Classic conundrum - help please!

[Ray K.]

I own a beautiful Classic (03-16-09P), but...I've yet to completely bond with it. I'm trying to decide what my best options are. Please hear me out, and any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.

First, let me say that neck fit/feel and overall weight of the guitar are my two primary criteria for buying/owning/playing guitars these days.

So, I'm used to and love the feel of the standard neck carve on my other TAGs. This one has a 60's Vibe and the back shape is just a bit too chunky for my preference. Especially when switching from one of my other Tags. I realize Tom will do a new neck for around $500 and a bit of a wait, but I'm not yet sure I want to go that direction.

The weight is about 7.6 lbs according to my postage scale and bath scale. Believe it or not, this is just enough extra weight to cause me a problem with playing it for any length of time. I'm wondering if a Hollow Classic would be the way to go, though I realize Hollow doesn't always promise lighter weight (?).

If these two factors alone were removed from the picture or corrected, I believe it would be smooth sailing and the next issue would be worth fixing.

I'm not getting quite enough "classic S" sounds from the SC1/SC1/SC3 pickups. Since there are other pickup options, I'm feeling confident that I can get this worked out.

One important requirement for the pickups - they must be hum canceling!

I have options in this area and feel confident I can get something that will work.

Has anyone tried the Suhr BPSSC system? How about on a TAG? I'm not saying I want to go to this, but I'm thinking it is at least a possibility. This would allow me to use some VA's or whatever else is recommended.

So, I keep thinking it has come to trying to find a Hollow Classic with standard neck carve and do a trade. Or, sell this one outright and start the hunt. I simply cannot afford to have Tom build one to my specs anytime in the foreseeable future - maybe that will happen later.

Let me hear what you have to say. Maybe there are other options that I haven't thought about.

Thanks for listening and for your time!

Ray K.

[tom]

sounds to me like there are enough things "wrong" that i'd sell and re buy.
how important is the trem. it's a huge chunk of weight. i feel like there have been a fair amount of classics available used these days and good prices so you might find more of the right stuff.
tried the ssc on a classic and it worked very well with the neck and middle pickups, not as well with the hotter bridge pickup. you would have to swap the rwrp middle pickup to make it work.

[Ray K.]

I expect you're right Tom. Strange, but on the one hand it's kind of hard to let go, but I also don't keep many guitars for long if I'm not actively using them. Especially if selling/trading will get me to the one that is "magic" in my hands. :)

The trem...well I do know what you mean about the weight that it adds. My Hollow Drop Top has a trem and that guitar is as perfect as perfect can be (for me anyway). I rarely pop the arm in to use the trem, but my way of thinking is that is part of why the guitar sounds the way it does. Could be I'm on the wrong track and it's just a mind game.

But, I could do with a hard tail bridge just fine I believe.

Yeah, the BPSSC system is just a blip on the radar screen right now. I really don't want to fool with one. It's just an option if I need it.

Thanks for your reply!

I hope others will add their thoughts as well.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

the trem certainly adds something to the tonal equation.

[Ray K.]

Thanks for validating that!

Here's another thought...should I open my search to include a Drop Top Classic or HDTC? Or are these generally going to favor more midrange freqs?

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

tops, if all else was equal, spread out the freq response. more bottom and top.

[Ray K.]

Thank ye! :)

Ray K.