Ball of confusion

Sorry to beat a dying if not dead horse, but if I could impose on all you LP/Non-LP gurus again:

If you were going for a duane/dickey/mick taylor kind of guitar without breaking the bank/having to sleep in the garage: which one of these, if any, do you think would do the trick? I'm after the look to a certain extent, but that's overriden by tone/vibe/feel, I hope (hence the considering of a heritage 150 cm).

And I thought buying an LP was hard back in 1973. Sheeshh, that was a piece of cake compared to this. Thanks for any insight, shared pain, expertise, experience, or donations in denominations of hundred dollar bills: :lol:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7304318550&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7304142508&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7303855040&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7305039856&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7303518908&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7304859052&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7303518908&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7304304738&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
(figuring this one is an H150, not M150)

Any of them would do if you're after a particular LP sound. You just have to make the right tweaks when you get them.

You've got quite a range there. Everything from Gibson down (but, strangely, no Tokai). I think you need to narrow down your choices and give us more parameters before we can say anything useful.

My first choice would be the Heritage. Excellent guitars that can be had for a fraction of their true value secondhand.

Well you could have had this for ?340 (I assume you?re in UK?) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7304127296&rd=1. If it must be a burst finish, there?s also an 81 Tokai LS50 burst currently ?385 on UK eBay . I?d much prefer these to any in your list (except the Gibbo).

Ian.

If I were you I'd hold out for a nice LS-80 or LS200 Tokai. Also, a nice Burny would be good. Tak at Katana guitars sometimes gets beautiful ones. He's also had some amazing Edwards guitars. I wouldn't count out Edwards cause they have 1 piece back and some really nice tops with seymour duncan pickups. I would pass on that Burny you have the link for. Any seller showing that bad of pictures is trying to hide something. Just my opinion though.

buckwild said:

If I were you I'd hold out for a nice LS-80 or LS200 Tokai. Also, a nice Burny would be good. Tak at Katana guitars sometimes gets beautiful ones. He's also had some amazing Edwards guitars. I wouldn't count out Edwards cause they have 1 piece back and some really nice tops with seymour duncan pickups. I would pass on that Burny you have the link for. Any seller showing that bad of pictures is trying to hide something. Just my opinion though.

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Like this maybe?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7304598267&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

What's wrong with that guitar? Is it a great buy?

Soundhound said:

buckwild said:

If I were you I'd hold out for a nice LS-80 or LS200 Tokai. Also, a nice Burny would be good. Tak at Katana guitars sometimes gets beautiful ones. He's also had some amazing Edwards guitars. I wouldn't count out Edwards cause they have 1 piece back and some really nice tops with seymour duncan pickups. I would pass on that Burny you have the link for. Any seller showing that bad of pictures is trying to hide something. Just my opinion though.

Click to expand...

Like this maybe?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7304598267&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

What's wrong with that guitar? Is it a great buy?

Click to expand...

Yeah thats a cool Love Rock if you dig Wine Red. I just think the top on that burny looks strange cause it has some real strong vertical lines cutting through the horizontal flames. That happens on some laminates but I've seen it on some foto flames. I'm not sure if Burny ever used Foto flames but they might have.

Thanks buck, I acutally don't mind the red for some reason, odd, because I seem to be so focused on the trad bursts, cherry, amber, tobacco, etc. So with this one I can just focus on playability/tone. Maybe the color is keeping the price down? Where would a 1997 L80 rank in the world of Tokai/Burny/Greco/Gibson LP standards?

Thanks!

Soundhound said:

Thanks buck, I acutally don't mind the red for some reason, odd, because I seem to be so focused on the trad bursts, cherry, amber, tobacco, etc. So with this one I can just focus on playability/tone. Maybe the color is keeping the price down? Where would a 1997 L80 rank in the world of Tokai/Burny/Greco/Gibson LP standards?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I think all of the 90's LS70/LS80's are all very good and consistent. I have a 99 or 2000 LS80 and it's pretty awesome. I have a Gibson Standard and a LS200. The LS80 sits right behind those two. It has a great neck and a pretty nice top. The stock pickups were ok but could be better. The craftmanship is pretty fantastic and I've heard it is very consistent. The binding is thiner than a real Gibson. Also, the 2 piece body has a little bit less sustain than a one piece. Overall though these are very minor things. I believe a good LS70 or LS80 would blow alot of Gibsons out of the water.

The wine red color might be dropping the price, not sure. However, in natural light and most lighting scenarios the Wine red will appear very dark and be hard to see the flame. So you might want to take this into account.

Also, I'd watch ebay Sunday through Tuesday. Most of the good Japanese ebay sellers list Sunday night through Tuesday. There might be an awesome guitar that fits your need for the traditional burst your looking for.

Ciao

Hey thanks for the heads up buck, I'll keep my eyes open sun thru tues. And if the price is being kept down on this one because of color, that would be great. If it's a killer lp construction-wise, if I got it cheap enough I could put some wagners in it.

Dream on...

Ian, do you like this one?

Thanks guys, I can't believe I lucked out and found this site. You guys rock.

Yep very nice guitar, & total bargain if it stays anywhere near that price :-? .

Personally, I have a strong preference for older guitars, although that may have no appeal to you ? note that old LS80 such as Reborn is really different guitar, more comparable to LS150 or LS200 (with price to match),? but I can?t really argue against that LS80 ? maybe want to clarify wear & damage eg ?coating crack?, but just looks like normal line of neck joint to me ? nice light weight too,...all depends on final price :-? .

Ian.

ian said:

Personally, I have a strong preference for older guitars, although that may have no appeal to you ? note that old LS80 such as Reborn is really different guitar, more comparable to LS150 or LS200 (with price to match),?

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There is currently a LS60 Reborn from 1978 on ebay. How does that one compare?
Thanks!

Thanks again guys. Ian, if I'm going for that Duane Allman/Dickey Betts/Mick Taylor feel and tone, do you think that red 97 LS80 might do the trick for me? I don't care about the age really, I just care about what it plays and feels like. Though I'm not really after a modern 'rocker' guitar, more of a blues guitar. Do you think I'd be ok with that LS80, or do I want something more like the Reborn that Hoss pointed out? (no worries, hoss, I wouldn't bid on it if you are. Finders keepers)

Thanks!!

Soundhound said:

(no worries, hoss, I wouldn't bid on it if you are. Finders keepers)

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I'm going to bid on it but my limit will not be skyhigh.

Ian,

maybe one of these?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7304597633&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7305063216&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT


Hoss: gotcha, she's all yours. Good luck!

Soundhound said:

Thanks again guys. Ian, if I'm going for that Duane Allman/Dickey Betts/Mick Taylor feel and tone, do you think that red 97 LS80 might do the trick for me?

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I don't think you're asking the right question.

The wine red one would certainly do the trick, but the reborn is a bit rarer with more 'lawsuit' mystique.

Yeah, really I agree with Paladin ?the LS80 looks fine (well, great actually) but of course none of us know what it?s really like (that?s a chance you take with eBay), and the bidding may go much higher in final min?s.

Problem with any LS60 Reborn is it?s likely cost $1000 (+/-$200), for which price you could buy nearly new Gibson Classic-60.

I don?t know about Dickey Betts (never heard the guy), but I don?t think there?s any ?trick? to this ? I think it has more to do with playing ability, & less to do with exactly which make & model of guitar you use. That black 1985 LS50 has gone, but I?d have snapped that up for ?340 ... I?d look at stuff like that if the LS80 sells too high.

Ian.

Paladin2019 said:

Soundhound said:

Thanks again guys. Ian, if I'm going for that Duane Allman/Dickey Betts/Mick Taylor feel and tone, do you think that red 97 LS80 might do the trick for me?

Click to expand...

I don't think you're asking the right question.

The wine red one would certainly do the trick, but the reborn is a bit rarer with more 'lawsuit' mystique.

Click to expand...

Sorry about the confusion there. My question between these two guitars is really about tone and feel and quality, not the looks. If I can get one that sounds and feels right, I'd be willing to forgo the vintage look and burst. ButI don't want a rocker guitar, but more of a bluesy guitar. Sorry to be so vague and all over the place guys!

Thanks![/i]

Hmm. You can't really separate LP's into rock or blues categories. They're famous for both - even both together.

I don't think you'll be able to answer your questions over the internet. You're talking about personal taste stuff that can only be decided when you have the instrument in your hands. At best we can give you a rough idea of what would suit you, but you haven't been very clear on your criteria.

Sorry, that's why I've been asking so many questions. If the MIJ/MIK experts here on the site thought the guitar looked good for quality, then I was trying to find out if the pickups in the guitar would be hotter, or more vintage sounding. The listing just says 'Original Tokai Humbucker'. My thought when I started investing the MIJ/MIK guitars was to find one I thought would play well (hopefully) and then put a set of wagners or other good vintage sounding pups in if I didn't like the pickups in it.

I'm looking for nice, fat round tone, as opposed to hot, over the top rock tone.

And I do realize that buying and asking questions over the internet is imprecise, and I certainly appreciated everyone's time and effort sharing their hard won expertise.

Thanks.

All of tokai's pickups are modelled after the classic PAF sound. How close they get is a matter of debate, but they should fit your requirements.