Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on February 22, 2010, 10:01:50 AM

Title: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Twinfan on February 22, 2010, 10:01:50 AM
Check them out here:  http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageiconguitars.html

Joe Bonamassa style Goldtop plus relic SG Junior, SG Special and Standards.  They look great to me!  Probably play quite nicely too....

(http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric/V100MRJBM.jpg)

(http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric/VS6MRMA.jpg)
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Afghan Dave on February 22, 2010, 01:05:59 PM
You bugger, I've been watching the goldtop with great interest for the last month.

I was gonna post more details as they get released....  should be around £250

Me want!
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Philly Q on February 22, 2010, 01:22:40 PM
I don't know if it's just the way they look in the pictures, but do the LP-types have thinner bodies than real LPs?
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Oli on February 22, 2010, 01:25:11 PM
The Gibson Bonamassa LPs don't have a relic'd neck on them, so these look a lot better, and probably feel nicer to play! :)
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Twinfan on February 22, 2010, 01:34:54 PM
I don't know if it's just the way they look in the pictures, but do the LP-types have thinner bodies than real LPs?

Not sure Phil.  I've played a couple but can't remember if they're slimmer or not...
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: horsehead on February 22, 2010, 04:56:47 PM
I know it's wrong and they look great etc, but I just couldn't buy a vintage....I know it's vanity, but...can't do it!
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: maverickf1jockey on February 22, 2010, 05:37:49 PM
I wish they made guitars with the Icon materials but without the hokey relic-ing.
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Twinfan on February 22, 2010, 05:44:37 PM
They do!

http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric.html
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Fourth Feline on February 22, 2010, 05:55:32 PM
It's nice to see they have ( at last ) put a nice headstock inset detail on the Gibson  Types.  I had to use a decal to get that Gibson type 'crown' inlay level with the middle tuners. It looked unfinished, with just 'Vintage' at the top - and nothing else.  I also hope they have kept a closer eye on the depth / resilience under pressure of the ( Cellulose ? ) finish.  The Wilkinson machine heads worked, but looked a bit thin and weedy on the shaft and retaining nuts on mine.

I felt it was a shame, that their corner cutting and quality control marred what was otherwise a nicely put together range of instruments . For the sake of the extra £ 5 - 10 ( to them) I hope they have put that sort of thing right 'straight from the box'. Those are nice replicas though.  :)
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: maverickf1jockey on February 22, 2010, 06:40:04 PM
Those still look very 'plastic', if you understand where I'm coming from.

It's probably because I owned a Vintage some time back and it wasn't really all that great (cheap materials, poor finish, etc.).

I would probably do well to check them out again sometime when I need a cheap copy guitar but until then I'm going to remain cautious.
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Fourth Feline on February 22, 2010, 07:02:20 PM
Those still look very 'plastic', if you understand where I'm coming from.

It's probably because I owned a Vintage some time back and it wasn't really all that great (cheap materials, poor finish, etc.).

I would probably do well to check them out again sometime when I need a cheap copy guitar but until then I'm going to remain cautious.

As  previously mentioned, I heartily agree with your statements - and it spoils what otherwise can be a sweet sounding guitar.

I wanted to re-iterate;  as you encapsulated what disappointed me - and it's good to compare notes.  Mine has turned out great with T.L.C and coaxing - but now I know what is also out there at this price point- I won't be looking at a second Vintage for my cash.

However, in fairness, would other 'Budget' / novice players be looking for the same stuff as we would ?

This thread does however, show a ( characteristic ) diplomacy and even handedness,   from a man who's main guitar is crafted from the very wood that is said to have been used to transport the Holy Grail - and afterwards constituted the 'better parts' of the Sistine Chapel.  :wink:
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Philly Q on February 22, 2010, 07:32:32 PM
This thread does however, show a ( characteristic ) diplomacy and even handedness,   from a man who's main guitar is crafted from the very wood that is said to have been used to transport the Holy Grail - and afterwards constituted the 'better parts' of the Sistine Chapel.  :wink:

I heard a different version - that it originally came from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, was later reclaimed from the remnants of Noah's Ark, then was used to build the One True Cross..... before finally being soaked in a bucket of Billy Gibbons' urine then sun-dried in the Texas desert.

