| Author | Message | ||
     Mikej |
 I came across a guitar over the weekend that I've been thinking about and wondered if anyone could give me any info about it. Looked like it was in good shape for the most part. 12-string acoustic, but only 6 strings were strung. Info from the label inside said: Epiphone 6735E 130366 The text wasn't lined up with the lines on the label. Looked like the guitar had an electrical pickup box up under inside where the neck joins with the body. There was a plastic cover on the backside to get into the inside box. There were no other holes for cable jacks on the guitar. Looked like an electric-acoustic without the electrics installed. I think the label said Japan on it. Looking at a few serial number pages for Epiphones it looks like there is a lot of confusion and transitions with the Epiphone history. Any idea what a guitar like this may be worth? I've been down to a local Music-go-round store but they weren't much help. Thanks for any input. And no I don't play, but I might just try to learn. | ||
| Mikej |
It looked kind of like this one only the plastic handrest piece on the soundbox top was shaped different. http://www.zzounds.com/item--WASD10S12N (I have no idea what the various parts of a guitar are called, sorry.) | ||
| Bomber |
Mike Epiphone made some great axes, and some, ehem, no so great one's . . . .I am not knowledgable enough to be able to tell from the data you've listed if it's a good one or not, but I will advise you to learn on a six string first . . . . there's a reason the David Crosby's left hand is so overdeveloped (12-strings can be monsters) . . . develop your calluses on a 6 string first, preferably one without plastic covers to come loose and buzz . . .learning is tryin enough without equipment that doesn't at least not get in the way | ||
| Mikej |
That's probably why the previous owner removed half the strings. I've got a little 1/2 size one now, and tried to learn with that, but those strings are way to close together to enable my fingers to push just one string at a time. | ||
| Blasterd |
Mike, I have been playing for 15 years and I am not very fond of Epiphone.There are alot of other brands out there that you could pick up for the same price of a used Epiphone. Email me if you have any questions, I have played in 2 major groups until I became a dad. Ken | ||
| Djkaplan |
Like Bomber said, Epiphone made some great guitars (that are starting to see some real value to collectors), but their bread and butter was lo-buck, entry level smashers. If you want to learn guitar, lots of new ones are available at very reasonable prices. You're on the right track by learning on a six-string acoustic. I've had my cheap Yamaha FG331 for 24 years now. It's not the best guitar I have, but it's the first thing I'd grab if my house was one fire. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Boys, You want a good guitar then check this out. They are a small locally made company that is growing in leaps and bounds, I recently toured the factory and they are also clients and its quite amazing. Garrison Guitars | ||
| Mikej |
HEY!!!, what happened to the acoustic guitar emoticon????? Bummer man, now I gots to use either the little smiley strummer or the pink electric job. I should have just snagged it locally when it was there. harumph! | ||
| Lgpch |
A guitar does not have to be expensive to be tonally sound. However when purchasing a 12-string, you need to pay attention to it's harmonic equilibrium. In other words, if you play your lowest (fat string) string while tuned in standard E and then lightly touch the same string at the 12th fret, you should get an exact replica of the tone, only one octave higher. Then go up each string doing the same thing (in standard tuning). I would suggest buying a battery operated tuner to do this if you do not have a developed ear. They go for around 30 bucks and are worth every cent. You should do this with any guitar you want to buy. The reason it is so important with a 12 string is because the neck on a 12 string guitar is roughly under twice the amount of tension than a six string due to the extra strings. If 12 string guitars are not played and cared for often, this tension can result in neck warpage. This leads us back to why you want to check for tonal quality in the aforementioned way. One way to keep a 12 string guitar in shape is to tune it down one step to take tension off of the neck and then play it with a capo. If you are learning I would suggest starting out with a classical guitar of which four of the strings would be nylon. It is easy on the fingers and the fret board is wider so you wont get as much buzz while learning chord structures. As you progress, move to a six string steel guitar and keep playing. 12 string guitars are great for strumming but you have to have strong fingers to bar chords let alone play single note melodies. 12 strings require fastidious tuning habits as well. Good luck to you!!! By the way, I am crazy about my Buell but it is kind of neat to hook up with fellow riders under a different topic. Later, Paul. | ||
| Court |
Paul: Right you are. Here's a rare "looking the other way" view of the Buell Basement. From the Fender Jazz Bass on the left, Ibanez Joe Pass Jazz box, J-40, the Taylor's and the mandolin to the digital 16 track board on the right, they represent none of the "expensive stuff". In fact, kidlet explained to me that the digital board was in fact better than the high end cuase the Germans had ripped off the technology, lost the bugs and fixed the flaws. I'm playing a 12-string Washburn today. Cheap, but like my Buell, lightyears beyond my ability. I wish I had my sons talent!...course, if I did, I'd be with him at the Hit Factory today laying down tracks for Foxy Brown.   | ||
