Guitars

[Tweaky]

On 19/10/2023 at 11:28 AM, Hilltop Hippy said:

@Tweaky thanks so much for the suggestion! I'll look into it. I don't play, so this is really helpful info. Cheers

 

PS. She's 11

Glad to help, I guess not being a player yourself all this stuff is like another language..

 

As far as choice of guitar, well I wouldn't be surprised if she is really taking guitar seriously, she might already like the look of one or two models, although I doubt she would know what actually would be best for her to get, more of having a favorite artist using a particular guitar

[IMHO, I've found guitar teachers can have deals with certain music stores and tend to recommend a particular store and guitar, as they get a small kickback .....just something to be aware of ]

 

As for buying secondhand musical instruments, REVERB Australia is where you want to be looking to be buying from, Ebay isn't what it used to be when it comes to guitars.

https://reverb.com/au/c/electric-guitars/

 

Darryl made a good suggestion when he mentioned SQUIER guitars, these are the licensed copies of FENDER guitars [especially if you manage to find a Squire guitar from the 80's / early 90's, when they were made in Japan, a lot of people find them better than the USA made ones - I've looked at 2nd hand prices today and they are asking too much IMHO ]

 

Fender / Squire [or pretty much any copy of a Fender Telecaster or Stratocaster guitar ] are the best options for kids.

The reason being is they are very rugged, as the necks don't have slanted back headstocks , where the tuners are [like Gibson guitars] which is a well known weak point [If you knock a Gibson over and it lands on the neck there is a good chance you will break the headstock off the neck...OUCH $$$ ]

 

Also the tuners are set at a angle on Gibson guitars, so the nut the strings have to run through has to also be cut at a angle, so the strings don't stick....this is a well known cause of tuning problems, and can be a cause of endless frustration to get sorted, even on the most expensive Gibson guitars

 

Fender guitars on the other hand have the strings running straight from the bridge, through the nut, to each individually offset tuner , so on the whole, Fenders can have far more stable tuning, especially on Telecasters.

 

Of the different models of Fender/Squire guitars, they fall into two main types, Telecaster type, which two pickups [this can differ] and has the strings running either through the body, or from the end of the bridge, straight through to the tuners.

This was the first [original Fender design] and it is pretty much bullet proof, and is the easiest to keep in tune.

 

The other type is the Stratocaster type, this has the contoured body shape, three pickups and a Tremolo bridge, which has a bar coming out of it, which the player can press on to momentarily lower the tuning of the strings [there are springs at the back of the guitar that bring the strings back into tune when the bar is let go - IF IT's SET UP CORRECTLY -which is a art unto itself ]

You can unscrew the bar on the tremolo bridge and remove it if you have no intention of using the tremolo effect

[If getting one of these guitars I recommend removing it for a KID, as the temptation to play around with it is far too great, which can result in a hour long guitar lesson being spent mostly tuning the guitar if left on.]

 

Both guitars are usually fitted with "single coil" pickups, although now days you can find them fitted with "Humbucker" or "P90" type of pickups as well, or a combo of different types.

Single coil pickups are bright and clear sounding, P90's are also Single Coil type of pickups [actually the original single coil design] but sound fuller and are generally more powerful.

Humbucking pickups are like two single coil pickups stacked one beside the other, the reason for this is to reduce hum and other noise, which can be picked up from other electronic equipment nearby [or the amp], which single coil and P90 pickups can be susceptible to [This is quite a easy fix if found a problem], Humbuckers have a powerful sound with more Bass, but lesser high frequencies.

 

If you go to the REVERB site, have a look on the Left where you will see type of guitar, and below that the guitar brands, choose Solid Body, then Squire, a whole lot of listing will show up, with Popular Products at the top.

Before browsing them MAKE SURE you look at the filters and select Seller Location- and select Australia.....I've forgotten to do this heaps of times, only to find out the guitar I'm interested in is in the USA or Japan, and the shipping costs are as much as the guitar.

