You're right, I didn't make that connection.

I'm still not 100% certain I won't carry my own, just trying to see what options there are.

Between baggage handlers, humidity and me dragging them around they always take a hit and they're just a pain in the airports/train stations.

But this trip I won't be doing much of the transient traveler, plan to stay in CM mostly, so hauling one of my own guitars might be the best plan. Would certainly save some loot if it doesn't get smashed or something dum.

Something like that Epiphone would probably be fine, and if I decide to leave mine here and it's still available in a coupla weeks, I'd be interested in having a look.

Thanks!

Actually, right now someone is selling a nice Epiphone for an excellent price. I know this guitar itself, and it's worth every penny!

Could you post or PM more info on this?

Thanks

Actually, right now someone is selling a nice Epiphone for an excellent price. I know this guitar itself, and it's worth every penny!

Could you post or PM more info on this?

Thanks

I saw it the other day on a Chiang Mai facebook page. I don't remember which one. I'll try to find it for you.

Actually, right now someone is selling a nice Epiphone for an excellent price. I know this guitar itself, and it's worth every penny!

Something like that Epiphone would probably be fine, and if I decide to leave mine here and it's still available in a coupla weeks, I'd be interested in having a look.

Could you post or PM more info on this?

Thanks

I saw it the other day on a Chiang Mai facebook page. I don't remember which one. I'll try to find it for you.

So I went and searched out the posting, went and took another look at the guitar, decided that it really WAS a great guitar for the price he was asking... and bought it myself.

Sorry. Wasn't my intention to buy another guitar when I woke up this morning. I guess the Devil made me do it. Don't know how I'm going to explain this to my wife...

So I went and searched out the posting, went and took another look at the guitar, decided that it really WAS a great guitar for the price he was asking... and bought it myself.

Sorry. Wasn't my intention to buy another guitar when I woke up this morning. I guess the Devil made me do it. Don't know how I'm going to explain this to my wife...

Hahah no problem

I use to have GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome)

when I lived in the US but electrics

Had some great ones too...Les Paul's & quite a few Strats & Tele's

Also use to build solid bodies & Tube Amps

Been here a few years now & was just starting to get the bug.

Live in a condo so thought maybe an acoustic

Will look around

Have fun & just tell the wife no I always had that one too

So I went and searched out the posting, went and took another look at the guitar, decided that it really WAS a great guitar for the price he was asking... and bought it myself.

Sorry. Wasn't my intention to buy another guitar when I woke up this morning. I guess the Devil made me do it. Don't know how I'm going to explain this to my wife...

Hahah no problem

I use to have GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome)

when I lived in the US but electrics

Had some great ones too...Les Paul's & quite a few Strats & Tele's

Also use to build solid bodies & Tube Amps

Been here a few years now & was just starting to get the bug.

Live in a condo so thought maybe an acoustic

Will look around

Have fun & just tell the wife no I always had that one too

I tried that with the last one. Interesting results... I learned that the couch isn't the most comfortable place to sleep...

Was it worth a night's discomfort for a good guitar? Hell, yeah!

Wife: "How many guitars do you NEED?!"

Addict: "Just one more !"

I guess I won't be looking for guitars in Chiang Mai after all.

I remembered I own a pretty nice Taylor that I abused with years of bar gigs, neglect, travel, neglect, humidity and neglect... loaned it to a good friend a couple years ago who lets his students play it sometimes. He called yesterday afternoon about something else and the little light went on.

Plays great, sounds fine and already has about 50 cracks in the top that Taylor glued and cleated for me.

She ain't young and pretty, but she's mine and she's coming along.

Could also be it is older than 2012, when they completely redesigned the guitar. When I bought mine I could have saved several hundred dollars by getting a 2011. But the advances in the 2012 were just too hard to pass up!

I have a second guitar that is a knock off Martin made in Japan in the 1960's. Quite nice. But nothing like the Martin!

I'll take a look at the Sigma line next time I'm in Bangkok. Thanks!!

