This was the mainstay of the folk music I was into during the 60's. I sang and played in a short lived (about 1 year) folk duo in 1966 with a guy called Pete Haines - where are you now?? By the time the 70's rolled around it was laid aside in favour of a Vox Phantom Electric (£25 - 2nd hand) and a Hofner Solid Electric. The Hofner + bent neck, was traded for an air rifle! I still own this lovely old nylon thing - it will never be sold. It sits, where it was photographed, in our front room and I use it for just picking up and playing all the time and for writing songs. An ol' faithful.
It had an unusual semi-solid body and after I set it up, a great action. The two humbucking-style pickups gave a very pleasant sound with a slightly jazzy air. But the best feature was the Bigsby arm. Wonderful lump of metal. Some people say that this style of arm gives tuning problems. All I can say that in 24 years of ownership, it never gave me any trouble at all. A friend 'borrowed' it for about 10 years from 1980 to 1990, and he never complained either. It was quite a wrench to eventually sell it to fund the purchase of the Gibson Epiphone Les Paul. |
The Jap Les Paul did get laid aside for some time as I bought a new steel string acoustic in 1977, an Epiphone Texan FT 145 SB (Flat Top Sun Burst) for £70. This got well used in acoustic groups I was in during much of the late 70's and early 80's.
It then continued to be the mainstay for most of my playing, until I retrieved the Jap electric round-a-bout 1990, which covered mainly gospel and worship music. I had a transducer and pre-amp fitted to the acoustic, which has given new life to the ol' girl! Having retrieved the Jap electric, and begun to use it again, I was soon hankering after a better machine. This was mainly because I was playing more rock orientated stuff for which the Jappy was not truely suited.
I have to say it is the best electric guitar I have ever owned, is a delight to play and about as near to owning a 'real' Gibson Les Paul as I am likely to get. I play it through a Zoom 20-20 effects box. X-L-ENT. |
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The bass cost £139 and the amp £179 |
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The Squier cost £49.95 and the MG30 £117.50 |
| [all picture credits - me!] |
| Interesting guitar sites: |
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The first guitar I had was given to me by my cousin who couldn't cope with its heavy strings. She went on to the bassoon - not a lot of difference! That was a Framas Cello Acoustic, long gone but probably worth a fortune now - sighhhh.The first instrument I bought new, in 1966 is pictured. It is a Japanese Yairi Nylon Stung Classical Guitar with a one piece rosewood neck and fret board, and who knows what body. I think it cost around £20.
The Vox + £60 was traded in for a Jap Les Paul Copy in 1971, which I owned until I sold it 1995 for, yup, £60. If only I had kept the Vox Phantom; now worth c. £700!
Spotting an ad in a local newspaper I was soon the owner of a Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Custom in Black with Ivory edging and gold fittings. The guy I bought it off was planning to do a university course in music, but failed to make the entrance exam and, disillusioned, was selling all his gear. It was a year old, in immaculate condition, and I got if for £250 (retail c. £450). 
I had always fancied playing some bass guitar, and towards the end of 2000 started to learn. I bought a Fender Squier Affinity P-Bass and a Laney HC60B amp, which makes a nice combination.
Although the Epiphone Les Paul is a great guitar, I wanted to extend my available 'sound' and bought a very nice, new but slightly shop soiled Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster and a Marshal MG30 Amp - V. nice indeed!