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OK here's my quot;hypotheticalquot; question

Say a guitar player...we'll call him err...Geoff..has 3 nice axes.

However one of the Axes ia def a cut above. His best guitar....

Geoff thinks instead of keeping 2 other guitars around that are really, really nice, but just not up to the level of that one special guitar , he should just keep the primo axe..sell the others and use the money for the following upgrade/s:

Adding a Tone Pro's bridge and Stop tailpiece.

An Electronics upgrade with new pots

Going for a set of VERY expensive World Class pickups for the guitar (think, $400 bucks or so)

Taking it to a nationally repected professional luthier for the work, as well as new setup/fret dressing, blah blah blah.

Basically taking a guitar that plays phenomenal and sounds really good, and making it an even better sounding/playing instrument.

This would prolly cost him about $700-$800 or so (with the pups)

With the rest of the money, he'd prolly grab a low watt Boutique Marshall clone and a 1x12 cab

OR

He can keep the really good axe, and one of the other axes, and just maybe swap out pups in them both for normal priced replacements, and grab a decent modelling amp that will suffice , but is not terribly inspiring.

Now Geoff is mostly a hobby player, and plays at home for fun,relaxation,cos he loves to play etc. He plays out with friends on occasion to. He's not a studio musician or touring the country, but he is serious about getting to be a better player as a personal goal.

If you were Geoff, what would YOU do? DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for anyone mistaking quot;geoffquot; for myself. I AM responsible for being full of $hit

I think 'Geoff' should go for the first option. First off, since 'he' doesn't play out too much, it isn't as important that 'he' has a back-up axe. Also, if you have a guitar you love, you should try and make it as good as possible (that's what I'm gonna start doing with my Ibanez and Strat, moreso the strat). Not to mention that Marshall clones friggin' rule. You need to make another hypothetical thread about buying one so I can listen to all the clips of the brands I've never heard of.

So yes, my opinion is number one...for said 'Geoff.'

well, i would be sure to tell geoff make sure that his numbers are crunched and recrunched before taking an irreversible step ... if that world class luthier charges a bit more than expected and the soft market for used gear doesnt yield as much as he thinks, he could be looking at a shortfall ... plus, how much more than 'phenomenal' is the guitar going to play after the world class guy gets done? .. how would geoff answer the question, when the luthier asks, quot;what is suboptimal to you that you want me to make better?quot;

and to be sure that his ears (and soul) are going to really really hear and feel a difference between the 'world class' $400 pups and some really really amazing sounding pups that are in the $150-$250 range ...

all that said, getting one axe in killer amazing shape sounds like a very solid strategy given his uses ... getting a really inspiring amp that suits his uses (e.g. not a double stack and a pair of 100W flame throwers) also sounds like a pretty happenin' idea

good luck
t4d

Door number one Monty.

And what are Geoff's three guitars and which is his favourite one?

I'd go with option number three. Sell the one you like the least and use that to improve the top one the best you can.

As far as employees go ... 1 Good one is better than 2 Mediocre ones...

Same applies for guitars.

Well going route 1, you'll be out of a guitar for quite a while. However I think it is better.

I'm going to have to agree with t4d. A $200 set should suit you fine, and is less of a loss if the $400 ones just don't do it for you one day as well as saying that a good reputable luthier should be able to go a damn good job.

So perhaps you could get your new amp, as well as perhaps spending some money on another guitar, perhaps another jem, that will be there when the number 1 is in the shop for a while getting remade.

#3

I have a difficult time justifying getting rid of a guitar that I don't hate, and I have a tough time justifying $400 pickups. I do appreciate an outstanding amp, and I do appreciate versatility. Sell one clunker, upgrade the other (level 2 guitar) and get a nice setup on the main axe. Save for a nice amp and you're all set.

I think Geoff mentioned he likes the modded amps, so I would concider another option of buying a marshal or clone and having it modded to his specs.

Sorry, if I make things more difficult

Or you could sell both other guitars, leave #1 alone because it's already such a great guitar, and spend the $$ on a first class plane ticket to Las Vegas and a couple of hookers.

