Shock horror! Twinfan's buying a 'modern' guitar!

[Twinfan]

:o

Yep, it's true.  The mould is being broken.  Long post alert........

I went to a guitar fair yesterday with MartinW and we ended up having a chat with a Mr Paul Richardson of PRGuitars.  He had a couple of guitars on a stand that he'd built, and the interesting designs caught our eye.  He's a really nice bloke who was incredibly knowledgable about woods, construction methods, design etc.

It came out that he had a guitar reviewed in the October 2009 issue of Guitarist magazine as part of the UK builders "shoot out", and the actual guitar reviewed was there at the show.  I then remembered reading the review in the mag and thinking the looks were a bit novel for me, and that he got screwed over on the star ratings (his guitar was the half the price but otherwise equal to a Martyn Booth, but they got the same value for money rating??????)

In the flesh, the guitar looked stunning and you really noticed the little touches.  Immaculate body binding, inlays with virtually no filler, proper fretboard binding nibs, perfect fretwork, great oiled finish etc etc.  I picked it up to have a play, and it was one the slickest feeling guitars I've ever tried.  Zero friction from the highly polished stainless steel frets and dark rosewood fingerboard.  I tried it through a little Line6 combo and it had a great vibe to it, the coil splits sounded fantastic and it could cover a lot of tonal ground.  Great for gigging in a covers band thinks me......

So after doing some research at home, and juggling a few funds, I've agreed to buy the guitar that was used in the Guitarist review.  I guess it should be with me in a few days when I've transferred the cash and had it sent to me.  OK, it's not totally modern as it's based loosely on a Les Paul, but its high output pickups and Paduak construction make it quite a departure from my usual style.

I'm looking forward to checking it out in more detail later in the week!

Here's Paul's website:  www.prguitars.co.uk

The page specific to the model I've bought (and pics of my guitar):  www.prguitars.co.uk/page39.html

[horsehead]

When will it end eh Dave!

[AndyR]

:lol:

It does look kinda pretty though...

I'll take that beaten up old SG off yer hands if you want to pay postage

[FernandoDuarte]

Looks weird and cool :)

[bucketshred]

I'm sorry. Just no. That to me looks like some has left a Les Paul on the dashboard and it has melted in the sun.

Sorry mate, I feel as though this one will split opinions anyway.

Paddy

[Fourth Feline]

I'm afraid the shape does not work for me, but yes - if you end up with a 'modern' guitar, then no doubt Dave Gilmour and Roger Waters will start going to the pub together - and be 'big pals' .

( Is it the Salvador Dali signature model ? ).

[hunter]

Huh that's ugly  :?

[Philly Q]

I kind of like it - reminds me a bit of the Aria PE, with a hint of Fernandes maybe.  I'm not convinced resembling some 30-year-old Japanese LP copies counts as "modern" though!!  :lol:

I've got to ask, Dave, how can you afford this sudden rapid influx of guitars?  :?

[AndyR]

I'm not convinced resembling some 30-year-old Japanese LP copies counts as "modern" though!!  :lol:

I thought that :lol:

But then I realised I can't talk when it comes to "modern", so I kept schtum :D

I have to admit, I come down on the side of liking it...

[Twinfan]

It's hard to judge it in the photos, in person it really does work well.  I didn't like it when I first saw it in the magazine, but in person it's an eye grabber.  I'll bring it to any future BKP meets so people can see it themselves.  I'm classing it as modern due to the 25" scale length, use of paduak wood and the hot pickups (DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton).  It's modern compared to everything else I own (bar the two PRSs)!

The influx of guitars has been (or will be) funded by the sale of my motorbike (Pearly) or selling some bonus shares I get through work (the '65 SG and this PR Guitar).  I've also sold a couple of guitars in the last month or so (the Kramer Baretta to Lew and my Warmoth Thinline Tele on another forum) which has helped with the cash flow.  I've also had 5 or 6 gigs since December so a bit of cash has come from them.

[Fourth Feline]

- And by the same reasoning, I'm dead  gorgeous - ( but not in photographs )  :lol:

[Twinfan]

Fair point - you all hate it  :lol:

I had a feeling it might be a bit "off-piste" for most people, but thought I'd share it anyway.  It's a great price for a high quality UK handmade guitar when compared to a Feline/Blackmachine/Organic etc.

[Philly Q]

Fair point - you all hate it  :lol:

I had a feeling it might be a bit "off-piste" for most people, but thought I'd share it anyway.  It's a great price for a high quality UK handmade guitar when compared to a Feline/Blackmachine/Organic etc.

Not at all, if it didn't have the slightly strange headstock and the squiggly bit at the bottom I'd like it a lot.  But then I've always quite fancied an Aria PE. 

I prefer this, looks-wise, to an Organic or Blackmachine.  Not as nice as a Feline Lion though.

[Matt77]

I remember that review.
I quite like the spec of that guitar rather than the look.
When you get it let me know when the kettle is on.
I have something new on the way which will be a little different.

[Twinfan]

I reckon you'll like it Matt - you'll have to pop round.

What have you got in the works?