SilverTone, Kramer, Gibson, Schecter, Peavey
I think I started playing guitar when I was 12, but not "seriously" until many years later. There were periods where I'd play every day as if my life depended on it (high school), and then I'd take "a few" years off (like after college). Now in my 30s I'm playing just about every day again. Once a week I jam with some friends as an escape from the real world, where we cover songs which remind us that we're old and write stuff to remind us that we're not dead yet.
- 1990 Gibson Les Paul Studio (black w/gold hardware) [built October 1990]
- purchased lightly used from an instructor at the local shop (Hot Licks) in mid-1991(?)
- I have have more hours on this than all the rest combined. My number one. 20 years and playing strong.
- changes:
- new pickup covers (chrome) [thanks Mag]
- new pickup mounts (black)
- new 3-way toggle & hardware
- new jack plate (metal, chrome)
- pickups: stock 490R/498T (Alnico II) humbuckers
- strings: Dean Markley Blue Steel Regular #2556 (10,13,17,26,36,46)
- 2005 Schecter C-1 Exotic (antique black stain)
- guitarplayer.com said: "It's like a muscle car -- tough, fast and loud. You don't have to shred on the C-1, but you'd be a fool not to." I agree completely.
- pickups: twin Super Rock II humbuckers
- needs minor tweaking to bring the action down, but otherwise excellent. incredible sustain.
- strings: Dean Markley Blue Steel Regular #2556 (10,13,17,26,36,46)
- 1989? Kramer - 100 series/model 111? (white)
- this was my first real electric, bought it new.
- still the only guitar I own with a tremelo, a recessed Floyd Rose II
- the neck is cracked and the body is pretty beat up - despite this, it plays reasonably well. I don't pick it up often though.
- pickups: (1) slanted neck single coil and (1) bridge humbucker "Designed by Seymour Duncan" (cheap)
- strings: D'Addario XL Nickel (10,13,17,26,36,46)
- Sears Silvertone (black & white) - single lipstick tube pickup
- this is a short-scale guitar meant for beginners and I believe it to be from 1962-1968
- amp-in-case model 1448 (as far as I can tell).
- unfortunately the amp is no longer in the case, nor do I have any idea where it went. But I have the case :) I distinctly remember the smell of dust burning off the tubes.
- bought this at a yard sale when I was about 11 or 12 for basically nothing. I think it was $10 or even less. This is the one that started it all, for me and quite a few others.
- this is for sale
- strings: D'Addario XL Nickel (10,13,17,26,36,46) (probably too heavy for this guitar)
- Alvarez AD60K (Dao wood) acoustic [unknown build date - this model was introduced in 1998]
- dreadnought steel 6-string (no electronics)
- bought new
- great tone and action. I'm quite happy with it. very warm.
- strings: D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Extra Light EJ15 (10,14,23,30,39,47)
- Peavey T-40 4-string bass (natural finish) [unknown year, see below]
- bought used in very nice condition
- this thing is a TANK! almost afraid to weigh it.
- probably made after 1983 as the pickups have the center "blade" explosed. Production ended in 1987 as far as I know.
- maple neck/fretboard (no separate fretboard)
- unknown brand roundwound strings (45,65,80,100)
- 2008 Michael Kelly A-solid mandolin
- bought new in early 2009
- this is a direct result of listening to The Tossers too much.
- A-style with F-holes
- solid Spruce top, Maple back, sides and neck
- flat fretboard
- unknown brand strings (11,11,15,15,26,26,40,40)
- what I started out looking for was an oval-hole A-style like the Michael Kelly A-O or the Eastman MD504 but I was having a tough time justifying the additional cost to myself. I think something along these lines is in my future if I outgrow the A-solid.
- my one regret is that I didn't buy it from folkmusician.com - I discovered this place after my purchase. They sell the same instruments for the same prices, but they perform a full set-up on the instrument before sending it out. This really makes a huge difference. That said, I'm really happy with the mandolin.
the Alvarez and the Michael Kelly (Jan 19 2009)
- Crate GT1200H - 120W 3-channel head
- bought as factory restock in December 2007
- introduced in 2004
- I know there are better amps out there (this entire half stack was less than $400), and that Crate quality isn't what it used to be (though I've had no problems myself) - but until I find another amp or even a pedal that can match the overdrive channel from this little solid state amp, I'm going to have to stick with Crate. I've searched for years to find another amp that sounds like this, and I just can't. I'm open to suggestions, but I've yet to come close to reproducing the high gain (scooped-mid) channel, the sort of Crate signature sound, that almost death metal low end. Clearly other guitarists have found that sound in other brands, so my search continues. But in the mean time, I'm perfectly happy with this rig. I'm not looking for tubes, though hybrids aren't out of the question.
- GT1200H owner's manual (PDF)
- Crate GT412 speaker cabinet
- Crate G40XL 40W 3-channel combo amp (from the early 1990s)
- single 12-inch Crate speaker
- the amp that got me through high school and college
- this will probably find a new home at the used music shop (Atomic)
- Ampeg BA115 100W bass combo amp
- bought new December 2009
- 1x15" speaker and Piezo tweeter
- tilt-back design
- XLR out, headphones out, CD input
- only 62 lbs.
Tools... Toys... is there a difference? Let's just call them stomp pedals. They have blinkin' lights and knobs and buttons and you get to step on them and make funny faces, you know?
Misc (I had too much coffee):
Back to the main page.
