Gordon Smith guitars ? Know anything about them ? Ever played one ? Care to comment ? Good, bad, ugly ... or not too bad ?

The reason I ask, I have one in the attic. It's a Gibbo SG looking thing, red.

[www.gordonsmithguitars.co.uk]

Can't remember how long I've had it, probably 20 years. And before you ask, wouldn't have played it for 19 out of the 20 !!

They are great guitars, if a little lacking in the finish department on some models.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-11-09 19:31 by His Majesty.

I have one. They are a brilliant guitar, great for rock and blues. Get that guitar from the attic, tune it up, plug in and rock out. Shame on you for putting a guitar in the loft Paulywaul. Send it to me I'll use it.

NickB

NickB

You can't always get what you want.....

www.myspace.com/thesonkings

NickB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have one. They are a brilliant guitar, great for
> rock and blues. Get that guitar from the attic,
> tune it up, plug in and rock out. Shame on you for
> putting a guitar in the loft Paulywaul. Send it to
> me I'll use it.
>
> NickB

No ... I won't send it to you NickB. Mr Jimmy's recent performance at Manofwealthandtaste's birthday party where he made a guest appearance with Ian's band "Stickyfingers" has pricked my conscience, so out of the attic will come the guitar, and plugged into "somefink or other" that makes a lotta noise it will shortly be.

But I agree, t'is scandalous that it should have been languishing in the attic. Tsk, naught naughty, slapped wrist n' all that !! Thanks ever so for the feedback about it though.

>>plugged into "somefink or other" that makes a lotta noise it will shortly be.<<

that sounds like you need to get an amp.
this is a great bang for the buck...err, quid

[www.thomann.de]
I've got one and it's great, yup.

Hey Paulywaul glad your conscience has been pricked!! Got any other geetars languishing? 61 strat? Get yourself a Fender Hot rod deville amp. That'll suit your GS nice.

NickB

NickB

You can't always get what you want.....

www.myspace.com/thesonkings

NickB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey Paulywaul glad your conscience has been
> pricked!! Got any other geetars languishing? 61
> strat? Get yourself a Fender Hot rod deville amp.
> That'll suit your GS nice.
>
> NickB

Well YES as it happens, it's a cherry red Ibanez acoustic bought in a spectacularly shitkicking little town in Texas (I think it was either Alice or Uvalde, or maybe Victoria - I can't bloody remember) in the year 1980. and I do not like it AT ALL, so if you're interested let me know. Going very bloody cheap, I'll be glad to get rid of the bastard thang !!

I wonder what you last wrote, Pauly.
I was trying to open this thread when the server went down and this was on page 1.

Gordon Smith guitars are great. They have a Gibson-like vibe with their own (English) identity and are superb value for money. My favourites are a bit like the good ol' Les Paul Junior and are, as such, Keef-tastic.

You won't need an amp like a Fender Hot Rod Deville until you are in a band with a drummer as they are mucho LOUD and would do irrevocable damage to Mrs Paulywaul's ears if played about the house. Open-G's suggestion is a good 'un. Epiphone also do a small valve amp for a good price. For a bit more cash, you could get a small Fender valve amp. The two main considerations are small and valve. You really do need a valve (tube in the USA) amp if you want to get that authentic Keef-like raunch and crunch or the singing warmth of a 1972 Mick Taylor lead. Valve amps work best when they are cranked up all the way, so you really want a smaller amp for home use (I've got a Cornell that's about 10watts, but can switch to about one watt for home use - believe me, even a 10 watt amp cranked up will annoy the neighbours).

Sounds to me like you and your credit card are due a visit to Denmark Street - if it can still handle it after the last tour. Do London music stores do January sales?

teleblaster Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Gordon Smith guitars are great. They have a
> Gibson-like vibe with their own (English) identity
> and are superb value for money. My favourites are
> a bit like the good ol' Les Paul Junior and are,
> as such, Keef-tastic.
>
> You won't need an amp like a Fender Hot Rod
> Deville until you are in a band with a drummer as
> they are mucho LOUD and would do irrevocable
> damage to Mrs Paulywaul's ears if played about the
> house. Open-G's suggestion is a good 'un.
> Epiphone also do a small valve amp for a good
> price. For a bit more cash, you could get a small
> Fender valve amp. The two main considerations are
> small and valve. You really do need a valve (tube
> in the USA) amp if you want to get that authentic
> Keef-like raunch and crunch or the singing warmth
> of a 1972 Mick Taylor lead. Valve amps work best
> when they are cranked up all the way, so you
> really want a smaller amp for home use (I've got a
> Cornell that's about 10watts, but can switch to
> about one watt for home use - believe me, even a
> 10 watt amp cranked up will annoy the
> neighbours).
>
> Sounds to me like you and your credit card are due
> a visit to Denmark Street - if it can still handle
> it after the last tour. Do London music stores do
> January sales?

