Author Topic: My New/Used SL4 (Read 3402 times)

Dakine · « **on:** January 12, 2006, 02:25:52 PM »

Well,
picked her up yesterday!!!!!!!!!
Long drive and met at gas station so not exactly best place to check/buy a guitar, but, bought her anyway.
When I got home and had a good look, she has a few chips (nothing on veneer though :)).
Small funny rough place on neck (like a player had been wearing rings or somthing).
And a small crack on headstock! AAGGHH!!!!!!!! Why did'nt I see this!!!!! Well, it is small, just a small surface crack (does NOT go through the headstock). Looks like someone bumped or over tightened the low E tuning peg as it eminates from the screw for about 2 inches. Gutted.
Why gutted? as paid so little for it? Well, it is a GORGEOUS guitar! I ADORE the neck,sustain,feel. OMG, gotta say this quietly so the Les Paul does not hear (lol) but she (it) is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, I like it (her) so much that she is going to visit with "Ron Pace" Luthier tomorrow (credits/works with, ZZ Top, White Zombie, Pink Floyd, Kings X etc. etc. Most of these are Houston guys so no wonder). In an initial (and VERY friendly) phone conversation yesterday (in a state of fevoured dismay on my behalf) he soothed and calmed me and told me she will be BETTER than new and a crack vs. a break is NOTHING!
I do'nt know how much of the few chips I will get him to look at (due to funds and value) but the headstock crack and neck will be addressed.

Anyway, apart from that, the guitar SINGS.
Now bear in mind I traded my Marshall (although it was only an MG anyway) so the little Roland Microcube is NOT the best yardstick. But, the Seymour Duncans actually sound pretty darn good (good enough for now as the Les Paul is getting treated to BKP's first). The body feels like it is an extention of my own body. And that neck, omg!!!!!!!!!! so fast, so smooth, so EASY to play. Since I am taking lessons, I did find that the Jackson makes my practice (for now) WAY easier than the LP (very hushed tones, sorry Black Gibbo). Now, my LP is my DREAM guitar, but I think I made a GREAT choice/deal with this Jackson!!!!!!!!!!! Very much worth spending a few more Dollars on to make her like new again. The Schaeller (Floyd Rose) is like new and works great (not that I am certainly an expert with a whammy lol). The pickups look like new also. In fact just the wood has been mistreated by a former careless/unloving player.

So, in conclusion, a VERY happy new owner here :)

I will take some pics when she has had her beauty treatment completed ;)

BTW, hers Ron's site (just FYI).
http://www.paceguitarrepair.com/index.htm

Thanks for all the help/advice guys.

Nick

dave_mc · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2006, 04:50:22 PM »

nice!

is it a schaller trem on it, like your other thread said?

Dakine · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2006, 04:57:46 PM »

Yep, schaeller trem. Looks mint and works well (with my v.limited knowledge).

Just been conversing with seller too.
He says he genuinely missed the crack and will make retribution for repair. Only fair but also cool as I got it so cheap in first place.
Funny thing is, it had been set up, nicely too, fingerboard oiled and all. But that tech./luthier missed the crack????????? WTF, some tech./luthier.
Anyway, will see how I get on at Luthier in Houston tomorrow.

Nick

dave_mc · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2006, 05:03:40 PM »

good job- sounds like an excellent score (specially with the schaller!)

i'm envious!

Dakine · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2006, 05:10:09 PM »

LOL
he's offering to buy it back from me now! He said yesterday he was in more than two minds to sell it. He deals on side and plays but had'nt really played the Jackson till the day he sold it to me. We had struck a deal so he stood by it. Sounds like he would actually like it back for himself now lol.
I really think it can be put back to new though. Gawd, if BROKEN heads can be fixed better than new then a crack surely is'nt a problem! We will see.

Nick

tewboss · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2006, 05:12:01 PM »

Sounds worth the money even if just for the Schaller! My Aria had it neck broken (by my stupid cat), and it feels solid enough. If I remember reading correctly the glue will be injected into the surrounding wood which stops it from becoming weaker at that point. Mine broke at an angle so was easy enough to mend (according to the guy who did it).