Squier Vintage Modified Thinline Telecaster (2008) in Shoreline Gold

Besides having the distinction of the longest name of any of my guitars, this Squier is pure single-coil bliss.

Some folks say that the love for Telecasters takes on a cult-like flavor. Indeed, nothing is like a Telecaster. Its equal has never been created and every Squier Tele I’ve owned has given Fender a true run for the money at a lower cost.

A Thinline is the semi-hollow version of the classic Telecaster, with a cool F-Hole detail. Now, I have not noticed a distinct difference in tone but some folks claim that they can hear it. All I know is that I love, love, LOVE! this guitar. It also has a slightly shorter scale that standard Telecasters but (again) I have not noticed the difference.

It has the classic Telecaster Twang and that is what counts. As well, the Shoreline Gold color is absolutely stunning and has grown on me in a way that I never expected. The Rosewood fretboard is far superior to the later Pau Ferro Fender/Squier started using when the Tree Huggers began to whine.

I upgraded the machine heads to Guyker locking tuners, installed a Fender vintage bridge, and added a Pearloid pickguard.

It may be “just a Telecaster” but it’s my Telecaster and I love it.

Gretsch G5420T Electromatic (2017) in Orange Stain

A hollow body Gretsch is something that I’ve wanted since I started this debacle back in 2020. I saw a Streamliner on the wall at our local Guitar Center and fell in love with it. But I really wanted a step up. Now, I will probably never be able to comfortably drop over $2,000 on any guitar or bass. I kind of don’t see a reason to.

Earlier this year, on the Facebook Marketplace, a guy in West Palm listed this particular Gretsch and I had been watching it for months. It included a Canadian-made Gretsch OEM case and when it hit $475, I grabbed it. The guitar lists new for $890 and a new case is another $190.

So now I have my Chet Atkins-ish hollow body with real Gretsch pickups and it sounds spectacular. The quality is amazing as well.

Epiphone Jim James ES-335 in ’70s Walnut

Who is Jim James and why do I have his guitar?

At the beginning of the year, I told myself that I wouldn’t buy any more gear. Unfortunately, this was not the case. However, in July, there was yet another Gear Purge, leaving me without a 335, nay, leaving me without any Epiphones whatsoever.
I am at a complete loss as to why I keep selling 335-shaped objects when they are such awesome instruments. I swore that I would keep my Sheraton, but it ended up being part of the Purge; one of two instruments I regret selling.

Now, as 2025 draws to a close, I spied a great deal on American Musical Supply: an Epiphone Jim James ES-335 in ’70s Walnut.

I had a moderate interest in the instrument prior to this month because I found the color to be fascinating, although a bit darker than I generally prefer. There were some upgrades as compared to the 335 Dot, such as Kluson tuners and it did include a case. But nothing that would ever justify a $300 premium.

Apparently, the model is on its way out because AMS has reduced the price by that same $300, bringing it into the realm of possibility. And so I folded, again, like a cheap suit.

I have zero idea who Jim James is, but his guitar is really nice. It’s part of the Inspired by Gibson line (I think?), and the quality is amazing. It’s got a thinner neck, but I think I will get used to it in short order.

Enough of my yammering and self-justification, here are some photos: