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Clearly they are 'different' in that one's solid and newish and one's semi-hollow and old. But they are the two best electric guitars I own. There is 'something' they have in common, in terms of quality/the way they respond in terms of coaxing sustain with vibrato.
If the house was on fire, the '335 would be rescued as it's less replaceable. If I had to decide which guitar I could play a whole gig with, I'd take the McCarty...
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Yes of course there are some wonderful vintage guitars but these are exceptions rather than the rule, especially Fenders where they varied enormously in construction materials and build quality. The pup construction and windings varied hugely. But there are also some wonderful new guitars too.
The values placed on these old guitars is largely due to some whimsical and mystical emperors new clothes nonsense based on the myth that they dont make them like that anymore, the wood has aged, the pups have gained magical tone because of sweat seeping into them etc or the nitro finish acquired a magical tonal quality.
In truth the custom shop Fender Strats and Teles and Gibson Les Pauls available today are easily as good if not better than most vintage counterparts. The vintage guitars that genuinely exhibit real mojo do exist, but they are such rare exceptions that most of us will never find one. Just because a strat or les paul is old doesnt mean its better. Its worth more, sure. But mostly their value is to perpetuate what for the most part is a myth, to make stupid money for dealers, and convince themselves and custimers that because someone will pay £30000 for an old guitar it has to be better than modern guitars.
In a blind test I wonder how many people really could tell the difference? I have my doubts. I have a 69 strat thats worth £5k+. But my 2010 strat is actually a better guitar to play and my 50th anniv 2004 Deluxe is better to play than either of them.
If I had the money I'd like a 58 or 59 vos LP and a CS or master built strat rather than pay stupid money for a vintage guitar and try to convince myself at how wonderful it is to justify the money...unless I'm really lucky and find one with genuine mojo.
Thanks @ICBM, but that guitar is just a happy accident. The Fender neck is old, from '83, but one of the early reissues of that time, which seem to be sought after. The body is an MJT. While it's hardly a statistically relevant sample, I've got two guitars with MJT bodies and they are both extremely resonant. Of course as relics, they don't have much finish on them!
However, I've got a 1967 SG special, it's had some restorative surgery on the neck joint and a refinish, but it really is more resonant than the Parts Strat. You could get white finger playing it for extended periods, the whole guitar vibrates in your hand, particularly the neck. I think that translates to the distinct sparkle in the tone it has. I'll bring it over one day. You won't like it though as it weighs just 6lb 4oz ... or perhaps that part of the reason it's so resonant?
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I remember a thread from the old music radar site someone who was old and ill health (I hope you are well) sold a load of guitars 50s Gibson les pauls 50s/60s strats and he wittled his collection down to 2 or 3 ...and his favourite was ???bearing in mind what he had owned and played ...
a japan tokai les paul .......
Yeah, '80's feels like yesterday to me too.
Forgot to mention the SG is white, another reason for you not to like it ..
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
My dusty guitars DO sound better than my undusty ones!
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