My wonderful wife...

[TG]

...has told me to go buy a guitar. At whatever price.
I have 2 teles that I gig with (a 60s spec partsacaster and a 69thinlineRI...my only guitars) but I've sold the strat I had for a few hundred euro so I have some 'credit' for getting another guitar in its place. But She figures I should just go and get something I'd like even if it's a lot more as I'm gigging alot. What a gal.

Before this I was thinking of doing another partsacaster...Esquire perhaps...but now I'd like to check out lots of guitars hanging on shop walls and maybe just buy something I can't build.
So this morning I looked online and found a ONE CENT morning flight from Shannon to London and a return flight the same evening for about 7 Euro. With charges and fees...about 35 euro for a daytrip to London from the west of Ireland. Tuesday next. I'm going to check out all the shops around Denmark Street, and even if I don't find something I want to buy I'll have a fun day trying guitars out.

So now I have to decide what I might want. It has to be something I'd be able to use gigging. I don't want an expensive home toy. Not too heavy. Versatile. Good clean sound.
But not a strat. Never again.
Or a PRS. Hate the look and that neck/body joint.


A Les Paul of some sort? LP Special? Studio?
Yamaha SG2000?
Duo Jet?
ES335?


Those of you who gig regularly with teles....
...any other guitars that you like to play onstage?
I'd appreciate ideas to research and consider.

There's a good chance it will just another Telecaster, but it's fun to have ideas and look up guitar specs/reviews anyway.

So fire away.
What would you consider in the circumstances?

[esquirej]

Tell her to let you buy a Setzer Hot Rod for me.

That way you can pass on the unselfishness!



Seriously...congrats and take the opportunity to find something you really want!

For stage, I'd definitely go with another Tele.

J

[Stencil]

Just kidding, as my partner would probably castrate me if she read this.

I don't/can't gig anymore, but I know I'm lusting after a friend's Faded Flying V. It's got the Tele's simplicity, and a Les Paul sound -- without the weight. Its only drawback is the difficulty (and pain) involved in playing it whilst seated. It goes for about € 1200 here, or US$ 699 at Musician's Friend in the States...which brings me to an unsollicited suggestion.

In the past year I've brought back a couple of guitars from the States, and the price differential has more than made up the plane fare. I don't know how Irish Customs authorities behave, but their French counterparts have certainly never troubled me.

In the meantime, do have fun in SoHo. It brings back memories that make me envy you!

"Those old diehards on Denmark Street start laughing
At the keyboard player's hollow haunted eyes."

-- Elton John, Bitter Fingers

Viva Ryannair,

D°

[lewis]

You are smart to play as many guitars as you can before spending any money. I have a feeling there will be one that "speaks to you".
What a great wife, what a nice story, thanks for sharing.
Let us know what you end up with.

[Vihar]

What about a really good acoustic?



For electric, I'd choose a 335, or an Ibanez John Scofield model, which I happened to try out recently, and is an awesome 335 clone.

[marquis de jonny]

that's a sweet story. she sounds like a doll.

if i was in your position i'd definitely be considering either the duo jet (chambered, versatile, such a special guitar), or something completely hollow like a gretsch 6120 or 6122, rickenbacker 360 (etc), or gibson casino. i feel the hollow vibe is a very complementing contrast to a tele.

the guitar world is your oyster, my friend. enjoy.

[JoeyV]

I find gigging all the time a strat and a tele can give ya all the tones you might need on a gig..sometimes the change is just the ticket to get you out of a slump, or sometimes the strat just works better, or sometimes the tele is the right one, sometimes its a comfort factor..I know after 3 or 4 nights the easier playing strat is like wearing a pair of slippers....I gig alot and I have two guitars, a strat and a tele and they pretty much cover anything I need to do. Another nice alternative might be a Fender Jazzmaster...cool guitars for sure and a bit different sound...lots of cool music can be made on it..

[guitar_ed]

My last two fun purchases were an Epi Dot re-issue Studio and a G&L ASAT Special in Blue.

Different guitars, both lots of fun.

Guitar Ed

[Aen]

My wife just gave me a similar blessing. After watching me painfully mull over eBay looking for that one special tele, she finally told me to spend the money on a new one at the slightly brutal shop price.

Yay for empathetic wives!

Seriously though I'd go for a tele with different pickups than you currently have.

[David Barnett]

If you don't need another Telecaster and are looking for something "different" may I suggest the Gibson Les Paul Jr. reissue? If you're really lucky, you may find one of the limited edition Korina Les Paul Jr.s they made a few years ago. The Jr. is, in my opinion, the Gibson that is most user-friendly for people who usually play a Telecaster.

[Johnny Sunshine]

I would think a good humbucker-equipped guitar would be just the thing for you.

So a 335 would be a good choice. But I would definitly check out the Gretsch Duo Jets, or the Eliot Easton Signature model. Theres something magical about the duo jet, and the EE is basically a more versitile version of the duo jet.

[TG]

Originally Posted by David Barnett

The Jr. is, in my opinion, the Gibson that is most user-friendly for people who usually play a Telecaster.

