ezbass

There is a goodly number of us here from BC.

Can I direct you to my initial opening statement

That vintage cherry is rather pleasant, I must admit. I think it’s the pickup selector that I don’t like, a classic Gibson toggle would work so much better IMO.

If you want talking out of buying new gear, you’ve probably come to the wrong place. However, even as a PRS fan and previous owner of 3 different models, I struggle with the Mira and Starla from an aesthetic viewpoint. PRS are known for beautiful guitars, it’s their thing, even the old EG range (always wanted the 3 domino pickup model) still had that PRS visual magic. Having said all that, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you obviously like them, which is all that matters. Build quality with PRSs is always stunning, no matter where they are made. Even the hardware on the cheapest SEs is stellar. I has an SE Singlecut and decided to upgrade the pickups. I fitted a pair of Seymour Duncan’s and then a pair of Bareknuckle’s. I ended up refitting the original ones as I thought they were the best of the 3. That was not helpful was it? Sorry.

Love it!

That discount is a very cool thing to offer.

Well, I’m fair blushing by your reactions, gents. BTW, no need for the capitalised Z, it’s an abbreviation of my surname, not my finding bass easy in a US speech way. (For the record, I don’t find it easy ).

Welcome, fellow BCer. Always a tough one, especially as you want your nephew to want to pick it up in order to play it and improve. Yamaha don’t make a bad instrument at any price point IMO. Therefore, they would be my go to brand for a beginner. With that budget, I’d look at the £300ish Pacificas or the Revstars (a bit retro looking, but pointy/SGish enough), they sound great and play well. With shapes in minds, an Epiphone SG in the same £300+ price bracket could also be considered. However, if it was my money, it would be Yamaha all day long (says the man who owns a Squier and an Epiphone ). In terms of an amp and FX, I think I’d start off with a modelling amp with built in FX, something like the Boss Katana, Vox Cambridge or Line6 Spider. 50 watts or so should be plenty for starters and a headphone out is a must (all 3 do). I’ve seen some very favourable reviews of the Boss, so I think your sister would be safe with that. If they don’t come with a footswitch, I’d always encourage getting one to get the full use of the amp. Guitar and amp for £500-£600 with maybe some room for a few accessories.

That truss rod cover is class.

Nice set up you have there.

Of course Steve Vai is a famous user of the 7 string guitar, not so much these days perhaps. I think, like a 5 string bass, it’s for the extra low notes, so you can go down to a B. Therefore, I guess it would be popular with certain metal players who use that lower register on guitar, but still want the high notes for solos, etc. I also imagine a sweep picked arpeggio over 7 strings would sound rather effective.

I’ve known Al for decades, he’s a thoroughly nice bloke and all round good egg. Oh yeah, he’s an awesome guitarist too! When we were in a band together, he taught me stuff that I still use today. In short, highly recommended.

This was my thinking.

I don’t know much about acoustic guitars really, I tend to buy to my budget and get what sounds best for what I’m trying achieve. For big strummy type things I like my Epi J200, for finger style, my Simon & Patrick Rosewood Folk Pro fits the bill. As you seem to wanting to spend a decent amount, I’m going to throw Lowden into the mix only because I like how Richard Thompson sounds, both finger style and flat picking.

I knew that, Lady Ez is a very green fingered person and some of it rubs off (well, sometimes), we even had a broom a couple of homes ago, IIRC. ‘Fiat make brooms now?’ I thought was funny - YMMV. Back OT, that’s a cracking colour. Just when you thought the tartan was bold; Boom! That’ll get you get you noticed.

Fiat make brooms now?

I think, that is what Billy Connolly would describe as, “Füc£in’ YELLOW!” It’s going to be awesome; I like it.

Great intro post. Another Casino owner and inveterate tinkerer here. It’d be great to see some photos of your guitars, especially those that you’ve modded. Here’s my modded Casino Coupé: Artec pickups (so much better than the Epi ones); Bigsby; new knobs; new truss rod cover and headstock decal.

Ah, fished me in. I was just about to post, “Boo!”

Very minimalist, I applaud that.

Drop Anderton’s a line and ask them. I’ve found them them extremely helpful with sort of thing. https://www.andertons.co.uk/fender-fe620-electric-guitar-gig-bag-price-tbc-0991512406?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gclid=Cj0KCQiAst2BBhDJARIsAGo2ldWQ5NOKd5yMH1GP8SCfPoQH0_ZcWZSGEjEwkX_6tDb1h38hEhV9LM4aAgeMEALw_wcB

Now I think that would’ve been great as it’s my favourite musical era. I clearly remember seeing Duran Duran on TOTP with Planet Earth and thinking that we’re going to be huge. Then there was hearing Simple Minds for the first time (I know the first 2 albums were ‘79, but it wasn’t until ‘84 that I discovered them) and early U2.

At a guess, I’d say connect the white wire from the pickup to the tag with the red wire coming off of it.