Gear News 2004

[guitar_phreak]

If you are really a collector, and have $$ to spare. I feel its perfectly ok to buy a legendary Les Paul and case it on the wall.

By as for me, I'll be real nervous if I actually touch and play a $10k guitar...a scratch is like $100!!! ouch!! LOL

 

[subversion]

i'm still in the dark about some stuff pertaining to the gibson suit, if we are able to see a documented registration of the LP design, then we'll know the extent of damage gibson is suffering now.

FYI: some guitar designs are only enjoying partial protection design-wise. eg: headstock only. the law frowns upon manufacturers who are trying to cash in on designs which aren't 100% original but the law wants to encourage innovation as a whole, so some form of protection of intellectual property would be granted on reasonable grounds.

veez: the LP Std is a good investment item for players & non-players alike. for players, it's about owning a good guitar (provided you acquire a non-problematic model) & for the latter, the LP Std is the LP which retain the best market value, based on vintage sales statistics (UK & US). having said this, please do not go all out to purchase one with the intention of selling it the following day- price appreciation doesn't work this way. address your needs as oppossed to your wants 8) good luck, tell us what you acquire eventually...

the R9 thingy: in general, there's a preconceived ideas as to how a 'shred' worthy guitar should be, but i've not a hand at the R9, maybe it's shreadable after all :?:

 

[Strings]

Sorry dude, your point is factually incorrect, Gibson never did patent the "Les Paul" design, if it did so, no other company (Tokai, ESP, PRS, Agile) would be able to copy the design. A patent was never present for the Les Paul design! Gibson CLAIMS that it has "trade dress" rights over the Les Paul design. Trade dress is like a trademark in that it serves as an indication of a unique product source. A great example of this is the classic old-fashioned glass Coca-cola bottle with the waist and flutes. Most people immediately know that its Coca-cola without even seeing the name on the bottle.

I'm sorry but I thought they did patented it so that no one can copy their design without documentation and $$$? Can you please tell me where you found the article/info on the "trade dress" thing? I'm really interested in knowing more about this law/business issues.

the R9 thingy: in general, there's a preconceived ideas as to how a 'shred' worthy guitar should be, but i've not a hand at the R9, maybe it's shreadable after all

I can't say that it is but then again, I'm not a 'shredder'. But from comparing it to popular 'shredder' guitars like Ibanez and Jacksons, I'd say it's more of a laid back guitar. I don't know, it depends on the individual though.

 

[Strings]

There is tons of people collecting historic les paul who are not even professional. But IMO, i feel that if you can't play a decent guitar piece no matter its genre, don't get a expensive guitar. No point using a $4000 plus guitar playing only basic chords. But if you really want a les paul, get the older les paul. IMO, the older les paul play and sound nicer. But if you got a top grade guitar, you must have a good amp. No point having a $10000 guitar with a $100 amp.

IMO, you don't have to be a professional to own expensive gear. Hey if you love the guitar and have the money to buy it, why not? Must there be certain qualifications you must have/acquire to get expensive guitars or equipments? I personally don't think so. I've met quite a few guitar collectors that don't play guitars AT ALL. Weird but hey, I can't say anything bad about it because it's their passion and interest. We don't have the right to judge them. That being said, I agree with what guitar_phreak has said.

No point having a $10000 guitar with a $100 amp.

This much, I wholefully agree

 

[marshall_law]

IMO, you don't have to be a professional to own expensive gear. Hey if you love the guitar and have the money to buy it, why not? Must there be certain qualifications you must have/acquire to get expensive guitars or equipments? I personally don't think so. I've met quite a few guitar collectors that don't play guitars AT ALL. Weird but hey, I can't say anything bad about it because it's their passion and interest. We don't have the right to judge them. That being said, I agree with what guitar_phreak has said.

I would be totally sad if someone who knows only basic chords plays a expensive guitar. It would be the same if someone who can't even drive well owns a ferrari. If you can play no matter its genre, it'll be good to buy a expensive guitar. People like tom delonge who can't play still get a signature guitar. Don't you feel it is kinda sad? This is only my personally opinion. I just don't like expensive guitar been put to waste.

