Airline tuxedo vs Hagstrom HJ-500/600

[weelie]

Never owned a real hollowbody. And these two piqued my interest. Anybody tested one or the other? I have, actually, some months ago.

Tuxedo was FUN! P-90s sounded oh so 1940s. Which I thoroughly dig! But, like the ES-330, which was just wonderful... the P90s hum. The Tuxedo didn't, at the store, but would hum at our home and other places.
But the Hagstrom was classy fun. Compared to a clunky new ES-175 they had at the store, the Hagstrom was just so much better to me.

They are about the same price. Which is like twice what my other guitars cost. I am a cheapo, yes.

The Hagstrom is classy act, but the Tuxedo is just so big and funky, in positive way, mostly.

I am into 1940s T-Bone Walker kinda thing, or those old electric country sounds. And JJ Cale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5hJxNOxatM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cONmDl6fBlk

[robert]

Haven't tested the Tuxedo, but I have tested the HJ-500. It's really nice! Great for jazz and blues. Nice tone, and very fast and easy to play neck.

I went with the Viking instead, since it can handle distortion better without feeding back, and it's a bit smaller and easier to handle as a result.

[weelie]

Thanks, yeah I know you liked the HJ500.

I have a Epiphone Alleykat, which is sort of a les Paul sized ES-335. As the size of a 335 is too big for me (sitting down), and they can be too heavy too. The Alleykat is ok, though the pickups are lacking a bit, and acoustic tone isn't what it could be (5 ply top).

Plus, I don't think I get the response I get from a fully hollow guitar. Not that I would've actually played one in a band, only played ES-335 and Fenders in a band. The HJ-500 I tried seemed to have a block in it, to cut off the feedback a bit, I assume.

[DetroitBlues]

I played a cherry Epiphone ES-335 DOT.  Even with the stock pickups, I thought that was a great guitar.  If I ever run up on one for less than $200, I'll snatch it up!

[weelie]

I played a cherry Epiphone ES-335 DOT.  Even with the stock pickups, I thought that was a great guitar.  If I ever run up on one for less than $200, I'll snatch it up!

I have played one of those. Sure a great a deal at the very low price. But like I already said, I am not mainly looking for a ES-335 style guitar. And actually I prefer blocks instead of dots. I have only once tested a Epiphone dot, actually, the action was very high... but the tape was rolling for that 30s: http://www.box.net/shared/7y5nxoe4jh It was the guitar of a friend.

http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-semi-acoustic/es-335-dot-213407/review

[DetroitBlues]

I'm with you on the semi hollow bit.  I really don't play a lot of gain, but its a great rhythm guitar for blues because its very comfortable and has a warm tone to it.

[diaper head]

someday i would love to have that type of guitar.  from what i am learning here and from others, that hagstrom seems like the way i'd go. that tuxedo sure sounded  good though.
why are these choices never easy?   

[DetroitBlues]

I've gone back and forth with solid body, semi-hollow; then strat style versus les paul... It never ends.  One day you think you have exactly what you want, then you start all over again....

[weelie]

I've gone back and forth with solid body, semi-hollow; then strat style versus les paul... It never ends.  One day you think you have exactly what you want, then you start all over again....

I DEFINITELY agree! I've mostly played strats, and teles sometimes as well, but always long for Gibsons. Usually at some point I realize that strat is boring, or that I have too many guitars... and sell all but the strat... as it is easy to fake everything from country to hard rock on it.

Anyway, was testing guitars at the store yesterday. Took my Alleykat with me. The Hagstrom didn't speak to me this time. The 5+s strat was ok, 60s strat bored me. The Gibson Dot was the best guitar in the store. Didn't have time to check the Epi Dot for comparison.

[DetroitBlues]

I'd pick a Gibson Dot over the Epiphone any day of the week and twice on Sunday, but the reality is, I'm not shelling out over $2,000 for a Gibson.  When it comes to P-90's, Gibson make a P-100 which is a noiseless P-90.  You can get them aftermarket too.  I had an Epiphone Les Paul with Gibson BurstBucker Pro's in it.  It sounded better than any Gibson Studio out there.  I would expect the same results from an Alleycat or Dot. Monday is going to be the best week for used gear.  Last Friday's was Guitar Center's Black Friday.  With all the new gear for sale really cheap, there will be a ton of trade ins.  I'm looking forward to Monday!  Plus a friend just completed a Fender Clone amp for me that I can't wait to try. 

