What really happened...

Serves as a guide for most, and my first-hand experience on them. Most would probably want to direct him/herself away from this post.

Humble Beginnings
I had a Squier for as long as I can remember. Don't laugh. It had a decent-looking sunburst finish and was one of those cheap Affinity Series ones. The cheapest Squier I could find. I named him Flenny.

Starting Out
Now when I got more serious about playing, I knew that I would have to part with my Squier. I needed something bolder and more fit to my style. Don't get me wrong, it served its purpose by providing me with a decent guitar to practice on. But it was time to let go.

What I like to call, the MIJ/MIK Period
I gotta admit, it was pretty sad to part with Flenny, my first real guitar, but I knew I needed to replace him. Back then, I was obsessed with MIJ Copies or "Lawsuit" Copies. The 70's and 80's was a classic time for those copies. I still had money left in my budget, along with some trade value I was able to get off with Flenny to start anew.

I started out with something simple. A 70's Greco SG w/ a HSC and a Schindler Strat. It's a brand I've never even heard of, but hey, I was happy to get that schindler strat rather than 2k. (I still keep that schindler as my official "backup", though. Those things are real cheap, btw.) My start certainly wasn't a great one, as I failed to notice that it had a bolt-on neck. My Squier was one, so I didn't think it mattered. How wrong and foolsih I was. Cut me some slack, we're talking about a guy who just got rid of his Squier. But I mean COME ON, why get a freaking SG if it's going to be a bolt on? I wasn't entirely satisfied with its playability. It felt cheap overall. Eventually sold the HSC and guitar separately and got more than I bought it for.

With Les Pauls being the icon of guitars, I decided to indulge myself in them. Got myself an MIK Les Paul (one of those Black custom ones with Gold Hardware) for an okay price. Although the construction, finish and electronics was really good, I got tired of it, and after using it for a good long time, I noticed it wasn't as heavy as most LP's were. It weighed a good less than 4kg at the very most. Eventually grew tired of it, and sold it with minimal losses.

Maybe I would try a more well-known brand. I tried to look for a decent Greco, but found a nice Tokai one instead. It was a pretty modern one compared to the others. I think it was an ALS-48 or something like that with cherry sunburst finish. Finish was nice, and I really liked this one. But when I saw a really nice Greco Explorer, I knew I would have to part with my Tokai.

It was great for the most part. I actually liked the explorer, even with the unusual shape. God, Explorers have got to be my favorite design. It had a nice gold-ish finish, and a couple of SD designed HB-101's in them. The playability was decent but unfortunately, it didn't sound that great. Although it looked perfect and the pups looked good on paper, it really wasn't the best-sounding guitar I've heard. Or maybe explorers weren't meant for me. I eventually got involved in a deal that brought me an Aria Pro II LP copy in Wine Red.

The Aria was really good. I loved the tone of it, and the guy got it recently set up so I was good. I think the Aria really was one of the best LP copies I've ever tried. I really did like it, but I knew that it didn't quite fit with me. Maybe I'm just REALLY picky, but I wanted to try other guitars too. Regrettably, I parted with the Aria. Until now, I wish I hadn't then. I got a surprising good deal after some guy tested the guitar out for himself.

Maybe Gibson-type guitars weren't really fit for my style. I decided to try out Strats and Shredder Guitars.

Strat Copies and Ibanez Shredders
Basically I somehow landed myself with a Tokai Strat. Didn't like the single-coils, in short, and wanted an HSS Strat. Reminded me too much of Flenny.

Adding a little cash, I got a decent Dame T290 in BS. Beautiful little things they are. It was MIK, and man, was it AWESOME. It had two GS single-coil pups and a GS Humbucker pup. I eventually replaced the bridge with a SD JB and I loved it.

Because I heard Fernandes Strats were just so damn good, I had to try one. It was white with a white pickguard. It was a decent SSH. And man, I loved it more than any guitar I've tried until now. And I thought the Dame was good. It was so good, it's the second guitar I named. For the record, I named it "Boe".

I don't really remember which Ibanez I tried. This period is really hazy for me. I think it was one of those RG series. A black one. Simple. Tried it. Didn't like it. I really don't like Shredder guitars like Schecter or Ibanez. Luckily, one of the Church's guitars was an Ibanez, so I got to try it out, and decided not to get one.

Now, with a lot more money than I started out, along with the P4000 allowance I got from my great uncle, I decided to try for Brand Names like Epiphone and Fender. Maybe they really WERE worth paying for. (Though I did have this "Never pay for brand name thing", lol.)

Brand Names Era
Although it killed my budget, I tried a MIM Fender HSS Strat. It was decent-ish, but I really didn't see much difference from it and the Fernandes. Maybe the MIA ones are a lot better, but I don't think I'd ever shell out enough for a decent one. Fender wasn't my thing.

I wanted to try something I've never tried before. A real Epiphone LP. I've tried Greco's and Tokai's, even a Burny once, but I wanted to see how the official Epiphone by Gibson stood. I really did want an LP, but I got this amazing offer I couldn't resist for an Epiphone SG.

My Current
My current guitar now is an Epiphone 1966 SG Re-issue G-400. It's a really nice guitar, with the full 66' pickguard like the Gibson Standards. It's just like the 1966, but without the P-90's. OR whatever they had back then. I can't remember, pretty sure it was the P-90's. I'm actually happy with my guitar now, I'm merely open to more possibilities. My third named guitar. I named him "Angus".

So...
Along the way, I got myself a decent Behringer 15w amp. I just LOVE this amp. It sounds close to a Tube Amp, and although it doesn't have the most features, it's really a nice simple amp for me to just practice or play on. It stays currently in my room next to the computer.

The Peavey stays at the church, since it's quite difficult lugging it back and forth. But I'm almost done paying for it. (I got allowance to pay for half on my birthday, and the other half was paid by the church.) Of course, I'm in no rush, but I'd really like to finish off payments to officially call it my own.


Anyway, this is what I've been busy with most of the summer.

Now? I'm looking to trade it. AGAIN. I dunno. Maybe I'm just REALLY PICKY with guitars, but none except the Fernandes Strat really felt TOTALLY RIGHT for me. I still continue to seek out other guitars, and maybe one day I'll settle on a good one that's fit for my playing style. I'm really hoping to try an epiphone Les Paul, or maybe another decent HSS Strat, since I have the best experience with them. I really wanted this Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Jr. Re-issue, MIJ which is apparently pretty rare or something. T

In the meantime, my fellow band mates continue to wonder how many times I'm going to change my guitar.