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Unclowning the burst - sunbathed beauty

Billy Porter

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Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
1,129
I think I can remember Jeavons. Was it just along from the Handyside Arcade? I remember a shop more or less opposite (pre fab shops) that sold things like Tokai guitars and always had (what I would consider lovely guitars now)lots of Love Rocks/reborns (that I did not like back then, cos they were not Gibsons). Then as mentioned Rock City was mega, and Windows was cool along with a few other shops dotted around the town. I'm sure one of my best pals at the time bought a lovely Ibanez semi (their version of a 335) from Jeavons, which was also a great shop.
Away from shopping, can I ask you about your cherry sunburst Custom? There was a band that used to play (a lot) on a Saturday night in Whitley Bay at Mingles club. I think they were called FM. They had two guitarists (both fantastic players), one who played an SG (but did not own it) and the other played an LP Custom in a cherry sunburst finish. I don't know what the guitarist was called, but he had a tone to die for. I wonder if this could be your guitar? If it is it's a piece of local rock history for me. The band in question was a local favourite for me and a load of other people.
Yes, it was alongside the Handyside arcade - now all replaced by Eldon Gardens,
I probably sold him that Ibanez Artist Semi acoustic. They're highly collectable now. Great guitars
The guy I bought my LP from lived in Cramlington so it could be the same guitar. I don't think it fair to name him on a forum. He was short with longish hair. It also belonged to a guy with a beard before that who then went to work at Rock City, a well-known local player/teacher. It probably swapped hands many times before it fell into mine. Still getting played regularly but only rarely gigged these post Covid days
 

dixiethedog

Member
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
31
Yes, it was alongside the Handyside arcade - now all replaced by Eldon Gardens,
I probably sold him that Ibanez Artist Semi acoustic. They're highly collectable now. Great guitars
The guy I bought my LP from lived in Cramlington so it could be the same guitar. I don't think it fair to name him on a forum. He was short with longish hair. It also belonged to a guy with a beard before that who then went to work at Rock City, a well-known local player/teacher. It probably swapped hands many times before it fell into mine. Still getting played regularly but only rarely gigged these post Covid days
Your pic of Percy Street brings back good memories. Newcastle was a fantastic place back in those days. The guitarist that I mentioned who played a cherry sunburst custom was a good 6 footer. I think. He had a good stage presence. Out of interest do you have any pics of your guitar, I'd love to see it. I bet it is a beauty! I was reminiscing about the shops and recalled a time I bought a Gibson from Rock City. My Dad had a factory along Scotswood Rd where they produced natural sausage skins. Animal intestines. I worked there for a time long enough to buy a guitar! Anyway, payday came. "I have enough money!" I asked my Dad to run me into Ncle to Rock City where I entered the shop to buy an LP. I had been covered from my chest down in liquid manure in the factory and stunk to high heaven. People nearly fainted with the smell and I was served quickly to get me out of the shop. I then stopped working at the factory. That was a black Custom. I later part ex'd it in Windows in the arcade for a brand new Les Paul Heritage Series 80. I will have to see if I can post a pic of it.
 

dixiethedog

Member
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
31
That is a cool looking guitar and a cool looking t-shirt. What is your amplifier of choice for a nice Les Paul tone?
 

Billy Porter

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
1,129
That is a cool looking guitar and a cool looking t-shirt. What is your amplifier of choice for a nice Les Paul tone?
I've heard others with far better tone than my amp. I used a Fender Monreaux since the 80s but the last few years a Boss Katana 50 as it sounds good enough for me and a lot lighter than the Fender.


Reddart - yeah, go ahead and post some more dead links here. Not sure what you're trying to say, sarcasm perhaps? Old threads have a lot of dead links due to Photobucket stopping users accounts. I haven't the time to go through old threads and re-instate
 
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dixiethedog

Member
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
31
I've heard others with far better tone than my amp. I used a Fender Monreaux since the 80s but the last few years a Boss Katana 50 as it sounds good enough for me and a lot lighter than the Fender.


Reddart - yeah, go ahead and post some more dead links here. Not sure what you're trying to say, sarcasm perhaps? Old threads have a lot of dead links due to Photobucket stopping users accounts. I haven't the time to go through old threads and re-instate
I think the Fender from the past and the Katana now would both sound superb with your old Les Paul. I know what you mean about the "a lot lighter" as I myself just use a Fractal Audio thing into 2 studio monitors in the house. Very light, but with tonnes of cool tones. I'm currently enjoying a few of the Fender amps that have been modeled, especially the Bandmaster, Bassman, Silverface, and the mega cool Blues Junior.
 
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