I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

[epi]

I made this thread because I see other threads around with "here is my go to guitar" or "this is my favorite I love it" and I wonder how do you people make a connection and find your perfect guitar?

I currently own
Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Epiphone SG 400
Gibson Melody Maker V

All of these guitars are great but they don't feel right when I play em I don't feel excited or wanting to play I feel like putting it down... what should I do? and how can I find a guitar that gets me wanting to play and makes me excited to look at and hold?

Please Help!

 

[alteredbeast]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

Sell em all and get one slammin axe that you wanna play all the time maybe?

 

[epi]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

well yea lol but I am pretty much asking how people found there #1? since I might be able to try and use the same method

 

[erksin]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

Took me 33 years - you're only 15? You got a long way to go, son! lol

Best idea is to go play a BUNCH - new, used, cheap, expensive - it doesn't matter. Play everything you can get your hands on. The ones that feel good to you note what type of neck profile they have, scale length, body contours (or not), weight. The ones that sound good to you note what type of pickups and bridges are on them. Once you've had some experience playing a variety which ones suit you best should become pretty apparent.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

well yea lol but I am pretty much asking how people found there #1? since I might be able to try and use the same method

I doubt it. Many people search for a partner with a big list of qualities they must have, but often end up with someone very different from what they had percieved as their 'type'. Ya never really know until you get there.

And ultimately it's gonna stem from within you, not from a particular guitar. The best thing is to accept that you'll probably try a whole bunch of different guitars for a few years, learning about the things you do and don't like with various types.

My favourite instruments are the least valuable ones i own, the least attractive and in some cases are little more than hunks of junk. But they have meaning and connection that goes way beyond the sort of things that usually get discussed here. Kinda like a beloved dog with only one eye, or a girlfriend with a plain face who's smile lights you up like no other. Ya just don't know until you get there, and it's likely you'll be as surprised as the next person, or moreso.

Your guitar will be the one you aways reach for, the one you always want with you when you travel, the one you begin to think of as being more than a piece of wood ... as being a constant companion.

The main thing is to keep playing, work your way through hero worship and influence towards forging your own unique identity ... music and life are almost the same journey in many many ways. Eventually things will expose themselves to you, and you'll probably be surprised.

learn from everything and enjoy the journey.

 

[epi]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

I like what crusty said and thanks for the advice! and for erksin I know I am 15yrs old but you have to play something that attratcs you and none of my guitars attract me its like hating the color blue and saying ill wear it just because you would obviously ware the thing you like the most and same with guitars if I like a strat guitar why would I buy a les paul?

 

[erksin]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

Kinda my point - you've not played a ton of guitars, have you? If you have - you wouldn't likely own the ones you do.

Go play some. All of your guitars are Gibson scale - maybe you're a Fender scale guy.

It took me a long time to find 'the one' mostly because I'm lefty and we have sweet f all for options typically. I've had a lot of nice guitars that I played the crap out of but I was constantly tweaking them trying to make them perfect. What I really wanted was a big fat ringing Tele sound with a shorter scale than you find on Fenders. I didn't think to consider a Gibson for that kind of thing until a friend bought a LP Special and the light bulb exploded once I played his. Six months later I had my own and this guitar is me more than anything I've ever played. And I've been playing for 36 years now. lol

 

[dominus]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

Kinda my point - you've not played a ton of guitars, have you? If you have - you wouldn't likely own the ones you do.

Go play some. All of your guitars are Gibson scale - maybe you're a Fender scale guy.

It took me a long time to find 'the one' mostly because I'm lefty and we have sweet f all for options typically. I've had a lot of nice guitars that I played the crap out of but I was constantly tweaking them trying to make them perfect. What I really wanted was a big fat ringing Tele sound with a shorter scale than you find on Fenders. I didn't think to consider a Gibson for that kind of thing until a friend bought a LP Special and the light bulb exploded once I played his. Six months later I had my own and this guitar is me more than anything I've ever played. And I've been playing for 36 years now. lol

Could be this exactly. I picked up a couple of Godin Redlines, thinking they'd be perfect for me. I liked the bridge, I liked the body shape, I liked the fact it was a single humbucker.... But when I sat down to play it, the scale length was wrong. The fretboard was a little flatter than what I was used to. Whichever reason it was, they just felt wrong. I just picked up a BC Rich Avenge which has a 25.5" scale, and it felt like I was home again. (Just had to modify the body a little bit to make it comfortable to play sitting down. ) Go pick up a 24 fret guitar.. Jackson, ESP/LTD, Schecter, etc. Stick with a fixed bridge for now like you have on your Gibsons. See if they feel more comfortable to play.

