The Reason I havent been around much lately..

[Luke122]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/lukifer122/jade2.jpg

This is the reason why I've been away lately. Not the best photo since my phone camera pretty much sucks. I'll have to get some better shots of this thing soon.. people keep asking for them!

The guitar is a 1998 Epiphone Les Paul MIK (Made in Korea), and I named her "Jade". :D

I bought this guitar in 2000 while I was in Russia, and brought her home with me. It was love at first sight in the store.. I went straight for her! :D In 2003, I fell on some hard times, and sold her to a friend, with the promise that he wouldnt sell her to anyone else, and if I wanted her back, he would sell to me and only me.

Well, this spring I was really missing her, so I phoned him up and asked if he'd be willing to trade for my Ibanez Icx220 "Iceman" guitar. His enthusiastic reply was reassuring. I packed up the iceman and drove to his house.

When I got there, he pulled out Jade, and I had a little cry. Shortly after he bought her, she got dropped and broken. 2 tuning heads, the nut, and a nice chip from the backside of the body, right on the top edge. To top it off, he lost the bridge and the stop bar, as well as the new nut he purchased for her.

So I was left to decide.. do I trade a perfect condition, well setup, metal machine ibanez for the broken down, missing pieces, and filthy les paul?

OF COURSE! He offered to pay for the replacement of the missing pieces, so he owes me $125 for parts.. but I cant even imagine a dollar amount for the time I've spent lovingly rebuilding, cleaning, tweaking, and googling over this wonderful piece of hardware.

We all know the amount of work that goes into building something beautiful, and obsessing over every tiny detail, and I have to say that the work I've put into this guitar probably exceeds the time I've spent on all of my computers.

She plays like a dream, and sounds amazing. Wednesday night I took it to band practice at church, and floored everyone with the good looks and the incredible tone. All the other guitarists were lined up to try her out, and every one of them was ashamed of their own guitars after playing her. I think there'll be a few more Les Paul's at the rehearsal next week. :D

So let's talk mods!

I had to replace the missing parts anyways, so I decided to go with a graphite nut and saddles, since I've always had strings break in one of those two spots over the years. A new tune-o-matic bridge, and nice stainless tail stop rounded out the package. ($125)

I picked up a new knob to replace the missing one ($6 for one knob), and a new set of D'addario nickel lites ($8 ), and proceeded to tune, retune, adjust, tweak, and tune for 4 solid days.

I ended up top wrapping the strings for a bit more sustain/action/break protection, but I'm not sure I'll keep it that way.. time will tell. I'm also switching up to Pure Nickel 11's ($12 strings) next, and probably adjusting the neck a *bit* more, then raising the action at the bridge just a fraction.. that should help clear up a bit of buzz around the 8'th fret on the low strings.

Other than that, a quick pickup adjustment, and she's good to go! Plays and sounds amazing, even better than she looks! (Like I said.. the picture does it NO justice!)

We have other guitarists in here, post your main axe!

[Zephik]

My friend owns a Les Paul, he paid a good couple grand for it (I want to say 6k?). He used part of his inheritance to purchase it, lucky punk.

I remember I was over one day while he was practicing and he let me play around with it. I don't know how to play guitar, although I have one and have been trying to learn for awhile, but the sound that came from it was beautiful. Although, that could of been partially due to the fact that my amp isn't even 12 inches tall whereas his amp is like 4 feet across and probably 6 feet tall. lol its a freaking monster.

Thats a beautiful guitar by the way. I LOVE that color!

[Luke122]

I'm currently playing it through a Marshall Valvestate AVT 100. Partylikearockstar probably will say something like, "Get a real marshall!" or "Solid state sucks!" or something.. haha.. he's a smart ass. This AVT rocks a tube pre-amp, and a solid state power amp. Tone + power + cheap. :D

What do you play Zephik?

