El Toro's Official Guitarded Thread...

[Gibsonite]

Be VERY careful if you use that aircraft stripper.Like Jack was saying,it'll burn the shit out of your skin if you get it on there.The vapors are very strong as well and they can knock you on yer ass in a hurry if you're not in a well-ventilated area.Trust me,I know.I use it on rare occasions at work.I hate that shit.

I used a product called Hydrostrip to take my old Les Paul Studio down to the bare wood a little while ago.It's water-based and is relatively safe to work with as far as paint strippers go.You put it on whatever you want to strip,cover it up with a plastic bag so it doesn't dry out,then leave it overnight.Most times it'll do the job but sometimes you'll have to repeat the process to get everything off.

After I sealed and primed my Studio,I applied 4 coats of ice blue metallic followed by 3 coats of clear.I don't consider myself a pro at guitar refinishing but I really like the way it turned out.No buffing necessary.I took these before I dropped in a set of Phat Cats and installed new Grover tuners.I'm waiting on a Tone Pros bridge and tailpiece before I put her in to get the wiring done..

[bane]

Be VERY careful if you use that aircraft stripper.Like Jack was saying,it'll burn the shit out of your skin if you get it on there.The vapors are very strong as well and they can knock you on yer ass in a hurry if you're not in a well-ventilated area.Trust me,I know.I use it on rare occasions at work.I hate that shit.

That stuff is NASTY. I used it on at refinish once, and yeah, it burns like a mofo when you get it on your skin. That was enough for me. I just use a torch now. It takes time, and a lot of patience, but it works. I don't think it would work for a stain job because you're bound to get a few scorch marks, but as long as you're going back with a solid, it works fine.

Nice looking Paul BTW!

[ElToro]

Be VERY careful if you use that aircraft stripper.Like Jack was saying,it'll burn the shit out of your skin if you get it on there.The vapors are very strong as well and they can knock you on yer ass in a hurry if you're not in a well-ventilated area.Trust me,I know.I use it on rare occasions at work.I hate that shit.

I used a product called Hydrostrip to take my old Les Paul Studio down to the bare wood a little while ago.It's water-based and is relatively safe to work with as far as paint strippers go.You put it on whatever you want to strip,cover it up with a plastic bag so it doesn't dry out,then leave it overnight.Most times it'll do the job but sometimes you'll have to repeat the process to get everything off.

After I sealed and primed my Studio,I applied 4 coats of ice blue metallic followed by 3 coats of clear.I don't consider myself a pro at guitar refinishing but I really like the way it turned out.No buffing necessary.I took these before I dropped in a set of Phat Cats and installed new Grover tuners.I'm waiting on a Tone Pros bridge and tailpiece before I put her in to get the wiring done..

NICE BLUE!!!

Look like Pellam!

[ElToro]

I just got offered a Studio Gem in dark green and black for $600... I am tempted...

[Captain Morgan]

I just got offered a Studio Gem in dark green and black for $600... I am tempted...

I was just thinking about those the other day - there's one at the local GC in Sapphire. Seemed to be in good shape.

[Sleek]

I just got offered a Studio Gem in dark green and black for $600... I am tempted...

I was just thinking about those the other day - there's one at the local GC in Sapphire. Seemed to be in good shape.

Sapphire is NOT a color for a man's guitar.

Red. Black. White. Sunburst~these are acceptable. Red or brown on an SG or 335 shape are also acceptable.

"Gem" colors are for Daisy Rock guitars, and should stay there.

[ElToro]

How's that pink strat of yours!

[lerxstcat]

There is a product called aircraft stripper. You find it in the section w/ auto body supplies. It is a brush on product and I have heard it works well for removing those poly finishes.

A friend of a friend at the JCF boards died of lung cancer a few years ago after a career of refinishing guitars where he used shit like that without using a respirator. That shit is HIGHLY TOXIC and you basically need a hazmat suit to use it safely.

[Sleek]

How's that pink strat of yours!

Out of 20+ guitars and basses, there is no pink.

I have black, white, sunburst, stripped/wood colored, sunburst and red.

Also: sunburst.

[ElToro]

How's that pink strat of yours!

Out of 20+ guitars and basses, there is no pink.

I have black, white, sunburst, stripped/wood colored, sunburst and red.

Also: sunburst.

You stripped your pink?

[Jack Sabbath]

I am the proud owner of a pink guitar. Y'all just be hatin'.

[exitflagger]

Sapphire is NOT a color for a man's guitar.

Red. Black. White. Sunburst~these are acceptable. Red or brown on an SG or 335 shape are also acceptable.

Light honeyburst is what I want if I can specify the color of my dream Les Paul. Regular wood-grain, not flame figured. I'll take one to go, please, baby Jesus.

[ElToro]

Sleek;

Is a butterscotch Tele acceptable?

