Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on March 09, 2011, 09:33:26 AM
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I've been on the hunt for a new gigging guitar for a little while as none of my current "working" guitars are quite doing it for me at the moment. I took Francine to rehearsal a couple of weeks ago and loved the tone I was getting, but can't gig her regularly in Manc pubs for obvious reasons! All my other guitars are a bit brighter and zingier (Tele, Esquire, Richardson SCR and SGR, PRS Swamp Ash Special and Modern Eagle) and in a one guitar band I'm after something a bit thicker sounding.
The apology
The first idea was to get another Les Paul, preferably a Custom Shop. The cheapest one I could find was £1800 for an R7 Goldtop than weighed a ton with a very large neck. Hmmm, maybe not then. The USA models are so variable in quality that I decided it wasn't worth travelling around trying a bunch out.
I then checked out the two Lions that our very own Jonathan at Feline has for sale, and after a few email chats about it the spec of his Amber Lion seemed absolutely perfect for me. Unfortunately, I just can't stretch to the asking price. I'll probably regret not snapping it up in the future, but for now:
Sorry again Jon :(
The PRS
Switching tactic a little I found a few PRS SC245 and McCarty models on the web, but they seem to have crept up in value. They were also mostly new ones, so no real bargains. Then I came across a model I've owned before - the PRS McCarty Korina. I've had two of these in the past, remembered the great tone I got from them, and decided to grab a third. So I've got this incoming in a few days, obtained for the princely sum of £1000! I'm told it's like new and has a one-piece body, gold hardware and bird inlays:
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/Misc/McKside.jpg)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/Misc/McKfront.jpg)
The secret
Being the guitar geek that I am, I had a inkling this guitar might be a little bit special before I agreed to buy it. I don't want to divulge why just yet, until the guitar is winging its way to me, but some of the PRS fans might spot what I did???
I'll add a hint if you get stuck ;)
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You kept that quiet. I have no idea about PRS guitars, what's the secret, whisper it in my ear!
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Well you saw me checking out Les Pauls at the Birmingham Guitar show mate, but I didn't think I had enough cash knocking about to get anytning. Annual bonus arrives soon though and I managed to juggle a few things to get the cash for the McCarty in advance. I didn't want to miss the deal...
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Dammit, I can't see the pictures on my work computer! :x
Can't believe you bagged another one-piece!
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Well it might not be a one-piece yet Philly - I'm going by what I've been told. I'll believe it when I see it!
The guitar is cherry red with gold hardware and birds...
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I don't know if this is the secret, but most of the gold-hardware, cherry McKorinas I've seen on t'internet seem to have Brazilian rosewood fretboards?
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Maybe you're right Phil ;)
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It looks like a rosewood board to me. Might be wrong as my wood knowledge is very limited.
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It's certainly rosewood Mr Air!
It's one of around 70 guitars made to this spec though - the original style birds are the giveaway, and the fact that it was a private import from the USA.
Oh, and the email from PRS who checked out the spec from the serial number might have helped confirm it too ;)
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looks nice Dave, a grand ain't bad for a PRS either - especially if it has a Brazilian rosewood board.
whats happening with your AFD100 btw? - hope Marshall have got to the bottom of the problem for you.
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Wish I had an understanding Mrs like you Dave, I had to go to hell and back to justify a £200 BC Rich Gunslinger! :lol:
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My Mrs is very understanding, I'm a lucky guy :)
HTH - my amp has been fine for the last 3 weeks bar one little "blip", so I haven't returned it to Marshall again. I'm keeping an eye on it for the time being...
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My Mrs is very understanding, I'm a lucky guy :)
+1 to understanding Mrsus and Misses
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Lovely guitar.
I wonder if you couldn't get the Tele to produce the right tone for the trio. Teles can sound very big can't they?
I still hesitate if I should get on of those AFDs ...
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It's one of around 70 guitars made to this spec though - the original style birds are the giveaway, and the fact that it was a private import from the USA.
So with the high spec it probably is a one-piece!
Having said that, some of the cherry/gold/birds ones I've seen pictures of look like they're two or three piece, but it's quite hard to tell with korina (unless you can see the end-grain on the edge of the body).
(Just thinking about it, £1,000 seems a hell of a bargain! And suggests I will make a massive loss should I decide to sell mine... :? )
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Lovely guitar.
I wonder if you couldn't get the Tele to produce the right tone for the trio. Teles can sound very big can't they?