 

As with buying anything online, it can be a bit of a minefield, especially with guitars as there have been SO MANY variations of the guitars over the years, one little addition to the name of a guitar can mean it's in a totally different quality level or price bracket than a otherwise identically named guitar.

Then you have those that are mis titled, either by accident or on purpose, then those guitars that have been modified.....as I said, a minefield , sort of like buying Antiques.

 

How much are you looking at spending on the guitar ?

New you are looking at $750 -850 at least for anything decent unfortunately [mainly because of the absolutely terrible Aus $ exchange rate ATM ]

Buy the time you have added in a case and a couple of set of strings you are easily over $1000, more if you have to have it shipped.

 

If buying NEW, Fender / Squire have two lines for beginners

The Fender/Squire AFFINITY range, these are the cheapest models, and they feel and sound like it, they are around the $500 mark....TBH I'd pay a bit more and get the next range up.

 

The next level up is the Fender Squire "Classic Vibe" range of Telecasters and Stratocasters, these are around $750 - 800, nice instruments and a good selection of the different variations Fender has had over the years......Their only slight negative is that they have a thick polyester lacquer on them, not a problem on the body, but on the back of the neck it makes it tacky, especially if hot weather [either use Talc powder or sand the finish back on the back of the neck is the solution]

 

Of the Stratocastor choices, basically the only difference between 60's and the 50's model is that the 50's model has a Maple fretboard and the 60's a Rosewood fretboard, plus the available colour choices are different [you can get Candy Apple Red on the 60's one]

The two different  70's models have taller frets and different models have different Humbucker pick up [s] and/or Tone/Volume pots fitted.

 

Of the Telecaster choices, well there are 7 different models, and a LOT differences between them.

As with the Strats, the Telecasters have a choice between Maple or Rosewood fretboards on the 50's or 60's models, other models have either 1 x single coil and a humbucker, or two humbuckers, plus you have the Thinline models, which has the top section on the guitar body hollow, so you can hear it acoustically [at very low volumes]

 

Link is from the USA website, the Aus website wouldn't load.

https://www.fender.com/en-US/squier-series/classic-vibe/?start=0&sz=36

 

Wow, this posted ended up long, that's what happens when you can't sleep.

 

 

 

[Hilltop Hippy]

@Tweaky thanks so much! this gives me a much better idea when looking. There is a Classic Vibe on market place that might work out. See how we go! I've got some time before Christmas obviously, so hopefully we'll find something.

 

Her teacher favours second hand, says he can make most guitars sound good with a little work. In saying that, he likes her acoustic guitar (Taylor with nylon strings) as he reckons is sounds great when they play together. He's got some old battered thing, but I remember looking it up online once and they sell for many thousands. I wish I had time to learn, its awesome listening the two of them play in a smallish room, its not like a gig at some big venue, its different when you're sitting right next to someone like that

 

 

[Tweaky]

2 hours ago, Hilltop Hippy said:

@Tweaky thanks so much! this gives me a much better idea when looking. There is a Classic Vibe on market place that might work out. See how we go! I've got some time before Christmas obviously, so hopefully we'll find something.

 

Her teacher favours second hand, says he can make most guitars sound good with a little work. In saying that, he likes her acoustic guitar (Taylor with nylon strings) as he reckons is sounds great when they play together. He's got some old battered thing, but I remember looking it up online once and they sell for many thousands. I wish I had time to learn, its awesome listening the two of them play in a smallish room, its not like a gig at some big venue, its different when you're sitting right next to someone like that

 

 

 

A lot of the manufacturers make models that have a old , played for many years, distressed guitar look, and charge a small fortune for the privilege.

If you know what you are doing, you can make any guitar look the same

[ unfortunately I've seen plenty of bad DIY attempts on the internet by people that have made their guitars look ridiculous, usually from not understanding REAL PLAYER wear patterns ]

 

The teacher is correct, if you have a half decent guitar as a starting point - like a Classic Vibe [as in parts used] its quite easy to take to a lot higher level

with a bit of adjustment and fine tuning of fret work and gentle filing of the neck side edges , which are usually a bit sharp on a these guitars.

