Guitar Thread

[Mongo Lloyd]

That is correct! These were only issued in Japan in extremely limited numbers. I wanna say something like 15 units only per color (I think there was 4 colors total, and 2 models of the Arrow/Swinger. One being the period correct single pickup version, and this double pickup version) and that there’s maybe only a handful that made it here to the states.

Mine is probably one of maybe 10 that have found their way to the US.

TBH I kinda wanna sell it, but I wouldn’t even know how to value it.

[thanksgiving]

That is correct! These were only issued in Japan in extremely limited numbers. I wanna say something like 15 units only per color (I think there was 4 colors total, and 2 models of the Arrow/Swinger. One being the period correct single pickup version, and this double pickup version) and that there’s maybe only a handful that made it here to the states.

Mine is probably one of maybe 10 that have found their way to the US.

TBH I kinda wanna sell it, but I wouldn’t even know how to value it.

yea its a tricky one to sell, id throw it up at a high price personally, its going to take a long time to sell regardless and the right person might not mind a premium...
they had a vintage one in olympic white at a shop here for a bit, I dont think id absolutely hate it if it had a different headstock..

[Willie]

I bought my first delay pedal for Christmas. A Boss RV-3. (Actually Reverb+Delay)

It’s pretty cool. The delay functions are kinda bare bones but work for me just fine. Not really into the Hall reverb settings but plate reverb sounds great.

Plate reverb plus delay sounds amazing. I haven’t figured out what to use it for in a song but I could just play single chords or arpeggios all day with it.

[Painted Baby]

@Mongo Lloyd Maybe try A Flash Flood of Gear if you're looking to move the Swinger? I don't see any selling history on the page for the guitar on Reverb so, like you were saying, I don't think too many made it over here. A lot of Flash Flood's inventory come from Japan trips so that would be where I would start since they would probably know on sight what you have.

I think it's cool as hell though and I would personally keep it even if it was never gonna be my daily driver. I have a gloss black Rhoads and the finish gives me the same OCD wigout but I can't see any of the dings from 3 feet away.

[Mongo Lloyd]

Thanks for the recommendation! Yeah, it’s a weird one. I can’t remember exactly how I purchased the guitar. I think I did it directly through Ikebbe-Gakki using a web based translate function, as this was a few years before they added the English option to the site itself. Between being a limited # release, and fewer people making international purchase due to tariffs, I think this thing will go for much more than I paid for it.

It’s got the thinnest neck with a super flat fretboard. As well as being shortscale like a mustang. Really interesting guitar, super light weight (basswood body,which is an extremely odd choice for a pricier guitar). I do like the shape as for some reason it gives me major shoegaze or spacey vibes.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who is triggered by black guitars. They always look really cool being played by others, but in my own hands I’m just noticing everything.

I also have another super limited Japanese Fender that is basically a p90 Les Paul in a pickless Jazzmaster body. Mahogany neck and body, translucent cherry red in the classic Gibson color. That guitar is my baby. As well as a charcoal frost metallic Japanese telecaster.

[steve]

A dear friend gifted me their acousticsonic jazzmaster and m-vave cube baby pedal.

haven't worked the pedal yet but i'm very surprised at how fun and well the guitar plays/sounds. nice to have that jazzmaster neck on a competent enough acoustic guitar

[Unkle Fleak]

Went another way






This was a steal. Only 200 more than the neck I wanted for the strat

[Unkle Fleak]

The guts if you wonderful horrible as I.

[Painted Baby]

@Unkle Fleak Oooh I love that wine red! Congrats on the come up. I always appreciate a look at Gibson wiring job too.

As I was clicking around, I found some kits from Pango with a mahogany neck and maple board if you ever do wanna home brew your own single cut. I think the deal with those kits is it's all Chinese made and good enough to get your build made and then you can replace with nicer hardware as you see fit. Escutcheons is escutcheons?

[Coastal Fever]

I seem to enjoy researching, buying and selling guitars as much as I do playing them.. but I’m thinking, hoping, I’ve finally found a pair that I’ll stick with for some time.  Epiphone EL-00 Pro, electric acoustic pawn shop deal, and a “Photo Genic” MG200 from eBay. 

Absolutely love the neck feel and body size of both.  The Mustang copy I want to keep and maybe upgrade over time.. the Epi, well, might be hard not to sell and upgrade to a small body Taylor once I get my money up.

[Benicio El Toro]

Picked up my first guitar a couple months ago. Got a few scales memorized and a handful of chords. Definitely need to focus more on switching between chords bc I'm naturally drawn to scales.

Haven't tried to play a single song yet either. Just been trying to get the few things I know, locked down.

