I plan to start learning electric guitar and just bought a CL Dlx!

This is my first electric guitar (I owned a 67 ES335 but never really learn to play it and stupidly sold it!)

I hope I made the right decision. I got it from HCG! Thanks again to Kevin!

CL owners, please let me know what to expect!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ed,

Congratulations. That is a beauty. I have been GASing for a CL Deluxe for the past few months after trying a couple at Gryphon. Please post a tone report after you have had a chance to play it for a while.

quote:

Originally posted by Ed:
I hope I made the right decision...

after looking at your CL pic, i don't think you made the wrong decision. that guitar is gorgeous. congrats!

quote:

Originally posted by Bearclaw:
Please post a tone report after you have had a chance to play it for a while.

Thanks! Well, before that, I need to buy an Amp first... Have absolutely ZERO idea what kind of Amp should I get.. anyone can recommend a website where I can learn some basics on guitar amps, effects etc.??

WOW Ed, nothing like starting at the top! Nice!
For amps I love the Tone King Imperial 20 watt with 1 12 speaker. Carr Rambler and Fender Deluxe Reverb are similar great amps too.

Check out www.thegearpage.net

They have a section for amps that has a lot of info.

BTW, how much are you looking to spend on an amp? And what type of music are you playing?

LeonD

Congrats, Ed...Believe it or not, I think you beat me to that CL...I have recently got a tobacco I35 Deluxe and a Black 290 from Kevin and I was thinking I'd better get a CL to complete the trio...It's probably good that you got that one because I'm thinking about the SoCo too...

As far as the amps, there are tons out there...I have a Fender HotRod Deluxe that I've had for several years and I am using that, but the 40 watts of tube are more than I need. After a fair amount of checking around, there are two amps that are arriving any day now...

1) Fender '57 Deluxe from the custom shop...about $1800 street price, handwired, single 12", 13 watts I think, cool...

2) Carr Mercury, cowboy tooled tolex, single 12", switchable from 8 watts, 2 watts, 1/2 watt, 1/10th watt, handwired, cool...around $2300 street price...

I've been playing the I35 for 5 or 6 tunes when we play and it adds a nice variance to our sound...and it's fun to boot! I've got the I35, D1Avarnish, and MF5varnish to trade from on my gigs which is a nice trio to alternate between.

Enjoy the CL and watch out, you may end up with more electrics!

Kia Manuia,

Dale

quote:

Originally posted by Ed:

quote:

Originally posted by Bearclaw:
Please post a tone report after you have had a chance to play it for a while.

Thanks! Well, before that, I need to buy an Amp first... Have absolutely ZERO idea what kind of Amp should I get.. anyone can recommend a website where I can learn some basics on guitar amps, effects etc.??

Congratulations on the new guitar! I've got an I-35 on order from the Twelfth Fret in Toronto. Can't wait. As for amps, I'm a big fan of reproductions of Fender's Tweed Deluxe (about 14 watts). Pierson makes beauties that go for under $2,000. I've got one of his Tweed Champs (about 5 watts).

Congrats Ed, very nice.
You would have to run it through a tube amp. Lots out there depending on what sound you're after...Fender, Marshall, Vox, Matchless, Messa Boogie and some very nice small shop boutique amps...a whole new world of GAS...oopsie!!!

First of all, congrats Ed! I have the same guitar and, even among 20 electric guitars which have taken many years to collect, it's my overall favorite.

But there's something slightly depressing about seeing you buy this guitar as your first. As it will probably be the finest electric guitar you'll own, you've denied yourself of the joy of upgrading through time. I bought a Squire Strat first, and it was a great feeling. Then I upgraded some of the electronics and it was, yet again, a similar happy feeling. Then I bought a Standard American Strat and once again felt the rush of a newer, better guitar. The list kept moving and the guitars continued to get better, and at each stage of improvement there was, once again, that rush.

But now that I have this current collection, which includes the CL Deluxe, there will no longer be another feeling of, "WOW, this is great! It's the best guitar I've ever owned." That depresses me. Yes, I know, it's ridiculous to be sad over such a "problem," yet I am.

On the other hand, there's a whole world of vintage and off-the-beaten-path guitars that bring new and sometimes unexpected sounds, and with that unexpected joy.

What to expect from the CL-Deluxe? You should expect it to be a Collings. Truly. Just as you prefer certain things about Collings acoustic guitars, you'll find those similarities amongst your electric as well. The action will be butter - seemingly locking your fingers into place with little effort - and the tone will be articulate, powerful, and always interesting. It's responsive to very light touches while retaining that presence of power, and when you dig in it will yell and growl. You'll also find that it can do anything in between.

I've tried it with a slew of pedals and amps and it ALWAYS sounds great. When you start with a solid source, like your CL, it helps the rest of the gear really shine.

btw - it's absolutely beautiful. I went with the tobacco burst and yours has me drooling. I love that quilted cherry look.

Oh yeah.. Amps...

I couldn't possibly make a recommendation without knowing what kind of playing you think you'll favor. Any particular Genre? Light? Heavy? Power chords? Rhythm stuff? Lead stuff? All-of-the-above?

As with most things, there is no all-in-one amp, but some shine more than others when played in a particular genre. And there are certainly clear favorites in each category as well.

Fenders are able to handle clean tones very well, and venture into the heavier, grungier tones also. If you're going to play hard and loud Rock and Roll, Marshall pretty much has that market cornered. I don't think either of these are the "best" at what they do, but they're certainly the most popular, and very good.

Congrats!

Did I mention my award winning "break-in" service? You send me the guitar, I professionally break it in by playing my patented break-in licks, then I send it back to you. I offer a special discount to forum members, so don't delay, send your guitar to me today!