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Rob, happy that you're on the mend! Happy that you're on the mend! Happy that you're on the mend!
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10-11-2024 05:20 AM
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Jabber…thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Yes, the P0501 looks nice.
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And I’ve just bought it! Westone PO501 Sunburst (Pre Owned, 1980, EC-) #8060806 - Guitar Village
They have a 14-days return policy, but the hospital are now giving me a couple of day passes per week to get me ready for eventual full discharge. It’s not a problem, as it usually only takes a few minutes to know if it is a keeper.
I asked for their tech to give me a more detailed report on its condition. They’ve dressed and polished the frets, the intonation is good, the tuners have a smooth action, and all the electrics work as expected, without any crackles. The pickup covers are badly tarnished. I could replace the covers, or just live with them, probably the latter.
Looking forward to playing again! I’ll give a NGD post after spending a bit of time with it.
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That's great Rob. May I ask why you chose that one? Thanks
Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
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The spruce top over the laminate might give it a slightly more interesting sound to my tastes. That remains to be seen. As L5s go, I’ve a feeling it will be a good one. That also remains to be seen!
The KING II also looks a great guitar for the price, should anyone be looking for a laminate L5 not at Gibson prices.
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Ah! so the 501 has a solid spruce top as opposed to laminate. I hadn't seen that. Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
That, and the more traditional headstock shape would have made it my choice.
Of course I'm incredibly jealous now!
I hope turns out to be a great guitar for you.
I'm contemplating travelling to Yorkshire from S. Wales to take a look at a very interesting acoustic archtop that I really know nothing about!
Glad you are making progress health - wise.
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It arrives on Monday, but I won’t get to see it until Friday. Most frustrating, but then I can bring it with me to the hospital. The ward will be swinging! (Maybe not…)
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Well, the Westone PO501 arrived, and my wonderful wife put it in a taxi and brought it to my hospital room.
First impression: stunning guitar for the money, beats any electric archtop I’ve had before.
It is strung with 13s flats, which are too heavy for my weakened left hand, so I tuned it down to Eb, and might try D.
Problem: The guitar might have to be returned, and not for anything I had anticipated. As part of my medical treatment I have a perma-cath: two 3” long tubes inserted into my upper chest, right side. They dangle down, and three times a week I get them attached to a machine which sucks my blood out, cleans it of antibodies, and puts the clean blood back in. Two tubes: one in, one out. The guitar is big, an L5 copy, and it presses against the tubes, bad news. I tried putting padding in between, under my shirt, but after ten minutes of playing I am in despair. I don’t think this is safe for me.
I’m not sure how long the perma-cath will be in place. It could be months or years, the docs are still debating it. So far, the plasma exchange is the only thing my body is responding to, and doing it very well.
So, with deep regret, I will have to return it within the 14-day returns time. And I’ll have to rethink what guitar body shape I can have. I’m also worried about my classical guitars and lutes. Damn.
I’ll see if the nurses can find a solution.
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That's a real shame! Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
Looks like a big guitar from the pictures though (and heavy too?). I suspect that if you try a few different guitars, you'll find one that'll work for you, but obviously you'll want to play them before you buy them, which can be a challenge now-a-days.
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Cheers, Mick. I have an Epiphone Les Paul at home. On my next day pass I’ll try it out. Not quite what I was hoping to play. I might try a tele shape as well. But I’m an archtop guy at heart. Maybe a 15” would be small enough. It’s all quite frustrating.
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o.k. Rob, but gee, that's like going from one extreme to another size wise, not sure it'll help you gauge the appropriate size. Is weight a factor too? That is, maybe a lighter, laminate archtop would put less pressure on your chest? Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
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Yes, the Westone is a very heavy guitar. I need to get to a store with a good number of archtops in different sizes and weights. There are a couple of good guitar stores in Edinburgh, I just need to be able to get to them…
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That may not work for you now, Rob. My Epi LP weighs a hair under 5.5 kg. Yes, it’s a 7 - but the body is identical to the 6 string version and the neck isn’t much bigger. It’s the heaviest guitar I’ve ever had except for the brass body National Style O that I sold because it was too heavy. Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
I’m thrilled to see how well you’re doing and hope for continued successful treatment and ever improving sense of well-being!
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Thanks, never.
I experimented more with the guitar today, and I might be able to keep it. A little judicious padding helps. If the catheter ever gets replaced, we can put it on the left side, bypassing the problem altogether. The guitar is worth keeping.
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Solid body guitars are a more manageable size but they're also heavier than acoustics or archtops... I hope that's not a possible issue... (just a thought) Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
Heartfelt best wishes.
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Thanks, frabarmus. Weight matters, but in this case placement is crucial. I’m determined to make it work, while not being detrimental to my condition.
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I hope it works out for you. It would be a shame to have to part with the guitar. Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
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Cheers, Gary.
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Hey Rob,
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. As they say..
If this one doesn’t work out and a smaller electric archtop guitar is an option, perhaps you can try an Ibanez GB10? Thats kind of a pocket rocket, and by far the easiest guitar I’ve ever played. 12’s feel like 10’s on that guitar. And make sure you try Thomastik Infield Jazz swings on any guitar you buy. They are very spongy and they last for years.
I am so glad you are back. You have much more life to live.
Joe D
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I wonder if something like this might work? (of course, if with some help you could get your new Westone to work that would be the top)
MARTIN GBPC Steel String Backpacker | Musical Store 2005
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Thanks, Joe. The GB10 is always an option. Thanks for the continued support!
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P.S. I've never seen a Westone "in flesh and bones" but I do remember that their jazz-guitars were advertised a whole lot in italian guitar-magazines back in the 80's. That L5 copy looks wonderful.
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Not sure about that Martin, frabarmus, but I appreciate your thinking!
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PS Yes, this Westone is a top-level guitar.
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