Thank you so much for the info about amps, and for the comments about the GS guitar(s). Meanwhile, seeing as I mentioned the cherry red Ibanez acoustic of which I'm none too fond ... it's lookin' for a new home. So seeing as YOU'VE played it, you have first option. If you want it, it'll stay in Kingston until such time as we see each other, whether it be "down this way" or "up that way" and you can take possession of it. Enjoy the pics. Ahhhhh ... that was a fine summer's day, that was. Some dodgy ole band were doing a gig in a stadium down the road, weren't half bad as I recall. Can't remember the singer's name ... Mick someone or other I think it was ?

By the way, what exactly WERE you and Mrs Paulywaul lookin' for by torchlight at about 4:00 in the morning ?

Hey Paulywaul - if you are heading to Tin Pan Alley to make a purchase, let me know first...!

Manofwealthandtaste Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey Paulywaul - if you are heading to Tin Pan
> Alley to make a purchase, let me know first...!

Yeah for sure, but I'm outa da country at the mo, back in UK 12th December. See you at Joe Cocker/the O2 on the 15th ... guess you're going, right ?

paulywaul Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Manofwealthandtaste Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Hey Paulywaul - if you are heading to Tin Pan
> > Alley to make a purchase, let me know first...!
>
> Yeah for sure, but I'm outa da country at the mo,
> back in UK 12th December. See you at Joe
> Cocker/the O2 on the 15th ... guess you're going,
> right ?


You bet, as well as the following weekend's excitement at the Mezzo Luna!

Paulywaul wrote

By the way, what exactly WERE you and Mrs Paulywaul lookin' for by torchlight at about 4:00 in the morning ?

I'm a Scotsman, so it was probably a £1 coin.......nothing more illicit, surely?

paulywaul Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NickB Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I have one. They are a brilliant guitar, great
> for
> > rock and blues. Get that guitar from the attic,
> > tune it up, plug in and rock out. Shame on you
> for
> > putting a guitar in the loft Paulywaul. Send it
> to
> > me I'll use it.
> >
> > NickB
>
> No ... I won't send it to you NickB. Mr Jimmy's
> recent performance at Manofwealthandtaste's
> birthday party where he made a guest appearance
> with Ian's band "Stickyfingers" has pricked my
> conscience, so out of the attic will come the
> guitar, and plugged into "somefink or other" that
> makes a lotta noise it will shortly be.
>
> But I agree, t'is scandalous that it should have
> been languishing in the attic. Tsk, naught
> naughty, slapped wrist n' all that !! Thanks ever
> so for the feedback about it though.


Yeah, Gordon Smith guitars are excellent although I don't have one. As for amps, the best one to buy IMHO if you just want a practice amp is the Line 6 Spider 3. It's bloody loud for 15 watts and it has all sorts of effects and a headphone out and CD in. It's £70 from Sound Control.

Need I say more? SEVENTY QUID? Test it with your ears though, and leave your preconceptions at home. The stage amp I use is a Line 6 Spider 2 with 2 10 inch speakers to give 120 watts in total. I've never run it past half volume.....no need.

Here's the spec:-

[www.soundcontrol.co.uk]

Rolling Stones Tribute

Play Rolling Stones



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2007-11-14 19:15 by Stikkyfinger.

Ian,

Thanks for the comments about the amp(s) etc, appreciated. I'll look into it when I get home. I've just realised actually, that ALSO languishing up in the attic together with the GS guitar is in fact a small practice amp. I haven't clapped eyes on it in a while, but I think it's a Fender something or other. Whether it's a valve/tube amp or not ... dunno. (Hopeless case I am huh ?). It came into my possession because a friend of mine was given it to look after by a friend of his (who promptly buggered off to Sri Lanka and was never seen again), and then MY friend gave it to me look after whilst HE promptly buggered off somewhere and was subsequently also never seen again ... well you get the picture !! I'll have a browse on the net and see if I can spot pics of something made by Fender that resembles it in size and appearance, but I guess whatever it is, it would be now be some 25 years old perhaps ?

Cheers ... and a great pleasure it was to meet you at Chris' 50th.

