Leaderboard

To better appreciate this event, I would refer you to a previous post here, where the 'back story' is quite fully related, so doesn't need repeating here. Skip it if you're in a hurry, but you'll be missing out. Soooooo... I've just, in the past few days, taken delivery of a new (to me, but not quite...) guitar that has been on my 'bucket list' for over half a century. A fellow member of our sister site (Basschat...) passed me a link to a site where this quite rare guitar was for sale, in Sweden. After looking up my finances (it was not cheap...), I contacted the Seller I 'bit the bullet', and, after some tractation over acquisition of a hard case for shipping, it finally arrived, safe and sound, snuggling up nicely in a brand new case. 'OK', I hear you ask, 'but what guitar is it..?' You'll have guessed if you'd read the post in the link above; it's a Hofner President Thinline E2 Florentine, from the late '60s, the same model that I foolishly 'let go' in my stoopid youth. Yippee..! Here's the photos I hastily took as it arrived... Pleased..? You betcha; pleased as Punch. I'm now struggling to get back to where I was, all those decades ago, trying to play a chord-melody version of 'Misty'. By a horrible coincidence, I had trimmed my nails, on both hands, and will have to wait a while before playing that way, as I have done since year 'dot', with only fingers, so I'm struggling at the same time with the use of a plectrum. It's all good, though, albeit extremely slow going. I have a Chromebook for displaying a Pdf of the version I'm using (from a Sandy Sherman YouTube video; just about the best and most accessible I've seen...), but as soon as I think I've assimilated a few bars, I turn the page to continue, but have forgotten it when I turn back again. I'm using my usual method of learning the 'outro' first, so that I'll be working into 'known' territory as I move forward, but, for now (it's been only a few days, but...) I'm finding it quite a job remembering only these dozen or so bars. It'll come (it has to..!), and I find the neck of this guitar to be exactly fitted to how I play (perhaps 'muscle memory' from all that time ago, when I learnt on that first President...). Anyway, enough rambling; back to the Chromebook for another session. I'll see about better pictures if/when the weather picks up, for outdoors lighting. Bye for now... Douglas

If, as you say, it's minimal, I wouldn't worry about it at all. There are many guitars (even acoustics...) that are not symmetrically balanced anyway, so even if the wall mount was 'plumb', the weight could well be offset. I've never heard of a guitar neck being affected by being hung this way; they are pretty solidly constructed. If it's only an aesthetic thing, I'd leave it alone. It would be possible to redress things a little, without taking the wall mount down, by winding a piece of cloth onto one side of the mount, as packing, to have the guitar 'plumb'; I'd surely not bother. Hope this helps.

ive done some reading and some cheap machine heads are bad and you cant tune down to get it in tune because they just go out of tune too quick, likely by carrying on turning down by themselves. so you have to go lower and then tune up to get it in tune. thats what the seller told me tune back up. and it helped a tiny bit. but they still just turned by themselves no doubt encouraged by string tension. i mean they arent going to tighten up are they? i looked at the design and the worm is designed to be forced in one direction and hence persuaded not to turn. but it can and does. only a tiny bit but thats all it takes. but not now. its perfect thanks to the tiny washers making the screws actually do their job. thanks for trying to help Dad 3353. guitars arent as difficult to set up as people think. i am a builder and diy mechanic and there is nothing i wouldnt take on myself. ive made nuts from scratch even widened the spacing from std. shortened and packed saddles up. plus ive got a ruddy great big hammer.

