If all goes well, I might take a trip to GC to try out some guitars.

I'd like to try out
a Fender American strat (with a humbucker, HSS),
a PRS 25th anniversary special (since I can't try the Orianthi),
Gibson SG (I want to try a Melody Maker but they don't have that in stock)
Maybe a 72 telecaster. I wanted to try a Peavey (not the void) but they don't have that either.

I'm looking at guitars with a variety of features so I can see what I like and don't like. I'm not going to buy right now, but just want to see if any sing to me. I'm looking for a good guitar with a decent tone for rock and roll but can play clean if I wanted to. Also, I'm doing a balance test on the strap. If the neck falls, I'm moving on.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

Thanks. I've heard about that. My vote was for trying a melody maker, but I don't think they have them to try. I've always wanted to try a real Gibson.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

Didn't you start this same thread a week or so ago? I've never seen anyone so apprehensive about window shopping at GC. Just go and pluck away at whatever guitars they have on the racks. It's no bigger a deal than going to your local Wal-Mart (but a ton more fun!).

I understand your excitement though. My first trip to GC was almost 20 years ago when I first started playing guitar while in high school. It was a really cool place with knowledgable staff back then. Times have changed though.

In place of a Melody Maker, see if your GC has a Gibson Les Paul Junior in stock to try out like this one: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Cust ... =444564337
It's very similar in size and feel of a Melody Maker, but 5X the price! If you like it, than maybe order a Melody Maker online or find a used one.

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

I'm not really apprehensive about it. It's just that I threw my back out which set me back two weeks, and it's hard getting out of the house because of us taking care of dad who is a quadriplegic (and there's been a LOT of chaos with caregivers right now that I don't want to get into. There are just so many awful people in the world ). It's hard just to get out period. We can't do what we want at a moment's notice because dad needs to be taken care of. Getting out just for an hour is like trying to get keys to the nuclear bomb; it's hard work. It's not a rant. It's just the way it is.

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to add that to the list. I like to write down what I want so I don't forget when I go in.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

Twew dat!

My Strat 12-string balances the same way.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

i learned they were heavy neck the hard way. now my sg has a nice big chip in the headstock.

My sincerest apologies.

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

Good luck with your guitar safari LVA. Send pics if you can.
Claude.

Bless you for taking care of your father.

Re SGs, 'personally paly sitting down most of the time at home. If you become conscious of the intrument's balance, the neck-heaviness ('have never noticed it personally) willl be second-nature taken care of.

'Bought an SG faded brown 2 years-plus ago. Replaced cheesy knobs, put on pickup covers, had it pro setup, and it is one of the most excellent guitars around.

And since this is a Fender forum, an American Standard slightly marked down ins in the same price range and is splendid. Best of shopping-fortune!

Ditto! It's a Holy Grail quest as you've observed elsewhere. An unsolvable riddle when it comes to the way they do business.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Well, I'm not going to buy, just to try out. So don't know about pics.

I would really like to go with a Fender again, but I'm not seeing anything online that rocks my boat. Perhaps playing will put a new perspective. I like the 72 line but wish they had a strat instead of a tele.

I know the rant about Gibsons, but the melody maker does seem light so really interested in giving that a go. Thanks for the suggestion on the Les Paul Jr., metropolis74. I'll add that one to try and play.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

I meant pics about what you'll see and try. Pics of the expedition and the beasts you're gonna tame. Pics about the lame and the fame, about the chosen name for the heroic game. Heck forget about that, you're just going there to try out guitars aren't you?
Don't buy anything to please someone else but you, you pay you play you choose. As they say at the Custom Shop "When you're ready". I think that you have a bullet proof plan so far, now go there and enjoy yourself. See ya.

Claude.

It's like National Geographic.

*insert NG music*

Now entering Guitar Center....examine the wildlife...

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

Good luck and have fun, you deserve it........... Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

+1
Claude.