These knock-off are precisely the reason Martin created the Sigma line... It was their attempt to compete with the Japanese pricings for guitar lines such as Yamaha and Takemine. In 1970, Martin formed the Sigma Corp, licensed the Martin bracing pattern and production methods, trained the luthiers, then required all guitars made to be shipped back to Martin in PA for final inspection before sending out to retailers selling primarily in Europe and Asia. They produced guitars 'almost' as good as original Martins, but able to sell for 1/3 the price.

Hey sorry to bring this thread back to the top but....

I played a bit on a Sigma at the shop in the Airport mall & was

impressed with it.Pretty decent tone

Can anyone tell me what other stores carry Sigma in Chiang Mai so I can compare prices?

Thanks

Edit:Oops I see OP mentioned 3 places thanks

Could also be it is older than 2012, when they completely redesigned the guitar. When I bought mine I could have saved several hundred dollars by getting a 2011. But the advances in the 2012 were just too hard to pass up!

I have a second guitar that is a knock off Martin made in Japan in the 1960's. Quite nice. But nothing like the Martin!

I'll take a look at the Sigma line next time I'm in Bangkok. Thanks!!

These knock-off are precisely the reason Martin created the Sigma line... It was their attempt to compete with the Japanese pricings for guitar lines such as Yamaha and Takemine. In 1970, Martin formed the Sigma Corp, licensed the Martin bracing pattern and production methods, trained the luthiers, then required all guitars made to be shipped back to Martin in PA for final inspection before sending out to retailers selling primarily in Europe and Asia. They produced guitars 'almost' as good as original Martins, but able to sell for 1/3 the price.

Hey sorry to bring this thread back to the top but....

I played a bit on a Sigma at the shop in the Airport mall & was

impressed with it.Pretty decent tone

Can anyone tell me what other stores carry Sigma in Chiang Mai so I can compare prices?

Thanks

Edit:Oops I see OP mentioned 3 places thanks

I've been playing on a Sigma D-45 (made to the same specs as the Martin D-45) for the past year and a half and am impressed with the sound-for-cost ability of this guitar. While it lacks some of the sustain of the Martin, it plays well with a rounded, mellow sound. It's a very loud guitar (well... it IS a dreadnaught, right?) but can play softly when needed, and considering it cost less than 1/3 of the Martin but has more than 3/4 of the sound, a good value. I bought it from M.I.W. on Changklan Rd. They have quite a good selection of guitars upstairs, and several different Sigma models.

I think it was the same guitar a friend played with last week here during one of our bluegrass jams. It actually seemed louder than my Martin D-18! Played very nice. He's had it for many years and loves it. Lucky dog also has a vintage Martin D-45.

I don't still don't know the origins of my Japanese Martin D-18 knockoff. It just says Martin on the headstock, no other markings anywhere. Got it for 8,000B here and it plays great. Very good value.

The Sigma D-45 is one of the loudest guitars I've ever heard. Playing on them at M.I.W. on Changklan Rd, swapping different Sigma models with Taylors, Washburns, Guilds, and a few other brands convinced me that for the money, all the Sigmas had the best sound, although I did like the Gibson Dove they had, but the price was three times higher.

There are a lot of Chinese knock-off Martins flooding the market these days, and some of them sound and play really great, but look a wee bit ragged if you look at them too closely! To spend $150 for a $3,000 guitar and have it actually work keeps them in business. There are several good YouTube videos about these knock-offs.

The Sigma line was created by C.F. Martin, licensed to use their bracing patterns, built by Martin-trained luthiers in Japan, then Korea, and now Germany. Originally they were all shipped back to Martin in the US for inspection before sale. The biggest difference between a Sigma and a Martin is the age of the woods used. Martin's wood might be naturally dried 20-30 years old, while Sigma will use 5-10 yr old wood that's been kiln dried. Does make a difference in the sound, but today a Martin D-45 sells for $8,000.00 US, and a Sigma D-45 sells for $1,500 and sound pretty damn good!

One thing I'm doing in retirement is learning and studying music.

Here is a photo Martin D41...fun to take lessons online....Fills in the nights too.

I get the dogs howling.

Wife: "How many guitars do you NEED?!"

Addict: "Just one more !"

I have the same issue with fiddles, I own 8 and my wife says - "hey,you only play the same one all the time,why need more"?....answer: I have only one wife too,but.......'slap'!

