Long story short -for once - I traded my epi Riviera to the GC along with a minor amount of cash for a new Epiphone Ultra III. I'll take a pic of mine when I get nicer light, but here's the stock epi shot for now.
It's the Faded Cherry right up front. 
Negatives: I'm waiting on the new box candy to get to me. GC lost it, as is so normal there. If it doesn't make it into a baggie and attached to it on the wall, it's a gonner. It has the driver I need for the USB portion of the show.
Also have that typical annoying tune-o-matic rattle. Like that's never happened before. :roll:
Good stuff:
They went all out on their marketing hype surrounding the humbuckers. "ProBuckers", I think their calling them. These things rock. Quite a surprise. Still LP without a doubt, but a bit less heavy handed or thick tone and more zap. Much more tone. It's got a voice all it's own. 70's Classic Rock tone machine. Really great tones. I don't know how to say it properly.
It set up wonderfully. I'm starting to get really good at this. :mrgreen:
Satin finish on neck. I wasn't sure how to take this, but I think I'm digging it the more I play it. Especially after set up.
The on-Board Tuner works.
The Nanomag Acoustic-like tones are decent. More detail below if you want.
Lighter that your typical LP.
Actually does not sound horrible acoustically when trying it without an amp. I've always heard that if it sounds good like that, it's gonna sound good when plugged in.
The POTS are different from the typical LP. They needed three volume knobs and a way to mix pickups. Gone is the one per pickup tone POT. One per guitar now. However, this is a strength. You can mix pickups. One early favorite is using the nanomag full strength and boosting it with about a 3 or 4 one the bridge pickup. I was really surpised at how well it mixed.
Mixed-Bag on the nanomag:
The nanomag sounds acoustic-like. It will never, ever replace an acoustic tone for tone unless you have a lousy acoustic, but if you need an acoustic-like tone for whatever reason, it will do the trick. It needs some sort of amp, though. Direct into PA proved to be really weak. Into the Acoustic voicing on my Fender Super Champ XD and the Acoustic Processor in my Boss GT-10 both worked very well. Studio use for back ground acoustic tones will be a big area that this covers. Front of the mix acoustic tones will still need a for-real acoustic.
In conclusion:
I'm very happy with this. It looks great, plays great and sounds great. I am sad to not have the Riviera, but GC now stocks them. I'll show up every few months and look at them and snag one that had a better set-neck position at the factory so that the strings don't touch the pickup covers. In the meantime, this thing is a beast and I'm loving it. Hats off to the Raleigh GC management team for making this happen. Not getting into that long story here, but they went above and beyond in massive fashion.
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
Very nice!!! And I like the color... My LP is Cherry also. :D
So you have had other Epi LP's right? How does it compair to the normal Standerd?
Paul B
Very nice!!! And I like the color... My LP is Cherry also.
So you have had other Epi LP's right? How does it compair to the normal Standerd?
I didn't have choice on color, but it was the one I would have picked by far.
I've got two other epi LPs. An '08 Standard Plus Top in Honey Burst and an '05 Custom in black. The '05 is complete stock except for saddle and toggle switch. The '08 is stock except for the toggle and Seymour Duncan pickups which are Duncan Distortions (br) and '59 (neck) The primary differences between (excluding nanomag) them are weight, the back side of the neck is satin and the tone from the new humbuckers is worth the admission price alone. '05 can do things this one can't, like very easily obtainable Jazz tones. The '08 can get closer to 70's Metal. The Ultra III is Led Zep and Deep Purple, through and through.
I'm trying to come up with a good patch in my GT-10 for acoustic like tones. Coming close.
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
Just when I thought I had the GAS kicked! Nah, I still don't need any more guitars. My Agilie AL3000 is a cherry and I sheepishly say it has become my main axe. Congratulations Roy!
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
My Agilie AL3000 is a cherry and I sheepishly say it has become my main axe.
If it works, right? That's the name of the game.
Just curious. You've got PAFs in something, right? I was wondering what you thought of the differences.
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
My Agile AL3000 has Alnico V's and I think they are supposed to be like PAF's. I like them. Can't put my finger on exactly what but they sound good and feel good. The Rondo site says they have a warm traditional sound. I think that says PAF without trademark infringement. :lol: My AL2500 has GFS Crunchy PAT High Outputs. They are Dimarzio Superdistortion clones though. Ceramic magnets, lots of windings and were cheap! $24 each! My Gibsons have 490R and 498T pickups and I love those things. Some don't but they are my kind of pickup. My AL2000 Goldtop has P90's. My Epiphones are stock Made In China. I did not like the pickups that came on the Korean ones go figure? My Epiphone G400 came with those. Yeck! The MIC ones on the Epis are close to the 490R and 498T in sound, just not quite as powerful in my opinion.
