T-10
Member
At the age of 40 I decided a month ago to have a go at learning to play guitar. Unable to justify the expense of a 'proper' guitar and amp I opted for a ?50 strat copy and amp to see if guitar was for me. Although I'm no natural, I'm enjoying it enough to know that I'll persevere, and think I'm ready for a better setup.
I like the idea of a Les Paul, especially having already got a strat (well sort of), and internet research lead me towards Tokai which seems to be the best of the copies. I have a few questions though, bearing in mind I'm a novice.
1 - I've seen mention of different neck profiles and fat necks. Maybe it's an optical illusion, but on photos of Les Pauls, the fretboard seems wider than a strat. Is this the case? I'm just wondering if this might be a problem with my smaller hands.
2 - I've learned that MIJ = Good, MIK = Bad, or at least less good. I don't want to spend an absolute fortune, but can you tell me how much better a guitar you get between spending say ?600 on LC70/80 or ?750 on an LS150?
3 - What's the difference between LS and LC (custom models)?
4 - A lot of differences between models just seems to be the type of wood used. Is this correct. Are there any constructions/finishes best avoided?
For instance, when I see the word laminated, should I be concerned?
5 - Who are the best people (with good prices) in the UK to buy from? I know of RichTone, Coda, Hartnolls, and Regents. Anyone else worth looking at.
5a - The guitar photos on Coda's website appear to be for used (and damaged) guitars. I presume that the prices are for new guitars?
5b - Are the guitars on RichTone's website available and at those prices? It's just that, for example, the LS80F I was considering isn't on their Ebay site, which I would have expected to be up-to-date. (My main obstacle to using Richtone is that although they're only a short drive away for me, according to the website there are no customer collections, and they only deliver to the address on the credit card, meaning that I couldn't have it delivered to my work address, and I can't get time off to be at home for some time. Why is life so complicated?)
6 - I was looking specifically at the LS80F at ?529. Any particular thoughts on this, or any of the following alternatives?
LS75Q ?579
LC80 ?579
LS150 ?749
LS125 ?649
LS125 SEB ?649
LS135 ?649
7 - I'm looking at getting a Vox Valvetronix AD30VT amp. Anyone any thoughts on whether or not this would by a good choice for use with a Tokai?
Thanks.
I like the idea of a Les Paul, especially having already got a strat (well sort of), and internet research lead me towards Tokai which seems to be the best of the copies. I have a few questions though, bearing in mind I'm a novice.
1 - I've seen mention of different neck profiles and fat necks. Maybe it's an optical illusion, but on photos of Les Pauls, the fretboard seems wider than a strat. Is this the case? I'm just wondering if this might be a problem with my smaller hands.
2 - I've learned that MIJ = Good, MIK = Bad, or at least less good. I don't want to spend an absolute fortune, but can you tell me how much better a guitar you get between spending say ?600 on LC70/80 or ?750 on an LS150?
3 - What's the difference between LS and LC (custom models)?
4 - A lot of differences between models just seems to be the type of wood used. Is this correct. Are there any constructions/finishes best avoided?
For instance, when I see the word laminated, should I be concerned?
5 - Who are the best people (with good prices) in the UK to buy from? I know of RichTone, Coda, Hartnolls, and Regents. Anyone else worth looking at.
5a - The guitar photos on Coda's website appear to be for used (and damaged) guitars. I presume that the prices are for new guitars?
5b - Are the guitars on RichTone's website available and at those prices? It's just that, for example, the LS80F I was considering isn't on their Ebay site, which I would have expected to be up-to-date. (My main obstacle to using Richtone is that although they're only a short drive away for me, according to the website there are no customer collections, and they only deliver to the address on the credit card, meaning that I couldn't have it delivered to my work address, and I can't get time off to be at home for some time. Why is life so complicated?)
6 - I was looking specifically at the LS80F at ?529. Any particular thoughts on this, or any of the following alternatives?
LS75Q ?579
LC80 ?579
LS150 ?749
LS125 ?649
LS125 SEB ?649
LS135 ?649
7 - I'm looking at getting a Vox Valvetronix AD30VT amp. Anyone any thoughts on whether or not this would by a good choice for use with a Tokai?
Thanks.