Any drills, tips, suggestions are greatly appreciated?

Late 80s/early 90s Alvarez

[Unkle Fleak]

@Unkle Fleak Oooh I love that wine red! Congrats on the come up. I always appreciate a look at Gibson wiring job too.

As I was clicking around, I found some kits from Pango with a mahogany neck and maple board if you ever do wanna home brew your own single cut. I think the deal with those kits is it's all Chinese made and good enough to get your build made and then you can replace with nicer hardware as you see fit. Escutcheons is escutcheons?

Thanks for the tip. I was a little confused by this wiring this time.  I’ve not seen a cap wired straight to earth on top of the pot before. I’m might switch it to from lug to lug and paper and oil 50s style.

[Painted Baby]

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@Unkle Fleak Oooh I love that wine red! Congrats on the come up. I always appreciate a look at Gibson wiring job too.

As I was clicking around, I found some kits from Pango with a mahogany neck and maple board if you ever do wanna home brew your own single cut. I think the deal with those kits is it's all Chinese made and good enough to get your build made and then you can replace with nicer hardware as you see fit. Escutcheons is escutcheons?

[close]

Thanks for the tip. I was a little confused by this wiring this time.  I’ve not seen a cap wired straight to earth on top of the pot before. I’m might switch it to from lug to lug and paper and oil 50s style.

This is what I have in my Edwards LP. You're right though. It's usually from one of the lugs on the tone pot to the input of the volume for modern wiring. My wiring is weird too as it looks like they wired the pickups to the input and then soldered that lug to ground instead of grounding the empty lug. It sounds fine though and that is probably factory wiring. I got some little orange drop caps that Mojotone had for a minute that I need to throw in there and switch the placement of the new cap to 50s style, although this may be a different way of doing it that I'm just not familiar with.

[Unkle Fleak]

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@Unkle Fleak Oooh I love that wine red! Congrats on the come up. I always appreciate a look at Gibson wiring job too.

As I was clicking around, I found some kits from Pango with a mahogany neck and maple board if you ever do wanna home brew your own single cut. I think the deal with those kits is it's all Chinese made and good enough to get your build made and then you can replace with nicer hardware as you see fit. Escutcheons is escutcheons?

[close]

Thanks for the tip. I was a little confused by this wiring this time.  I’ve not seen a cap wired straight to earth on top of the pot before. I’m might switch it to from lug to lug and paper and oil 50s style.

[close]

This is what I have in my Edwards LP. You're right though. It's usually from one of the lugs on the tone pot to the input of the volume for modern wiring. My wiring is weird too as it looks like they wired the pickups to the input and then soldered that lug to ground instead of grounding the empty lug. It sounds fine though and that is probably factory wiring. I got some little orange drop caps that Mojotone had for a minute that I need to throw in there and switch the placement of the new cap to 50s style, although this may be a different way of doing it that I'm just not familiar with.

Seems to me this turns my tone knobs into basically more like volume knobs. And the tone knobs take the 60 cycle hum away around 4 or 5

[Jort250]

Doing a trip to Tokyo and Hong Kong in April - any decent shops recs or fancy Japanese pedals to check out? I have some extra funds to spend on a new guitar and am possibly interested in maybe grabbing a Japanese-exclusive parlor acoustic like a Yairi for coffee shop jams. I’m a lefty soo… the more friendly shops are the better

[Painted Baby]

Doing a trip to Tokyo and Hong Kong in April - any decent shops recs or fancy Japanese pedals to check out? I have some extra funds to spend on a new guitar and am possibly interested in maybe grabbing a Japanese-exclusive parlor acoustic like a Yairi for coffee shop jams. I’m a lefty soo… the more friendly shops are the better

You probably already know but if not you'll wanna hit Ochanomizu St. You may buy something there because you'll be high on the supply. This is the lefty only shop there: https://www.taniguchi-gakki.jp/

[Unkle Fleak]

Doing a trip to Tokyo and Hong Kong in April - any decent shops recs or fancy Japanese pedals to check out? I have some extra funds to spend on a new guitar and am possibly interested in maybe grabbing a Japanese-exclusive parlor acoustic like a Yairi for coffee shop jams. I’m a lefty soo… the more friendly shops are the better

You are so lucky.

Can I ask you a question? What do you think of righty’s strung up like lefty’s. Do you think it’s kinda a set ba k for a new player? One of my kids just started learning. My nephew. And it turns out he’s left handed. He can kinda play righty but his grandfather illuminated me to the fact he’s a lefty.

I just want him to stick with it. Should I have his grandfather buy him a left-handed guitar or just string one of my straps upside down like Hendrix?

