electric guitar [Archive] - MacRumors Forums

firewire2001

Dec 25, 2002, 11:19 PM

hey yo...

i was wonderin if some guitar players out there could help me out...

ive been playin acoustic guitar for a few months and im in the market to buy an electric guitar.. i was curious to see what your thoughts were for a pretty cheap electric.. i was thinking id prolly want to get a new guitar but maybe a used amp..

but as i said.. i dont know much about what i should be looking for as i know little about electric guitars...

im looking to spend no more than about 400 dollars.. max ... and like im not lookin for the nicest thing on the market.. but something with a nice sound and all..

im interested in the different types out there and what you recommend.. like ive heard about epiphones that have their insides carved out and all.. sounds kinda interesting.. but whats that all about..?

thanks a lot.. i really appreciate your time..

alex_ant

Dec 26, 2002, 12:45 AM

You can't get a fantastic electric for under $400, but you can find a decent one if you shop around (esp. on the Internet) and don't buy from music stores with high markups. Which one you should buy depends on the style of the music you want to play and your playing style. There are just too many guitars out there to recommend when we don't know what you'll be playing. :)

dynamicd

Dec 26, 2002, 01:10 AM

I started out with an Ibanez. They're pretty decent guitars and have a variety of different onces at different prices.

springscansing

Dec 26, 2002, 01:45 AM

I got a Parker Nitefly for 600... amazing thing for the price. Parkers are ultra-light and VERY easy to play. They're probably the best 'modern' guitar. It's all personal preference though. Parker makes other models offshore that go for less, check em out.

www.parkerguitars.com

krossfyter

Dec 26, 2002, 01:47 AM

to add to what alex said...

a guitar is a tool an instrument. (okay done with stating the obvious :D)

much like a paint brush or a computer....

which kind you get depends on what you want to do with it... what music style you want to learn or play... what art you want to create... etc. etc.

if you can just state your goal with it and what kind of music you want to learn... then i believe we can give you a better assesment on what type of electric guitar you need.

myself ... i enjoy playing hard rock, blues and some melodic heavy tunes so my electric guitar of choice at the moment is a gibson vintage gold top ... because i love the thick warm tone it emits... i love the colors it creates in its tone.

Moxiemike

Dec 26, 2002, 08:17 AM

Originally posted by firewire2001
hey yo...

i was wonderin if some guitar players out there could help me out...

ive been playin acoustic guitar for a few months and im in the market to buy an electric guitar.. i was curious to see what your thoughts were for a pretty cheap electric.. i was thinking id prolly want to get a new guitar but maybe a used amp..

but as i said.. i dont know much about what i should be looking for as i know little about electric guitars...

im looking to spend no more than about 400 dollars.. max ... and like im not lookin for the nicest thing on the market.. but something with a nice sound and all..

im interested in the different types out there and what you recommend.. like ive heard about epiphones that have their insides carved out and all.. sounds kinda interesting.. but whats that all about..?

thanks a lot.. i really appreciate your time..

Indeed, Epiphones with "the insides carved out" are a.k.a. "semi-hollow body" guitars. They can (sorta) be played acousticly (if you're in a room by yourself) but they are still electrics true and true. They have a generally fatter sound, and, if you're playing a lot of distortion they can achieve some amazing buttery style feedback.

However, for a beginner, they can be a bit hard to control, especially if you're using distortion. They generally have a very blues-y fat clean tone, and sound REALLY nice through a good tube amp with a bit of reverb.

Now... onto the shameless self promotion! I have a blue sparkle Dearmond (a guild/fender venture) that is no longer in production. It's shaped like a Les Paul/Gretsch and has a bigsby tremolo on it ( whammy bar). It has two humbucking pickups, and separate volume and tone as well as a pickup selector. It's a solid body. (different from the epiphones you mentioned above)

It's a very versatile guitar that has a nice clean tone and, with a little learning (getting used to everything on it) can go from VERY growly gutsy distorted sound to mellow funky sounds.

I'm looking to get $475 for it. It comes with a hardshell case as well. It's like new, with the onlyt scratches being on the pickguard (black piece of plastic, easily replaced)

Attached is a pic of a similar one. It's silver. Mine is blue. f you're interested, i'll take more comprehensive pics of the blue one.

Lemme know!

M

wake up Jobs!!!