I still hesitate if I should get on of those AFDs ...
Cheers Hunter. I tried my Esquire/Tele and while it sounded great it didn't quite have enough punch and width of tone. I'm picky when it comes to things like that as I play better when I sound how I want to sound.
It's a shame you're not local, you could try my AFD100. I really like it! It's the second best amp I've ever had, with the XTC Classic being #1.
It's one of around 70 guitars made to this spec though - the original style birds are the giveaway, and the fact that it was a private import from the USA.
So with the high spec it probably is a one-piece!
Having said that, some of the cherry/gold/birds ones I've seen pictures of look like they're two or three piece, but it's quite hard to tell with korina (unless you can see the end-grain on the edge of the body).
(Just thinking about it, £1,000 seems a hell of a bargain! And suggests I will make a massive loss should I decide to sell mine... :? )
Don't look at this one that sold recently then Philly.....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRS-McCarty-Korina-Black-Burst-no-reserve-/200577713179
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Don't look at this one that sold recently then Philly.....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRS-McCarty-Korina-Black-Burst-no-reserve-/200577713179
Ouch! :o
Mine looks better in the vintage sunburst - and at least it has a case - but still, that's a paltry amount of money. I guess mine stays! :lol:
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I'm a les paul man, but I love PRS
had a 2001 dark cherry sunburst mccarty and a 1996 beaten up caddy black mccarty custom
they couldn't sound huge like my les pauls, but they're a lot more resonant
I just bought a nice CE-22 transblack for cheap (US$1000 = £620), but I'm gonna sell this one (well, here in brazil, they're worth double of what I paid with int shipping and huge import tax)
I also just bought a 2006 bird mccarty for my bandmate for US$1500 (£930)
they usually go for over US$2000, so I couldn't let that pass and loaned my friend some cash so he could grab it
it has a tremonti in the bridge, but it's gonna have BKPs (he's a true believer, like me :lol:)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/mystixboi/Paul%20Reed%20Smith%20McCarty/DSC00724.jpg)
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sweet :D
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Well the guitar is in transit, so job's a good 'un :)
There were only 70-100 McCarty Korina's made with Braz 'boards, so it's a fairly rare thing. Fingers crossed it's a one piece body too and it'll be the ultimate spec McKorina!
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those natural finish Korina McCartys you had were as close to a PRS I'd lust after as you could possibly get - I recall yours were more in the £1400 range - have they really dropped that much in price or were your other ones a more desirable spec?
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The others were a lesser spec, moons and Indian rosewood, so I'm amazed I managed to get this one for £1000! Maybe the cherry/gold isn't as desirable a colour option? The naturals do seem to be the most popular, but they're plain for the usual PRS buyer. I think that's why the McCarty Korina's aren't so popular - same with Miras and anything else without a flame top.
I paid £1800 and £1400 for my previous two brand new, and both sold for around £1100 quid. I kinda wish I'd kept the £1800 one now, but I'm hoping this cherry one will be at least as good as it. Could have saved myself a grand though couldn't I? :roll:
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those natural finish Korina McCartys you had were as close to a PRS I'd lust after as you could possibly get - I recall yours were more in the £1400 range - have they really dropped that much in price or were your other ones a more desirable spec?
They really have dropped that much! Mine was £1,600 and it's the same spec as Dave's #2 (i.e. 2-piece body). His #1 was also theoretically the same spec - but had the rare and (IMO) more desirable 1-piece body.
All three are lower spec than this new one - no birds, no gold, no Braz.
Ooops. Dave's already replied. I think you could be right that perhaps the "coloured" korina guitars are less desirable than the natural finish ones - simply because it's less obvious that they're made of korina.
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I'm thinking a set of zebras with gold screws/slugs would look pretty snazzy in this guitar.
Hmmmm, Holydivers???
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You had HDs in one of your other McCartys, didn't you? Not too bassy in the korina?
I've been thinking of either getting Emeralds for mine, to brighten/tighten it up, or, in contrast, get a set of Abraxas to sound really sweet and singing (at least that's how I imagine they'd sound). For now, it remains stock.
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Wow Dave that's a real beauty and I actually prefer that cherry colour to the natural ones. May I request first refusal on that one if you move it on?
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Did you change the tuners? I don't know if there was a rotary-switch in this model, but if so, you changed it.
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I'm thinking a set of zebras with gold screws/slugs would look pretty snazzy in this guitar.