| Crusty |
I had a Fender Jazz Bass in my younger days. Most beautiful and best playing Bass Guitar I ever played. I really regret that I sold it. | ||
| Billfish |
This is interesting; I was on a steel guitar forum recently and there were guys mentioning what kind of motorcycles they owned. Interesting observation guitars/motorcycles. Many steel guitar players also play regular guitar and it was interesting to find out how many own motorcycles. One of the better known in the steel guitar community owns an X1 Buell. I also recommend for a beginner on the guitar to start with a 6-string. The classical guitar suggestion is also a excellent way to go; easier to fret the notes on the strings. Less pain to the fingers and a quicker reward for the beginner. It is so easy to be discouraged with a poorly setup guitar that is painful to play. If you are interested in a nice steel string guitar for a beginner; Taylor Big Baby. This is an excellent guitar for the money and a beginner will enjoy this instrument. Lessons are available either through video or through a good guitar/music store, this is a good way to start. You don't want to pick up bad habits that are difficult to correct later, start with a good foundation. Have fun, let your ear guide you :-) Bill | ||
| Mikej |
Along the lines of "there are no really stupid questions", I went to a music/guitar shop last night and asked someone how do I know if I should get a left handed or right handed guitar. He just grabbed a stool for me, had me sit down next to where a right and left handed guitar were hanging and told me to try each. Turned out my left hand felt better on the neck than my right hand, which means I guess I'll go with a right-handed guitar (even though it feels left handed that way). I told the guy that if I start picking I'll just have to flip the guitar over. Lgpch/Paul, What's a "capo"? Is that one of those metal strap things I see hooked across an upper fret area on some player's guitar necks? Bill, Earlier last night I stopped at another music store and the sales guy there also suggested that Taylor guitar. Not sure he called it a Big Baby, but may have. I also learned that if you want a salesman's attention in a guitar shop just lightly bang one guitar body against another one as you remove it from the rack, they suddenly give you their undivided attention.  The second shop last night (where I asked the left/right question) had a Fender resonator guitar that I for some reason liked a bit. Had one scuff on a side (I didn't do it, honest), and since the store is having a rummage/clearance sale next week, the guy said to the rummage it goes as soon as he saw the scuff. They'll probably knock $50+ off the price. It looked sort of like this one: http://www.guitartrader.com/bigimage.icl?pid=7535&orderidentifier=ID105542359049 124B27E196AC&srcdoc=itempg%2Eicl%3Forderidentifier%3DID105542359049124B27E196AC% 26secid%3D1022%26eflag%3D0%26numitems%3D29%26curitempos%3D16%26dirpage%3Ddir3%26 itmid%3D7535%26subsecid%3D1135%26catid%3D1153 (if the link works). He was sort of leaning me towards a $200 Ibanez as a starter guitar. I asked him what a comparable Martin would be and he said there wasn't one, that the Martins were better and start around $350 or so. I wasn't listening too close as I was looking at the other stuff and listening to a couple of people playing in the background, so I may have the numbers and comments off a little. Kind of funny thing at the second shop. When we walked in we saw a used guitar case next to a counter. Thought it might be a used guitar since they had the rummage/clearance sale flyers laying all over the store. Opened it up and inside was an older Yamaha guitar. Turns out it belongs to the occaisional sales guy who ended up helping us. It was given to him years ago, and while he said he might consider selling it he didn't really want to. That, coupled with the Yamaha comment above, tells me I may want to check out a few Yamaha's as well. Oh well, back to browsing and thinking. Thanks for the comments, I'll keep you posted. | ||
| Billfish |
Mikej Sounds like you are doing a good job of shopping around for a beginner guitar. If the right-handed guitar felt good to you I would recommend staying with shopping for a right-handed guitar. I'm probably going to catch flack here, but you will have more options with a right-handed guitar in the long run. Again, if the right-handed guitar felt good to you, stay with it. Capo: Yes, this cleaver little device allows you to play chords in different keys without changing chord shapes. The capo raises the pitch of all six strings. I would recommend learning to play the guitar without a capo; at least in the earlier learning stages. Resonator, resophonic, or Dobro guitar is an interesting instrument, ideal for "bottleneck" or slide playing styles. This is a different technique than the typical acoustic guitar style. This is a choice only you can make, depends on what type of music you enjoy and listen to the most. The reason I suggested the Taylor "Big Baby". This guitar is an excellent beginner guitar. I selected this guitar for a close friend after playing and testing out many others in the beginner class. This guitar has a natural wood top, which is a feature you want to seek out. Also, the neck is easy