Danley wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:13 pm
I like the American Professional series and they're not even a bad deal - on the other hand the Sonic Youth models weren't really my cup of tea (also still glad SY got some credit.)
RE: the American Performer - In a weird way I'd rather have a Strat trem than a Tune-O-Matic/Vibrato; and yet I think my own American Special having a Tune-O-Matic and no vibrato is a few tiers above either. Not quite sure if I'm saying I like them or I don't, but my biggest 'issue' is I would grab a a Doheny first.
re: American Professional- they are about as rare as hens teeth in NYC and Berkeley (The two places I have lived since they came out) but I did play a couple of the rosewood necked jazzmasters as well as a Fender jazzmaster that had a bigsby. I guess it's those weird V-Mod pickups in them, but I thought they all felt nice (especially the rosewood necked one, despite the weight) but was not too inspired by how they sounded. I didn't realize they had the V-Mod pickups in them, at the time.
I wonder how they would have sounded with a set of decent pickups in them...
I think it was weird that G&L released the Dohenys with their strat-esque trem, but they friggin' rule. I have the import version of it, and when I get a sec, I want to find someone who can install a sustainiac. Those MFD JM pickups- even the cheap ones- have a really cool, kinda trashy sound. I sound just like the Grifters, which is a good thing.
BoringPostcards wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15, 2019 10:45 pm
I'm not a fan of Thurston's model, but Lee's is gorgeous and sounds really good.
Also a big fan of the Doheny.
I didn't love the vintage frets on Lee's. My buddy has one, and I think the pickups are OK. I rather like the Thurston neck profile, but I wish it was a 9.5" radius. And had a WRHB in the bridge.
I have some Mojo goldfoil PUs in there, and play it without a pick most of the time. Really great sound.
redchapterjubilee wrote: ↑Fri Aug 16, 2019 6:33 am
The Thurston and Lee models are great guitars but are not for everybody. The stripped down electronics, the adjustomatic bridge on the Thurston, the PAF's disguised as WRHB's and Mustang bridge on the Lee, the satin finishes...definitely different. I had a Thurston and ultimately moved it on. My partner has a Lee (he outbid me for it by $5!) and I love playing it but the problem with it is the same problem I have with the Thurston. The slick finish on the body meant that it was hard for my to play it sitting down. It kept sliding around on my thigh.
Yeah, I pulled out the adjustomatic and put in conventional thimbles. I do love that oil finish, though.
[edit] You know, I have been waiting to see either the Lee or Thurston models being put up for sale used, and it never seems to happen. Were they all bought up by collectors who are hoarding them?