Lets talk about guitars .

[Jeff Alton]

Ordered these two the other day from our local fave music store. The fender is for my son's graduation. He surprised me by choosing the natural finish as this model is available in some really cool colors.

The Ovation is for me. Looking forward to playing these with him. Good additions to our meager collection. Both are pre-amped.

It is nice to see an almost 18 year old want to get back into playing music after a few year hiatus. He's been playing the drums in the music room almost daily again. He really wanted another acoustic and not another electric. We have a beautiful Guild 12 string but he never warmed up to it.

I suspect he knows the girls are going to appreciate his skills at parties and campfires...

[TimT]

When I was younger I played .. a lot gigged around for a few years.. then got a job...

Recently picking it back up again..

Have wanted one of these since I first saw one in 1977 -78?

Ibanez Artist (Cowboy fancy) I wanted a Weir, which is a double cut.. got a Scruggs a single cut (Les Paul). The few Weirs I found were $1000 more than the Scruggs..so


1978 Ibanez Artist Randy Scruggs model..

Coil tap for bridge p/u

There is some scratchiness in the selector switch and pots.. Already thinking of modding it

With some Mad Hatter electronics and Wolftone pick ups..

[TimT]

Nice carved top and back, bound with mother-of-pearl



Neck is set in not bolted.

[Cajundaddy]

Nice axe! In the late 70s Japan was producing some of the finest guitars around. Upscale models like this, ES 335 knockoffs, Yamaha SG 2000 were just excellent and better than most offerings from Gibson and Fender at the time.

[TimT]

Thanks!! I'm pretty happy.. Has a little dead spot low on the neck.. Ill dress it with a fine file next time I change strings, maybe raise the bridge a touch..

I'm now on the hunt for a vintage Mesa-Boogie..... but holy moly, they cost as much or more then new ones!...

And where did that box of pedals and crap I put away years ago disappear to?

[craigster59]

That Ibanez is beautiful Tim! Reminds me of those Rickenbacker 381's with the carved top..

[craigster59]

Okay, here's my opinion on a great guitar. This Stonebridge D40 CM (cedar top/ hog back and sides) with a "violin" back has to be one of the best sounding acoustic guitars.

Made in the Czech Republic by Frantisek Furch, no longer available and highly sought after. I traded another Furch guitar for this one that was worth twice what the retail was on this one. There is no comparison. You can literally strum it, close the case, open it two weeks later and the chord is still ringing.

And I've hung it on the wall, pulled it down a month later and still in tune I shyte you not....

[Jeff Alton]

^^^^ that is a nice guitar!

[arcsine]

I'm the worst as I cannot play guitar but I like making them and keep thinking "What if I did this......?" Now I have a dozen + that I have built and either give them away to friends or loan them out. Here are the latest two:

Warmoth semi-hollowbody strat, Warmoth short-scale neck, Ibanez P90 pickups, Blend control instead of selector switch, custom pickguard made from jatoba.



Dean 'Angel of Deth II' Mustaine model that had a broken headstock. Rebuilt headstock and stripped and refinished with tobacco burst finish. Zebrawood laminate on headstock and through-body guard, Duncan '59 pickups with split coils, custom wood knobs, refretted neck.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by TimT

Thanks!! I'm pretty happy.. Has a little dead spot low on the neck.. Ill dress it with a fine file next time I change strings, maybe raise the bridge a touch..

I'm now on the hunt for a vintage Mesa-Boogie..... but holy moly, they cost as much or more then new ones!...

And where did that box of pedals and crap I put away years ago disappear to?

Ibanez Artist series are pretty sweet and below the radar right now. I owned a JP Memphis 335 from Matsumoku for a long time and it was a player but was too bulky for stage work IMO. I have my eye on another Artist series, maybe I'll pick it up today.

[rockfan4]

I've been having terrible GAS pains lately, and I've been looking at Craigslist, Reverb and eBay for relief.
Does anyone here know anything about US guitars being offered up on eBay and Reverb from Japan? I had my eye on one I saw on Reverb, but I saw the same guitar in 4 separate auctions on eBay, same pictures in all 5 offerings, so I passed.
Are they legit? Chinese fakes? or something else?

[Cajundaddy]

Lots of fake listings these days and I hate buying a guitar without getting it in my hands. Never say never but I prefer to buy local or will gladly take a road trip to investigate a sweet looking guitar at a guitar shop. It's a travel adventure with a possible prize in the end.

[Jeff Alton]

Just had this checked over and tuned while we wait for the new ones to arrive.



Cheers

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by TimT

1978 Ibanez Artist Randy Scruggs model..

Coil tap for bridge p/u

There is some scratchiness in the selector switch and pots.. Already thinking of modding it

With some Mad Hatter electronics and Wolftone pick ups..

Hey just my 2c...I wouldnt mod that guitar. Those really are very good, and unless something electronic is actually broken or beyond repair....what I would do is give the pots and switches a good hit of contact cleaner, loosen, remove and give them a good going over.

I have a lesser Ibanez from the earlier law suit era, sadly, there is not an original part left on it. My own stupid doing.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Just had this checked over and tuned while we wait for the new ones to arrive.



Cheers

Is that a 512? Guild makes the best 12 strings.

[Jeff Alton]

The hand written model/serial number describes it as a VF30-12. It looks identical the 512 with the exception of the fretboard inlays.

It was a gift years ago from a very good friend who produced music concerts back when my son was first learning guitar....

Cheers