Gibson Lucille

[Woody Sound]

Oh, that’s a real thing, Woody, and one of the problems these days as guitar stores are closing down everywhere. Still, all the best stores have a good returns policy if you don’t like it, although that is still a hassle. The first thing I do is play it acoustically, see if it can respond to subtle nuances of my right hand. If not, I’m not likely to enjoy it when amplified.

Yeah LC talked about how "back in the day," "the studio guys" would go together to the shops and try out a bunch of guitars together and compare them.

[Marty Grass]

I have just a couple of relevant comments.

I've owned 3 Lucilles, a couple of 355s, and a couple of 345s. I gigged with a 345 for several years. I never found the Varitone useful. I don't doubt that some use it, particularly studio musicians. No me. Also, the stereo feature didn't help me.

I know have a newer 345 with no Varitone or stereo. It's lighter than the earlier ones. It's great.

[DawgBone]

I have just a couple of relevant comments.

I've owned 3 Lucilles, a couple of 355s, and a couple of 345s. I gigged with a 345 for several years. I never found the Varitone useful. I don't doubt that some use it, particularly studio musicians. No me. Also, the stereo feature didn't help me.

I know have a newer 345 with no Varitone or stereo. It's lighter than the earlier ones. It's great.

The Varitone can get some pretty cool specialty tones but I found many of the better ones can be approximated by setting the selector into the middle position and rolling back the tone on the bridge.