Further vs, Tribute

[stanpz]

I've played guitar since high school ( I'm 58 now ), but I would consider myself a ameteur who just enjoys playing at home. I have always loved the Grateful Dead and I can now afford an Alembic. I am having trouble deciding between Further and Tribute. I'm eliminating the stage versions of each. I don't have large paws, so neck size may be a factor. I like to play traditional rock, blues, Dead, no metal. There are no dealers near me. Can anyone give me a quick thought on the two models.  This is my first post on this forum. I am new to Alembic guitars. I own PRS, Strats, Teles, Suhr etc. I just love guitars and have too many, as others here may also. Thanks for any thoughts you have. I have located potential guitars on Guitar Rez in Austin and Will Gunn Guitars. Any other dealers to check out ?

[crobbins]

The neck on my Tribute has the best feel, and action of any guitar I have ever owned. I've never played a Further, although I do want one. Tributes are set-neck, and furthurs are neck-through. The electronics are quite sensitive. I have looked at those guitars at GuitarRez. as well...

[hydrargyrum]

As Craig points out, Furthers are neck through, and Tributes are set neck.  Usually a neck through guitar is said to have more sustain, and the tone is primarily determined by the woods used in the neck.  A set neck guitar is said to be more punchy, and the body woods have a greater contribution to the tone.  The electronics and scale length are identical on the standard models, so primarily you will be looking at the differences in the neck through/set neck wood combination.

[pace]

Welcome to the board, Stan!  
 
Weight may also be a factor. Due to the size & thickness, a Tribute will be slightly heavier, yet that's a relative thing.... the Trib has a maple core, and the Further has a Purpleheart core, both of which are dense compared to say mahogany, ash or alder.

[lbpesq]

Stan:
 
Welcome to the club.  If you're planning on buying a  new instrument, you have the option to have the neck shaped any way you want.  For example, when my custom Further was being built, I brought my old Strat up to the factory and they copied the neck.  As for the woods used, you can change the recipe too.  On my Further I have Vermilion core and neck laminates instead of the purpleheart.  Either one, Further or Tribute, you can't go wrong.
 
Bill, the guitar one

[jx2638]

Stan,
I played '79 strats for 20+ years and never thought I'd switch or say this...the neck on the Futher and Trib is absolutely the sweetest feel ever.  I'll never go back.  I will say that having been accustomed to the strat body made the Further body type feel like home.  If a custom isn't necessary, check out the Further on ebay right now....ends tomorrow I believe.   No LED's but at $5K it could be a sweet deal.  Whatever you choose and at whatever price point, you won't be disappointed.