Anybody else bought a guitar for what it looks like?

[PorterhouseMusic]

Going back to the original topic, I’d say there’s a hell of a lot of people buying a guitar solely on looks.

So many are buying from Sweetwater and other online sites. Instead of the days of going into a shop and trying out guitars, you just look at the pics, often times just on a phone. You click the purchase button, pay your money and wait for it to arrive.

If you don’t like it you send it back.

That last part....

I would NEVER buy a guitar without playing it. Not in a million years. Until I learned how forgiving return policies had become. Ive since bought that SoCal above and a gold top LP (2017) without playing them.

 

[Dave Matthews]

That last part....

I would NEVER buy a guitar without playing it. Not in a million years. Until I learned how forgiving return policies had become. Ive since bought that SoCal above and a gold top LP (2017) without playing them.

I think 8 or so of mine were bought used without playing them first.

 

[Slouching Raymond]

I'm not knocking veneer. I'll buy a guitar with veneer if it looked good.
That guitar has a plastic rim around the top, which really says veneer.

 

[Slouching Raymond]

It's possible that looks have something to do with it for me...

A man who likes odd shaped guitars.
My axe was pre-Gene Simmons:

 

[Farview]

A man who likes odd shaped guitars.
My axe was pre-Gene Simmons:
View attachment 149802

Wow! I've never seen one of those before. Who makes it?

 

[Slouching Raymond]

Wow! I've never seen one of those before. Who makes it?

Me! in 1976, 2 years before Gene Simmons invented Axe Guitars.

 

[Old Music Guy]

I come from the printing industry and saw how that segment grew over 40 years.

I worked for 10 years for a company that make the printheads used to "print" the designs you see on signs, posters, window blinds, tile, even bedding.
They also made the printheads that are used in 3D rapid prototype machines.
Amazing technology.

 

[Farview]

Me! in 1976, 2 years before Gene Simmons invented Axe Guitars.

Nice!

 

[Sky Blue Lou]

These days if you want something in particular it is quite likely you will buy something you don't get to play first. I've gotten several that way and been okay with all. You can prowl music stores but there ain't all that many any more and go ahead and find a '75 Yamaha SG2000. Lol.

I would have said no to a looks only purchase but I remembered my ASAT Deluxe. I got back into guitar after a 15 year hiatus and the first "good" one I got was totally about the look. (To be fair the rep was good too.)

*edit - I didn't notice the glare streak in the pic. DOH!

 

[PorterhouseMusic]

That tele is beautiful lou.

But this Les Paul that you've talked about is an unusually cool gtr in my opinion.

 

[Sky Blue Lou]

That Tele is actually a G&L ASAT Deluxe. Might as well be a real one, it was made on the original tooling. Leo bought all that shit after CBS moved production to Mexico.

Anyway the Lester is my Ronno tribute. 1980 Custom. All original I just had the top sanded off and cleared.

 

[Sky Blue Lou]

A Better pic of Ronno.

 

[PorterhouseMusic]

Schwing!

 

[Sky Blue Lou]

Schwing!

Yeah I'm still in love. The only difference from the original is it's a 3-piece top as opposed to the 2-piece top on Mick's and his was a '68 so had different pots, caps (bumblebees on the original) and whatever differences in the pups. I thought about trying to hunt up a '68 but it would have been a lot more money. I did find some bumblebees but YIKE$!! Yeah I passed.

 

[Old Music Guy]

That Tele is actually a G&L ASAT Deluxe.

@Sky Blue Lou is mostly correct. G&L made 2 versions: solid body and semi-hollow Thinline. That's what you have.
Nice axe!

 

[Old Music Guy]

Nice LP!

I did find some bumblebees but YIKE$!! Yeah I passed.

found .022uF Emerson paper/oil BBs on Amaz*n for 30$

 

[60's guy]

A Better pic of Ronno.View attachment 149994

Great looking guitar, Lou!

 

[Sky Blue Lou]

@Sky Blue Lou is mostly correct. G&L made 2 versions: solid body and semi-hollow Thinline. That's what you have.
Nice axe!

Thanx. Not sure about "mostly". Lol. A buddy of mine has the ASAT. Basic solid body with some optional pickup choices. The ASAT Deluxe was the thinline. I believe that was only available in sunburst finish with the Seymour Duncans and a coil tap. Made in Fullerton CA on the original Fender tooling.

Thanks all for the kind words. I wish my playing was as good as they look.

 

[Sky Blue Lou]

Nice LP!

found .022uF Emerson paper/oil BBs on Amaz*n for 30$

Yeah stuff is out there. I "built" Ronno 20 or so years ago. At the time original Sprague bumblebees were well over $100 each IIRC. As I recall the project came in right around $2500 all in without the period-correct pots and caps. Guitar was around $1800 and the rest was the refin, new bridge and tail and knobs (I think the blacks were on it and I bought the speed knobs.