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Post subject: Re: What is your favorite color on a strat and in a gibson L
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 6:45 am
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 10:33 pm
Posts: 811
I know I'm not hung up on style, looks or aesthetics, because I've looked at/considered buying/demo'd a ton of beautiful instruments that were well within my budget, but didn't feel/play well, didn't sound good, or were poorly constructed...therefore, they never became part of the herd, or were only temporarily part of the herd.

Looks are fourth on the list of things to consider when I buy an instrument...

First, the feel...I can tell if it feels right pretty quickly. I can make allowances for different neck profiles, different body types (although I prefer a Telecaster) and different weights. I can tell if a neck will work out for me, even if the action is not set up to my liking, or if it has heavier or lighter strings than what I prefer.
But if it doesn't "feel" right, forget it. That's why I've never owned a Rickenbacker (most necks are too narrow) or an SG (the way the neck attaches to the body makes it uncomfortable to me when I'm playing in the first position)...those are things that can't be adjusted.

Second, the sound...if a guitar has no sustain, or is too thin-sounding, or is too "scooped mids" sounding, or just doesn't float my boat, it won't join the herd.
One caveat to this: I can usually tell if a pickup swap, changing of tone pots (different ohm value) or capacitor, etc., will fix this problem. I also understand that (for example) blocking the tremolo on a Strat will increase sustain, as well as other little tricks...but there are some guitars that aren't worth the time, effort and money trying to make them work, because fixing the sound is going to cost more than it's worth (in the long run).

Third, the construction...if it's poorly constructed, forget it. I throw tuning stability in this category, too (I know I can replace the tuning machines and replace or re-cut a nut, but some guitars just don't tune well, due to sloppy production techniques).
I don't mind a cheap, mass-produced guitar (I owned and loved an old Airline archtop acoustic that was not the paragon of quality), but if it has multiple construction flaws, again, it's not worth my time, money and effort to fix it. That also applies to a guitar that constantly needs to be tweaked or "baby'd" to keep it in working order.

Lastly, the looks...I don't care how smoothly it may play, how good it may sound or how well-built it is, I won't be buying, owning or playing a BC Rich Warlock. It's ugly, and that's all there is to it.

I have changed certain accoutrements on a guitar to make it prettier (and while I've never painted one, that wouldn't be out of the question, either)...but if it's unattractive beyond reasonable adjustment, I don't want to play it.

Now, there is one strange caveat to that--I like funky-looking and unique things that others may find tacky. My bass is a good example.

Image

Image
Image

This is an Ampeg Big Stud Bass. They were made in Japan between 1973 and 1975.
She was in an abusive relationship with her former owner. The thumbtacks along the edge and the tiny holes (which at one time held rhinestones, all but one of which have fallen out) are the most visible examples of abuse...the previous owner also painted "Mr. Cosmic" on the case with red fingernail polish.

Kids, don't do drugs.

However...
It sounds amazing. The tone would make Dusty Hill proud.
It plays even better.
It was actually a pretty instrument before the abuse, and now it kinda looks like a Mexican saddle or something like that...no matter where I go, I'm not gonna find another one like that.
And, it was given to me by a friend who has since passed away, so it has sentimental value.

I like it, regardless of how weird it is...it's the right kind of ugly for me...

...and isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder?

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Blues, Rock and Outlaw Country
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