Michael_B

I just read this on Gibson's blog: "Others use germanium circuits, which also tend to be warm and more responsive to the dynamics and attack of a performance. And then there’s silicon-based circuits, which have a brighter, edgier sound" "WTF?!", I thought. But, after giving it just a little more thought, I believe that guitar-industry marketing BS is tame and well-grounded compared to other industries.

I think that just one decent guitar and amp, any one, would give me 90% of the pleasure that I get from my entire collection. And if I spent the time that I spent GAS'ing, I be a better player.

I just played a Tally. Damn, I love V-necks. Is it nuts to put a $500 neck on a $750 Strat?

I have a cheap modeler (a $300 Mustang III). I really enjoy radically changing my amp tones with a turn of a dial and a push of a button. I believe that I may be giving up a lot of tube mojo for that, but right now it's a good trade-off. The feature that I utilize most, however, is playing overdriven tones at low true-volumes or through headphones. This allows me to play deep into the night without disturbing the neighbors or keeping the family awake with my ruckus. At this point, I can't rationalize stepping up to Kemper or Axe FX rig. Ignorance is bliss.

Damn, I love ebony boards. I'd like to have ebony boards on my Studio and Newport. I just priced one for a Strat with a medium "V" contour: nearly $500, finished. Maybe "love" is too strong.

Making this thought music-related: http://youtu.be/UhVCEvgkkFs That was not only freaking hilarious, that was a pretty good song! They're talented.

You just need your wife to start playing guitar, too, and "problem" solved. Buy her a year's worth of guitar instruction from this guy:

Beautiful. Good grab.

I see many that I think are beautiful- like Django's, which looks like a shimmering pool of water. They're just not my thing. While I don't think they'll completely fall from popularity, I think they're a period fashion, like gold hardware. Which, incidentally, are due for a come-back.

I may try to connect with you. Stella may come, too.

That's helpful in setting my expectations.

Has anyone here been to the Orlando Guitar Show? Is it worth a 90-minute drive from Tampa?

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/4781437363.html

It's really a shame that it's *that* hard to tell. I hear what you guys are saying about dimensions of fakes being "off", but I find that really hard to understand. Copying the correct dimensions is trivially easy for any CNC shop. Considering that these were designed before computer-aided design, the general dimensions must have been easy. With the widely available computer-aided measuring equipment that even small production shops have, copying the exact dimensions down to the nearest 10,000th of an inch is nearly effortless. Additionally, I suspect that that data (in the form of STEP files) are probably easy to find on the 'Net. Considering that, I'd figure that the only noticeable differences these days would be limited to hardware choices and workmanship. I'm not saying that you guys calling out bodies as obvious fake are wrong, I'm saying it's hard to understand how any counterfeiter would be failing to get the body, neck and headstock spot-on because it's really no additional work for them. And with all the data that the people provide on how to spot a fake, the counterfeiters have a guide on what to tweak. It sucks for Gibson and for the market. Especially people that don't have time to study up on small differences between fonts and tuner hardware. I guess the real shame is that the US rolls over like a beaten dog, when it comes to protecting the IP of US firms.

I'm curious: what were the things that you found to be signs of it being a fake? I'm not an expert on LPs, by any means, but the tuners on that one seem off.

My #1, right now, is my Gretsch 6129T Distinctive tones. Perfect attack. Short-scale. Chambered body. Light weight. Ebony board with thumbnail markers. Ostentatious top. Unfortunately, all my gear was moved to storage to de-clutter the house while we have it on the market. I kept the one that would be easiest to replace, in case it walks away:

Beautiful guitar. Credit for going for 7 strings- that's more than I dare undertake.

I'm with you.

The Seller shared just one picture, but it's a beauty. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/4678185633.html Probably the same Seller that listed this Graphic Special: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/4675754131.html Maybe one of you can work out a two-for-one deal.

I've been using searchallcraigs. Works pretty well, but doesn't update as frequently as I'd like.

Not affiliated: Seller wrote: "2003 Hamer Monaco III, likely the first production guitar after the NAMM guitar. Long-scale, spruce-top, semi-hollow with Bigsby and 3 P90-sized pickups. Many functional modifications: pickups (Lollar P90, SD MiniHB, Rio BabyBucker), wiring, and rear control cavity. Gigged regularly for a decade, so there is playing wear. $1000, will trade for Tele of equal value." No affiliation.

Looks great. Thanks for fixing it up for me. I can't wait to own it. Edited to remove my grumbling about being dropped down to #5 on the list. I have already apologized for those things I said about you; I understand you were in college, it was Thailand. It could have happened to anyone! Other HFC'ers, I swear it's a baseless rumor.

Yep. Fake POS. I've heard about these. Made in Pakistan. But it's an interesting curio. I'll offer to take it off your hands for the HTC approved price of tree-fiddy,Pakastani dollars. I'm jealous as hell. Enjoy.

Some real beauties, there. Especially the Tally.

As a new HFC member and a late-arriving Hamer fan, I find it ironic that they appear to be receiving the higher appraisal... outside of HFC.