The Cork Sniffer Thread

[The_Sentry]

Recently (it wasn't this place) I was discussing gear with someone and even though I didn't know other southpaws had this luxury, he asserted to me that all guitars made out of Korea, China, Indonesia, and the older Japan models were crap...all of them. It was enough for me to call him a bloody "cork sniffer" because I didn't think he had a damned clue what he was talking about. Granted, the more expensive guitars are made stateside, but at the same time there's winners and losers from every brand.

Yet, in all places, and in all corners, any time there is brand loyalty, and a high price tag associated with some brands, methinks you're going to see a bit of cork sniffing go down.

Question: Are you a cork sniffer? And if you were/are, would you be honest about it?

Me? I think to a degree I am...but moreso with amplifiers than guitars. Based on playing with other guitar players, I've seen other guitarists held back with inadequate amplifiers...but I have yet to see anyone outclass someone with a bloody pedal, and TBH about it I've heard great players make great music on cheap guitars. As a leftie, I don't really believe I have the luxury to be a cork sniffer to be honest about it. Not enough manufacturers make the appropriate stuff for me to contemplate guitars like bottles of wine.

And at the end of the day, what is the whole point? Beer or wine, isn't the whole point just to get drunk anyway?

So...are you a cork sniffer? Would you thumb your nose at someone if they didn't have the right guitar brand, or some off-brand amplifier that sounded fine but wasn't a marquee name, or the wrong pots or caps in their guitar? Would you declare their equpment crap (within reason) without really trying it out first based upon who made it and just going with that?

As aforementioned: I think a crappy amplifier can really hold someone back. But once you cross a certain rubicon...well, I don't really see a reason for it.

Anyways.....

 

[Makeitstop]

Not me. I'll play anything.

- D

 

[Boleskinehouse]

Yep. Don't care what anybody's opinion on that is either. I've always been loyal to Gibson and I imagine I always will be. I wouldn't have an Epiphone if someone gave it to me.

I don't give people shit about it though..

 

[The_Sentry]

Not me. I'll play anything.

- D

I will also.....but I'll also admit I've had my ass handed to me with guys who had better amplifiers (not guitars)....and that was over sheer volume and the overall tone of a killer tube amp.

(At the same time though....I like my Roland Cube 60. Half the time I'll take that out and leave the big Marshall at home because it sounds fine, and it's a lot less amp to lug around....makes me wonder about that mini stack though as well... )

Lemme put it this way: If I saw a guy with an Epiphone Les Paul Special II and 50 watt tube amp, I'd probably state that guitarist will have a better sound than some guy on a Gibby Custom playing through a Gorilla amplifier.

 

[USP45Tim]

Damn right I'm a cork sniffer! I know what I like and that's pretty much that. However, I will not condemn *anyone* for their choices in guitars. I'm loyal to four brands and that's pretty much it.

 

[The_Sentry]

Damn right I'm a cork sniffer! I know what I like and that's pretty much that. However, I will not condemn *anyone* for their choices in guitars. I'm loyal to four brands and that's pretty much it.

That's cool. I have to admit I really try to be objective about this since some folks happen to PLAY the guitars I might not have a high opinion of based on personal experiences.

I think there's a fine line between have a bad opinion on a brand and calling someone's personal gear crap.

 

[LongBeach]

I prefer Gibsons, but I have a Strat, and really like it, but, dont want another.
Now Gibsons, do I want another, HELL YES!

I have 2 Epi Tele copies I keep because they're fun to play.
that is the only reason I still have them.

 

[The_Sentry]

I have 2 Epi Tele copies I keep because they're fun to play.
that is the only reason I still have them.

Well, I have to admit that as far as I'm concerned, that's about the ONLY reason to keep a guitar around!!

 

[Alligatorbling]

ill play just about anything... i do enjoy finer instruments but i will not rule out brands with lesser prestige. if it feels cheap and sounds like crap i dont really have a use for it... if its known to be cheap and sound like crap, but i play one and it sounds great and feels fine, sure ill play it...

 

[USP45Tim]

Being humble is the best policy. This forum is made up of some very diverse groups of people with different tastes. If a certain guitar or whatever works for them, then great!

That's cool. I have to admit I really try to be objective about this since some folks happen to PLAY the guitars I might not have a high opinion of based on personal experiences.

I think there's a fine line between have a bad opinion on a brand and calling someone's personal gear crap.

