Guitar Zero

[thx712517]

So I'm getting back into the guitar-playing world after a long absence. I say getting back into it, my previous best was being able to play the national anthem in a fairly simple manner.... Anyway, I've been goofing around and practicing lately, and I'm solid with scales and three chords at the moment, so that's the skill level.

Now, I've got a mid-60s Vox Tornado electric that I love to death, but it's got age issues. Wiring is going to hell, it crackles and pops and the frets on the neck don't stay down. It's got some issues, and I was advised in the past to just set it down and get something else. I'm torn between repairing it to a good functional level or keeping it original and just getting something new to monkey around with.

Wandering around Ken Stanton, I saw two guitars that stood out. A Squier Telecaster (Classic Vibe, sounds like a dildo brand name) that just felt ****ing awesome, and an Epiphone SG Special that looked badass. The Squier Tele is $300, the SG Special is $180. I could justify spending the $300, but I can't decide between the Tele or the SG. Any suggestions for a guitar zero?

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

My reccomendation would be to buy something used. Check out Galaxy Music, Midtown Music, the used section at Guitar Centre, and there's one more place I can' think of right now. But yeah with $300 you could probably pick up something that's alot more interesting and unique. You probably would be able to get an actual Fender rather than Squier. Check out craigslist too, sometimes divorced women can be evil.

[Sawyer]

If you ever look at getting anything from Attina's Music, I have a $30 gift car that I'll sell you for $20! :D

[thx712517]

I'm popping by Guitar Center in a little bit on my lunch break, I didn't know they had a used guitar area. I'll definitely check it out. I'm at a disadvantage, because although I've got a good musical background with piano, I don't know **** about guitar tech. Anything to watch out for?

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Just make sure it doesn't look broken, plug it in and give it a whirl. If it feels good, sounds good and looks good then it's gonna be good. :cool:

[Doppelgänger]

Eh.. Squire is uber cheap. +1 for Craigs list... and try looking around in some local pawn shops.. i've seen some KILLER deals on vintage and well-built guitars...Fender USA models and a few odd-ball Japanese special editions. The Fender stuff that's made in Japan is very good quality..and if you were to come across any Japanese or USA made stuff that's in good condition for under $500, you've found a good deal.

I have a standard Strat (mexican made..still better than Squire) in a rather rare combo.. Lake Placid Blue with a solid maple neck and black pearl pickguard. I also have a vintage japanese Fender P-bass Lyte Deluxe.

[Grantri]

I repair stringed instruments, more than happy to have a look at that old Vox.


If "new" is what you are gonna do I'd go a step up over the Squier Tele and get a Mexican Standard Tele (around $400) . It's worth the extra $100 over the Squier and if you ever trade up you'll be able to get some money back out of it. I cant say I'm a big fan of the low end Epiphone stuff, cheap switchgear,cheap tuners etc I've seen more than a few in the shop with electronic issues. Of course if you dig the humbuckers do what you have to do .

Teles are built like tanks and the only ones that I see are in for upgrades . The jacks can be an issue as they use a rather funky piece to hold them in place. Stew Mac sells the perfect peice for that issue for about $12


If you buy something I'd be glad to do an initial set up for ya ..
IMO your best bet is a "good used" mexican standard tele.I've been playing one for ten years in al sorts of nasty smoky bars with no issues. I also own an early 70's Gibby SG, it is much more "fragile" though it sounds great.

Should be easy enough to find good used standard Tele that burps your turtle for under $300. I'll keep my eyes out as it seems I am always in the music store for "something"

[thx712517]

Turtle burpage....

Fondled a Mexican and an American Telecaster over my lunch break, not bad stuff. Of course the $1100 they wanted for the American was a bit rich, but whatever. Goofing around with those made me want to get the Vox fixed up though.

I was going to pop by Ken Stanton after work to see about getting it restrung, but if you're interested in having a look at it... Like I said before, needs new strings and I'm too chicken**** to do it myself, it crackles a lot, and I was told it had issues with some of the frets and staying in tune. Where are you at, and how much cashola would you want? You can PM me if you want.

