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Swimming in a sea of Strats, Teles and Pauls

Discussion in 'Bad Dog Cafe' started by sixstringbastard, Oct 22, 2020.

  1. Oct 22, 2020 #1
    sixstringbastard

    sixstringbastard Friend of Leo's

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    At lunchtime I went to Guitar Center. I've been wanting to play one of the new Epi Firebird 2020 guitars.

    Unfortunately, they didn't have any in stock.

    They also don't have any Guild guitars in stock, which I also wanted to try out.

    I've tried this in the past with a Squier Bass VI, which they also didn't have in stock.


    However, they had (approx.) 50 Strats, 50 Teles and 50 Les Pauls. I get it, they sell a lot of these 3 models but it'd be nice to have some variety.


    Oh well, maybe I'll just order something to try it at home. If it doesn't work, then return it.
     
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  2. Oct 22, 2020 #2
    blowtorch

    blowtorch Telefied Ad Free Member

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    Is there anything special/unique about this year's crop?
     
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  3. Oct 22, 2020 #3
    srblue5

    srblue5 Tele-Meister

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    I've found the same issue with guitar stores, even more so since Covid. It's hard to find anything other than the big 3 (or 4-5, if you also include SGs and 335s). Ditto for acoustic guitar sections and often only having dreadnoughts.

    For what it's worth, and I know you'd need to try it for yourself, but I own a Guild T-bird and a Squier VI and I can attest that both are great instruments -- good out of the box but superb with a setup. I've tried a few other recent Guild electrics and they were all good too.
     
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  4. Oct 22, 2020 #4
    alnico357

    alnico357 Tele-Afflicted

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    I am an island of Carvin in a sea of Stratocasters and Les Pauls.
     
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  5. Oct 22, 2020 #5
    Ronzo

    Ronzo Tele-Holic

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    Can’t speak about the Epiphone 2020 Firebirds, but my 2020 Flying V Korina is beautifully assembled, flawlessly finished, and plays wonderfully well. Pickups sound great. Phenomenal value at $600 USD.
     
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  6. Oct 22, 2020 #6
    Bluego1

    Bluego1 Tele-Afflicted

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    Order online from GC but choose “ship to store”. Open it at the store when it arrives. Any obvious deal breakers, just leave it there. Otherwise, take it home and enjoy.
     
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  7. Oct 22, 2020 #7
    Ronzo

    Ronzo Tele-Holic

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    Glad you like it. I’ve never cared for Carvins or Kiesels.
     
  8. Oct 22, 2020 #8
    brookdalebill

    brookdalebill Tele Axpert Ad Free Member

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    If I want to check out guitars “off the beaten path”, I go to smaller, Mom & Pop type shops, or guitar specialty shops.
    The big boxes usually just have “the usual”.
    Just sayin’.
     
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  9. Oct 22, 2020 #9
    brookdalebill

    brookdalebill Tele Axpert Ad Free Member

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    The new Epi Firebirds are “neck through”, just like the real thing, and they are pretty cheap.
    Epi kinda goofed/cheaped out on the headstock, though.
    They look good.
     
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  10. Oct 22, 2020 #10
    MilwMark

    MilwMark Doctor of Teleocity Ad Free Member

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    It's almost as if they stock the most of what most people want to try and what they sell the most of.
     
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  11. Oct 22, 2020 #11
    sixstringbastard

    sixstringbastard Friend of Leo's

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    It's the affordable firebird with mini-humbuckers and neck-thru construction. I prefer actual firebird pickups in it, but anything is better than the humbuckers in previous models.

     
  12. Oct 22, 2020 #12
    sixstringbastard

    sixstringbastard Friend of Leo's

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    I've been wanting to play one of the new Guild Starfire I Jet 90 models.

    https://guildguitars.com/g/starfire-i-jet-90-satin-gold/

    The T-Bird looks very cool as well!


     
  13. Oct 22, 2020 #13
    sixstringbastard

    sixstringbastard Friend of Leo's

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    Solid plan!! I like how you think.


     
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  14. Oct 22, 2020 #14
    joe_cpwe

    joe_cpwe Tele-Holic

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    Reviews on the Epi Firebird give it a lot of praise. A neck thru at that price is a bargain.
     
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  15. Oct 22, 2020 #15
    sixstringbastard

    sixstringbastard Friend of Leo's

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    Agreed! I play rockabilly, surf and honkytonk and the Firebird looks like it might be a good companion to my telecaster and G5420T. A single coil-ish sound with a bit more beef to it.

     
  16. Oct 22, 2020 #16
    joe_cpwe

    joe_cpwe Tele-Holic

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    I recently got a non reverse Firebird knock-off
    https://www.tdpri.com/threads/ngd-cozart-firebird-review.1051636/#post-10171058

    I'm not sure if it's quenched my Firebird GAS or just made it worse! That Cozart is actually a decent guitar, but unlike that that Epi in a few ways. The non reverse style sits more like a 'normal' guitar where a Firebird like the Epi is more of a beast to handle. I'd like to play one of those Epi's
     
  17. Oct 22, 2020 #17
    Fearnot

    Fearnot Poster Extraordinaire

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    I've said that for years about 'big box' guitar stores... instead of a great selection of new guitars, you just get a great selection of the same old guitars. Endless walls of Strats, Teles, Les Pauls.... seriously?

    If you're lucky, maybe you'll find a few oddballs in the back corner.
     
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  18. Oct 22, 2020 #18
    John Backlund

    John Backlund Poster Extraordinaire Gold Supporter

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    They call that: 'Backlund's basement', it's kind of the Burmuda Triangle area of the store.
     
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