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Post by b1 on Jul 28, 2015 23:02:32 GMT -6
Ward, I'm not altogether sure about it. It would be very unusual, but I've seen some crazy manufacturing come out of China. If it is left handed, maybe the dealer doesn't know. The manual says it should only be adjusted by a qualified personnel. Big mystery, huh. I was perplexed with the range of adjustment. It gets tight turning both ways, with a more free feel on the nut in the center of that movement. I was using the short part of a hex wrench for leverage so I wouldn't break the rod. I'll need to cut the hex wrench and braze a "T" handle on the end for better control. I guess I'll find out one way or the other. I'm having doubts that it's left threaded, even though someone claimed it was.
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Post by b1 on Jul 30, 2015 16:44:58 GMT -6
To report back, I had a closer look at the truss rod adjustment on the Epi. It appears with the limited movement I'm getting, it is in fact RIGHT HAND threaded. I wish I knew the mechanics/anchoring of this system, but I couldn't find any info. I ordered a proper "T" handled Allen wrench (4mm). I also found a typical Allen wrench hidden in the Epi box, but it's 5/16" (smaller). I don't know the reason for the free play in the middle of the adjustment. If I knew the mechanics of it, that would reveal the mystery. All in all, the truss rod is working and able to straighten the neck. Once I get the better tool, I'm fairly confident I'll be able to get more relief in the neck.
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Post by Guitar on Jul 31, 2015 13:39:37 GMT -6
I agree with this guy a lot. I don't really prefer new guitars either.
I have funny similarities to this man and his 3 guitars. My favorite guitar for the past few years is Memphis MG-300 from the '70s that I got for free out of a junk pile. One of the lawsuit companies. However, it has had extensive work done on the fretboard, nut, bridge, neck profile, pickups, tuners and electronics. Probably about $350 worth of parts and supplies alone not counting the labor. I love this thing. Frankly it's a tone monster.
My previous favorite is an Epiphone P93 Riviera. I'm a big fan of their hollowbodies. I have always wanted a black Dot since I let mine go, this 335 Pro looks great...
That's good info about the Gibson 335 materials. I saw them at Guitar Center, and I was really confused. I said, "Why do these Gibson 335 look like trash next to the Epiphones?" I guess now I know why. You can tell at a glance that they're not made right. Even the finish looks wrong. I don't know how they sound, though.
I also have an old Supro that I got for chips, those have blown up in price as well since Jack White hit the scene. These old Japanese pawn-shop specials, people just have to have them now. It's a really special and bizarre instrument. It's made out of plywood, but it has a beautiful figured Brazilian Rosewood fretboard. You can't even get that wood anymore, legally. Some of the cheapest instruments have the most character, it's a theme I keep running into with these random guitars. Just ask Robert Johnson, haha.
All these guitars seem to need work, that's the main thing with affordable guitars, I guess. Personally it's work I love to do anyway, and you end up in custom territory, which is the probably the best place to be besides maybe vintage.
I do have a love for Gibson USA. I think it would be really smart to look out for a used SG under a grand, or one of the Studios like MJB recommended. I am just convinced that Gibson has access to superior grade wood for their instruments' bodies and necks. You can feel it under your hands, and you can hear it if you're an experienced player. Actually if I don't get the Epiphone, a USA SG would probably be my next guitar. Those things are just dumbfounding how good they are. In fact, Gibson sells more SG than they do Les Pauls. And if you keep your eye on Musician's Friend they sometimes blow out these USA Gibsons at silly prices, just to make them move.
I also want to give special mention to Rondo Music and their two standout brands SX and Agile. Cheaper than a Squire but probably higher quality. This might end up being my Les Paul. Their fretwork and setup are not the best but if you can work around that, the wood is good. I think of them as sort of the modern "lawsuit" brand. They are a little sloppy but you can get some serious tone from some of them if you know how to play. It's not a great guitar but put a pickup in it and it sounds like one. When I listen to my maple/ash SX P-bass with Fender CS pickup, I am in disbelief, my mouth actually opens. How can a bass this cheap sound that hauntingly good? I blame it on Leo Fender I guess, whose designs are now basically open source, other than the headstock profiles.
There is nothing at all wrong with expensive guitars, they are wonderful! So is any guitar at any price with enough love. This seems like common sense to me, but for this guy to be making a video about it, maybe some people aren't aware. Or caught up in the hype. I guess you can get lost in your head after a while looking at all the elite options out there. It's funny to me how easy it is to get lost in this stuff and forget the feeling in the music. I think that can be a real problem.
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Post by b1 on Oct 24, 2016 23:38:20 GMT -6
Hey guys & gals. Been a while since I've checked in. I just wanted to comment on the Epi 335 after owning it for a while... I love this guitar. It's the first one I grab. The tone & playibilty is great. It's a very inspirational player & stays in tune extremely well. All stock parts are still on it. The only thing I've done is leveled the frets after I bought it... it's ready to have the frets worked again since I play it all of the time, but it still rings out so I haven't done that yet. Since I'm sold on what Epiphone is doing quality wise, that I may pick up something with a Bigsby, since I'm a Whammy guy from way back.
