Guitar Nerds Anonymous

Well I didn't win in the Scotts Bass Lessons charity bass give away, he was giving away some sweet Jazz basses too.
I can feel the urge for a conciliatory purchase building!

Ta!

I've been eyeing this up for a while, and was hoping someone could talk me into/out of it...

I've currently got an all-laminate Epiphone EJ200, which is 'fine' but huge, and liked the idea of a 'nice' small all-solid guitar with a short scale. Especially the Guild, since it appeals to the brand tart in me and I like the look. However, it's online (so I won't get to try it) and seems a bit pricey for the model? There aren't really many around, so it's hard to tell. I get the impression the shop would do a setup for me, so that would cover a bit of the cost vs. a normal second hand one. Someone's added a strap button to the heel, which I'm not really into but in reality probably wouldn't notice/would be useful. I've thought about things like a Faith or a Taylor GS Mini, but they just don't really appeal the same way.

As a complicating factor, I've had the idea of treating myself to a Standard series Martin for my 30th in the autumn. Something like the Guild would be a nice thing I can take with me and not have to be so worried about when I don't want to crack out the expensive Martin (if I get one). Also, I drive an old MX-5 with 2 seats and a tiny boot, and the Epiphone (in a hard case) has to go into the passenger seat headstock-down to be transported, basically filling the entire cabin. The Epiphone is also not really compatible with sitting back on the sofa, which the small guitar would be.

Edit: For added context on the above essay, I've had the EJ200 for about 13 years, and it's the only acoustic I've owned. Same goes for my electric, that I got at about the same time.

For me I'd say that it's quite expensive for a 2nd hand guitar that you are going to use for playing on the sofa. I'd buy a new, but cheaper brand (Sigma I can recommend) and save the extra cash for that Martin.

How about this:
https://hobgoblin.com/sigma-guitars-15-series-000-acoustic-guitar-12th-fret

I was in a similar situation - I had an Alvarez jumbo which was great, but too cumbersome. I changed it for a Martin 000-15, similar size to the Guild, and I play it much more than I ever played the jumbo. If you’re planning on picking up a Martin anyway, maybe just skip the Guild and play the Martin regularly? No point in spending all that money just to have it sit in a case for special occasions.

Or a Takamine G series?

Hmm, definitely something to think about, even if it wasn't the answer I wanted! Thanks for replying.

I must admit that Sigma as a brand don't really appeal, even though I know they're really well regarded - it's one of those things where I know I'm being a prima donna. Their smaller/cheaper guitars also seem to only have solid tops, rather than the all-solid Guild (probably not a big difference, but I like the idea of an all-solid acoustic as an object).

The Martin I had in mind was a D-28, so I could imagine there'd be plenty of situations where something small/quiet would be a bit more appropriate than that. I'm pretty sure it would also not really fit in the car, where the little guy would be fine. My parents have a beach hut that I sometimes stay at when it's empty, and I had visions of being able to take a little guitar down with me there when I go - usually in the cold and grim weather so I have the place to myself - but I'm already pushing the limits of my silly little car! I figured a nice big acoustic and a nice (but less valuable) small acoustic would be a good pair to have, in general.

It’s not a bad price for an all-solid guitar then, in that case. It seems to be a discontinued model. I see another used one was up for £399, maybe they’d be open to taking an offer?

I have a Taylor Rosewood GS Mini. I got it from someone I worked with and tried it to humour him as I really wanted a parlour. I played it and fell in love with it. Its the guitar I play everyday, sounds great and really comfy but I’m also a small guy.

For a similar price to the Guild have you looked at Alvarez’s masterbuilt range? All solid wood build for half the price of a Martin. I particularly like the Alvarez MPA66SHB

Looks overpriced to me. I have a Guid M-120 which was £500 new about 7 years ago. It’s fine but I don’t love it. I’d sell it but I fucked the resale value by buggering up the finish taking the pickguard off. I must get round to refinishing and flogging it.

I also have a sigma DR28 it it’s an OG late 89/ one with more sentimental value than anything else. Will never flog that. I love it.

I was after one of those guilds a few years back but bought an old Japanese built takamine instead because it was the same age as me.
I did get in on the forum-buy Recording King RP-M9M bargain at the start of lockdown 1 though, and that's the tiny guitar that gets left out and played everyday, I love it.

There are so many good Chinese pedals now that I expect cheap just means that it takes ages to arrive.

I ended up getting a Behringer one for £3.

Clean octave continues to be the dream.

You need a POG

^ was going to suggest POG or Pitchfork.

I had a great morning out at the Guitar Hospital on Monday morning chatting to this guy ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYKu-ewM4yo

He has my Tele in for fret dressing etc.
Shared some interesting stories of the early days in and around SE London.

Thanks 'Deptford John'
https://guitarhospital.co.uk/index.php

I've picked up a pair of Artec bass humbuckers and pending return of my custom bass deposit today (fingers are crossed) I've got another foolish project planned for them!

Yes indeed, it is an 8-string Squier Bronco conversion! I figured it would be a good test of my luthiering "skills" to fill the old tuner holes and redrill for new tuners!

Here's a nicely modified one I found from Talkbass...

... and in more "that's not a guitar!" news I've just gotten an outstanding deal on a Sonor SSD10 Benny Greb Signature snare, the cheapest one on Reverb is €600, I got this one for €450!

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Ordered a Harley Benton PB-20 SBK, but they delayed the order so long that I ended up going with a PB-Shorty instead. A short scale bass has been bugging my fantasies for quite some time, and I actually really like how compact and light it is - needless to say the head dive is very real on this thing.
Pickups are absolute garbage, noisy as hell and they make some weird popping sounds sometimes. Well, I know what I was going for, many reviews mentioned this one. Finish is fine, tuning pegs are okay-ish, and none of the hardware arrived loose, so that's a plus. Action was pretty good out of the box, and the neck is straight. Strings are total garbage.
You get what you pay for, for 89 euros this is a fair deal I think. Planning on upgrading the pickups sometime in the future, but first I will get it set up by a luthier for C standard tuning, fuzz it up and doom on.

Forgot all about the POG. Ideal, though not my preferred pedal price bracket.

There's some nice lightweight looking Sadowsky tuners on Thomann for about €15 a piece should help the head dive...

Thanks for the heads up! I don't think the head dive will be that much of a problem for me as I pretty much only play sitting, but good to know there's a solution for this.

Got my Jag back today... Turns out the neck pickup wasn't even connected, so how on earth was sound coming out of the guitar when I had it selected?!? It did sound very thin and weak compared to the bridge pickup but it was definitely there... 🤷

Was the original guy a day drinker or something? Holy smokes.

When I popped the dimarzio into my Mustang it did take a few attempts to get it all properly hooked up to those switches, I can definitely see someone not paying attention giving yours bridge out of phase instead of neck, or something like that.

Hey guys and gals, I'm finally fixing my office/studio up... I've got too many guitars so thinking about getting this Hercules rack for them to live in and keep them neat, tidy and accessible... I'll put most of the cases into storage 'til we finally get a garage built, they're so bulky and annoying... I'll just stash a few under my bed so I've got one handy if needed...

An I making a terrible mistake getting this thing? Will it destroy my guitars?

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