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…before you buy your guitar (related stuff)

Silvertone

Silvertone SD20CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar vs. Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Square Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)

Silvertone SD20CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Silvertone SD20CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

When the Silvertone Design team finished the SD20CE, they realized that they had built one of the best sounding, best playing acoustics for anywhere near the price. In fact, it was too good to be just one model so they decided to offer the same SD20CE balance of tone and playability, the same select spruce top with pearloid soundhole rosette and fully bound mahogany back and sides, and the same super smooth fully bound mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard and precision die-cast machines.

The SD20 is available in in both a dreadnought and this acoustic electric cutaway models, and in either Gloss Natural or spectacular translucent finishes. The SD20CE acoustic electric features a deep-set cutaway body style and 2-band passive EQ with volume and tone controls.

For more than 50 years Silvertone has been an icon in the American guitar industry. Their mission now, as it was when they began, is to make quality instruments from quality materials with contemporary styling while providing exceptional value. Silvertone has confidence in what they are doing, so every Silvertone guitar comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Your new Silvertone guitar or bass may well be the only instrument you will ever need to buy.

Silvertone SD20CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features…

Full Size Dreadnought Electric Acoustic

Cutaway Body Design

Select Spruce Top

Passive Volume & EQ Tone Control

Nato Mahogany Back & Sides

Pearloid Sound Hole Rosette

Bound Rosewood Fingerboard

Rosewood Bridge

Chrome Precision Die-Cast Tuning Machines

Buy Silvertone SD20CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Buy at Zzounds.com


Silvertone SD20CE Cutaway Customer Review

it looks great in black

best for the price!

great quality, exept for the bridge pins

i wouldnt know

a customer from gmail.com (9/10/2008)

Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Square Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)

Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Square Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)

The Songwriter Deluxe offers superior performance with Rosewood back and sides and an active transducer pickup.

In today’s world, many acoustic guitar manufacturers have chosen to build their instruments more quickly, cheaply, and in greater numbers.

Gibson acoustic guitars are made one-at-a-time, by hand. No shortcuts. No substitutions. They’re made in Bozeman, Montana, where the climatic conditions are ideal for guitar building. Most importantly, Gibson acoustic guitars are built by master craftspeople that have dedicated their lives to building the world’s finest acoustic instruments.

These elements combine to create the difference that is the Gibson acoustic guitar. The difference is “MasterBuilt.”

Environment

Even though they might get a little more snow up there, the environs of Bozeman, Montana are a guitar builder’s dream, come true.

Extreme heat and high humidity are natural enemies of wood. Bozeman has neither. The fine Spruces, Maples, Mahoganies, and Rosewoods are carefully cured and environmentally maintained during the building process.

There are other advantages to Montana in addition to its ideal climate. Gibson’s acoustic guitars rely heavily on its builder’s sense of creativity and concentration. Living in “Big Sky Country” appears to nurture both of these needs. It seems that looking out over a range of snow covered mountains every morning makes for inspired guitar building – which, in turn, makes for inspired guitars.

Artistry

Experienced builders and players understand that handmade quality, design, and construction determine an instrument’s ability to produce truly beautiful sound. Gibson’s methods of handmaking guitars have remained unchanged for nearly a century.

The top brace of each guitar is carefully scalloped and arched to focus the sound to the center of the soundhole. The resulting distinctive “Gibson Tone” shares the same vibrance and fidelity as the sound from a fine audio speaker.

Instead of a cheaper bolt-on neck, Gibson’s dovetail joint technique creates a cohesive bond between the vibrating neck and body – as if the guitar were carved from a single piece of wood. This time-honored technique effectively transfers the strings’ vibrations directly into the wood for superior tone and unsurpassed resonance.

Finally, unlike other manufacturers, Gibson still uses its famous “violin-like” lacquer finish. Over the years, the complex makeup of the lacquer merges with the wood, further sweetening the instrument’s tone and poviding an unmistakable “vintage” look and feel that players and collectors have come to cherish.

