NGD(ish) x 2 / I'm done for a while.

[robthemac]

I'm now at a point where the quality of each of my guitars comfortable outstrips the quality of my playing. Between what I have here, I can cover any genre/tone that I would care for. So I think that I'm going to enjoy the gear I have now instead of looking for something more.

Anyway, here's what has come in recently, and a couple of old favourites which won't be going anywhere.

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2019 Whitfill T, ex Mattress. From what I can see it's a 52 Nocaster-style with modern 3-way wiring. Matt didn't gel with the neck, and I think I can understand why. It's very chunky, with quite an unusual profile. The best I can use to describe it is broad-shouldered: not crazy deep, but it doesn't taper off towards the midline very quickly. It's working out great for me so far. Action a little low but a quick tweak we should be happy. And the sound... the bridge pickup is the best Tele sound I've ever heard. Not as sharp as some, but still full of bite and twang. Drives an amp harder than I thought and screams at higher gain. Middle position quacks as it should. Neck sounds like a neck Tele does, not very characterful but wind the tone back a bit and you can get a passable jazz vibe.

I was a little nervous about this one, as I find Teles very hit-and-miss. Matt gave me a great deal, but it's still a lot of money. Now it's here, I can honestly say I'm more excited about this guitar than any I've bought in the past fifteen years. I bloody love it.

[robthemac]

One more for luck.

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Next up is the reason I sold an LP and PRS SC recently. I've been in denial for too many years. I need semi-hollow guitars. Yes they're huge and can be uncomfortable. But it just sounds so right.

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1981-ish Ibanez Lee Ritenour LR-10. Ex-Voxshall, who decided it wasn't old enough for him. Neck on the slim side for my preferences, but plays great. Covers all the rock and jazz tones I need. Pickups usable in all three positions. Scratches my Gibson itch just fine!

[robthemac]

These last two I've had for a while. Fender CS Strat from early-mid 90s (also ex-Voxshall). A few mods including pick-ups, wiring and replaced plastics with some vintage ones. It's more Strat than I'll ever need. Probably angling towards a re-fret in the next year or two. Also tempted to get the poly refinished to nitro. Any volunteers?

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Finally, my acoustic. I ordered it as a graduation present to myself. Thanks to a forum-member for advising me on some of the specs. It's walnut top, back and sides. Interesting wood for an acoustic. Visually looks a bit like koa, and honestly the sound is also in the same ballpark. Very sweet, warm, mid-scooped, sweet up top and a little rolled-off in the highest frequencies, especially compared to mahogony or maple. It's more flexible than koa, though. More bottom-end and volume. You can hit it hard without it crapping out like koa does, so can be used for more than gentle finger-style twiddling. Has the Expression System, but I think it's been plugged in about twice.

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And with that, I'm done.


For now.

[codedog]

Great collection! No love for P-90s?

[robthemac]

Great collection! No love for P-90s?

In theory, I love them. Just haven't found the right one yet. If I were getting the Whitfill made-to-order, I would probably have gone for a P-90 in the neck. I think there's an Ash LPJ floating around the forum somewhere too... hmmm this is the problem.

[IMOCD]

Nice! That Ibanez is cool. I miss not having a semi in the stable (yes, I know leaving myself open with that comment).

[StratMatt]

Nice bro. I played that Cs Strat at the Aucks gear fest a year or two back, it's super nice.

I feel like I'm in the same place - I've been through enough guitars to know what I like, and if I can't play it on what I have then I just can't play it.

[olegmcnoleg]

That Taylor is cool, congrats.

[Molly]

Very cool. Congrats.

[olegmcnoleg]

That Taylor is cool, congrats.

On reflection, they are all cool. Great colour choices also.

[dayl]

The checking on that tele is final boss, end game type achievement. Looks great.

[robthemac]

The checking on that tele is final boss, end game type achievement. Looks great.

Thanks. The finish is crazy thin. I've already inadvertently added a couple of extra small chips!

[Slowy]

A man of great taste!
I'm concerned you don't get much character from the Whitfill's neck pup. When you bring it round we'll compare it with the Korinacaster whose neck is soulful to my ears. You might be a simple pickup change away from perfection.

And bring the Taylor; you can plug it into my AER.

Oh and Happy New Guitars day!!!!!

[robthemac]

A man of great taste!
I'm concerned you don't get much character from the Whitfill's neck pup. When you bring it round we'll compare it with the Korinacaster whose neck is soulful to my ears. You might be a simple pickup change away from perfection.

And bring the Taylor; you can plug it into my AER.

Oh and Happy New Guitars day!!!!!

I find almost all Tele neck pickups to lack character. But I haven't played around with amp settings much yet. I'm sure I'll find something useful.

Yes, will bring the Taylor and the Whitfill down next time!

[Slowy]

A man of great taste!
I'm concerned you don't get much character from the Whitfill's neck pup. When you bring it round we'll compare it with the Korinacaster whose neck is soulful to my ears. You might be a simple pickup change away from perfection.

And bring the Taylor; you can plug it into my AER.

Oh and Happy New Guitars day!!!!!

I find almost all Tele neck pickups to lack character. But I haven't played around with amp settings much yet. I'm sure I'll find something useful.

Yes, will bring the Taylor and the Whitfill down next time!

Re the Strat: My own research into the idea of removing poly and replacing with nitro indicated it was such a complex and difficult project that it was simpler to replace the body with one you want. Others may have found a way but it appears to be a serious undertaking.
And you need to play the Korinacaster.