Help zone
FAQ
Q. What do you look for in a used Gibson?
A. Two things - Sound and playability
Q. What about condition?
A. We sell used guitars and inevitably they pick up the knocks and scratches over the years. If you had to choose between a mint condition guitar that sounded like a wasp in a jam jar every time you tried to play a solo. Or a battle scared warhorse that played like a dream and inspired every time you played it..........mmmmmm tricky choice.
Q. Do you set your guitars up?
A. Yes, all guitars are set-up (if they need it) cleaned, checked and given a brand new set of strings.
Q. Why don't you sell new Gibsons?.
A. I strongly believe that guitars need playing in. I have played very few brand new off the peg guitars that have the same magic as an identical older version. For example there is a completely different feel and sound to my 1970s Les Pau. Now 35 later it has a more mellow rounder tone and easy feel to the neck. I suppose some of it could be the fact I have blasted a few of the higher kHz off my hearing over the years, but the fact is, it has aged and mellowed better than me!.
Q. What if I don't like the guitar I have bought.
A. We will of course take it back (see our terms and conditions) We will also recommend that you see a psychiatrist and take up the drums (sorry Nige). All our guitars are the best playing and sounding examples we can find we would not buy or sell anything that we would not be happy to own and use ourselves.
Q. How do you price your guitars?
A. Guess work! No seriously, an exceptional guitar with superb sound and playability with the addition of a flame top will obviously be more expensive than the same guitar with a plain top. We take a few things into consideration, the most important thing being the x factor! does it have that little extra something? We have the experience to know when a guitar is extra special, which is why we review every guitar and give you our honest opinion of it's strengths and if any, weaknesses. Not all guitars are created equal and every guitar we have is different in some way, I suppose it must be the fact they are made from living materials. I for example have two Custom shop 58 and two 59 Les Pauls and they are all brilliant sounding guitars but are different in both tone and feel.
Q. So looks are important?
A. Nora Batty or a young Marilyn Monroe?........mmmm tricky...........NOT! Sound, playability and looks, three out of three helps (and I'm not only talking guitars here).
Q. How often should I change the strings on my guitar?
A. It all depends how often you play it. We recommend 24 hours of playing time as a rough guide. That equates to about once a month if you play for one hour a day, fortnightly if you play two hours a day or once a week if you work for me! all that guitar testing costs me a fortune!.
Q. How should I care for my guitars finish.
A. You can buy a number of exotic and expensive guitar polishes and products to lavish attention on your prized axe. We use a good quality beeswax furniture polish on all our instruments. Be warned if you nick the lady of the house's polish we cannot be held responsible for any horrible retribution she takes on you or your possessions. For the fingerboard use lemon oil, we always used a product called bogie juice but have had a hell of a job obtaining it. Any help would be appreciated in finding a supplier, it is brilliant stuff.
Q. How do I make my Les Paul sound more like a Strat
A. Dear Hank Marvin. Buy 4 bolts, a plank, wire, machine heads, three single coil pickups......or buy a strat
Some people love strats, others love Les Pauls it has even been known for people to love both. Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmore's finest studio guitar solo on the track comfortably numb was played on a Gibson Les Paul. Strats have their place Les Pauls have theirs.