Dec 26, 2002, 08:53 AM

I am using a Mexi fender telecaster sunburst model . It is a great guitar,and is my first electric, but most people do not like the twang produces by the telecaster, so I reccomend you get a fender stratocaster, mexican standard model, like $300-340 i think. It is the best guitar I can think of for the money.

Also line 6 amps are great, because most of them come with built in effects.
good luck,
-GaBe-O

zarathustra

Dec 26, 2002, 09:16 AM

Like someone mentioned before, a guitar is a very personal tool - there is a reason Willie Nelson plays a ratty old P.O.S. and not a brand new, expensive one.

go to a music store and play with them, spend days, weeks in there and bug them to let you in their sound room and jam away. Eventually you figure out what goes with your style of playing, what is comfortable, sounds great, etc.

I personally love Gretsch (sp?) guitars. Very price for they are collector's items, but if you find one and can try playing it, they are awesome!

jefhatfield

Dec 26, 2002, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by wake up Jobs!!!

I reccomend you get a fender stratocaster, mexican standard model, like $300-340 i think. It is the best guitar I can think of for the money.

he's right

it's the best for the money on the market

if you are willing to spend twice that, get a american standard statocaster or telecster or one of the new gibson sg special or les paul specials...american made gibsons and fenders are the most versatile of all standard rock and roll guitars used by pros and amateurs alike

for fusion and jazz, four hundred can get you an epiphone hollowbody and these are very decent for the money...try musiciansfriend.com for the best prices for these types of guitars

if loud and fast heavy metal is what you like, ibanez seems to have been the choice for players since the 80s like satriani, vai, gilbert, taffola, korn, kiss, etc.

four hundred will get you a nice ibanez, but again twice that much will give you a super high quality high octane metal monster

if price is no object, les paul standards and les paul customs are about 1600 in catalogs, paul reed smith guitars and esp guitars start around there but most models are well over 2500 and any guitars like these are keepers for life

i have used many guitars over the last 26 years and have had some top of the line instruments, but now that i don't record and gig anymore, i have an esp ltd viper which you can get for under 400 or 500 in a catalog...it's a copy of an epiphone/gibson sg and gibson/usa sg model but a little better than the former but not as good as the latter

the epiphone/gibson sg can be found for under 350 in some cases and this guitar is an excellent rock guitar

i hope this information helps and good luck in your search;)

jefhatfield

Dec 26, 2002, 09:43 AM

sometimes too much info is not good

if i had to be stuck on a "desert island" with one electric, it would be the stratocaster

...squier, mexican fender, japanese fender, usa fender, or any other fender/squier brand that is the great statocaster:D :D :D

peter2002

Dec 26, 2002, 10:03 AM

I don't recommend getting a real expensive electric guitar as your first. Somebody will just steal it, or you will scratch it up and your folks will kick your a**.

I have owned a lot of guitars and been playing for 25 years, and the most expensive ones don't sound any better than the cheap ones, except Jazz Hollow body electric guitars can't be done cheap. Also, the cosmetics may be better on the high dolllar crap. Things like a locking nut come in handy to keep the guitar in tune, especially if you use the tremolo "wang" bar alot. Now, that did not use to be the case. But today, the guitars coming from China and Korea are high quality and low price. It is like a good computer, you use to pay top dollar, now you can get a lot of power for a cheap price. The same is true of affordable guitars.

Here are some good deals:

At zZounds.com, buy the Silvertone SS11 package for just $169.95, plus shipping. Orders over $175 ship free. This is a very reputable and reliable online instrument dealer. You can buy online with a CC or call their 1-800 and make arrangements to send a money order. I just bought from them recently and they give you 3 of your favorite magazine subscriptions, FREE when you check-out online. (Only one guitar included in this deal. I don't why they have a pic of 2 guitars.)

http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=p.SVTSS11PAKBK&z=1572829241996

If you want something today, just go to Wal-Mart. Here is a great deal there:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1999256&cat=106982&type=19&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A106982

Guitars warp over time because guitars are made of wood and absorb moisture like an old fashioned wooden tennis racket. Over time, the finish cracks on the guitar which lets moisture in. It is always best to have some good electric guitar wood care products to protect the finish and prevent warping. Now some of the high dollar guitars like from Parker and Steinberg use Kevlar which never warps. But most folks don't have $2K for an axe.

