Am I afflicted with G.A.S. (gear acquistion syndrome)? Nahh... I'll never have the disposable income to be a serious guitar junkie. But one of these days, I want to have my own home project studio, and these are some of the toys I want in it:
- '61-'62 Fender Duo-Sonic, "maroonburst" with slab fingerboard; and/or
'56 Fender Duo-Sonic, "desert sand" with maple neck/board
Either would be a sweet little guitar! It probably wouldn't be that difficult to find totally stock examples in the best possible condition. The difficult part would be affording it, and then balancing the urge to play it and to keep it "as is." All-original or not at all. Medium priority.
- '64(?)-'65 "slab board" Fender Duo-Sonic II (24" scale/"B" width nut only), in blue or red
Many "slab board" MM/DS/Mustangs were apparently made in late 1965-early 1966. Once thought to be leftover from '62 Jaguars, new evidence suggests that these "slab board" Fender student models were probably a temporary solution to increase production overnight, to counter an increase in student model production from Gibson. All-original or not at all. Low priority.
- Late '60s/early '70s Fender Competition Mustang, in red or blue
All-original with matching headstock really isn't an issue here (but it sure would be nice)... as long as it has those cool racing stripes! Low priority.
- '70s Fender Telecaster Deluxe (anything except the poo brown color!)
Partly due to the Buck Pets' Andy Thompson playing one, and partly because it's a Tele dressed as a Les Paul (with Seth Lover-designed humbuckers, natch). Unfortunately, they're already upwards of $2k. Actually, I'd consider putting a Gibson-esque Warmoth 24 3/4" scale conversion neck on one, so then all I'd need would be the original body and pickups. Low priority (since I modded my Cyclone); even the recent re-issue seems to be lower quality (normal humbuckers dressed up as proper 'wide range' pickups are now stock?).
- Fender Jaguar (any year, but NO block inlays!)
Given how much I like the 24" scale Duo-Sonic, chances are I'd like the Jaguar too. I'd want to replace the slider switches with a single toggle switch, and dropping a (pair of) humbucker(s) into it (perhaps Fender Tele Deluxe humbuckers, like Lee Ranaldo/Sonic Youth) would be great too. Of course, I'd never modify an all-original, vintage Jaguar. Maybe I'll decide to save myself a lot of work, and just seek a Vista-series CIJ Squier Jagmaster. Low priority.
- (Newer) Gibson Les(s) Paul (Studio)
In the mid-'90s, all I wanted was a black Gibson Les Paul (partly due to the Buck Pets' Chris Savage playing one, not to mention Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols). But every time I came close to being able to afford a real one, something would get in the way (a root canal, a new radiator for my car, getting ripped off by a "friend," etc.). After repairing a buddy's LP Studio, I finally got the opportunity to play one in the privacy of my own bedroom (I had to test it out, right?). At last I understood why people pay so much money for a guitar that's so darn heavy: sustain for days on end and the true sound of Rock 'n Roll. Yeah! Low priority, since acquiring an Electra 'Less Paul' MPC in Summer 2003.
- Mesa/Boogie Mk. III "Coliseum" head + Mesa(/Boogie) half-back 4 x 12 cab
Again, the Buck Pets influence (and Metallica used them too, back when they were good), but also a great sounding amp. Low priority.
- Older Fender ______-verb (Vibroverb, Twin Reverb, etc.)
A decrepit Fender all-tube combo amp with reverb is all you really need for garage rock. Higher priority, since I realized how frickin' great my guitars sound with my Vintage Rat and Little Big Muff pedals, through the clean channel of my Boogie Mk II.
- More effects pedals!!
I'll never be able to afford them, but I'd like to eventually own rare/collectible pedals like the Boss DC-2, DM-3, SP-1, and VB-2. More realistic goals would include another Boss delay (DD-7?), a vintage MXR Distortion+, and perhaps some variant of Ibanez TubeScreamer (TS9-DX? ST-9?). Medium priority.
- 16-track analog tape recorder, with all the fixins' (mixer, mics, etc.)
Perhaps I should try an intermediate between this and my Tascam Porta 3 first, but why settle for just four or 8 tracks of recording at any given time? Digital/hard drive recorders have come a long way, but to my ears distorted guitars still sound MUCH better when recorded on magnetic tape. Low priority (until I start writing songs again).