Hmmmm, Holydivers???
Abraxas would make for a very versatile guitar :)
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Very nice, enjoy :D
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Did you change the tuners? I don't know if there was a rotary-switch in this model, but if so, you changed it.
The vintage style tuners and three-way switch are stock on McCartys.
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Congratulations Dave. All is right with the world-Twinfan is buying another guitar.
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Cheers Don - I'll let you know if it ever needs to leave the stable :)
And yes Steve, me buying a guitar means all is indeed well!
It'll arrive tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to checking it out. Please be a one piece body, please be a one piece body.....
PhillyQ - I had Holydivers in a McCarty with a rosewood neck, Cold Sweats in McKorina #2 and Throbak PAFs in McKorina #1. I think I'll be looking for bright hot-PAFs for this one. I've just listened to the Emerald clips and I reckon they'd be great!
What does everyone think to the Zebra/Gold idea???
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What does everyone think to the Zebra/Gold idea???
I think it'll look good! I also like the Hamer look - cream rings, black bridge, zebra neck - but with gold polepieces of course. Might work?
(http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10029/normal_24.JPG)
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Yep, that 'd work too!
As a Thin Lizzy and Slash fan, what about Emeralds with gold poles/screws in zebra/reverse zebra? 8)
(http://www.edroman.com/rants/images/Slash%20derrig-59.jpg)
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Emeralds = Gold! They sound amazing
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I tried sgmypod's a while back and I think I liked them.
They're something I've not tried so they're now top of the list!
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Did you change the tuners? I don't know if there was a rotary-switch in this model, but if so, you changed it.
The vintage style tuners and three-way switch are stock on McCartys.
Ohh, it's so obvious I never looked real into PRS's. Should keep out of this thread...
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Yep, that 'd work too!
As a Thin Lizzy and Slash fan, what about Emeralds with gold poles/screws in zebra/reverse zebra? 8)
(http://www.edroman.com/rants/images/Slash%20derrig-59.jpg)
Hell Yeah!
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I tried sgmypod's a while back and I think I liked them.
They're something I've not tried so they're now top of the list!
Dave it maybe worth re-trying them as the ones that SG had were an special edition Emeralds I believe
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Glad you started buying guitars again Dave :D It looks great and, if it is a one piece, you've got an absolute bargain there. It's a bargain anyway!
Hope you enjoy it!
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As a Thin Lizzy and Slash fan, what about Emeralds with gold poles/screws in zebra/reverse zebra? 8)
(http://www.edroman.com/rants/images/Slash%20derrig-59.jpg)
I think that's made of Win!
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Well it's here! :D
It's in absolutely mint condition, even after the selling sending it just in the case with some parcel tape round it :o Madness!
It's a centre joined two piece body and a perfect medium-light weight. Just the job!
Emeralds will be on order this afternoon...
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It's in absolutely mint, even after the selling sending it just in the case with some parcel tape round it :o Madness!
No outer box at all? That is utterly bizarre.
Slightly annoying that they said it was one-piece and it isn't? I can't believe people aren't capable of seeing the joins!
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Yep, no other box. Never had a guitar sent like that before!
The join is fairly easy to spot, so I wonder if they didn't look properly or told me what they thought I'd want to hear. Same thing happened with McKorina #2 actually :roll:
I'm not bothered to be honest, as I think the Slash-style Emeralds will make it look and sound superb...
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No box! Outrageous! I don't think I would be happy sending a guitar like that let alone receiving one!
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I know - it's crazy!
Just rung Jon @ Feline and ordered the Emeralds a la Slash with gold screws/poles. I'm back in the BKP fold :D
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The join is fairly easy to spot, so I wonder if they didn't look properly or told me what they thought I'd want to hear. Same thing happened with McKorina #2 actually :roll:
Yeah, a lot of the time they do tell you what they think you want to hear!
I'm always asking eBay sellers and guitar shops about guitar weights and multi-piece bodies. Very often the info they provide turns out to be wrong. I know I'm annoying, I know it's a (minor) hassle for them to check, but if they really can't be bothered they should just say so.
Just rung Jon @ Feline and ordered the Emeralds a la Slash with gold screws/poles. I'm back in the BKP fold :D
Cool! 8)
Interested to hear what you think and how they sound in the korina.
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I'll let you know in about a week or so Phil!