[Sleek]

Sleek;

Is a butterscotch Tele acceptable?

Butterscotch and TV yellow are acceptable on APPROPRIATE guitars.

I don't want to see any butterscotch flying V's or TY yellow L5's, you hear me?????

Honeyburst is appropriate as it is both a wood-tone AND a sunburst, but ghey/flamed/knolled/tigerstripe ANYTHING is strictly prohibited.

Simple woodgrains such as ash, maple and mahogany are exalted.

[Mattfig]

I just ordered a new Randall MTS modded module...It's Salvation's S1S0...It's all tube (like all MTS) and has all 3 5150 versions available on one module...Plus, mine is being built with a mid-sweep pot (like on Krank amps) and an added gain setting...Should be awesome...

If anyone wants to hear and see my setup, I made a shootout video with my MTS modules...Not sure why MTS doesn't get more love around here...

Part One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ewHMEUaJ2w

Part Two: Electric Boogaloo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLKxE-X2Irc

[Liquid Boom Boom]

my warmoth Flying V is arriving tomorrow...pics to follow!

[lerxstcat]

I just ordered a new Randall MTS modded module...It's Salvation's S1S0...It's all tube (like all MTS) and has all 3 5150 versions available on one module...Plus, mine is being built with a mid-sweep pot (like on Krank amps) and an added gain setting...Should be awesome...

If anyone wants to hear and see my setup, I made a shootout video with my MTS modules...Not sure why MTS doesn't get more love around here...

Part One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ewHMEUaJ2w

Part Two: Electric Boogaloo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLKxE-X2Irc

Great sounds! I think the MTS is probably not as popular here because 80s oriented people tend to like older and simpler amps. JCM800 is probably pretty popular here, the 2-channel ones.

You have a lot of versions of pretty similar sounds. You can definitely hear the differences but a lot of metal guys are basically interested in a real clean clean, a crunchy rhythm and a high-gain lead. I didn't listen to all of part 2 but of the first 3 drive sounds you had, I would pick the first and simply go with that. I totally see why you do what you do and it's an awesome setup, but most people could get what they want with a 3-chanel amp or a 2-channel with a Tube Screamer or an SD-1 to bump the lead drive. And for a lot less money.

[Mattfig]

I just ordered a new Randall MTS modded module...It's Salvation's S1S0...It's all tube (like all MTS) and has all 3 5150 versions available on one module...Plus, mine is being built with a mid-sweep pot (like on Krank amps) and an added gain setting...Should be awesome...

If anyone wants to hear and see my setup, I made a shootout video with my MTS modules...Not sure why MTS doesn't get more love around here...

Part One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ewHMEUaJ2w

Part Two: Electric Boogaloo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLKxE-X2Irc

Great sounds! I think the MTS is probably not as popular here because 80s oriented people tend to like older and simpler amps. JCM800 is probably pretty popular here, the 2-channel ones.

You have a lot of versions of pretty similar sounds. You can definitely hear the differences but a lot of metal guys are basically interested in a real clean clean, a crunchy rhythm and a high-gain lead. I didn't listen to all of part 2 but of the first 3 drive sounds you had, I would pick the first and simply go with that. I totally see why you do what you do and it's an awesome setup, but most people could get what they want with a 3-chanel amp or a 2-channel with a Tube Screamer or an SD-1 to bump the lead drive. And for a lot less money.

I hear ya...I went all out 'cause it's strictly for studio use...My live amp is a two channel tube beast and suits me just fine...The MTS stuff is diverse but I dialed it all in similarly as I like a certain tone...I'm still amazed at how good the whole MTS thing is..It can do anything...Only problem is that my setup has 44 total tubes so maintenance will be costly...

[lerxstcat]

I just ordered a new Randall MTS modded module...It's Salvation's S1S0...It's all tube (like all MTS) and has all 3 5150 versions available on one module...Plus, mine is being built with a mid-sweep pot (like on Krank amps) and an added gain setting...Should be awesome...

If anyone wants to hear and see my setup, I made a shootout video with my MTS modules...Not sure why MTS doesn't get more love around here...

Part One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ewHMEUaJ2w

Part Two: Electric Boogaloo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLKxE-X2Irc

Great sounds! I think the MTS is probably not as popular here because 80s oriented people tend to like older and simpler amps. JCM800 is probably pretty popular here, the 2-channel ones.

You have a lot of versions of pretty similar sounds. You can definitely hear the differences but a lot of metal guys are basically interested in a real clean clean, a crunchy rhythm and a high-gain lead. I didn't listen to all of part 2 but of the first 3 drive sounds you had, I would pick the first and simply go with that. I totally see why you do what you do and it's an awesome setup, but most people could get what they want with a 3-chanel amp or a 2-channel with a Tube Screamer or an SD-1 to bump the lead drive. And for a lot less money.

