MikeO Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 I know we have a few players on here so I thought I'd canvas opinion. I want to buy myself a semi-acoustic guitar; already have two (cheapish) solid bodies and an acoustic twelve string but have always loved the look of the semi. I was thinking Ibanez or Epiphone but these seem to have great reviews for less than half the moolah; what do you reckon? I'm not a serious player, just mess around for my own entertainment so I'm thinking it could be a decent option. https://www.amazon.co.uk/cutaway-semi-acoustic-electric-package-crystal/dp/B0063RHYEY?th=1 Any alternative suggestions would be very welcome also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 Most likely built in china and uses basswood for the body, could have rough fret work and setup and pickups and electronics could be shit. now if you just want something to bang on, sure go for it. I would recommend looking used. You can get a solid Epiphone or Ibanez for half price (someone else took the hit taking it off the lot) that way. 335 body style if you are a larger build, 339 style if you're smaller. i'm not against the cheap chinese imports just know what you're paying for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted September 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 2 minutes ago, markjazzbassist said: Most likely built in china and uses basswood for the body, could have rough fret work and setup and pickups and electronics could be shit. now if you just want something to bang on, sure go for it. I would recommend looking used. You can get a solid Epiphone or Ibanez for half price (someone else took the hit taking it off the lot) that way. 335 body style if you are a larger build, 339 style if you're smaller. i'm not against the cheap chinese imports just know what you're paying for. Thanks Mark, that's a definite consideration. Looking at this possibly... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Epiphone-Dot-cherry-Hollow-Body-Semi-Acoustic-Guitar-/112576302826?hash=item1a36120eea:g:LaUAAOSwJs1ZvTgU Only about 70 miles away from me so no worries picking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 yeah the dot is the 335 style. nice thing about those guitars is if you like it but wanted to change the sound you can always swap out pickups. also check out Guild Starfire Hofner Verythin (european so might be able to get a good deal or used) Hagstrom Viking (also european) Ibanez AS73 (Japanese but they are made well, had a friend i recorded a record with who had one, sounded great) MikeO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted September 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 In all honesty Mark one of my regrets in life is that I never tried to play bass; I've never had the dexterity to be lead guitar but can be adequate in the rhythm department. Not for a moment saying bass is easy but there are far fewer players so more opportunities. My nephew started as a bass player and is now a force of nature no matter how many strings on the instrument. Envious (not jealous because he's a brilliant lad) that I don't have that talent. markjazzbassist 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyblue23 Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 1 hour ago, MikeO said: In all honesty Mark one of my regrets in life is that I never tried to play bass; I've never had the dexterity to be lead guitar but can be adequate in the rhythm department. Not for a moment saying bass is easy but there are far fewer players so more opportunities. My nephew started as a bass player and is now a force of nature no matter how many strings on the instrument. Envious (not jealous because he's a brilliant lad) that I don't have that talent. It's fair to say bass guitar is an easier instrument at which to be proficient, but probably just as difficult to master as the 6-stringed version. MikeO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 no offense taken mike. My brother used the same argument with me to convince me to play it in the first place and it worked and I had a successful career when I did it professionally thanks to him. The big difference is bass emphasizes rhythm and supporting the song. Sometimes easier sometimes not. Modern guitar is just a wank fest of solos, sadly very few can actually play solid and interesting rhythm guitar, it truly is a lost art. to be honest I stopped playing in bands with guitar players for a while. i just found most of then (broad generalization alert) to be very selfish and wanting it all to be about them. On the other hand a band of just rhythm section (bass drums keyboards percussion) and everyone contributes and supports one another since we do it all the time anyways. I still like the guitar and music with it, just taking a break from some guitarists until I find the right one (I'm sure I'm not everyone's cup of tea on bass either I'm not fooling myself). Paddock 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddock Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 11 hours ago, MikeO said: I know we have a few players on here so I thought I'd canvas opinion. I want to buy myself a semi-acoustic guitar; already have two (cheapish) solid bodies and an acoustic twelve string but have always loved the look of the semi. I was thinking Ibanez or Epiphone but these seem to have great reviews for less than half the moolah; what do you reckon? I'm not a serious player, just mess around for my own entertainment so I'm thinking it could be a decent option. https://www.amazon.co.uk/cutaway-semi-acoustic-electric-package-crystal/dp/B0063RHYEY?th=1 Any alternative suggestions would be very welcome also. Don't buy a cheap one, you want to pay out for a (half) decent one- the Epiphone Hummingbird would be my recommendation. Looks fantastic and plays really well also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfy Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 Hi Mark very interesting reading what you have to say, when you talk about rhythm rather than lead musicians, what genres do you prefer to play that highlights the best of your ability, or makes you feel connected with your guitar. I do play a little bit badly myself since I was seventeen, started playing bass with four friends when we thought we would set the punk world alight, now just strum chords on a acoustic just to chill out luckily I have no neighbours to close so I'm not polluting anyone's ears with my twanging. It would be good to know what inspires you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 Always found bass harder than guitar just because my hands aren't big enough to cover the frets. I can get around the basics ok but not much more Much prefer rhythm or basic lead, though my favourite part of guitar is coming up with my own stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted September 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 4 hours ago, Palfy said: Hi Mark very interesting reading what you have to say, when you talk about rhythm rather than lead musicians, what genres do you prefer to play that highlights the best of your ability, or makes you feel connected with your guitar. I do play a little bit badly myself since I was seventeen, started playing bass with four friends when we thought we would set the punk world alight, now just strum chords on a acoustic just to chill out luckily I have no