Each Gibson acoustic guitar is full of expression, character, and exquisite beauty. None is ordinary, and no 2 are alike. When compared to a marketplace full of “lookalikes,” the differences of a MasterBuilt Gibson acoustic are unmatched in quality and performance.

Warranty

In 1894, in a 1-man shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Orville Gibson created a new family of guitars and mandolins that would inspire generations of craftsmen to produce some of the finest instruments the world has ever heard or seen. The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Co., Ltd., was formed on October 10, 1902, to build instruments that carry on not only Orville’s designs but also his conviction to quality.

Gibson celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1994 with the spirit of Orville still going strong. Gibson’s combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative technology has made Gibson the only company that produces industry standard models in every style of fretted instrument, from electric and acoustic guitars to mandolins, banjos, and resonator guitars.

The Gibson Gold Warranty carries on the tradition of the limited lifetime warranty introduced by the company’s founders. It represents their commitment to producing the world’s finest musical instruments and providing complete customer satisfaction.

Gibson Gold Warranty

Your new Gibson instrument is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the original retail purchaser, subject to the limitations contained in this warranty.

If at any time this Gibson instrument malfunctions as a result of faulty materials or workmanship, Gibson will repair the defect(s) or replace the instrument, as it deems appropriate in its sole discretion. Gibson reserves the right to use materials regularly utilized at the time of repair in the event that original materials are no longer available, If replacement of your instrument is deemed appropriate by our staff, Gibson will replace the instrument with one of the same or most similar style of a value not in excess of the original purchase price of your instrument.

This warranty covers the cost of both labor and materials on any repair deemed necessary by our Customer Service Representative for the lifetime of the original purchaser. In the unlikely event that your instrument is destroyed, lost or damaged beyond repair, while in the possession of Gibson for repair, Gibson will replace that instrument with one of the same or most similar style of a value not in excess of the original purchase price of your instrument. Any insurance covering the instrument, including but not limited to collector’s value insurance, must be carried by owner at owner’s expense. For more info please refer to the Gibson website.

Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Square Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case) Features…

Body Style: Square Shoulder

Top wood: Solid Spruce

Back and Sides: Solid Rosewood

FB & Bridge Wood: Rosewood

Neck Wood: Mahogany

Fretboard Inlay: MOP Floret

Other Inlays: Abalone Rosette

Scale: 25-1/2 in.

Tuners: Gold Kidney

Finishes: Antique Natural

Pickup: Active Transducer

Other Features: Sculpted Pickguard

Buy Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Square Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)
Buy at Zzounds.comBuy at Musiciansfriend.com


I am a Singer/Songwriter, and play mostly coffeehouses, either solo or with a small acoustic band. Obviously, the sound ended up being the deciding factor, and this guitar is unbeatable. I played all the Martins and Taylors, and while they are beautiful, I prefer the sound of the Gibsons. I spent a few months playing every Gibson I could get my hands on – my favorites are the square-shoulder dreadnoughts (Hummingbird, Dove, and Songwriter), which were designed to accompany the human voice, and I feel this has the most versatile sound out of the bunch.

It has a very rich, full low end without booming, a great clear sparkle without being too bright or tinny, and the mids really sing. The sound is very colorful, with full overtones that always seem to complement what I am playing. It never really sounds too muddy, just full. It projects really well, and sounds good when fingerpicking, flatpicking, soloing, or strumming. I play a pretty wide range of music acoustically, from folk to acoustic rock, blues, modern acoustic rock, and everything in between, and this guitar seems to work for everything I need it for. I would still consider getting a J-45 in the future for the variety in sound – a little darker – but this one sounds gorgeous

Before buying, I played back and forth between this and the Hummingbird (I closed my eyes, and my wife wouldn't tell me which one she was handing me). They sounded nearly identical, but I preferred this one every time. I've had a lot of remarks from non-musicians who love the way this guitar sounds, so I think that's a good sign.

