Hello everybody,
I'm finding myself in a bit of a predicament.
Currently as is, im playing my only electric, a CIJ Fender strat through a very middle of the road solid state ashdown amp.
im in a position where i can either use my savings and buy a new low powerd valve amp like a blues jr, or borrow money off my father and together with my money, buy a new gibson les paul studio 50s tribute that everyone seems to be raving about at the moment. This is very much a battle against impulse.

What would you do? reasoning would very much be appreciated.

A good amp will always take you farther than another guitar.

HOWEVER--if the guitar in question is something that will not be readily available in the near future, get it while you can.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Well, I have both the 50's les Paul and a blues junior and they are both amazing pieces of gear. But, if I were you I would go for the blues junior. You already have what is probably an awesome guitar. So, in my opinion you should upgrade your amp. But, whichever you choose, you are getting an awesome piece of equipment!

ok heres the deal. if you get the blues jr, a killer amp in my opinion, your using your own cash and will come out even. if you go for the guitar, your gonna barrow cash from your dad to do so. hum....... i think i would pick the amp. you wont owe anybody anything
if you go with the amp, its a done deal. what amp do you have now if i may ask?

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

yeah that was one of the main issues for me, that if i got the paul, id have to borrow money.
Im currently using one of these http://www.ashdownmusic.com/guitar/detail.asp?ID=142
however, the les paul is "limited edition" i think i read? so may not be available in the future

I think everything Gibson is making nowadays is considered "limited edition"; they seem to be coming out with so many variations of their products (how many different Les Pauls and SGs are there?) that there doesn't seem to be an individual production model of any of their guitars...

...but then again, there a a dozen or so Strats and Teles, too, so I guess I should hush.

I have heard great things about the 50's classic Les Paul. If I had the money, I would look closer at them (especially considering my fondness for P90 pickups).

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

yep i would upgrade the amp for sure. be very careful about those "limited edition"
anythings. whats so limited about it? how many did they make? 1,000? hum....
is that really "limited" in your opinion? i dont think so myself.
in collectables, limited usually means that they have a set number they plan on building and thats it. so going by that rule, 1,000,000 is limited right?
this one we cant really help you on, all we can do is give our opinions as to what we would like to have ourselves. you gotta be the one who takes that final leap.
since barrowed money is involved, that has heavy weight on things in my opinion.
think carefully on this, weighing the pro's and con's of this situation. both are nice pieces of gear. so which one will help you the most the soonest?

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

+1 for the amp. If your guitar is currently performing well for you, upgrade the amp.

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https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Cheers for all your thoughts guys.
I think you're right and that the sensible thing to do would be to get a new amp.
Ray

Go Ray-Go Ray-Go Ray!

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

good choice... awsome amp enjoy

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blues - its a religion...

If I were you I'd go for the amp,for one thing,Gibson seems to be putting the "Limited Edition"moniker on just about everything these days anyway.If you bought the amp you wouldn't be on the hook to repay your father either and the Blues Jr. would really make your CIJ Strat sing.Also you have to look at Gibson's less than stellar quality in the past while,a good friend of mine bought a new Les Paul Custom last year and paid over 3 grand for it and has nothing but trouble with it since despite many trips to the dealer for warranty work,sadly his story isn't isolated.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

i hear gibson quality has went to hell but i havent heard how or why.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

A CIJ strat blows the pants off of a 50's reissue lp (somebody had to say it, though ymmv).

Get the amp

A guitar will only sound as good as the amp its going through. Getting a Blues Jnr (and then later a little Champ600) was the best single improvement to my tone I ever made. Having a good amp will be better than any pickup changes or pedals.

The LP would surely be a good guitar but then you'd still be playing it through an average amp.

Get the BJ man.

Cheers.

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MIM Std Tele, MIM HSS Strat, Homemade Mongrel Tele, Blues Jr, Champ600, coupla pedals...sweeeet!