i know this post is very old and the op is probably long gone but i had a very poor condition cheap accoustic guitar for 40 odd years and i was a very poor player, id pick it up and it had several faults and when i tried to play, it didnt sound very good. a combination of guitar and my technique so i lost interest quickly but would pick it up once every couple of months or so. then a year ago i discovered a long time pal played guitar and asked him if it was worth buying a new guitar despite me being a terrible player ie 4 or 5 chords and fingers deadening other strings by accident etc. . he said just buy a second hand one for around £100 then your not really throwing much away. i bought one and it sounded nice, much better than my old one and i made the decision to play or practice a bit more often and discovered youtube is full of free tutorials/lessons and was invaluable for showing me how to try and play my favourite songs and improve my technique.. i went round to a pals house to jam last weekend and he has 4 or 5 expensive guitars and i quickly found he is a worse player than me and he asked why i havent bought a decent guitar and i said im just trying to match my skill level kind of thing. in the same way you dont have to be a formula 1 driver to buy a ferrari but if you cant drive a ferrari is wasted on you. so an expensive guitar would be wasted on you. but a decent one might just inspire you to want to learn to play a bit more. a lot of chinese stuff in other areas is getting better quality so who knows your chinese guitars might be better than a decent guitar. i bought one with wider spaced strings and even just over a mm more gap between strings made it easier for me to not sound so bad. i'd been blaming my fat fingers but realised it was only 5% fat fingers and 95% poor technique. play minimum 15 mins a day i was told and ive trie to do that. you will become a better player. once a month or so. no chance.

I woke up this morning and annoyingly, it’s not doing it! It was quite bad last night. We had the heating on most of the day yesterday, but it’s quite cold this morning. I’m wondering if the temp changes have something to do with it. It’s an electric. I’ll try to get a video uploaded when it starts doing it again. Thanks both for your replies so far.

Thanks! I think the piece of cloth solution wouldn’t even be necessary, it’s that minimal. Good to know its probably nothing to fret about (heheh).

dad ive always been a tight git. i just go on ultimate guitar its free. plus ive just started learning to use fl studio which was given to me for nowt so i can make my own drum beats and backing stuff. dunno if you need to have a face book account to wacth this but here is a very short clip of my doing my best Ian mcCulloch impersonation. i was only going to put the chorus bit in and was virtually mouthing the lead up lines but decided to leave them in. ive watched youtube clips of echo and the bunnymen live and i can safely say i "p1ss" all over what he can do nowadays on the high notes. he needs to go on ultimate guitar and transpose it down a bit lol. https://www.facebook.com/alan.jackson.7731/videos/2532299470293234

As Dad says, it has to be playable and comfortable for your hands and body, whichever feels best should be the one you buy. However, that said, don’t overlook the visual appeal. The more you play, the better you’ll become, so having something you want to pick up and play, because of the way it looks, as well as the ergonomics, is also important.

got it, Thanks so much for your reply. no worries it's been almost 1 month since I'm searching for best guitar that suits me so I'm not in a rush. Also the shop has a Variety of guitars but the GRG was the one I was looking for and C-6 was the one they suggested for a beginner. I will certainly go there and try them out to see which is more comfortable for me.

It's difficult to answer this, all the more so as it's your first guitar. I'd start off by suggesting that there's no real point in comparing the 'sound' of any guitar in this range; they are all good, and capable of producing quality 'tone', in many genres, once one knows how and what to play (plus pedals, amps, modelling etc...). So, listen to them, certainly, but that's not the important factor, really. What counts far more is how it feels and appeals to you. Is it comfortable (sitting and standing...)..? Do the controls seem easy to understand and use..? Does the neck feel good, when forming chords, or trying out solo runs or riffs..? Does it feel 'balanced' (you shouldn't have to hold the neck up with the fretting arm if it's got a decent strap on...). Look at the price, factoring in a hard case, or, at a minimum, a decent gig bag. If they have any other guitars in stock, take the time to give them all a decent try-out, too; it would be odd that they only have these two guitars on hand. Which one feels best, to you, whatever the shop folk say..? Ideally, give yourself a few days to reflect, and go back once you've decided; don't feel rushed to take one home that day (Yes, I know that that's a very difficult urge to resist..!). You can get just about any sound you want out of any guitars there, so it's a factor, but not the principle one. Hope this helps; let us know how it goes, maybe..?

If you're happy not playing barre chords, then that's fine. However, it will impede your progress. It's not all E/Em and A/Am shapes (dominant & minor 7ths too), a barred C shape is a great voicing to have available, for instance. It takes time and effort to build up the strength to play barre chords, but once you have it down, you'll never look back. Just to reiterate, you don't need to voice all 6 strings when playing chords, you often must (see should) mute some of the notes so as not give the wrong flavour to your playing.

