switching between different types of guitars

[Christopher Caruana]

I have been playing les paul's for so long, I've found it very hard and awkward when switching between different guitars. I cannot get used to the feel of other types of guitars. Strats, PRS's, SG's.....they all feel awkward because they DONT feel like a les paul. Im not sure how to describe it other than "awkward."

Anyone else have this problem? just getting so used to one type of guitar that playing others just feel out of place?? :scratchch:banghead:

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I've got that many different types, it really doesn't seem to matter much to me, though I'm generally better off with lighter guitars rather than specific shapes. The only one I've come to the conclusion I can't live with is the SG, hence the recent departure of a Standard from my stable, to be replaced by another Tokai LP.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

As much as I love different kinds of guitars, if you can do everything you want to do on an LP, why play anything else? I go through a period of adjustment every time I change from one guitar to another. Sometimes it's seconds; sometimes it's days. It's only ever worth it of the other guitar brings something different that you use.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

Ya I definately like guitars to be on the weightier side. I like feeling the weight of the guitar and such. I play my LP 95% of the time, but every once and a while ill switch to my PRS Cu24, and I don't like it because of the weight difference, the thin neck.... Maybe its just me, idk.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

As much as I love different kinds of guitars, if you can do everything you want to do on an LP, why play anything else? I go through a period of adjustment every time I change from one guitar to another. Sometimes it's seconds; sometimes it's days. It's only ever worth it of the other guitar brings something different that you use.

Ya I for sure love the LP. I have been thinking about selling the Cu24 to get either a PRS SC or another LP. We'll see.....

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

Its kinda like driving someone else's car. You can still drive it, but it just feels "different" than your car. That's the best thing I can think of to relate it to haha

 

[mrpinter]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I used to have over twice as many electric guitars as I have now. I didn't do it consciously, but I just realized I sold all of the "non-Fenderish" ones. For me the necks and ergonomics of (especially) S types and Soloists, but also T types, just hit the spot for me. I never got along with Gibson-ish neck and body shapes as well.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

Ya I for sure love the LP. I have been thinking about selling the Cu24 to get either a PRS SC or another LP. We'll see.....

I am with you. I have 6 Gibson type guitars and its even hard to change between them. My two fender style guitars stand aside. Recently i played a soft v necked MIM strat which felt quite reasonable. So i thick its more the neck shape than the style which bothers me.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

Recently i played a soft v necked MIM strat which felt quite reasonable

If it was one of the Classic 50's style, I can understand the attraction. I much prefer the neck on mine to my MIA 'c' shape - it just needs a run over with wire wool to take the factory gloss down a notch or two.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I make a point of changing between guitars. It prevents bad habits from forming.

Also, the physical layout of some designs literally forces one's hand. Reaching around a Bigsby arm to operate the control knobs, extending fingers over the edge of the cutaway on a Lester to get the top fret positions, pickup selections on a Superstrat with three DPDT on/off switches and a push/pull pot.

 

[uOpt]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I have heavy reliance on muscle memory.

I don't even have to change scale length to get utterly confused. Just using a guitar where the fretboard is a little more to the left (such as an Explorer) or a thunderbird bass throws me off badly.

I will have to say that I increasingly feel that Les Paul bodies are too small, especially when they are heavy and you want to play seated (which I shouldn't, but that's a different topic).

 

[d1dsj]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I'm with you Chris and have always preferred Les Pauls to anything and everything else. However, I love the different tones and dynamics you get from different guitars and made a conscious decision recently to rotate each of my guitars each month for home playing. The result is that I no longer have to absolutely rely on my LP's and am in fact really enjoying all of my few remaining guitars.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I prefer lightweight guitars, but even so I prefer the ergnomics strat type guitars to most others. My V is much lighter but I am more comfy with my SA Ibanez.

 

[CTN]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

the problem is playing the same guitar or same type of guitar too often.

switch it up more often then it becomes less of a problem. Unless you're dead set on being a Les Paulist instead of a guitarist

 

[Securb]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I have never had much trouble switching from Gibson to Fender or any other guitar with one exception. I had a Fender Katana as a backup and it sat very weird on my body. I would find myself a half step or a whole step sharp more than I would have liked it to happen. I quickly sold it and bought a Yamaha.

 

[chadd]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I'm constantly changing guitars, rarely do I use the same one for more than a few songs in a row.

 

[blueman335]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I'm with you Chris and have always preferred Les Pauls to anything and everything else. However, I love the different tones and dynamics you get from different guitars and made a conscious decision recently to rotate each of my guitars each month for home playing. The result is that I no longer have to absolutely rely on my LP's and am in fact really enjoying all of my few remaining guitars.

+1. LP's are my favorite, but they're in rotation with my SG's, 335's, V's, and hollowbodies. I do this at home and on stage. Regularly changing instruments and 'feel', helps keep my playing fresher and from getting in a rut.

I've known guys with one guitar, who are lost when they play any other. I don't want to be that dependent on an instrument.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

I switch between pretty different guitars on a regular basis . . . Usually it's not noticeable after a half hour of playing time.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

Yep...


I built two of these about 20 years ago & they've been my main guitars that entire time. They are very lightweight (around 6lbs) & ergonomic. They just "tuck in" to my body perfectly. I really don't like playing most other guitars. A strat just feels...slippery...compared to this guitar, and most everything else feels kinda clunky. Although, I did play a very light weight Les Paul Special at GC recently that I became infatuated with...

As to those that seem to be implying that it is "wrong" or disadvantageous to get used to only one guitar...that doesn't really make any sense. It seems to me that many of the best guitarists basically play one style of guitar.

Someday, this will be my number 2, or maybe my new number 1:

 

[Securb]

Re: switching between different types of guitars

It seems to me that many of the best guitarists basically play one style of guitar.