Unsatisfying trips to the Guitar Shop.

Pacomc79

Sunday was going to be a good day. A day to go finally get rid of some old stuff and make some money or at least store credit. So I venture down to guitar center by way of my favorite boutique shop Atlanta Discount Music, which appears to open only by appointment now. Closed Sunday open Mon-Sat 12-6.

Ok so I slide down to GC with my old Ultimate Chorus. I played it for about an hour ahead of time to make sure it was ok. I'm only looking for maybe 100 or 150 on this thing so normally that's about what I expect them to give me. So I look around at the usually brimming full cabinet of cool effects that they bought from this local guy, I was going to maybe trade the amp in for some kind of boost or something. Negative, it's picked through, they have almost nothing worth playing, so I think, hey, maybe I'll get that Seymour Duncan Tweek Fuzz, in a trade cool. So I go to the guy behind the effects counter, he directs me to the guitar guys, great, now I have to actually talk to these snobby pricks who think they know everything about guitars and amplifiers, I know, I used to be one . No Joy, uh man yeah unless you're trading on something I can't take it, I've got too many used amps. Well that sucks. So he says you see anything interesting? Yeah, there are a couple of vintage Marshall Plexi's at 5 grand a piece and a couple of murphy's at 10+ and a gorgeous 1959 custom shop LP with the fat neck. The only thing really interesting in the entire store was a Matchless DC30 head and 2x12 cab but it's not worth almost 3 for the pair.

So I leave somewhat dejected with my amp in hand and that's it. Kind of a sad trip all in all. GC did pick up Royer though, nice to see some good ribbons in the cabinets and they had a B3 Hammond with a leslie, worth exactly $11,000 more than my Hammond model M. Seems a lot overpriced to me.

IMHO, Paul Reed Smith custom 24's are not worth anywhere close to 5 grand, but hell at least they put decent tuning machines on them at that price.

JofZ

I hate the GC, it is like going to a strip club you know your going home with your right hand LOL
They are the absolute worst when it comes to maintaining the stock in their inventory, how many 5K axes have you seen there that are actually in good NOS condition? They should be used for testing and abusing and I guess that is what has happened. Every once in a while I see a middle aged women buying something for her kid or husband, but the real players aren't in there buying

Pacomc79

JofZ wrote:

I hate the GC, it is like going to a strip club you know your going home with your right hand LOL
They are the absolute worst when it comes to maintaining the stock in their inventory, how many 5K axes have you seen there that are actually in good NOS condition? They should be used for testing and abusing and I guess that is what has happened. Every once in a while I see a middle aged women buying something for her kid or husband, but the real players aren't in there buying

You'd be suprised, they do very well in that shop and actually have most of the good looking stuff off the floor where little hands can't touch it, but yeah, I don't know that I'll be buying from them. The only time I but anything is when my buddy I worked with is there.

I've decided that something is wierd about my Les Paul. It's so dark. Compared to the majority of the good ones I play my studio is extremely muffled and dark, I think it needs new pickups, or maybe an upgrade I'm more of a hollowbody guy anyway I think. After hearing House talk about the thin neck, and the comfort of the fat one, I'm thinking maybe he's right I need a fat one too. Still the best two pick up guitars that matched with the HC-30 were a 50th Anniversary strat (S1 cobalts) and an original 1954 LP Junior. Oh man does a P-90 sound good through a matchless.

nailz100

My experience is that any of your old gear that you want to sell, or even trade for that matter....you are better off selling privately. You'll get more money and you don't have to deal with ignorant pricks working off of commision who are still living in their parents basement and played in a band once upon a time. If you can find a salesman (cuz thats what they are, no different that a car dealer) in a guitar shop then my suggestion is stick with em'....I only know one that I will do business with.

JofZ

Yeah, I think a lot of an experience depends on who you deal with at a store. Personality is a lot to me anyway. But, Nailz is right with GC, most of those guys are there for all the wrong reasons and they aren't about to go to great lengths to do you any favors or help you out in any way.

