mrtcb
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by mrtcb on Sept 11, 2023 14:13:53 GMT -7
Hello, gang. I’m getting back into playing after a long hiatus. I’m buying new gear and have gone through some guitars looking for a couple that cover twangy and rocky. I picked up a Kern Tele that is great. On the other end of the spectrum, I have a Les Paul studio that sounds ideal, but I can’t get the tuning and intonation sorted out. I had a bone nut professionally installed and a setup done. It’s better, but still not good. I have decided not to throw any more money at, sell it and try again. Tried PRS twice and they struck me as too modern sounding (and a bit sterile). I have two young kids and work at night. I don’t have time to go play a bunch of Les Pauls. I would love recommendations for a guitar that will sound more like a Les Paul than an ash / maple Tele and will likely play out of the box. Humbuckers. Rosewood. LP-style 2x2 tone and volume controls. Not fussy. What are my options? Thanks for reading this far. I’d like to stay around or under 2K, but that’s not a hard limit. Scale length doesn’t matter.
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Post by GuitarZ on Sept 11, 2023 14:22:10 GMT -7
That stinks on the Les Paul Studio.
I know you say you don't have the time to go out and try the guitars, but I think that's still the best way. I had my heart set on a Tele some 20 years ago. I went out to a store to check out 'my' model. They had to fetch it from the warehouse. In the meantime, I picked up a Strat that was sitting there, plugged it in, and was like "that's the sound". I did try the Tele and realized it was not my sound.
I love my '68 Gold Top Soapbar Les Paul. But, I'm not sure if that's what you're going for. I think you'll get some good suggestions here. And, welcome to Z-Talk.
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mrtcb
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by mrtcb on Sept 11, 2023 14:31:11 GMT -7
That stinks on the Les Paul Studio. I know you say you don't have the time to go out and try the guitars, but I think that's still the best way. I had my heart set on a Tele some 20 years ago. I went out to a store to check out 'my' model. They had to fetch it from the warehouse. In the meantime, I picked up a Strat that was sitting there, plugged it in, and was like "that's the sound". I did try the Tele and realized it was not my sound. I love my '68 Gold Top Soapbar Les Paul. But, I'm not sure if that's what you're going for. I think you'll get some good suggestions here. And, welcome to Z-Talk. Thanks for the reply. I’m putting the Les Paul off a few years until I can take the time to find “mine”. Seems like I might need a while to get the coin for a good one together anyway.
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Post by RickJames on Sept 11, 2023 15:21:25 GMT -7
Consider a Les Paul Special or Junior……..great guitar s , never had any tuning issues and P90s rock !!
Also welcome to the forum
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 11, 2023 18:18:55 GMT -7
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 11, 2023 23:48:01 GMT -7
+1000 on the Heritage H 535, I have one that's stellar.
I also have a Heritage H150 Custom Shop and it is the Les Paul that dreams are made of.
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mrtcb
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by mrtcb on Sept 12, 2023 4:45:26 GMT -7
Those are some lookers.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 12, 2023 7:51:27 GMT -7
Since we’re showing our pride Heritage 535
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Post by RickJames on Sept 12, 2023 7:57:07 GMT -7
Nice rig !
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Sept 12, 2023 13:46:33 GMT -7
If you don't want to risk high $$, take a close look at the Sire H7 ( Sire H7) -- I bought a white one a few months ago and it is truly punching above its weight. Plays well beyond a sub $700 guitar.
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Post by fallingstarsusa on Sept 12, 2023 15:31:28 GMT -7
Has anyone played any of the Eastman stuff? They have some Gibson-inspired models for a (comparatively) reasonable price.
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mrtcb
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by mrtcb on Sept 12, 2023 16:51:00 GMT -7
Has anyone played any of the Eastman stuff? They have some Gibson-inspired models for a (comparatively) reasonable price. I played an Eastman 335ish thing a few weeks ago. It wasn’t bad at all. Played mostly acoustics that day. Their versions of D-18s and D-28s sounded pretty great. A little rough on the finishing, but they sounded better than I would have thought.
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Post by RickJames on Sept 12, 2023 16:53:58 GMT -7
Don’t underestimate the Epiphone s
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Post by lowbudget on Sept 13, 2023 7:00:09 GMT -7
It doesn’t help you going forward but I can tell you that if your first selection was a Ron Kirn Tele you’ve sure started off on the right foot.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 20, 2023 20:19:32 GMT -7
Has anyone played any of the Eastman stuff? They have some Gibson-inspired models for a (comparatively) reasonable price. A number of years ago I played an Eastman T-186. That was a very nice guitar. 335 size. But rather than a solid block running down the center it had a small block under the bridge. If I recall it was also a carved body with maple top. I was looking for one near me in Chicago when I came across my Heritage. If I was playing out with electric guitar, I would look for anoher T-186. They also made a 184 (14”body) and 185 (15” body). Played their T-385; made like a 335. I didn’t like. That neck was very narrow as I recall.
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Post by scottyc13 on Sept 21, 2023 3:54:06 GMT -7
Has anyone played any of the Eastman stuff? They have some Gibson-inspired models for a (comparatively) reasonable price. A number of years ago I played an Eastman T-186. That was a very nice guitar. 335 size. But rather than a solid block running down the center it had a small block under the bridge. If I recall it was also a carved body with maple top. I was looking for one near me in Chicago when I came across my Heritage. If I was playing out with electric guitar, I would look for anoher T-186. They also made a 184 (14”body) and 185 (15” body). Played their T-385; made like a 335. I didn’t like. That neck was very narrow as I recall. What’s the thickness of the Heritage neck like? Their website is vague on this model.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 21, 2023 6:11:09 GMT -7
My H-150 Custom Core model has a real meaty neck. Probably the thickest I've owned but it plays like butter. The H-535 is more like the Gibson 335 I had (and gave away after I got my Heritage). Both really comfortable to play, at least for me.
I don't like really thin necks. I had a PRS SE singlecut about 15 years ago that I really didn't like the neck on.
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