ezbass

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.

Black for me. These bad boys benefit from a decent setup, the singer/guitarist in one of my bands has one of these and pre setup, it was a tuning PITA (still not a breeze, but better).

I can’t help with any suggestions, but I’m intrigued by your vision. I’m pulling up a chair, kicking off my shoes (sorry about the smell) and watching with interest.

Just drill a hole on the opposite side and fit the jack there. I can't see there being much on the inside of these to get in the way of you doing that.

OK, I had no idea. That’d be an issue for the mods I guess.

Gah, so many different things, but I'm guessing that few of them will be pertinent . If it's with regard to your DT projects, then I'd probably go down the case route (I like a combined stool and stand, but there's little I can think of that would improve on products already out there, so if you decide on that, copy what's available). A robust, yet lightweight case that securely holds your instrument, pedals and bits and bobs is something I'd look at (individual, customisable compartments for the pedals and accessories would be a nice touch). Good luck with your project and don't forget to share some photos when you're done.

I think buy which one you like the look of and will make you want to play it. Any shortcomings can be sorted out by a setup or hardware upgrade. Perhaps the Epi might hold its value better should you move it along, but I may be wrong there (it's certainly true of basses).

Lee Sklar and Guy Pratt’s, new lockdown channels are high on my list these days (well I am primarily a bass player). https://youtu.be/gKFJsxEMHMQ

I like that one too. Danish Pete seems a great guy and a quality player into the bargain. His playing is so effortless and tasteful.

@Jazz Club have you been keeping Thomann in business all on your own? Some cool purchases there. I particularly like this one

Anyone remember the Bond Electraglide?

Hubba, hubba!

Another Tele guy, good on ya!

An awful lot of us here are too; you're amongst friends.

I’m not normally one for gold hardware, but that V looks the biz. However, that HB SG (too many initials!) is the one I’d go for, very nice. As to the question posed in the title of the OP, no, nothing new here, but it’s been a close run thing !

My normal go to brand for guitars is D’Addario followed by Ernie Ball (I have used Elixr, but I find their tension quite high). However, in an effort to allow some electric type bending on my acoustic, I’ve been playing Optima Vintageflex. Not as forthright as normal tension acoustic strings, but a joy to play.

Nice! Enjoy.

Good news that you’ve found a guitar that works for you. However....

I really like the look of the Tele ones (no surprises there then), but they are spitefully expensive. I do think they should've started with a mid budget version to test interest. Then they could've gone for a premium model and maybe a Squier after that.

There is an old joke that sums up the guitar playing community: How many guitar players does it take to change a light bulb? 25. One to change it and 24 to talk about how much better the old one was.

Another beauty you have for sale. I do like a a Gretsch Hollowbody, I used to own a Streamliner not unlike this. GLWTS.

Nice . GLWTS.