I honestly don't think there is anything I dislike about the sound of this guitar.

2007 Songwriter Deluxe

Square-Shoulder Dreadnought made in Bozeman, Montana

Solid Sitka Spruce top, solid Indian Rosewood sides and back

mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and bridge

14 frets to the body

Nitrocellulose lacquer finish

Fishman active pickup with soundhole mounted volume control

Abalone rosette

MOP inlays (fretboard and headstock)

Grover tuners

The features are exactly what I wanted in a guitar – all solid wood, active electronics, very comfortable fretboard, fast neck, Grover tuners, very easy to play, and a rock solid case. This is the full-bodied version (no cutaway), so it has the soundhole mounted volume knob, which I really like. Most people think it's not an acoustic/electric, because they look for a giant pre-amp cut into the body. Some people may prefer an EQ or tuner, but this guitar sounds great plugged in, so I haven't missed it. And I bought a $10 tuner to keep in the case. I prefer the sound of the full-body (although the difference with the cutaway was negligible), and I like the subtlety of this setup. The case is very solid (to say the least). I did change out the plastic bridge pins, which seemed to make it a little punchier, as well as increase the sustain.

I am rating this a 9 because it is actually pretty basic, but has everything I need from an acoustic/electric.

I had my heart set on a Hummingbird, but saw this and thought I should try it. This is what I took home. I hadn't considered this guitar because of the gold tuners (I thought it would be too flashy for my style, especially compared to the J-45 and Hummingbird). But in person, the details are beautiful, and they definitely work for this guitar. The gold tuners actually look perfect as they play off of the deep red tortoiseshell pickguard and bring out the greens in the abalone and MOP. The bookmatched top looks very good. The rosewood even smells beautiful! The "bird's beak" neck joint at the sound hole and the classic Gibson ebony bridge complete the package, and give this guitar the well deserved appearance of a well crafted instrument.

The guitar looks great from a distance, and looks stunning up close. Everything was straight and looked good. The bookmatching on the top is flawless. No scratches anywhere (it must not have been in the shop for very long, because it didn't look like it had ever been played), straight neck, comfortable fret edges. Everything was tight and in the right place. I spent a long time looking it over for flaws or imperfections before I purchased it, and after owning it for two months I still haven't found any. This is a very well made guitar.

The action felt just a little bit high at first (as I expected it would from the factory), but I am going to wait a few more months to see if it needs any set up, because it is very easy to play. The intonation is dead on all the way up the fretboard on every string.

I don't know how many times I'll spend $2000 or more on a guitar, so I was intent on finding one that wouldn't disappoint me. So far, the fit and finish on this are exactly what I was looking for.

I haven't had to deal with the company.

Chris (02/19/2008)
Deacon Al

Over the past two years, I have tried a number of different guitars: classical, acoustic, electric, jazz…This is, without a doubt of all the guitars I have tried, the best in terms of quality, construction, appearance, sound, tone. It is outstanding unplugged! When you plug it, get ready for an experience. This guitar is the one –if you had fifty — that you would keep because all others would pale into saleability. The West African wood seems to have a soul that touches yours and resonates with tones you never imagined.

Anonymous Musician (Jan 13, 2008)

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Silvertone NASCAR Electric Guitar vs. Ibanez GART30 Electric Guitar

Silvertone NASCAR Electric Guitar

Silvertone NASCAR Electric Guitar

You will be the first to see the checkered flag with Silvertone NASCAR series. A high quality electric for the beginner or intermediate guitarist.

