I know how you all like "which guitar should I get" threads, so what better way to satisfy that than to create one.
I've recently started a it of a clear out as
I'd amassed a fair it of stuff that I didn't need. So out went my Variax 600, I'm trying to flog my dead horse non-branded lame Airline copy, and a few other things still to go. But as it stands the only guitar I have to play is my own DIY kit built SG which is like playing a small ironing board, and my amazing Wezv built resoglass Airline that means too much to me to play it that often in my tiny room in case of any damage etc.
The SG is meant to cover my clean jazzy type playing, so I am looking for something for my rock type playing. I enjoy playing White Stripes, Strokes, Velvet Underground, and cliche stuff like Black Keys and Led Zep.
Ideally I'd like an Eastwood Airline (either the standard shape or the Map one) reissue but I can't justify the price for my ability. I like their pickups though, especially the bridge, so could look at getting some of those put in whatever I go for at some point.
I'm a bit fussy and picky regarding looks particularly, in terms of quality I'm less so as long as the thing is in tune - bear in mind my last guitar was a Variax so as you can see I'm at the low end.
So, my bullet pointed spec would be as follows:
- Retro looking, though ideally not too old so as to avoid having too many problems to sort out with it.
- I suppose a similar shape really is the Jazzmaster or Jag isn't it for the standard Airline, there's nothing like a Map as far as I'm aware. But if it looks cool I'm happy to consider other shapes
- Colourwise i like bold primary colours mostly, or black or white. No sunbursts or those horrible flame type finisges that look like gradient fill in a 10 year old's Publisher documents
- I think I prefer wider necks (I think C shape?) and I think 12" radius although I think probably like 9.5" would also be fine
- Pickupwise I'd like a good raucous neck pickup, but also ideally a nice neck pickup as well to cover the jazz playing I'm supposed to use the SG for (I only still have the piece of junk because my missus bought me the kit). Don't care if single coil or humbucker if they sound good, if it's a p90 it'd have to not look like one because they are ugly as sin to me.
- no tortoise shell decor on it, if thats there I'd have to budget for a replacement pickguard so would reduce the funds available. Tortoise shell looks like my nan's sunglasses
- Have mostly played 25.5" scale necks but would consider others.
- I don't care that much about brand names, in fact if there's a way to remove any logos or obscure them I'd consider that a plus.
-
NO DIY ALLOWED - just no, not worth the expense or disappointment when it turns out sh!t.
- No Telecasters, life's too short. I can get one of the, when I'm 50
- If by any miracle the Gibson G force tuners fit the headstock... as I have some spare
- Budget would be £300, maybe a bit more if it was spot on spec
Any other particulars required please ask away, interested to see what comes up as suggestions.
I do kind of reserve the right to say I don't like the looks of something though, like the Teiscos or the weird pointy Danelectros (some Danos are ok though)
Here's some photos of the visual style i like:
Thanks guys in anticipation
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Slightly outside your budget but a used one shouldn't be.
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i was going to suggest adding a tone pre-set switch to make up for the lack of a neck pickup, but then I remembered that means taking the back off and redoing the binding you should still be able to a lot with the volume and tone you have
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Alterativly go proper retro -
http://www.mudpiemusicbrighton.com/Images/electrics/1970S-KAY-TEISCO-195.jpg
thats £195
or
https://www.badlandsguitars.co.uk/used-guitars/
For £300
I'm on a similar quest myself only I'm more into Sonic Youth than Led Zep. Quite fancy a Dano of some type...
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I thought he only used a Grestch for the Raconteurs didn't he? More of a Brendan Benson project that so it doesn't count Haha
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Although you won't find one in budget I'm afraid
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