It's an 'open secret' (one that so many people know, that they don't think it worth mentioning, so, to the non-initiated, it remains a secret..!) that, when playing guitar, one doesn't have to play all the strings, all the time, for all the chords. It's useful to practice, and so learn, only playing the strings that actually make up the chord (often only three or four...), and skip, or mute, the strings not needed. This applies to both open and barre chords, and even more so for 'movable' chords (where one may play them anywhere on the neck...). If a barre chord proves to be difficult, practice playing it further up the neck, where the first-finger barre may be easier, and gradually, every other day, move down towards the nut. The fingers will become more accustomed, and the barre easier. When barring a chord, try to get the sound right on only the top four strings, for instance, if the barre is difficult to manage right the way across. Then try again, but getting the bottom four strings to sound right (so not playing the top two...). You may also play without a barre at all if you play only the middle four strings (so not the top or bottom 'E' strings...), and compose the chord with the four fingers, without a barre at all. If these notions find resonance with you, I could compose a chord chart showing many ways of playing chords, with no barre, anywhere on the neck. Why does this matter..? Well, one reason is to be able to change chords easily by going across the neck, instead of up and down, making chord changes much smoother (and less tiring...). What songs or tunes do you presently play, and what songs or tunes would you like to play..? Any particular style, or guitarist, group or era..? It would help us to give more pertinent advice. Hope this helps. Douglas

i think some songs are played on electric guitar with barre chords where it doesnt matter at all if there are f# bflat etc. but on an accoustic these chords sound terrible. so i transpose them to open easier chords it sounds much better. you must agree on an accoustic open chords are a million times better than barre? i forgot to mention ive got accoustic guitars only. as for simplifying you are preaching to the converted!!! and at 63 ive come to the conclusion im not going to be a brilliant guitarist, havent got enough time left on this planet. i need every trick in the book to help me. so ive given up on trying to get barre chords sounding as good on an accoustic as open chords and instead devote my practicing hours to learning other stuff. but thanks for the advice!!

ive sorted it. i dismantled one completely. the tiny screws in the centre of the button are supposed to tighten the button (windy bit) down so its tight to turn. or at least stiff. but even when its tightened up fully and at the bottom of its threads the button was free to turn in the slackening direction only. . much much much more willing to turn in the direction of slackening as opposed to tightening where it was as stiff as you would expect. the pathetic wave washer supposed to apply tension is wholly inadequate. far too thin and flimsy. so i simply fitted another washer over the spindle that the button keys onto so that the screw when tightened actually makes the button stiffer. luckily i have washers down to 3mm ID. and this made it so that the button was stiff to turn in either direction. 2 hours playing last night and what a lovely sound. i realised if i tuned it previously within seconds one or more of the strings would go ever so slightly out of tune and it always sounded funny/bad. im crap at playing a guitar but i can tune one by ear without having to press any frets. sadly with this same tuneful ear i can hear how crap my singing is. the tuners are very similar to these. fully enclosed. https://www.stourmusic.co.uk/product-page/eko-s300v-maple-sunburst

Good afternoon, @aljaxon, and ... ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

You are very welcome.

Hello and welcome. Plenty here to learn from and chuckle at. Frustration and patience are your biggest hurdles by the sound of it. You Tube is great, but no replacement for a proper teacher and I would heartily recommend visiting one, even just for a few months to even out your technique. I would also counsel against changing the songs to make them easier, if you only play the stuff you can already play you never progress. Changing them to fit your voice is one thing, but trying to avoid chords just because isn't doing you any favours long term. But also, don't get too hung up on playing them exactly as the records, most of us here can't play everything and do simplify songs to a degree. At the end of the day... just enjoy the journey!

Thank you - really helpful advice and much appreciated

Or as he is a little younger and the guitar might be a little large for him at the moment, the ukulele is similar in functionality but much smaller. Although a different instrument in it's own right, it uses the same sort of technique and is easy to transition back and forth. The ukulele is tuned similarly to guitar but in a higher register and would promote the similar way to strum and change chords. It might well get negative comments on here but I play ukulele a lot and the mechanics are almost the same between the two.