Silvertone NASCAR Electric Guitar Features…

Single Cutaway Sculpted Body

Sculpted Bolt-On Neck (Maple)

Rosewood Fingerboard

22 Fret 24 3/4 in. Scale

Chrome Precision Die-Cast Tuning Machines

Dual Humbucking Pickups

Full Color Graphics on Guitar Top

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Buy Silvertone NASCAR Electric Guitar
Buy at Zzounds.comBuy at Musiciansfriend.com


Alright I suppose

This guitar is okay for it's price. It comes out of tone horribly fast and the neck on mine wobbles a bit when I'm plaing. But I suppose you get your money's worth for this guitar. The only good thing is that replacing a string on this is a breeze.

TheFallof Man from Santa Rosa, CA (Jun 22, 2008)

Feels alive (unlike the leaden Jazzmaster reissue I've been lugging around for the past 9 years) and is a pleasure to play. The lipsticks really deliver the tone, from mellow to searing. I play through a Pignose (the joys of apartment life) and can get a beautiful overdriven sound without waking up the neighbors upstairs. I'm kind of rediscovering my punk roots with this guitar since it is so much fun to really hammer on.

vintage 1967 Silvertone/Danelectro (since customized)

Jaguar/Jazzmaster shaped solidbody

Custom Subway wiring: tone + volume, and two pickup selecter switches

2 lipstick-tube pickups

Original Sears sunburst finish

Original Danelectro bridge replaced with a strat-style hard-tail bridge

Skate-Key tuners replaced with Grovers (I think)

Fat, Jumbo-Fretted, 24" Rosewood Neck

The original setup wasn't so hot. I think I kind of rushed the guys at Subway because it had some neck angle/intonation issues at first that really gave me the blues. Fatdawg was good on his word and replaced the crappy tuners and bridge (vintage though they were) – and set the guitar up right. The action is fantastic now and if I do need to make a quick adjustment on the bridge, I don't have to fumble with that damn rosewood saddle anymore. The change in tuners has really helped too.

I've noticed that Fatdawg and the Subway gang get kind of a bad rap for their relaxed attitude towards customer service – I guess I was one of the lucky ones, because I have no complaints. The satisfaction guaranteed credo on Subway's website was carried through to the letter in my case.

w. clay (11/07/2002)

Ibanez GART30 Electric Guitar

Ibanez GART30 Electric Guitar

Taking a page from the wildly successful double-cutaway GAX models, Ibanez introduces the single-cutaway, double-humbucker GART for 2009. It’s everything you need from a great rock guitar at an unbelievable price. Available in three standout finishes: Black Night, Jewel Blue and Transparent Red.

Ibanez GART30 Electric Guitar Features…

Specifications

Neck Material: Maple

Neck Type: GART

Body: Basswood body

Frets: Medium frets

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Inlay: Pearl dot inlay

Bridge: Fixed bridge

NeckPU: PSND1

BridgePU: PSND2

HW Color: CH

Finishes: TR, BKN, JB

Neck

Scale/Length: 628mm/24.7 in.

a: Width at Nut 43mm

b: Width Last Fret 57mm

c: Thickness 1st Fret 20mm

d: Thickness 12th Fret 22mm

Radius: 305mm

Pickups

Bridge Pickup

Name: POWERSOUND

Model No: PSND2

Construction: Humbucking

Magnet: Ceramic

Description: High output with enhanced harmonics.

Neck Pickup

Name: POWERSOUND

Model No: PSND1

Construction: Humbucking

Magnet: Ceramic

Description: High output in the neck position with no “muddiness.”

Buy Ibanez GART30 Electric Guitar
Buy at Zzounds.com

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Fender American Vintage ‘52 Telecaster Electric Guitar (Maple, with Case) vs. Silvertone SSL3 Electric Guitar

Fender American Vintage ‘52 Telecaster Electric Guitar (Maple, with Case)

Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster Electric Guitar (Maple, with Case)

 Wiring Diagram (2)

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 Switch and Control Diagram (4)

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 Owner’s Manual

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This faithful reissue pays homage to Fender’s original classic that revolutionized the electric guitar. Its efficiency in form and function have made the Telecaster one of the most played and heard instruments in musical history. All original specs are detailed including neck shape, fingerboard radius, hardware, pickups, and electronics.

