Well, I hit the big five-o in 2014. After seeing that some other club guys have done this, I'm thing of getting a super sweet custom (or at least really nice) guitar. Since I already have 3 really nice basses, this one is going to have to be a guitar.
I pretty much can't afford, or at least justify, a new custom Alembic. If I did get an Alembic, it would be like nothing I have yet seen in the showcase sections. I'd love a Spectrum in a similar red (cranberry?) tinted quilted maple like my Elan bass. But, a coco bolo natural finish would be awesome too. So would a quilted or flame maple in natural. Especially with a nice tremolo (Wilkinson or Skyway.
http://www3.alembic.com/img/DET_M_cocoboloL.jpg So, I'm looking at options. I really like some of the PRS and Carvin's. The double cut-a-ways with 2 or 3 pickups and tremolo. I played a sweet PRS Special 22 (red wine flame maple top)the other day at a shop here in town. It's been hanging there a while, and I can get a great deal on it.
And have always had a thing for the Gibson ES's. But I don't like the size of some of the semi-hollow bodies (i.e., the 335 and 175). The newer 339 looks pretty sweet. And the new Carvin Frank Gambale semi-hollow body looks pretty awesome.
So, since I have a year to decide, what else is out there that's not too common, in the 2-3K range, and easy on the eyes. And, my eyes are going to stay pealed for a killer used Alembic.
Stephen
