advices on progressing up from a beginner guitar?

[dyna mo]

started off with a cheapie jameson and am now ready to step up to a nicer guitar

i *think* i want a humbucker hollow body, i'm preferring the vintage sound and neck and also like the jack white guitar style/sound


based on that, the 2 guitars i am currently eyeballing are the fender telecaster thinline 72 reissue or the fender pawn shop offset special.
the big difference between the 2 is the tele has the fender humbuckers while the pawn shop has the jzhb pickups.



big question- can i buy used? and is that a good idea and any headsup re: prats and pitfalls to look out for buying used via ebay or craigslist?

re: the 72 reissue, if i can go used, does it matter which country of manufacturer? japan, mexico, or china?

also, i *think* i also want a ~15 watt tube amp to go with this, is that about right? suggestions on that? are those mini amps worth a shit?

finally, based on the sound i like, what are some good effects to buy first, just a simple overdrive pedal?

most are prolly familiar with the 72 reissue but the other seems kinda unique so here is a link to it



hey, thanks!


rock

[Juicy D. Links]

[dyna mo]

i would have gone with something more like this



but i like to stay on topic...

[Juicy D. Links]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

i would have gone with something more like this



but i like to stay on topic...

[CaptainHowdy]

Best advice?? Start young, oh wait ...

[Zeiss]

Never buy used. Get USA gutar, if possible (usually costs $1k+). India and china guitars suck - never buy unless you are real amateur, who just needs any guitar to practice and have fun at home. If you're a master you should be able to play on any guitar, anyway. Never count on having only one guitar, especially on tour. Go to showrooms or your local musical stores (not record stores). Test, see what is best for you. Ask for advice there.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by CaptainHowdy

Best advice?? Start young, oh wait ...

how's your sunday goin so far?

[Zeiss]

About the effects... if you only play at home get a roland cube 15xl or 20xl - they will have all you need, and are cheap and easy to get.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Zealotry

Never buy used. Get USA gutar, if possible (usually costs $1k+). India and china guitars suck - never buy unless you are real amateur, who just needs any guitar to practice and have fun at home. If you're a master you should be able to play on any guitar, anyway. Never count on having only one guitar, especially on tour. Go to showrooms or your local musical stores (not record stores). Test, see what is best for you. Ask for advice there.

any suggestions for an american made humbucker pickup guitar? i'd have to go used for sure to get american made right?

i considered buying local, there's the guitar center not too far from me, haven't ruled it out, but i'd like to narrow down my selection before going, then make sure they have a selection of those before i go waste their time and end up buying elsewhere.

[Zeiss]

Be very careful with used guitars. Ask them to open the guitar for you and make sure all electronics are fine. Very carefully look at the fingerboard and make sure the nut is ok as well or you might find it difficult to get in tune or have buzzing strings. Check my previous post about the small amps... these are one of the best you can get, imho. In bands since 1999, so i guess you should believe what I say.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Zealotry

About the effects... if you only play at home get a roland cube 15xl or 20xl - they will have all you need, and are cheap and easy to get.

appreciated, nice, i had noticed this one and the line 6 15w.

[Zeiss]

It is not bad, either. But if you want to go for the more options like tuner, amp, effects, pedal option, etc go for the roland 20xl -

http://www.roland.com/products/en/CU...roducts-tab-03
has it all and cost is $50 more or sth like that

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Zealotry

It is not bad, either. But if you want to go for the more options like tuner, amp, effects, pedal option, etc go for the roland 20xl -

http://www.roland.com/products/en/CU...roducts-tab-03
has it all and cost is $50 more or sth like that

that looks like they updated the 15xl and now have an option for a pedal and some other inputs. might make sense to get this one instead of the 15xl. but 20watts is a lot!

[Zeiss]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

that looks like they updated the 15xl and now have an option for a pedal and some other inputs. might make sense to get this one instead of the 15xl. but 20watts is a lot!

Sure is but there is always power squeezer (get more gain for low volume) or headphones option (...)

