ezbass

If it were a top 5 (4 even) Steve Morse would feature in my list.

You've nailed that tone! Playing is spot on too and I like the way the video starts monochrome and become more saturated as the tune progresses. Well done, Sir.

Never used an active pickup, but Dave Gilmour makes ‘em sound good on his Strat (where fitted - EMGs I think).

That’s a nice collection in a very short time. Some photos would be nice.

I’m really not an Anderton’s fanboy, although I have bought a guitar there in the past. I’m a Guitar Guitar bloke, as they’re much nearer to me and I like the staff. I posted that link as it was the first one I found of the Gary Clark signature.

Good work keeping the timing spot on, that’s not easy - one slip and it all goes boobs skywards.

33 is nothing (I’ll swap with you ) and it’s never too late. You’ve bought a guitar that makes you want to play and you’re having success; sounds like it’s all good. Small, entry level, practise amps are often a little disappointing but, on the upside, you’ll appreciate a better amp when you come to upgrade.

I don’t know, I don’t recognise the reference.

I fitted one to a full size Casino years ago, no issues there either. It also just occurs to me that Epi do (or did) a Bigsby equipped one too https://www.andertons.co.uk/electric-guitars/epiphone-gary-clark-jr-blak-blu-casino-with-bigsby I wouldn’t let Neil Young loose on any guitar, or microphone if I had my way . YMMV.

Does it stay in tune? Joking aside, for small wobbles, it's fine. Dump it and reap the discordant whirlwind. No stress on the top really, I guess it's mostly a lateral force. They've fitted Bigsbys to hollow body Gretsches since they came out, no issues there (other than the usual tuning malarkey).

I just use 10s whatever. I've used other gauges but always come back to 10s.

Mmm, minty fresh headstock.

Nice 339 (where's the rest of it? ), I really like the tuning keys on these and wish the Casino came with them. I can't see anything wrong with your plan and given Epis are poly coated, I'm wondering if you need to mask off (won't hurt of course).

Fully hollow, light as a feather (at least it was until I stuck a Bigsby on it). Needed a fret dress as there were a couple of high frets up at the dusty end (they were a bit rough too) but the job they did at Guitar Guitar, Epsom was top notch - money well spent. The neck is quite chunky, but not uncomfortably so and makes it feel a bit more ‘solid’. What’s sauce for the goose, etc...

I’ve always been of the opinion that the biggest influences on tone are the transducers in the signal chain. These would be the components that turn mechanical energy into electrical impulses. In the case of the electric guitar these would be the pickups. Everything has a contributory effect, but they are all (mostly) subservient to the transducer.

No worries.

First of all Secondly, I can’t help you with the make, but there is something Aria like about the body shape.

I really like the 339’s proportions and the split coil facility is great (why Gibson don’t do this is just odd). I nearly bought one myself but went for the Casino Coupé instead, as I preferred the P90s. BTW - pics or it didn’t happen

I’d’ve been on a Steve Rothery kick recently, so the SD-1 would get my vote (his is modded, however).

That black is classy. 2 more new guitars! I think @EdwardMarlowe might have a point about the new premises .

The CV 50s Tele is a great guitar, I have one myself and, for full disclosure, I’m a huge Tele fan. So with that stated, let’s move along. The Strat and Tele are quite different and not just in looks. Both guitars are versatile and can be used for any number of genres (just take a look at the wide range of styles users of them cover). The Strat has more pickup combinations and, therefore, more tones, but some folk just love the simplicity of the Tele and the need to work a little harder to get more tones out of it (a worthwhile endeavour IMO). The Tele seems to have a harder note attack which is no small way due to it being a hardtail guitar as opposed to the Strat’s trem bridge and it’s this that will probably influence your choice the most - do you want a whammy bar? Then you have the contoured, sculpted body of the Strat Vs the ‘plank of wood’ that is the Tele (part of its charm). Playability are going to be similar (body contours notwithstanding). So to sum up, do you want a wider range of pickup tones and a trem arm or a simple, no nonsense, workhorse?

I think it sometimes leads to a product with better hardware than standard and sometimes just a great product all round (the Steve Vai Gem for instance). However, your question, "Is it just a cynical marketing ploy to persuade bedroom players that they can sound just like their guitar hero?" if often nearer to the truth, sadly.

A small table I made from a spare Tele body and a standard lamp from a telescope tripod.

Absolutely, good attitude. Once you've got it down, you never really lose it and it certainly bothers you less.

Ah, I remember those days and bloody infuriating they were too! The only bone I can throw is that the more you do it, the better you get at it - sorry, it really is a case of practise, practise, practise. What I will say, which is something no one told me way back when, is that the better you get at it, the less you tend to play all six strings anyway. You learn to use the flavour of the voicing from just four notes (sometimes less) and rarely invoke the rowdiness of an all string voicing (Andy Summers is a perfect example of this in songs like Message in a Bottle). In short, keep at it, the strength will come as with most physical activities.