A *very* long time ago (back in my teens, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth) I had a Hondo II SG, a Japanese copy of a Gibson SG (Special Guitar). This was about the time of what was called 'The Lawsuit Years', where Gibson were out busy suing anyone making replicas of their guitars.
I sold the Hondo II when I got married, as we needed stuff like furniture, a cooker, fridge etc. to set up our first home. Selling that guitar and my rock record collection was a wrench and it hurt, but it was necessary.
Fast forward to more recently and I got attracted to Stratocasters. I have a cheap and nasty KCS Strat and a Squier Affinity Series Strat that plays like a dream. Last Christmas my son Ian's housemate Paddy stunned me by giving me a late '80s Sunn Mustang 'Made by Fender' as a Christmas present. Along with my Fender Dreadnought, I was firmly in the Fender camp apart, from the Stagg XB300 'Warlock style' bass guitar that I picked up for some loose change.
Anyhoo, I got some bonus money in my wages this month and I saw an Epiphone SG400 on Gumtree in satin cherry finish that was calling out to me seductively, like the Sirens used to call sailors onto the rocks. It wasn't expensive (I have to watch the price driving comments here) as it wasn't set up properly and hadn't really been played that much, the seller just wanted it gone. OK, it's not a full-blown Gibson, but it's got Angus Young written all over it and with a set neck instead of a bolt-on neck, the sustain and midrange are so much better. Highway to Hell sounds ace with the overdrive on the amp turned up a tad. I love it.
Having sampled the Epiphone side of the Force, I found another Epiphone today online, in a branch of Cash Converters near to Manchester and the price being asked for it was too good to miss, as it had two strings missing, leading it to being discounted. I pounced and I didn't even have to go to the shop and wipe my feet on the way out, a definite bonus. I am now waiting for my Epiphone Les Paul Special II in sunburst finish to arrive later this week.
I don't drink, I don't smoke, I have few vices apart from guitars and retro computers, so I've let rip with the guitar collecting and now I have a varied selection of good mid-range guitars from both camps without breaking the bank.
I am happy and shredding away to my heart's content. I think the guitar playing is actually helping my frozen shoulder recover a bit. Once I've had the steroid injection in my right shoulder, I'll be unstoppable.
:mrgreen:
I sold the Hondo II when I got married, as we needed stuff like furniture, a cooker, fridge etc. to set up our first home. Selling that guitar and my rock record collection was a wrench and it hurt, but it was necessary.
Fast forward to more recently and I got attracted to Stratocasters. I have a cheap and nasty KCS Strat and a Squier Affinity Series Strat that plays like a dream. Last Christmas my son Ian's housemate Paddy stunned me by giving me a late '80s Sunn Mustang 'Made by Fender' as a Christmas present. Along with my Fender Dreadnought, I was firmly in the Fender camp apart, from the Stagg XB300 'Warlock style' bass guitar that I picked up for some loose change.
Anyhoo, I got some bonus money in my wages this month and I saw an Epiphone SG400 on Gumtree in satin cherry finish that was calling out to me seductively, like the Sirens used to call sailors onto the rocks. It wasn't expensive (I have to watch the price driving comments here) as it wasn't set up properly and hadn't really been played that much, the seller just wanted it gone. OK, it's not a full-blown Gibson, but it's got Angus Young written all over it and with a set neck instead of a bolt-on neck, the sustain and midrange are so much better. Highway to Hell sounds ace with the overdrive on the amp turned up a tad. I love it.
Having sampled the Epiphone side of the Force, I found another Epiphone today online, in a branch of Cash Converters near to Manchester and the price being asked for it was too good to miss, as it had two strings missing, leading it to being discounted. I pounced and I didn't even have to go to the shop and wipe my feet on the way out, a definite bonus. I am now waiting for my Epiphone Les Paul Special II in sunburst finish to arrive later this week.
I don't drink, I don't smoke, I have few vices apart from guitars and retro computers, so I've let rip with the guitar collecting and now I have a varied selection of good mid-range guitars from both camps without breaking the bank.
I am happy and shredding away to my heart's content. I think the guitar playing is actually helping my frozen shoulder recover a bit. Once I've had the steroid injection in my right shoulder, I'll be unstoppable.
:mrgreen:
PZ.
) it arrived safely and intact.
