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New Guitars Thread

P. Aaron

Supporting Member
Sep 16, 2002
14,296
9,840
Livin’ on a slab in Plano, TX
I was interested in a 12 string. I suffer a DanElectro electric 12 which is just 12 strings on a 6 string wide neck. My padded bass playing fingers struggled to cleanly fret notes and navigate it with ease and I would choke out some strings. Y'know the drill. So I just looked at every makers nut width and found that Taylor had the widest at 1 & 7/8 inches. So, I bit the bullet and bought a 354CE. It comes with internal pickups which is cool 'cause I'll be recording stuff.

I put lighter strings on it starting at .009 and it's much easier. My guitar style includes fixed positions which means the strings dig in to my finger tips. The lighter strings help, A LOT. Tone is mid-range to high. Sitka spruce top and sepele sides.

Next up, Mod Shop Telecaster. I've been wanting a Tele for ages and the typical Fender USA finishes and I had assembled the guitar you see several times on their Mod Shop site, and earlier this month, Fender offered the PG, noiseless PU's and locking tuners for standard pricing so, I pulled the trigger here too. The finish is metallic, Penny. Silver anodized PG, and standard maple-rosewood C neck. I went back & forth with the roasted maple/ rosewood neck thingy but aesthetics won out with what you see. I wanted the Penny and built from there. If would have gone with a washed out white & gold pg but, that would've kicked me into Custom Shop territory and I was at my dollar limit between the 2 as it is.

Mod Shop turn-around time; ordered on 11/6. Delivered today, 11/19. It's just a parts bin guitar outside of the metallic finish but, USA made.

Both guitars were of course not ever played by anyone outside of the builders. Just the way I like it. The Taylor was in the store room at The Guitar Sanctuary in McKinney, TX because their hanging model, which I played 2 other times there had sold. The day I came in to make the decision, it was sold and the kind sales guy brought this one out. The Fender feel won out over the Suhr Tele's. They're very nice but, it has to feel good in one's hands too. Trust yer gut. I coveted in a Biblical way, a Danny Gatton Tele they also have but, at over $4000...plus, it had the narrower 50's-60's era nut width and I preferred the modern Tele's slightly wider nut width.

These will get played. Along with my basses. I'm at the near end of my heavy gigging days, tho' I still enjoy the challenges of it. I'm mostly recording and have enough tools now. Unless...the right thing comes along and it makes good economic sense. Anyhow, PICS!

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