[I use a disposable nail file for smoothing the edges of a guitars neck if it needs it]

 

Likewise any Fender type guitar can be updated, as there a hundreds if not thousands of different manufacturers that make better quality after market parts for Telecasters and Stratocasters.

[You can even buy a whole new neck for them, as the are bolted on ]

 

The link below is for Real Parts in Australia, if you have a look you can can get a small idea of just how much stuff is available to do just this.....and there is a whole load more than whats available from this site.

https://www.realparts.com.au/

 

As in Car modding, you can get get to a point where it might be better to get a higher grade guitar than modding a lower grade one to the max.....like HiFi there is the law of diminishing returns.

 

[Darryl]

And it's probably obvious but get a guitar that she likes the look of.

If it's sitting in the corner on its stand it will call her over to play it

 

[oztheatre]

On 10/10/2023 at 5:52 AM, Tweaky said:

Both Fender and Gibson are are victims of their own success, with their Les Paul's /SG's [either Humbucker or P90 ], and Fender with Tele /Strat.

If they try to deviate from those designs, it usually ends in failure commercially, hence the never ending production of the same with only cosmetic change.

 

Guitarists are traditionalists at heart, and tend to shun change, especially when it's unnecessary [ Gibson's decision to fit ALL new Les Pauls with ROBO tuners , and raise the price considerably in 2015 is a classic example - the backlash was huge ]

 

PRS Guitars are ones that I could never tell if somebody were playing, they don't have a distinct sound.

I suppose that's because they don't really do anything differently than a Fender or Gibson, SOUND WISE, they just make variations of the tried and true designs of both, and even then, there use of a "In-between" 24" scale length doesn't give you the same Bass of a Les Paul, or the High's of a Fender Telecaster.

 

PRS whole reason for being is based on refinement of previous designs and the use of striking Maple tops.

Playability is top notch, construction is as well, if not a LOT better, their own pickups are great, and their looks are great with their heavily figured Maple tops.......Generally, they are better made guitars.

So why aren't they more popular ? Being a better guitar you would think they would sell in larger quantities than they do, and even those that do buy them often end up selling them, or not using them, that includes well know guitarists that have been endorsing PRS, they seldom carry on playing PRS after the endorsement has ended. WHY ?

Anybody got any theories ?

 

My gut feeling is that generally they are considered a lounge room guitar, or a collectors guitar, and not so much of a players guitar.

TBH, as nice as they are, I've never considered actually buying one......well the PRS [SE version] of the Hollowbody II Piezo is as about as close to having me interested as I'm bound to get, as at least it IS different.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for this info mate, lots to consider. I don't think i'd buy one either, they do look stunning though but many other guitars do also.

 

The P90 pickup, is that something that changed over years or kept much the same? Seymour duncan have more than 250 pickups and I assume they have a P90 equivalent or are pickups design protected? Assume they would be.

 

[Ooogh]

Greetings Hilltop Hippy,

 

all good advice from the other members.

 

If your budget allows I will buck the trend and advise getting a new guitar. It sounds like your daughter has a genuine interest in guitar. If this is true finding the guitar she loves will serve her well. They all feel different, are easier or harder to play, hold their tune better etc. This is true even with the same guitars of a particular design and brand. Neck shapes vary between guitars, some are thinner, thicker, chunkier, more U shaped or V shaped. Finding something that suits her hands and fingers will make playing easier and more enjoyable. This will make it simply more fun to practice and so hopefully encourage her further in her endeavours. In a retail environment you can try lots of guitars in a price range. Hopefully one will be THE ONE.  When buying second hand if you have not played a bunch of different guitars it is more of a guess . I am sure it would be a wonderful experience for your daughter.

 

Happy Hunting.

 

 

 

[betocool]

I'm guessing you'll have at least ONE good guitar shop in Brisbane, heck, we got one helluva guitar shop here in Perth, sells new and second hand. My 2c, go to a shop, try out guitars until the clerk is ready to kick you out, and get THAT guitar, your daughter will know when she plays it.