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that sucks about the multi-piece body thing, dave. I mean, 2-piece isn't the end of the world, but you bought it thinking it was one-piece.
I'm always asking sellers questions too- I try my best to ask it in such a way that the seller doesn't know (e.g. I'll ask what the nut width is, hoping the seller won't magically guess my preference :D), but for some questions (like the number of pieces the body is made of) it's pretty obvious what the most desirable answer is.
I don't think it's that much of a hassle philly (though from the way you posted it I suspect you agree with me)- if you want me to buy your multi-hundred (maybe thousand) pound item, i expect you to check some very-easy-to-check details for me. :?
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I don't think it's that much of a hassle philly (though from the way you posted it I suspect you agree with me)- if you want me to buy your multi-hundred (maybe thousand) pound item, i expect you to check some very-easy-to-check details for me. :?
Yes indeed Dave, I do agree.
I emailed Guitar Village not long ago (about a PRS) and the guy came back (quite quickly) to say yes, it was a 2-piece. It didn't look like it to me from their picture, so I phoned up, assistant #2 went to check and it turned out to be a 3-piece. So assistant #1 had replied without even bothering to look. What was the point?
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Well I've set it up and plugged it in, and it's a good 'un! Very resonant, and it sustains forever :o
I'm hoping the Emeralds are thick-ish, punchy and clear, which will make it perfect!
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Single piece bodies aren't always a good idea
Pieces of wood that are large enough for a one pice body are often taken from low in the tree and can be full of mineral content which can make them very dense and affect the tone too.
I once had a one piece explorer and my god it was heavy!
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^ interesting. Is there any optimum number of pieces for tone, or is it just one of those things where it's dependent on each specific piece of wood?
Yes indeed Dave, I do agree.
I emailed Guitar Village not long ago (about a PRS) and the guy came back (quite quickly) to say yes, it was a 2-piece. It didn't look like it to me from their picture, so I phoned up, assistant #2 went to check and it turned out to be a 3-piece. So assistant #1 had replied without even bothering to look. What was the point?
yeah, exactly. and then, if you had bought it, and tried to return it, they'd probably act like you were the dick :lol:
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^ interesting. Is there any optimum number of pieces for tone, or is it just one of those things where it's dependent on each specific piece of wood?
Pretty much what you said - sometimes you get a guitar made of three pieces that is awesome , other times two pieces and sometimes one piece
Usually two piece bodies are made from the same block of wood anyway if the guitar is a small independent luthier, so they end up well matched when glued together
It's always the sum of all the parts that makes the tone - I've had a few great sounding plywood guitars that sounded better than expensive ones in the workshop . You have to let your ears guide you at times (and be able to get over "label Snobbery")
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^ interesting. Is there any optimum number of pieces for tone, or is it just one of those things where it's dependent on each specific piece of wood?
Pretty much what you said - sometimes you get a guitar made of three pieces that is awesome , other times two pieces and sometimes one piece
I like the idea of a one-piece body, but I'm sure you're right, there are so many other factors.
In one sense, it seems logical that three-piece would be preferable to (centre-joined) two-piece, because then the neck, pickups and hardware are effectively joined to a single piece of wood (with "wings") rather than straddling two pieces (with a glue line down the middle). I doubt that's really borne out in practice though!
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^ ^ thanks, that's what i thought, jonathan. Plus as you say, there's not much point in buying a two-piece body to avoid the heavy-wood-from-low-down-the-tree syndrome if they were cut from the one piece :lol:
^ yeah i always wonder that too, philly... I hear conflicting reports, and I haven't tried two guitars which were similar enough to really tell either (not that I'm convinced I could hear the difference even if I got two otherwise identical guitars :lol: ). I mean to be really scientific you'd even need the wood to be cut from the same piece (presumably), then use the same neck, hardware etc..
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Well I'm not too arsed about 1-piece bodies any more - this two piece one is the best sounding of the three McKorina's I've had :lol: Very, very nice sounding guitar with immense sustain and resonance, and a super slick playing feel courtesy of the Braz 'board.
Pics or it didn't happen, right? (Sorry for the rubbish camera phone)
(http://media.share.ovi.com/m1/s/2827/292d0e71ba384e93a2445edb0b609aaf.jpg)
This thing is going to be sweeee-eeeeet with the Emeralds in!
(http://media.share.ovi.com/m1/s/2827/af5a8d7bd5ab491a8e2fc7eafb0b7765.jpg)
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It really does look fine. How much does it weigh, Dave? I'm just curious to see how much the korina varies.