I think when you decide to switch up gear (meaning dump it all for a new direction) you should wait a full month and if you still feel the same then go for it. Many have kicked themselves for doing it.

To remedy your dark LP, switch out the pups. I would do this first and try a bunch of them before selling the axe, just my 2 cents.

If you are going to dump it, get the 54 jr, you just can't go wrong and they have doubled in value in the last 9 months. Try getting a 50% return on any short term investment anywhere else, you wont. I know of a really good guy who want fuck you either. I would get a loan, put it on lay away what ever it took, because you will still come out smelling like a rose.

Psss, I have started looking for old lap steels so I can cannabilize the good pups. There are still some things out there the masses don't know about.

House53

I would like to suggest you get a new guitar Pac. I have to return the favor of peer pressure and encouragement that I received over the last two months.

It worked out very well.

The LP is great and the bassman really suits me. I am still breaking in the speakers and need to order a MASS. However, I can tell it suits my playing.

House53

JofZ wrote:

I think when you decide to switch up gear (meaning dump it all for a new direction) you should wait a full month and if you still feel the same then go for it. Many have kicked themselves for doing it.

Good point.

There is some separation anxiety after selling good gear. However, I feel like I am settling into the new setup well. Hopefully, you can find something that suits you even better than the current setup. Be that a change of pups, new effect or two, or a whole new rig.

Like I was advised... use the knowledge of what you like, and what fits for you and go find it.

the unseen

i like to window shop at the GC in this city,but as far as actually buying something,i stick to the local shops.

i look at GC and sam ash as the wal marts of the instrument world.

fuck em.

Pacomc79

yeah, but I'm ready to dump the pedals ISO something new and awesome and I can't do it until I unload some stuff, that's the rules. So If someone finally buys my Keeleys, and my dyna comp I can get an Emerald Green Distortion Machine, then I can hopefully sell my Ultimate Chorus for enough scratch to buy a Z90 and some kind of PAF for my LP.

I've decided I will get some kind of 335 too, keeping the PAF in the neck and going with a Z90 in the bridge. Part casino, part dot. Deano. That will be it's name.

House53

Pacomc79 wrote:

yeah, but I'm ready to dump the pedals ISO something new and awesome and I can't do it until I unload some stuff, that's the rules. So If someone finally buys my Keeleys, and my dyna comp I can get an Emerald Green Distortion Machine, then I can hopefully sell my Ultimate Chorus for enough scratch to buy a Z90 and some kind of PAF for my LP.

I've decided I will get some kind of 335 too, keeping the PAF in the neck and going with a Z90 in the bridge. Part casino, part dot. Deano. That will be it's name.

Buy a new guitar...

what Keeleys do you have for sale?

Pacomc79

House53 wrote:

Buy a new guitar...

what Keeleys do you have for sale?

A BD2 with the phat mods and a Rat2 with the 3 way mods.

House53

Pacomc79 wrote:

A BD2 with the phat mods and a Rat2 with the 3 way mods.

$$ for the BD2? Aside from the MASS, a good overdrive is all I really need. I have a little bit of wedding money left over...

Pacomc79

I just want $110 for the BD2 and I'll pay the shipping out of that.

it's in the original box, with a side trip to Alberta Ca. and Greg. Out of the two it's my favorite. No mid hump. Tons of volume, tons of gain if you want it, actually almost fuzz faceish but cleaner and it cleans up.

House53

Pacomc79 wrote:

I just want $110 for the BD2 and I'll pay the shipping out of that.

it's in the original box, with a side trip to Alberta Ca. and Greg. Out of the two it's my favorite. No mid hump. Tons of volume, tons of gain if you want it, actually almost fuzz faceish but cleaner and it cleans up.

I need to settle back in after the wedding. Do some playing this week with the Sparkle Drive. I will let you know by Friday.

Thanks.

Pacomc79

House53 wrote:

I need to settle back in after the wedding. Do some playing this week with the Sparkle Drive. I will let you know by Friday.