 

[captain tightpants]

You know, as long as it plays good, I really don't care what the name on the headstock is.

I recently threw together a guitar out of an old much modified Seville L.P. body, an Ibanez GAX neck, and a Carvin Strat-type hardtail bridge , wired it up with a Gibby 490R and one volume knob, and I can't get over how good it plays. Ain't gonna win no beauty contests, tho...

Nothing wrong with knowing what you like, tho.

 

[SiriusAbbott]

Im no corksniffer
I play whatever I like to play
unfortunately though,that leads to this....

Hello,my name is SiriusAbbott,and I have a problem......and it has a name.....Gear Acquisition Syndrome

 

[captain tightpants]

Im no corksniffer
I play whatever I like to play
unfortunately though,that leads to this....

Hello,my name is SiriusAbbott,and I have a problem......and it has a name.....Gear Acquisition Syndrome

You said it, brother!!

 

[siore]

I came to MLP because I got tired of all the cork-sniffery elsewhere. Of course, people will be loyal to certain brands (and makers), but over here they'll generally respect what you have. It's amazing how people WOW at the epis and the MIJ stuff, and as long as you like it, and that's all that matters at the day's end.

The_Sentry, I agree that the amp is a HUGE chunk of your sound, but once you get a good one going for you, there's only a small margin for improvement at a larger cost. For example, for that tone in your head, you may get 90% close to it by getting a good amp, but you spend the most just to get that final 10%.

 

[DRF]

Most of my fav guitarists were/are playing what are truly POS when I think about it. Stratocaster! hello its one step up from a sears silvertone.

Wanting something nice/top shelf or something decent/non hindering playability are two different things.

Let me put it this way, Guitars are like pussy,theres Milla Jovovich,Kate Beckingsale,what ever etc ...or Rosey O'Donnell,Hillary Clinton etc. All in all its the same effect in the end ha ha...

Me? given a choice I'd rather F**k a supermodel than a 300lb lezbeen.
Sniffing cork takes on a whole new meaning.

 

[lp_junkie]

I used to be a straight up Gibson brand snob, everything else was beneath owning and was for beginners and amateurs.......... If it wasn't a Gibson it was trash, period.

I changed my tune almost 13 years ago, I found some of the MIJ Orville Les Pauls, I ended up getting rid of my Gibsons and haven't owned a Gibson Les Paul since.
I have also developed a liking for certain Epiphones and will look for good ones.

I don't outright bash Gibson now, but I would be hard pressed to get another one.... although that Traditional Pro in Tobacco burst is really calling to me.

The only Gibson guitar I have now is a 69 B45-12 acoustic 12 string.

 

[gui524]

I have some serious GAS ... and it isn't just for Gibsons ... it's for Fenders, Epiphones, Jacksons, Charvels, Kramers, Ibanezes ( wtf ), Marshalls, Fenders, Soldanos, Grestch, PRS, Boss, Fulltone, Handmade Amps, Handmade Pedals ... to sum up, everything that can be fit in the "GUITAR" category

 

[monroe]

Corksniffing for the sake of increasing one's web status can get annoying.
But, some of the least humble personalities seem to be ones that don't own a USA made instrument. Both extremes can be a bit tiresome.

 

[mrpesca]

It's funny that the first Google hit for "Cork Sniffer" makes fun of this very subject.

Here

I think it's interesting that cork sniffing guitar guys discuss every nuance of tone as it applies to their 5000 dollar guitars played through 10,000 dollars worth of gear yet some of them can't play for shit. Yep, zero soul, zero mojo, and no clue. Hey, but they have nice stuff.

I have to admit that my gear exceeds my ability but I prefer bang for the buck equipment. I don't play in a band, I'm not a collector and I don't have a lot of disposable income right now so there is no need for a R9 in my closet.

 

[siore]

It's funny that the first Google hit for "Cork Sniffer" makes fun of this very subject.

Here

I think it's interesting that cork sniffing guitar guys discuss every nuance of tone as it applies to their 5000 dollar guitars played through 10,000 dollars worth of gear yet some of them can't play for shit. Yep, zero soul, zero mojo, and no clue. Hey, but they have nice stuff.

I have to admit that my gear exceeds my ability but I prefer bang for the buck equipment. I don't play in a band, I'm not a collector and I don't have a lot of disposable income right now so there is no need for a R9 in my closet.

Funny link there! Seems guitar players use the term more extensively than the wine guys... errr, connoisseurs.