And about the les paul thing, i heard that bigsby sue gibson for copying their singlecut design. The only model that is original from gibson is the flying V, Xplorer and the SG. I think the 335 is also original. I'm not very sure.

 

[Strings]

I would be totally sad if someone who knows only basic chords plays a expensive guitar. It would be the same if someone who can't even drive well owns a ferrari. If you can play no matter its genre, it'll be good to buy a expensive guitar. People like tom delonge who can't play still get a signature guitar. Don't you feel it is kinda sad? This is only my personally opinion. I just don't like expensive guitar been put to waste.

Well I have a different opinion though. My personal advice is let them be. We have no control over it. I mean, people like Tom Delonge get's signature guitar....that's all about $$$. I'd say it's more of a business move to atrract certain target audience. I see nothing wrong with that.

I use to get angry when I see people owning expensive/high end gears but don't know how to play or take care of them. I found that jealousy or anger gets me nowhere. Best if I just forget about it. Although I do get a little jealous when I see young kids having gear way more superior than mine Sad thing is, they can't play anything. We can't do anything about it because it's their acquisition, not ours

And about the les paul thing, i heard that bigsby sue gibson for copying their singlecut design. The only model that is original from gibson is the flying V, Xplorer and the SG. I think the 335 is also original. I'm not very sure.

Is Bigsby and Lester Polfus related to one another? I don't know Gibson's history in detail but this is a suprise. Very interesting. If you can remember where you found the info, please do let us know 8)

 

[Lifehouse]

If you have the money and you're working (not begging your parents for some money) and is really interested in the guitar, go ahead buy and buy a good LP. You will find yourself more inspired to play more and indirectly you will play and sound better.

That's my 2 cents on expensive guitars/equipments. But do get a good amp as well.

 

[guitar_phreak]

Although I do get a little jealous when I see young kids having gear way more superior than mine Sad thing is, they can't play anything. We can't do anything about it because it's their acquisition, not ours

Imagine the satisfaction if you can "out-tone" a kid playing $20k worth gear with juz you trusty $150 guitar + $150 15W amp....

Who needs expensive instruments when the greatest gear you can ever have came attached to your palms with birth..

*laugh*

But STILL, I wouldn't mind owning a Gibson or two...

 

[marshall_law]

Is Bigsby and Lester Polfus related to one another? I don't know Gibson's history in detail but this is a suprise. Very interesting. If you can remember where you found the info, please do let us know 8)

No... bigsby also make its own guitar. Most of their guitar are singlecut. I read this on Cyberfret forum.

 

[Strings]

Imagine the satisfaction if you can "out-tone" a kid playing $20k worth gear with juz you trusty $150 guitar + $150 15W amp....

*Laughs* Only if that were true. From my experience, kids don't care even if we sound better than them. They will have this idea in their head that they have better gear than us and that's it. That's the most saddest thing about it.

Who needs expensive instruments when the greatest gear you can ever have came attached to your palms with birth..

There is A LOT of misconception about this. Eddie Van Halen won't sound like early Van Halen without his Marshalls. Tone is not all about the fingers. Your gears play a considerable part too. At least that's my opinion. I believe I won't sound better through a 1x12 Solid State Peavey as compared to playing through a Badcat. Personal taste I guess.

No... bigsby also make its own guitar. Most of their guitar are singlecut. I read this on Cyberfret forum.

If I'm not mistaken, Lester Polfus was the one who designed the Les Paul. Is it his own design or did he copied it? If it's in fact his own design he made for Gibson, then I see no reason for Bigsby to sue Gibson for the Singlecut design. There must be more to this.

 

[guitar_phreak]

There is A LOT of misconception about this. Eddie Van Halen won't sound like early Van Halen without his Marshalls. Tone is not all about the fingers. Your gears play a considerable part too. At least that's my opinion. I believe I won't sound better through a 1x12 Solid State Peavey as compared to playing through a Badcat. Personal taste I guess.

Just for the sake of airing views, the same can't be said totally for Jeff Beck...who is known to make the most outrageous sounds with only his amps, 1 rat pedal and his fingers. (though he does have great amps plus a cool fender strat..)... maybe Eric Clapton too, a sucker for lack of gig gear...