If Geoff's best guitar requires new electronics, pickups, bridge and Lutherie, then I would consider selling all three and find one that is already 'perfect'

I would always take the route of having the best guitar and the best amp, and having them both suit your needs to a T. I choose #1, but spend the money wisely.

I'd take the best guitar (or 2) and have them setup exceptionally well, with my favorite Duncans installed. Then, I'd get something like a Shiva EL-34 Reverb 1-12 combo, for home use.

I think Geoff is smokin' something

Sell what's for sale now, take that money and throw it in to new amp. Leave the other two guitars alone. After all, one of them already plays like butter according to Geoff.

I am the same kind of quot;musicianquot; as Geoff!!! I jam the odd time with my buds (re-living those glory years) but mostly I play for a 4 year old and a 6 month old (trying to get that next guitar great...or at least a healthy appericiation), what Geoff has to ask himself is quot;Am I going to kick my own a** for selling this guitarquot;...how does Geoff know his #1 is #1...by playing #2 and #3 ths odd time. If you have one AWSOME guitar and nothing to compare it too, that quot;awsomenessquot; will diminish in time. Then you will find yourself longing for #2.

What I might do (I am not Geoff), would be to get rid of #3 get some good pup's (that is all personal choice...but $400 is a little steep) and a renown LOCAL luthier to set up the guitar...that would maybe cost you $300 (if that)...and you still have something else to play...to remind you that #1 is #1...

Just a thought...

Hmmm...lots of food for thought here.

Seriously, this *is* just a hypothetical question..

I won't get rid of the Bird...at least til I find something better. I'm happy with it as it is. Plays incredible. Sounds great.. Just have been thinking about improving it with some BK pups (actually already have some new Gibson 57s, but was thinking of going all out), a TP bridge for a bit more sustain ( I *am* used to a Les Paul), and figured while its in for work get some better pots, a fret dress, etc. She plays great now, but this guy (who is local), apparently can work magic even on already nice guitars (he does tech work for some of the biggest Jazz guys there are).

Now dont get me wrong: both my les Pauls are friggin fantastic, but the Bird is just...I dont know...fits better, plays better for me day in and day out. BUT I know that after I sold them, I'd be jonesing for one, cos even if the bird plays better, its not a Paula..and eventually I'll want that tone amp; sustain again. I always do.

I was just throwing out some of my options for opinions (and Thank You for them)

the new amp will come regardless. What, I don't know. Fargen. Bumbox. Goldtone.Univalve. MiniCat. Celtic (is scott even making these yet?) I'd really like a new Marshall, but just can't seem to find anything low wattage that doesnt have reliability issues (DSL201), isn't SS or it's HW and not affordable for me (1974x, 2061x). It MAY be a modeler.

We'll see...why can't I just be rich beyond my wildest dreams?? then it would be simple:

1) Buy a couple custom shop Gibsons
2) Buy 2203x, a 1959X ,get my 1987 fixed, have David Bray mod 'em.. get some 4x12 cabs
3) Buy a home far far from neigbors
4) crank it up to 10 anytime I want
5) Destroy what little hearing capability I have left
6) Fly in some Vegas Hookers

Piece o' cake.

The first option sounds alot more fun, and isn't fun why we are doing this anyway?

If you like the guitar and want to keep the guitar, then do what will make you happiest: pimp it out.

I go through phases and end up wanting to sell stuff that I shouldn't...So I sent out a memo to all my friends and family that said if they see me trying to sell one of my guitars, amps, or other miscellaneous guitar stuff to wrestle me to the ground and take me and my gear home ...So I wouldnt sell anything and just save some of your extra money here and there. Besides if Geoff likes his other two guitars then he should keep them. Because if you dont hate it and you sell it you WILL miss it eventually.

If Geoff's number one goes through lots of changes in setup through a world class luthier, is it possible that it will return not as playable (to Geoff) as it once was? Consider selling one of the two not-as-divine guitars: the one you can get the best price on - and get a PRICIER boutique amp to your liking. Simple, safe and effective.