paulmapp8306
Fractal Fanatic
HELP - choosing a guitar.
I would never normally ask this question on a Forum - but Im having a REALLY hart time making a descision.
My gran died recently and has left me some money. I want a keepsake as I didnt get anything personal from her estate - and the only things I keep and form bonds with are guitarts - so a new guitar it is. However, what? I want something I dont have already tonally (ideally) or at least improving the quality of something I already have. That consists of:
Avalone Silver Series Accoustic. Dreadnaught with No cut and electrics.
PRS CU22, with BK Mules PUs - does the classic 60/70 and early 80s stuff - and HB based Blues.
PRC CE22 with HSF/VB - does the higher gain, more modern Rock stuff and instrumental Rock.
US Ash Tele with Broadcaster PUs. Does the country and 50S RnR.
Mex CP60s Strat with BK Irish Tour PUs (and lots of upgrades) for strat funk and Blues.
One option is a quality accoustic to replace my Avalon Silver series - but if my avalon gets played twice a year its lucky. It was bought as an on stage strummer - and its good for that, but Im not in a band at present - and Im just not an accoustic player in the house. I feel it would be a bit of a waste given the money involved.
i had also thought of a 335 ao similar. As you see I dont own a Semi. Tried 4-5 Gibsons and didnt like any - the feel, the sound. I did like a tokai ES155 - but its not quite the quality Id want. Ive fleeted with the Vox Vitrage too - but never tried one.
the next option is a CS Strat to replace my CP60s (its the lowest quality instrument I own but gets lots of play time), BUT to get the Board Radius I want It would almost certainly need to be a special order. The CP is 12" and my PRSs are 10". The tele is 9.5" and my least favourite - and least comfortable. the thing is - even with CS strats - some are fantastic and some are not good. If paying that sort of money, can you take the gamble with a Fender?
The final option is a custom build from Suhr. ive tried loads of his and they all play fantastic. tonally there not quite where I want to be - but the wood/neck choices would solve tht I think. Again - to get the wood combo, and chambers (which id want in a Suhr), the neck carve (he offeres one that suits but its not normal) and colour it would have to be special order. Same goes as with the Fender - theres no definates. Id also be concerned it would replace not one but two guitars. My strat and one of my PRSs (as my fav PUs are neck SC and bridge HB - yet I dont own a HSS guitar!!).
i still keep changing my mind. both Custom builds are of course US (Im in the UK) - so no real contact - and no WAY the builder is actually going to have a long conversation about what I want. Both options of course should have decent re-sale value, but being a legacy I dont want to sell whatever I go for - hence the quandry about the right decision. if It was my money Id be less concerned. My next "personal" purchase would be the CS strat - but the CP sounds and plays EXACTLY how I want a strat to. the CS would give me better quality woods and construction so a better susstain and probably a deeper/more 3d tone - but thats it. I can quite happily live with the CP for a couple more years until I can upgrade to a CS myself.
Budget is up to £3000 - Id spend it all for the right instrument but ideally the nearer to £2000 the better. To give some ideas, in the UK a 335 comes in at £1800 plain or £2300 with a figured top - the Tokaik ES155 at £1200, a Vox Virage at £2100. a CS Relic at £2300 (no idea yet at the price of a custombuild - but should be similar as most CSs are custom ordered by the shops). a Suhr S series at £1800, a Classic at £2300 - the Custom Order between £2600 and £2800. As fot Accoustics, a Taylor 314CE is £1300 ish and a 514 comes in at £2300.
Head says CS strat cos thats what Id do next, Heart says Accoustic cos thats what gran would have approved of most, eys say Suhr cos I live the look and always lusted for one, the musician in me says 335 because I dont have that tone - and its only gettable with that kind of instrument. of course there are hybrid solutions too - i could sell the Avalone and pick up a Taylor 314ce AND either the Tokai, a used CS strat or a used Suhr S3/S4. While the Accoustic isnt the quality instrument I really want it is better than what I have - but is that "split" a good idea with legacy money? Coud I justify to selling one later as I "have the other from gran" - and would I regret the missed opportunity to get a top quality, personally spec'd instrument? My heads a MESS.
So - anyone have any suggestions? I know its personal but I really need some advice here - quantified, that is WHY you recommend what you do FOR ME - not just "Id have X cos thats what i like/want" Please make it relevant to my situation as much as you can.
