New trade day!

Big-G

So, its time for my now weekly posting of some new piece of kit to show you good and very patient folk, and as always, there is a bit a of a background to the story...

As you know, I picked up a Gretsch Electromatic Projet a few months back, and really enjoyed playing it, but I did have a few niggles with it that just wouldn't sit.... Firstly, it was Gold Sparkle. Very attractive, and flawlessly finished, but just not me! It seduced me for quite some time, but when reality hit, I realised that it was just too flashy for my liking. Secondly, and arguably the most important, the wife really didn't like it.... probably for the same reasons I didn't? And then practically, this thing weighed a tonne! I've had back issues for pretty much the past 15 years, after far too many car crashes, and even a plane crash (on the ground), so my back doesn't respond well to heavy chunky guitars.

So as a result of all the above factors, I decided to place the Gretsch up on the tree to see if it generated any interest, but with a view of only parting with it if the right offer came along. I really wouldn't have been that phased if the Gretsch hadn't have gone, as it was still a nice, albeit heavy guitar. Ideally I was looking for cash, but I was also open to trades....

One such potential trade came up that caught my attention, and after some negotiations, we settled on a sale... I went to the guys house last night, and this is what I came back with.....

Its a PRS SE Santana 3. Made in 2011. Immaculate condition, which is nice, as the Gretsch was also in the same condition. This thing plays beautifully, and once I've tweaked the setup, it may just become my no.1 go to guitar, ahead of my LTD EC-500! I'm really liking it! Its also much much lighter than the Gretsch, so that's a super bonus!

Whilst I was at the guys house, he showed me some of the kit he had lying around... It was like a guitar builders treasure trove! Pickups, project bodies, pedals, amps all around, including a certain Fender amp, previously of one of our own GFSA'ers! And so I also picked up these goodies.....

A Tech 21 boost D.L.A delay pedal (been after a delay for ages now).....

And some PRS USA Mira pickups! All in excellent condition.

I'm a rather happy bunny right now, and can't wait to get hold of a new Valve amp to try these through!

Regards
G!

And let the ridiculing begin......

nick

Nice, can't wait to see what you get next week!

Big-G

nick wrote: Nice, can't wait to see what you get next week!

Haha! Thanks Nick.... There may be more news to follow THIS week yet? The guy I traded with is also interested in my PRS SE Semi... Lets wait and see what happens though? More news on that when/if it happens... For now I'm just enjoying my new toy(s)!

Regards
G!

AlanRatcliffe

Pretty cool G. How different is it from your hollowbody?

Big-G

I assume you mean the PRS Semi-hollow? If so, then tonally I can't really comment having no amp available at present (although that may change very soon!).

Looks and 'feel' wise, its a bit lighter than the Semi, and certainly much much prettier. The neck feels about the same, the usual 'wide fat' profile, but the Santana is a shorter scale 24.5 vs. 25 if i remember correctly? Also, the Santana is more 'sculpted' than the flat top of the semi, so it sits a bit more comfortably on the body.

I'm also impressed that so far the trem seems to stay in tune, once taken out the bag and tuned. I'm not a big swinger on the trem anyhow, but I have to say the trem is rather sensitive, and very responsive! It only needs a small movement to have quite an effect, so why anyone would swing on it is beyond me?

Its currently fitted with 10's, so I may well put 11's on it, and see if that means I no longer need to tweak the neck? Its currently choking slightly around the 7th to 12th frets, hence why I feel it needs a slight tweak.

Hope that answered your question enough? I should have an idea of how it sounds next to the semi this evening, but we'll see? I've always found this Semi to be a little nasally sounding if that makes sense? But that was never through optimal amps. Didn't really get to use it with the AC15. Having said that, my friend played it in church one Sunday morning, and it sounded fantastic, and fitted into the mix perfectly. But I guess thats the nature of sound... Each item in isolation may not 'work' well, but combined with the other items, it 'sits' at just the correct place. hope that makes sense?

Regards
G!

Nicholas-L

Always such cool toys Big G ? ?

vic

Nice trade Big G ! I personally think this one is a big step forward.

A personal observation from experience.....a Vox AC30, and I presume the AC15 as well, does not respond well to hollow bodies....for those you want a Fender valve amp. But for this PRS, an AC15 would be well suited....I'm just saying.

Also going up to 11's, even 12's, with a plain G string, is a good idea. Last night I've restrung my Les Paul R6 with 11's, and the result is pretty audible.

Big-G

Thanks guys.

@Vic, the AC15 sounded awesome with my Triggs hollow, although that was always at low volume, so I never reached the 'feedback' levels that tend to make things sound nasty, but yes, having the Hollows through my VHT, which is much more fender'esque sounding, is a completely different sound altogether!

I do sorely miss the AC15, although i have been enjoying the cleanliness of the VHT. Both great amps! Both very different, even when keeping the AC15 clean!

The Santana is currently my favourite guitar now, and I so love the tones I'm getting out of the neck pup! Very smooth! Like Silk or luxurious velvet! The Tech 21 Delay has also been great for adding some new dimensions to the sound, whilst not affecting the tone much, which is something I've been battling with with some other pedals.

All in all, I'm really enjoying my current setup, and finding new inspiration almost daily! Now just to start piecing some of this inspiration together, and get it all recorded! Selling the house is really hampering my ability to record!

Regards
G!

vic

Big G wrote: Thanks guys.

@Vic, the AC15 sounded awesome with my Triggs hollow, although that was always at low volume, so I never reached the 'feedback' levels that tend to make things sound nasty, but yes, having the Hollows through my VHT, which is much more fender'esque sounding, is a completely different sound altogether!

I do sorely miss the AC15, although i have been enjoying the cleanliness of the VHT. Both great amps! Both very different, even when keeping the AC15 clean!

The Santana is currently my favourite guitar now, and I so love the tones I'm getting out of the neck pup! Very smooth! Like Silk or luxurious velvet! The Tech 21 Delay has also been great for adding some new dimensions to the sound, whilst not affecting the tone much, which is something I've been battling with with some other pedals.

All in all, I'm really enjoying my current setup, and finding new inspiration almost daily! Now just to start piecing some of this inspiration together, and get it all recorded! Selling the house is really hampering my ability to record!

Regards
G!

Last Sunday I visited a guy in Knysna. He has a Gibson L-5 jazz box....and he plays this through a 2x10 Fender Frontman...yes a Frontman !....the tone is to die for.

Chris-Webb

Hey Big G ?

Glad youre getting on well with the Santana and VHT.

I'm loving the Gretsch and the PRS Hollowbody!

Its sounding phenomenal through the Deville!

Big-G

Hey Chris!

Didn't realise you were round these parts! Good to hear you're enjoying those two guitars! I do miss the Gretsch, but it just wasn't 'me'. I saw an identical one in Black on the tree, which almost tempted me, but alas did not quite manage to! Hehe!

Anyways must be went! Enjoy them! I know I'm enjoying mine!

Cheers!
G!