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Gordon Smith, although better known for their Gibson types, also do a very nice Tele - https://www.gordonsmithguitars.com/shop/stock-guitars/blaggards/ TBH, though, I'm not sure that's how I would go. Clearly you're not looking for a more affordable alternative to Fender's US or CS ranges if you're thinking of spending that sort of custom money anyhow. Now, this is only a personal opinion, but.... for me it would depend a lot on what you want. A tele is such a utilitarian design that if what you want is the standard set-up Tele, it seems to me madness to spend custom-built money on it. If that's the only way - you want something really offbeat like the Jack White signature, or a Trussant Steelcaster, or you have an original 52 that you want to clone so you can leave the vintage piece at home and play a facsimilie out.... then, sure. But if what you want is "just" a Tele, it seems to be it's hard to justify spending vast sums on it.... I'd buy whatever MIM / Tokai / whatever you like and maybe rewired if you want, or track down a CIJ Fender that's good to go as is. (IMO, the top end Japanese Fenders are as good as anything form the US, typically wired the same with the same specs, and usually cheaper - nut much harder to find.) Unless you want something that's just not available otherwise, imo having a custom built Tele is a bit like having a Saville Row tailor copy a pair of 501s for you. They'll be an exquisite example, but....

Lovely job on that. You clearly had the patience to go gently with the clean-up, especially on the headstock, and it has paid dividends.

The 6xxx 'Professional' series are the dream, but they're also crazy money. If the big lotter win came in, of course, I'd tart with a White Falcon, a trad 6120 and maybe of the Brian Setzer Hot Rod types... More realistically, the 5xxx series are great guitars, and fully, imo, capture the spirit of the Gretsch sound. The 2xxx series are nice if, imo, a little more generic in sound. That of course will appeal to some folks if they want something that's a more mainstream sound. If you wanted something that you already new you'd be rewiring and changing pickups in, I'd go for a nice, used 2xxx.

Sounds like a real bargain. I had a quick look on Reverb and other Cox Classix electric guitars are selling from about £150 second hand. Obviously, they aren't covered in stickers with repainted headstocks, but your is now in the same condition after a little work. Well done.

Haha, will do

A clue, certainly, but confirmation that it needs the attention of someone capable of fixing whatever it is that's amiss. It could still be something simple; just take it to a vet guitar tech.

I've just noticed when set to rhythm I can hear it very faintly through the amp at volume, don't know if that's a clue.

Cor, that’s cleaned up really nicely; result!

Yeah, most likely the selector is faulty, loose wire or duff switch.

Thanks fo the advice. I'll check out somewhere to take it in Manchester when I'm back from hols and get it checked out and set up. Hopefully it's something simple. Thanks again

The trap is to access the battery for the built-in tuner (on the bridge pick-up ring...). See here ... But unlike vintage models, the Slash “AFD” Les Paul also comes with a built-in Shadow® E-Tuner built into the bridge pickup mounting ring. The tuner is powered by one #2032 Lithium long-lasting battery, easily accessed from a compartment on the back of the guitar. As for the pick-up, it may well be just the selector switch not adjusted properly, or a wire fallen off inside. I would suggest taking it to a trusted guitar tech, to be checked out and set up properly. It shouldn't cost much for an easy fix, and a good set-up will do wonders for your enjoyment for years to come. It's rare to have a pick-up completely faulty (but does, of course, happen...); it's much more likely to be something very easy for a tech to determine and fix. He/she can also give tips on the other functions of the guitar, such as how to 'split' the pick-ups. Let us know how you get on..? It's a fine guitar with a good reputation; enjoy. Hope this helps.

I’m a complete newbie to electric guitars, I’ve played acoustic many many years ago and recently decided to buy a couple of electrics and see how I get on. I bought this Epiphone AFD Slash Les Paul Special II at auction with bag and Epiphone Snakepit 15G amp for £150, and was more than pleased when I picked it up to find the whole package looks brand spanking new. However, I plugged it in this morning for the first time and there seems to be a problem. When I toggle to rhythm I get nothing at all, treble works fine. Can’t believe a newish guitar would have an issue with a pickup. Any ideas to narrow down the problem? Am I doing something wrong? If it is the pickup are they difficult/expensive to replace? I’d also like to know what the compartment in pic 3 is for? Any help much appreciated.