[rukes]

Just play right handed. Way more guitars to choose from

I'm left handed, and I went to the guitar store when I wanted to learn, and the guy said if you're starting out, play right.

And it makes sense, because you're using the left hand for fretting.

[Jort250]

You probably already know but if not you'll wanna hit Ochanomizu St. You may buy something there because you'll be high on the supply. This is the lefty only shop there: https://www.taniguchi-gakki.jp/

You’re a champ sir, this is sick. I’ve always wanted to hit up a spot like this - my brain can’t even handle this many playable guitars ha. The Fender Japan flagship store is also on my bucket list, even if it’s just for glazing and grabbing my token souvenir shirt/sweater 

You are so lucky.

Can I ask you a question? What do you think of righty’s strung up like lefty’s. Do you think it’s kinda a set ba k for a new player? One of my kids just started learning. My nephew. And it turns out he’s left handed. He can kinda play righty but his grandfather illuminated me to the fact he’s a lefty.

I just want him to stick with it. Should I have his grandfather buy him a left-handed guitar or just string one of my straps upside down like Hendrix?

As always with this stuff YMMV but I’m not into it. Assuming you’re in the North America, I’ve found that you can always find ways to get your standard guitars (Squier Strats, MIM Teles, Epi LP, Ibanez Paper Shredder, etc) for whatever sound you’re looking for, especially with mail order.

Reversing it can still get you a functioning instrument if you’re in a pinch, no reason why it can’t with a proper setup, but the aesthetics are too jarring for me, resale will take a hit and it’s a question of whether the setup effort is worth it unless cash is tight and buying a new instrument is out of the question. When I started playing, I messed with schoolmates’ instruments and learned how to chord those things Albert King style… but I knew I wanted to advance a bit beyond that so I made my focus only playing left-handed instruments

Now the other factor is that if we are talking about a guitar that’s sentimental and ya’ll want to keep it in the family, that IMO is an exception and I’ve seen some creative stuff done on double-cuts

Just play right handed. Way more guitars to choose from

I'm left handed, and I went to the guitar store when I wanted to learn, and the guy said if you're starting out, play right.

And it makes sense, because you're using the left hand for fretting.

Sure dude. Let me just sell all my gear and re-do every gig and re-write transcription I’ve ever written

[rukes]

If you could, that would really float my boat

[Plan9Customs]

Went another way






This was a steal. Only 200 more than the neck I wanted for the strat

Damn that’s nice Flea

[Sam Alone]

Picked up my first guitar a couple months ago. Got a few scales memorized and a handful of chords. Definitely need to focus more on switching between chords bc I'm naturally drawn to scales.

Haven't tried to play a single song yet either. Just been trying to get the few things I know, locked down.

Any drills, tips, suggestions are greatly appreciated?

Late 80s/early 90s Alvarez

I just started about 18 months ago so still learning a bunch, but I would suggest learning other songs as much as learning scales.  Left hand stuff is only half the battle, and a lot of the musical magic comes from the right hand. 
Learning other songs will teach a sense of rhythm and different strum/pick techniques that you can take to your own songs, and also help see how to put scale and theory stuff into use, and then develop your own style.

If you focus too much on scales and technical shredding in a non musical way it’s like being the dude that can do every flip trick on carpet but can’t push comfortably or kickturn on a quarterpipe. 

But scales and theory can be dope, look into triads and chord construction too, that stuff has helped me connect a lot of dots with putting together second guitar parts on songs I’m writing with my wife.  She started learning keys/synth with me and we’re fully obsessed, hoping to start properly recording soon!

What kind of stuff do you want to play?

[Unkle Fleak]

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Went another way






This was a steal. Only 200 more than the neck I wanted for the strat

[close]

Damn that’s nice Flea

Thanks yo. I played it at practice today. Omg it’s incredible. Just had a pro set up. Thing perfectly intonated with the wrap tail. I checked it on the strobe. I didn’t think that was possible. Smells sooo delish.

Just play right handed. Way more guitars to choose from

I'm left handed, and I went to the guitar store when I wanted to learn, and the guy said if you're starting out, play right.

And it makes sense, because you're using the left hand for fretting.

You right. He can already play ukulele right so it has really no point in making them start over.  Besides he can just pick up a Guitar at any party or house or whatever and then play if he’s right handed.

This nephew is Uber intelligent so who knows maybe he’ll just be ambidextrous with it like my cousin was.