Don't buy used, unless Hendrix, John Lennon, Jerry Garcia, or Les Paul played it. Don't buy from a pawn shop, online auction site, nor a garage sale unless you are just stupid or cheap. 9 times out 10, you will get burnt from these places.

If you are new at guitar, I recommend to get some good extra guitar strings with a thin gauge which will be easier on your fingers until they get conditioned and you will be able to play solos much faster. Just go to your local instrument dealer. If you play guitar a lot, you will break strings all the time. Ernie Ball, D'Addario, or Fender are good brands for electric guitar strings.

Oh yeah, by the way, don't listen to those guys about their 1950's, 1960's guitars. Wood is wood. Wood from Pine, Maple, Ash, or Mahogany trees from the 1950's sounds just as good a wood clear cutted from a tree last month. It is like all the B.S. about Stratavarious' violins. Stratavarious violins don't sound any better than a $300 violin made in Hong Kong. It is like some guy saying his $150 Nike's are better than your $20 running shoes from Wal-Mart. Or some guying lyeing about his $3000 PowerMac is faster (not true) than the $1500 3.06GHZ HP at BestBuy.

Pete :D

jefhatfield

Dec 26, 2002, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by peter2002

Don't buy used. Guitars warp over time because they are made of wood and absorb moisture like a tennis racket. Don't buy from a pawn shop, online auction site, nor a garage sale unless you are just stupid or cheap.

Pete :D

since there are so many good deals out there for new guitars, i agree with you 100 percent

but i used to also be into vintage guitars made before 1970, and the only way they come is used;)

1947 martin 00-17
1959 silvertone stratotone
1965 gibson melody maker
1965 gibson LGO
1965 fender telecaster
1968 fender telecaster, with stock bigsby tremolo

Moxiemike

Dec 26, 2002, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by peter2002
I have owned a lot of guitars, and the most expensive ones don't sound much better than the cheap ones, except for the cosmetics may be better on the high dolllar crap.

Here are some good deals:

At zZounds.com, buy the Silvertone SS11 package for just $169.95, plus shipping. Orders over $175 ship free. This is a very reputable and reliable online instrument dealer. You can buy online with a CC or call their 1-800 and make arrangements to send a money order. I just bought from them recently and they give you 3 of your favorite magazine subscriptions, FREE when you check-out online.

http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=p.SVTSS11PAKBK&z=1572829241996

If you want something today, just go to Wal-Mart. Here is a great deal there:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1999256&cat=106982&type=19&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A106982

Don't buy used. Guitars warp over time because they are made of wood and absorb moisture like a tennis racket. Don't buy from a pawn shop, online auction site, nor a garage sale unless you are just stupid or cheap.

Pete :D

Are you kidding me? This might be some of the worst advice. "guitars warp over time becuase they are made of wood and absorb moisture like a tennis racket."

Only if its a crappy guitar like those silvertones, which are made with the cheapest woods around.

If you get a decent guitar, like an epiphone, mid-ranger fender, dearmond, etc. You won't see warping problems for a VERY long time, provided you take good care of your guitar (which it true for any instrument).

a guitar is one area where you can't skimp on quality. Those Silvertones or even worse that wal-mart crappy thing... man. That'll last you a year, maybe less. The construction of the neck is crappy , they use cheap frets, cheap tuning pegs (so you'll CONSTANTLY be tuning the thing), cheap pickups that will be noisy and cheap body woods, generally that are particle board, or built with bunches of wood fragments.

They also usually don't have a good truss rod, or a crappy truss rod, which can affect the "intonation" of a guitar. A truss rod adjusts the neck. And is a VERY essential element.

As for not buying used... pure crap. If you know what you're looking for, and have the advice of a veteran player who has knowledge, used is SO the way to go!

I have a 1969 jazz bass that I bought used in 1997 for a steal, and it's worth a ton, is very solid, the neck is poker straight, and that instrument will last 100 years or more.

My good friend is a luthier (a guitar maker) and has commented on how perfect the jazz bass is.

Peter, you should really learn a little more abotu the aesthetics of a guitar, both tonally and lookwise. Those "cosmetic" things that are better on the higher end guitar DO INDEED affect playability-- the tuning pegs, the bridge, the frets and the nut. The neck joint plate, the pickups.... all affect playability as well as the type of wood the guitar is made of.