Put it all back together, polished it up and it plays just fine. What a bargain

Bravo..!

After a bit of work with fine wet and dry and a polish up with brasso, it transpires it's a Coxx Classix.

Hey thanks for the info, and as you say, a nice project. I've been slowly removing the paint with fine wet and dry and it is woirking. I'll report back when I have it finished.

This looks to be a 335 copy, fitted with Artec 'filtertron-type' pick-ups. Probably a little more 'chimey' than standard humbuckers; not particularly outrageous as a choice. Your ears will judge. You may find some info inside the body, using a dentist's mirror or such; sometimes there are maker's marks or pencilled information. Worth a look..? To strip the paint from the headstock, the simplest way is to rub it down with sandpaper. You could, of course, merely paint over it, if it's the finish you want to change. There's unlikely to be any info beneath the paint; this was probably, originally, just a cheap copy from the Far East, or maybe bought as a kit. Worth spending some time on, but not worth spending too much money on. A nice project, and a Good Find.

Hi newbie here looking to get back into playing guitar after 40 years :-) I bought this at auction for £40, it was covered in stickers, stringless, and tuning peg screws missing. It was labeled 'Tim Horth Custom semi-acoustic'. But clearly it's a rebadged something. Having given it a quick clean up it looks in pretty good nick. The machine head has been painted over, and apart from wondering the actual make and date of the guitar, I’m also looking for advice on how I might clean the paint off. Any ideas?

@Kiwi I only saw your comment just now, apologies. In the end I got a Vox MVX150C1; this is great, other than being a bit heavier than I'd like.

Thanks - looks like something I might dabble with. I'm hoping in the next couple of years to buy a Player; I already want to do a tiny rewire (I'm veering between a seven-way switch for ease of fitting, and adding a separate mini toggle for a bridge pickup on/off override as an easier playing approach); this could be another option worth looking into for that.

Hey, Sorry for the late reply on this. This in on my ESP which is a Strat style body so I would say yes it would fit, no modifications were needed to fit it however I did have to remove the trem setter and change the tension spring setup. These are heavy tension springs, nothing special, as I remember they are original Fender springs. I haven't really noticed any tonal change as I have 2 shit ears thanks year of playing far too loud !! but I would think that because of the extra mass and more direct body contact that there would be more sustain. It's certainly easier to adjust and simply looks a lot better than the original claw and screw setup. It was a bit pricey though at around £70 but in my opinion worth the money.

Hello, I'm looking for a simple chord chart for this song, in standard tuning, just to accompany another guitarist who will be playing the solo part. Everything I've found online doesn't seem reliable. Thank you very much!

It won't do the poor thing any favours, and won't fix any issues. If you really want to play Spanish from time to time, I'd suggest buying, locally second-hand, a modest nylon-strung guitar that plays properly, and not inflict any more suffering on this one. A quick glance at my local 'LeBonCoin' (I'm in France...) brings up a whole slew of such guitars, from 50€ upwards, that would be far better value. Just my tuppence-worth.

Thaks for the valuable knowledge, dear stranger. I guess I'll put it up above the fireplace and let it enjoy retirement Could you also share your thoughts on my crazy idea? I thought of screwing a long screw through the neck of the guitar like on the picture. I know it seems bad and clumsy, but it's only so I can play some Spanish rumba from time to time.

Ibanez make good guitars at every price point, so it’ll be decently built. The pickups will probably be voiced quite hot, given the genre the guitar is aimed at, but if you don’t like them, you can always upgrade them at a later date. However, you’re probably going to be using a lot of gain on the amp or through pedals for metal/rock, so a lot of your tone is going to come from there and will colour the guitar’s tone significantly. That being the case, it’s all about how it plays.