 

[epi]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

all great tips thanks guys!(hoping your all guys XP)

 

[MaidenTexas84]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

If you have a local Guitar Center or Sam Ash or whatever, just spend a whole Saturday in there, playing everything you can get your hands on. I've probably owned and sold over 20 guitars over the last decade. Once I got my American Deluxe Strat, I knew I was a Fender guy. The neck and body contours are just so comfortable. But I wanted something with a Floyd, so I made my own Warmoth Strat, and we've been happily married ever since.

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

To me, you'll know when you find it. The neck will just meld and become one with your hands, your playing will become effortless. The body will be comfortable and not jab you with your sitting style. I had a custom guitar that met all of these requirements and was great, but the tone was just too dark. I put a SD Liberator in there and tried tons of pickups. Eventually I landed on the P-Rails reg/hot set and I just knew that was it. That guitar now has everything I'd want in a guitar and is definitely my #1. I do still have other guitars for different purposes, but that's my general go-to guitar.

Anyway, all that to say, the guys are right in saying to try as many guitars as you can. You'll figure out what you like and not like pretty quickly and eventually you'll find the one. To me, playability is key and tone should be there, but remember, you can still tweak the tone with pickups and pots. My best advice, try everything even if you think you won't like it and regardless of what country it was manufactured in, and something might surprise you. Just because your idols use Gibsons, you may like PRS. Create your own style that works for you.

 

[Grenade]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

I just got a Godin Redline from Dominus and I hope it's the one because I love my Godin 5th Avenue and the neck specs are the same. I've had several guitars since 1976.

 

[dominus]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

I just got a Godin Redline from Dominus and I hope it's the one because I love my Godin 5th Avenue and the neck specs are the same. I've had several guitars since 1976.

It probably will.

To the original poster, here's the Godin that wasn't right for me:

and here's what I replaced it with:

so you really need to try everything to see what fits.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

It's going to be different for every person, but let me save you some heartache. Do the most counter-intuitive thing possible and consolidate down and then put as much money as you can with it and get the guitar you WANT... not just the one you can AFFORD. If you have to wait that's OK. Good things come to those who wait. Additionally it will take out those pesky "what-ifs" that you get nagging you over time. What IF I like an ebony fingerboard, a 25" scale, Limba, or Honduran Mahogany over African? When you play a TON of guitars, find the specs you like, and buy exactly what you want you can just focus on playing.

Also if you go to a store and plan on literally staying for hours trying guitars TAKE A NOTEBOOK! As you change guitars write down the model, write down what you did or didn't like, and then when you get home look up the specs online and write them next to the guitar and the puzzle will start to take shape a little faster. An added bonus is that the salesman will know you are more serious about finding "the one" than if you just walk in and ask to "play one of everything".

Happy hunting

Luke

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

As a personal anecdote or two....sometimes your target changes. After you play for a certain length of time and your personal style becomes more and more refined you "need" or "desire" certain characteristics you might not have before. Tremolos are the most obvious thing for a lot of players. I've become so accustomed to having one of some sort that I reach for it on ANY guitar. I have been playing now for about 15yrs, and it wasn't till about 2 years ago that I realized that I actually REALLY care about fingerboard radius, to me it is more important than the scale length. For me to be comfortable I need at least a 12" radius or I feel cramped somehow. In fact i have become SO conscious of it I'm about to send off my PRS CU24 to have it re-radiused from 10" to about 16-17".

Another experience I've had over just the last 12mos is that if the radius is right I can use a smaller neck. My preference is for baseball bat sized necks with a flat fingerboard. Unfortunately Ernie Ball doesn't offer that so I got a guitar with a 12" board and I'll be danged...I can get around it JUST fine.

 

[Grindspine]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

I have six guitars, but really only like playing four of them, three electrics.

I do play my Alvarez-Yairi acoustic. It's really my dad's guitar, but I am borrowing it and have been for years.
I keep my old platinum series import B.C. Rich Warlock because it was my first electric that I got when I was 16.
I keep my Washburn Dime in its case more often than not. It looks and sounds cool and was my main guitar when I was 17-18, but it still feels like someone else's guitar. The neck never felt right to me either.

My B.C. Rich USA Warlock NT standard is my main go-to guitar. It was made around 1989 or 90. The original color was this terribly bright dayglo color. I saw it in the used guitar store from like a quarter mile away because of that finish. After I picked it up and played it, I decided to put some money down on it. It was the second neck through B.C. Rich model I had gotten my hands on. I did not realize it when I bought the guitar, but I have really come to expect nothing short of premium due to that guitar. It had great fretwork, awesome tonewood, Grover mid-size tuners, an Ibanez Edge bridge (from the factory), and Duncan pickups. I repainted it when I was 19 and added Schaller strap locks. A few years ago, I decided to change out the pickups for a Duncan Distortion at the bridge and a newer Alnico II Pro at the neck. The original neck pup resides in my Washburn now. The guitar just feels comfortable to pick up and play.

