Surprise! Advice Needed Thread.

[Viking Power]

Hello all guitar gods :master: :

I am finally taking lessons and learning guitar "for real". Took me 23 years of thinking I could teach myself to finally realize that instruction is not "uncool".

Anywho-My wife got me a nice acoustic for X-mas which is what I thought would fullfill all my needs in the way of a guitar. I was wrong! I am already itching for an electric (I'm still a headbanger at heart! :dude: ).

Anybody care to recommend a setup for me ? Here are my thoughts/criteria:

• Have a LONG way to go before I ever think about "gigging".
• Want to play surf.
• Want to play punk.
• Want to play metal.
• Want to play rockabilly.
• Don't want an "el-cheap-o" setup. Willing to spend maybe $1000 total (?????? this is flexible).

Thanks in advance!!!!!:rockon:

 

[marnold]

Welcome to The Fret. As the resident aging headbanger, allow me to suggest a Jackson DK2 (if you prefer an HSS setup with a rosewood fingerboard) or DK2M (HH with maple). Those will run you ~$600 new. Used can be a lot cheaper or if you catch GC when they're blowing them out.

For an amp, there's a wide variety of options. You can get a Blackheart Little Giant combo or mini-half-stack for ~$350. I'll let others chime in here too.

 

[Rocket]

You have some decisions first... like scale length preference, style, amplitude, learning, gigging, or combination of both.
I would suggest getting to a guitar store and playing as many as you can get your hands on... then buy the one that feels right.

 

[Viking Power]

marnold:

Thanks for the tips! Hadn't even considered Jackson before(don't know much about them). Will put this model on my list to test out in the near future. The amp looks like a good one too.


Rocket:

I did address some of the criteria that you posted about. I do realize that it will take demo-ing axes and amps myself. Just looking for some sage wisdom from people that know what's up.

 

[Algonquin]

The Roland Cube 30x is a tremendous little amp that would go a long
way to address some of the sounds you're after.


The Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster is another bargain that many
of the folks here own, and love! It will do most of what you're
after... but not to far into metal territory, but not too many
guitars do everything well.

Cheers :beer:

 

[duhvoodooman]

Couple of comments:

For the broad range of styles you mention, an "HSS" guitar would be a good option so that you can get the higher output bridge humbucker sounds as well as janglier single-coil tones from the middle and neck pickups.

To get the same kind of flexibility from an amp, you might want to look into modeling amps like the Vox AD series, Peavey Vypr, Line 6 Spider III, Roland Cube, or Fender Super Champ XD. Alternatively, you could go with a good quality basic tube amp, like the Fender Blues Jr., Blackheart Handsome Devil, Peavey Windsor Studio, etc. and then supplement it with effects pedals for higher gain sounds.

If you're not planning to gig, there's no real reason to go over the 15 - 20W power range. Heck, a 5W amp like the Epiphone Valve Junior can deafen you in a small room!

 

[aeolian]

If you want to play surf and rockibilly and you are limited to one guitar you will likely want one with a whammy bar. There are many choices that has a tremelo and SSH pickup configuration.

 

[Viking Power]

The Roland Cube 30x is a tremendous little amp that would go a long
way to address some of the sounds you're after.


The Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster is another bargain that many
of the folks here own, and love! It will do most of what you're
after... but not to far into metal territory, but not too many
guitars do everything well.

Cheers :beer:

Wow! That setup would be quite affordable (ie easier to sell to the wife! )

Thanks for the input!

No worries about Squier not being as "well-made" as the more expensive Fenders?

 

[Algonquin]

Just looking for some sage wisdom from people that know what's up.

Ooops ... I guess I should have read your post fully before replying.

As for Squier being as well made as the Fender conterparts... probably not, but they can be very very close. For about $300 you get a great little guitar that won't breat the bank.

 

[duhvoodooman]

For about $300 you get a great little guitar that won't break the bank.

Actually, they're the same size as other Fender guitars. oke: :rotflmao:

 

[Algonquin]

Actually, they're the same size as other Fender guitars. oke: :rotflmao:

True man true :AOK:

Not to be confused with this little guitar

 

[Viking Power]

Actually, they're the same size as other Fender guitars. oke: :rotflmao:

I think I'm going to like this message board! :bravo:

 

[bigoldron]

True man true :AOK:

Not to be confused with this little guitar

There's a future Nancy Wilson or Susan Tedeschi in the making!

Keep up the good work, Algonquin! :dude: :rockon:

 

[Rocket]

What's the story with that A string?
I've never seen a bend without a finger attached to it.

 

[warren0728]

What's the story with that A string?
I've never seen a bend without a finger attached to it.

i was thinking the same thing....maybe she is experimenting with an alternate tuning.... :rotflmao:

 

[Viking Power]

If you want to play surf and rockibilly and you are limited to one guitar you will likely want one with a whammy bar. There are many choices that has a tremelo and SSH pickup configuration.

Does that pretty much leave the Telecaster out then?

No way to play those styles just using bends on the fretboard rather than a bar?

 

[Viking Power]

Couple of comments:

For the broad range of styles you mention, an "HSS" guitar would be a good option so that you can get the higher output bridge humbucker sounds as well as janglier single-coil tones from the middle and neck pickups.

