Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Stevepage on June 09, 2010, 10:00:59 AM

Title: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Stevepage on June 09, 2010, 10:00:59 AM
So this thread is about what the topic says. Guitars you always say you want, but never buy.

One of those for me is the Gibson Explorer. A very old friend of mine has lent me his Gibson Gothic Explorer for a couple of days and I've fallen in love with it all over again. He bought it years ago and ever since he bought it, I've always loved its tone and look. Now I've had plenty of chances to buy one but, I've never actually gone through with it.


So as it stands, Gothic Explorer (in D Standard) into a JVM on the OD2 red, sounds awesome for metal.

Post yours!
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Twinfan on June 09, 2010, 10:19:55 AM
I've always really liked Goldtop Les Pauls, but I've never bought one and don't plan to.

A '53 wraptail with P90s would be awesome:

(http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/c20ad4d76fe97759aa27a0c99bff6710/2375_p32446.jpg)
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: gwEm on June 09, 2010, 10:53:43 AM
just off the top of my head:

bc rich gunslinger
telecaster
dommenget mastercaster (mattias jabs sig strat)
explorer 90/pro
sg junior
RD artist
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Philly Q on June 09, 2010, 11:08:59 AM
I don't want to get into "money no object" vintage GAS territory, so I'll keep it generic:

Les Pauls - love the sound and look but can't get on with the weight or the bulk of the body.
Yamaha SG2000 - likewise!
Explorers and 335s - cool guitars but simply too large when you're not much bigger than Angus Young....
Flying Vs - as above really, but I've separated them because I have owned a few (and would still like to own a '58-style at some point)
Relic Tele or Strat - always thinking about buying one, but not sure I'll ever pull the trigger!

Edit: how could I forget -

BC Rich Mockingbird - always loved the shape, but never had an opportunity to try one (at any price point).  I just don't know enough abut the BC Rich brand to risk a blind purchase.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Antag on June 09, 2010, 11:16:26 AM
Over the years there have been many (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7227.msg91046#msg91046) individual guitars that I loved but passed up the chance to buy - the Fender custom shop set neck strat circa 1991-4 springs to mind.

The one guitar that I've always looked at in its various forms but never actually bought is the ESP Horizon.  From the H-S models of the late 80s up to the current 2H model I've always liked them but could never quite bring myself to buy one.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: MDV on June 09, 2010, 11:35:18 AM
The only ones I can think of that I've wanted to own, if not buy, that I never have are

- ESP or gibson explorer. I've had several explorers but never the ESP of metal titan 80s-hetfield or the definative article. never actually run into an ESP explorer in person and the quality gibson ones I've worked on and played dont exactly encourage a purchase. I just like the look.

- Jackson warrior. I dont like stealths or xiphoses, but theres something about the warrior that does it for me. I've always refrained by the 'better things to spend my money on' reasoning.

Guitars I've liked playing but never bought...short list. A cheaper version of that guy from slipknots ibanez, with the huge trem shaped but fixed bridge comes to mind. I really enjoyed playing that, but never bought it. Couple of strats, but not many, one old mex tele, much to my surprise and dont tell roo!
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: gwEm on June 09, 2010, 11:39:45 AM
just off the top of my head:

bc rich gunslinger
really liked afghan's and the wild finishes. i looked at a few but decided against it in the end. this goes for any superstrat - kamer nightswans are cool too!

telecaster
its all about the look - i really enjoy the sound and playability

dommenget mastercaster (mattias jabs sig strat)
the guy in MJ guitars was a real c0ck and i didn't want to leave him any money

explorer 90/pro
i'm a tall guy, and these might look a bit small on me

sg junior
don't know why i never got one - probably as i already have a double p90 sg that i'm satisfied with

RD artist
i think these look really dope, but for some reason i've never felt the need to splash the cash

i'm keep looking at the ibanez fireman - but its just too expensive
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: MisterMuncher on June 09, 2010, 04:20:49 PM
A Charvel Surfcaster. Never could bring myself to drop the coin on one, even though every single one I've had in my hand has been an absolute cannon.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: WhiteRam on June 09, 2010, 04:30:27 PM
Gibson Byrdland

