Time to Upgrade my Electric. Advice appreciated

askmysack

Hey folks,

At the moment Im playing an Epiphone Les Paul. I love the Les Paul action and shape but it goes out of tune in no time.

I was thinking of doing a job on it (new pickups, machine heads, nut, bridge blah blah) or else selling it and going for something like;

http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_highway_one_tele_rw_fb.htm

or

http://www.thomann.de/ie/gretsch_g5122_dc.htm


Max budget of around €700 so what would you recommend folks?

Basically, whats a decent guitar for under €700.

Cheers

Royale with Cheese

It would probably be cheaper to order something from England if you're getting a new guitar.

Here's the Highway One Tele for about €75 less after shipping.

Actually here's a US Strat for almost within your price range.

Dord

It depends what sound you're after. The Gretsch, Tele and Les Paul are all totally different beasts.

Doctor J

If you dig the les paul thing, there's a guy selling a Gibson Les Paul Studio on adverts for €700. There's been an Edwards Les Paul, John Sykes style, on there for ages for about €550. Either of them will give you the Les Paul thing you like but much higher quality.

askmysack

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

It would probably be cheaper to order something from England if you're getting a new guitar.

Here's the Highway One Tele for about €75 less after shipping.

Actually here's a US Strat for almost within your price range.

Cheers for that, i always thought Thomman was the cheapest. That Strat is lovely

askmysack

Dord wrote: »

It depends what sound you're after. The Gretsch, Tele and Les Paul are all totally different beasts.

I know they are all different. Just not 100% sure of what to go for yet. May go for the Tele as its so versatile.

Cheers

askmysack

Doctor J wrote: »

If you dig the les paul thing, there's a guy selling a Gibson Les Paul Studio on adverts for €700. There's been an Edwards Les Paul, John Sykes style, on there for ages for about €550. Either of them will give you the Les Paul thing you like but much higher quality.

Cheers man. The Gibson looks battered but probably plays fine.

Thanks again lads

fourmations

FWIW...

i have an epi goldtop paul and did the following...

GFS 59 vintage buckers (about 25euro each) for the page wiring
GFS mean 90's bucker shaped p-90 job's (as an option)

jimmy page wiring...
4 x push pulls - 8 euro each (gfs)
upgraded switch, jacks and all wiring (15-20 euro at a guess)

this took me ages and three attempts but
i learned a huge amount and immense satisfaction when it worked!

Grover tuners: 25 euro on ebay

it is now seriously versatile and has stable tuning

you could put a mean 90 in the neck and a bucker in the bridge
and forget the fancy wiring and still have a fairly intersting mix
(the mean 90 bridge was not to my liking, very "nasal")

Regarding, the gretsch, paul and tele options
as all will say they are totally different to each other

personally: I would keep and upgrade the LP
and buy a tele from ishi or the uk, all for your 700e.

i love teles but they wont do paul tones, you can have both!

cheers

4

darrenw5094

Edwards Les Paul from japan for about €650 to €750. Anyone?

-=al=-

If u like the les paul probably stick with the gretsch

there all pretty diff, or just a new lp whatever ur into

askmysack

fourmations wrote: »

FWIW...

i have an epi goldtop paul and did the following...

GFS 59 vintage buckers (about 25euro each) for the page wiring
GFS mean 90's bucker shaped p-90 job's (as an option)

jimmy page wiring...
4 x push pulls - 8 euro each (gfs)
upgraded switch, jacks and all wiring (15-20 euro at a guess)

this took me ages and three attempts but
i learned a huge amount and immense satisfaction when it worked!

Grover tuners: 25 euro on ebay

it is now seriously versatile and has stable tuning

you could put a mean 90 in the neck and a bucker in the bridge
and forget the fancy wiring and still have a fairly intersting mix
(the mean 90 bridge was not to my liking, very "nasal")

Regarding, the gretsch, paul and tele options
as all will say they are totally different to each other

personally: I would keep and upgrade the LP
and buy a tele from ishi or the uk, all for your 700e.

i love teles but they wont do paul tones, you can have both!

cheers

4

Nice one for that. Thats exactly what id love to do but im sure id make a pigs arse of it. Where did u get all the kit for that job?

