Cool guitars for girls - more like this, please
Just as I was about ready to give up on the idea of finding cool guitars specially made for aspiring girl shredders, I followed a link to Luna guitars. Granted, everything I write here is a reflection of my own personal tastes, but these guitars look f’n COOL. And whats more important, they send girls a positive message: “I’m a guitar built to PLAY, because I know that’s most important to you. I just happen to look great too.”
Luna Andromeda with trem
Luna Andromeda Phoenix (sans trem, but can you imagine it with one? Yowza!)
I’ve not had the opportunity to try one of these, but my curiosity is definitely piqued! Based on looks alone the only thing I’d change would be the positioning of the controls. You want to be able to do the pinkie-volume-swell thing and to switch pickups with a flick of the wrist. Fender got the position of controls totally right on their original Strats.
Ideally, I’d also reduce the scale length from 25 1/2″ to 25″ (like my Fender HM Strats) or even 24 3/4″ (Gibson). And if allowed to nitpick, I’d pay extra to get a custom version with a stylized abalone DOLPHIN and the best trem and pickups I could find. But that’s all gravy. If they sound and play great, I’d be stoked about playing this guitar as-is. Because they’re beautiful, for GIRLS, and different!
It’s strange, but I’d have a lot more confidence in the quality of these guitars if they cost several hundred dollars more than they do. You know, that “you get what you pay for” mentality. Luna’s low prices seem too good to be true for real quality instruments.
But all of that is just me nitpicking: what I’m so excited about when it comes Luna is the company’s positive view of female players that I infer from their products and marketing. Just the fact that they even make a girl’s guitar that looks shred worthy says a lot — it says that they believe that there are women out there who want to play aggressive rock or metal lead guitar, and who need a good instrument built for that. It’s one of the most refreshing things I’ve seen all year.
If the Luna guitars sound and play as good as they look, I’d feel totally COOL playing one. But when it comes to some of those other “toy guitars for girls,” no matter how they sounded, if I even touched one I’d feel I needed an industrial disinfection team to scrub my entire body with wire brushes to rid it of every last molecule of vapid pink, glittery odiousness (and this is coming from someone who LIKES pink guitars). The view of female players that they embody is just so….LAME.
At the end of the day, no matter what type of music play, and no matter if you’re into pink flowery glitter, beat-up DIY Frankenstein guitars, stock vintage Gibsons, pointy superstrats — whatever — you want a guitar that plays great, sounds great, and that makes you feel capable, inspired, ready to rock, and COOL.
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Those definitely have a beauty to them, much better than the standard “Girl” guitar (images of daisies are appearing in my head.. blech. I will second your opinion on the wire scrubbers)
They’re very feminine, but they definitely scream “metal” at the same time!
Based on looks alone, very nice.
Personally, I’ve found the best “feel” (as in, curvy and comfortable) to come from P.R.S. guitars… though, they’re not necessarily a girl guitar.
And I pretty much suck compared to you anyways so my opinion might not be worth much on the matter. ha ha.
That’s interesting…
I’ve been looking at Luna Guitars recently - simply because of:
The “Phoenix” and the “Dragon” models…
Very “Transcendental” sounding Guitar names !
(Is anybody on board this “Voyage” with me here ?!)
But really, it’s a shame there’s no trem on either of these…
(I can’t imagine anything worse - I’d feel kinda, “naked ?!”)
I do think that the (Luna) necks, seem rather wide though…
I’m sure you’ll come across your “Holy Grail” eventually, Lori !
Love y’ Lots !
Hi Lori! hope you find a great girltar, I’ve had strat/les paul and variants, but the one I made for myself from scratch is still with me, it’s my baby. I luv store-boughts and when you find the right one, it’s fantastic! I’m sure you will, and letters to manufacturers do help, Girl Guitarist Unite!
Hi Lori,
Designed in the US, but manufactured in China… that’s why the price is low ! But it doesn’t mean the quality is bad.
Hi Lori
From a scale length point of view I would recommend trying a Patrick Eggle - they are so nice to play.
But you would have to convince them to make you a special one with a Floyd Rose and a Pink flametop
check out http://www.patrickeggleguitars.com/
It seems Brian May uses one
cheers
Per
And the lovely ladies of Vixen use them
But those Eggles are hollow bodies
Hej Lori,
I hear you on the price issue
I don’t think I’d trust a 500 usd guitar LIST PRICE. For that price, I’d buy a Japanese Jackson or Ibanez, ones I played and sound rather decent (not excellent).
Thats O.K Kristof,I stll think Vixen Rock
and Ive got your demoe cd too so I must have good taste
Wow, these are hot looking geetars! That’s more like it indeed! Hope you find what you’re looking for, Lori.
Joop
Just a few thoughts, about having a “custom-made” guitar built:
Firstly, I can be THE most impatient person in the world !
The very notion of having to wait would mortify me… which is a double edged sword, ‘cos I’d obviously want care and skill spent on it’s creation, and well…
Care + Skill = TIME…!