Gibson Trini Lopez

Gibson Herb Ellis 165

BC Rich USA Mockingbird

Fender Robin Trower Strat

WR  :)
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: blue on June 09, 2010, 04:46:15 PM
two of the best guitars i ever played, and i actually played them both on the same day, were a USA BC Rich Warlock and an Ibanez Jem.  magnificent guitars.  the Jem practically played itself!  to this day i wish i'd been able to afford the Warlock.  they may look a bit silly, but i do think that was the best sounding, best playing guitar i've ever come across. 
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: gordiji on June 09, 2010, 05:05:25 PM
gibbo explorer. i remember going into rushworth&draper every time i went to town as a wee lad in the late 70's
                         just to look at this beautiful cream and gold creation and wishing the tooth fairy would bring it to
                         me.think it was about 600quid.
                         by the time i could afford it i'd lost the desire. this was before locking trems and the myriad of
                         makes that came online in the 80's and was very impressive.god knows what a young lad would
                         have thought 20 yrs earlier when they came out
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: AndyR on June 09, 2010, 07:04:23 PM
Interesting how many folks are saying "Explorer". If I hadn't bought one a few years back, that's exactly what I'd have been saying too. I lusted after that shape for, ooh, must be nearly 30 years... (hardly ever touch the thing, of course... :roll:, but I'm soo glad I have it...)

I have a guitar that I kinda "like" but have never played that much - a V.

I'm determined not to give in to V-lust though, it was always the Explorer for me. Thinking about getting a V really is a "hmmm... seem to have everything I wanted  :?, what else can I GAS over now??!"

Of guitars I have actually played but didn't buy:

A Gibson Les Paul (that I didn't buy on the day I bought the Explorer) - that was just creamy yummy... but a sizable amount more than I've ever spent on a guitar. I've since acquired a lovely Japanese Love Rock at less than half the price this gibbo was, but it's not quite as nice as I remember that gibbo... funnily enough, all other Les Pauls I've ever tried have always left me wondering what the fuss was really about, but that one was rather nice...

A Fender Roadworn 50s tele (blonde, obviously). I've played a couple and they do kinda kick the teles I own into a c--ked-hat... but I'm rather fond of the teles I own, none of them are leaving, and I can't really justify another at the moment (especially as I seem to have acquired two Roadworn strats while my mind was wandering aimlessly...)
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: tekbow on June 09, 2010, 09:22:03 PM
SG's always liked playing thm but will probably never buy one. i go through periods of liking them and not liking them.

Played through a couple of parker flies back when they just came out, loved them, but don't think i could spend the money on it. i think i'd feel like a bit of a poser playing one. also hence why my PRS stays at home
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: HTH AMPS on June 09, 2010, 10:16:02 PM
For me it would have to be:

* Flying Vee
* Ricky 360
* Gretsch White Falcon double cut

(http://www.gretschguitars.com/repository/gretsch/images/G6136DC_xl.jpg)
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: 38thBeatle on June 10, 2010, 06:22:56 AM
For me it would be a Les Paul and maybe a Ric bass and a Jazz Bass. Possibly also a Ric 360 but purely for the look.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: ratspeak on June 10, 2010, 06:49:56 AM
Les Paul shapes; My father has a Gibson LP custom from the 70s and it's as butter as a gibby's gonna get (I personally don't like the feel of most, just sold my SG). Probably an ESP. Vintage black is the shmex.

Telecasters; Love em' stock but the only way I'd ever own one is if it was a custom mahogany double humbucker shred monster. Gotta keep it practical.  8)

Almost anything (good) with a floyd rose. I've had tune-o-matics, tune-o-matics, and more tune-o-matics. They're always going to be my favorites (string-thru-body ones), but I'd love to have a floyd guitar to muck around on. I'm just always finding new reasons to get another string-through TOM axe.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: dave_mc on June 10, 2010, 11:14:39 AM
interesting thread. off the top of my head:

ibanez j-custom (in my defence it was a limited edition one which sold out)
vintage advance (various models- the shops I tried them in suggested QC was a bit iffy, and I was only really willing to buy one at internet prices)
SG and LP junior double cut (tokai?)
Gordon Smith (various models)
probably some more that I haven't thought of

then there are a bunch of other guitars that I can't get to try that I might buy if I liked (can't be bothered listing them)...
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: HTH AMPS on June 10, 2010, 12:55:06 PM
actually, I need to add these too...

* Starfield - made by Ibanez I think, played great, sounded great, didn't much like the look of them (hence never bought one)

* Schecter - in general I don't think I've ever played a Schecter I didn't like.  In particular, I remember playing a Tempest model in Sound Control when they first came out and it had a fantastic neck - still not convinced on how it looks though.

Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Afghan Dave on June 10, 2010, 02:48:16 PM
Only two really...

Peavey Vandenberg

Fender HM Strat

(http://www.iddod.co.uk/gear-pics/strat-hm.jpg)
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Philly Q on June 10, 2010, 03:00:33 PM
Fender HM Strat

As used by Greg Howe!  They were quite cool, definitely one of the nicer Superstrat designs, along with the Hamer Diablo.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Prawnik on June 10, 2010, 04:32:14 PM
Epiphone Emperor Zephyr (especially pre-1954)
Gibson L5C acoustic
Kramer Nightswan, Pro-Axe, Showster or Savant
Charvel Spectrum
Gibson J45 or J60, Country & Western, others
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: AndyR on June 10, 2010, 06:27:50 PM
Fender HM Strat

They were quite cool, definitely one of the nicer Superstrat designs

UGH!! My eyes, agh!!!!

Now I know what Roo feels like when he sees a tele, you, you... persons of "dubious preferences"!!! :lol:

Sheesh... I keep scrolling up to look at it again... don't torture yourself Andrew...
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Philly Q on June 10, 2010, 06:42:14 PM
Fender HM Strat

They were quite cool, definitely one of the nicer Superstrat designs

UGH!! My eyes, agh!!!!

Now I know what Roo feels like when he sees a tele, you, you... persons of "dubious preferences"!!! :lol:

Sheesh... I keep scrolling up to look at it again... don't torture yourself Andrew...


I just like the fact they weren't too pointy - regular Strat headstock, almost regular Strat body shape.  And they had a cool Kahler version of the Floyd Rose.  I like the black headstock too.  :P


(http://www.oldschoolhouserock.com/marshallman/guitar_pics/fender_strat_1a.jpg)
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: marauder on June 10, 2010, 07:28:59 PM
I bid on Lori Linstruth's pink HM strat when she sold a pair of them on ebay.

They are really cool and so 80's.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Stevepage on June 10, 2010, 09:06:35 PM
I'd like one. Black with a maple board. Would probably got about changing the trem to a original floyd rose though.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Sollophonic on June 10, 2010, 09:39:07 PM
I guess this question could boil down to two scenarios

a) Guitars I have liked playing but not been able to afford to buy.

b) Guitars I have liked, been able to afford to buy, but something about them (apart from the price) stopped me.

Category a);- Where to start? Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Gretches, Gibson semis, CS Fenders, the list goes on. And dont get me started on acoustics.

Category b);- Pointy guitars, as I dont think they would suit my style or anything else. I have played things like JEMs, Vs and Explorers, and while they have been easy to play, I just cant see me standing there knocking out the kind of music I like to play on an electric guitar with one of those. Mind you I suppose thats daft because pinty guitars like Explorers, Vs etc predate the music they are often associated with by at least 20 years or so.

I like some Les Pauls I have played, but only while sitting down. Same with SGs, I love the way they look, I love their tone, I reckon that the pairing of Teles and SGs would cover most bases, but I play one, and the headstock starts drooping downwards and I have to lift the neck up with my left hand, and I move on...

But things like LP Jnrs and Melody Makers seem to have an appeal for me.

I have also owned a few Strats, but never for very long. I soon tired of them, and went back to Teles. 



Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: gwEm on June 11, 2010, 12:33:47 PM
Fender HM strat?!!