Manofwealthandtaste Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> paulywaul Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Manofwealthandtaste Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Hey Paulywaul - if you are heading to Tin Pan
> > > Alley to make a purchase, let me know
> first...!
> >
> > Yeah for sure, but I'm outa da country at the
> mo,
> > back in UK 12th December. See you at Joe
> > Cocker/the O2 on the 15th ... guess you're
> going,
> > right ?
>
>
> You bet, as well as the following weekend's
> excitement at the Mezzo Luna!

W w w w w w w wot ??? Wot's happenin' at the Mezzo Luna, and what IS the Mezzo Luna ? The only Mezzo I know is that swish Conran joint up in Soho somewhere, is it Wardour St or something ? You know, one of those "must be seen to be seen" kinda places ... gasp !! Not really ideal for those of us that are inclined to be noisy, vulgar, and invariably get bombed and fall over !

> W w w w w w w wot ??? Wot's happenin' at the Mezzo
> Luna, and what IS the Mezzo Luna ? The only Mezzo
> I know is that swish Conran joint up in Soho
> somewhere, is it Wardour St or something ? You
> know, one of those "must be seen to be seen" kinda
> places ... gasp !! Not really ideal for those of
> us that are inclined to be noisy, vulgar, and
> invariably get bombed and fall over !

Sorry, going all Italian on you like that.....I mean the HALF MOON!!!

What's the Rock 'n' Roll scene like in Tripoli by the way??

Manofwealthandtaste Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > W w w w w w w wot ??? Wot's happenin' at the
> Mezzo
> > Luna, and what IS the Mezzo Luna ? The only
> Mezzo
> > I know is that swish Conran joint up in Soho
> > somewhere, is it Wardour St or something ? You
> > know, one of those "must be seen to be seen"
> kinda
> > places ... gasp !! Not really ideal for those
> of
> > us that are inclined to be noisy, vulgar, and
> > invariably get bombed and fall over !
>
> Sorry, going all Italian on you like that.....I
> mean the HALF MOON!!!
>
> What's the Rock 'n' Roll scene like in Tripoli by
> the way??

Working offshore on this one old chap ... so no idea what the rock n' roll scene in Tripoli is like. Glad I wasn't doing this 'ere job when Ronnie Reagan was drivin', I'd have probably seen the F16's fly over as they went on their way to blitz the good Colonel over there in Tripoli; it's only about 50 miles south of where we presently are !!

Ah yes, the Half Moon. I get it now. Indeed, lookin' forward to that ... as always of course. Xmas with the "Stoned" !! It's a gas !!

paulywaul Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ah yes, the Half Moon. I get it now. Indeed,
> lookin' forward to that ... as always of course.
> Xmas with the "Stoned" !! It's a gas !!

will be attending the saturday show- should be a goodun!

paulywaul Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ian,
>
> Thanks for the comments about the amp(s) etc,
> appreciated. I'll look into it when I get home.
> I've just realised actually, that ALSO languishing
> up in the attic together with the GS guitar is in
> fact a small practice amp. I haven't clapped eyes
> on it in a while, but I think it's a Fender
> something or other. Whether it's a valve/tube amp
> or not ... dunno. (Hopeless case I am huh ?). It
> came into my possession because a friend of mine
> was given it to look after by a friend of his (who
> promptly buggered off to Sri Lanka and was never
> seen again), and then MY friend gave it to me look
> after whilst HE promptly buggered off somewhere
> and was subsequently also never seen again ...
> well you get the picture !! I'll have a browse on
> the net and see if I can spot pics of something
> made by Fender that resembles it in size and
> appearance, but I guess whatever it is, it would
> be now be some 25 years old perhaps ?
>
> Cheers ... and a great pleasure it was to meet you
> at Chris' 50th.


Likewise. It was a great pleasure to meet you and the Beast and Mr Jimmy and the others too. You guys sure know your Stones' song lyrics. If ever I forgot the next line I just had to lip read you guys,lol!

As for the amp you have 'stashed away' there are two comments that I must make. If it's 25 years old and a valve amp it'll probably need servicing,lol!

The other thing is that all previous owners have 'buggered off ' abroad so beware of the curse!!! HAHA!

I await the outcome to the puzzle 'which Fender amp is it' with baited breath.

:-)

Rolling Stones Tribute

Play Rolling Stones

>I'll have a browse on
> the net and see if I can spot pics of something
> made by Fender that resembles it in size and
> appearance, but I guess whatever it is, it would
> be now be some 25 years old perhaps ?

This getting better by each post, ha.
maybe it's a Fender Champ, 6 watts - like this?



if so, that would be a dream team with with the GS guitar.

