Leaderboard

Hi Now - because I build guitars, I don't buy them. Haven't for years. So why have I just spent twice as much as I have EVER spent on a guitar? Because it's this: Not only is it one of their first production guitars - this one is unique. The top, sides, back and fretboard is not natural wood - it's Rocklite. Gillett and I have agreed that I will guinea-pig their first try of Rocklite as a constructional material. Based on this, I am stunned how good it is. First of all, the guitar. Forget the Taylor T5 or the Carvin copy - they are lovely in their own right, but they can't do this: Nor can I, truth be told, but you get my meaning And it will do a lot, lot more. At their workshops last week, I could get 'proper' amplified acoustic sounds just as easily as 'proper' electric sounds. Gillett are going to take it to the Kempton Park London Guitar show this Sunday and then I get possession soon after. Can't wait. If you are going, then Basschat's very own @scrumpymike will be there, I think. Let him know that you are off the forum and I'm sure he'll let you have a play of it. Just promise not to drool slobber all over it!

I presume that you'll be reversing engineering this to incorparate the best features into your own designs? Seriously though, that's a very nice looking , and (judging by the video) sounding guitar.

I remember talking to the guys on the Gillett stand about doing a guitar at the last bass show I went to. Good to see that they have produced one now. Enjoy it when you receive it.

Thanks for the good wishes folks. It went ok ish, made me realise I'm out of touch with my playing and gear. We jammed very quietly compared with rehearsal with my other band, and I just couldn't get a lead sound I was happy with. Will meet up again once my immediate commitments with a forthcoming gig and a bit of recording are done. They were nice people, which is important too.

Yes, I'd say it's a more biting tone. I really liked Zappa's tone when he was using an (albeit highly modified) SG, and Terry Kath on early Chicago records, though he did use others too. Mine is a bit on the bright side as I has the very light body and mini humbuckers from '74. Good for choppy punky sounds though that don't need a lot of sustain. It does feed back in a nice controllable way though, so you can get the sustain that way.

A good SG always sounded to me the way I wish an LP would. None of the mud I always end up finding with LPs, somehow. Though the ultimate Gibson for me would be an LP Junior, single cut.... except with a thru-neck rather than a glued-in.

On the flipside, it probably makes your signature guitar a lot more within your reach than for many! Nothing wrong with liking the classics, imo; some things are so popular as to become 'run of the mill' for good reason....