This is kind of what I figured too. P90s. Light weight. I like the look of them too. Hopefully I'll find one to try out.

But I'm still keeping an open mind. All the suggestions so far have been appreciated.

[jpkusa]

Originally Posted by David Barnett

If you don't need another Telecaster and are looking for something "different" may I suggest the Gibson Les Paul Jr. reissue? If you're really lucky, you may find one of the limited edition Korina Les Paul Jr.s they made a few years ago. The Jr. is, in my opinion, the Gibson that is most user-friendly for people who usually play a Telecaster.

I agree. My non-Tele guitars are an 80's single-cutaway/single-humbucker Melody Maker, which is basically a really thin LP Jr. It takes care of my humbucker needs, which are rare these days. My other one is a $100 Epiphone LP Jr with a bolt-on neck, one P90 and an Epi Bigsby. It takes care of my rare Bigsby needs.

If you're looking for something REALLY different, how about a 12 string, or a baritone?

[Nick Fanis]

Check out these guys if your are vintage inclined,they look,play & sound fantastic..

www.italiaguitars.com

(I've seen a few around D. street last time I was in London)

[TG]

Originally Posted by Nick Fanis

Check out these guys if your are vintage inclined,they look,play & sound fantastic..

www.italiaguitars.com

(I've seen a few around D. street last time I was in London)

Good idea. Chris Rea uses them now. I'll check a few out.
And Duesenburgs.
And JJs.
Etc, etc.....

[J-man]

How about a Gibson SG? Lightweight, not too pricey (for a Gibson), good sound! Plus it's one of the most hard rockin' guitars you can get! :)

[FUMoney]

I've personally been lusting over the Robin Avalon series. Looks of a Les Paul but with a soft cutaway and tele simple controls.

Ed

[marquis de jonny]

the marquis gets personal:

i play a tele and my other guitar is an old sg special (p90's). they make a fearsome duo. my next guitar will be a gretsch 6120 or 6122.

hollow bodies are special and make for good tonal times.

[henryp]

Originally Posted by TG

...has told me to go buy a guitar. At whatever price.

Same thing happened to a friend of mine so he came home with a new Martin D45. The second thing she said was, "How much?" The third thing she said is unprintable. So it goes.

[Methos]

How about a G&L ASAT Bluesboy? Get a semi-hollow for light weight, you've got the tele body and a bucker in the neck for some really nice different tones.

[Mike Murphy]

TG - congratulations on your great fortune. She sounds like a sweetie. When I got married last year, my wife gave me a nice sunburst tele as a wedding present.

[Mike Murphy]

I saw a photo of Richard Thompson the other day. I've always loved his tone - in the photo he had a Ferrington that someone referred to in an earlier post. A Broadcaster pu at the bridge, a strat pu in the middle and a P90 at the neck. Looked like a fun combo. Good luck on your guitar trip.

[TG]

Originally Posted by Mike Murphy

I saw a photo of Richard Thompson the other day. I've always loved his tone - in the photo he had a Ferrington that someone referred to in an earlier post. A Broadcaster pu at the bridge, a strat pu in the middle and a P90 at the neck. Looked like a fun combo. Good luck on your guitar trip.

I kid you not.....

About 30 seconds ago in another window I googled Ferrington Guitars. I bought Guitarist magazine this afternoon and there's a Richard Thompson interview with a picture of it and it got me curious. In fact, it's open on that page beside me right now.
Couldn't find any good links, though.

Do they still make them?

[Mike Murphy]

If it is the same one (wish I knew how to post the pic), I had the impression that it was new-ish. I saw him here in NJ a couple of years ago and he didn't have it. If I figure out how to post the photo, I'll do so.

[chabby]

I second the nomination for the SG I just played one for about an hour at GC. It was the SG STD Heritage Cherry.
I tell you that guitar flat out kicks booty and I layed it away. It was between the a heritage STD80 LP and the SG and frankly, the SG won hands down. The neck is like greased lightning. It made me sound and play about 50% better than normal it really spoke to me. The neck is soooo playable and the strings are slinky slacked. It does alot of stuff too such as Rock real hard-southern rock and most stuff you would need a LP for, but so light and sooo pretty and affordable!

[TG]

Originally Posted by chabby

I second the nomination for the SG I just played one for about an hour at GC. It was the SG STD Heritage Cherry.
I tell you that guitar flat out kicks booty and I layed it away. It was between the a heritage STD80 LP and the SG and frankly, the SG won hands down. The neck is like greased lightning. It made me sound and play about 50% better than normal it really spoke to me. The neck is soooo playable and the strings are slinky slacked. It does alot of stuff too such as Rock real hard-southern rock and most stuff you would need a LP for, but so light and sooo pretty and affordable!

In theory an SG is a good idea. I've never been a fan of the body shape though, and I'm not sure if I'd want such a dark ('warm'?) sounding guitar. I like a clear sound.

But a black one with p90s.......? Hmmmmmm....

Idea received and filed.