to play and the "action" is nice, other features that are important. Most of all, this guitar has an excellent tone. For the money, $325., this was a good deal for a new instrument, plus it included a very nice well padded soft case. Any guitar you decide on, please keep it protected in some kind of case. There are so many guitars out there it is easy to be overwhelmed. There are advantages to a guitar with a natural wood top, usually spruce, this helps narrow your search. By the way, I have a nice Yamaha acoustic, model FG-365S, that I originally picked out back in the 70's for my brother. This guitar has a spruce top and I'm not positive about the sides & top wood. Entry level instruments usually have multi-ply wood tops. These instruments are very affordable but the tone will never change or enrich with age. Anyway my 25yr. old Yamaha acoustic is a fun guitar for any level player. With that said, had the Taylor "Big Baby" existed back then I would have selected the Taylor. Just trying to save you some shoe leather in this search process. Things to keep in mind when looking for an acoustic guitar: Look for an instrument with a natural wood top, a guitar with a spruce top not a multi- ply wood top. Also, the "action" or ease of playability is most important. You will regret a "great deal" on an instrument with horrible action or a neck that is too thick . Make sure the guitar has a straight neck and an adjustable truss rod in the neck. Let your ear be your guide, pick a guitar with a nice tone. Plus, make sure you get a decent case to protect the guitar from damage. Don't subject the guitar to temperature extremes, such as leaving it in a car. I hope I have been able to touch on the more important aspects of entry level guitar selection. Enjoy your exploration into music. Bill | ||
| Lgpch |
Mikej A capo is really just a clamp that you put on the neck. Some are spring activated and some work like vice grips do. Whatever fret you put the capo on, you are basically shortening the string length. Lets say you wanted to play and sing a song in the key of E with your guitar in standard tuning. You go to sing and your voice cannot sing that low. What you would do is put the capo on your guitar neck a couple of frets higher until you can play the song in your vocal range. There are a ton of other things you can do with a capo, especially if you are playing along with another guitar but I won't get into it here. Suffice it to say that capo devices are also called "cheaters" because one does not need to know how to change the key signature of a song to play in a different key. Bottom line, capo's are way cool. | ||
| Mikej |
Singing is out of the question, but a capo may not be. Thanks for the feedbacks. I've learned that shower and helmet singing does not translate well to other's ears.  I'm really starting to look at the Yamaha's now as well. | ||
| Mikej |
Anybody got a few thousand dollars laying around that they don't need? http://www.guildguitars.com/gear/gear.php?partno=3608700 http://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/index.php?product=G6122-1959 Man is there a lot of variety in guitars, and a major huge price range as well.  | ||
| Sarodude |
Capos: Capos are great if you're a seasoned player looking to easily alter chord voicings. As someone mentioned, one situation would be if you were playing with another guitarist. Capos, however, are simply a crutch for many players who never get past playing open chords. Do not buy a capo until you can barre chords with zero discomfort. Tone: Holy Crap. I mean, Holy Crap. A guitar that sounds good to you today may sound like crap in 18 months - and it may not be the guitar that changed. My ideas of good tone have changed drastically. Action / Playability: My mom bought me the 2nd cheapest guitar known to man. Seasoned guitar players had a tough time playing this unplayable pile of petrified dog diarrhea. It took a LOOOOONG time to un-learn some of the habbits that guitar imparted. Learning Guitar: What a long row to hoe. Keyboards are nice. The beginner can make a musical tone come outta the thing with one simple, no-brainer motion. With guitar, frustration sets in with many students as they struggle for WEEKS just to get marginally controllable and intentional sounds to come outta the thing. Music? That's another story. The guitar demands that you physically condition your hands to play. That takes a lot of time. How you condition your mind and channel your creativity - that's a whole other area. 12 Strings: Fundamentally the same instrument. Don't get one now. Wait until tuning is second nature and you've mastered the physical and technical basics of six strings. Summary: Don't buy a capo. Go for playability first, tone second. Don't even THINK of giving up until AFTER you've learned to play. As time passes and you develop your own tastes and opinions, then venture into the realms of Tone, 12 strings, alternate tunings, etc. -Saro | ||
| Billfish |
Sarodude, I agree wholeheartedly with your comments, very well put. Plus, I think your Mom must have known my parents. Because, my first guitar would have been the instrument to discourage any sane human from ever playing the guitar. Only my sick desire to play kept me interested. In time, guitar selection improved, along with my skills. A side benefit: Once you start noodling around on the guitar you will spend less time turning your mind to oatmeal in front of the television. | ||
| Mikej |