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
I did not like the pickups that came on the Korean ones go figure?
I really like the ones that came in my MIK, but for different reasons than these new ones. The MIK stock pups have got a great feel for Jazzy chords and other lighter tones. I've been reaching for my '08 with the SDs installed or another guitar type when I do heavy or harder tones. I've got a great beater guitar for Metallica type tones.
How do you like the P90's in your goldtop Agile? Actually, while I'm asking, I think you said you've at least lurked in an Agile/SX forum. Have you heard any word from experienced resonator players about that SX Resonator? sub-$200. Right in my price range for the holidays. :)
It's been quite some time since I've really played that guitar with overdriven tones. It's downstairs hooked into the 40W Fender. Maybe I'll flip the switch and give it a whirl for a minute or two with my ear plugs in to se what it does. It's been a while since those tubes have been used. For that matter, maybe I'll get my son to carry it out onto the deck and blast the 'hood. Hmmmmmmm :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
Ive never played a MIK Epi... but my MIC one has a AWESOME bridge pickup. The neck I dont like though. Pretty BLAAA!! Im waiting to hear how those new GFS Pro seires pickups sound!! Im all about the vintege tones
Paul B
How do you like the P90's in your goldtop Agile? Actually, while I'm asking, I think you said you've at least lurked in an Agile/SX forum. Have you heard any word from experienced resonator players about that SX Resonator? sub-$200. Right in my price range for the holidays
You know I was in the same boat. I was looking for a lower priced Resonator, and researched the SX and the Rouge's. I found almost NOTHING on the SX's!! Lots on the Rouges, and seems that they can eather be real bad...or great guitars...Luckly if your buying new, MF has a great return policy. I ended up getting a used Regal from a member on another board, and love the thing!!
Paul B
I saw those resonators. They look interisting.
As far as that Agile forum goes ...... :roll: I lurked briefly. Then I was exposed to some very rude inconsiderate and abusive people. I left and didn't look back. The moderators E-Mailed me asking me to give them another chance. I have never been treated like that in a forum before. They aren't Guitar Noise thats for sure by a long shot. This place is hands down the best guitar forum on the internet and it is the people here that make it so.
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
I've joined several forums under a different moniker just to get a more centric audience for specific gear. Things like the GT-10, Band-in-a-box and Reaper recording software forums. Mostly I lurk, but sometimes the answer isn't findable via search mechanisms. Basically, though, just in and out with no socialising. I save that for here. If I say something way out in left field, you guys just brush it off as being too soon after meds to be talking to people or something like that. :lol: :lol:
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
I've joined several forums under a different moniker just to get a more centric audience for specific gear. Things like the GT-10, Band-in-a-box and Reaper recording software forums. Mostly I lurk, but sometimes the answer isn't findable via search mechanisms. Basically, though, just in and out with no socialising. I save that for here. If I say something way out in left field, you guys just brush it off as being too soon after meds to be talking to people or something like that. :lol: :lol:
You're okay Roy! Wahhatt a sense of humor! Everybody is nice here. I attribute that mostly to be grown up, or mature, and likely being good people with a good background in the first place. Some folks elsewhere can't seen to help themselves? I'd look at how they were raised (except we don't know that, but it works in the real world, maybe), and blame their parents or upbringing. :shock: Cool thread here, good topic happening again. Always interesting to hear you talk about guitars. Amen?!! 8)
Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Thanks man. Yeah, I get a little carried away. The inside family & friends joke is to yell "filter" at me when I'm about to get really bad. Hearing my son exclaim, "No, Dad, NO!" as I was mid comment in front of grandma is a memory I'll never forget. :D Mom eventually caught on and was in stitches.
And then there was my work career as a programmer before head/ear thing. The rest of the the developers allowed me three PI or otherwise naughty comments per week. Those were usually spent up during the weekly monday Morning Meetings. For my 40th birthday they gave me an additional comment per week and a shirt that sez, "I failed Sensitivity Training". :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
Everyone here is great! Thats why I spend so much time here I suppose. :lol:
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
There's a black cloud over my head with the local GC or something. The money I've spent there over the years with hardly a problem and now we can't catch a break. It's so ridiculously awful that we've all resigned to having a good laugh over it.
To make a long story a short one, the electronics on this one are boogered up in at least two ways now. One discovery was made almost a couple weeks back, like maybe a day or two after this thread's group hug. The latest was end of last week, and very much by accident.
They chatted things up on their end and are ordering a new guitar to replace this one, and will not even open the box until I get there so that no-one steals the software disc(s) I need, nor the longer USB cable that comes with it. I should know by week's end when they expect it to come in.
I might have them do a set up before I exchange, or maybe set up a time when he can do one while I wait. I'd like to walk out that door with it totally playable, leaving only the installation and setup of the drivers and guitar rig software left to worry about. We'll see.
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