I use a .010 D'Addario XL string set and add a .011 or .012 on the first string.
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Post by mrholmes on Oct 25, 2016 10:48:21 GMT -6
Here is my opinion on the take.
I saw a lot of cheap guitars by students and I bought myself one or two.
Why?
For example I have two cheapo Stratocaster, and a cheap P-Base by a well known cheap china brand.
I bought them because the wood and the hardware, except the pick ups, where OK.
I gave them my guitar tech for fret-jobs and setup replacing some of the PU.
Is it as good as a real Fender Stratocaster - No.
Does those guitars sound bad, with tons of resonances - not more than any other Stratocaster I own.
The question is to me cost performance.
I also had great sounding Epis under my fingers and I did ask myself why people buy very expensive guitars.
One last thought.
Have you seen the price politics of the last 20 years?
The price for custom shop guitars?
Even if I would win the lottery I would not buy a Stratocaster for 9k.
Do the big brands still produce for musicians.
I think no... for example the last nice Martin I did play in the store was 4,6k in Euro.
I think some brands are overpriced...
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Post by b1 on Oct 25, 2016 11:18:34 GMT -6
Here is my opinion on the take. I saw a lot of cheap guitars by students and I bought myself one or two. Why? For example I have two cheapo Stratocaster, and a cheap P-Base by a well known cheap china brand. I bought them because the wood and the hardware, except the pick ups, where OK. I gave them my guitar tech for fret-jobs and setup replacing some of the PU. Is it as good as a real Fender Stratocaster - No. Does those guitars sound bad, with tons of resonances - not more than any other Stratocaster I own. The question is to me cost performance. I also had great sounding Epis under my fingers and I did ask myself why people buy very expensive guitars. One last thought. Have you seen the price politics of the last 20 years? The price for custom shop guitars? Even if I would win the lottery I would not buy a Stratocaster for 9k. Do the big brands still produce for musicians. I think no... for example the last nice Martin I did play on the store was 4,6k in Euro. I think some brands are overpriced... You nailed it Mr. Holmes. I agree on the "price to performance" benefit of well made cheaper guitars. I'm sure if I had an older Gibson 335 I'd like the feel better & be playing it more, but like you, I refuse to reward the manufacturers for over-pricing their gear. Epiphone has gained my trust on this axe. No way in God's green & blue world I'd pay 9k for a Strat. I mean between CNC guitars, who has the better tolerances on machine fit. They're all at better reproducible tolerances than hand-made guitars. Once you have the time tested formula punched in, let the wood chips fly. After that it's all superficial and easily upgrade-able hardware (if needed). |
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Post by mrholmes on Oct 25, 2016 12:25:56 GMT -6
Here is my opinion on the take. I saw a lot of cheap guitars by students and I bought myself one or two. Why? For example I have two cheapo Stratocaster, and a cheap P-Base by a well known cheap china brand. I bought them because the wood and the hardware, except the pick ups, where OK. I gave them my guitar tech for fret-jobs and setup replacing some of the PU. Is it as good as a real Fender Stratocaster - No. Does those guitars sound bad, with tons of resonances - not more than any other Stratocaster I own. The question is to me cost performance. I also had great sounding Epis under my fingers and I did ask myself why people buy very expensive guitars. One last thought. Have you seen the price politics of the last 20 years? The price for custom shop guitars? Even if I would win the lottery I would not buy a Stratocaster for 9k. Do the big brands still produce for musicians. I think no... for example the last nice Martin I did play on the store was 4,6k in Euro. I think some brands are overpriced... You nailed it Mr. Holmes. I agree on the "price to performance" benefit of well made cheaper guitars. I'm sure if I had an older Gibson 335 I'd like the feel better & be playing it more, but like you, I refuse to reward the manufacturers for over-pricing their gear. Epiphone has gained my trust on this axe. No way in God's green & blue world I'd pay 9k for a Strat. I mean between CNC guitars, who has the better tolerances on machine fit. They're all at better reproducible tolerances than hand-made guitars. Once you have the time tested formula punched in, let the wood chips fly. After that it's all superficial and easily upgrade-able hardware (if needed). For 9k someone has to build me my dream custom made strat - to make the point clear. People buy it but it wont be me. |
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Post by Ward on Oct 25, 2016 13:08:44 GMT -6
]For 9k someone has to build me my dream custom made strat - to make the point clear. Mine came out as a Crook Telecaster, with 3 pickups, a G bender and a 1965 Telecaster neck... and cost me about $7000. |
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Post by mrholmes on Oct 25, 2016 13:51:52 GMT -6
]For 9k someone has to build me my dream custom made strat - to make the point clear. Mine came out as a Crook Telecaster, with 3 pickups, a G bender and a 1965 Telecaster neck... and cost me about $7000. Applause Applause.... |
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