[Unkle Fleak]

https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/lavender-haze

Omg!!! I wish I had a grand to burn. Andertons has them too for the uk pals if yall into my favorite colour

[Painted Baby]

https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/lavender-haze

Omg!!! I wish I had a grand to burn. Andertons has them too for the uk pals if yall into my favorite colour

Absolutely. I've been sweating a Player II Strat as a mod platform and that color is perfect. I was leaning towards their Dusk color but was sorta iffy cuz of black strat theory but black with metallic purple flake in the top coat is so cool. Trouble is it's a bit too subtle and barely shows through so you've basically got a black strat. Mostly I wanna get one cuz I wanna fool around with finding the best sounding HSS wiring. The 250K pots for the single coils vs the 500K for the humbucker is a weird dance of compromise so I was gonna try a variety of caps and resistors. If it gets to be too much I can just go noiseless and use 500k. Ever since I found out the first couple of Sergio Leone movie scores were mostly played on a Strat, I've wanted to do something with a proper twangy coil split humbucker. I also sorta hate Billy Corgan but love Zwan and his guitar sound in that in particular so I was gonna get something nonstaggered and slightly hot to crank close to the strings for the neck and middle. The specs on those MX Player IIs are perfect - HSH rout and the rosewood board clinched it. I think a black white black pickguard would look dope on that lavender with white pups and knobs.

[Unkle Fleak]

Expand Quote

https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/lavender-haze

Omg!!! I wish I had a grand to burn. Andertons has them too for the uk pals if yall into my favorite colour

[close]

Absolutely. I've been sweating a Player II Strat as a mod platform and that color is perfect. I was leaning towards their Dusk color but was sorta iffy cuz of black strat theory but black with metallic purple flake in the top coat is so cool. Trouble is it's a bit too subtle and barely shows through so you've basically got a black strat. Mostly I wanna get one cuz I wanna fool around with finding the best sounding HSS wiring. The 250K pots for the single coils vs the 500K for the humbucker is a weird dance of compromise so I was gonna try a variety of caps and resistors. If it gets to be too much I can just go noiseless and use 500k. Ever since I found out the first couple of Sergio Leone movie scores were mostly played on a Strat, I've wanted to do something with a proper twangy coil split humbucker. I also sorta hate Billy Corgan but love Zwan and his guitar sound in that in particular so I was gonna get something nonstaggered and slightly hot to crank close to the strings for the neck and middle. The specs on those MX Player IIs are perfect - HSH rout and the rosewood board clinched it. I think a black white black pickguard would look dope on that lavender with white pups and knobs.

Werd. I’d definitely put a hot rail with a 500+k pot in this. I love the blend knob set up here. I’d run the upgraded humbee with just a little of the neck probably and tape the controls. I def wish it was a bound tele tho. I need a hardtail. I have zero use for a trem. Or a bridge that’s a single coil at this time.

I really just need a pick guard to load and a conversion neck. I can paint my alder body. It came off an old squire that was Gibson scale. I’m gonna strip the old thick white shit off and paint it any colour I want

[Nom De Plume]

Expand Quote

https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/lavender-haze

Omg!!! I wish I had a grand to burn. Andertons has them too for the uk pals if yall into my favorite colour

[close]

Absolutely. I've been sweating a Player II Strat as a mod platform and that color is perfect. I was leaning towards their Dusk color but was sorta iffy cuz of black strat theory but black with metallic purple flake in the top coat is so cool. Trouble is it's a bit too subtle and barely shows through so you've basically got a black strat. Mostly I wanna get one cuz I wanna fool around with finding the best sounding HSS wiring. The 250K pots for the single coils vs the 500K for the humbucker is a weird dance of compromise so I was gonna try a variety of caps and resistors. If it gets to be too much I can just go noiseless and use 500k. Ever since I found out the first couple of Sergio Leone movie scores were mostly played on a Strat, I've wanted to do something with a proper twangy coil split humbucker. I also sorta hate Billy Corgan but love Zwan and his guitar sound in that in particular so I was gonna get something nonstaggered and slightly hot to crank close to the strings for the neck and middle. The specs on those MX Player IIs are perfect - HSH rout and the rosewood board clinched it. I think a black white black pickguard would look dope on that lavender with white pups and knobs.

I never heard of Black Strat Theory until now. Looked it up and I am guilty on multiple counts. Though I played badly for over 20 years before I got a Mexican Strat. It looks like the David Gilmour one with cream knobs and pickups.

And holy hell, somebody else likes Zwan!?!?! I remember being stoned on the couch late at night and a video(Honestly) comes on MTV2 with Billy Corgan singing a happy song and half smiling at the camera. I was like did this dude finally get laid or something? Corgan ia definitely a known asshole, but he gets some killer tones. I know, I know, Butch Vig.

