This is my current "GO-TO GUITAR" Please show me yours?

ZarK · 2012-06-17T13:05:36+00:00

Been thinking about starting this thread for quite some time after I got my first Fender Stratocaster in many years. (Prior to that I swore I'd never play Fender's again... :-[ Like I said, this was a long time ago and I was heavily into hard rock/metal guitars back then...) Over the years I have been privileged enough to have acquired most of the guitars I've always dreamt of and then some... I traded one of these for a Gibson and US Fender Strat, thinking I'd keep what I liked (probably the Gibson) and sell off the rest -even both if we didn't gel... To my surprise I ended up keeping the Strat and found something peculiar starting to transpire... Most of the time when the urge hit for a quick jam, the Strat would come out of the case! (Back then I had no less than 11 guitars -most of them very high-end examples each worth more than double what the US Strat was worth... Arguably also prettier and fancier guitars for the most part...) This specific guitar just felt right and the variety of tonal options it offered just begged me to keep coming back for more. I was actually caught out by the affinity I developed for this specific instrument and she single-handedly lead me to develop a fresh approach to guitars (and music) and what I'm looking for in them these days when considering a new acquisition... She doesn't have the most elaborate look. She goes against many of my previous self-imposed constraints in my approach to instruments but she has tone, feel and mojo that is undeniable albeit completely subjective... She has an extremely thin finish that shows up any imperfection and accepting that has certainly been a positive departure for me. Her feel and quality of tone was so apparent that I took the leap and accepted her -warts & all. It was liberating... She has been my main "go to guitar" for some time and she's never failed to impress and inspire! The point of the rant is that I thought it would be very interesting and potentially quite insightful to have an 'archive' in which I (we) can catalogue which guitar at any given period of our musical journey has been your main inspiration. Your go-to instrument. I'm not looking for "the best" or "the most expensive" or "the fanciest" or "the dream guitar". I'm looking for your current instrument that puts the smile on your face every time you take her for a spin, the one that inspires you to venture further down your musical path. I suspect as time passes and tastes change/mature that your favourite favourite will most probably also change with the times... I just thought that it could be great to have a record that you could page through in the years to come that shows what inspired you in the present and the past and showcases the progression you've gone through... I anticipate that it could bring back great memories and feelings down line -if you're as passionate about instruments as I am... Lets see if you agree and this takes off? Some ground rules: 1. You have to own more than 1 guitar of the same type (either electric or acoustic) at any given time. If you have 2 or more instruments in each category, you can post 1 of each. (Only if they're truly inspirational to you... Not just because you have more than one of a type...) Technically this thread is about "the one", however... 2. If you only have 1 guitar and its not just a temporary stepping stone to the next, in other words its the one because it's well ...the one, I suppose that also qualifies... 3. It has to be the one you're naturally drawn to pick up and play. (Price, fanciness etc. is irrelevant) It has to be the one that inspires you for all the right reasons and tickles your creativity on a more primal level... 4. The 'honeymoon' phase has to be well and truly over. No point in posting a new acquisition: The guitar needs to have proven itself for long enough. 5. This is the place to rant about your passion and love for your main axe! 6. If your main guitar is still the same in a years time and your passion for it is even stronger. Post new pics and tell us why! 7. This is NOT the spot for bashing guitars and brands! Here you express your love and appreciation for your guitar. That is it! All guitars and brands are welcome. Please guys and girls: feel free to chip in with suggestions and recommendations but most importantly share your stories, photos and love for your main axe. Why is she 'the one' at this point in time? I don't care about aesthetics,exclusivity or monetary value. If she's worth 50 bucks and she inspires you, please share your passion with me (us) all the more! I'll start by posting 'the one' that's dramatically changed my approach to guitars and has been my main inspiration for more than a year already... This Fender has totally blind-sided me and I'm thankful and all the better off for it... Fender Standard USA Stratocaster '09 limited edition... :goodtimes:

IceCreamMan

Jack Flash Jr wrote Hey we go IceCream... this is from a jam organised by Fritz decades ago... not sure if I have any other pics...

