EVH5150III... should I sell it and upgrade my FX or get a new guitar?

Drew_TNBD

samzadgan said:

Drew...if youre buying a guitar, check out Pure Salem guitars, all models available in lefty as well.

Not really my thing guv!

chrispy108

Or anyones thing, they're disgusting.

Get a Blackmachine made up...

gjonesy

Chambered G&L ASAT, if you can find a lefty version that is

AbandonMute

If you're after a switching solution and like the idea of switching individual pedals, amp channels etc (including midi) you could check out the GigRig G2. Does the whole one-button switching of everything, is very easy to use and all that.

G-System is a cheaper and perhaps more convenient option, but the two main drawbacks to consider are that it does have a negative impact on your tone (even with buffers, balanced cables and so on), and that the effects are grouped together in static 'blocks' so if you want a phaser or something before your amp/distortion pedals, and the delays after - well, you can't do that without adding a stomp box in one of the G2 loops. However it has good midi switching and depending on how you want to set up might work. 

Drew_TNBD

guitarfishbay;208845" said:

If you're mail ordering make sure you get the shop to weigh it first.  That sounds crazy light for a Les Paul, is it chambered?  Or is it just the wood they're using?  I've sometimes found Far Eastern guitars made from mahogany to be very light and it must be the wood.

I'm really not sure dude. I'm just going on the stats on the website. BTW, I have a Chapman ML-1 which is a great guitar, but is also about 12lbs. Heavy, and I don't like the fact it doesn't have inlays, lol. So I don't play it that much. Keep debating whether I should sell it. But if I did, I could take money from EVH and money from ML-1 and put it towards something lighter but still ballsy sounding.

Given my Orville is 13lbs  9.9lbs, I'm interested in 10lbs and under. Neck wise, I'm not fussed about scale length. Would prefer a modern D shaped neck, but open minded to others. 6 strings of course. No floyd roses. These all fit the bill:

Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro - 6.5-7lbs according to the Epiphone website
http://www.andertons.co.uk/left-handed-electric-guitars/pid23426/cid676/epiphone-left-handed-les-paul-custom-pro.asp

Epiphone Les Paul Standard - 10lbs according to Amazon
http://www.andertons.co.uk/left-handed-electric-guitars/pid9483/cid676/epiphone-les-paul-standard-left-handed-ebony-ch.asp

Chapman ML-2 - 9lbs according to a Musicradar review. Cannot find any lefties right now though. I guess they're on a boat somewhere?? Who knows...

Schecter PT - 11lbs judging from various online sources. It is 1lbs over my target... but damn it is sexy...
http://www.andertons.co.uk/left-handed-electric-guitars/pid33063/cid676/schecter-left-handed-pt-electric-guitar-in-gloss-black.asp

Fender Tele Standard - 8lbs according to various online sources. Main thing that puts me off one of these is the dual single coils. A Tele Deluxe Custom is much more my thing.
http://www.andertons.co.uk/left-handed-electric-guitars/pid10180/cid676/fender-standard-left-handed-tele-124-brown-sunburst-124-maple.asp

ESP LTD EC50 - 10lbs according to online sources. Cheap and cheerful. Could upgrade the parts.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/esp_ltd_ec50_lh_black_satin.htm

ESP LTD EC1000VB - 10lbs according to online sources. Looks a LOT nicer than the EC50. Would still need to upgrade some bits on it; bridge maybe, certainly pickups.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/esp_ltd_ec1000_vintage_bk_emg_lh.htm

ESP LTD EC-401 - 7.9lbs according to a Musicradar review. I'm not entirely sold on the EMG pickups, but they are a classic combination for metal. I *really* like the finish. Usually I prefer black guitars but a white Les Paul style guitar has been on my list for a while.

Gibson SGJ - 8lbs according to online sources. I have a MIC Tokai SG. It's okay, but I think there are probably better ones out there. Not 100% sure I like any of the finishes though. On screen they look a bit plasticy.
http://www.andertons.co.uk/left-handed-electric-guitars/pid32395/cid676/gibson-left-handed-sgj-guitar-in-rubbed-vintage-shade.asp

Gibson LPJ - 7-9lbs according to online sources. Again not 100% sure I like any of the finishes.
http://www.andertons.co.uk/left-handed-electric-guitars/pid32407/cid676/gibson-left-handed-les-paul-lpj-in-rubbed-vintage-shade.asp

That's probably about it! Quite a few to choose from actually, wasn't expecting that many!

ThePrettyDamned

Those Ltd 1000s are very nice. Also consider a real, but used, esp eclipse.

Grunfeld

I think you'd look good with a classic Flying V.

They're really light too.

dunstanmus

Mark L switcher or new RJM Mastermind?

Drew_TNBD

The plot thickens. My Les Paul does not weight 13lbs at all. It weighs 4.5kg. Which is 9.9lbs. Dunno where I pulled that other figure from!! I was sure it was correct.

Meaning that either I'm just being a pussy, or I need to figure out why my back feels fucked up after 4 hours of holding the damn thing.

ICBM

Do you have a backup amp? I know the Diezel is built like a Tiger tank Porsche, but it's still a valve amp and valves can blow.

Since you're a proper gigging player, I'd be inclined not to sell the 5150 unless you have some other sort of backup.

octatonic

Drew_fx said:

I need to figure out why my back feels fucked up after 4 hours of holding the damn thing.

It is your posture, mate.

I was semi-joking the other day mate about your neck forward posture picture that you posted while drumming.