[Grantri]

aww, cant we bore the hell out of everyone with long stories of guitar whoredom?

PM sent

[thx712517]

In the effort of boring people...

http://www.voxshowroom.com/ct/guitar/tornado.gif

This is what one in great condition looks like. Imagine mine with some cracked lacquer around the f-hole and a broken piece of plastic trim around the pickup and you're there. Sounds great whenever it's in good condition, even with my ****ty playing ability.

It used to belong to an uncle of mine back in the day, but he traded it to my Dad for a case. Dad had an awesome guitar case, uncle wanted it more than he wanted the Vox, so they swapped and the Vox now resides in a beat-to-hell case. Lacquer was great until it was accidentally stored next to an air conditioner, and then my, at the time baby, brother got to it. A shame, really. Apparently it had been customized a bit (pickups and the bridge or something), but I don't know if that's true or not. It always managed to stretch a few eyes whenever I pulled it out of the case.

Back when I was taking lessons the first go around at Ponier Music off of Dallas Highway, they had it in their shop for a few months getting it strung up and to a point where it wouldn't buzz. Imagine my frustration when I pick it up, bring it downstairs for my lesson, and my teacher points out that it's still buzzing and crackling as he's tuning it. Ah, that sucked. Their shop also told me that there was an issue with the neck, and keeping it in tune, and wiring.... So I really don't know what exactly is wrong with the piece, or if they were just covering their butts or trying to sell me a new guitar.

I've got no intention of selling it, but is it stupid to get rid of original components and refinish the guitar? I was told, again by Ponier, that was the quickest way to ruin it. So who knows. Boring enough?

[Grantri]

I certainly would recommend against doing anything to the finish, (think Meg Ryan's horrible face lift)

It's old and should look that way , a refin would definetely hurt its value.

Getting it functional on the other hand is a good idea,

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Never refinish a guitar!!!

[MoD_Scotty]

Just make sure to stay away from things made in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, or the Philippines. I actually have a bass made in Indonesia, but it's an exception to the rule.

You can usually find REALLY nice stuff that was made in Japan or Korea. As a matter of fact, I'd take something Japanese made over US any day.

Fortunately, there are 4 Guitar Centers in the ATL area. You can get on their webpage and check out their used stock without even leaving your house.

The biggest thing to check on used gear is the neck. Look down the length of it, and make sure that it's straight. While it's possible to adjust most necks, if they're WAY out of whack, they may be permanently screwed. Also, any finish cracks around the neck are a bad sign...it means the neck was WAY outta whack at one point or another.

Instead of a Squier, try looking at Ibanez, Yamaha, ESP/LTD, etc. They all make some really nice stuff.

[thx712517]

I brought the Vox in to Ken Stanton this afternoon just to get it restrung, and I think my ego is now bigger than the dealership. As soon as I flipped the lid on the case, employees were going nuts. The fellow restringing it, Billy, was nice and pleasant and chatted the entire time he was working on it, encouraged me to go play with a Telecaster while I waited, and asked, once he was done, if he could play the Vox. We popped into their little soundproof booth, left the door wide open, and he jammed out on the Vox, bending strings like a mofo. I wish I could play that good, it was insane. Crackle's ever-present, he was thinking it's the pickup. After showing it off to one of the teachers there, he recommended taking it to Southeastern Guitar Repair. Anyone heard of them?

I've been checking out the used stuff at Guitar Center through their website, and it seems like they've got a decent assortment of stuff. Nothing jumping out at me yet, but some cool stuff. I really like the feel of the Squier's neck, an honest Telecaster feels a little too thin to me. Guess I gotta keep trying stuff out. Am I nuts for wanting a guitar to practice on, or should I just keep plugging on with the Vox 100%?

[Grantri]

back to "whatever burps your turtle"


Some might tell you to put the vintage guitar away... I'm of the opinion that guitars are meant to be played and if it does it for you get her fixed and play the snot out of it. New teles are more than commonplace, hollow bodied vintage Vox's not so much..