I hear ya...I went all out 'cause it's strictly for studio use...My live amp is a two channel tube beast and suits me just fine...The MTS stuff is diverse but I dialed it all in similarly as I like a certain tone...I'm still amazed at how good the whole MTS thing is..It can do anything...Only problem is that my setup has 44 total tubes so maintenance will be costly...

If it's studio use I bet you'll get good life out of the tubes. Preamp tubes last a LONG time and if you aren't pushing your power tubes hard so will they. The fact that you won't be moving that rig around to gigs will REALLY help preserve it, I'm sure. And I really do dig all the subtleties and hear the differences, but an audience full of drunks and half-drunks just aren't gonna notice, so they aren't worth wearing out great equipment on either!

I am thinking hard of getting the Vox Tonelab for going to open mics and such. I'm old and disabled, so something the heaviness of a guitar in a case appeals more than busting my nads with a big amp. If I had a volunteer roadie that'd be different, I'd be happy to bring out the full stack then!

[Mattfig]

I hear really good things from Tonelab users....And yeah, I'm planning on the tubes lasting a good long time on the MTS rig...It stays put and is treated like the lady she is...

[ElToro]

Those ToneLab things kill... great for desktop shit too!

[Mattfig]

Is the Vox that much better than the Line 6 stuff???

[lerxstcat]

Is the Vox that much better than the Line 6 stuff???

From what I hear the Line6 stuff hs more features but the Vox stuff sounds better because of the Tube Reactor technology. They actually use the 12AX7 as a mini power stage, not as a preamp like others do, and this is supposed to make it sound more like a tube amp. They have fewer models available, but referring to my point earlier, do you really need 16 different high-gain sounds, or just one GREAT one?

I have not played a Tonelab but I have played a VT50 Valvetronix and it sounded great! Better than a POD, for sure. The TONE was authentic. The JCM800 model was probably the least real-sounding, but the Soldano model was awesome and the Rectifier model was prety damn good too. So I imagine the Tonelab through any tube amp would be pretty awesome too.

[ElToro]

It also produces harmonics in the right order for your ears...

[Sleek]

I'm getting a KMAG strat this next week...I'll let y'all know how it is.

They are well reviewed, just what I want and cheap as all fuck.

I'm getting one of the 4th down, $169 + $25 shipping:

http://kissmyaxeguitars.com/KMAG/Unfini ... itars.html

(pics are set up so you can't embed )

They go quick. He has five of those coming in next week.

[Captain Morgan]

Still thinking about a smaller amp. I've heard mixed things on the Egnater Rebel 20 and the Tweaker - anyone hear anything about them or own one?

I also like what I hear of the Blackstar HT-20 head/cab too, though I'm not sure how much it will differ from the combo setup.

Peavey Classic 30 is also a contender, I'm still after a vintage type tone, closer to Fender and Vox than anything.

[Sleek]

I have a rebel 20 and like it a lot. Anything specific you're wondering?

[Captain Morgan]

I have a rebel 20 and like it a lot. Anything specific you're wondering?

What's the clean like? A lot of people I've spoken to say it sounds "sterile". I really am after a Fender clean (with maybe a hint of Vox). If there's drive, British-style drive is my pick.

[Space Bear]

I'm getting a KMAG strat this next week...I'll let y'all know how it is.

They are well reviewed, just what I want and cheap as all fuck.

I'm getting one of the 4th down, $169 + $25 shipping:

http://kissmyaxeguitars.com/KMAG/Unfini ... itars.html

(pics are set up so you can't embed )

They go quick. He has five of those coming in next week.

I found a pic that was on a different site:



Hmm... haven't heard of these before. I wonder how he hasn't gotten grief from Fender for selling guitars with a Strat headstock... and isn't EVH all over guys that do replicas of his stuff? I'll be curious to know what you think about when you get it.

[Sleek]

I have a rebel 20 and like it a lot. Anything specific you're wondering?

What's the clean like? A lot of people I've spoken to say it sounds "sterile". I really am after a Fender clean (with maybe a hint of Vox). If there's drive, British-style drive is my pick.

Clean? What is this word?

Seriously, I usually run it distorted, then clean up at the guitar.

Drive-wise, it'll do about anything. If you run it on the 6v6 side, go cleanish with the gain and turn up the master, you can get pretty cool AC/DC ish ringy distortion...go to the El84s and bring the gain in, you get AC30....

I usually run the 6l6s with the gain a little over half and the master around 5-that gives you a nice big distortion that sags the fuck out and sounds *very* vintage when you punch it...kinda like a tweed fender being really punished ala Nuge or something.

Great little amps.

That said, the Rebel 30 is supposed to be about the same, only with two channels (one set up for clean) and 'verb. I got mine before those were out or I would have gone for that.