Many many thanks
I would never normally ask this question on a Forum - but Im having a REALLY hart time making a descision.
My gran died recently and has left me some money. I want a keepsake as I didnt get anything personal from her estate - and the only things I keep and form bonds with are guitarts - so a new guitar it is. However, what? I want something I dont have already tonally (ideally) or at least improving the quality of something I already have. That consists of:
Avalone Silver Series Accoustic. Dreadnaught with No cut and electrics.
PRS CU22, with BK Mules PUs - does the classic 60/70 and early 80s stuff - and HB based Blues.
PRC CE22 with HSF/VB - does the higher gain, more modern Rock stuff and instrumental Rock.
US Ash Tele with Broadcaster PUs. Does the country and 50S RnR.
Mex CP60s Strat with BK Irish Tour PUs (and lots of upgrades) for strat funk and Blues.
One option is a quality accoustic to replace my Avalon Silver series - but if my avalon gets played twice a year its lucky. It was bought as an on stage strummer - and its good for that, but Im not in a band at present - and Im just not an accoustic player in the house. I feel it would be a bit of a waste given the money involved.
i had also thought of a 335 ao similar. As you see I dont own a Semi. Tried 4-5 Gibsons and didnt like any - the feel, the sound. I did like a tokai ES155 - but its not quite the quality Id want. Ive fleeted with the Vox Vitrage too - but never tried one.
the next option is a CS Strat to replace my CP60s (its the lowest quality instrument I own but gets lots of play time), BUT to get the Board Radius I want It would almost certainly need to be a special order. The CP is 12" and my PRSs are 10". The tele is 9.5" and my least favourite - and least comfortable. the thing is - even with CS strats - some are fantastic and some are not good. If paying that sort of money, can you take the gamble with a Fender?
The final option is a custom build from Suhr. ive tried loads of his and they all play fantastic. tonally there not quite where I want to be - but the wood/neck choices would solve tht I think. Again - to get the wood combo, and chambers (which id want in a Suhr), the neck carve (he offeres one that suits but its not normal) and colour it would have to be special order. Same goes as with the Fender - theres no definates. Id also be concerned it would replace not one but two guitars. My strat and one of my PRSs (as my fav PUs are neck SC and bridge HB - yet I dont own a HSS guitar!!).
i still keep changing my mind. both Custom builds are of course US (Im in the UK) - so no real contact - and no WAY the builder is actually going to have a long conversation about what I want. Both options of course should have decent re-sale value, but being a legacy I dont want to sell whatever I go for - hence the quandry about the right decision. if It was my money Id be less concerned. My next "personal" purchase would be the CS strat - but the CP sounds and plays EXACTLY how I want a strat to. the CS would give me better quality woods and construction so a better susstain and probably a deeper/more 3d tone - but thats it. I can quite happily live with the CP for a couple more years until I can upgrade to a CS myself.
Budget is up to £3000 - Id spend it all for the right instrument but ideally the nearer to £2000 the better. To give some ideas, in the UK a 335 comes in at £1800 plain or £2300 with a figured top - the Tokaik ES155 at £1200, a Vox Virage at £2100. a CS Relic at £2300 (no idea yet at the price of a custombuild - but should be similar as most CSs are custom ordered by the shops). a Suhr S series at £1800, a Classic at £2300 - the Custom Order between £2600 and £2800. As fot Accoustics, a Taylor 314CE is £1300 ish and a 514 comes in at £2300.
Head says CS strat cos thats what Id do next, Heart says Accoustic cos thats what gran would have approved of most, eys say Suhr cos I live the look and always lusted for one, the musician in me says 335 because I dont have that tone - and its only gettable with that kind of instrument. of course there are hybrid solutions too - i could sell the Avalone and pick up a Taylor 314ce AND either the Tokai, a used CS strat or a used Suhr S3/S4. While the Accoustic isnt the quality instrument I really want it is better than what I have - but is that "split" a good idea with legacy money? Coud I justify to selling one later as I "have the other from gran" - and would I regret the missed opportunity to get a top quality, personally spec'd instrument? My heads a MESS.
So - anyone have any suggestions? I know its personal but I really need some advice here - quantified, that is WHY you recommend what you do FOR ME - not just "Id have X cos thats what i like/want" Please make it relevant to my situation as much as you can.
Many many thanks