I ran a 62 Gretsch 6120 through the shop last year, it was the definition of a "closet classic" ..Gorgeous guitar ,perfect condition ...and owner wanted to sell it..I just couldnt see myself playing some sleazy smoky bar with an $8k vintage guitar and I didnt have that sort of money laying around anyway. Hated to see it go but I dont wanna own a guitar I'm afraid to play..

Of course, guitar ***** that I am I certainly wouldnt talk you out of buying another guitar. More is better, they dont go bad or get jealous if you play another one...and the are always up for a threesome!

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

And if you choose well, then they're one of the few monetary guaranteed investments.

[thx712517]

I wouldn't mind buying another one, in all honesty. Definitely not another Vox, the only one I could find was in England for over two grand. No thank you! What's the big difference between Telecaster and Stratocasters?

Pulling my head out of Fender's *** for a moment, what's a good guitar to play for somebody that likes the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Yard Birds, Herman's Hermits, etc?

[Grantri]

Teles= Solid mount bridge, no trem. 2 single coil pick ups. Tend to be "bright" and are widely known for "twang". Excellent clean for lead runs that need to cut through the mix or dirty blues w/ some distortion. Also can be used as a fairly effective weapon y without even going out of tune http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1bM0pp_o4

Strats= Trem bridge,usually 3 single coil pups w/ a 5 way switch (though humbuckers can be had) Very versatile guitar that can cover just about anything. Will probably go out of tune if you use it as a weapon due to the trem bridge. Would probably cover most of what you mention

That hollow body Vox would cover a lot of the stuff you mention (c'ep the stones Keef favors teles)

[thx712517]

Any info on Gretsch and Rickenbacker guitars? I stumbled across their websites this evening, they seem pretty interesting.

And if the pickup is indeed bad on the Vox, any recommendation on a suitable replacement? It's a ****ty picture, but here's the beast itself...

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q28/thx712517/Vox-1.jpg

[Grantri]

Which pick up is bad?

[thx712517]

Apparently the ones up by the neck. No clue what that black thing is down by the bridge, it's a bunch of screws, no holes.

[Grantri]

From the pics it looks like there is a single coil pick up at the bridge and a humbucker at the neck. I dont see a switch so I would assume one of the knobs is wired as a "blend" pot which works like a fader in a car stereo. You can drive yourself NUTS shopping for pick ups as its hard to know what its gonna sound like until you can hear it in your guitar .

A good starting point would be SH-1N Seymour Duncan '59 Model - Neck ...Very PAF like, creamy tone. You could also have your original pups rewired

As for Ricky's & Gretsch stuff. They tend to be either unique or flat out odd, I LOVE the old orange Gretsch 6120's (think Setzer,Stray Cats Rockabilly stuff) but they are high dollar. Old Ric's are similar, I havent had the pleasure of playing any of the newer stuff

[thx712517]

Current plan of action is to scrape up some cash, get the Guild acoustic restrung so I can continue practicing hour after hour, and send the Vox in to Southeastern Guitar Repair to stabilize the cracking lacquer and fix the crackle. That being said, I just discovered that Ponier Music sells Gretsch guitars, and I've got a jonesing for a 6120.... Being the goober that I am, after running through all my scales and chords I found a dorky tab for the James Bond theme and occupied myself for a while before riffing around on a blues scale... I'm so easily amused.

[thx712517]

So I ended up getting a Gretsch G5120 Electromatic last Wednesday, and I've been playing it so often I haven't had a chance to post here about it. The Vox is safely resting until I can find someone able to fix it right. I got Gretsch fever a while ago, and after bouncing around a number of Ponier Music stores and being turned down for financing, I walked into Guitar Center near work and saw it.

There were two hanging there, a new one and a used one, and of the two the used one felt much better. I played it for a while, then hung it back up. A few days later I was back and left with the used Gretsch and, like I said, I haven't set it down since. I can even play the theme from King of the Hill quite crappily! I'm much better at it now, but it's too late for me to be playing with my amp.

[RotorNutFD3S]

Very nice purchase!

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

hell yeah! I love those big 'ol Gretsch's! good purchase my friend!

[Doppelgänger]

thost things have such a cool sound, good choice!

[Grantri]

SCORE!!!

Nicely done ,looks great!