Metal&Shit Forums

Happy new guitar day! So it was my birthday recently and my mama got me a present after holding off for a year. I sound like a kid but I don't care I feel like one at Christmas morning and also I'm damn poor so when I get something I get really happy. Deal w/ it. Luckily enough L&M had an online sale on the guitar I wanted most but couldn't get 'cause of prize restrictions. Got it for $399 when it is normally in the high 500s and sometimes 600s. Steal. I had an option between the GX or the EX with EMGs, but I opted for this for being non-active, versatile and 'cause it looks mighty sharp in comparison (EX is a dull transparent black).

SPECS

PICS, don't mind the dust/styrofoam particles...I didn't clean it properly:

VID: "Unboxing"

Out of the box the set up needs work but is alright. The electronics need checking though. There seems to be volume fluctuations as I switch pickups and the push/pull coil doesn't seem to be working properly. I'll have it checked out tomorrow with a set up to boot. But anyway yeah pretty happy overall. Got it waaay sooner than expected for an online order. I ordered online 'cause the sale was an online exclusive and in store models were beat up like hell.

That is one badass looking guitar. PLAY SOMETHING ON IT

I have already. Now it's troubling me how there's fretbuzz everywhere at the lower frets on like 4 strings. Geez. I wonder if I can get a replacement if this can't be rectified with a set up. I don't think it will...

Looks like a classy instrument, Kim, awesome stuff! Also, I agree with Jan. What've you been playin' on it?

Right now we're in the middle of Paganini's 24th Caprice. I still have like 6 or 7 pages to go. Sometimes I play bits of Fade to Black since that was put on hold. Other than that I've been doing scale exercises and studying theory.

But yeah...I'm feeling down that the guitar has a lot of problems with it. We'll see how it goes when I get it checked.

Yo Will, have you shopped at L&M before? I'm having terrible fretbuzz problems and even just open string ringing. Do you know if I can get this solved even after a set up for free? I mean the buzz is so bad that it reaches past 12 frets on at least 2 strings so I don't think a set up will do much. I think refretting is a separate service too.

Fuck, that's frustrating...I haven't done much in the way of big purchases from long and mcquade (correct me if you're talking about a different outlet), but Steve's has a policy that you get a free set-up in the first year after purchase. I'm sure if you went to a l&m outlet/got in touch with customer service with a proof of purchase and the instrument they'd do something about it. You might have to bitch and yell a little, but I'm sure you'll get satisfaction.

Quote:Do you know if I can get this solved even after a set up for free?

Have you already had it set-up for free? If so, I would be sorely tempted to burn that guitar tech's house down.

New out of box guitars can be a little fussy, though. If you've put a heavier gauge of string on since the box was opened, you might need a new set-up (factory set-ups are often inadequate and those that are actually decent get fucked up in transit). Same as if you've tuned down. At least, I noticed this on my LTD when I got it out of the box, slapped some mediums on it and tuned down to D. I was able to get rid of the fret buzz by raising the bridge slightly, but I would suggest taking it to a professional. I don't think you'd need to re-fret; I think the most likely culprit would be changes in temperature and humidity during intercontinental shipping; as it would potentially corrode the electronic contacts (you mentioned questionable wiring) as well as alter the plane that the neck is in. I'm sure if there's anything that needs to be done, it's a minor truss rod/bridge adjustment and a little bit of contact cleaner for the pots and switches. I've heard similar (and much worse) stories about instruments purchased online. It's always a big gamble, even 2 guitars of the same model and series can play completely differently. I know you're probably stressed out about this (I would be), but I'm sure its a quick fix.

Edit: Damn sexy axe. Let me know how those pu's sound.

Yeah I was referring to Long and McQuade and they also offer a free set up within the year of purchase just like Steve's. I haven't had it set up yet since the guitar just arrived today. I didn't alter the guitar at all. Just tuned it and inspected it for anomalies and came up with nothing. I checked the bridge to see if it's responsible for some of the rattling but it seems fine, and the neck is super straight. After what happened to my old guitar, I'm rather hesitant in tweaking my new one so I'm just going pro set up all the way.

My main problem is if I can't get the fretbuzz rectified while it is set up by the tech. 'Cause it's like 12+ frets straight that it's buzzing on my 2 lowest strings and the others are bad too but in different places which is really troubling and odd. So yeah I'm stressed out. I really don't want it to get set up for free and still be crappy. I don't want to pay extra for a set up right now or any other other services since they'd probably be at least $50. I was hoping I'd use my extra money for gear and maybe a pedal. I called them and the guy said that my electronics can be checked since I should have warranty, perhaps the same can be said for the fretboard. I guess I just have to find out about the buzzing business and my options in stores when I visit tomorrow. Damn it, I just want a guitar that feels comfy and doesn't sound like turd.

That's a beautiful guitar. Congrats Effigy! I hope you get that fretbuzz situation worked out. I had some serious backbow and electronic problems on Angie (my Les Paul...yes I named her) but I just got it setup by a trustworthy tech and it plays better then it has in years now.

Thanks, BloodshotGtr. Ha, I don't see anything wrong with naming your guitar. And that's great to hear that Angie got better (why Angie?). I hope I get all the problems worked out. I informed my mom of the probs and she's not happy. She'll be going with me to the store on Sat. and probably demand a replacement instead of just teching it up, especially if things get complicated. And.....she even mentioned returning it if they are being dumb. We'll see.

What's the news?

So the electronics the tech checked and fixed. The fretbuzzing has lessened for the most part, though on some frets they're still there. Not so bad overall. I think it's okay for now without having gone for a set up. The guy suggested to play it for a few weeks to see if things change such as my neck warping before getting my free set up and that makes sense. I'm quite happy now. Although I'm suspicious of my tuners. >_> But apparently I'm guaranteed new parts if they aren't working properly so there's that.

Got me a very comfy albeit expensive leather strap and put on straplocks. It looks bitchin'...though the strap sorta clashes but I don't care. Can't wait to show my teacher.

I also checked in stores for my model again and noticed that the colouring is different. The on-shelf ones are much lighter. Before at the first store I went to I thought it was due to the yellow lighting, but I went to a different L&M this time and they also have the same Prophecy SG that has a lighter colouring below:


There's also this variation of it which I don't like at all:


Mine resembles more like how it is on Epiphone's official site. I like mine better. It looks evil.

Well done.

well done, that's a really sexy guitar

Yeah, definitely looks better without the 'burst.

It is indeed a sexy guitar. The burst is ugly. >_> I may record a vid with it soon. Problem is how I'm going to go about recording and getting my sis to lend me her pedal.

Where did the Epiphone SG custome GX made from?

The spelling store.

More seriously though, probably Korea.

It's made in China. In 2002 Epi relocated manufacturing guitars to be based in Qingdao, China where it seems all of their guitars are being built in save for a few. Based on my serial number and stickers it seems to be a 2009 model from the Daewon plant specifically. The Dirty Fingers pickups are USA made though by Gibson afaik.

How's the axe holdin up?

Laaate. She's holding up fine. Buzz isn't fully gone, but it's not as noticeable when plugged in and when I play more carefully. She needs a tech to look at her to get rid of all the kinks in the future...when I get the money.