[ravindave_3600]

I love the way my thinline Gib copy complements the tele, so if I had quite a bit of cash I might buy a real 335. For about $1000, though, you can pick up a new ES-333 and they sound sweeeeet. It's 335-like, but lighter. And cheaper. And they sound sweeeeet :P

That's next on my list, but I'm a long way from that much dinero (or that generous a wife)*

* Just kidding honey; you're the BEST!

[dk]

Some folks dig 'em, others don't. If you can get past its fugly looks, though, it'll provide you a wide sonic palette of many classic guitar tones to gig with. And don't believe everything you read about poor build quality. Some as darn fine - like all cheaper end guits, just gotta check out a few.

[bluesbishop]

I play three guitars:

A Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus, set up like Page's, with in phase/out phase switching, and splitting the coils, and Fralin 9.0k Bridge, 8.0k Neck

A SRV strat...Stock

A Custom built '52 Ri Tele, loaded with Fralin Blues Specials, and 4 way switching.

I find with these three guitar there are no tonal possibilities that can escape me. I would recommend the Paul, or Strat to any Tele player looking to expand his tonal arsenal.


Ken

[fakeocaster]

What about getting something made specially for you?



I'm sure there are people who could do this at a reasonable price in Limerick.


i know of 2 or three around Wexford, if its any help

[TG]

Originally Posted by fakeocaster

What about getting something made specially for you?



I'm sure there are people who could do this at a reasonable price in Limerick.


i know of 2 or three around Wexford, if its any help

I wouldn't go as far as getting a guitar made for me. The whole problem is that I'm not sure yet what I actually want anyway.
And as far as getting parts and doing a partsacaster, that's what I play now. I doubt there are many teles in existence that I'd consider much better than my main guitar that I assembled. And with parts guitars I find I swap and change components alot before I'm happy with it. I've had bits and pieces going back and forth literally around the world getting my current setup together.

This time I'm hoping to find a guitar on a shop wall, play it and say 'yes....this one'.


Lots of good ideas on this thread so far. Thanks all.

[Kerry Vance]

I never thought a Gibson would replace Fenders as my primary guitar - but it's happened. I bought a brand new Tele in 1965 and have been playing teles and strats ever since. But, a little over a year ago I bought a guitar that suits my playing style better - it's a 1956 Les Paul re-issue with P90's. Those P90's give it a similar bite as a tele but the guitar can also cover some of the same tonal territory as my old 335. I'm crazy about it. I played over a dozen and picked the lightest and most resonant one of the bunch. I'll never give up my teles and strats, but it's nice to have something else, too.
.....Kerry

[Nick Fanis]

Good idea. Chris Rea uses them now. I'll check a few out.
And Duesenburgs.

If you are willing to spend the extra $$ this is the BEST guitar OUTSIDE a telecaster I've ever played.HIGHLY recomended!!!



duesenberg double cat!

[TG]

Originally Posted by Nick Fanis

If you are willing to spend the extra $$ this is the BEST guitar OUTSIDE a telecaster I've ever played.HIGHLY recomended!!!



duesenberg double cat!

That's on the tryout list if I see one.
But as with everything else, it's how it feels when I've actually got it on my lap that counts. So many guitars look great on a picture and by their specs sheet, but many times I've had trips to music stores where I basically checked guitar after guitar OFF my mental list as soon as I played them.

It always seems to narrow down to Telecasters and one or 2 Les Paul derivatives, such as Junior Specials or Yamaha SGs.

[telebelgium]

hi TG,

not too heavy? good clean tone ?

maybe a reverend might be something to consider.

pretty distinctive look though. You like it or not. I know I do. :-)


I recently 'discovered' a guitarstore 10 minutes from where I live. Apparently it's been open for a year and a half, but I was completely oblivious to its' existence (maybe for the better :-) ). Nice selection of teles and they also carry the reverend guitars. They look very tempting...

o yeah, I spent new year's eve in dublin. Man, that guinnes is really something...

cheers,

peejay

[tiktok]

[quote="TG"]

Originally Posted by Mike Murphy

About 30 seconds ago in another window I googled Ferrington Guitars. I bought Guitarist magazine this afternoon and there's a Richard Thompson interview with a picture of it and it got me curious. In fact, it's open on that page beside me right now.
Couldn't find any good links, though.

Do they still make them?

There's no they, just Danny Ferrington. It's all custom order stuff, so if you've got the dosh and can wait, he'll probably make it for you.

RT's had that guitar for at least ten years, I saw him use it on the "You? Me? Us?" tour. There was one with a tele bridge and bridge pup, mini-humbucker neck before that, in natural finish.

[popthree]

The LP Junior is a great suggestion. TV Yellow....mmmm.
Also might want to check out a couple of American made Fenders...

Stratosonic

Jaguar

[bug music]

That is so COOL !! I've never seen one before. Is it the same Duesenburg co. that made the cars years ago (forgive a stupid question, but Yamaha and Suzuki subsidiaries make instruments right ?) ? I've never seen them here in "the states". I'm doing a Google for dealers right now !

[TG]

I don't think it has anything to do with the old car company. It's a relatively new outfit. About 10 years now, I think.
They do some great guitars, that's for sure.

[Mur]

Rickenabacker 360/12 !!! (no question about it). :D