I seriously hope you were joking. I don't even recommend low-end "squier" strats to people-- they're better off with a 300$ mexican strat that will resell well for them or function as a nice "backup" guitar when they move up to a :better" instrument.

Those wally world and zzzzzzzzounds guitars won't be worth 10 bucks in a year.

Poop.

jefhatfield

Dec 26, 2002, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by Moxiemike

I seriously hope you were joking. I don't even recommend low-end "squier" strats to people-- they're better off with a 300$ mexican strat that will resell well for them or function as a nice "backup" guitar when they move up to a :better" instrument.

i usually used an american standard statocaster that i got for 650 and i sounded decent on that thing

right before i had that, i had a 1900 dollar statocaster ultra with lace sensor pickups and while the quality of the guitar was better than the american standard, i didn't sound any better or stay in tune any better

and before i had either of those strats, i had a mexican standard stratocaster i got for 300 and i sounded as good on that as either of the more expensive two stratocasters

but squier, while i am a very experienced player and could make that thing sound as good as the other three strats, i can't quite get the same sustain but a good tube amp can rectify that, but you are right, the tuners are not that good

so i would replace the tuners

but 75 percent of all gibson electics, especially and ironically the better ones, have those crappy kluson tuners with the plastic snot pegs...awful

my gibson les paul custom, thank god, had all steel enclosed grover pegs and that thing stayed in tune better than my vintage gibson melody maker, which had those shaky klusons

one can say all they want about how bad silvertones are, but jimmy page of led zepplin used them a lot, and melissa etheridge uses them when she plugs in electrically

my 1959 silvertone had a killer tone and was, among my collection of 56 guitars over the years, one of the coolest sounding instruments

jefhatfield

Dec 26, 2002, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by peter2002

Don't buy used. Guitars warp over time because they are made of wood and absorb moisture like a tennis racket.

of my vintage guitars i have had before 1970, the 1947 martin 00-17 and 1965 gibson LGO had wavy warped tops but the necks were straight and the action decent

my 1965 telecaster was warped beyond the 12th fret and unable to be straightened out by my luthier so i had to live with high action

but my 1959 silvertone, without a truss rod, had a baseball bat thick neck and the thing was as straight as an arrow...i was able to crank the action as low as i wanted without buzzing...and the hollow body was also super straight ;)

i did have a 1971 ovation, plastic back, nylon acoustic, and while the headstock had a huge chunk chipped off of it, the spruce top was stright and the aluminum reinforced neck (maybe graphite reinforced) was very, very straight)

jefhatfield

Dec 26, 2002, 10:51 AM

man, now that you got me on guitar stories, i can't stop

i had a friend with a vintage gibson hummingbird or J-200 acoustic...very nice and pricey...even then

he went canoeing with it and sank...the guitar got wet

it warped the top but was still playable with decent action but never sounded the same again

moral or the story...don't go canoeing with your acoustic guitar, and by all means, don't sink

same could go for your ibook or tibook:p

Moxiemike

Dec 26, 2002, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by jefhatfield

i usually used an american standard statocaster that i got for 650 and i sounded decent on that thing

right before i had that, i had a 1900 dollar statocaster ultra with lace sensor pickups and while the quality of the guitar was better than the american standard, i didn't sound any better or stay in tune any better

and before i had either of those strats, i had a mexican standard stratocaster i got for 300 and i sounded as good on that as either of the more expensive two stratocasters

but squier, while i am a very experienced player and could make that thing sound as good as the other three strats, i can't quite get the same sustain but a good tube amp can rectify that, but you are right, the tuners are not that good

so i would replace the tuners

but 75 percent of all gibson electics, especially and ironically the better ones, have those crappy kluson tuners with the plastic snot pegs...awful

my gibson les paul custom, thank god, had all steel enclosed grover pegs and that thing stayed in tune better than my vintage gibson melody maker, which had those shaky klusons

one can say all they want about how bad silvertones are, but jimmy page of led zepplin used them a lot, and melissa etheridge uses them when she plugs in electrically

my 1959 silvertone had a killer tone and was, among my collection of 56 guitars over the years, one of the coolest sounding instruments

Well, my 1959 silvertone is awesome as well. But the neck is warped beyonf belief. But that said... the new silvertones and the new low-end strats are about as crappy as they come.