Like Ian said, if its a valve amp have it serviced.
the elektrolytic caps go off after years.

Best kept secret in the industry. GS guitars are an absolute steal.
They have the life and response of the best Gibsons at a fraction of the cost.

Greetings Guitar thread!

Sorry it took me so long to arrive...

Paulywaul, I don't know much about GS guitars, but by all accounts, you've got a real gem there waiting to be played. When you get back home, get it out the loft, take it to a music store (a good one that you trust / know) and have them give it the once over, get the strings changed etc.

I'll be interested to have a play with it, by all means I can bring my amp round and have a blast, or if the amp you have in the loft is in working order, then great!

So, a few months from now, we could be jammin'...!

Will indeed be down the Half Moon on Sat 22nd December for the 'Stoned! Will be a blast, as always!!

_____________________________________________________

What's your favourite flavour?...........Cherry Red!!

To follow on from open_G, if you have a Fender Champ in the attic then you've won a watch!

open-g Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >I'll have a browse on
> > the net and see if I can spot pics of something
> > made by Fender that resembles it in size and
> > appearance, but I guess whatever it is, it
> would
> > be now be some 25 years old perhaps ?
>
> This getting better by each post, ha.
> maybe it's a Fender Champ, 6 watts - like this?
>
> [i20.photobucket.com]
> %20Projekt/Champfront.jpg
>
> if so, that would be a dream team with with the GS
> guitar.
>
> Like Ian said, if its a valve amp have it
> serviced.
> the elektrolytic caps go off after years.

No, it's somewhat bigger than that. I seem to recall it's got reverb on it. I'd guess its dimensions are something like a couple of feet wide, 18-20 inches tall, and perhaps 8 inches deep. Also have a vague recollection of plugging something into it many many moons ago and thinking "f*** me that is LOUD".

Mr Jimmy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Greetings Guitar thread!
>
> Sorry it took me so long to arrive...
>
> Paulywaul, I don't know much about GS guitars, but
> by all accounts, you've got a real gem there
> waiting to be played. When you get back home, get
> it out the loft, take it to a music store (a good
> one that you trust / know) and have them give it
> the once over, get the strings changed etc.
>
> I'll be interested to have a play with it, by all
> means I can bring my amp round and have a blast,
> or if the amp you have in the loft is in working
> order, then great!
>
> So, a few months from now, we could be
> jammin'...!
>
> Will indeed be down the Half Moon on Sat 22nd
> December for the 'Stoned! Will be a blast, as
> always!!

<<< I'll be interested to have a play with it, by all means I can bring my amp round and have a blast, or if the amp you have in the loft is in working order, then great! >>>

Deal Mr J, I'll make sure there's some JD in the house and some ice in the freezer. Enjoy Amy ... don't forget to post a report.

About this amp of mine that's hangin' out in the attic ... it kinda looks like this and is about of the same dimensions, but I was given it in about 1982/1983 when it would already been a few years old ... so what model it actually is I ain't got a clue.

[www.guitarampkeyboard.com]

Any good ?

paulywaul Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> open-g Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > >I'll have a browse on
> > > the net and see if I can spot pics of
> something
> > > made by Fender that resembles it in size and
> > > appearance, but I guess whatever it is, it
> > would
> > > be now be some 25 years old perhaps ?
> >
> > This getting better by each post, ha.
> > maybe it's a Fender Champ, 6 watts - like this?
> >
> >
> [i20.photobucket.com]
>
> > %20Projekt/Champfront.jpg
> >
> > if so, that would be a dream team with with the
> GS
> > guitar.
> >
> > Like Ian said, if its a valve amp have it
> > serviced.
> > the elektrolytic caps go off after years.
>
> No, it's somewhat bigger than that. I seem to
> recall it's got reverb on it. I'd guess its
> dimensions are something like a couple of feet
> wide, 18-20 inches tall, and perhaps 8 inches
> deep. Also have a vague recollection of plugging
> something into it many many moons ago and thinking
> "f*** me that is LOUD".


Mystery solved then! It must be one of those early Fender amps that didn't have a volume control - it was always running on full volume....now, what was the model called...err.....Fender Loud Bastard 100! That's it! It was a limited run of four amps I think.....I'll have to reserach this some more.....

;-)

Rolling Stones Tribute

Play Rolling Stones

OK, here it is ........



Need some help. The gain, pre and post. How should you use these, I mean the relationship between the settings ? Also, the saturation ?

Thanks, (and anything else you wanna tell me about this amp (good/bad/ugly etc) - feel free.