| Author |
Message |
    
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 1:02 pm: | |
So I have been looking through this board for a week now. Late hours. I am convinced the Ibanez is the guitar I need to bring to school with me. I was looking at the AM50's thinking maybe I could pull one of those, since the size is PERFECT. But prices seem to be a little ridiculous....Someone has an AM50 on ebay now that has cracks EVERYWHERE with a buy it now at 600???? That seems just ludicrous when you think that it is going to need alot of work. I am a player here not a collecter just a kid going to school for jazz looking for a work horse. I seem to be getting bid out of my league. I even put my 2 back up guitars on ebay to fund this but I can't justify more than 700 right now(and that is really pushing it) for one. 600 would be better. I am starting to think all you collectors are probally gonna keep me from getting one until I get some kind of student loan I could use. Maybe the AM50 is out of my league? How often do they pop up on ebay? I have only seen 3 in the last 3 weeks. I thought about the as100. There is one on ebay now that I am sure you guys will go skoop up. Than it seems like I am left with the as120 or the as80. What is made better? Do both these models from the 90's exhibit good quality and sound...or am I wasting my money? I don't want some piece of •••• like an epi dot or sheraton where you have to try a million to find a gem. I want consistancy tone quality. Any help at all please. My expierence with epiphone has only been good with the Elitist model 335's. the other stuff feels like cardboard.
I figure with the Ibanez I have 2 things I dig ... the 58's and the neck. Those seem to be the things Ibanez doesn't slack on with the midrange stuff.
The price of the as120's and As80's concern me. They really aren't that expensive now. That doesn't matter; but I don't know if that is a reflection in what people think of them.
So any help is great. I need the axe in the next 2 to 3 weeks; got to get used to it before I leave. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 3:59 pm: | |
Jazzman, do you want a dedicated jazz guitar, or something you can play other styles on as well? The AM50 could be up to the task, but is definitely on the bright side. The size is great though.
AS80 and AS120 Artstars are functionally the same, the only differences are cosmetic. They are pretty much in the same league as the Epis, because they came from the same factory in Korea. Not bad guitars, but the action could be better, and they are a little acoustically dead for my tastes. They are not in high demand now, because the new Chinese Artcore guitars can be had for $300, and they are close to the Artstars, and better looking. The AS style guitars are also fairly big and heavy. Not the most comfortable guitars.
I think you're on the right track looking for an affordable Japanese made guitar. One you will not immediately outgrow, and will increase in value. What kind of tone are you after?
I think if you could find a MIJ AS series, either an AS50, AS100 or AS180 you'd be in good shape. AS50s are highly regarded for their tone, and slightly smaller size. One of the new AS103s (Chinese) could be a good call as well.
The AG series are great for a dark, electric jazz tone. They have a small body - one of the most comfortable jazz guitars. The AG195 is a wonderful jazz guitar if you can find one.
-Sven |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 4:46 pm: | |
Hey man thanks. I really hope to get alot more feedback from you guys. I have a huge jazz box now and I hate the tone. I realized I am a 335 guy. I don't dig the artcore's at all. I liked the as120 I played I felt it reigned supreme to any Epi I ever played. Some really good cats at the school I go to use the AS80. They updated some of the hardware and nut to fix the action problem. These guys get a mean tone.
So guys I am into.....Kurt Rosenwinkel...Peter Bernstein....Grant Green. Seeing some of the pro kid at this school playing the artstars is what made me think that maybe dismissing the AS120's or 80's for that matter could be a bad idea. The AM and AS 50's and 100's are crazy lol they are haunting my mind like no other guitar. !!!!! Maybe I should just wait for my gear to go and than look with that money. There are some AS 50's and AS 100 and an artist from 76 on ebay right now. Are any of those looking promising to you? If so what would you pay for any of them on ebay now?
I could put up with and AM50 with some finish cracks like the one on ebay now but 600!!!!!!!!!! I would imagine those are just the finish and could be repaired by the right guy.
I am looking for a guitar like I said that i won't hate. If I get the As120 and can replace some of the hardware and the nut; and still have something that is a killer axe I will be happy.
I mean not all the famous cats played fancy axes/Rosenwinkel played a Sheraton on a bunch of albums.