@ ftcl: what's the blonde hanging out behind the Cort? Looks cool too. I see you also have a go-to MBP.

Thanks , looks very very sweet

ftcl

@ Jack Flash Jr - It's the very first guitar I bought - a Squier strat. I got tired of the red paint job, so I decided to strip it. Made scratch plate from some masonite I had hanging around. Looks and sounds way better now. Not sure that I should post some pics here, since it's not my go to guitar...

Lol - I didn't notice I had included my man-corner in the photo ?

Beeg

Some truly unique and weird guitars in this thread, I love it! ?

Kalcium

Need to refit some pickups to my guitar before I can post it here as my go-to for realzies ?

deefstes

RoyC wrote Ok, so here's the short story of the Cornerstone Zion: 1995 lost everything I owned in a business deal gone BAD, vowed that when I could I would get a custom build (I was set on an Olson at the time), fast track to a few years ago and decided to take the plunge and after much research etc decided on Peter Marreiros of Cornerstone Guitars (one man shop, about 12 builds a year). It is everything I hoped for aesthtically and more importantly; tonally and it's getting better each day.

Although it was expensive and I was saving every penny I could during the build process to pay for it; I treat it like every great guitar should be treated - I play it all the time! It is my main guitar and the first one I reach for. I seem to be able to get some wonderfull tones from it and I am just amazed at the responsivenes and sensitivity of the guitar everytime I play it. The variety of tones just amazes me as I vary my right hand position, use different pics etc. I play the odd blues lick with a mild overdrive at times when playing live and I am always getting compliments about the tone. Yes, it's just a guitar but it symbolises much more to me. Every tiny detail was discussed and decided upon between myself and the Luthier.

This guitar inspires me and yet leaves me feeling inadequate at the same time as I feel that I need to practise more to coax the best out of it. I could go on and on and on and on.... and that's why it's The One! ?

I still have not been able to take better pics than these:

It's too early to say but as far as electrics go, I have a feeling my electric "The One" is on its way... But the rules say I must have it for a while to be certain ?

Roy, that is a truly magnificent piece, and I love the story. I'd be very keen to see you play it some time. You've never considered bringing it around to TJ's or some other venue at some stage?

Vic wrote
My old LG-2 from 1946. This little guitar is a gem...light and easy to play. The best thing is you don't have to switch on an amp and dial some tones...just pick up and play ?

Still original...strings and all ! LOL

Original strings from 1946!!!?!?!?!! Holy smokes! That's unbelievable.

kayDUB

Here's mine at the moment, I'm the opposite to Nick - LP's been in the cupboard since I got this, but is only an Epi ?
Classic Player 60s strat, pics from back when it was shiny ?

Averatu

@Zark. Looking familiar?

ZarK

Averatu wrote
@Zark. Looking familiar?

Very much so... ?

Put it this way, I know how she could be your favourite... Special sounding and playing guitar, imo...

(Although technically you should be the one to elaborate a little more on why she's your go-to guitar...) ?

ZarK

Kalcium wrote Need to refit some pickups to my guitar before I can post it here as my go-to for realzies ?

1. Post it
2. Relace pups
3. Edit original post... (or just post the updated pic.)

(Easy!!) ?

chris77

Took some cell phone pics, so apologies for the quality :-[

She's a Fender FSR Standard tele. Bought her new online, unseen and unplayed. Lovely satin neck that's already showing signs of play-wear and a nicely grained Ash body. That's about all that's original actually. I have swopped out the tortoise guard for a black one, the 6-saddle bridge for a 3-saddle brass one, branded neckplate, staggered tuners, 4-way switch, straplock buttons and a vintage type string tee - all Fender branded to keep her as true to her origin as possible. Recently also fitted a set of Harmonic Design Super Chrome P90 style tele pups, and man, I'm loving them. ? She's always played like a million bucks and the bridge sound was great, but the neck... I just didn't love the sound. Previously fitted a set of Toneriders and that was better, but still not quite what I wanted. But now, finally I do not just like but love the way she sounds as well. I reckon she's done now. Will only open her up again once in a while for a cleaning, otherwise she stays as she is. ?

