Frets XL-5

Hi,

Could someone tell me what size frets are on the XL-5 please.
I've tried getting this info on the net, but no success.

Cheers

JWW

Are you referring to the X5 Monark? Or something else?

Hello carsair

I'm refering to this model:

http://www.musikaster.com/catalog/index.php?oms=6000&pro=1300013&fot=4&pro=1300013

This looks like a great opportunity for a beginner. And how would you compare this guitar to an Epiphone Les Paul Special 2?
Taking into account that I like guitarists like Steve Hackett.

Thanks

John

Ah!! Well, first up, that's a modern copy of an LP which I think are marketed through Germany - there's plenty of brand new Fender/Gibson copies, branded Westone, for sale on eBay that originate through Germany anyway, and I know very little about them!!

Without wanting to be elitist, I don't think they'll come close to the quality of the Westones that we tend to bang on about in here which were made in the Matsumoku factory in the early 1980s, but I don't know that for a fact, eh!!

I don't know much about any of the modern LP copies, but I do know that the LP I owned a long time ago had a carved top and was a high class instrument and that the new copies don't seem to be carved?
I also know that the beginners market is flooded with fair to middling guitars made in the Far East, as well as some appalling guitars that will put a beginner off guitar for good, as most of these - and to be fair, the big names as well! - do tend to need a bloody good sorting out by a luthier when brand new as some do have outrageous playability issues, ie action height, fret trimming/polishing and neck relief.

There are plenty of good beginners guitars out there on the market now, but I would suggest that you keep an eye on the likes of eBay as late eighties Japanese/Korean guitars of superb quality can often be had for a bargain price!

Firstly, thanks for your very informative answer.

Secondly, when I go shopping for one I think I’ll have to put on a flak jacket and tin hat!

Yeah, I’ve been looking around recently on the net and it’s amazing how many LP copies there are out there. They all look the same, with humbuckers, some with the 3-way switch in a different location, and the prices fluctuate wildly. The colour is also an important financial statistic.

At the moment I have one of those appaling strat copies that I bought from a reputable department store. Not so reputable now. No name on it, no country of origin, and it sounds awful. I have a practice amp, which is an Ibanez IBZ10G. I was actually thinking about buying an Ibanez GRG model, but I think they are more for metal fans, not for me.

As for ebay, I’ve had a look on a couple of occasions and will continue to do so. Maybe something will catch my eye. The other night I was looking at the ‘rondomusic’ site. Some nice looking copies, but to get one shipped to where I live, Spain, would cost as much as the guitar. Finally, to play it safe, I’ll probably get one from a local music specialist.........................maybe.

Thanks again.

John

Shipping to Spain can't be that expensive, surely?! I've had stuff sent here to Jersey from the UK and from Continental Europe at very reasonable rates! Well, reasonable to someone who is used to paying prices to get stuff from the US and UK to New Zealand!

I wandered into one of the two guitar based shops here in St Helier today, oddly enough, and there are some good looking Epiphones at what seemed to me to be fair prices; I can't say anything about their quality as I didn't even touch them, but they looked OK. The thing is, though, for that sort of money, you'll pick up a Westone Spectrum in good order, or an APII or Vantage, and the quality of these 80's Jap guitars is astonishing; I happen to like the Spectrums which are your pretty basic electric guitar but they have a fit and finish that belie their place in the guitar world, and also come in a dizzying array of colours and pick up arrangements!!

Good luck in the hunt, John - maybe we'll see you in here again!!

Hello again

It's expensive, at least with Fedex. For example, a guitar that costs $115 would cost $96 to have it sent by 'economy class'. With a $55 hard case $136. Anyway, I will probably get an Epiphone next week - my Christmas present to me from me - and use my other guitar to experiment on. I'll try putting some humbuckers on it first. Can't wait.

This morning I went into a shop called 'cashconverters', quite a selection of second-hand guitars that looked like they had been around for a while. I might be able to pick up something good from there in the future. There was also a nice 'Rogers' kit, yes, I used to play the drums, a nice big powerful nine piece Tama kit.

I'll drop in and let you know how I get on.

Hey, I'll be flying over St Helier on 26th.

Cheers

John
Seville

For how long, bro?? Maybe a beer is on the cards....

LOL

For about a minute. And I don't think BMI Baby will make an unscheduled stop.
Flying from Malaga to East Midlands. As of March 2011 Ryanair will be flying from Seville to East Midlands, so that'll be handy for me.
2.5 hour drive to Malaga airport.

Btw, just bought an Epiphone LP Special ll. Mail order. Should get it by 3/01/11
Seeing that I won't get it for Christmas, I'll get the missus to buy me something else. A pedal maybe.....

Cheers!

Ah, well... We try to use Flybe wherever we can, and for international, you cannot beat Singapore Airlines!!

Yeah; a nice delay/reverb would be the go, perhaps...