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Style of Music: Jammy

Comments: My first electric guitar, bought used when I was 14 or so in 1977. I'd never seen anything like it -- the friends I played with had Les Paul copies or SGs, for the most part, and this guitar was incredibly exotic at the time. It was too much guitar for me at the time, but I grew into it, and now I can't imagine parting with it.

Definitely the heaviest guitar I have ever played -- must weigh 16 pounds, maybe more; it's like a tank.

The original owner replaced the stock pickups with a pair of DiMarzio humbuckers, and added a Q switch, which is a passive filter that brightens the tone.

I played it this way for about 15 years, but I was always frustrated with the stock nut, tail piece, and bridge. The strings would constantly bind in the nut, throwing the guitar out of tune -- it you bent a string you usually had to retune, which was obviously annoying. At some point I stumbled on the Kahler tremolo and its Floyd Rose-style locking nut, and I haven't looked back. I had a local luthier install it, and it really upgraded the playability of the guitar.

I suppose these mods have affected it's value, but they also transformed into a professional quality instrument. It's a beautiful guitar that's very satisfying to play. I just love this guitar. It has a very loud and clear tone -- not piercing or overly bright, just very clear. It colors up well, but it can also stand on its own. Wonderful sustain, good fretboard access. The action is good, although the upper frets aren't quite as accessible as my buddy's Strat. Still, it plays beautifully.

Score: 9.2

04/26/2011 at 4:09 PM

by MarkRaymond

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Purchased New:		yes
Date Acquired:		1976
Price:		cheap*
Name:		MarkRaymond
Email:		N/A

Style of Music: Rock, power pop

Comments: my dad knew Pete LaPlaca and got me the 450G for cost*. I dinged the tone because the pups were horribly microphonic. I replaced the bridge finally with SD Jeff Beck in '81. I used the back mounting plate and modified the JB to fit on it, so theres no pup ring. Now it screams. Its very heavy and as I get older I like my axes lighter. I will never part with this one tho since it was my first real guitar. came with an Anvil flight case which only lasted 10 years. the guitar is in good shape apart from buckle rash and such but for a 35 yr old guitar what can you expect. These are built to last!

Score: 9.8

06/04/2010 at 1:39 PM

by John Young

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Durability:
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Purchased New:		yes
Date Acquired:		1976
Price:		$750
Name:		John Young
Email:		[ e-mail ]

Style of Music: Classic rock, some hard, some soft. Stones to Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, etc.

Comments: I would have given this a 10 for durability except that the bass "E" 12th fret has lifted slightly, causing some buzz if I play up there, and local Luthiers seem clueless on how to fix an ebonol neck. This has the best shielding and access to electronics of any guitar I've ever seen. Quiet, too, even when next to flourescent lights or a lighting dimmer.

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