Classical guitar is really only recommended for players that want to play classical guitar. Although it seems like a good option initially, they have much wider and flatter fingerboards and aren't really suitable for playing any sort of pop or rock, you need a steel strung acoustic, and some are available at 3/4 size. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-JR1-Acoustic-Guitar-gigbag/dp/B00009J580/ref=asc_df_B00009J580/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697322390111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=316006959361910813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045298&hvtargid=pla-347822426860&psc=1&mcid=4e8538b2949537c6a4249d4b35b91cae&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697322390111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=316006959361910813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045298&hvtargid=pla-347822426860&psc=1&gad_source=1 I would suggest though getting a smaller acoustic like a parlour size acoustic. It will be much better in the long term and make it easier to transition onto a full size guitar. https://www.rimmersmusic.co.uk/tanglewood-crossroads-parlour-whiskey-barrell-burst-p54910/s55640?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=tanglewood-crossroads-parlour-whiskey-barrell-burst-tanglewood-crossroads-parlour-whiskey-barrell-burst&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shoppingbrandslowpriority&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjIWZSO9rqkdlhd5-z7hBpsaDStvXnKRBwZ8hI_MI0cus9BTR_J9w8xoCgusQAvD_BwE

You could also look at some of the Harley Benton bundles. If you want an electric guitar, you can get them with a small amp and accessories. Don't be put off by the low price. I got one of their basic models and it was excellent. The amp won't be fantastic, but it will get him going until you can afford a better one, plus it won't be too loud, so shouldn't distract everyone else in the house. Harley Benton ST-20 BK Standard Serie Bundle – Thomann United Kingdom

Morning. Glad to have you onboard. Is your son more interested in acoustic or electric music? At that end of the market I would certainly advise to buy second hand rather than new unless you can up your budget to around £150. There are some good options at that price. Personally I would look for Squier, Yamaha and Epiphone, they are good quality and established brands which will be better for resale if he doesn't stick with it, or wants to upgrade. I would also suggest sticking with the most popular styles - Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul - they cover the most bases, are easier to find used and easier to sell in the future. New options: https://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-sonic-stratocaster-2-colour-sunburst/961844?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjH9tlImFAnEEmBeeGacT8AH_L-O9bYEWnopbspNCeLk7A4j0I9H2zhoCM2UQAvD_BwE https://www.scan.co.uk/products/open-box-squier-bullet-stratocaster-brown-sunburst-sss-non-locking-tremolo-laurel-fingerboard?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjF098_hyRhgw_XMEn5gicGoyXZyYQILujD6LN3RKme8NCzqlF3L55xoCW6YQAvD_BwE https://www.thomann.co.uk/epiphone_les_paul_special_ve_hcsb.htm?glp=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjJxYi77dA8vWfgQT3ulxvM_UQN0JtUM1hreI7L3D4Z07bWqrn03cjBoCyncQAvD_BwE https://www.mannsmusic.co.uk/guitars/electric-guitars/yamaha-pacifica-012-red-metallic-electric-guitar.htm?opt=15172&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjPOMok3yGwyks78Iu27G4jK3QDTmB8tmQV1jzNl9e9C6ggCPLxCLfxoCtoQQAvD_BwE As regards acoustic options, there is more choice at that price range. I would look for Fender, Yamaha and Tanglewood. Again, second hand would be a good starting place. https://www.fairdealmusic.co.uk/products/fender-cd-60-dreadnought-acoustic-guitar-cherry?variant=44092501491937&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjMc6GeJQ4Aq6_EAhRUCY5-_5ovUJm4UWp4J3ItKzxLo9vnwN7Yb-QBoCSJQQAvD_BwE https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-F310-Acoustic-Traditional-Western/dp/B000RVYW7E/ref=asc_df_B000RVYW7E?mcid=f713fbf20e48303e87c76ca5b892c1c5&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697322390111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9317386785188518165&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045298&hvtargid=pla-309497947402&psc=1&gad_source=1 https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Tanglewood-TWCR-O-Crossroads-Orchestra-Acoustic-Whisky-Burst/1DQY?origin=product-ads&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjHvLBWF_v_nl6HQJMNHl3ekFxkkSEPt8yJgUcVWIakVippJs9ek0hRoCzUkQAvD_BwE There are other brands and options available and others might suggest other options. Depending where you are in the country, you could actually go into a store for your son to play a couple and see what fits. Difficult for a beginner to make a choice, but any of those instruments should be ok to start the journey on and 100 times better than the instruments we used back in the 80s.