HMM>>>>I just got a new job as a waiter that pays like crazy and at the same time I am really trying to not pull from my savings for college. Which is why you see I am looking for an affordable good axe. I am selling my old ones now and if they both go I should have a little over 500 and wouldn't mind pulling a couple more out of the bank. But if one sells I am screwed because I need an axe now and will ony have like 500 to spend.....Oh and I don't start that new job for 2 weeks and I leave to school in 2 months. So you see the bind there.
Sorry the post seems kinda random but i got to take action soon.
Oh and i can't take harmony central reviews seriously; I mean come one, anyone who strings a SEMI with 9's or 10's is ridiculous. So you all are the last hope. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 5:17 pm: | |
Jazzman,
I had an AS80 a while back, and I wasn't an AS fan until I bought my '80 AS200. The power and resonance are amazing. This is a completely different beast than an AS80. While the AS80 CAN play jazz, the 200 oozes jazz with the neck PU on and a dark tone dialed in. It can also cover a myriad of other styles obviously. .011 round wounds keep it spunky sounding.
I realize this may be a little out of your league, but I think if you could get into a lower end MIJ AS for around $600-700, you'd be a very happy camper. There is an AS180 for sale in the classifieds of this board. This is the same guitar as the 200, only less flashy. Post the links to the auctions you're looking at and We'll put in out 2 cents. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 5:26 pm: | |
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ibanez-Artstar-AS-100-AS-100_W0QQitemZ7393877370QQcategoryZ3 3043QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBANEZ-ARTSTAR-AS120-SEMI-HOLLOW-BODY-GUITAR-WITH-CASE_W0QQi temZ7393022458QQcategoryZ33043QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ibanez-AS-50-Semi-acoustic-Electric-Guitar-red-finish_W0QQit emZ7394026624QQcategoryZ33043QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBANEZ-ARTIST-AM-50-SEMI-HOLLOW-BODY-GUITAR-1982_W0QQitemZ73 93110399QQcategoryZ33043QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ibanez-Artist-Semi-Hollow-Guitar_W0QQitemZ7393802524QQcatego ryZ33043QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/1978-Ibanez-Artist-2630-Gibson-Lawsuit-Era-Guitar-NR_W0QQite mZ7394071472QQcategoryZ33043QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 5:29 pm: | |
if you could comment on all of those briefly..........The AS120's are that bad huh?
I can put it on the backburner...but I mean this will have to happend soon in the next 2 weeks.
HA!!!!! Watch the bids on all those go up like crazy now.
Geese this one guy keeps telling me the AS120's are not to be looked over. |
Fg100
Username: Fg100
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 7:21 pm: | |
Correct me if I'm wrong.
The AS100 is not an AS100
The 1986 AS80 is just like an early AS100 and different from the later AS80.
The Law suit is not a law suit.
I would go with the 1986 AS80 or the 2630. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 8:00 pm: | |
What is that worth??? I haven't even heard of an early as80 in my research here. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 8:05 pm: | |
Well also that cat only does money orders and no pay pal. That is really setting yourself up for bad. |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 8:11 pm: | |
The MIJ AS100 became the MIJ AS80 in 1984 before it disappeared from the lineup a year later.
Ace |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 8:14 pm: | |
Hi Jazzman,
I would go after the AS50(#3) and change the pup at a later date when money is available. I love AS50's. They are much much better than AM50's in my book.
Ace |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 8:41 pm: | |
So I think you have solid contenders in 3 of the MIJ guitars: the '86 Artist (probably an AS80); the 90 AS100 and the AS50. I would watch those very closely and be prepared to bid if it were me.
The AS100 did not appear in the '90 US catalog, but that doesn't mean it didn't exist. a MIJ version of the AS80 appeared in '86:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1986/p28.jpg
The AS120s are not THAT bad. Some people love them. In my opinion, the Korean craftsmanship of that era does not do it for me, particularly the fretwork and neck. I believe the current stuff China is turning out has superior craftsmanship, at half the cost.
I think if you can scrape up a few more bucks for a MIJ guitar, you'll have a guitar you can grow with, rather than outgrow.
When I see that 2630, I imagine a really narrow Gibson style neck with a small radius. Not exactly nirvana to me, but YMMV. I prefer the later Artist/Artstar necks.
