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Hello everyone. I can't post in the General discussion area so I guess I'll try here. Years and years ago (~1980s) I saw a bit of what I think was a documentary about guitarists. In it there was a British guitarist talking about a particular guitar he had which he could play one-handed. I seem to remember him having very blonde hair. I've always wanted to know who that was. I've tried searching and got nowhere. Does anyone know who it was, what the programme was or where I could find out?

I think you've seen this..? ... Maybe a source for parts would be a certain 'KiOgon' on the sister site..? He's highly respected, and knows all there is to know about these things. Any help..? PS : Is that unconnected wire an earth for connection to the metal bridge..?

Hello. I am currently restoring a Burns Sonic 1866 and need help in checking the wiring of the PU and switches please. Anyone know of a wiring diagram and the specs of the pots and capacitors. I want to replace all of it if I can as they are all original and I remember when I played it in the 80s nothing worked very well. It was my brother's and my first guitar. Ive included one pic but have more close ups. There is one wire not attached and Im not sure where it goes... Also anyone know where I can get new nobs for the pots? Thanks

‘59 Bassman reissue, I had one of these and it was the best sounding amp I ever owned. Really loud and tone to die for. I fitted a master volume mod, which made it more manageable.

You've inherited a very fine amp, in need of restoration, but certainly worth it. It's the current model, Fender 59 Bassman LTD (a reissue, not the original '59 version...), and should be an easy repair to at least get it working again. There should be no problem with getting spares, as it's still made and sold (new price : around £2000...). There could be only two major snags : are all four speakers in good condition, and how much does the cosmetics mean to you..? If it's not been subject to damp, or poor storage, a technicien would have no bother fixing it up, to whatever level of 'original' you'd be happy with. Take it to a reputable valve amp technicien (give us your location; there may be someone recommended close by...) and get an estimate. It will be a fine amp once restored. It would be a shame to sell it 'as is', as the Buyer would have to trust that it's an easy fix, if it is currently mute. Once mended, these fetch a decent second-hand price, as they are good amps. In its current state, maybe £50-100 or so; restored, more like ten times that.

Many thanks for the reply. Here's some photos as suggested.

Photos would help a lot, as there have been several Bassman guitar amps made, over the years, and a lot depends on its age as to what it might need doing. In most cases, and without seeing the model, I'd say that it needs to be confided to a competent valve amp repair technicien, as there are many pitfalls and safety issues with some older models. On the other hand, these amps are, in the repair trade, very well known, with few surprises for someone experienced. If the amp is simply mute, the reason could be quite simple to fix (again, by an expert...), but it would need checking over to be sure that it won't become dangerous (read 'lethal'...), and that any old parts are in a fit state to give years more fine service. These are, in general, excellent amps, and upkeep is minimal, once they have been correctly serviced. My own very old '60s Bassman 50w head had its first service a few years ago now, and is good for another half century, I'd say. Take a couple of pictures, though, for a better view of what could be required. Hope this helps; meanwhile... Have a great day Douglas

Well, if I ever manage to sell the Ric 4003s that I have listed in the Other Place, I’m having one of these Revstars. Until then, I’m not allowed….

Hey I've inherited a broken fender bassman guitar amp. I'm told it should be simple enough to fix by someone who knows what they're doing but I have neither the time nor money to get it done. Could anyone give me a ball park figure of what would be a fair price to sell it as spares/repairs? I'm not up to date with the guitar amp buying and selling scene unfortunately. It's gig worn but grill cloth and speakers are intact. Turns on and warms up but no sound comes out. Many thanks

Ooh, nice! Significantly cheaper than GG for the same guitar (-£80). I’ve always fancied one with P90s, but have no need for another guitar, I don’t even play the 2 electrics I already have much at all. However, as we know, that’s not how GAS works.

Ooh, my GAS monster likes the Copper Red LSE20…. https://www.eltoromusic.co.uk/yamaha-revstar-element-rse20---red-copper-5172-p.asp Chambered and sculpted body too. I need to try one of these.

Love that Ibanez double cut look, takes me right back to the ‘70s. Maybe not to everyone’s taste, but check out the Yamaha Revstar range, these really fly under the radar, but seem great and even have a couple of high profile users: Chris Buck & Matteo Mancuso.

I’ve had three “real” Les Pauls. One, a Studio, was fantastic and I regret selling it. The other two I just didn’t gel with. There was a Traditional which weighed more than a family car and a gorgeous Tribute which sounded great but was really unbalanced - the opposite of neck dive meant the body was always trying to drag itself off my knee when sitting to play. I’d give up on the idea, but there’s something about the 24.75 scale, twin humbucker arrangement that really appeals so I keep finding myself looking at LP clones and wondering…. I don’t want to spend a lot (having lost a ton on the previous forays into LP-world) and I think my Gibson itch is well and truly scratched so I’ve ended up looking at the Cort CR250 and the ESP LTD EC-256. Or maybe an Ibby AR420 double cut. Alternatively, I might start looking at SG clones. What seems not to be an option is to just play the bloody guitars I actually own…. Curse you, GAS!

Is there a way to create shadows style sounds on an acoustic guitar , which pick up, which effects board will come as close as possible

Very nice indeed. I do love a classy guitar instrumental.

Basswood is another one a lot of people get sniffy about, though Fender Japan used that in a lot of solid colour bodies over the years. Mosrite too, as I recall... both the original US guitars and the Japanese product that later adopted the "Mosrite of California" name. I have at least one guitar I know to be basswood, and it's grand.

Long overdue bump…

It's difficult to tell from the video, but it seems to me that the most benefit is for the Player, who hears the guitar better; this is accentuated by the placing of the recording microphone, I think. I'm not sure that there's much impact on the forward-projected sound (ie : for an audience...) or for more 'normal' recordings, placing the mic elsewhere. On the other hand, I see no real downside, either, so... why not..? I would hope that the 'plug' is kept in place by a small magnet or similar, so as not to get lost..?

I thought you were going to play "Fake Plastic Trees" at the start. Who would have guessed that Radiohead could sound like Eric Clapton?

Thanks everybody for your answers and contributions. Made some interesting reading, and some great model photos. Just before Christmas, I privately bought a Marshall amp. The owner asked if I would also take his old black and white Strat off his hands too for a meagre £30.... It was an exact double of the one in my original post with identical headstock and weight. Well...you can guess the rest! Cheers again for all of your input.

I leave you here a video where you can hear what a guitar with a side sound hole sounds like. It is an accessory that is not yet widespread but that I consider to be a great success. Whenever I see how someone reacts when they play a guitar with a side soundhole for the first time, I confirm this. At approximately the 50th second, the mouth on the side opens and you can see the difference. It is always better to listen to it with good speakers or good headphones. I hope you like it. Emmanuel Carlucci

Hello would anyone know the ferrulle size of a 1981 DEAN Z Ferrules SIZE? Depth requirement= Ferrule O.D.=) Dress Lip height= String hole size thanks

All guitars can be clean and glassy, but single coils are probably more favourable as they normally lack that mid range grunt of humbuckers. Dad’s recommendation of P90s would be mine too as they’re my favourites.