Thanks.

no prob. I saw a guy play last weekend, EMG strat, into a Blues Junior (prob different speaker) Sparkle Drive, Boss Tremolo, Marshall Bluesbreaker 2. Great Strat tone in a tiny bar, his Allman Bros came through solid as well on his Les Paul Copy. I guess when you've been playing for 30 years it's in the wrists.


congrats again on the wedding.

House53

Pacomc79 wrote:

no prob.

congrats again on the wedding.

Thanks. I tend to sound like me no matter what I play.

My latest thought is to find a low wattage class A amp. I think that would suit me better. I don't know for sure though. I would like to trade the bassman for it if possible.

I would love to find a Ghia combo, Top Hat, or even a Savage Macht series. I think I would have then gone full circle back to the P-90s and low wattage amp.

I just need to find a good trade. Any leads? EL-84s are preferred, they give up the goods just the way I like.

JofZ

House53 wrote:

Thanks. I tend to sound like me no matter what I play.

My latest thought is to find a low wattage class A amp. I think that would suit me better. I don't know for sure though. I would like to trade the bassman for it if possible.

I would love to find a Ghia combo, Top Hat, or even a Savage Macht series. I think I would have then gone full circle back to the P-90s and low wattage amp.

I just need to find a good trade. Any leads? EL-84s are preferred, they give up the goods just the way I like.

You want a low watt El84 based amp? Are you talking 5 watts, 18 watts?
I have some ideas for you

House53

JofZ wrote:

You want a low watt El84 based amp? Are you talking 5 watts, 18 watts?
I have some ideas for you

Under 20 watts or so should do it.

I know Orange makes or made a 15 watter... Vox made the AC-15... plus several brands make an 18 watter. I am thinking british flavored would be best, but a 6V6 amp could work as well.

Do you have something to trade?

Pac, want to trade the Orange?

Pacomc79

2x10 Ghia would be great. I would consider that trade, thought it would be tough to give up the Orange, I love those bassmans.

Savage is great obviously and you get the trem.

If you're going for a vox sound I think J's got some friends that do an outstanding 18 watter, and then of course there's Allen and Clark's Lil Bit.

House53

Pacomc79 wrote:

2x10 Ghia would be great. I would consider that trade, thought it would be tough to give up the Orange, I love those bassmans.

Savage is great obviously and you get the trem.

If you're going for a vox sound I think J's got some friends that do an outstanding 18 watter, and then of course there's Allen and Clark's Lil Bit.

How about if I throw in a pack of strings and you give me $4,000? The strings are relic'd to give you vintage tone...

J already got a commission when I bought that R6... the salesman was named Jason... hmmm?

I would need to trade the bassman, no extra $ right now. I guess I could get some cash for my wedding ring.

JofZ

House53 wrote:

Under 20 watts or so should do it.

I know Orange makes or made a 15 watter... Vox made the AC-15... plus several brands make an 18 watter. I am thinking british flavored would be best, but a 6V6 amp could work as well.

Do you have something to trade?

Pac, want to trade the Orange?

Reeves UK comes to mind
I love that Hiwatt sound and you can't get much better then Reeves. He has a new 20 watt and a combo box worth looking at. EL84s rule in Reeves world.

House53

JofZ wrote:

Reeves UK comes to mind
I love that Hiwatt sound and you can't get much better then Reeves. He has a new 20 watt and a combo box worth looking at. EL84s rule in Reeves world.

Reeves are nice too. Maybe I should post a Trade thread on TGP. Someone may be looking to move or pickup a Bassman LTD there. People are always flipping gear there.

I also dig the Hiwatt sound... although maybe not as much as the Vox/Orange/Marshall sound.

House53

Pacomc79 wrote:

I would consider that trade, thought it would be tough to give up the Orange, I love those bassmans.

Alright, I will throw in two sets of relic'd strings. Do we have a deal?