Also, it’d be fine if you could be present occasionally, and over-see how it’s coming along ! - I don’t simply mean for it’s look, but to ensure that the “feel” is approaching the right direction for you…
Could there be anything worse, than not liking it’s “feel” upon completion ?!
Yes, there is also the expense to consider. (Y’gets what Y’pays for, etc !)
Care + Skill + Time = CASH…!
Lori…
just an idea (if you ever DO want something a little different,) but if you really like the feel and the sound of the Fender HM’s, you could p’haps create/design a comfortable (and) extremely curvaceous body shape, and basically, have the F-HM’s body “replaced” ?! Also, opting for where the controls - switches - etc - etc, feel perfect ?! As I say, ’tis just an idea/thought !
BTW - I bet I’ve got the smallest hands/fingers on here !
I should have noticed, like, for-ever ago, but I only realised this, when I played a Brian May “Red Special” !
Just for fun, take a look at Jimi’s, Uli’s fingers… Jeez !
That’s it…
Love y’ Lots !
OH yes, Luna guitars look great, don’t know about the shred part though..
@Martin: I’ve never questioned your bad taste
@Stephen: Let’s have a little finger contest!
Ha ha ha LOL ! nice one Kristof
Kristof:
Sounds like fun… “You’re On !!!”
How could we do this I wonder ?! (”lol !”)
@Martin: I’m happy you took it that way, because that was a major typo. I meant to type “good taste” but mu subconscious got the better of me there. I’m sorry.
Lori,
Did you like the Grosh Custom Trans/Pink Strat photo I sent?
JP
Kristof :
Not all Eggles are hollowbodies.
You are right they are pricey (my strat type was)
and you are right again - there are some really nice Ibanez’es out there
cheers
Per
Sierra: Never tried a PRS, but they are supposedly very good. And give yourself some credit, btw!
Stephen: LOL @ “Transcendental”! I can totally picture the Master playing a Luna!
Re custom guitars, I agree that not being happy with the “feel” of your own custom axe would be heart-breaking! I was actually thinking about “feel” just the other day: why do some guitars just “feel” right, and others feel horribly wrong? (Just a rhetorical question…)
Robottony: Thanks! It’s not really about me, though. I’m on a quest for all small handed ladies. We should at least have the OPTION of buying something cool off the shelf.
Sylvan: China, eh? That would explain the low price. Ed Burtynsky’s Ted Talk on industrial development in China is really thought-provoking, btw. You’ll never look at a PC-board or coffee maker the same way again…
Per: Hey, good enough for the mighty Brian May, definitely more than good enough for me! My biggest dilemma is that I just don’t get the opportunity to try stuff out. Maybe I’d have better luck in Stockholm or Gothenburg, or even Malmö!
Kristof: I don’t mind investing money in a great guitar. Am also looking for a 7-string, and will probably go with Ibanez. One thing is that you really have to play the guitar and hear how it sounds, because two guitars of the same model can sound completely different. I went to a huge music shop in Holland to help a friend pick out a guitar, and was really shocked at how different two “twin” guitars could sound. Made me think twice about doing something via mail order…
Martin: Full respect for VIXEN \m/
Joop: Thanks!
Eva!: To be honest, I wouldn’t know shred if it bit me on the butt
But it would still be great to have a guitar that was “built to shred,” that would be an inspiration to practice (so as not to disappoint the poor guitar).
JP: Yeah, that was one very valentine-worthy guitar, thanks! Here’s the link in case anyone else is interested.
Pssst,t hat link isn’t working. So here it is for all the other people: http://www.groshguitars.com/images/albu/3-btpk.jpg
Anyway, I know how two “twin” guitars can sound and feel different. I would never mail-order a guitar or mail-order a custom. I’d have to have heard the pups, seen and felt and heard the wood, felt a similar fretboard etc.
Also: what shop did you go to in Holland? I’m very curious!
Thanks for the heads-up about the link, K.
The store was called “Feedback,” but I can’t remember where it was. All I really remember is that they had a whole case full of wah pedals. Oh, and the young guy working the cash register surprised me by showing a “meet-n-greet” photo of me and him that he had saved on his cell phone. From last summer. That was kind of surreal…
I think you went to Rotterdam, right?
(or do they have one in Amsterdam as well?)
Lori:
That must be Rotterdam. Or Apeldoorn, since that’s closer to the Electric Castle.
The one in Utrecht really sucks.
And they don’t have one in A’dam, Cycle-Ops
Next time, visit Kees Dee in Amersfoort (Yes, that’s where I live). He’s got a huge collection of guitars … well, rather huge anyway although he doesn’t really stock Jacksons anymore
Stephen: Trust Lori to take a completely goofy ten-o-clock-drunk-in-the-pub idea and turn it into science … She should be on the Discovery Channel!
Kristof:
Y’know, I think we may have a “photo-finish” as they say !
And on the Discovery Channel tonight…
Ladies and Gentlemen… “a big hand for Miss Lori Linstruth !”
Lori: No doubts you girl can shred!
Anyway, as I told you I can ask Jan about those guitars, if they’re flexible and comfortable enough, it’s weird that’s not her regular guitar though.
We all hope Almighty Lorinator will be armed and dangerous with a new super-cool girly guitar very soon!!
Geddit ?! - a “big hand” - for etc-etc ?!
Nah… Sorry ! That really was, an AWFUL joke ! ! !
Mmmm, that “Phoenix” one looks nice, and if I played guitar, I’d feel very comfortable with that one. Now, I’m not exactly the pink-and-flowers kind of lady, so that one has juuuuuust enough femininity for me.
Although I’d probably also feel comfortable with your standard black or blue Strat…but like I said, I’m not exactly one for frills. Just getting me to wear a dress is tough enough.
woooo!!! they are beautiful!
Koo, you rpolly went over this but I the fret board like less long to fit a woman’s hands? Another question… why the hell are there so few girl guitars (with smaller sized fret boards) and girl guitarists? O.o I think i’ve met like 10-20 guys that play guitar, but only one girl who’s good at playing…
hay ppls i think that chicks getting into guitars is mad… we need more of u girls playin guitar! get out there and ROCK ppls!!!!!!!!!
Hello!
This is Yvonne, the designer for Luna guitars. Just want to thank you for your very kind comments and let you know that we are TOTALLY open and receptive to your design suggestions. In fact, I am in the midst of working on a new electric design so this would be PERFECT timing. Appreciate hearing from folks out there in the real world who are on the front lines making music! I want to hear from you! Please write me at Yvonne (AT) lunaguitars (DOT) com and describe your ultimate dream guitar. Shine On!!!!!
hahahha miss Lori Linstruth
assistent designer for Luna Guitars
could be a whole new career
hugs
Gwen
I’d SO buy a Lori Signature guitar … Prolly the only sig guitar that I’d spend money on …
Here-Here !
As long as it’s White !
There, Lori… see ?! - (x)
well Lori,
you heard it here first hahahhahahahaah
start signing and they will fly away,
Hugs
Gwen
“I went to a huge music shop in Holland to help a friend pick out a guitar, and was really shocked at how different two “twinâ€? guitars could sound. Made me think twice about doing something via mail order…”
I think most of that is quility control where the guitars are made. Two “twin” Ibanez’s can sound and play completly diffrently, because they dont have high end quility control in place, they are more about marketing to numbers.
On the other hand, you could walk into a store which stocks 10 of the “same” PRS, and all of them will feel, play, and sound as nice as each other, with only MINOR diffrences in sound.
On the note of PRS, I recently just got one. Pricey, but very well worth it. Sounds and plays great, puts everything else I have tried to shame.
It also might interest you to know, their standard scale length is 25″, and is very comfortable. =). Plus, they have extremly sexy curves
I think a lot depends on the musicianship of the tester. I’ve read that Vai actually has identical guitars sent to his home, tests them and picks the best one. That’s how he picked Evo.
It’s true that you can probably find a reasonably good Squier out there if you try enough of them. There’s a serious difference in quality from one to the next. The difference becomes less as the price and quality of the guitar in general goes up, but there will always be subtle differences since no two pieces of wood are the same, and even casters have good and bad days so one FR may not be the other.
Yeah, no two guitars can ever sound identical.
The main thing is to keep grain dirrection, size, and feel of the instrument consistant. The thing with higher end instruments is that they might play, or sound slightly diffrent, but not better or worse. Alot can also depend on what the buyer is after. One mans trash is anothers treasure…
Yvonne: Thanks for stopping by! My little blog is honored!
Gwen: Assistant Designer is laying it on a bit strong, but I definitely have opinions that I’m more than willing to share with anyone who’s willing to listen
Kristof; Thanks for the vote of confidence about sig models. But it’ll never happen. Even if I were to be highly involved with producing a guitar model, I’d much prefer to work quietly behind the scenes. But I’d be sure to tell you which model it was
Stephen: White is my second-favorite guitar color. The only problem is that the chocolate smears show up too well, providing evidence of my naughtiness…at least pink hides the red wine stains.
JoeJoe: I’ve heard nothing but good things about PRS, but have never had the chance to try one. [Note to self: Living in a big city has its advantages.] Congrats on your new purchase! I hope it brings you many years of enjoyment.
JoeJoe/Kristof: I definitely agree that the characteristics of a given model vary widely across its individual examples. Maybe it’s not so noticeable with high-end instruments, but I don’t have a lot of experience with those. I seem to remember my friend Rich having a Squier that sounded totally manly. He used a butter knife to rout it for humbuckers, and I still tease him about it to this day!
Lori - White guitars:
Never-Ever having smoked…
My friend and I, (MANY years ago, not wanting to miss out on (ahem) looking “cool”) used to play live, with a (Bournville) chocolate biscuit, wedged between the strings just above the nut, instead of the (seemingly obligatory) rock n’ roll cigarette !
Well… WE found it kinda funny ! (Although no-one else seemed/seems to ?!)
Anyway, what you’d just said, suddenly reminded me of it !
Sorry - That’s it ! (lol !)
Love y’ Lori !(x)