Let's see your guitar and bass gear!

Tim Baxter wrote: Dean, that's one of the lower-line JMs. IIRC, they retail for ~500-ish new but don't hold me to that. I'd be sorely tempted

I realize that. The "real" version, say a 65 Jazzmaster 3 Color Sunburst, can easily go for $2000 (or more). We are talking "Miata" money at this point. I remember playing my friends back in the early 80's and it was just so easy to play. It just seemed to fall in to your hands and fit perfectly. It almost becomes an extension of you. Weird I know but true.

I have not tried the Mexican versions but figured if it is almost as good (hell I would take %50 as good) it would be a good starting point to jump back in.

I was always a sucker for Fender guitars.

This is what I am really lusting for.

I was starting to think about swapping the body of my Squier Affinity-based mongrel out for a beefier MIM or MIA body. Because I've replaced everything but the neck and the body on that thing, of course. And because it's how my mind works. During my lesson yesterday, I broke a string so we grabbed my teacher's Taylor solid body off the wall.

You know, I'm pretty happy with the mutt I've built. It held up well against the Taylor in my limited time with it. It's pretty obvious what the limiting factor is at this point But I am going to try some lighter springs on the E, the Taylor was easier to bend.

I am posting this here because my wife definitely does not want to hear about this stuff. And I'm still going to keep looking for nice black Strat bodies that are full thickness...

dean1484 wrote: This is what I am really lusting for.

I really like offset body Fenders and I've owned several. The Mustang/Cyclones being my favorite, esp the CIJ versions.

My least favorite is the Jazzmaster though. The neck isn't as nice as the Mustangs and it just feels WAY heavier. Sitting down with it was the only time I could play with it for a long period of time.

dean1484 wrote: I realize that. The "real" version, say a 65 Jazzmaster 3 Color Sunburst, can easily go for $2000 (or more). We are talking "Miata" money at this point.

You're talking to the guy who let a '62 go for $500 bucks.

Why yes, sir, I am an idiot.

Ever since realizing the stupidity of ^that move, I've never been able to sell another one.

Well, here it is: It's a Harptone L-12NC Serial: 2013-27

Apparently the George Harrison from the Beetles had one of these that the serial number was 2004-27, meaning mine may be only 9 guitars after his and of the same wood. Pretty neat! Also, apparently said guitar of George Harrison sold for $35,200

In reply to AWSX1686:

Yeah but no one wrote "While my guitar gently weeps" on your guitar!

In reply to RossD:

Details, details....

Apparently in good condition this guitar goes for $800-1000, so that's still a pretty value considering I got it for free, and my main acoustic (Ovation) I bought for $120 used. :)

In reply to AWSX1686:

Nice. I got my '77 Tele Deluxe for the equivalent of $250 or $350 in the mid 90s, IIRC. It's probably worth $2k or more, now. I bet that guy is still kicking himself with the Washburn jazz hollow body with the flaking gold trim that I traded him.

In reply to RossD:

Nice! Gotta love a good deal.

Just picked up this:

and this:

(Fender/Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass)

for my DK cover band - https://www.facebook.com/wellpaidscientist/

It's a pretty solid sounding bass for a Squier. Evidently it's a pretty painted and slightly more hopped up CV model. Works just fine for what I'm going to use it for.

I'm currently selling this:

It's on the floor at the Guitar Attic in Daytona Beach.

In reply to Gimp:

Don't know why but I really like the blue!!!

dean1484 wrote: In reply to Gimp: Don't know why but I really like the blue!!!

All of the cool kids have blue Jazz Basses. (Okay, really I'm not that cool.)

The Lake Placid Blue does really speak to me, I have to admit.

Had a nice score and a neat, quick project this morning. The missus is now playing organ for a 60's garage rock band. To do so we bought her a cheap Yamaha keyboard that happens to do that one sound very convincingly. She mentioned she wanted a case for it, but not a gig bag. I thought an old Strat "square" case would do the trick so I went looking for one at the flea market/junk shop in the next town. Didn't find what I was looking for but I did manage to find an actual Yamaha case that was actually made for the damn thing.... For $2!

But the actual score was this. There was an ESP explorer case sitting in the stack with a $20 price tag

Uhh... I will never own a guitar that pointy. Lets hack it up

It looks like, with some modifications it will be a good fit for my Harmony short scale bass

Sheets of insulation at homedepot are a cheap source for polystyrene foam. $3.65! Traced out the body shape and cut it out with a serrated vegetable knife

Peeled the muppet pelt off the old foam and glued it to the new with a can of spray adhesive that was laying around

Looks good, and it fits PERFECTLY!!!

That bass snaps in place with zero movement. Tight as a tight thing

They never offered a case for this reissue. People have been using the Epiphone Jack Cassady model case that almost fits for $150. No more gig bag for this beast. Not that it has left the house for a gig in over a year....

Jumper K. Balls wrote: ...muppet pelt...

That's a term I've not heard before, but you can bet it will become part of my vocabulary now!

My new Yamaha axp500

Now if I only had skills or ability...

All my rockstar electric stuff is now sold. Now someone sell me a cheap acoustic to relearn on.

Paul_VR6 wrote: All my rockstar electric stuff is now sold. Now someone sell me a cheap acoustic to relearn on.

Every major holiday (July 4th being next) Guitar Center does a $129 starter kit with either a Yamaha or Fender acoustic. They are decent players and not just a throwaway. That's what I typically point folks toward to dip their toes back in the water.

So you know how I said this thread was bad for me? I'm the sort of person who modifies EVERYTHING to learn how it works and how to improve it, and the Stratocaster is a perfect target. Let's recap:

I bought a Squier Affinity amp and guitar package. I replaced the amp with a cool little Yamaha modeling amp. I tore out the cheap electronics and replaced them with good stuff. I changed the tuners. Put in a beefier tremolo block. I also did a bunch of setup work on the guitar and cleaned up the frets. It got better every time I fiddled with it.

But I wanted more weight to the body of the guitar. The 1.5" thick Affinity body had to go. I started looking at swapping in a proper Strat body and bid on a few. (insert disgusted comment about "reliced" rat rod guitars here). I considered picking up a complete Fender, but I'd end up tossing all the electronics for my current stuff. Then I sold a few car parts and, well, this happened.

A new MIA Stratocaster body and neck in Ocean Blue metallic. It feels like candy when you hold it. And it's so sparkly, I feel a bit guilty. To me, electrics need to have a bit of menace and this one looks like I should be playing 50's mellow rock and roll at a grandpa car show. But it's such a cool color.

This will also let me build two complete guitars with parts on hand, which means I can either sell the Squier in mostly-stock form so someone else can get started with it, or I can hang on to it to play with alternate tunings and the like.

So, the big question. Do I go with a white pickguard or black? If I use white, it'll be one with a black border - that's what Fender uses on this particular combo. Pardon the crap photo.

Black, unless you do a MOP/MOTS white.

Please define MOPS/MOTS.

Keith Tanner wrote: Please define MOPS/MOTS.

MOP--Mother of Pearl, AKA Pearloid MOTS--Mother of Toilet Seat, AKA fake Mother of Pearl