 :wink:
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Fourth Feline on February 22, 2010, 07:49:42 PM
This thread does however, show a ( characteristic ) diplomacy and even handedness,   from a man who's main guitar is crafted from the very wood that is said to have been used to transport the Holy Grail - and afterwards constituted the 'better parts' of the Sistine Chapel.  :wink:

I heard a different version - that it originally came from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, was later reclaimed from the remnants of Noah's Ark, then was used to build the One True Cross..... before finally being soaked in a bucket of Billy Gibbons' urine then sun-dried in the Texas desert.

 :wink:

 :lol:

I stand corrected Philly :  I was thinking of the later serial numbers ...  :)
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: gwEm on February 22, 2010, 08:20:42 PM
SG looks cool
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Twinfan on February 22, 2010, 10:42:58 PM
:lol: at PhillyQ and Fourth Feline  :lol:

Gibson should have used the "pickled in Billy's urine" info in the sales literature.....
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Philly Q on February 22, 2010, 10:52:13 PM
I was sure I had a Seymour Duncan catalogue where they said every Pearly Gates pickup is soaked in a beaker of BFG's wee-wee...

.....but I just checked and it says something much more boring.  I must've made it up.  :(
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Afghan Dave on February 22, 2010, 11:02:12 PM
Hey Philly, I'm more than willing to piss on your pickups for a nominal fee.

Can't promiss it'll do anything for your tone but it does keep foxes away....  :?
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on February 22, 2010, 11:02:59 PM
Can't open the website :(
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Brow on February 22, 2010, 11:11:10 PM
I like the look of that twin P90 SG :D
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Philly Q on February 23, 2010, 01:36:57 AM
Hey Philly, I'm more than willing to piss on your pickups for a nominal fee.

Can't promiss it'll do anything for your tone but it does keep foxes away....  :?

Never mind the pickups, but you can do my garden if you like.  Must warn you, there are quite a few foxes...
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Afghan Dave on February 23, 2010, 01:41:25 AM
Tell me about it!! Whenever I've been hiding in your garden they've been a right pain... btw... you shouldn't leave your TV on standby after you go to sleep.
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Philly Q on February 23, 2010, 01:44:23 AM
But I need that little standby light to stop me being scared in the dark.....
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: horsehead on February 23, 2010, 05:58:28 AM
that standby light...does anyone else think of the ship from '2001' when they see it in the dark?

"I'm sorry I can't do that Dave"
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: 38thBeatle on February 23, 2010, 06:24:08 AM
 :D  Dave 'n Philly: the Ant and, er, whatever the other ones called of the forum.
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: AndyR on February 23, 2010, 01:09:31 PM
But I need that little standby light to stop me being scared in the dark.....

But it also means he can turn up with his own remote control, turn your telly on, and watch your porn subscription channels for free...

Personally, what with the cold weather, and the foxes, I'd rather pay for my own subscription... but I have to applaud someone who can exhibit such levels of dedication and resourcefulness...
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Philly Q on February 23, 2010, 01:28:08 PM
:D  Dave 'n Philly: the Ant and, er, whatever the other ones called of the forum.

Yep... I'm the shortarse one (on the right) who can't get a girlfriend.  :(
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: cerpintaxt on February 23, 2010, 02:08:01 PM
Lol! Outrageously off topic but hilarious!

I tried out a Vintage SG copy the other day and I have to say I really liked the way it played and I've been after a "cheap but fairly well made" guitar to replace my USA Tele' that I can upgrade. Upshot is I've bought an "as new" white Vintage VS6R (SG copy) for £130 on fleabay!

It's gonna get the Stormy Monday/Riff Raff treatment, CTS Pots and Russian PIO caps in 50's configuration.

I don't reckon I could get a much better guitar for £380..
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Fourth Feline on February 23, 2010, 02:56:14 PM

I tried out a Vintage SG copy the other day and I have to say I really liked the way it played and I've been after a "cheap but fairly well made" guitar to replace my USA Tele' that I can upgrade. Upshot is I've bought an "as new" white Vintage VS6R (SG copy) for £130 on fleabay!

It's gonna get the Stormy Monday/Riff Raff treatment, CTS Pots and Russian PIO caps in 50's configuration.

I don't reckon I could get a much better guitar for £380..