Pacomc79

oh man wait a while on reeves, they have a new power scaling model coming out at NAMM. You'll probably have to cut off a leg though...

Pacomc79

House53 wrote:

Alright, I will throw in two sets of relic'd strings. Do we have a deal?

What for Fishing?

House53

Pacomc79 wrote:

What for Fishing?

no relic'd strings give the best tone... I put them in a can with rainwater collected from Northern New Jersey... let them sit for a week. Then I put them in a kiln for three days at 350 degrees... after that I cover them in mud. I ship them out in the mud... that way you can customize the amount of mud you want on the string for playing.

They sell for $499 per set.

JofZ

Pacomc79 wrote:

oh man wait a while on reeves, they have a new power scaling model coming out at NAMM. You'll probably have to cut off a leg though...

his 5 watt is tasty, tasty, tasty!

I can't think of a more satisfying tone then a cranked hiwatt, so a 20 or 5 watt for the home or studio would be very nice indeed. His prices aren't too insane, actually, considering who is building the amps its not a bad deal.
If he stops production they will be worth good money.

The 18watt amp camp is so crowded, I say demand your traits and a builder will take the challenge.

For the record, I get no money in comissions, just helping get names out there that I think deserve the attention. I am glad you guys are digging it.

Hey pac, you better sell your stuff, price dropped today on the Euro. Dean just called I had to buy another LOL. BJ said he wanted to custom paint a pedal for me, so I felt obligated LMAO. I was like you don't have to ask, I'll sell the FF and the Sybil they ain't my cup of tea
If any of you are in the Florida area check out Tonefest 05 Aug 18-20 too much fun stuff for 3 days and a Tomo clinic and a slide clinic to boot.

House53

JofZ wrote:

his 5 watt is tasty, tasty, tasty!

I can't think of a more satisfying tone then a cranked hiwatt, so a 20 or 5 watt for the home or studio would be very nice indeed. His prices aren't too insane, actually, considering who is building the amps its not a bad deal.
If he stops production they will be worth good money.

If I could find a trade I would be all over a Reeves. That's my limitation. That or sell the Bassman at a loss and find a used Reeves... those don't come up too often either.

Why don't you buy a Reeves and trade it to me... that would work great.

Pacomc79

House53 wrote:

no relic'd strings give the best tone... I put them in a can with rainwater collected from Northern New Jersey... let them sit for a week. Then I put them in a kiln for three days at 350 degrees... after that I cover them in mud. I ship them out in the mud... that way you can customize the amount of mud you want on the string for playing.

They sell for $499 per set.

ok, market them as a volume booster and I'll buy 4 sets.

Pacomc79

JofZ wrote:

his 5 watt is tasty, tasty, tasty!

I can't think of a more satisfying tone then a cranked hiwatt, so a 20 or 5 watt for the home or studio would be very nice indeed. His prices aren't too insane, actually, considering who is building the amps its not a bad deal.
If he stops production they will be worth good money.

The 18watt amp camp is so crowded, I say demand your traits and a builder will take the challenge.

For the record, I get no money in comissions, just helping get names out there that I think deserve the attention. I am glad you guys are digging it.

Hey pac, you better sell your stuff, price dropped today on the Euro. Dean just called I had to buy another LOL. BJ said he wanted to custom paint a pedal for me, so I felt obligated LMAO. I was like you don't have to ask, I'll sell the FF and the Sybil they ain't my cup of tea
If any of you are in the Florida area check out Tonefest 05 Aug 18-20 too much fun stuff for 3 days and a Tomo clinic and a slide clinic to boot.

yeah none of us are endorsed, we just like this stuff. Honestly, I'd love to have a shop with just difficult guitar stuff to get called GAS.

House53

Pacomc79 wrote:

ok, market them as a volume booster and I'll buy 4 sets.

Of course they boost your volume... they also improve your left hand vibrato technique... don't ask me how, but they do... I do recommend people to take the frets off of their guitars though... this also improves the tone.