Okay, any comments on these? A local music store is having their clearance/rummage sale starting today, so I'll be wandering over there to see what they have. I've also been haunting the MusicGoRound store south a bit and I think they still have both of these which seemed somewhat nice as far as I can tell. Fernandes Saehan SD5IN http://www.musicgoround.com/gear/inventorydetails.asp?id=4374 Seagull S6 http://www.musicgoround.com/gear/inventorydetails.asp?id=151567 | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Mike, I am familiar with the Seagull's. They are made in Canada, very cool story behind the manufacturer. He started growing trees back in the 30's and 40's to sell to guitar makers. Decided to make them himself. Very good quality, high grade wood, good tone. The $$ exchange rate makes them a very good value. By brother in law has one and loves it. Uses it many times per week for church stuff. His has the piezo bridge pickup. My son will be picking one up soon also. He needs a flat top accoustic to go along with his Hofner classical. Is the Seagull new or used? There was a batch early on that had back brace problems. Bad lot of glue caused them to work loose and buzz. That was a few years ago though. I just talked to my guitar guy, they sell the S6 for $299 new when they can get them. They list at $399. They have been hard to get lately due to a factory move or something like that. He said even a marginal Seagull is perferred over the Fernandes. As always, YMMV.... Brad | ||
| Mikej |
Thanks for the info Brad. The Seagull above is lightly used. I'll be down there later today to look at it again, but not to buy it. Went to the WhiteHouseOfMusic.com rummage sale last night and picked up several (yes, I said several) guitars and cases. Priced between $5-$40, got a decent shape acoustic Dorado by Gretsch (sp?), another Dorado in need of a few parts, a new mid-sized acoustic, a nice classic nylon string acoustic, and an electric with a single pickup that looks exactly like a new Ibanez they had there only the used one was missing the wawa lever and had no markings except for "state of the art" up on the tuner head (plugged it into an amp they had in the back and it worked so I got it).  So, now I'm all guitared up.  Next is lessons, learning, frustration, practice, and so forth. Went down to the living room this morning and it looked like we were invaded by a guitar group. Guitars and cases laying everywhere.   | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Very cool Mike! Good score. Guitars are kind of like Buell's, you can never have too many! Our household guitar count is around 9. Some of the Gretches were very good guitars. Not sure of the Dorado, I'll chekc if you wish. Brad | ||
| Mikej |
I'm taking the parts guitar down to the used store later today (MusicGoRound) and see what they have for parts and if they'll give me a valuation for it. Not going to sell it, just fix and tune and play it. Or at least my version of playing until I learn how. | ||
| Djkaplan |
You are at the beginning of a lifelong journey, my friend. I started mine almost 25 years ago. | ||
| Jim_m |
ok, guitar gurus, here's a repair quesiton for you... My guitar (don't remember the brand, I'm at work right now) has separated where the back of the guitar meets the base of the neck. Would wood glue and some clamps be enough for it? Also, I have some dings I want to get out, and I've heard of placing a damp towel on the dings and placing an iron at low heat on it to have the wood swell and absorb the moisture, but I would think that it may affect the tone, thoughts? Finally, what's the best way to remove finger oil from the frets (yes my guitar is in bad shape...travelled cross country with it long ago, and it is in desperate need of some refurbishing) | ||
| Djkaplan |
If the guitar is important to you, the best thing to do is to take it to a luthier. Ask around at reputable music shops and expect to pay for good work. | ||
| Court |
The best in the world is about 3 blocks from me (yes, they have a guitar for $64,000 on display and you can pick up ANYTHING and play it) Mandolin Brothers Staten Island Look for them on the web | ||
| Mikej |
Or just click here: Mandolin Brothers. | ||
| Crazymike |
Just curious how you guys are hauling your gits around? I can sling my cased Hofner under my right arm. My Washburn doubleneck is too big too heavy. Trailer for the M2?(insert big smiley here) | ||
| Djkaplan |
The guitar thread lives. Last night I was invited to a friends house to check out his new Martin D-40. Incredible guitar. No way I can convey the feel and tone this instrument has, perhaps the most perfect guitar I've ever played. We also jammed on his Gibson J-200, Hummingbird, and Dove acoustics. What a perfect evening! | ||
| Mikej |
I asked about hauling a guitar on a bike over on a guitar site and a few people said they sling the guirat (goofy spelling from that site) over their shoulder in a carry case or gig bag. They also carry the beater guitar on the bike and save the nice ones for home or car travel. | ||
| Buellish |
I had 3 Seagulls and loved them all! Danny K., I didn't know you played.I picked up a Martin 00-16DBM when Mars was going out of business,a couple of months ago.It's parlor sized,with a slotted headstock and a real sweet tone. | ||
| Court |
Gads. . I thought we had a guitar thread. Anyway . . . .I am 4 12-strings over what I need, put on on eBay and screwed up the shipping. I am about to almost give away a pretty nice guitar. At this point, I figured I'd let you guys know in case someone is looking for a pretty good deal. |