[weelie]

I'd pick a Gibson Dot over the Epiphone any day of the week and twice on Sunday, but the reality is, I'm not shelling out over $2,000 for a Gibson. 

When it comes to P-90's, Gibson make a P-100 which is a noiseless P-90.  You can get them aftermarket too.  I had an Epiphone Les Paul with Gibson BurstBucker Pro's in it.  It sounded better than any Gibson Studio out there.  I would expect the same results from an Alleycat or Dot.

Monday is going to be the best week for used gear.  Last Friday's was Guitar Center's Black Friday.  With all the new gear for sale really cheap, there will be a ton of trade ins.  I'm looking forward to Monday!  Plus a friend just completed a Fender Clone amp for me that I can't wait to try.

Yes, I have trouble paying $ 2000. But I think the Gibson Dot sounded already a lot fuller unplugged. Of course, the Alleykat is smaller in size, which would account for that. Anyway, The Epi might be be more similar to the Gibson.

Definitely, pickups are half the battle. But I hear people also changing tailpiece or bridge on stewmac (metric for Epi).

I've heard many say P100 aren't good, and that P94 are better, though neither are like P90. Anyway, this time I was also playing a 50s tribute les paul, with two P90s. It was light and half the price of the Gibson Dot. But it didn't "move me". Which I found kinda weird. It was also very light, which I really do like!

Never realized that the Monday after would be a golden day to some. But so it is in stock market too, I guess.

[DetroitBlues]

Wow, you found a 50's tribute?  That's a rare guitar now days.  The P-94 is a P-90 in a humbucker casing.  Its designed to replace humbucker equipped guitars.  The golden day is because last Friday was Black Friday with the cheapest you'll find guitars.  Plus people get a 10% to 15% trade in/ trade up deal.  So lots of used gear usually shows up after Friday....

[weelie]

Did a quick comparison of Epi Dot and Gibby Dot through a Fender Mustang II. Epi's action was high and fret ends were cutting into my hand, and it had more crackly tone. Actually it was tuned down which I didnt' realize at first, sounded a lot better tuned back to standard.

Anyway, the Gibby was classy, and the pickups like fine wine. Epi sounded sort of "good enough", but the Gibby sounded about perfect, lush and all that.

The Gibby felt more solid and maybe sounded a bit better acoustically... maybe.

Anyway, I think I'll buy the amp, not one of the guitars.

[DetroitBlues]

Many guitar stores never set up their import guitars.  They pull them out the box, tune them up (if you're lucky), and hang them on the wall.  I went to try the new telecaster blackout series and the action was so high, my string bends were going under the other strings.  A store will want the high end to be perfectly setup.  That's how they sway you.  You should ask for the Epi to be set up right as if you plan on buying it.  Pickup height has a lot to do with muddy/clarity too.  That should be adjusted.  But I would always replace Epi stock electronics for Gibson.  (unless you buy the more expensive models already Gibson equipped).  Fretends are a different story, but a good tech should be able to dress the frets before you leave the store.  Its just a simple file designed for fret dressing....

[weelie]

Many guitar stores never set up their inport guitars.  they pull them out the box, tune them up (if you're lucky), and hang them on the wall.  I went to try the new telecaster blackout series and the action was so high, my string bends were going under the other strings.  A store will want the high end to be perfectly setup.  That's how they sway you.  You should ask for the Epi to be set up right as if you plan on buying it.  Pickup height has a lot to do with muddy/clarity too.  That should be adjusted.  But I would always replace Epi stock electronics for Gibson.  (unless you buy the more expensive models already Gibson equipped).  Fretends are a different story, but a good tech should be able to dress the frets before you leave the store.  Its just a simple file designed for fret dressing....

Sure sure. Plus it's cold as hell here now, means dry dry dry. The winter is the best time for buying guitars, I remember my tech saying.... you know some of the problems to come already.

I can do the simple setup myself, no prob. Of course nuts I never worked on, and that's often an issue.

Actually, I am more thinking about what to do with the Alleykat. It has mini in the neck, and humby in bridge. Already bought a GFS for the neck position... but wondering if I need anything new for the bridge.

Anyway, I'll get me a Mustang I amp, as I think it has what i need for my home recording and stuff. Of course need to tweak out the effects with software first.