Ampeg Stud GE-100

I've got two identical all-blonde SG-shaped Ampeg Stud GET-100s with the fake mother-of-pearl pickguard - the first I got from a friend in 1987 for $150 and in 1998 I found another in mint condition (looks like it had never been played) with the hardshell case for $300. They're Japanese-made (I think made by Tokai) from the early-mid 70s.

I don't think think Gibson's ever made an all-blonde SG, so the Stud's a fairly unique-looking guitar. The neck's also fatter and wider which I prefer.

Both guitars have plywood bodies with two Gibson-style chrome humbuckers and a three-way toggle switch. What's a bit unusual is that the lead pickup isn't right up against the bridge like most guitars - you can almost fit another humbucker between that pickup and the bridge. So the lead position has a bit more body to the sound.

They have fake-pearl block inlays on the necks and have 21 frets. The scale of the guitar is longer than the standard Gibson 24-3/4 inch - it's 25-1/2 which is Strat length, I think. The sound is a little punchier because of it.

They both came with Bigsby-type whammy-bars. They're good as long as you don't lean on them too much. If you break a string it goes out of tune so I took one off the first one.

The first guitar has a very loud sound, that is when the amp is cranked and I turn the volume down on the guitar I can hit the strings and still hear it through the amp. Plus I can also yell into the pickups and be heard through the amp. It's a very responsive and flexible guitar. I can bend the neck a little and get great sounds. The mint condition one is a little too solidly constructed for such shenanigans, but as a second it's fine.

I can get a pretty fat sound and still have clarity for leads due to the longer string scale. It's not the most sonically flexible guitar but if you mess with it for awhile you can dig up some interesting sounds.

Since this is a cheaply-made guitar it's not for everyone - the parts and materials it's made of are serviceable but far from top-of-the-line. The fact that it's made of plywood might put some people off. The bridge can be hard to adjust properly.

The finish on the first one has lasted very well - I've been playing that one for 13 years and it still looks good.

A couple of times I've lost a string saddle when a string broke and I had to have one fashioned out of an old piece of metal because the repairman couldn't find a replacement that fit. I have to admit I can be a little hard on guitars.

But all in all I can depend on the guitar and I've used it without a backup many times.

Made In Japan. Don't know what year. Has 22 frets with pearl inlays. It has 2-volume and 2-tone controls with a 3-way switch. I guess from what I have read it has original Passive Ibanez Humbuckers (with chrome pickup covers) at the neck and bridge positions. It has a sweeeeeeeeeeeet SG-style body!!! With a ebony finish. It has a Tune-O-Matic bridge and a Stopbar Tailpiece. The tuners are alsmost identical to Grovers. Super-quick Rosewood fretboard with pearl inlays.

This guitar is very heavy at the neck and has a great cleaner sound at the bridge. No amp effects are used and it is very heavy. It is slightly noisy but not really. The sound is great!!!! This guitar has so much variety anything you play you cannot go wrong with this guitar.I LOVE THIS GUITAR. Sounds exactly like a Gibson 490 pickups used in Les Pauls, SG's, and many other Gibson guitars.

IT IS ALL-AROUND GREAT!!!!

IT is great and will withstand about anything.

Never had to use it.

I am 14 and have played for 10 years.If it were stolen I would buy it again,but it would be hard to find because it has been stopped on production.GREEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAT GUITAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!