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I haven't weighed it yet Phil, sorry! I'd guess around 7.5-8lbs max, a similar weight to my Modern Eagle and a bit lighter than Francine. It's near enough the perfect weight in my opinion - comfy to play all night but with enough meat to sound good!
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very nice :D
badass couch too :D
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wow wow wow looks good with the zebras!!!
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Ha h - cheers Dave! Everyone who comes round comments on it - it's a fooking massive 6 seater in an L shape with black leather 8)
Thanks Fernando - it looks better than I thought it would! Hopefully they'll arrive next week :)
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^ ^ thanks, that's what i thought, jonathan. Plus as you say, there's not much point in buying a two-piece body to avoid the heavy-wood-from-low-down-the-tree syndrome if they were cut from the one piece :lol:
Let me amend how you have interpreted what I said
the one piece of wood that two piece body might be cut from is more likely to be 7 inches wide and 4 inches thick
Cut it down the middle horizontally so you can open the two pieces like opening a book giving you two mirrored pieces that are 7" wide and 2" thick.
Glue those two pieces together to make a "bookmatched" piece that is 14" x 2" thick and then you can carve out your guitar body.
The result could look like this if the grain is right:
(http://www.felineguitars.com/guitar_images/Tiger%20-%20Swampash%20Sunburst%20%20kev%20/Tiger-Kev-Q.jpg)
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I haven't weighed it yet Phil, sorry! I'd guess around 7.5-8lbs max, a similar weight to my Modern Eagle and a bit lighter than Francine. It's near enough the perfect weight in my opinion - comfy to play all night but with enough meat to sound good!
Interesting. Mine seems to be an exceptionally light one, it's a few ounces under 7 pounds. Lighter than my Mira Korina in fact, despite the thicker body!
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Ah I get you now, jonathan, thanks :)
Ha h - cheers Dave! Everyone who comes round comments on it - it's a fooking massive 6 seater in an L shape with black leather 8)
haha awesome :D
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I haven't weighed it yet Phil, sorry! I'd guess around 7.5-8lbs max, a similar weight to my Modern Eagle and a bit lighter than Francine. It's near enough the perfect weight in my opinion - comfy to play all night but with enough meat to sound good!
Just for you Phil, I've weighed it in around 7.7lbs - not a bad little guess from me was it? :lol:
The Modern Eagle is pretty much the same, maybe a shade heavier...
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Excellent guess Dave!
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A quick update on the McKorina...
The guitar is super light and resonant, really really nice to play. The tone is quite focussed, image the middle 3/5s of good Les Paul. I'm hoping the Emeralds will give it a touch more "shove", add some sparkle to the top end and remove the wooliness of the stock McCartys.
Speaking of the Emeralds, they landed on my desk today (chees Jon!) so they'll be getting fitted over the weekend. Gold straplocks have now been fitted too, plus some gold top hat knobs.
Pics and a review will follow on Sunday...
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The guitar is super light and resonant, really really nice to play. The tone is quite focussed, image the middle 3/5s of good Les Paul. I'm hoping the Emeralds will give it a touch more "shove", add some sparkle to the top end and remove the wooliness of the stock McCartys.
Speaking of the Emeralds, they landed on my desk today (chees Jon!) so they'll be getting fitted over the weekend. Gold straplocks have now been fitted too, plus some gold top hat knobs.
Pics and a review will follow on Sunday...
Interesting point about the McCarty pickups, I agree that they have a tendency to sound a bit wooly. Awaiting your report on the Emeralds!
And a knob change too? I was thinking about changing the knobs on mine, they're amber and a bit too close to the colour of the surrounding finish. I think gold might look better.
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I can't wait to get the Emeralds in to be honest, it's been too long since I bought and tried some new BKPs!
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Emeralds are in and look awesome :o :D
Only had chance for a quick play before our guests arrived for the weekend, but I think they may be perfect in this guitar!
* Power, but with clarity
* Open sounding, but chunky
* A clear but round top end
* No 'twang' or over brightness, a lot of that is down to the warm korina tone
* Reduced bassiness and increased tightness in the low end
Basically, the guitar now seems to be just what I wanted it to be 8)
A full review and pics on Sunday evening....
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I've put a finished pic in the users gallery...
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=24014
This guitar rocks a fat one!
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I think the open coils look better on this guitar.
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looks great :D