Pumpkins came through the venue I used to work at and the homies said he was using a digital rig, like a Kemper or something, with no amps on stage. Weird move, fuck that shit Jack. Love this vid because the song and I'm from the greater Chicagoland area.

[Unkle Fleak]

First full band practice with the new fiddle. So sick. Also I discovered Vevy’s straps over Perri’s all day.  This black lightning bolt by levy’s is much better constructed than the white lightning one that I use for the white jr.  i couldn’t look at the white strap on “Red Sonya” So I ordered this black one. Stoked.

Highly recommend this brand.

[Painted Baby]

I sold a Korean made LTD Horizon that I had up on FB marketplace and replaced it with this Epi LP Custom. 1 out, 1 in. The urge to play a white LP Custom with actives was too strong. It's a Matt Heafy pro-model so I changed a few things to make it look slightly more traditional. Changed the truss rod cover to regular LP Custom branding, added a poker chip, changed the switch tip to cream and put on those new knobs. I figured they're traditional bell knob shape but with a modern look. Reminds me of 80's and 90's HiFi gear knobs. First pic is after, second is before. Not a huge change but it feels like it's more mine now.





I also had seen a teardown and bought the Epi knowing that the pickups may be swapped around. Sure enough the Ceramic was in the neck and the Alnico 5 was in the bridge. Honestly, I may have never known if I hadn't known to look already as the A5 sounded great where it was. Luckily actives are like computer parts so it was a no soldering required job. Epiphone is putting out the best guitars they ever have but their manufacturing can still be pretty mid.



@Unkle Fleak I love Levy's straps. Have em on both of my LPs. That and some posi-loks and my strap stays on. I did have to buy the tall boy length so I wound up with an extra regular length black leather strap. I used it for about a year but my guitar was pretty choked up on my body and I looked like a dork.

After watching that CME video, I wouldn't be able to bring myself to mod that violet Strat as it is pretty perfectly specced. Hadn't realized it had a blend knob like Gilmour's Strat. Speaking of...

@Nom De Plume I think if you've changed your Strat around to look like Gilmour's then you no longer fall under the black strat theory framework. Easily a top 3 Strat for me.

I was living in Chicago when Zwan came out and had a totally similar reaction. I bought the CD at Crow's Nest so I wouldn't get side eye from the Reckless cool guys and I still got side eye from the person who rang me up lol. No hair, don't care it's still a feel good record. Billy Corgan's rig is so bizarre now. He lost me at the 3 position bladed humbucker Strat that they put out with his name on it. I don't know what to think about Reverend Guitars and so I mostly just don't.

[Unkle Fleak]

I sold a Korean made LTD Horizon that I had up on FB marketplace and replaced it with this Epi LP Custom. 1 out, 1 in. The urge to play a white LP Custom with actives was too strong. It's a Matt Heafy pro-model so I changed a few things to make it look slightly more traditional. Changed the truss rod cover to regular LP Custom branding, added a poker chip, changed the switch tip to cream and put on those new knobs. I figured they're traditional bell knob shape but with a modern look. Reminds me of 80's and 90's HiFi gear knobs. First pic is after, second is before. Not a huge change but it feels like it's more mine now.





I also had seen a teardown and bought the Epi knowing that the pickups may be swapped around. Sure enough the Ceramic was in the neck and the Alnico 5 was in the bridge. Honestly, I may have never known if I hadn't known to look already as the A5 sounded great where it was. Luckily actives are like computer parts so it was a no soldering required job. Epiphone is putting out the best guitars they ever have but their manufacturing can still be pretty mid.



@Unkle Fleak I love Levy's straps. Have em on both of my LPs. That and some posi-loks and my strap stays on. I did have to buy the tall boy length so I wound up with an extra regular length black leather strap. I used it for about a year but my guitar was pretty choked up on my body and I looked like a dork.

After watching that CME video, I wouldn't be able to bring myself to mod that violet Strat as it is pretty perfectly specced. Hadn't realized it had a blend knob like Gilmour's Strat. Speaking of...

@Nom De Plume I think if you've changed your Strat around to look like Gilmour's then you no longer fall under the black strat theory framework. Easily a top 3 Strat for me.

I was living in Chicago when Zwan came out and had a totally similar reaction. I bought the CD at Crow's Nest so I wouldn't get side eye from the Reckless cool guys and I still got side eye from the person who rang me up lol. No hair, don't care it's still a feel good record. Billy Corgan's rig is so bizarre now. He lost me at the 3 position bladed humbucker Strat that they put out with his name on it. I don't know what to think about Reverend Guitars and so I mostly just don't.

Omg that is beautiful.