I have the same thing and you know I've been through the mill with posture and surgery and all that stuff.

Also, ergonomics of guitar playing is my dissertation and the reason I got into guitar building- so this is sort of my specialist subject.

I am confident that it is your posture- I first noticed it when you came over here but I didn't say anything as I didn't really know you and how the hell would you raise an issue like that anyway?

You have 4kg or so of head sitting on top of a spine that is designed to have it sit directly on top of it.

Yours doesn't, your neck is forward and this puts a lot of stress on your spine and will directly lead to back pain and wear you out.

Mine does too- it is the reason I had BOTH shoulder operations.

The reason is probably too much sitting down, not a strong enough back.

The fix is hard- no laptops computers, lots of yoga, lots of constant correction and.... lighter guitars.

It is really really tough and depending on how far along it is you may not be able to correct it fully.

I can't- I have to live with a certain amount of it.

In the short term, go see a physio and see what they suggest.

guitarfishbay

Drew_fx said:

The plot thickens. My Les Paul does not weight 13lbs at all. It weighs 4.5kg. Which is 9.9lbs. Dunno where I pulled that other figure from!! I was sure it was correct.

Meaning that either I'm just being a pussy, or I need to figure out why my back feels fucked up after 4 hours of holding the damn thing.

I was going to say, 10lb still isn't light. My SC is 9.5 and after a 4 hour rehearsal I'm sore sometimes. Hence why I got a CU22. I think mine is about 8lb. Are you using a 3 inch strap? I use a Levys 3 inch nylon strap with my Les Paul and it helps. I actually find the 3 inch nylon more comfortable than a leather or suede strap, mostly because it doesn't grab my shirt. When a guitar is heavy gravity is already sticking it to you pretty well so additional friction isn't always necessary IMO

Drew_TNBD

octatonic said:

Drew_fx said:

I need to figure out why my back feels fucked up after 4 hours of holding the damn thing.

It is your posture, mate.

I was semi-joking the other day mate about your neck forward posture picture that you posted while drumming.

I have the same thing and you know I've been through the mill with posture and surgery and all that stuff.

Also, ergonomics of guitar playing is my dissertation and the reason I got into guitar building- so this is sort of my specialist subject.

I am confident that it is your posture- I first noticed it when you came over here but I didn't say anything as I didn't really know you and how the hell would you raise an issue like that anyway?

You have 4kg or so of head sitting on top of a spine that is designed to have it sit directly on top of it.

Yours doesn't, your neck is forward and this puts a lot of stress on your spine and will directly lead to back pain and wear you out.

Mine does too- it is the reason I had BOTH shoulder operations.

The reason is probably too much sitting down, not a strong enough back.

The fix is hard- no laptops computers, lots of yoga, lots of constant correction and.... lighter guitars.

It is really really tough and depending on how far along it is you may not be able to correct it fully.

I can't- I have to live with a certain amount of it.

In the short term, go see a physio and see what they suggest.

You are entirely correct. I need to grow some balls and sort it out. My posture is poor I know this, and I do sit down too much. Perils of a desk job and desk hobby!!

guitarfishbay said:

Drew_fx said:

The plot thickens. My Les Paul does not weight 13lbs at all. It weighs 4.5kg. Which is 9.9lbs. Dunno where I pulled that other figure from!! I was sure it was correct.

Meaning that either I'm just being a pussy, or I need to figure out why my back feels fucked up after 4 hours of holding the damn thing.

I was going to say, 10lb still isn't light. My SC is 9.5 and after a 4 hour rehearsal I'm sore sometimes. Hence why I got a CU22. I think mine is about 8lb. Are you using a 3 inch strap? I use a Levys 3 inch nylon strap with my Les Paul and it helps. I actually find the 3 inch nylon more comfortable than a leather or suede strap, mostly because it doesn't grab my shirt. When a guitar is heavy gravity is already sticking it to you pretty well so additional friction isn't always necessary IMO

I've got a 3-inch Gaucho strap. It is *much* better than the old one I used to use, which used to cut into my flesh quite a bit.

God I'm such a fuck up when it comes to this stuff.

samzadgan

Back pain sucks man...i had a similar thing and i probably dont play standing up as you do. The culpret was a epi LP.

I went to the physio for a different issue and discussed the pain i have after rehearsals and he said it was common. He gave me som exercises to do before and after rehearsal sessions...but then he said in the long it wont help if i continue with the heavy guitar.

The SG is much more manageable for me.

PolarityMan

You could trail-blaze the use of stools in post-rock.

PolarityMan

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OLD-WOODEN-STOOL-/171293163549?pt=UK_Antiques_AntiqueFurniture_SM&hash=item27e1de401d

Offers over 99p and would leave you loads of moeny to buy more pedals.

PolarityMan

Also since you're seated it would make the tap dancing much easier.

randomhandclaps

I gots me a Schecter PT which is a great guitar.  Just weighed it for you and it's 3.5 KGs or 7.7lbs.  Never trust anything you read on line, except for this of course.

Drew_TNBD

Damn internets.

Got back from a gig last night. My back felt absolutely fine, and I was headbanging like a nutbar. Weird. It comes and goes.

Drew_TNBD

All this acknowledgement of my poor posture is doing nothing for my gas. lol. I still quite fancy a new guitar, and that bass. Not fussed about amps at all.

On the FX tip - a switcher could work... but I've not found the right one. Some rack stuff could also work, but that's starting from scratch and I just got to a real comfortable place with my pedals and I don't want to screw with it too much.