 

There's a lot to say about looks, but I think a guitar has to be played to be owned.

 

Cheers,

 

Alberto

[oztheatre]

18 hours ago, betocool said:

I'm guessing you'll have at least ONE good guitar shop in Brisbane, heck, we got one helluva guitar shop here in Perth, sells new and second hand. My 2c, go to a shop, try out guitars until the clerk is ready to kick you out, and get THAT guitar, your daughter will know when she plays it.

 

There's a lot to say about looks, but I think a guitar has to be played to be owned.

 

Cheers,

 

Alberto

 

Lots up here in Brisbane and GC, 3 stores here https://www.vivacemusic.com.au/contact-us/

Red Hill https://www.guitarbrothers.com.au/

Paddington https://www.theguitarshop.com.au/

Southport GC https://www.gcmusic.com.au/guitars/

 

 

[oztheatre]

20 hours ago, Ooogh said:

Greetings Hilltop Hippy,

 

all good advice from the other members.

 

If your budget allows I will buck the trend and advise getting a new guitar. It sounds like your daughter has a genuine interest in guitar. If this is true finding the guitar she loves will serve her well. They all feel different, are easier or harder to play, hold their tune better etc. This is true even with the same guitars of a particular design and brand. Neck shapes vary between guitars, some are thinner, thicker, chunkier, more U shaped or V shaped. Finding something that suits her hands and fingers will make playing easier and more enjoyable. This will make it simply more fun to practice and so hopefully encourage her further in her endeavours. In a retail environment you can try lots of guitars in a price range. Hopefully one will be THE ONE.  When buying second hand if you have not played a bunch of different guitars it is more of a guess . I am sure it would be a wonderful experience for your daughter.

 

Happy Hunting.

 

 

 

 

2nd hand is definitely better. some examples of the bargains to be had 

 

 

 

I think Joe Perry from Aerosmith had a 58 gold top and Slash ended up with it and then gave it back to him.

 

correction 59 model https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/how-slash-ended-up-with-joe-perry-guitar/

[Phill451]

Every beginner I know that has asked me what electric guitar to buy has sat down with my made in Mexico Fender Telecaster and said that feels good and it’s easy to play. 

 

I’ve played and owned a bunch of guitars over the years but this is still one of the few that makes it easy.
 

Bought mine for under a thousand dollars but that was a few years back, and the exchange rate may have been better.

 

They are a dime a dozen so go to your nearest guitar shop so your daughter can try one out.

 

 

[Hilltop Hippy]

We have a winner! Now need a cable and amp. Also need wall mounts, what's a good one? (Or bad idea?)

 

 

[Rocketfrogs]

Just had Seymour Duncan 'Quarter Pounders' installed into the Tele. It's their highest output single coils and I must say they are sounding filthy.  Plenty of twang on the neck and lot's of grunt on the bridge.

 

Also got the Tele and Strat restringed with GHS David Gilmour's (10 12 16 28 38 48).  Interesting gauge choices but the thicker low E is totally working for me.

 

 

[Tweaky]

6 hours ago, Hilltop Hippy said:

We have a winner! Now need a cable and amp. Also need wall mounts, what's a good one? (Or bad idea?)

 

 

 

Well the Squire Mustang is good in the weight and size of the guitar dept for a 11 year old girl, and can see from the dust that the previous owner hardly touched it, so its like new.

From the look of this one [and from others I've seen in shops -not unusual for this range of guitars] the action [string height] is set too high and needs to be lowered.

Before you put new strings on it, have the teacher set it up for your daughter, or pay for a guitar store to do a full setup on it, the difference this makes is HUGE.

TBH all you need to measure/check a guitar is a Fret Rocker and a small steel ruler, a steel ruler is easily got, a fret Rocker can be got off Ebay for under $15

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/385570555891?hash=item59c5cbc7f3:g:VzcAAOSwKQRkR5-k

 

Here's what needs to be done to get the guitar in tip top shape, and playing great.

 

A lot of this stuff you can easily do yourself if you watch the videos below.