I agree that's a great deal / find !   The whole plan, including your choice of pickups / wiring is a brilliant one. Please post the photographs of the finished product.  :)  As you say, the Vintage copies do seem to play very well - and that's a huge part of the equation.  Enjoy !  :D

( It was getting to the stage where any reference to an actual Vintage guitar was considered 'Off Topic').  :lol:

What a merry - and somewhat random bunch we are ...  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Afghan Dave on February 23, 2010, 03:37:51 PM
:D  Dave 'n Philly: the Ant and, er, whatever the other ones called of the forum.

Yep... I'm the shortarse one (on the right) who can't get a girlfriend.  :(

I think he's doing alright!
(http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00715/SNN2203DB_280_715187a.jpg)
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Philly Q on February 23, 2010, 09:00:37 PM
:D  Dave 'n Philly: the Ant and, er, whatever the other ones called of the forum.

Yep... I'm the shortarse one (on the right) who can't get a girlfriend.  :(

I think he's doing alright!
(http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00715/SNN2203DB_280_715187a.jpg)


She looks like she has her doubts, though, doesn't she?  That face is saying:

"Omigod.... Oh.  My.  God.  I'm sleeping with the little shortarse one (on the right) out of Ant & Dec..... I'm going to call Mr Clifford and tell him the money's not good enough.  And why haven't I got that reality show yet?"
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Johnny Mac on February 24, 2010, 07:18:17 PM

I tried out a Vintage SG copy the other day and I have to say I really liked the way it played and I've been after a "cheap but fairly well made" guitar to replace my USA Tele' that I can upgrade. Upshot is I've bought an "as new" white Vintage VS6R (SG copy) for £130 on fleabay!

It's gonna get the Stormy Monday/Riff Raff treatment, CTS Pots and Russian PIO caps in 50's configuration.

I don't reckon I could get a much better guitar for £380..

I agree that's a great deal / find !   The whole plan, including your choice of pickups / wiring is a brilliant one. Please post the photographs of the finished product.  :)  As you say, the Vintage copies do seem to play very well - and that's a huge part of the equation.  Enjoy !  :D

( It was getting to the stage where any reference to an actual Vintage guitar was considered 'Off Topic').  :lol:

What a merry - and somewhat random bunch we are ...  :mrgreen:

What 335 copys would you recommend at the moment, in the Vintage price point??  :D (I still never got around to getting one!) 
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Fourth Feline on February 24, 2010, 09:11:49 PM

I tried out a Vintage SG copy the other day and I have to say I really liked the way it played and I've been after a "cheap but fairly well made" guitar to replace my USA Tele' that I can upgrade. Upshot is I've bought an "as new" white Vintage VS6R (SG copy) for £130 on fleabay!

It's gonna get the Stormy Monday/Riff Raff treatment, CTS Pots and Russian PIO caps in 50's configuration.

I don't reckon I could get a much better guitar for £380..

I agree that's a great deal / find !   The whole plan, including your choice of pickups / wiring is a brilliant one. Please post the photographs of the finished product.  :)  As you say, the Vintage copies do seem to play very well - and that's a huge part of the equation.  Enjoy !  :D

( It was getting to the stage where any reference to an actual Vintage guitar was considered 'Off Topic').  :lol:

What a merry - and somewhat random bunch we are ...  :mrgreen:

What 335 copys would you recommend at the moment, in the Vintage price point??  :D (I still never got around to getting one!)  

I would be going for Ibanez. Reasoning as follows.

My Tanglewood 335 looky-likey ( TH502) was solidly built, with Grover tuners and surprisingly good 'stock' pickups. Not B.K.P quality of course, but they had been well selected by the maker to make the best of the humble Basswood body / mahogany neck combination., so much that they actually balanced the output high 'E' to Low 'E' better than the more subtle types of BKP I own.  However, the fingerboard looked somehow 'cheap' ( hard to describe why , but it includes the fact that it is un-bound )  and the truss rod turns too easily , making adjustments to it seem somewhat vague  for my liking, even though it does seem to work o.k.  The neck set up good, but in comparison the Vintage and Ibanez set up miraculously . :D

The Vintage had a relatively thin finish ; by which I mean that an overtightened toggle switch, or moving the forward strap button, just cracked and flaked off underneath it. Funnily enough, it doesn't flinch at the occasional knock against a guitar stand e.t.c - But between that and the original cheapo hardware ( what was Mr. Wilkinson thinking of ? ) -  they lost the chance to impress me for future purchases.

