The Dimery

Beautiful! I love the knocks and bumps, it gives it character.

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Epiphone Wilshire Pro - Aged Pelham
Gretsch Electromatic g5120 - Black
Gretsch Electromatic Pro Jet with Bigsby (G5238T Gold Sparkle)

ConcertShooter

Upon my return from living in the Middle East in the early 1990s, I had to have my Gibson Reverse Firebird and Alvarez Yairi guitars shipped back in crates. Although Delta let me check them in when I flew over, the Saudis wouldn't allow me to take them with me when I left. Cost me $1,000 to have them shipped back. Extortion is what it was.

There was no DHS back then but some of my personal belongings had been pilfered upon my picking up the guitars and one other large container with clothing in it. The guitars weren't touched as best I could tell since they were still in the wooden crates that I saw them put in when before living the Saudi Arabia.

I don't know what type of disinfectant you could use on your guitar to get the DHS scum that was most certainly left on it after they pawed it, but I wouldn't take any chances. They are an infected lot for sure.

gregs1020

^ yeah extortion sucks.

i would say using and older higher model is the perfect test, i just don't have any of the higher models.

but the lower models i do have are pretty freakin' sweet.

my bridge came so i gotta do a set up later tonight.

Dave_Mc

^ I mean i only have a newer lower model to compare it to plus the fact the older ones needs a refret and the newer one doesn't. I'd be comparing nitro to poly, which isn't really fair, and brand new frets to, er, not brand new frets.

and oh yeah even the lower MIJs are pretty good. In fact, that's arguably their achilles heel- while the higher end models use more mojo components and wood, they're so little better in terms of the quality of the manufacture/tolerances/QC that it's debatable if they're worth it.

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gregs1020

that's exactly why i don't go for the higher end models.

a LS-80 or 100 was $600-800 more than i paid for my LS-60.

a TE-80 is $1000 more than i paid for my TE-50.

for the (to me) minor differences in the models, the mojo of having the upper scale isn't worth the cost.

you're exactly right.

gregs1020

got my saddles on, restrung with 9's, intonation set.

pretty sure next time it's getting 10's.

JustRooster

Do want.

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Dave_Mc

yeah

my st80 (far as i'm aware) was roughly the same price as the cheaper models (it might be a partscaster as well). But i wouldn't have paid double for it or anything like that.

nitro might be worth a little extra... it does feel that bit nicer (no idea about tone). but again, i wouldn't pay loads more for it.

EDIT: sweet saddles, that looks a lot better now

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JustRooster

Man, I love that thin skin look on a Tele.

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gregs1020

^ me too rooster, but it is a poly finish.

the differences between the models i described is pretty much nitro and number of pieces the body is made of. (also headstock angle and fret edge binding on the LP)

i can't say i'd ever be able to hear the difference between a one piece back LP and a two piece back LP. nor between a 2 piece body tele and a 3 piece body tele.

i can feel the difference between a light weight and heavy one, everyone can. can we hear a difference that can be directly attributed to the wood though? i'm guessing no.

so essentially for the sake of nitro, the added upcharge wouldn't be worth it no me. in each case i can get the lower model guitar refinished in nitro locally for less. (by a shop i know the work of, and know i'd be happy with the job).