Upgrade a cheap guitar or buy the Name Brand? Video comparing the tone of a Gibson Les Paul vs Upgraded Epiphone Les Paul

The question often arises as to whether it makes sense to upgrade a cheap or less expensive guitar or to save until you have the cash to buy the Name Brand?

This video compares the tone of a Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus Top electric guitar with 57 Classic pickups vs a factory upgraded Epiphone Bonamassa Signature Les Paul with USA Burstbuckers, a #2 in the neck position and a #3 in the bridge position.

Both guitars have the same strings and are setup the same, meaning pickup height to bottom of the strings is the same and the volume and tone knobs are all at “ten”.

I play the same riff throughout so you can judge the sound, not the song or playing.

I start with the acoustic sound of the guitar, then all three pickup positions with some overdrive then all three pickup position with a clean amp that is a bit louder.

I finish up by playing a verse of “Stormy Monday” in the middle position on both guitars.

Please hit the YouTube “like” button on the video and feel free to share it!

Thank you,
Rick McCargar

1 ) Donate using the PayPal Donate button or by clicking here: http://paypal.me/RichardMcCargar
 
Download “Little Martha” from iTunes, I’d sure appreciate it!
Little Martha – Rick McCargar


 
Stream Maxstrumental 6C on Spotify.

 

Thank you for your support!
Rick

If you found this to be useful, please use the PayPal Donate button, or download one of my songs at the links below. Thank you!
 
or here: http://paypal.me/RichardMcCargar

 

Eric Clapton’s “Beano” Version of “Hideway” at full and half tempo with guitar tab

I worked out Eric Clapton’s guitar parts from the John Mayall & the Blues Breakers version of “Hideaway” off the “Beano” album and show you how it is played at full and half tempo. The half-tempo version is marked to coincided with each line of the guitar tablature.

Please “like” it on Youtube and share it to help it be found in YouTube’s search!

Before you download the tab below:

My son designed a logo for a new brand of Bluetooth wireless earbuds that will be available shortly before Christmas 2017 – AffordaBuds.com – His design is an Alien named “ReeZen” and the tagline is “Listen to ReeZen – AffordaBuds are The Sound Choice in affordable Bluetooth wireless earbuds that connect easily and sound great!”

Please check it out at AffordaBuds.com

Link to the AffordaBud earbuds.

This is his first professional design and I am very proud of him and would appreciate your support of his efforts there…he’s one of company founders! Congratulations Harlon!

Thank you,
Rick McCargar

 

Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 1 of 5

Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 1 of 5


Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 2 of 5

Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 2 of 5


Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 3 of 5

Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 3 of 5


Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 4 of 5

Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 4 of 5


Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 5 of 5

Eric Clapton Hideaway guitar tab page 5 of 5

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE acoustic-electric guitar – New Gear Day!

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE acoustic-electric guitar – New Gear Day!

These guitars are beautiful, and relatively inexpensive considering they are made out of all solid wood, bone nut and bridge, ebony pins and tuning key buttons plus Paua Abalone and Mother of Pearl.

I bought it new from Pacific Guitar Sales on reverb.com and got it for the offer I made of $800. They were asking $899.

So far, I’m loving it! The top is a bit more stiff than the Guild Jumbo (in the pix) and naturally it’s less boomy/bassy. So they each have quite different voices.

The Photos!

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE


Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE  body front photo

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE body front photo


Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE tuner

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE tuner

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE Alvarez-Guild-Martin

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE Treble bout

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE sound hole

Alvarez Masterworks MDA70CE head stock

From Alvarez: Key features
* Series – Alvarez Masterworks

* Top Wood – Solid AA Sitka Spruce

*Back & Sides Wood – Solid East Indian Rosewood

*Shape – Dreadnought w/ Cutaway

*Neck – One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish

*Bracing System – FST2M – Forward Shifted, Scalloped X

*Bridge – Bi-Level Rosewood

*Inlays – Abalone & Mother of Pearl

*Purfling – 1.5mm Paua Abalone

*Fingerboard – Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay

*Headstock Plate – Rosewood

*Nut & Saddle – Real Bone

*Tuner – Premium Die Cast Gold w/Ebony Buttons

*Binding – Flame Maple

*Bridge Pins – Ebony

*Strings – D’Addario EXP

*Accessory – Alvarez Hardshell Wood Case

The Alvarez MDA70CE is made from a hand selected, AA solid Sitka spruce top, and solid, cured mahogany back and sides. Each component is made of natural material, including real bone saddles and nuts, Acacia Koa bindings, Paua Abalone purflings, ebony bridge pins and green abalone inlays. Masterworks guitars feature a one-piece mahogany neck with a 50/50 finish, premium tuners and 12th Fret abalone inlay.

Thanks for watching, hit “like” if you did!
Rick McCargar

1 ) Donate using the PayPal Donate button or by clicking here: http://paypal.me/RichardMcCargar
 
Download “Little Martha” from iTunes, I’d sure appreciate it!
Little Martha – Rick McCargar


 
Stream Maxstrumental 6C on Spotify.

 

Thank you for your support!
Rick

 
or here: http://paypal.me/RichardMcCargar