Another BKP forumite bought a red Washburn copy back then too ;  and ( if I remember rightly ) posted a photo tutorial on how to rewire through the 'F' holes.  That fact may help you track the thread - and even the original poster down.

The Ibanez AF75 I bought , had un-badged Ibanez Grover like machine heads, with locking screws, and the same quality feel / ratio as 'real' Grovers.  The truss rod is sure footed, and they even have a truss rod cover that can be released and hinge sideways without a screwdriver. That may not sound like much, but it was indicative of their scrupulous attention to detail.  The neck has a great profile / width / depth / feel - and ( indicative of them going that "extra mile" again ) plus they have used a thick enough piece of Mahogany for the neck, to carve a graceful but solid volute.   The strap buttons , Lyre tailpiece, and aforementioned machine heads - are heavy, quality, and chrome plated in the way that it looks expensive, not likely to peel and flake - and matches ( at least visually ) the quality plate on my BKP.  The finish on the body, does not threaten to 'yeild under pressure' and the guitar's ( hollow ) body is relatively heavy , solid ( without being at all dull or clumsy) . In fact it's tone is tastefully bright and well projected .In short it feels professional . The entry level model ( i.e mine ! ) seems to have been given many of the same appointments / components - as the higher priced ones.

I was not overly impressed by my last Epiphone ( Joe Pass ) ; but 'Lazy Ninja' on here seems to picked up an Epiphone 335(ish )  copy, with which he is delighted.

I , however would be sticking with Ibanez, if buying again on a budget - which comes as some surprise to me, as I had no previous knowledge or expectation of that brand prior to my current 'gamble'.  The only minor drawback ( which actually looks fine ' in the flesh' ) - is the 'Jet Boy'  :lol:  type logo on the head stock . I does look quite 'Art Deco' when you see it .

So : who is the Washburn owner on here ?

Is Lazy Ninja still delighted with his Epiphone ?

Have I just been lucky with my AF75 ?

Tune in ( to the B.K.P Forum ) next week for the next thrilling installment of -

" Belter on a budget ! "  :)



Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Philly Q on February 24, 2010, 09:23:52 PM
Another BKP forumite bought a red Washburn copy back then too ;  and ( if I remember rightly ) posted a photo tutorial on how to rewire through the 'F' holes.  That fact may help you track the thread - and even the original poster down.

I remember it well - the poster was Jonesy76, and it's a great thread! :D   Should have a sticky, in fact.

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10301.0 (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10301.0)

Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Fourth Feline on February 24, 2010, 09:33:49 PM
Another BKP forumite bought a red Washburn copy back then too ;  and ( if I remember rightly ) posted a photo tutorial on how to rewire through the 'F' holes.  That fact may help you track the thread - and even the original poster down.

I remember it well - the poster was Jonesy76, and it's a great thread! :D   Should have a sticky, in fact.

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10301.0 (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10301.0)



Brilliant Philly !    :D

I needed one of you younger, cleverer - more resourceful chaps to deliver the goods.   I had to lie down in a dark room with strong tea , conducting Mahler's 6th  with a stout pencil  after ( two finger ) typing the above post.
" The spirit was willing, yet the flesh was weak " .

( Mmmmm - did I leave anything out ??? )  :o
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Philly Q on February 24, 2010, 09:40:20 PM
It's always nice to be seen as one of the younger chaps!  :lol:
Title: Re: Great new "Vintage ICON" guitars!
Post by: Johnny Mac on February 24, 2010, 10:22:43 PM
Another BKP forumite bought a red Washburn copy back then too ;  and ( if I remember rightly ) posted a photo tutorial on how to rewire through the 'F' holes.  That fact may help you track the thread - and even the original poster down.

I remember it well - the poster was Jonesy76, and it's a great thread! :D   Should have a sticky, in fact.

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10301.0 (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=10301.0)



Brilliant Philly !    :D

I needed one of you younger, cleverer - more resourceful chaps to deliver the goods.   I had to lie down in a dark room with strong tea , conducting Mahler's 6th  with a stout pencil  after ( two finger ) typing the above post.
" The spirit was willing, yet the flesh was weak " .

( Mmmmm - did I leave anything out ??? )  :o

Nice one, thanks for that FF! Very informative  :D  :D