I Have an Itch

[MrBump]

I'm liking the look of these:

http://www.bladeguitars.com/guitars/durango-series/dd-4/

Anyone played on?

[Philly Q]

Haven't tried any of the current Blade models, but some of them do look good.

Have you considered Fret-King?  I read a review of a couple of their guitars and thought of this thread.  Again, I've never actually tried them.

[dave_mc]

What about the Edwards Les Paul copies?  Theyre famous for their value and quality compared to Gibsons and their price tags.  When I get the cash or if........ ill get one.

with the strong yen they're nowhere near as good value as they used to be... :(

[Philly Q]

What about the Edwards Les Paul copies?  Theyre famous for their value and quality compared to Gibsons and their price tags.  When I get the cash or if........ ill get one.

with the strong yen they're nowhere near as good value as they used to be... :(

I don't think they're quite as good as they used to be, either.... or maybe I just don't like them as much!  The 2010/11 models I owned had skinnier necks than the slightly older ones, which put me off. 

I don't think I could go back to an Edwards Jr now that I've got used to the mahoosive necks on the Gibson VOS ones.

[MrBump]

Thought about Fret King, but TBH I find them fricking ugly! 

And I think that with Edwards guitars I'd feel that I was being short changed - I know that they can be great, but I think that it would always feel like a cheaper imposter, if you know what I mean.

Something more original like the Mira, or Reverend appeals to me.

The trick is finding somewhere with a decent range of guitars to try.  I guess Peach is a good place to start and only half an hour from me.

[Philly Q]

I guess Peach is a good place to start and only half an hour from me.

I've never been there, but they seem to have a good range of guitars!  Certainly a good place to try a Mira.

[dave_mc]

I don't think they're quite as good as they used to be, either.... or maybe I just don't like them as much!  The 2010/11 models I owned had skinnier necks than the slightly older ones, which put me off. 

I don't think I could go back to an Edwards Jr now that I've got used to the mahoosive necks on the Gibson VOS ones.

i have no idea :lol: I think i've only tried two (including the one i own) :lol:

[Elliot]

What are Gordon Smith like these days - in the 80s I borrowed one of their LP Special types (a gypsy?) and it was quite nice.  Not seen them since, however.

[MrBump]

What are Gordon Smith like these days - in the 80s I borrowed one of their LP Special types (a gypsy?) and it was quite nice.  Not seen them since, however.

Good call - I've always fancied one (being a Billy Bragg fan), but they're really hard to find and try.

[Philly Q]

My impression is that with Gordon-Smith it's pretty much a case of order, wait and hope you get a good 'un.  There don't seem to be many in shops, except second-hand.

I haven't owned or played that many, but I've always thought they're either a bit over-rated or a bit over-priced. 

The big selling point has always been that they're simple, workmanlike guitars at a reasonable price, but they're not really that cheap (IMO) when you consider it's a UK brand so there are none of the usual import costs.  OK, on one hand they're very cheap for a handmade guitar, but quality-wise they're light years away from some of the custom guitars we've all seen on this forum. 

I don't think a £450 Gordon-Smith GS-1 is significantly better than a new £450 Gibson Melody Maker, to be honest, but the Gibson gets slagged off for shoddy workmanship whereas the Gordon-Smith is seen as having some kind of rustic charm.

[JimmyMoorby]

What about the Edwards Les Paul copies?  Theyre famous for their value and quality compared to Gibsons and their price tags.  When I get the cash or if........ ill get one.

with the strong yen they're nowhere near as good value as they used to be... :(

Fair enough ive seen them retailing for £700 new. Maybe they were better value but maybe theyre still good value now? Would you recommend any thing else for around £700 which would be better?  Never like the Les Paul Studios... and I know its petty but I just dont like the way PRS' look

[Twinfan]

Phil is spot on about Gordon Smiths, definitely try before you buy.  A lot of them out there are complete dogs.

Edwards and Tokai LPs are still decent value new around £700, much better than a Korean Epiphone.  I've quite liked some of the JHS Vintage brand LPs I've tried, and they're cheap as chips.

[Philly Q]

Nice to know I'm not alone on the Gordon-Smith question!  :lol:

If I was buying a brand new LP style guitar today, I think I'd pick a (Japanese) Tokai over an Edwards.

Edwards have better pickups and hardware (unless you're looking at the really top spec £1,000+ Tokai models) but the Tokais have chunkier necks and a little more "vintage vibe" about them (IMO). 

On the downside (for me), I don't know what different types of mahogany they use, but Tokais tend to be a bit heavier than Edwards.  Of course that's a plus for some people.

[Telerocker]

Phil is spot on about Gordon Smiths, definitely try before you buy.  A lot of them out there are complete dogs.

Edwards and Tokai LPs are still decent value new around £700, much better than a Korean Epiphone.  I've quite liked some of the JHS Vintage brand LPs I've tried, and they're cheap as chips.

The Vintage Lemon Drop is a lot of guitar for no money. Just inspect the frets, some guitars have some flaws. But with a little upgrading (BKP's by example, fretdress) you can have a fine guitar. You have to like the bigger, sharper cutted lower bout though.

[HTH AMPS]

I'm no doctor, but when I've had an itch I've found this to work...