- Joined
- Aug 29, 2016
- Messages
- 10,414
- Reaction score
- 31,751
I’m not a big Slash “sig” fan,... but this I really really like.Happy new year all. Very seldom post on here but always enjoy reading the threads and looking at the pictures.
I'm finally at a point in life where I can justify paying what to most folk is an obscene amount of money for a guitar. I've been playing over 20 years, nothing special, bedroom hobbyist, jamming with mates, college covers band etc. Always wrestled with the cost of a Gibson being too much, especially for someone of my ability. I lost my dad in September and came into a little bit of money, so I thought, 12 months 0% finance and a birthday/Christmas present. Life is too short right!
I've had a high end Japanese Tokai and a Korean Epi in the past, both were good particularly the Tokai, which had custom shop specs and felt like a very expensive guitar, maybe even more so than the Gibson. It played beautifully, but felt a little bit lifeless, didn't have any zing. I didn't bond with either and felt maybe the Les Paul just wasn't for me, selling both and trying a Jazzmaster for the last year or so. But my heroes all play Les Pauls and I've never been able to shake the want for one.
So here we are. Straight out the gate I have to say I'm not a 'new guitar' fan. I prefer stuff that feels played in, so the whole brand new thing didn't really woo me. The one thing that is nice is the knowledge that I'm the only person to have owned this instrument. It's not been fucked with or mistreated. That's all down to me now.
I've had it a few weeks now and while it's not a million miles away from my old Les Paul replicas, there is something different about it. It feels more alive and responsive, more acoustically resonant. It loves bending notes and really sings when you hit the sweet spots. The neck in particular feels lighter and more resonant than any guitar I've had, and I think this has a huge impact on the feel and sound of the guitar. It also has a super dark, tightly grained maple fretboard. Overall it's not super light at 9 and half pounds, but it feels good. I almost went for an Appetite burst that weighed 8.7lbs but I preferred the finish on this.
It's the first flame top I've owned and it doesn't disappoint, in lower light it really comes alive with 3D pattern and movement and also some grain visible. I frequently find myself stopping and staring at it from across the room like a lovesick pup, especially now I'm working from home in lockdown. The temptation is real.
Was it worth the extra 400 for a Slash model? Not sure, but it's definitely nicer in appearance than the standards I was seeing. I love the AAA top, the dark back and the no pickguard look. The Alnico 2 pickups sound great to my ear, but as its my first Gibson I can't really compare it to anything. I've removed the scully truss rod cover as I prefer the plain look.
Just iphone pics here so lacking detail on the top. I can get my grown up camera on it if anyone cares.
View attachment 510619
Much love x
Nice score.