This is a repeat of the same advice given on another of your videos (depending on which one you look back on for replies...) Difficult to offer advice on what to improve as we all like to hear something different, but in all honesty, practice with a metronome... You are playing things which fit under your fingers but not necessarily in time with each other. A simple metronome or drum beat to fit too will help enormously.

This is a repeat of the same advice given on another of your videos (depending on which one you look back on for replies...) Difficult to offer advice on what to improve as we all like to hear something different, but in all honesty, practice with a metronome... You are playing things which fit under your fingers but not necessarily in time with each other. A simple metronome or drum beat to fit too will help enormously.

Difficult to offer advice on what to improve as we all like to hear something different, but in all honesty, practice with a metronome... You are playing things which fit under your fingers but not necessarily in time with each other. A simple metronome or drum beat to fit too will help enormously.

Looks beautiful! (The Hofner, not the delivery guy)...

Modular yes. Collapsible, no. There are enough issues with inconstant action as it is without taking the neck off. It would need to relocate exactly every time. That means metal to metal joints, heavy sprung latches and even then where would the strings go when you fold it. Even if you get it to work and be stable anyone who is flying somewhere to perform would want to play the best instrument for the show rather than the best instrument for the aircraft. Travel guitars exist but they tend to be headless neck-throughs with detachable wings. You can't get then in the over-head but you could negotiate a carry-on depending on the airline. There are also half size guitars. The one in the amazon link sounds like a wet rag. I slightly disagree with Randythoades. though If you don't care enough to take your favourite Tele, your amp could be borrowed, rented or one of many modelling boxes (that are quite good now) and run direct out the PA. its quite fashionable in some genres.

Umm, welcome?

Not sure if it helps, but I had a MIJ Jazzmaster from the early '90s until a few years ago, and absolutely loved it - it was a total dream guitar for me - so basically I'm a fan. However, I recently bought a Mexican Player Jaguar- one of the '2014 Fender Classic 60’s Road Worn Jaguar' ones with the nitro finish, and to be honest it was streets ahead. Key things for me about the MIJ are: 1. The finish is poly, compared to the nitro of the MIM (which matters to some, although I think most of the MIM ones are poly too) 2. The Electrics and pickups aren't great on the MIJ. I upgraded these to both from Mojo Pickups ages ago, and it was like taking a blanket off the amp. The Japanese pickups didn't really sound like a Jazzmaster at all - more of a Strat sound. The Mexican one has the American pickups and electronics, and these sounded great. 3. The Tremolo on the MIJ is a lot thinner/lighter metal. I put an AVRI one on it and it improved the feel and tone no end. I'm not sure the MIM is USA specification, but it certainly feels more solid in use and I never felt the need to upgrade it/ 4. The MIJ scratchplate is a different size to the USA, MIM or Squier ones, so if you choose to replace it, is a bit of a PITA. Not sure if that is the same with the Jaguars, but worth checking. 5. The MIJ was basswood and the MIM alder. I couldn't say I could tell a difference in terms of tone, but the MIM was about two lbs lighter. I realise I'm comparing a Jazzmaster to a Jaguar, but - hopefully it helps. Certainly I'd factor in some upgrades on the MIJ that I wouldn't bother with on the MIM.

Thank you. I was leaning towards that way, otherwise how do you give the frets a good clean.

It's a non-issue. Off with the old, have a quick clean-up whilst the strings are off (toothbrush and lint-free cloth around the bridge, tuning pegs, frets...) and on with the new. Tune up to pitch and play on. The neck will be fine.

You may waver slightly from the actual beat during fast sections, either single note or strumming (it’s only natural when playing fast) but providing you start and finish on the beat, it’s fine and adds a human element to the passage. If you’ve ever heard famous drummers quantised, you’ll notice it feels unnatural, even though it’s bang on time. In short, feel it. At least this is what I do.

