mistermullens
Poster Extraordinaire
Since it's MLK Jr day today, I had the day off, and took the opportunity to go try out some guitars. My main focus for today was playing some Les Pauls. I was mainly on the hunt for one I really liked since the ones I've played didn't really do it for me. First stop was Midtown Music which generally has a good selection of high end guitars. I get there and its "Closed due to weather". Oh well, next stop GC. So I get to GC and I check the used wall, and there's a LP Classic for $1500. Pull if off the wall and plug into a new Tweed Blues Junior. Pretty nice. Actually, its the nicest LP I played all day. Spent a good half hour with it playing some blues, and slide. I put it back and decide to play the exact same LP, but brand new. Not quite as good, and the craftsmanship was slightly off. Next stop, Sam Ash.
I arrive at Sam Ash and I'm looking all over the place for the Gibsons. All they have is used, and not a very good selection. They've got plenty of Epi's, but hardly any Gibsons. Not to be discouraged, I try out some Gretschs. I played a Pro Jet w/mini humuckers and I really liked it. It was like a cross between and Les Paul and a Tele. Very cool guitar at a good price. One thing I learned today is that I don't like Bigsbys. Those big whammy bars just got in the way. Played three different ones and they were all nice and consistant. I'm sure they have a non-Bigsby version that I would most likely go for, but not today.
There is another GC not far from Sam Ash and I head over there. Poor service at first, but it got better. Just to compare consistency in guitars, I started with some LP Classics. I played a Goldtop and a Cherryburst. They were OK, but not really jumping out at me like the first one I played earlier today. I also played a LP Standard and while I liked the neck better on the Classics, the pups were seemed much nicer on the standard.
Now for the guitar of the day! When I first enter a music store I usually do a quick walk through to see if there is anything I really want to play. Turns out that this particular GC has a Cherryburst Epiphone Alleykat on the floor. I make it a point to try it out since I haven't played one in about five years. I pick it up and its nice and light. I plugged in and WOW. What a cool guitar! The neck felt great and was a lot like the neck on my Casino, so I immediately felt right at home. Its a lot easier to play sitting down as opposed to the LP which "butt-heavy". I was very, very, impressed with the NY Mini-humbucker. It had a nice, fat, bluesy/jazzy sound that reminded my of the P90 in my Casino, but a bit rounder. It was dirty but cleaned up nicely. The bridge humbucker was nice, but was a bit muddy on the low strings. Nice and clear on the higher strings. I thought this pup would be due for an upgrade. The thing that surprised me most was it combined the best of a 335 and a Les Paul. It wasn't very heavy at all, and had that great semi-hollowbody sound I love, but getting very "Les Pauly" at times. I didn't buy it, although I probably should've since it was marked down to $350. I just wasn't too crazy about the color. I have to admit, its growning on me so I may go back and get it.
I had a lot of fun today and to top it all off, I got some compliments on my playing. Even had a guy ask me for some tips on playing slide. Anyway, just thought I'd share my awesome day with you guys.
I arrive at Sam Ash and I'm looking all over the place for the Gibsons. All they have is used, and not a very good selection. They've got plenty of Epi's, but hardly any Gibsons. Not to be discouraged, I try out some Gretschs. I played a Pro Jet w/mini humuckers and I really liked it. It was like a cross between and Les Paul and a Tele. Very cool guitar at a good price. One thing I learned today is that I don't like Bigsbys. Those big whammy bars just got in the way. Played three different ones and they were all nice and consistant. I'm sure they have a non-Bigsby version that I would most likely go for, but not today.
There is another GC not far from Sam Ash and I head over there. Poor service at first, but it got better. Just to compare consistency in guitars, I started with some LP Classics. I played a Goldtop and a Cherryburst. They were OK, but not really jumping out at me like the first one I played earlier today. I also played a LP Standard and while I liked the neck better on the Classics, the pups were seemed much nicer on the standard.
Now for the guitar of the day! When I first enter a music store I usually do a quick walk through to see if there is anything I really want to play. Turns out that this particular GC has a Cherryburst Epiphone Alleykat on the floor. I make it a point to try it out since I haven't played one in about five years. I pick it up and its nice and light. I plugged in and WOW. What a cool guitar! The neck felt great and was a lot like the neck on my Casino, so I immediately felt right at home. Its a lot easier to play sitting down as opposed to the LP which "butt-heavy". I was very, very, impressed with the NY Mini-humbucker. It had a nice, fat, bluesy/jazzy sound that reminded my of the P90 in my Casino, but a bit rounder. It was dirty but cleaned up nicely. The bridge humbucker was nice, but was a bit muddy on the low strings. Nice and clear on the higher strings. I thought this pup would be due for an upgrade. The thing that surprised me most was it combined the best of a 335 and a Les Paul. It wasn't very heavy at all, and had that great semi-hollowbody sound I love, but getting very "Les Pauly" at times. I didn't buy it, although I probably should've since it was marked down to $350. I just wasn't too crazy about the color. I have to admit, its growning on me so I may go back and get it.
I had a lot of fun today and to top it all off, I got some compliments on my playing. Even had a guy ask me for some tips on playing slide. Anyway, just thought I'd share my awesome day with you guys.