My B.C. Rich Virgin still needs some work, but the original owner put a cheap licensed Floyd and EMGs in it at least. Even though it was an ebay cheapy score that I had originally purchased as a go-between for a friend, it actually has a very comfortable neck. The aforementioned friend never coughed up the rest of the money for it, so told me to just keep the guitar. I am glad I did.

My Ibanez 7 is still growing on me. But really, I searched for a few years for a 7 string that played as well as my USA Warlock. This does, even though it does have a longer scale neck and an extra string!

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

My B.C. Rich USA Warlock NT standard is my main go-to guitar. It was made around 1989 or 90. The original color was this terribly bright dayglo color. I saw it in the used guitar store from like a quarter mile away because of that finish. After I picked it up and played it, I decided to put some money down on it. It was the second neck through B.C. Rich model I had gotten my hands on. I did not realize it when I bought the guitar, but I have really come to expect nothing short of premium due to that guitar. It had great fretwork, awesome tonewood, Grover mid-size tuners, an Ibanez Edge bridge (from the factory), and Duncan pickups. I repainted it when I was 19 and added Schaller strap locks. A few years ago, I decided to change out the pickups for a Duncan Distortion at the bridge and a newer Alnico II Pro at the neck. The original neck pup resides in my Washburn now. The guitar just feels comfortable to pick up and play.

Off topic, but that's a Class Axe era BC Rich, correct? I have very limited experience with BC Rich simply because most local stores don't carry them, but there was one I was interested in on eBay awhile ago. It was a Class Axe era, so I did a bit of research to find out that most think that era was junk. Obviously you found a good one, but what is everyone's take on the multiple ownership eras of BC Rich? Never buy a BC Rich blind or are there some years that are safe to purchase sight unseen?

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

As others have stated you need to play/ try out diff guitars. Don't get stuck to a brand. And don't shun any brand without trying them out and trying diff models. I am an Ibanez convert. a few years back I never ever looked at Ibanez in fact I slammed them, I just did not like the look of their flagship RGs. Today the guitar I am most comfy with is an Ibanez SA, It just feels right. Most important don't be afraid to try another brand. All 3 of your guitars are Gibson style. Maybe you should just give something else a try. You never know. And dont rush, it took me years to find my no.1, it is not even a High end model but lower midrange.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

I made this thread because I see other threads around with "here is my go to guitar" or "this is my favorite I love it" and I wonder how do you people make a connection and find your perfect guitar?

I didn't find "my" guitar. It found me. Then it happened again and again. Usual suspects - T, S, LP. Eventually, I tried a shred stick. I immediately understood their appeal.

I currently own
Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Epiphone SG 400
Gibson Melody Maker V

All of these guitars are great but they don't feel right when I play em. I don't feel excited or wanting to play.

Short explanation - you have outgrown all three of the guitars on your list.

I feel like putting it down... what should I do?

Putting down Epiphone guitars is my job.

Seriously, though, the time has come when you need to decide between upgrading your guitars or ditching some of them and putting the proceeds towards a new instrument.

How can I find a guitar that gets me wanting to play and makes me excited to look at and hold?

My experience tends to be the other way around. Namely; how can I avoid buying another guitar? Most recently, it was a G&L Tribute series ASAT Special with the big ol' MFD single coil pickups. (Kinda Tele and LP Special rolled into one.)

You are, evidently, keen on Gibson designs and features. Concentrate your attention and funds on pre-owned American-made guitars. The Gibson LP Studio and SG Standard are the obvious candidates. Heritage and Hamer are well worth checking out. If you are undecided between LP and SG outlines, a double cutaway LP body shape might make an acceptable compromise.

 

[Securb]

Re: I need help finding "MY" guitar (nothing is lost)

I don't feel excited or wanting to play I feel like putting it down... what should I do? a

You have 3 amazing guitars, much better than the $100 Kent Les Paul that fueled my passion for hours at your age. I have these suggestions/observations.

You never mentioned your amp, that could be the culprit. A the wrong amp could be robbing the guitars of tone.
Are your guitars professionally setup? Action/intonation/pickup height?
Sadly you just just might not have the passion. No guitar no matter how nice or expensive will change that. - hopefully that isn't the case.