 

1] I'll take a educated guess a say that I'm sure you will find that at least several of the frets are going to be higher than the rest of them, so the high ones will need to be leveled and crowned so they are all the same height, you can check that with a Fret Rocker.

If the frets are not level and they need work, well that's one job I'd get a pro to do, but you can check if it needs doing easily enough.

You might as well check the fret edges where your hand runs across they, they might be sharp.

All that needs to be done is the use a small file to round the edges.

If the fret board has a sharp edge to it you can use a cheap disposable nail file to gently sand them to a rounder profile.

2] The string slots on the nut might/might not, need a small tweak.

 

3] Regardless of  if the any of the frets need leveling, all of them are tarnished, so the strings are going to produce a gritty sound, you can easily sort this buy using one of those Green Scotch Brite scouring pads [don't use steel wool], and then any sort of metal polish and a clean rag to get them really nice a shiny smooth.

Or get a cheap finger nail buffer, as used in the video below, same result, although I think carrying a nail buffer in a guitar case would be a good idea.

 

4] Use some Electrical Lubricant [not WD40] and spray some into the controls knobs and switches and twist/switch them back and forth several times to make sure they all run smoothly.

I'd spray a small amount into the jack plug and insert/pull out a guitar cable a few times to make sure the contacts are clean as well.

[Darryl]

7 hours ago, Hilltop Hippy said:

We have a winner! Now need a cable and amp. Also need wall mounts, what's a good one? (Or bad idea?)

 

 

Nice.

Small body and short scale length from memory.

I think maybe the tuners have been upgraded to locking. I don’t think it would have had those as standard.

I’ve got a Jap version in orange with go faster stripes on it

I researched and purchased some wall mounts recently. Ended up with String Swing USA branded ones. Can recommend them.

Edited October 25, 2023 by Darryl

[Tweaky]

1 hour ago, Darryl said:

Nice.

Small body and short scale length from memory.

I think maybe the tuners have been upgraded to locking. I don’t think it would have had those as standard.

I’ve got a Jap version in orange with go faster stripes on it

I researched and purchased some wall mounts recently. Ended up with String Swing USA branded ones. Can recommend them.

 

OH Yeah, short scale length, I forgot about that, probably why this model looks so petite.

I wasn't sure if this guitar came with locking tuners as standard, seems this guitar has had them fitted by the previous owner going by the look of things

Fender are fitting them on more and more of their guitars these days, regardless its one less thing to worry about.

 

After having a REALLY good look at the guitar again, I noticed that one of the little screws is missing from the pickguard, just where the first switch is nearest the neck.

I'd check to make sure that it hasn't made its way into one of the switches.

 

TBH I'd [or get somebody who knows their way around a guitar at this level] take the strings off and take all the screws from the pickguard and lift it up for several reasons, mainly because the tuners seemed to have been changed to locking types, so who knows what else has been changed in the guts ?.

Fist to see if the missing screws is in the body cavity [ TIP: as the pickups are magnetic, you might find the missing screw stuck to one of the pickups ], if it isn't replace it ASAP, as if you leave to screw hole open crap and moisture will get into it making the hole bigger and a PITA to eventually fit the missing screw.

 

You won't find the type of missing screw [if missing] at Bunnings etc, they come in small packs of 12 from a guitar parts supplier for under $3

https://www.realparts.com.au/standard-pickguard-screws-chrome-4548.html

 

 

Maybe the in process of taking the pickguard off previously [ almost certain it has been done] the person made the screw hole too big trying to put it back in again, and then the screw fell out........I've seem hundred of guitar suffer this.

If you find the screw, or get a replacement and find it doesn't stay in the screw hole properly, just get a wooden toothpick and some wood glue, put some glue of one end of the toothpick and then insert that end into the screw hole, then break it off at the body, once the glue has dried the screw should stay in .