I'm not sure that I understand the question. I'm a drummer; I don't count 'notes', I count the tempo. If I need to play something fast, when I'm learning it, I play it slowly. Once I've mastered it slowly, I'll increase the tempo, little by little (over a couple of weeks, for instance...) until I can play it at, or slightly faster, than the target tempo. By that time, there's no 'counting' involved, as it's ingrained. The secret to playing anything fast is to play it slowly. Does this help..?

I agree with EZ, above ^^; it sounds like a guitar being played rapidly with a pick. Just about the opposite of how I play (badly, slowly, with fingers...), so the sound I get, myself, is very different. I don't think I can help much, if at all, but I don't think you really have a problem, either. Play with whatever sounds you're getting, rather than analysing what's going on. In other words, if you have lemons, make lemonade.

I’m only hearing what I would consider normal pick response (there’s always some extra harmonic content). Try not playing so quickly and see if you can still hear what you’re hearing with space between the notes. Something else to consider is pick-up height, if the pickups are too high, you might be hearing what are referred to as ‘wolf tones’.

I mainly make Les Paul style electrics so I'm looking for Mahogany & Maple. I had a really good relationship with my old supplier so got some great deals on some beautiful looking wood.

I'm not sure that there are any guitars that are excluded from playing 'metal', but if I take that to mean roughly Strat-shape, with a pointy headstock, I'd start by looking at the Thomann B-stock offers. 'B-stock' means that someone ordered one, then sent it back, normally, but they are perfectly sound, and carry the same guarantee as others. It's a way of getting a bit off the price. Here's a link to some I'd suggest fall into your criteria (between £200-£300...)... Thomann 'Bargain' ST-type guitars, with no vibrato, UK prices ... Feel free to play around with the filters on the left, to see what else is on offer. There's nothing wrong with Tele-style, Les Paul-style, SG-style etc guitars either for metal (maybe avoid archtop though, as a beginner...). All of these guitars hold their tuning, and can be used in any style, including metal, of course. There are many other suppliers than Thomann, but this is an easy way to see and compare what's on the market, from the comfort of one's own home. Nothing beats trying out various instruments at a music shop, once one has an initial idea of what to try out. My personal choice would be a Squire Affinity Tele Deluxe (I prefer humbuckers...), like this one ... Thomann Squire Affinity Deluxe ... ... or this one ... Thomann Harley Benton Fusion T-HH ... Spoilt for choice, now, eh..?

Good afternoon, Andico... Unless it's going to be a feature of your playing, I don't think I'd advise any guitar in this price range with a vibrato ('whammy bar'...). The good guitars get away with it, once up in the 'pro' league, and with a tame technician to match, but, in my opinion, they're an unnecessary source of trouble, especially when learning, in almost any style. If you really need it, go ahead, but I'd advise looking at other models without this accessory that have the features you want. No guitar in this range will have an inherent 'staying in tune' problem, whatever the make; Ibanez have an excellent reputation, but so have many others. Your call, naturally, but holding its tune should never be an issue, especially for one's first guitar. Disclaimer : I've never had a use for a vibrato of any kind, as 'dive-bombing' is not an effect I affection in my playing. If I had to have that effect, I'd do as our son, Our Eldest, does, and use a detune pedal (think the dying notes of 'Karma Police'...). Hope this helps.

I agree with this too. I have had both US and Jap models as well a custom shop one too, but get bored with instruments quickly so have always had a high turnover of buying and selling. I defaulted to Mexican in the end. I found the build quality just as good and to be honest I found it more consistent too. I have found some USA (and MIJ) built shockers and passed on them, but not found any poor instruments in the Mex range. Again, my suggestion is just choose the one you like the look of. The electronics can be changed easily and cheaply if necessary.

Yep, sounds like a partially pinched harmonic to me. You may find that part of the thumb or finger, holding the pick, are choking off the note and creating a false/pinched harmonic. This can be used to good effect, if you want it and that’s your thing, Billy Gibbons and Zakk Wylde are noted exponents of the technique.

What you're hearing there is a harmonic, which is pretty much inevitable when playing at high gain, and is often even desirable in many styles. Try playing at different spots with the pick; that will probably change the note (the 'squeaking'...); choose the position that sounds best to you. It can be eliminated by playing without such high gain, but then you'd have no need of a pointy guitar..! Hope this helps.