[Zephik]

I'm currently playing it through a Marshall Valvestate AVT 100. Partylikearockstar probably will say something like, "Get a real marshall!" or "Solid state sucks!" or something.. haha.. he's a smart ass. This AVT rocks a tube pre-amp, and a solid state power amp. Tone + power + cheap. :D

What do you play Zephik?

lol nothing worth bragging about thats for sure. Just some cheap-o I picked up at the local music shack. Paid like $200 for it or something like that. Its a red (http://www.lookguitar.com/lookguitar/uploadpic/20051129173616320.jpg)Cort X-2. Although the one I wanted was a Cort X-2 SA (http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/129/xfull1.jpg) but they didn't have any.

[xRyokenx]

I started lessons about five weeks ago... I have a guitar that looks almost like that as well.

According to a review I read recently, Raven brand guitars are pretty much really nice "practice" guitars modelled after Gibsons.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_plCYXoFrWLw/Se4Q6TrK9SI/AAAAAAAACPU/xaiLIe8AWz8/s576/CIMG1252.JPG

[Drum Thumper]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/myoldguitar.jpg
Damn, this thread is making me miss my Wolfgang. I sold it in 2004 to fund a trip to Denver to see (who else?) Van Halen. Seemed like a good idea at the time. If I ever get another chance to get one of these, you can bet your bacon I'm going take it and not regret it.

[xRyokenx]

Do you guys ever start listening to music and have trouble stopping to practice guitar? lol

[Luke122]

Do you guys ever start listening to music and have trouble stopping to practice guitar? lol

Nope, but I drive my wife nuts, because usually I'm trying to play along with something so I'll stop/rewind/restart the song 100's of times to try and nail each part.

Currently overplayed song: Blue on Black by Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Second and Third solos are making me crazy!

[Luke122]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/myoldguitar.jpg
Damn, this thread is making me miss my Wolfgang. I sold it in 2004 to fund a trip to Denver to see (who else?) Van Halen. Seemed like a good idea at the time. If I ever get another chance to get one of these, you can bet your bacon I'm going take it and not regret it.

You know, I never was a fan of the Wolfgangs... and that D-tuner drove me nuts when I tried it out. TBH, the last time I played one, I was 17, and the VH sound wasnt my thing.. maybe I should try one again now..?

[Luke122]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_plCYXoFrWLw/Se4Q6TrK9SI/AAAAAAAACPU/xaiLIe8AWz8/s576/CIMG1252.JPG

Thats a sexy guitar man! Makes me want to play!

[xRyokenx]

Thats a sexy guitar man! Makes me want to play!

Isn't it? It sounds beautiful too. I just got back from my lesson a little while ago. Having a really good tutor and having the potential to be great makes it even more fun and exciting. Perhaps in another year or two I'll be creating my own music with this beauty. :D

[Luke122]

New Pics!

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/lukifer122/IMAGE_048.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/lukifer122/IMAGE_049.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/lukifer122/IMAGE_050.jpg

[xRyokenx]

What a beautiful guitar. What do the two extra knobs do?

[Luke122]

One volume, one tone for each pickup. The switch chooses which pickup (or both) is being used. :)

[xRyokenx]

Hmm, mine only has a volume knob and one tone knob (as well as the switch).

[billygoat333]

that's a sexy axe man. I love it. I will have to take some pics of my guitars, none of them are all that expensive or nice but I love them :) Oh and my banjo too! haha it needs fixed though.

[Luke122]

I always wanted a banjo, but I'm not sure I have the capacity to learn an instrument in a different tuning.. yet.. I'm still working hard at mastering the guitar. :D

[billygoat333]

I'm by no means a master of guitar but I like playin around with different tuning styles and the banjo is actually pretty fun! lol. sounds cool as hell. I am def. nowhere near being good, I just like to play around on it.

[Luke122]

I'm pushing myself to learn scales/modes right now.. it's definitely helping me with improvisation and jamming, and I'm able to pick up songs waaaaay faster now too. :D

My roomate has this guitar:
http://www.gear-vault.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gibson-goldtop-les-paul.thumbnail.jpg

That's not his, but it's one just like it. :)

And this is my next guitar.. I've decided. :)

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/8/0/1/568801.jpg

[billygoat333]

*drools over the half-stacks* mmm. I really need to invest in a good solid half stack.