neighbours to close so I'm not polluting anyone's ears with my twanging. It would be good to know what inspires you. If you mean me I was rooted in Neil Young stuff to start with so mostly acoustic, then got in a band at school doing covers of anything from Camel to Lynyrd Skynyrd (Young/Skynyrd/irony?). I've not played properly for years but my stated intent now is to get to the point where I can play a decent version of the stuff by my namesake from about 2.09 in this, it'll need a lot of work because I'm a long way off now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfy Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 There could be a decent band in this forum The Toffee Heads, do we have a drummer and keyboard player in our ranks, if so I can see a record deal coming our way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted September 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 16 minutes ago, Palfy said: There could be a decent band in this forum The Toffee Heads, do we have a drummer and keyboard player in our ranks, if so I can see a record deal coming our way. Cornish is a musician/composer but of the classic variety; don't know if he could be tempted onto the dark side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted September 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 I'm winning the auction for the Epiphone on ebay currently; anybody got any thoughts on what it'll go for (hard case will add some probably)? I've messaged the seller and she assured me it was in perfect nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubecula Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 for you Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibdane Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 There could be a decent band in this forum The Toffee Heads, do we have a drummer and keyboard player in our ranks, if so I can see a record deal coming our way.Drummer here. MikeO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubecula Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 used to bash the skins a bit too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted September 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 8 minutes ago, rubecula said: used to bash the skins a bit too. What do your personal habits have to with anything? Anyone sing? I used to be really dreadful but after my treatment I reckon I could do a passable Joe Cocker. rubecula and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubecula Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 7 minutes ago, MikeO said: What do your personal habits have to with anything? Anyone sing? I used to be really dreadful but after my treatment I reckon I could do a passable Joe Cocker. Depends what you want to do. My voice was designed as a deadly weapon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 10 hours ago, Palfy said: Hi Mark very interesting reading what you have to say, when you talk about rhythm rather than lead musicians, what genres do you prefer to play that highlights the best of your ability, or makes you feel connected with your guitar. I do play a little bit badly myself since I was seventeen, started playing bass with four friends when we thought we would set the punk world alight, now just strum chords on a acoustic just to chill out luckily I have no neighbours to close so I'm not polluting anyone's ears with my twanging. It would be good to know what inspires you. Mostly soul and jazz music. Booker t and the mgs, james brown, sly and the family stone, marvin Gaye (pretty much any Motown), for jazz stuff miles Davis, herbie Hancock, johnny Hammond smith, Reuben Wilson, jimmy smith, etc. soul guitar is a lot of rhythm comp work. Jazz is mostly comping but lots of chord changes. also in the jazz form everyone takes a solo not just the guitarist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfy Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 I do a passable Ben.E.King from the Drifters, also a fairly good Otis Redding, oh nearly forgot Al Green too which is no good if things went the Iron Maiden route. markjazzbassist 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfy Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 2 minutes ago, markjazzbassist said: Mostly soul and jazz music. Booker t and the mgs, james brown, sly and the family stone, marvin Gaye (pretty much any Motown), for jazz stuff miles Davis, herbie Hancock, johnny Hammond smith, Reuben Wilson, jimmy smith, etc. soul guitar is a lot of rhythm comp work. Jazz is mostly comping but lots of chord changes. also in the jazz form everyone takes a solo not just the guitarist. Grew up with the Motown sound still as fresh now as it was in the 60s and 70s don't know to much about Jazz quite an acquired taste. markjazzbassist 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornish Steve Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 5 hours ago, MikeO said: Cornish is a musician/composer but of the classic variety; don't know if he could be tempted onto the dark side. And if you need a keyboard, clarinet, or trumpet player, I'm here. Making progress on my Cornish bagpipes, too. I'm no help with any form of guitar, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted September 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 2 hours ago, Palfy said: ....don't know to much about Jazz quite an acquired taste. Jazz definition. "A group of musicians all starting and stopping at the same time but all playing different tunes". That's all you need to know. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted October 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 On 30/09/2017 at 14:11, MikeO said: I'm winning the auction for the Epiphone on ebay currently; anybody got any thoughts on what it'll go for (hard case will add some probably)? I've messaged the seller and she assured me it was in perfect nick. Got it. Just need to arrange to pick it up. markjazzbassist and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornish Steve Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 19 hours ago, MikeO said: Got it. Just need to arrange to pick it up. See - there was no need to fret. The seller was not stringing you along. Romey 1878 and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted October 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 3 hours ago, Cornish Steve said: See - there was no need to fret. The seller was not stringing you along. She wouldn't had the neck to do that. Would've been a bridge too far. Just got home with it; a thing of beauty! markjazzbassist, Cornish Steve and Matt 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 Click on any of these Mike and it'll give you a write up and a pic of them. Notable instruments Fender Stratocaster Fender Telecaster Gibson L5S Gibson Les Paul Gibson Hummingbird Gibson Marauder Ovation Deacon Ovation Pacemaker Polymoog Ovation Guitars Yamaha CS-80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted October 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 Thanks Bill. This is going to take some work; half an hour "playing" this morning and my left arm/fingers are agony. More rust than I thought! No pain, no gain though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 I think they may be a bit expensive for what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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