Sure, you can get a strat for 160 or something, but by the time you replace the tuning pegs, put on a bridge that doesn't tremolo the guitar out of tune in a few strokes, put in pickups that will give you a decent sound.... might as well have invested in an epiphone Casino or Les Paul (often times as good as their 1500 dollar counterparts).

As yea, gibson is in a bit of a slump. But there's tons of good manufacturers out there: Fender, Ibanez, Yamaha, etc all make nice looking, well built quality guitars that are affordable and much more worthwhile than a new silvertone.

your 1959 is a different story.

m

jefhatfield

Dec 26, 2002, 11:04 AM

instead of buying a squier stratocaster, new tuners for the squier, and a more sustaining trem, it would be smarter to take the money and get an epiphone les paul

or even a mexican fender standard stratocaster

bout 400 dollars would do it in a catalog like musician's friend

ps - sorry to hear about your '59 silvertone

Moxiemike

Dec 26, 2002, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by jefhatfield
instead of buying a squier stratocaster, new tuners for the squier, and a more sustaining trem, it would be smarter to take the money and get an epiphone les paul

or even a mexican fender standard stratocaster

bout 400 dollars would do it in a catalog like musician's friend

ps - sorry to hear about your '59 silvertone

Exactly. Which is why i'm STRONGLY advising against peterj's advice. :D

I still havce the silvertone. use it for "atmospheric" guitar sounds. Has these fake p90s on it, and they make some GREAT feedback. :D

I run it through my bass rig (hartke 3500 with a peavey 4x10 cabinet) and use a tubescreamer and a tremolo pedal on it, some chorus, or flange. and a good amt of delay. Yum.

jefhatfield

Dec 26, 2002, 11:13 AM

the only guitar i have now is my ltd (by esp) viper 301 which is a decent instrument but does not get any really vintage sounding tones...i paid $520 for it

it was, like most ltd's and esp's, (think metallica and slayer) made for the heavy metal and grunge market and i am no longer into that type of music

but i have to admit, creed rocks the house down and paul reed smith makes a $3,500 dollar custom tremonti electric and a cheaper, consumer oriented tremonti model for about $650 or $750 us

...i might go for the cheaper tremonti electric which i think i can get at guitar center for about $500 dollars on sale

Moxiemike

Dec 26, 2002, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by jefhatfield
the only guitar i have now is my ltd (by esp) viper 301 which is a decent instrument but does not get any really vintage sounding tones...i paid $520 for it

it was, like most ltd's and esp's, (think metallica and slayer) made for the heavy metal and grunge market and i am no longer into that type of music

but i have to admit, creed rocks the house down and paul reed smith makes a $3,500 dollar custom tremonti electric and a cheaper, consumer oriented tremonti model for about $650 or $750 us

...i might go for the cheaper tremonti electric which i think i can get at guitar center for about $500 dollars on sale

I never liked PRS guitars. but they do sound nice. Just never struck me ya know?

My three fave guitar brands:
Epiphone. retro, 60s and british.
Rickenbacker. retro. 60s and british. ;)
Guild (for acoustics)

Basswise?
Fender. Jazz Bass. Yay.
Warwick for fretless
MusicMan. Like tanks... the volvo of the bass

firewire2001

Dec 26, 2002, 12:23 PM

crap... thanks so much you guys.. so much advice.. almost overwhelming..

i think i'll be pretty much playing "quiter" stuff.. maybe some alternative.. mild rock.. maybe a bit of jazz.. mild punk.. im not really into the whole hard rock scene.. or heavy metal.. i think im looking for a fat nice sound.. i wont be doing much distortion, too, though.

the place it looks like i'll be buying a guitar - if i dont decide on moxiemikes - will be a local shop thats been around for quite some time and are known for reasonable prices.. i bought a formosa acoustic there for about 75 bucks thats lists for almost 200.. and prices can be worked out.. arguable..

price is definately an element for me, though.. and id personally rather wait and get a decent guitar in the future than spend all my money on a mediocre one now.. quality is important..

im prolly not lookin for les paul for the obvious reason of money now.. but also cause ill prolly be playing at some little school gigs which i'll have to be careful about with any guitar i purchase..

ahhh man thanks so much guys.. its great to see how many people who are out there willing to help..

