Magic Tone

In my search of tone, I have found out that guitars with a longer scale and single pickups have a tinny, bright sound.  The guitars I have with a combo of humbuckers and single coil pickups give it a twang. I like a dark, warm, muddy sound.  The humbuckers on a Gibson, or Epiphone sound better to me.  This week I am looking for an ugly slab body double cut Gibson Les Paul Junior with a P90. 

I have two PRS double cuts.  One is a Santana with a 10 -Top, with active electronics and a switch.  The other is a simpler version in an uncommon flat black.  I like the simplier version.

I just acquired a G&L Espada with active electronics. Like all in my collection, its unique. I love the way it looks.  It is natural in color, longer in scale and a telecaster on steroids.  The electronics are so powerful that I decided to take the batteries out. The feedback, hum, and vibration sensitivity is more than I need with the amplifier I use.

I went to a guitar shop over the weekend and was left alone for too long.  I tried a Les Paul with an F-hole that I was hoping would produce the warm sound; I am learning I prefer.  I didn’t like it.  I am so glad I didn’t try to purchase one.  What I did try to my surprise was a guitar that didn’t have a price tag. It was unassuming.  It didn’t have a pretty paintjob.  It wasn’t bling’ed out.  It was soft, warm and fat sounding. I think it was what I was looking for. I found a beautiful unicorn version at Chuck Levin in pumpkin orange for $5000 that I may get if this is my jam, and it blesses.

I plan to sell at least three of my guitars now and purchase something similar.  Fingers crossed. I found a used one on Musicians Friend after a search.  There were a bunch on Reverb with price tags from $1000 - $10,000..  I found one on Facebook marketplace a few dollars less but the owner didn’t/wouldn’t ship.  He was selling locally in New Jersey only. The quest has begun.

We will see.