 

[marshall_law]

The most famous with the least gear got to be Angus Young. He does not uses any effects and his set up is mainly going from his SG to the Marshalls. I also don't use much effects. Only a wah wah and a delay through a DSL 401 and gibson les paul. But different people got different so, i don't give a damn on what you buy... but i just don't like a tree being cut down and end up in a hands of someone who can't play.

 

[Strings]

My setup is as simple as it gets, guitar straight through the amp. Both of them are my 'precious' 8)

 

[subversion]

Quick review: Squier Black Chrome P-Bass

It’s one of those rare days when I dropped by Swee Lee & auditioned a bass…

Fit/ Finish:
· No complains on fittings & finish but neck is warped causing buzzing at upper frets.
· Very playable neck but frets are thin, lethargy inducing.

Tone:· Impressive pickups, clarity at upper frets. Manifest slap/ pop tones very well.
· Electronics are smooth, no crackling heard in operation.

Conclusion: An impressive addition to the Squier family, very playable overall feel & plenty of tones to mess with. Some may find the P-pickups too midrange inclined when activated in isolation, but let’s not have too high hopes when it comes to entry-level instruments. A value-for-$$$ unit in terms of versatility, thanks to the P/ J pickups combo. Bigger frets would make this bass a sheer pleasure to play with.

 

[metallibeast]

Juz a quick q for Sub, do you know if SL is gonna be doing any package deal thingy inconjunction w/the Vai concert? Like some Special Edition Guitar + tix or something like that. Like the Satriani package thingy?

-Beast

 

[subversion]

Beast: sorry for the delayed reply. no such deal by SL because they aren't the ones bringing in the Vai act... 8)

 

[subversion]

OLP John Petrucci model now available @ Davis. did not manage to plug in as store was crowded, but it feels lighter than the real thing...

i did manage to plug in the following Fender Re-issue '50s tele (Mex) & found it a little quirky but an overall superb unit. maybe i'm not accustomed to the ash tray type bridge & the medium frets were lethargy inducing. however the ash body gives very good midrange resonance despite the hefty mass & it felt like a Les Paul at that. the neck was a pleasure to play, one of the best i've tried. it retails for >$1K so it's something to think about for us cash strapped blokes...

 

[Dawn]

Hi Subversion!

Thanks for the updates

How much is the OLP John Petrucci Signature? How's the built? I heard the tremolo is very different from the MusicMan version and isn't stable :roll:


Thanks

 

[pickg]

The most famous with the least gear got to be Angus Young. He does not uses any effects and his set up is mainly going from his SG to the Marshalls. I also don't use much effects. Only a wah wah and a delay through a DSL 401 and gibson les paul. But different people got different so, i don't give a damn on what you buy... but i just don't like a tree being cut down and end up in a hands of someone who can't play.

Like what Strings said earlier in the forum, I disagree with Marshall law's opinion that people who "can't play" shouldnt buy expensive gear. In the first place, who are we to judge whether someone is good enough for his gear? hey, if the fellow wants to spend that 10k paycheck on an expensive axe, so be it. Its his money to spend, who is anyone to question what he wants to buy with it. Thinking otherwise just smacks of immaturity and envy of other peoples gear. :wink:

 

[subversion]

a delayed take on the OLP John Petrucci model...

feel: very professional despite the price tag. the neck is comfortable but does not boast the refinements of the EB version of this signature. frets are jumbo enough for decent bends & shred. body is much lighter as mentioned in my previous post hence affecting the tone (see below).

hardware/ electronics: functional machine heads but you need to get used to the slab-like feel of the vibrato- it looks like the PRS version but feels nothing like one. it eleviates the string quite significantly off the body & makes my picking clumsy. the pickups are sweet, very responsive at high gain but it's not a Dimarzio affair, be warned. neck unit is a little muddy at the upper frets.

overall tone: very good for overdriven tones, not fantastic clean but very acceptable. sounds thin with treble cranked up, attributable to the lighter body. supplement your bass freq with an EQ pedal for best results.

other comments: please consider what's available in the market for $490 before you decide on this one, however, it comes with a bag unlike others at this price range. if you insist on the OLP tag, the Axis-copy is a better buy IMO. cheaper + more enjoyable to play when it comes to picking hand placement.

worthy contenders: Yamaha Pac 312/ Ibanez RG321 (highly recommended)