Thanks again

askmysack

I just came across this little cracker;

http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_60s_classic_player_strat_rw_sb.htm

Looks the part but not familiar with Mexican Strats.

Any opinions?

punchdrunk

http://www.thomann.de/ie/gibson_lpspecialfaded_wy.htm

this looks like a good price...

Doctor J

That will sound and play hugely different to your Les Paul. If you like the tone and feel of your Les Paul make sure you try out a strat or tele first, they're very different. You're not going to get the Les Paul sound you like from a strat or tele.

askmysack

Doctor J wrote: »

That will sound and play hugely different to your Les Paul. If you like the tone and feel of your Les Paul make sure you try out a strat or tele first, they're very different. You're not going to get the Les Paul sound you like from a strat or tele.

Have a gander at this little treat.

http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Fender---60s-Custom-Telecaster,-with-Bigsby~ID~6673.asp

I think my mind is made up. What yiz reckon?

Doctor J

Make sure you've tried restringing a Bigsby and are happy to go through that torment for years before you buy that one.

askmysack

Doctor J wrote: »

Make sure you've tried restringing a Bigsby and are happy to go through that torment for years before you buy that one.

Yeah i thought that alright. Do u know if this wud go out of tune after lashing the bigsby out of it?

The poxy Squire Starts are brutal for that

Doctor J

I've never tried one but everyone I know who's had to restring one says they're a royal pain in the hole.

judas101

Doctor J wrote: »

I've never tried one but everyone I know who's had to restring one says they're a royal pain in the hole.

+1,000,000

Seziertisch

Looks to have a roller bridge on it, but make sure that that is what it is. Regular bridge saddles with sharp angles on them do not play well with a Bigsby. As for the restringing of one, after a bit of practice I can do one in about the time it takes to restring any other guitar.

I put a piece of paper under where the string pegs are on the Bigsby. The I use the round side of a truss rod adjustment tool to hold the string ball in place. Stretch the string fairly taut towards the headstock and use a capo to hold it in place. Then let enough slack at the fingerboard side of the machine head to get a couple of winds in (I would generally say maybe an inch and a half or maybe 2 inches. Remember there is also a bit of slack in the string already. The truss rod tool needs to be kept in place but should more or less be ok just sitting there (some of the time anyway) but you'll have to hold it when you're winding. When you start winding take off the capo once the string starts to get a bit tauter. Voilá.

Also make sure that your bridge saddles (depending on what they are) are cut properly and that the nut is cut properly as well so the strings move smoothly through it. Also be sure to pull up a bit on the Bigsby after using it to return the guitar to tune. Also recommended is Big Bends Nut Sauce, if even just for the fact that it is called Nut Sauce.

askmysack

Seziertisch wrote: »

Looks to have a roller bridge on it, but make sure that that is what it is. Regular bridge saddles with sharp angles on them do not play well with a Bigsby. As for the restringing of one, after a bit of practice I can do one in about the time it takes to restring any other guitar.

I put a piece of paper under where the string pegs are on the Bigsby. The I use the round side of a truss rod adjustment tool to hold the string ball in place. Stretch the string fairly taught towards the headstock and use a capo to hold it in place. Then let enough slack at the fingerboard side of the machine head to get a couple of winds in (I would generally say maybe an inch and a half or maybe 2 inches. Remember there is also a bit of slack in the string already. The truss rod tool needs to be kept in place but should more or less be ok just sitting there. When you start winding take off the capo once the string starts to get a bit tauter. Voilá.

Also make sure that your bridge saddles (depending on what they are) and make sure that the nut is cut properly as well so the strings move smoothly through it. Also be sure to pull up a bit on the Bigsby after using it to return the guitar to tune. Also recommended is Big Bends Nut Sauce, if even just for the fact that it is called Nut Sauce.

Smashing advice. Sound like a pain in the nuts. Ill keep u posted on my purchase.

If you spot any nice deals dont be afraid to let me know. Theres no point being afraid lads. Thats no way to live.

Thanks again