the house.

[lennon211]

Jake, glad to see that you had a good time there. I've a Duo Jet just like that one...it's one awesome guitar. What was the most impressive thing that you saw/tried out?

[JakeK]

What was the most impressive thing that you saw/tried out?

Probably this '62 Fender Japan double bound Tele Custom with a Bigsby. I also liked this '66 Jazzmaster RI also made in Japan. I played through a Custom Vibrolux with no effects. The CVR has a lot of Blackface vibe to it even though its supposed to be a modern amp.

Fender Japan guitars, to me, are better than the American stuff, and at better prices, too. The vintage RI Japanese guitars have virtually the same feel, but seem tougher and the single coil pickups don't hum as bad as the American RI ones do.

I regret not trying out this beautiful "Inspired by" John Lennon 1965 Epiphone Casino. I love Casinos, and they are probably my favorite Epiphone guitar around. The Lennon models have the most vibe to them.

I spent more time trying out Gretsches than any other guitar because they are scarce where I live. I tried out the pictured Duo Jet along with a Tennessee Rose with Filt'rons (best for rockabilly), a Harrison Country Gentleman and a '59 RI 6120 Chet Atkins. The Chet Atkins 6120 was my favorite of the ones I tried. I didn't have a problem with the floating bridges, but I didn't try any hard bending. I find Gretsch seriously underrated guitar wise, but I'm sure there are a few who would disagree with me (I'm ready if there are some who disagree). I think the next guitar I'm going to buy will be either a '60s Tele or a '59 RI 6120.

I should have PM'd you about this, Richard. It would have been nice to meet you. Maybe next time?

[whojamfan]

How are Gretsch guitars underrated? They fall in the top ten of nearly everyones wishlists and have a rich history in Country, Rock, Rockabilly, and other genres.

[jingle_jangle]

Don't bust his chops.

Seriously...I under rate them, if rating them right under Rickenbackers is what Jake means.

I think that single-coil Dynasonics have a more "vintage" rockabilly sound to them than Filtertrons.

Cliff Gallup played a '56 6128 Duo Jet with these pickups, and it defined the sound for a half-century...

[JakeK]

Seriously...I under rate them, if rating them right under Rickenbackers is what Jake means.

That is exactly what I meant. Thanks, Paul