I gotta admit, since I've been hanging around here a "Jagular" or a "Jazzmasher" sound like a great idea.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

There is a major difference in what vintage gear meant in the late 70's vs what it means today.

There was a period that everything new really sucked.

A vintage (at that time just used) guitar was WAY better than what was selling new from all the brands.

CAD and skilled workforces in Asia have really changed all that. Cheap guitars are way better than ever. Better than the expensive guitars were in the 70s.

I think this perceived value got translated by collector types as investment potential. And rationalized by players as an ingredient to the perfect tone to be had at a cost... And there is an entire industry based on that misconception.

THe NEpTuNeS

surfneptune
There is a major difference in what vintage gear meant in the late 70's vs what it means today.

There was a period that everything new really sucked.

+1

It is one of life's conundrums that so many of the comparatively mediocre guitars and basses that CBS-era Fender was making in the mid/late 70's are now commanding "vintage" prices.

Just because they are 30+ years old doesn't necessarily mean they are great instruments, but the market seems to think otherwise. I sure wish I had kept some of the ones I sold for cheap!

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025
The Hula Hounds (1996-2000)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

There was a time here when every music shop had an old Mustang bass on the wall for 80GBP now they fetch 800 ($1600) for a '70s one. I suppose there's so little 60's stuff left to sell that the '70s have become the new '60s as far as the market goes. There are some decent '70s guitars about but there are some real dogs too. That was the probelm - they were so inconsistent. All Fender's machinery was old and the tolerances were all over the place - then the Squires came in from Japan, where they actually made what was on the plan - on good machinery. Apparrently heads rolled ....

http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns

Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.

wooza

tenderfoot
I think another reason some may not buy a lot of equipment is because they are beginners or not really that good. It is hard to justify spending a fortune on guitars when your skills are mediocre. It almost seems like you are trying to compensate for lack of skill by having the most expensive gear. I find that odd, but then again some might just be into collecting guitars regardless of skill level.

Hey!

...Who said I'm not good at guitar?

I am pretty much describing myself...but if the shoe fits?

surfneptune
There is a major difference in what vintage gear meant in the late 70's vs what it means today.

There was a period that everything new really sucked.

A vintage (at that time just used) guitar was WAY better than what was selling new from all the brands.

I still remember going shopping for a guitar before heading up to Humboldt State, would'a been summer '81. I had my '68 SG and was looking for a strat. They had one of the 25th Anny Strats at this store on Geneva, east of mission in SF. A silver one, they had already fixed the white paint issue. I swear you could slide 2 guitar picks in on all sides of the neck pocket. You could wiggle that neck... I didn't even look at a Fender again until I got my AVRI JM 2 years ago... I was amazed at how awesome my JM, and now my Jag are. Every aspect. I don't know when the change happened, but it sure did! Now if I had only kept those fernandes strats I bought in 82 and 84

eddiekatcher
Hey RumorsofsurF, I want a yard man like yours! I love those block inlays! Great pix. ed

Thanks, Ed!! I suppose I don't need all those guitars, but I find myself unable to resist.

RumorsofsurF
Thanks, Ed!! I suppose I don't need all those guitars, but I find myself unable to resist.

That is an impressive collection you've got there Nolan!! Now all you need is about 12 more amps, an archtop, a 12 string, a P90 Gibson guitar, and a pile of vintage effects to balance it out!

-Just joking....err...well...sort-of...

www.apollo4.com

SURFmole

RumorsofsurF
Thanks, Ed!! I suppose I don't need all those guitars, but I find myself unable to resist.

That is an impressive collection you've got there Nolan!! Now all you need is about 12 more amps, an archtop, a 12 string, a P90 Gibson guitar, and a pile of vintage effects to balance it out!

-Just joking....err...well...sort-of...

Actually, I want to build a Jazzblaster with Wide Range Humbuckers really bad...Like this:

image

I want to paint it Fiesta Red, though...Also, a rosewood bound fretboard.

                                     ![Drool](/media/smiley/images/icon_drool.gif "Drool")

MIM Strat
Yamaha SGV 300
Yamaha SGV 800*

*It's really easy to have one main guitar when two of the three need to be repaired.

-Warren

That was excessively violent and completely unnecessary. I loved it.