singemonkey

What's the deal with your custom FMT Tele? The guy from Jackal and Wolf (great local band) plays a goldtop version and I struggled to find any info on it. Not an obviously Tele sound, but a roaring guitar on its own merits.

chris77

singemonkey wrote What's the deal with your custom FMT Tele? The guy from Jackal and Wolf (great local band) plays a goldtop version and I struggled to find any info on it. Not an obviously Tele sound, but a roaring guitar on its own merits.

She's a great guit. Flamed maple cap, mahogany body and set mahogany neck, so no, not really a Tele at all. Korean made but the quality is good. Solid feel and the neck plays great, nice big ass frets as well. Traded her for another Fender std tele I had from a forum member a while back. He had a Kahler hybrid bridge fitted and some high gain pups to turn her into a more metal guitar. The bridge is fine, but she sounded crap though. Replaced the pups with a set of Tonerider Rockongs and replaced the electronics, now she sounds killer. Push-pull switch for more single coilish sounds as well, but with the great tones from the buckers I hardly ever use it. Plus I like the look of the gold pups on the black flame body ?

Averatu

ZarK wrote
Averatu wrote
@Zark. Looking familiar?
Very much so... ?

Put it this way, I know how she could be your favourite... Special sounding and playing guitar, imo...

(Although technically you should be the one to elaborate a little more on why she's your go-to guitar...) ?

SIR YES SIR!!
Mostly the bridge, very comfortable for my mute style of playing. Otherwise it plays the same as my Hamer.

ZarK

Averatu wrote SIR YES SIR!!
Mostly the bridge, very comfortable for my mute style of playing. Otherwise it plays the same as my Hamer.

AT EASE... ?

Hammeron

This is my baby. Epiphone Goth Explorer. Korean build.
I know she is 'only' an Epi, but man I love this guitar.
Have had her since I was 10, she has played many shows and has never let me down. She had a pro set-up at Andy's a couple of years ago, new lock nut clamps etc.
She is much smaller than a standard Explorer which suites my stature excellently.
As far as I know she is factory standard.
I have tinkered on a Gibson SG, a Fender Strat and a 7 string Ibanez, but the Explorer feels like an extension of me.
She's in for the long haul, God willing.

BMU

@Hammeron - good stuff. That's a loved guitar, I can tell ?

selbydoodl

Let's get one thing clear - guitars are masculine so let's not have any more of this "she needs new strings" business.

If you want a "she" instrument, get a violin!

? ?

chris77

selbydoodl wrote Let's get one thing clear - guitars are masculine so let's not have any more of this "she needs new strings" business.

If you want a "she" instrument, get a violin!

? ?

Nope, mine are all ladies. I suspect John Mayer's might be male though. Everytime I see one of his guitars there seems to be a big humongous, well you know what, attached to it.....

guidothepimmp

selbydoodl wrote Let's get one thing clear - guitars are masculine so let's not have any more of this "she needs new strings" business.

If you want a "she" instrument, get a violin!

? ?

Uiii, if you say touching your guitar is like touching him then that's your business (next time you need to rub the neck down with lemon oil)

My guits are gals

Reinhard

chris77 wrote
selbydoodl wrote Let's get one thing clear - guitars are masculine so let's not have any more of this "she needs new strings" business.

If you want a "she" instrument, get a violin!

? ?
Nope, mine are all ladies. I suspect John Mayer's might be male though. Everytime I see one of his guitars there seems to be a big humongous, well you know what, attached to it.....

LOL

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