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Author Topic: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.  (Read 39086 times)

IM4Tone

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Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« on: July 25, 2012, 06:08:23 PM »
First let me say, I'm into the medium price range guitars. Not that I don't like nor appreciate some of Gibson's finest, but I'd die if I took a $3500 Gibson to a gig and some drunk clutz knocked it over or otherwise damaged it. So I'm looking at a top price of around $700 +/-.

I had been playing my Epi Wildkat with my new Fender Super Sonic 22 amp and was liking the ability to use the whammy bar, but for some reason, the Wildkat with its P-90's and hollow body really wants to feed back with the new amp (especially w/ the reverb turned up for 'surf' or the 'fat' feature boosted with a pedal). Never had the problem with previous amps, but it's a problem w/ the SS22.

So, I'm looking for a solid body with a tremelo. I really prefer humbuckers and have a dislike for the visual aspect of "horns" on a guitar (i.e. the upper protrusion on a strat. or some of the Ibanez 'RG' types) I like Epi Les Pauls, but none I see have tremelo. An SG shape is about as much "horn" as I care for. (I know...I'm very picky)

Finally getting around to my question :-\:Two guitars I found as possibilities are the PRS Santana SE and the Epi 1966 Wilshire w/ Tremotone. Anyone have any first hand experience with either of these, or another guitar that would meet my criteria????? If so, a link to an audio/video demo would be appreciated.

Thanks
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zagatron1

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2012, 07:59:45 PM »
Well my friend, sounds like you haven't seen Epiphone's Les Paul Plus Top Pro/FX! Check it!  http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-plustop-pro-fx-electric-guitar  Maybe that'll do. I'm a Les Paul person (3) myself.
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IM4Tone

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2012, 08:42:02 PM »
Hey Zag,
Thanks so much. How'd I miss this one? I had been looking on the Epiphone website and didn't see/couldn't find this one. No matter....I'll check this out thoroughly since initially, it sure looks like exactly what I want!  :)
Now for a thorough search for reviews, videos, etc., although I'm a big Epiphone fan and have a lot of confidence in them.
Thanks again!
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reb

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2012, 10:14:19 PM »
IM4, you might try looking at schecters if you can't find an epi you like...i have a couple of them. they are solid, generally have a few lines that are not expensive...they are not the most 'toneful' i have ever played, but they don't give a lot of trouble. they have several with floyd rosies on them...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/schecter-guitar-research#fT=2010:Schecter%20Guitar%20Research&gP=1&pS=20&v=&sB=bS&lP=c&catId=site1A
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DetroitBlues

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2012, 01:55:41 AM »
You need one of these!



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IM4Tone

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2012, 02:36:00 AM »
Except Gibson=$$$$$$ and I'm not sure I want another guitar w/ P-90's  :-\
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IM4Tone

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2012, 02:53:43 PM »
Well, the search and research continues. Considering the following:
1) PRS Santana SE http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-PRS-SECSOR
2) Schector Solo Vintage http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-SCE-SOLOVIN-STC
3) Epi Wilshire w/ Tremotone http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-worn-1966-wilshire-with-tremotone-electric-guitar/h71823000001000
4) Epi Les Paul Plustop PRO/FX http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-plustop-pro-fx-electric-guitar

I've never even touched a PRS or a Schector nor new anyone who owned one, so that concerns me a bit on #1 and #2. I have lots of confidence with Epi's, but the LP (#3) is discontinued already and I wonder why they didn't sell. Only ones currently available are factory reconditioned. The Wilshire seems uncommon and isn't as visually appealing to me

Then there's the matter of video demos. All of them sound great in the "professional" demos, and on-line reviews by owners always seem to be one extreme or the other. Either the person loves it, a "5", or they hated it (a "1") and sent it back.

And so I continue to waffle!  :-\ ???
What's your vote, and why?
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DetroitBlues

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2012, 03:11:17 PM »
The PRS SE lines are some of the best quality instruments for under $1k.  As for that Gibson, yes, that one is expensive being a custom shop SG.  But, it sure plays and sounds better than any guitar I've ever used.  The Epiphone models didn't sell well because they priced themselves near the Gibson Studio line.... I've played those Epi with the trem system, it did sound rather good.  If I'm not mistaken, I believe Anderton's music did a guitar comparison of a bunch of Floyd system guitars that were all well under either $1,000 or $500.  The Epi was one of the top ones they tested...

« Last Edit: July 27, 2012, 03:24:46 PM by DetroitBlues »
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IM4Tone

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2012, 04:26:29 PM »
Quote from: DetroitBlues on July 27, 2012, 03:11:17 PM
The PRS SE lines are some of the best quality instruments for under $1k.  As for that Gibson, yes, that one is expensive being a custom shop SG.  But, it sure plays and sounds better than any guitar I've ever used.  The Epiphone models didn't sell well because they priced themselves near the Gibson Studio line.... I've played those Epi with the trem system, it did sound rather good.  If I'm not mistaken, I believe Anderton's music did a guitar comparison of a bunch of Floyd system guitars that were all well under either $1,000 or $500.  The Epi was one of the top ones they tested...
Yeah, I've seen the Anderton's demo. It was impressive the 'dive-bombing' routine he put the Epi FR through and it remained in tune!

Your SG Gibson is way beyond what I'd pay for a guitar to gig with, though I have no doubt it's a great sounding and playing guitar.

You got my attention w/ your comments on the PRS Santana SE. Have you played it? On the demo I saw, it sustained forever. Is it tonally much like EPI humbucker equipped LP's?

Thanks for your response.
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zagatron1

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2012, 05:01:08 PM »
I take it you're lookin' for "new" stuff.
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IM4Tone

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2012, 06:52:08 PM »
Quote from: zagatron1 on July 27, 2012, 05:01:08 PM
I take it you're lookin' for "new" stuff.
Prefferably, but not absolute.  :-\ Guess it's the security of a warranty rather than minor scratches that make me think so.
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DetroitBlues

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2012, 07:03:01 PM »
I just got back from playing a Korina PRS SE with SD humbuckers.  That guitar sounded great and was only $350 used...
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IM4Tone

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2012, 09:23:05 PM »
Quote from: DetroitBlues on July 27, 2012, 07:03:01 PM
I just got back from playing a Korina PRS SE with SD humbuckers.  That guitar sounded great and was only $350 used...
According to the PRS website, different pickups than what is in the SE Santana model.
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zagatron1

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2012, 10:31:38 PM »
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IM4Tone

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Re: Looking for a new solid body w/ tremelo.
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2012, 12:37:45 AM »
Quote from: zagatron1 on July 27, 2012, 10:31:38 PM
Tried these guys? http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Plustop-PRO-FX-Electric-Guitar-105939045-i1515779.gc  Worth a shot.
I hadn't, but I now see they (GC) do have a new one and strangely enough it's $100 less than the factory reconditioned one @ MF.

There's a troubling comment in one of the reviews on the GC website: "...the problem with sticking a Floyd rose on a epiphone guitar is that the pickups are not set up to accept it. you cant set the Floyd rose down far enough to have a really low action with out the strings hitting the pick ups and being completely unplayable, and im not a fan of finding a "balance" between a proper set up and playability...." Then again, the MF site has 35 reviews. Only 3 of them are under 4 (out of 5) and none mention the problem stated above, so.....

I'm waiting to see if a local small dealer has one of the Schecter. He's very small, so I doubt it, but it's worth a shot.

Thanks to all for the comments and helpful suggestions so far.  :)
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