 

Second reason to remove the pickguard would be to see if the guitar has had some form of shielding done to the pickup cavity and the back of the pickguard [great if it has, easy and strongly recommended to do if it hasn't ]

You can buy copper shielding tape from here for $15 [much cheaper to DIY than pay somebody to do it just because of the labour cost]

https://www.realparts.com.au/copper-shielding-tape.html

 

 

 

Edited October 25, 2023 by Tweaky

[Hilltop Hippy]

You guys are the best! thanks so much. I'll check out some of this stuff. I'm reasonably handy, so will do what I can and then get her teacher to give it the once over. Thanks so much!

[Tweaky]

1 hour ago, Hilltop Hippy said:

You guys are the best! thanks so much. I'll check out some of this stuff. I'm reasonably handy, so will do what I can and then get her teacher to give it the once over. Thanks so much!

 

No problem, more than happy to help out...[ I'm retired and bored ]

 

A lot of those things I have mentioned are what makes up the HUGE difference in the price of guitars....well apart from the finish, that can make a BIG difference.

 

Sure a lot of the price difference can be put down to better spec'd components, but you can change those out easily enough, probably for under $400 for everything on the whole guitar

 

The vast majority of the cheapest range, of the same model of guitar, by the same maker, is in the fine details that make the instrument a Joy to play, rather than one you have to fight against.

 

This all takes time to do properly, and it can't be done by machine, hence the price difference.

 

Rolled fretboard edges, really top quality fret and nut jobs, shielding of body cavities and pickguard are all the things that the guitar you have bought won't have had done to it, and would probably add around at least 5-6 hours of trained labour cost.......after dollar conversion, add AUS around another $1k to 1.5k over the base model.....even then, the guitar might not be as good as it could be.

 

I watched some really good Old School guitar techs work on vintage instruments from the late 70's, and decided to really learn  how to do this sort of stuff myself, and its been well worthwhile.

But like a lot of things these days, you can get the WRONG information [There are some really BAD repair tutorials out there ], I've learnt the hard way, and given you links to some of the better YouTube guitar setup people.

 

You don't want a Gooched Guitar

 

{Anybody that has watched DAVE's World of Fun Stuff knows what I mean - a funny guitar repair guy from Canada ]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOXNPo7CtnzzZ9A4GyQ6Tog

 

OH, and by the way, DON"T buy a cheap guitar cable [false economy], they end up being more trouble than they are worth, and you only end up replacing them.

Depending on what length you want [suggest a 10- 15 Ft one minimum ] and connector type you get [suggest L shaped plug to go into the guitar ] will determine the cost.

Probably around $50.....a selection below.

https://www.mannys.com.au/guitar-bass/guitar-accessories/guitar-cables?FilterFeature=ProductFeatureNames.Name:eq:Brand,Value:eq:Australasian|ProductFeatureNames.Name:eq:Brand,Value:eq:Ernie Ball&PageProduct=1

 

Edited October 25, 2023 by Tweaky

[Tweaky]

I'm in the midst of a couple of guitar builds ATM, after finally buying a new spray gun.

 

The major one is a classic 52 spec'd Telecaster RE: 7.5" Fretboard Radius and Original spec'd Fender Tele pickup's, which are of a low output.

 

I bought the best two piece  Alder body I could find [Thanks ACE Guitars in VIC ] -cost me a bit under $300...if  you want Fender Custom Shop quality wood, you have to pay for it.

It came as your classic SLAB Tele body, which TBH I don't like because of the way it digs into your ribs, so I shaped it so it had the same contours as my 2014 Fender US Standard Tele

 

 

I contoured the top as well, so the top right slops down, like on a Strat, but it doesn't show in the photos.

 

I chose the Classic Fender Telecaster pickup set, and Orange Drop capacitor, I'm going to wire in with it because of the way it sounds.

 

 

 

WHY?

Well with classic Low Output pickups, even with the volume knob on the guitar turned up to 10, the signal seldom really overdrives your amp at normal volume, so you need to really turn up your amp to get the same volume.

If you are using a classic Fender/ VOX / Marshall Tube amp, you will know that the classic sound they are famous for is when both the Pre and Power sections of the amp are working really hard.

It will beat any distortion pedal you might have......Think Clapton , John Mayall Blues breakers BEANO album...Les Paul into a Marshall Combo, NO EFFECTS.

OR

Mike Bloomfield, from Paul Butterfield Blues Band / and Dylan backing, Telecaster or Les Paul straight into the amp !...actually he is the reason the original Sunburst Les Pauls have become the Stradivarius of electric guitars, price wise.

 

If you use a guitar with modern day higher output pickups, it will drive your amp differently, and make it sound different as well.

Not only that, you loose headroom with your picking/fingering, the difference you can attain dynamically is less with the high output pickups because you are driving the Pre amp a lot harder, getting distortion from that, rather than the power section of the amp, which gives a tonally different type of pleasing richness.

 

It's not something you would notice unless you had two guitars of the same type, with different output pickups playing side by side, one after the other, and a lot depends on the Tube amp in use, but its pretty obvious if you can set this sort of test up.

 

 

The video below shows you how to play in the style of Mike Bloomfield....Not a bad thing to know how to do IMHO.

 

 

Edited October 25, 2023 by Tweaky

[Tweaky]

I don't know if anybody else has gone to check if Harley Benson Guitars are available to be bought in Australia, but I just did.

The answer is a resounding YES, just don't order them from anywhere other than Thormann.

 

I did a search and found this independent site with the relevant info regarding ordering from Thormann [based in Germany] and having guitars shipped to Aus & NZ.

https://cigilovic.com/buying-from-thomann-in-australia-new-zealand/

 

 

I've been Umming and Arring for ages about getting a 12 string electric, but like most people I haven't been able to justify spending the close to $6K these days for a Rickenbacker 330/12, and that's if you can find one for sale, they seem perpetually out of stock in Australia.

Like most guitarists, I know a 12 string isn't going to get a real lot of use so that has been the reality check.

 

But some things in life end up suddenly giving you a prod, and that's what's happened.

 

I ran across a very recent interview with Johnny Marr on The Pedal Show, he's released a book called Marr's Guitars, which showcases his guitar collection and the history of the instruments.

Well if you know who Johnny Marr is, you know he is associated with Rick 330/12's, and watching that video, and then listening to his guitar work with the Smiths, then The The, well that was it, I've now got a Harley Benton RB-612CS on order....which is a copy of a Rickenbacker 330/12.

 

I was worried about how much it was going to cost me, but I was blown away at how cheap it ended up.

The guitar costed Aus$411 from Thormann, I order a couple of sets of 12 string strings while I was at it.

Total delivered,including GST was $693.18

Here's the link to the Thormann site....be careful, there are SO MANY models of Harley Benson that are very tempting to just add to your shopping cart.

https://www.thomann.de/intl/harley_benton_rb_612cs_classic_series.htm?shp=eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoiYXUiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6MjAsImxhbmd1YWdlIjoyfQ%3D%3D&reload=1

 

I haven't seen a bad review of the RB-612CS, that's why I pulled the trigger on it.

 

 

 

[Hilltop Hippy]

Amps.

 

I've been looking for the Boss Katana Mk2. Came across a Fender Mustang LT50 for similar coin.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

[Darryl]

Haven’t heard or played the Mustang sorry.

Maybe check out some YouTube videos. There might even be some comparison videos on there.

[Tweaky]

8 hours ago, Hilltop Hippy said:

Amps.

 

I've been looking for the Boss Katana Mk2. Came across a Fender Mustang LT50 for similar coin.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

[oztheatre]

How about the Gibson Les Pablo for only 899 

this is really messed up! 

 

 

[ray4410]

On 27/10/2023 at 7:07 PM, Darryl said:

Haven’t heard or played the Mustang sorry.

Maybe check out some YouTube videos. There might even be some comparison videos on there.

Norah Jones likes the Fender Mustang

 

[Tweaky]

2 hours ago, oztheatre said:

How about the Gibson Les Pablo for only 899 

this is really messed up! 

 

 

 

The logo at the end cracked me up

Turbodong 2000