Subject of 'new' guitar shops.....I have rode by the 'Guitar-Shop' several times,recently opened and from the window it looks like they carry some cool Django-style guitars - no time yet for a drop-in.

Located on Suthep Rd....if you come off Nimm rd. turn left at the lights,heading towards the moat, the shop is a few dozen meters up the road on the right.

Wife: "How many guitars do you NEED?!"

Addict: "Just one more !"

I have the same issue with fiddles, I own 8 and my wife says - "hey,you only play the same one all the time,why need more"?....answer: I have only one wife too,but.......'slap'!

Subject of 'new' guitar shops.....I have rode by the 'Guitar-Shop' several times,recently opened and from the window it looks like they carry some cool Django-style guitars - no time yet for a drop-in.

Located on Suthep Rd....if you come off Nimm rd. turn left at the lights,heading towards the moat, the shop is a few dozen meters up the road on the right.

I didn't know about this one. Thanks! I'll certainly check it out this week!

I hope it turns out to be a 'good' shop, and not another hack place! Too many of those already.

Not sure but reading through the thread...did anyone mention the Yamaha Store in Airport Plaza? They have some nice guitars and amps. Prices are high but one can bargain.

I purchased a Fender Strat from them (USA Model) ....got a OK deal because of the color ..it was a color no one wanted but I really liked it....same green as my Dad's 61 Buick....

Not sure but reading through the thread...did anyone mention the Yamaha Store in Airport Plaza? They have some nice guitars and amps. Prices are high but one can bargain.

I purchased a Fender Strat from them (USA Model) ....got a OK deal because of the color ..it was a color no one wanted but I really liked it....same green as my Dad's 61 Buick....

Surf/Seafoam Green?

I built one from parts a few years back...Also built the Purple Marshall from scratch all tube hand wired...even built the cab : )

You know Mania that might be it. I like the name Surf Green...

Will take a photo later today and post it. Surf Green....I guess sounds better then 61 Buick Special Green.)

You know Mania that might be it. I like the name Surf Green...

Will take a photo later today and post it. Surf Green....I guess sounds better then 61 Buick Special Green.)

It is funny you mention 61 Buick because all of Fenders colors originally came from Dupont Auto paints of the 50's & 60's

Fender gave them their own names but still had a note as to which Dupont Auto paint code it was.

Here is just a 1958 Chrysler paint chart...But notice many of the Strats/Tele's colors ?

Well that is past cool Mania...thanks for digging that up.

Here then are 3 photos of my 1958 Chrysler Spring Green Fender guitar.

Plus my friend who just listens, never judges and encourages me on.

Well that is past cool Mania...thanks for digging that up.

Here then are 3 photos of my 1958 Chrysler Spring Green Fender guitar.

Plus my friend who just listens, never judges and encourages me on.

Nice one sendbaht!

I see it has the CBS era big headstock & a humbucking in the bridge

I really like rosewood fingerboards too like you have there.

Most of mine were always rosewood for a smoother/warmer bluesy tone to my ears.

Congrats

great pics, lovely thread

well done fellas

great pics, lovely thread

well done fellas

if anywhere one can play a electric guitar at full volume is your house evenstevens.....wish I could do that here at my home....but neighbors are to close.)

great pics, lovely thread

well done fellas

if anywhere one can play a electric guitar at full volume is your house evenstevens.....wish I could do that here at my home....but neighbors are to close.)

yes, ac/dc..could do a gig using our sala(49sq metres) as a stage and would nt disturb a soul,our property is in the far end of our village and tucked away on a spur of a hill and affectionately known by the elders of the village as the mafia end

many farungs now call it, beverly hills of mae rim

perhaps , f/g, mania,craig.and yourself and others on this great thread,might want a jam for chrissy,our place is warmly opened to yous

always fondly remember nicky the guitar man, his jams and tucker were sensational, he was truly a wondeful scouser(is he still in old blighty??)

a nippy good morning to all

Rimmer and I took a pic of the "friends" we jam with. Most are his. He's quite the banjo player. We'd love to jam, but mainly do bluegrass and old time.