-Sven |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 8:55 pm: | |
Ya I mean I am prepared to throw in like 650 total....do you think i have a chance at any of those guitars? The good thing is they all end on the same day and my auctions should be up by then. So I won't have to dip into my savings to much. So again Funkle what would you pay for the 3 listed? Is 650 a reasonable threshold? |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 11:33 pm: | |
The AS50 does not have the original pups so you may get it for less.
Ace |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 12:30 am: | |
You don't see too many of these AS100s and MIJ AS80s, and they're not that sought after, so it's hard to say. I'd probably top out at $600 for these guitars. If you get one for less, you'll be doing well.
-Sven |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 12:58 am: | |
Thanks much to the two of you. I will watch them. I think you are definantly right about them not being that sought after....the ones I have been watching before these had been bid on rather quickly. With the AS80 that guy is only accepting cashier checks and money orders...isn't that the most sketchy way to do bussiness one Ebay?
So Ace do you concur on those 2 not being sought after?
What about the colors guys doese that effect people's bids. The As50 Is red...the 100 Maroon. With the 50, is that not considered a collectors guitar but rather a player's because of the pups? How dramatically would that hinder the price? I know I saw on a previos thread there was one similar situation and you said 550. I think this cat thinks he is gonna get a grand the way he hinted at that other one in his description.
YOU GUYS ARE A HUGE HELP. I will be patient and wait for the Japan stuff. |
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim
Registered: 04-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 10:20 am: | |
Jazzman, you are on the right track for one of the MIJ semi-hollows. Be patient and one will pop up with your name on it. Maybe someone here will offer something that fits your needs.
In the meantime, keep checking here, Gbase and Ebay.
Good hunting! |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 11:22 am: | |
"With the AS80 that guy is only accepting cashier checks and money orders...isn't that the most sketchy way to do bussiness one Ebay?"
I wouldn't worry about it. He has solid 100% feedback. And one of our board members, Goodasaf just bought a guitar from him. He probably wants to avoid the PayPal fee. I usually send a bank check (from my bank) via certified mail with return receipt required. That way you can verify that payment was received. |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 6:53 pm: | |
The "AS100" with narrow head stock is not that sought after, yes. I would double check to make sure that it is MIJ. The AS50 with the non-factory pup and ring is a fair deal at $550, ok at $600 and absolutely tops at $650. The seller would need to have saved up a ton of good Karma to get $1,000 for it. Maybe two tons.
Ace |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 10:06 pm: | |
That is an AS100 though right??? I can deal with bigger size it might equate to a more woody and full tone. He says it is made in Japan. But one of you said it wasn't in the catalog. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 10:24 pm: | |
The '90 AS100 is almost certainly MIJ. The Quickchange II bridge and Suregrip knobs were not used on Korean models. And Ibanez was not even building guitars in Korea in '90.
It wasn't in the '90 catalog:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1990/index.htm
but there were lots of downscaled models that never appeared in catalogs, like the AM300. The downscaled models of that era were usually identical to the higher end counterparts in construction, only they had dot inlays, chrome hardware, plain headstocks and less fancy colors. I bet that guitar will perform like an AS200. |
Rs335
Username: Rs335
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 2:55 pm: | |
Wow - there's a lot of hair in the 1990 catalog!
Max S. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 3:05 pm: | |
hey guys
I guess I am back at the mid 90's AS80 or 120 guys. It is going to have to be a transitional guitar for a year or so. I simply will not have anyone to cosign on my college loans if they see I pulled the money from my savings. (you got to love this system of college where my parents aren't paying for sh*; but I still need their signatures to get the bank to get me the money to go) So my only route left is to grab a Korean update the bridge and nut.....would you consider them far more usable than the Epi Sheratons and other stuff in that range????? |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 5:03 pm: | |
Honestly, I'd probably go for the AS73 or AS83 for $300 before the AS120 or AS80. Maybe throw in a new neck pickup.
I'd say the AS80/120 edges out the Epi mostly on the merits of it's pickups. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 6:07 pm: | |
Hey I just thought of something else. What kind of sound do you get for guitars like the Ibanez AWD83TBL? I know the pickups in those blow; but I have always wondered....do you get that airy woody 335 tone or something different? Schecter makes a bad ••• looking guitar like that too.