Good choice!!!  :D
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Elliot on June 11, 2010, 01:12:24 PM
A Fender Jaguar - I love the look, feel and sound.   I just can't buy any more guitars!!!!
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: blue on June 11, 2010, 02:28:28 PM
Gibson Firebird is another one.

i've very nearly gotten a Tokai on several occasions, as i thought it might quench the craving, but i really want a Gibson!  but i'll never be willing to fork out the cash.


maybe.... ;)
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: gwEm on June 11, 2010, 03:23:08 PM
Gibson Firebird is another one.

i've very nearly gotten a Tokai on several occasions, as i thought it might quench the craving, but i really want a Gibson!  but i'll never be willing to fork out the cash.


maybe.... ;)

yeah, the current production tokai is alder and maple - lame!
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: dave_mc on June 11, 2010, 03:58:52 PM
yeah, they really should offer an mij version of all the copies they do. they only recently brought back the explorer and v in mij version.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: HairyChris on June 11, 2010, 07:53:00 PM
- Jackson warrior. I dont like stealths or xiphoses, but theres something about the warrior that does it for me. I've always refrained by the 'better things to spend my money on' reasoning.

I went as far as speccing one up and was seriously considering going the Custom Shop route (about 10 years ago... I had a bit of spare money then). Never pulled the trigger, and probably for the best.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: horsehead on June 11, 2010, 08:49:51 PM
Peavey Vandenberg

Afgan, a man after my own heart
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Lucifuge on June 13, 2010, 10:34:08 AM
Hmm, there are a few:

Gibson Nighthawk: I love the shape of these, and and thought seriously about getting one around 1999 when they had been discontinued and were going cheap.

St Blues Bluescaster: very similar shape to the Nighthawk but with Tele pickups, but since the recent price rises they are now crazy expensive for what they are.

Gretsch White Falcon Junior: OK, I couldn't really afford one of these, but they were so nice, and I find the full-sized White Falcon a bit too big, like many other hollowbodies.

Rickenbacker 12-string: I don't actually particularly like playing these as I find the strings too close together, but I do like the result.

BC Rich Bich: Though I don't normally go in for pointy 'metal' guitars, there's something about this shape I really like, but I'd have to replace the pickups with something a bit more vintage sounding - a pair of Mules maybe?

Thinline Tele of any type: I will own one of these one day, not sure if it will be something cheap like a Classic Vibe Squier, a reissue Fender, or a Warmoth/other custom build.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: _tom_ on June 13, 2010, 02:49:20 PM
A good telecaster. I can't bring myself to pay any real money for one though because I see all Fender-styles as "cheap guitars" for some reason :lol:
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on June 13, 2010, 05:37:19 PM
Gibson Les Paul junior. What a guitar! Been thinking about getting one ever since I tried one.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Dreichlift on June 13, 2010, 05:46:53 PM
Feline Lion, I tried one at the LGS a long time ago and fell in love but have never been in a position to order one. For me was just the perfect guitar.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: gordiji on June 13, 2010, 07:09:25 PM
tom above, that's the beauty of fenders,an immaculate usa tele or strat can easily be found for 5ton and bkd for
       another 150. i've one of each , both lovely with exellent hardware and perfectly adequate build quality.
       when i plug in either, i'm in love and do not  know where i can get more bang for my buck, anywhere
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Madsakre on June 13, 2010, 09:03:47 PM
Jackson warrior
Gibson v's
Ironbird's
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: Prawnik on June 14, 2010, 10:52:03 AM
Gibson Firebird is another one.

* * *
maybe.... ;)

I forgot about the Firechicken. Add one more to my list. Also a Fender Mustang while we're at it.
Title: Re: Guitars you've always liked playing but never bought.
Post by: sgmypod on June 14, 2010, 05:46:33 PM
For me it would have to be:

* Flying Vee
* Ricky 360
* Gretsch White Falcon double cut

(http://www.gretschguitars.com/repository/gretsch/images/G6136DC_xl.jpg)

now that is a bit eerie add explorer, ibanez artist and bcrich mockingbird and thats my list