Fender American Vintage ‘52 Telecaster Electric Guitar (Maple, with Case) Features…

Body: Premium Ash Body

Neck: One-Piece Tinted Maple Neck

Fingerboard: Maple (7.25 in. Radius/184mm)

Scale Length: 25.5 in. (648mm)

Number of Frets: 21 Vintage Frets

Width at Nut: 1.650 in. (42 mm)

Machine Heads: Fender/Gotoh Vintage Tuning Machines

Pickups: 2 “New” American Vintage Tele

Pickup Switching: 3-Position Blade

Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone

Pickguard: 1-Ply Black

Bridge: “Original” 3-Saddle Vintage Tele

Unique Features: Nitro-Cellulose Lacquer Finish , 1 Piece, Tinted “V” Shape Maple Neck

Buy Fender American Vintage ‘52 Telecaster Electric Guitar (Maple, with Case)
Buy at Zzounds.comBuy at Musiciansfriend.com

 Wiring Diagram (2)

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"52 TELECASTER"

I HAVE DELT WITH FENDER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS. THEY ARE FANTASTIC! I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT DEAL WITH ANY GUITAR MANUFACTURER BUT FENDER. NEVER NEEDED THE WARRANTY, I DO ALL MY OWN UPGRADES, REPAIRS ARE NOT NECCESARY IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THESE GUITARS!

THE SOUND THESE PICKUPS PRODUCE IS PERFECT FOR COUNTRY AND OLD ROCK. LOVE IT.

FIT AND FINISH IS AMAZING! I LOVE THE NECK FINISH AND THE QUALITY PROCESSES THAT FENDER OBVIOUSLY USES WHEN PRODUCING THIS TYPE OF GUITAR. THEY PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DETAIL. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME LOOK AT THE SWITCH AND PICKUP ROUTES UNDER THE PICKGUARD. PRETTY TRUE TO VINTAGE SPECS/

a customer from FINDLAYAUTO.COM (12/6/2005)
Perfect for Old School Zeppelin

I am a strat player, and I saw one of these and I LOVED the finish. I plugged it in to some anonymous amp and the first song I did was Communication Breakdown, the sound was just NAILED! But I deff. don't think I will get the money for it, considering I'm only 15, but BUY THIS TELECASTER!

Strat+SG=awesome from Pelham, NH (Jun 19, 2008)

Silvertone SSL3 Electric Guitar

Silvertone SSL3 Electric Guitar

The single cutaway Silvertone SSL3 is a great guitar to play and own. It delivers a raw, bluesy power that you expect from the classic design of dual humbuckers, making it great for lead or rhythm guitar players.

Silvertone SSL3 Electric Guitar Features…

Body: Arched HT quilt top

Neck: Set-in

Fretboard: Rosewood

Scale: 24-3/4 in.

Frets: 22

Pickups: 2 humbuckers

Switching: 3-way toggle

Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone

Bridge: Tune-o-matic with stop tailpiece

Tuners: Die-cast

Hardware: Chrome

Buy Silvertone SSL3 Electric Guitar
Buy at Zzounds.com


"This is a great guitar!"

It has a great feel and the body doesn't bother you whatsoever.

It is worth way over its own price.

The finish hasn't scratched even a little yet. On the road, it doesn't get out of tune in the car. I had no time, so i drove my car down to my practice without the caes, but it was still in tune when i got there about 30 minutes later.

I'm thinking about buying a new one in maybe 2008.

not telling (4/22/2005)
"If you want a quility guitar for a fair price you cant go wrong by spending your money on a great guitar that sounds great."

This guitar will appeal to just about everyone. It is balanced and sounds awsom.

Very good product at a good price.

I looked at a les paul and my guitar seems to be built and i would say it should last for a long time.

Dont know havent had to use it.

a customer from verizon.net (3/22/2006)

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