I guess I'm a fat-fingered weakling

[PeterBregman]

You all know more about guitars than I do, and I'd appreciate some advice.

I've got two guitars at the moment - a G&L Legacy, and a super weird, hyper-modded vintage Japanese thing (Apollo).

The Apollo was supposed to be a kinda jokey guitar that I got for cheap because I liked the gold foil pup it had, and the bamboo (yes, bamboo) neck was pretty and easy to play. I modded it heavily (re-fret, replaced the bridge with a TOM, added a bridge pup (MPLS Guitars firebird mini), six-way switching, etc). It sounds great, but it feels sorta ridiculous to play as my main guitar, and it has a definite "sound" to it (not super versatile). So....

Earlier in the year I got a G&L Tribute Legacy as my "serious" guitar. I always liked how versatile strats were, and the G&L seemed way better built for the money than anything else. Because I can't leave well enough alone, I also modded this guitar (new tusq nut, locking tuners, tusq string tree). It sounds like a million bucks now, and in a better player's hands, it would be wonderful.

Here's the problem...lately, I've found myself reaching for the Apollo over the Legacy for two big reasons - 1) I'm not jibing with the 25.5" scale length. The Apollo is 24", and my stubby fingers are a lot happier on that neck. 2) The Legacy is a BEAST. It's 9lb 7.5oz. It feels like I'm strapping a tree to myself when I put it on. The Apollo, on the other hand, is impossibly light at 5lbs 10oz. It's getting harder to justify even picking up the Legacy.

Here comes the question part. I do really dig the Fender/single coil sound and vibe. I also like having a vibrato for the occasional wiggle. I just want something lighter, and shorter scale. What do I do?

My options as I see them:

-Get a Mustang or a Jaguar. Mustangs are lighter, and there are some nice early-2000's CIJ Fenders out there.
-Build a Warmoth ⅞ Strat. More work, but also, I get a short scale strat.
-Look at other brands/styles. LP with a bigsby? Boutique something? Who knows.

School me in guitars for fat-fingered weaklings.

[Chankgeez]

Pics or you totally do not have an Apollo.

It sounds great, but it feels sorta ridiculous to play as my main guitar, and it has a definite "sound" to it (not super versatile). So....

Don't be ridiculous! Guitars like that rule!

-Build a Warmoth ⅞ Strat. More work, but also, I get a short scale strat.

I think you'll probably be happiest with that. ^^^

If you're really only doin' a little wigglin', put a Bigsby on it. You could also throw a "weird" pickup in the middle position or something.

Also, mention of the word "Apollo" made me wanna listen to this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62qwaw6qQkI[/youtube]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62qwaw6qQkI

[PeterBregman]

Pics or you totally do not have an Apollo.

The God of Music:



Building a ⅞ Strat does sound fun, but also, this looks pretty temping: https://reverb.com/item/36613875-2004-f ... ed-pickups

[Chankgeez]

That Apollo is amazin'!

Yeah, that Mustang looks pretty nice too.

[jirodreamsofdank]

2) The Legacy is a BEAST. It's 9lb 7.5oz. It feels like I'm strapping a tree to myself when I put it on. The Apollo, on the other hand, is impossibly light at 5lbs 10oz. It's getting harder to justify even picking up the Legacy.

I know that weight concern/opinions/etc. is a blues lawyer hallmark... but I have a Jazzmaster that's a couple of ounces under 7.5# and a Jag that was supposedly 8# 10oz but I'm betting tops 9. It shouldn't be that serious a difference but I find myself reaching for the Jazzmaster even though I love the Jag's switching and 24" scale. The lighter guitar just balances and feels better.

[backwardsvoyager]

As much as I love Jags, you likely won't find one under 7lbs and most will be close to 9. Not light guitars.

A Mustang might fit the bill but they aren't for everyone so it'd be advisable to try in-person if possible (I find them awkward to hold and the trem system isn't the best).

(honestly though, that Apollo is badass and just sticking a bigsby and maybe a Jag pickup or something in it could be real fun)

I think balance is just as important as weight, too. A guitar with a super light body may end up being neck heavy which can then contribute to wrist issues. I hope you find what works best for you.

[dubkitty]

if you need light weight and short scale, a Fender Player Duo Sonic is calling your name.

[PeterBregman]

if you need light weight and short scale, a Fender Player Duo Sonic is calling your name.

Aren't Duo Sonic's basically Mustangs with a hardtail? Maybe I'm wrong. I honestly have a hard time telling them apart.

[Lurker13]

That Apollo guitar looks awesome!

if you need light weight and short scale, a Fender Player Duo Sonic is calling your name.

Aren't Duo Sonic's basically Mustangs with a hardtail? Maybe I'm wrong. I honestly have a hard time telling them apart.

I was thinking Duo Sonic too. I'm not so sure about the neck profiles though, they're standard C instead of modern C.

Duo Sonics are not Mustangs. They are the same scale and about the same size, but they are different guitars.
1) The bodies are different - Mustangs are offsets, Duo Sonics are not.
2) They have different pickups.
3) The bridge pickup placement on the Mustang is slanted, the current Duo Sonic's is not slanted, although the older ones' were slanted.
4) The pickguards have different shapes.
Also, some Mustangs are hardtails.
Here is some guitar porn so you can compare them visually.

NSFW: show

Duo Sonic:


Mustang:

[PeterBregman]

Well shit, there's this lovely option: https://reverb.com/item/37108718-2018-l ... ns-vibrato

[dubkitty]

well, that certainly is a thing. it's probably a good thing i don't have the money, cos i can totally see that sitting on the sofa with my other Fender girls.

[Lurker13]

It is a beaut', but I think you could argue the price down. Duo Sonics sell for $600 new, and with a 10% discount from a major retailer, you're down to $540 for a brand new guitar with a 2 year warranty.

This is one of those cases were someone customizes a guitar to their taste and then claims that increased the resale value. I think you could successfully argue that adding the trem decreased the tuning stability, and therefore the value. Also, the rest of the modifications were just to his taste, so they don't really add to the value of the guitar.

But hey, it's your call.

[PeterBregman]

Very solid advice that I totally appreciate. I'm in unknown territory.

What's the consensus on the Player Lead II? Seems like it's even more Strat-y than a Duo Sonic, and cheaper.

[Lurker13]

Very solid advice that I totally appreciate. I'm in unknown territory.

What's the consensus on the Player Lead II? Seems like it's even more Strat-y than a Duo Sonic, and cheaper.

I can't help you there, but dubkitty just bought one. viewtopic.php?f=188&t=2333&p=1404886#p1404886

[Lurker13]

GC has a used Duo Sonic for sale at what looks like a reasonable price, $389.99. But if you're tempted to pull the trigger, then I suggest emailing them first to get more specifics. For example, they don't list the year, and there aren't any close ups, like they might be trying to hide something.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Fende ... ic&index=5

Now I really am starting to GAS for a Duo Sonic too.