[dyna mo]

i like that power squeezer feature!


re: the guitars, any thoughts on the difference between those pickups on the 2 guitars mentioned?

:-)

[Minte]

If you want to stay around $1000 look at a Les Paul Studio..and forget all the pedals.
Get a fender Mustang. I have a Mustang 1 and just picked up a 100w MustangIII. Amazing amount of tones and effects for about a $300 amp.

[Zeiss]

I can ask around for that but i am in the extreme genres (black metal, death metal...). I like EMG pickups and DMT pickups. Ideally, you should concentrate on being able to play. Pickups will make a big difference only when you reach higher level and would know exactly what you will be playing, imo. So basically depends on the sounds you are looking for. If you want warmer, softer sound, go for the jzhb.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

If you want to stay around $1000 look at a Les Paul Studio..and forget all the pedals.
Get a fender Mustang. I have a Mustang 1 and just picked up a 100w MustangIII. Amazing amount of tones and effects for about a $300 amp.

that mustang 1 looks nice too, i'll compare it to the other.

any reason why you like that les paul over either of the telecasters?

[Tom_PM]

If you HAVE to have a telecaster than you have to have one. But personally I don't like the Fender scale compared to Gibson, and I definitely don't dig the shape of their necks or some of the woods. You MUST play it for a long time and be sure you are comfortable and then just get whatever suits you. Personally I'd get a Gibson ES 335 if 3 grand was burning a hole in my pocket.

[Vendzilla]

I'm a big fan of the sound a Gibson makes.

[fuzebox]

I have a Vox VT20, loud enough for me in my living room and tons of great effects.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by PR_Tom

If you HAVE to have a telecaster than you have to have one. But personally I don't like the Fender scale compared to Gibson, and I definitely don't dig the shape of their necks or some of the woods. You MUST play it for a long time and be sure you are comfortable and then just get whatever suits you. Personally I'd get a Gibson ES 335 if 3 grand was burning a hole in my pocket.

wow, that's a nice looking guitar and also the style i like.

i really didn't have any problems learning so far on this jameson, so i haven't considered having any issues with the neck, other than not getting a fatter neck. i looked up the guitar that jack white plays most often and that 72 tele keeps coming up. that's basically where i started. and it's in the price category that i am comfortable with at this stage.

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

wow, that's a nice looking guitar and also the style i like.

i really didn't have any problems learning so far on this jameson, so i haven't considered having any issues with the neck, other than not getting a fatter neck. i looked up the guitar that jack white plays most often and that 72 tele keeps coming up. that's basically where i started. and it's in the price category that i am comfortable with at this stage.

As the previous poster mentioned, guitars are very addictive. I just added #24 to my collection. Lespauls,Strats,Jems,Jacksons,PRS,Schecters,Taylor ..and of course I have a Tele! No one I know owns just one. You've been warned.

[DamianJ]

Look at virtual effects.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en...tar-rig-5-pro/

Is amazing.

[Minte]

Originally Posted by DamianJ

Look at virtual effects.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en...tar-rig-5-pro/

Is amazing.

The Fender Mustang line has the same basic software. They call it FUSE. There is a USB that connects from the amp to the computer. The software has every pedal ever made in it, plus there are presets that you can download for free at the fender website. Literally thousands of them. If you want the tone Hendrix used in Watchtower it's there.

[Zeiss]

Originally Posted by Minte

No one I know owns just one. You've been warned.

Same!
I even got friends, who are 8 string attackers

[DamianJ]

Originally Posted by Minte

The Fender Mustang line has the same basic software. They call it FUSE. There is a USB that connects from the amp to the computer. The software has every pedal ever made in it, plus there are presets that you can download for free at the fender website. Literally thousands of them. If you want the tone Hendrix used in Watchtower it's there.

Indeed. Main advantage of Amplitube or Guitarrig over FUSE is that you can use it as a plug in on your recording software. So you can record clean, and then mess about with any of the effects after you've laid the track down. With the FUSE, AFAIK, you record the sound and then are stuck with that.

[Minte]

Originally Posted by DamianJ

Indeed. Main advantage of Amplitube or Guitarrig over FUSE is that you can use it as a plug in on your recording software. So you can record clean, and then mess about with any of the effects after you've laid the track down. With the FUSE, AFAIK, you record the sound and then are stuck with that.

They supplied a bunch of recording software with FUSE, but I prefer just using a ZOOM recorder, it forces you to get it right the first time.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

As the previous poster mentioned, guitars are very addictive. I just added #24 to my collection. Lespauls,Strats,Jems,Jacksons,PRS,Schecters,Taylor ..and of course I have a Tele! No one I know owns just one. You've been warned.

went to guitar center hollywood yesterday and they had several of the guitars in stock, new & used, that i've put on my shortlist. didn't have a whole lot of time so i didn't dive in and mess around with any of them. i'm going to have to sortout the american made v. made elsewhere though.

i am going back when they open this morning to play those, i'm super excited! this will be my 1st electric, my jameson is acoustic/electric.

[DamianJ]

Originally Posted by Minte

They supplied a bunch of recording software with FUSE, but I prefer just using a ZOOM recorder, it forces you to get it right the first time.

Right. I'm not good enough to ever get what I want right the first time! I rely on Garageband and/or logic to fix my mistakes!

I also really like being able to apply the various amps/effects after I have recorded.

I've got a massive old 2x12 peavy valve amp, but just use the laptop nowadays. Much less effort!

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by DamianJ

Look at virtual effects.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en...tar-rig-5-pro/

Is amazing.

i'm saving this link in my guitar folder. this looks nice, + can use it for vocals.

oh, derp, i read the page wrong, no vocals.

[CaptainHowdy]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

how's your sunday goin so far?

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

went to guitar center hollywood yesterday and they had several of the guitars in stock, new & used, that i've put on my shortlist. didn't have a whole lot of time so i didn't dive in and mess around with any of them. i'm going to have to sortout the american made v. made elsewhere though.

i am going back when they open this morning to play those, i'm super excited! this will be my 1st electric, my jameson is acoustic/electric.

Guitar Centers will negotiate on new stuff. Before you go check out Sweetwater.com and a few other sites for best price. GC will always at least match. If it's used that you want, be sure to ask them how long it's been hanging there. If it's over 90 days they will drop the price.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

Guitar Centers will negotiate on new stuff. Before you go check out Sweetwater.com and a few other sites for best price. GC will always at least match. If it's used that you want, be sure to ask them how long it's been hanging there. If it's over 90 days they will drop the price.

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

the guy said they also set-up new guitars no charge too, not sure what all that means but good to know they price match, wasn't told that part. maybe they will abosrb the tax too...

they have both new & used for a couple of the ones on my list, but not all. i'm also planning on deferring picking out an amp, i figure i'll just confuse things if i am trying out both guitars and amps at the same time.

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

the guy said they also set-up new guitars no charge too, not sure what all that means but good to know they price match, wasn't told that part. maybe they will abosrb the tax too...

they have both new & used for a couple of the ones on my list, but not all. i'm also planning on deferring picking out an amp, i figure i'll just confuse things if i am trying out both guitars and amps at the same time.

Honestly, that bass akwards.. The amp makes the sound. I could plug any of my guitars in to the amp and with the exception of the sustain and additional punch of a few of the pickups, even a trained guitar player couldn't tell which one I'm playing.

Pick the amp for the sound..and the guitar for playability, comfort, looks and tone.



setup is getting the neck set properly so there is no buzzing,tunes properly and the strings are the right distance from the frets.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

Honestly, that bass akwards.. The amp makes the sound. I could plug any of my guitars in to the amp and with the exception of the sustain and additional punch of a few of the pickups, even a trained guitar player couldn't tell which one I'm playing.

Pick the amp for the sound..and the guitar for playability, comfort, looks and tone.

so i should pick out an amp 1st?

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

so i should pick out an amp 1st?

Yes.. If you are going to play gigs that would require something very different if you are going to play at home. If playing at home is what you want..a 20watt is very adequate. And those go for not much money. I mentioned the Mustang I... it's $100. The Mustang III is 100watts and it's $300. If you want to be a purist..get a tube amp. Marshall comes to mind. But there take the checkbook.

[Zeiss]

When playing live ENGL heads and cabinets come to mind.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

Yes.. If you are going to play gigs that would require something very different if you are going to play at home. If playing at home is what you want..a 20watt is very adequate. And those go for not much money. I mentioned the Mustang I... it's $100. The Mustang III is 100watts and it's $300. If you want to be a purist..get a tube amp. Marshall comes to mind. But there take the checkbook.

oh, gotcha, this is for home fun/hobby. a while back i set a goal of learning 3 songs, if i learned em, the reward would be a nicer guitar, i did, so here i am.

that mustang 1 is on the short list of amps with that roland cube and the vox mentioned previoously. prolly gonna go with the one that has the most tones available.

[DamianJ]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

so i should pick out an amp 1st?

I'd get guitar rig or amplitube as they will allow you to recreate every kind of amp you could want without having to buy an amp!

You can then learn if you prefer a valve sound, of you like one brand over another. Then, if you decide you love Orange or Roland or Marshall or Vox, you can go get one later.

YMMV, IMHO etc.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by DamianJ

I'd get guitar rig or amplitube as they will allow you to recreate every kind of amp you could want without having to buy an amp!

You can then learn if you prefer a valve sound, of you like one brand over another. Then, if you decide you love Orange or Roland or Marshall or Vox, you can go get one later.

YMMV, IMHO etc.

man, i had no idea about all this customization. !

so this could replace an amp? i already have a nice studio monitor setup, i can just run the guitar through this sw and out the monitors.

i'll take a closer look at this.

at this point, i think i would like the most simple set-up, i can get bogged down in the settings.

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

man, i had no idea about all this customization. !

so this could replace an amp? i already have a nice studio monitor setup, i can just run the guitar through this sw and out the monitors.

i'll take a closer look at this.

at this point, i think i would like the most simple set-up, i can get bogged down in the settings.

https://fuse.fender.com/ I dumped all the pedals since I got my first Mustang.

When I play gigs, they mike my amp..and the real bonus is it weighs about 20lbs. I am done with refrigerator amps.

[DamianJ]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

man, i had no idea about all this customization. !

so this could replace an amp? i already have a nice studio monitor setup, i can just run the guitar through this sw and out the monitors.

i'll take a closer look at this.

at this point, i think i would like the most simple set-up, i can get bogged down in the settings.

Yes, I don't use an amp at all anymore. You will need a USB audio interface to put your guitar out into your computer though, so bare that in mind. Mine was about $150 and works great for my needs.

[dyna mo]

i appreciate the input!

[Zeiss]

Originally Posted by DamianJ

Yes, I don't use an amp at all anymore. You will need a USB audio interface to put your guitar out into your computer though...

Never do this unless you have ultra super duper sound card! Latency can distort your senses and make you crappy musician!

[dyna mo]

just bought my first electric guitar!


it's a fender pawn shop '72, a combination between a strat and a tele! guitar center did not have it in green and according to the guy that helped me, they could not order the surf green, so i bought it on ebay for a killer deal, should be here early next week! w000000000000t







thanks for the feedback, peeps, get it, feedback

[Minte]

Schweet!

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

Schweet!

i wanted to come back with one so bad i almost bought the traditional sunburst but the green is so funky i decided to stick it out!

[Va2k]

Get a less paul and then you can do what ever you want to do, put in diff pickups etc... never go with a paul, either a Gibson or a epiphone

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

i wanted to come back with one so bad i almost bought the traditional sunburst but the green is so funky i decided to stick it out!

If you don't have one..I recommend the SNARK tuner. Cheap and they work great. The action of a guitar is always set up with the guitar being absolutely in tune.

http://www.snarktuners.com/clip-on