I still might get the AS80 or AS100 on ebay; but I have my doubts that I will get eitehr of them for under 600? |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 6:33 pm: | |
hey forget that; when is the AS103NT avalible....how much will it be and how does it play? |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 4:40 pm: | |
Hey guys.....do ALL AS100's from 90 or 91 say made in Japan on the headstock?????? That maroon appears to be the AS100 indeed. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 5:17 pm: | |
What I am getting at is , is that AS 100 really one from Japan....he says it is and it looks like one.....he sent me more pics but they were just of the neck.....can someone verify it is one fo me!
Thanks
I just got 270 for my used mexican strat....and 350 for my othere one here so I have the monies to go for any of the AS up there!!!!!
I just want someone to help me verify. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 5:35 pm: | |
Jazz, as far as I know, all AS100s are from Japan. If it has a guickchange bridge, it is MIJ.
 |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 1:20 am: | |
Hey guys
I got that maroon Ibanez AS 100 Japan for 580 and that incudes shipping. How did I do? He'll end the auction tommorrow since the money has been sent etc...It looks to be in decent shap and the only thing it will need is a little TLC and a set up. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 1:40 am: | |
ALso ..I am making money on this one...probally still have 100 left over to save for college or bigger frets. We'll see the guy was a real nice guy with good ratings. 98.6. I am excited to join the club and not have settled for something sub par. AS100 I figure should have a meatier and more full and woody sound that the AS 50...plus I am still young so weight doesn't maatter that much to me ;) |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 11:44 am: | |
Hey, that's great. I'm glad to see it worked out for you. That is one nice looking semi. Please let us know how you like it.
BTW, it helps the weight issue if you get one of those heavy padded leather Levy's straps like this
http://www.qksrv.net/click-1802666-10381315?loc=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D7393877814 |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 3:17 pm: | |
HA!! One step ahead of ya I have that one in black..It sucked on all my guitar without a strap lock....it will be great for this...nice color choice though>!I
I'll clean it up an post some pics when I get it. How about the deal though? I got him to settle for 550 before the auction ended....becuase I figured one it was a fair price for both of us. And two I figured when the AS80 and AS50 got crazy...I'd get nickel and dimed out of this on a last second bid.
You think that is a fair price for the guitar with a case? It is wierd because the label says made in japan; but there is nothing saying made in japan on the headstock. He says the catalog verifies it. And it does have the knobs and bridge you showed me which would lead it to being the AS100.
You guys have been so helpful. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 3:18 pm: | |
hey and I am probally gonna want to check the pups in it when I get it to see which ones they are. What ones should they be? And what are som things to look for to indicate they are what they are suppose to be? |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 3:36 pm: | |
Jazzman, The stock PUs would be Ibanez Super 58s. They should be marked on the back, but sometimes Ibanez PUs are not. I think 550 sounds very fair for that guitar in good shape with case. With rare guitars like this, there really is no barometer for what they should go for. I've seen AS180s (essentially the same guitar) go for 600-700. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 6:38 pm: | |
GOT IT!!!!!! And i must say I love this guitar. IT feels like a higher quality guitar all the way around. I wish it resonated more and that is the only gripe I have. It came unpolished and after a half good clean job this guitar is 8/10 easy. There is one indent where the input jack is and that is it. A steal for 550!!!!
The knobs will take some getting used to. I look to get that dark jazz tone ala Kurt Rosenwinkel. I can get the grant green tone....but the kurt one will take some work. Thanks Guys. I'll post pics if you tell me how!!! |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 8:24 pm: | |
Flatwounds or Roundwonds??
There are flatwound on them now. I have used them before and they are alright....but i don't know if Roundwound will get the sound of this guitar to shine more. Also with the tri switch do you guys use it in the middle or neck the most.
Experimenting. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 9:13 pm: | |
Jazzman, I'm glad to hear it worked out for you.
As far as the tone goes, I had somewhat of the same dilemma with my AS200. On a whim, I put a Benedetto A6 in, and the tone change was amazing. It was already a good sounding guitar, so any improvement was icing on the cake. It is dark with a softer attack than before, but still allows the semi-hollow tonality to come through. In other words, it does not transform the guitar into something it isn't, but it gives it much more of what I would consider a usable jazz tone. It is not the most articulate pickup, but it has thick, midrangey singing tone, and the soft attack takes the edge of what I would previously consider too much attack and brightness. This pickup is really designed strictly for jazz, and does a good job of it.
I chose to use round wound Elixir Nanoweb 11s on mine, because I wanted to keep the guitar versatile and in character. I have flats on my AG195, and the AS200 compliments it perfectly. The AG gives me warm mellow Metheny like tone (sometimes it's scary how Metheny like) and the AS has a more dynamic sound, which is equally jazzy (?) only different. I feel that if I put flats on the AS, it would take away from the spunky bouncy sound. But I haven't tried flats, so who knows? |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 2:30 pm: | |
Funkle can you help me quickly?
I just want to check and see if everything is cool with the numbers
AS-100WN
9905215
There might be a 1 in front of the serial number that or it is a stray stoke.
It has the narrow headstock and the AS-100 truss rod cover (which I think might be new.
Everything with it cool...anymore info?
It says maje in Japan inside just not on the back of the headstock. |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 02-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 10:01 pm: | |
Jazzman:
An "I" as the first character of the serial number on a late 80s/early 90s Japanese guitar would mean that it was manufactured at the Iida factory. Probably a 1989, but it doesn't show up in the catalog. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 10:56 pm: | |
What he said  |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 10:11 pm: | |
is it bad it doesn't show in the catalog? it is definantly an ibanez nice guitar. how do you post pics? |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 7:19 pm: | |
http://community.webshots.com/album/549413435RmemaY
Pics of gear and update on that AS100. It is still great and sounding awsome. I wish the headstock looked fancier. Plays great though....heavy....but I am young. |
Phatphred
Username: Phatphred
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 10:11 am: | |
Jazzman, cool looking instrument, but please, please use a strap, and consider one that locks! It's heavy, you're young. One day that guitar will slip and overnight you'll be older than me. |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 2:03 pm: | |
It is an H not an I on that serial number ..realizing after all this time..where does that indicate? |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 2:10 pm: | |
H905214
August 1990 the 5214 guitar built???? |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 9:36 pm: | |
Made in 1989 at Terada factory in Japan.
Ace |
Gemberbier
Username: Gemberbier
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 9:22 pm: | |
Hi Jazzman,
About your newly received patient...
You wrote:
"I wish it resonated more and that is the only gripe I have."
and
"There are flatwound on them now. I have used them before and they are alright....but i don't know if Roundwound will get the sound of this guitar to shine more."
There is surely a correlation between these two facts. Flatwounds kill overtones. If you want you guitar to resonate really good you should use all frequencies of the strings available. And use high tension roundwound strings (not .008, .009 or .010 but .011) in order to get a higher amplitude of the vibrations (natural volume). Using all available frequencies at a high amplitude could get every part of the wood resonating and "loosening up". It helps to keep it out of the case standing in a quick lock stand or imitation with a free neck in the living room close to the speakers of your stereo system and let it "sing along" with the music played on it. That's an acoustic trick I used to loosen my classical Dieter Hopf Professional guitar up, after I had the top evened out and refinished.
A trick for an electric guitar is to put it close to the guitar amp and give it a "feedback treatment" until all dead spots have been resonated loose. (For this treatment the living room is perhaps not the most suitable place).
You can use a capo to let it resonate in all possible frequencies.
These are tricks to reach the effect of years of playing in all kinds of tonalities in a shorter time.
Dead spots are a problem you may find on second hand "CLOSET" condition guitars. They're beautiful but still not loosened up after all these years. They are "old maids" who need a little therapy.
Just make her moan...
Greetz,
Dr. Freud
(Ginger) |
Jazzman
Username: Jazzman
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 5:37 pm: | |
Hmm...Sounds interesting. I appreciate it...and aside from the feedback thing I most always leave it out on a stand.
The thing about the strings seems like a stupid question now. I think I got excited and anxious because I never had a semi let alone a nice one. I took it to Berklee for a semester and could have not been happier. This semester I am commuting to Berklee form a state out...and it doesn't phase me because I bought a "Blues Junior" for this beauty and it sounds so amazing. To top it off I got a "Barber Direct Drive" and really I look forward to getting home every day and playing this thing.
I use 11 round wounds (D'addrio) and have been experimenting alot with different brands and guages. My favorite setup is when it had 12's (D'addrio)...but since I am working on my right hand technique alot more I was noticing both hands getting really tired fast. |