To get the same kind of flexibility from an amp, you might want to look into modeling amps like the Vox AD series, Peavey Vypr, Line 6 Spider III, Roland Cube, or Fender Super Champ XD. Alternatively, you could go with a good quality basic tube amp, like the Fender Blues Jr., Blackheart Handsome Devil, Peavey Windsor Studio, etc. and then supplement it with effects pedals for higher gain sounds.

If you're not planning to gig, there's no real reason to go over the 15 - 20W power range. Heck, a 5W amp like the Epiphone Valve Junior can deafen you in a small room!

Pardon my ignorance, but are you saying I could go with either the guitar for the versatility or the amp? Don't know if I made any sense there........I guess what I'm asking is-can I rely on a versatile guitar to get me where I want to go or can I rely on the amp or does it have to be a combination of both? Also, I do realize that a lot of this will rest on my shoulders as the player.

 

[Tibernius]

Might be possible, but a lot harder to do.
If you were just getting one guitar I'd say something like this:

Squier Vintage Modified HSS Strat
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/71752

Tremolo, Humbuckers and Single coils in one guitar. :AOK:

 

[Viking Power]

Might be possible, but a lot harder to do.
If you were just getting one guitar I'd say something like this:

Squier Vintage Modified HSS Strat
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/71752

Tremolo, Humbuckers and Single coils in one guitar. :AOK:

Pretty sexy!

 

[just strum]

Pretty sexy!

or

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

What's the story with that A string?
I've never seen a bend without a finger attached to it.

She's got a very thin piece of fishing line in her right hand. It's an early A-bender prototype.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Pardon my ignorance, but are you saying I could go with either the guitar for the versatility or the amp? Don't know if I made any sense there........I guess what I'm asking is-can I rely on a versatile guitar to get me where I want to go or can I rely on the amp or does it have to be a combination of both? Also, I do realize that a lot of this will rest on my shoulders as the player.

I don't know about your background, but for me I've discovered that versatility was not the way to go. I've only been playing for 3 years, but I am much happier with a 5 watt tube amp with no eq & a one pickup hollowbody than I am with my modelling amp & my HSS guitar.

For me versatile means too many way to get an unsatisfying tone (the good ones are in there too) which means too much time fiddling & too little time playing.

 

[duhvoodooman]

Pardon my ignorance, but are you saying I could go with either the guitar for the versatility or the amp? Don't know if I made any sense there........I guess what I'm asking is-can I rely on a versatile guitar to get me where I want to go or can I rely on the amp or does it have to be a combination of both? Also, I do realize that a lot of this will rest on my shoulders as the player.

I think you'll want flexibility in both guitar & amp. That was an implied AND, not an OR.....

 

[Spudman]

Just get a guitar that you like and it will be YOU. It doesn't matter the make or model. Just get something that makes you go "ah" when you pick it up and then you'll be set. And yes a Telecaster qualifies. You can play whatever you want on any guitar. The style comes out of you.

• Have a LONG way to go before I ever think about "gigging".
• Want to play surf.
• Want to play punk.
• Want to play metal.
• Want to play rockabilly.
• Don't want an "el-cheap-o" setup. Willing to spend maybe $1000 total (?????? this is flexible).

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Just get a guitar that you like and it will be YOU. It doesn't matter the make or model. Just get something that makes you go "ah" when you pick it up and then you'll be set. And yes a Telecaster qualifies. You can play whatever you want on any guitar. The style comes out of you.

:AOK::AOK:What Skyrawker said. :AOK::AOK:

 

[Viking Power]

or

Wow! What's that? Okay, now that is sexy!

 

[Viking Power]

I don't know about your background, but for me I've discovered that versatility was not the way to go. I've only been playing for 3 years, but I am much happier with a 5 watt tube amp with no eq & a one pickup hollowbody than I am with my modelling amp & my HSS guitar.

For me versatile means too many way to get an unsatisfying tone (the good ones are in there too) which means too much time fiddling & too little time playing.

Good points. Thank you.

 

[Viking Power]

I think you'll want flexibility in both guitar & amp. That was an implied AND, not an OR.....

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Viking Power]

Just get a guitar that you like and it will be YOU. It doesn't matter the make or model. Just get something that makes you go "ah" when you pick it up and then you'll be set. And yes a Telecaster qualifies. You can play whatever you want on any guitar. The style comes out of you.

I hear ya. Makes sense.

 

[thearabianmage]

You can't really go wrong with a nice Strat or Strat-type guitar as far as versatility goes. And, as Spud said, the styles do come out of you, although some guitars/amps are better for certain styles than others.

Just for my 2 cents (or 2p as the case may be) I would suggest a decent little modelling amp. This means that the amp is digital and can have loads of different sounds in it. Even though, as Algonquin said, this can mean loads of fiddling instead of playing. Another problem with modellers is that they are sort of like satellite T.V. - loads of channels, but only a few good ones.

In all honesty, I'm not so sure you will really be able to hear the difference or be able to tell a decent tone from a bad one - only because you are a beginner and have no basis for comparison. I will suggest, though, that you get a modelling amp and by the time your 'ear' does develop, you may have a few extra dosh to shell out on different amp. If anything, you may have a few extra bucks to splash on a few effects pedals.

Summary - a nice HSS Strat like pretty much everyone has recommended and a decent modelling amp (maybe Line6? Nothing over 20w)

But, most importantly, is to have fun!!!!