with this in mind could, which guitars that you guys have pointed out would work out well for me, do you think..? also what are some prices?

i was checkin out ibenez sites.. some of their stuff seems pretty reasonable.. but its always pretty hard to tell..

i may be going to this music store in san diego in which case i maybe could tell you guys what kinda stuff they have.. and prices and all.. they dont have the largest selection there.. maybe only 15 guitars.. but their very honest as they let you try em out and everything with an amp and all before you buy em.. which i guess would be standard policy.. the people there are very honest and its very clear they are not in the business for the money.. ferr instance my younger brother has been takin drum lessons in the store for about a month now.. and he has one of the most awesome teachers thats really taken him far in that time.. and he doesnt make much money a lesson.. =X .. also it was great.. when i bought my first acoustic a guitar teacher that worked there helped me choose it out and all and ive had no problems with it at all.. its great for the price i got it

anyways i really appreciate your time.. thanks a bunch..

Moxiemike

Dec 26, 2002, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by firewire2001
crap... thanks so much you guys.. so much advice.. almost overwhelming..

i think i'll be pretty much playing "quiter" stuff.. maybe some alternative.. mild rock.. maybe a bit of jazz.. mild punk.. im not really into the whole hard rock scene.. or heavy metal.. i think im looking for a fat nice sound.. i wont be doing much distortion, too, though.

the place it looks like i'll be buying a guitar - if i dont decide on moxiemikes - will be a local shop thats been around for quite some time and are known for reasonable prices.. i bought a formosa acoustic there for about 75 bucks thats lists for almost 200.. and prices can be worked out.. arguable..

price is definately an element for me, though.. and id personally rather wait and get a decent guitar in the future than spend all my money on a mediocre one now.. quality is important..

im prolly not lookin for les paul for the obvious reason of money now.. but also cause ill prolly be playing at some little school gigs which i'll have to be careful about with any guitar i purchase..

ahhh man thanks so much guys.. its great to see how many people who are out there willing to help..

with this in mind could, which guitars that you guys have pointed out would work out well for me, do you think..? also what are some prices?

i was checkin out ibenez sites.. some of their stuff seems pretty reasonable.. but its always pretty hard to tell..

i may be going to this music store in san diego in which case i maybe could tell you guys what kinda stuff they have.. and prices and all.. they dont have the largest selection there.. maybe only 15 guitars.. but their very honest as they let you try em out and everything with an amp and all before you buy em.. which i guess would be standard policy.. the people there are very honest and its very clear they are not in the business for the money.. ferr instance my younger brother has been takin drum lessons in the store for about a month now.. and he has one of the most awesome teachers thats really taken him far in that time.. and he doesnt make much money a lesson.. =X .. also it was great.. when i bought my first acoustic a guitar teacher that worked there helped me choose it out and all and ive had no problems with it at all.. its great for the price i got it

anyways i really appreciate your time.. thanks a bunch..

If you're looking for a fat sound, you'll probably want something with humbuckers. Single coils (as in Strats and Teles') tend to sound thin and twangy.

your best options would be an epiphone, gretsch (which makes some nice mid-range guitars) and ibanez. Ibanez has some nicely wired single coil pickups that aren't as thin sounding as fenders and they can be used in tandem with a humbucker for a nice sound.

That said, i can attest that the dearmond I have for sale has a very thick, fat sound, much like a higher-end gretsch duo-jet or a les paul/SG.

For bluesly stuff, jazzy stuff, with light distortion it's probably exactly what you're looking for.

It's also unique and soon to be rare. (i know dearmond made a lot of silvers and reds but not too many blues in the sparkle). Like I said, if you're interested, let me know and ill post pics of the blue one. It's pretty sharp and nice looking.

only reason im selling is that im a bassist by trade and buying a nice warwick fretless.

Back & Sides : Not Available
Body : Agathis with Maple Top
Brand : DeArmond
Estimated Price : $600 to $1000
Fretboard : Rosewood
Neck : Maple
Series : M Series
Style : 6 string
Top : Not Available
Type : Electric Guitars

More Information:
* Series: M Series
* Style: 6 string
* Finish: Black, Blue Sparkle, Champagne Sparkle
* Fretboard: Rosewood
* Neck: Maple
* Body: Agathis with Maple Top
* Top: Not Available
* Back & Sides: Not Available
* