First LP and first post

[spitfire]

Just got my first LP. It's an '09, 1968 Custom Quilt Top in a Firemist finish. I picked it up 2 days ago, so I'm just getting to know it.

Haven't weighed it yet, but it's noticeably lighter than my 25 year-old, home-made electric that weighs in at 12 lbs.

I'd not played much in about 10 years, but got GAS this summer and decided to get back into it and get a real guitar. Then Les Paul passed, and that sealed it for me. Time to get an LP.

A few key specs:

Ebony fingerboard
57 pups
Solid mahogany back
Binding top and back

I've been lurking on the forum for awhile and figured I'd contribute something.

Hope you all like the pics.

 

[Deus Vult]

congrats and welcome

 

[AXE]

 

[Madguitarist78]

WOW!! Very nice!!!!

 

[diceman]

Looks great. Welcome!

 

[flat3rd]

Congrats, she's a beauty!

 

[Nicky]

Great googly-moogly!

 

[ehamady6]

Welcome. Got any mods planned?

 

[Donal]

Welcome and Congrats, looks nice

regards
Don

 

[spitfire]

Thanks for the welcomes.

As for mods, no I don't have any planned. But, as I first said, I'm still getting to know it (or am I supposed to say her). But if anyone has any suggestions for mods to consider, I'd be happy to hear about them.

 

[WoodyTone]

Firemist? Ebony? Wow! NEver seen one, but now I want to -- in person. Congrats and welcome. How does she sound? (or he)

 

[spitfire]

I've got to be honest concerning how she sounds and say, I don't know yet. While not my first guitar, it is my first LP, so as far as LP's go, I can't say. I also think that playing technique has a lot to do with how a guitar sounds and I'm finding it sounding better every day as I'm getting more time on it (only had it 3 days). But I'm getting a sense that I'm going to really love this guitar.

For me, I've always found the combination of the guitar and amp to define the whole of the instrument. And, for me at least, it takes a lot of time to find the best combinations of settings.

I'm also a bit limited in what I'm playing through. I actually have a 25 year old Boogie Mark II c+, but being a family man with no dedicated music room, I have limited opportunities to crank it up. So since I've gotten back into playing, I've been using a Line6 Tone Port and GearBox amplifier simulation software. Which I find to actually be quite good. I keep the Boogie at work and will be able to crank it up on the weekends. So I'll be getting some time on that.

 

[kysrsoze]

Dang, I'm not a big fan of red geetars, but that is a really sweet looking geetar. OK, now I like red geetars.

You should get a small 5-watter tube amp. Then you really can sort of crank it. So what did you play before the LP?

 

[Silverbursted]

Welcome Spitfire, that baby is stunning.
As far as mods go, as a minimum replace the strap buttons with quality strap locks (Schallers is my and many others preferred brand). Cheap insurance, that baby is certainly worthy of protecting.

 

[spitfire]

I do like the idea of a small tube amp. Back when I bought my Boogie, more seemed like better. But I guess like most (all?) tube amps, you need to be pushing them to get the best sounds. And that gets mighty loud with a 100 W amp. I did have a chance to play a real low power Vox head the other day, and was intrigued by the idea.

As for my previous guitar, it is one I built myself about 27 years ago. Bought a slab of some kind of very dense African wood. Bought a Warmoth Tele guitar neck, and some DiMarzio pups. It's been an okay guitar, heavy as hell though. Between 12 and 13 lbs.

Oh I also have a Gretch with a neck and headstock that can best be described as a hockey stick. Ugly as can be, but it played okay and was all I could afford way back when.

 

[BEDLAM_1]

looks alot like the brimstone i was looking at getting! but not as "camp" LOL
very nice top though!

Nice one!..

 

[tampa898]

Welcome and WOW that's one hot sweet and sticky looking guitar you have there.

 

[LongBeach]

Congrats man, that's one sweet looking 68.
I have an ebony 08, and it's my favorite.

 

[cynic79]

Cool guitar. Congrats!

 

[spitfire]

Silverbursted, thanks for the idea of using Schaller strap locks. I'm definitely considering them. I hate to do anything to it just yet. But looking at some of the other posts on strap locks, it does appear to be good insurance and it is reversible if desired. Looks like some toothpicks and glue are SOP for installing the one at the bridge end.

And thanks to everyone else for your positive comments.