[Luke122]

Not me.. I'm going mini-stack.. Blackheart probably.. very cool, very amazing tone. I'm more about tone than volume. I'm looking at some 5-12w tube amps now.

I'm rocking a Marshall AVT100 combo right now (1x12, closed back, tube pre) and it's WAY louder than I need. Easily keeps up (and overpowers) a full drum kit.

[billygoat333]

I have a cheap 2x12 combo Rogue amp. It sounds pretty good for how little I paid for it :D

I like the half stacks just because I love to play outside and be obnoxious to my neighbors. lol

[Crazy Buddhist]

Come on Luke .. I know you're not that shy ... and you're right - a picture does it no justice - though she is clearly a thing of beauty ...

Get the video camera and wife out of the cupboard .. knock out a tune ... upload to Youtube ... and post my friend :D

CB

[Luke122]

I'll see what I can do! :D Any song requests?

[Crazy Buddhist]

Well ... I'm not going to ask you to drag a drummer and some singers in so .. I'll let you do your thang :D

[Luke122]

I've got a drum machine, and I sing ok. :)

[xRyokenx]

I eventually would like to do a cover of NIN - Dead Souls... it's simple enough for this hurr n00rbh to figgah eet oot. Hurr hurr.

Seriously Luke, post some vidyurz! Try a Tool song, maybe.

[Luke122]

Dead Souls.. from the Crow soundtrack? Awesome!

Maybe I'll do a little bit of blues.. I've been listening to so much SRV and KWS lately.. insane. I'll get something online by the weekend.. :D

[xRyokenx]

I do believe it was on the Crow soundtrack. I wish they had real notes and chords and whatnot to learn by instead of tabs, but I'll take what I can get.

Eventually I want to learn to play some stuff by Tool... but odds are I'm not close to being there yet, lol.

[Crazy Buddhist]

cool :)

[billygoat333]

I do believe it was on the Crow soundtrack. I wish they had real notes and chords and whatnot to learn by instead of tabs, but I'll take what I can get.

Eventually I want to learn to play some stuff by Tool... but odds are I'm not close to being there yet, lol.


Tool on guitar is actually not that bad. if you know how to tune drop D, and have a good ear, Tool should come to you pretty easy. :)

and yes, Dead Souls was on The first Crow Soundtrack.

good ole NIN - Joy Division covers. Any of you guys listen to the peter murphy - NIN collabs doing other Joy Division songs? pretty cool if you like Peter Murphy's voice - He is from Bahaus. Pretty distinct voice, remi nds me of Bowie kinda. I like it. I saw them(Bahaus) with NIN a couple years back. Put on a pretty good show :D

[xRyokenx]

Cool, then I'll find me some Tool tabs to get me started and a page on various guitar tunings.

I almost wonder if I'm jumping into this too fast... I've only been taking lessons for around a month and a half or so.

[Luke122]

Drop D tuning is easy.. drop your bass string one full step. Press the seventh fret, and it should be the same as the next string. :)

[xRyokenx]

Ahh, hence "Drop D" then. That makes sense, lol.

[Luke122]

Yup.. all the rest of the strings are in standard tuning. :)

Drop D is the easiest way to get a heavy sound. :D

[xRyokenx]

Cool. :D

lol I've just barely gotten to the fifth string in lessons (and this Mel Bay book) and I'm already trying Tool and NIN songs. Hmm... I've definitely got the determination to play this but I'm not sure if I've got the skill yet. I'll keep at it and my lessons.

Now if you want to hear really good guitar playing, here you go (I've linked these before but he's getting much more amazing):

http://www.myspace.com/theastronautking
http://www.myspace.com/satansbasement

[Luke122]

www.killrbuckeye.com

Wild.

[xRyokenx]

I've been playing around a little bit with Kyuss - Demon Cleaner earlier and tuned my guitar to C. I've also been looking at some overdrive, distortion, etc. pedals seeing as my birthday is around a corner or two. Anybody know of any particularly good brands that are not too expensive?

[AndyLivingston]

I have a big soft spot for Les Pauls. Some day, I'll be able to afford the real Gibson deal. That is a great color, too. I don't think I've really seen one in green before.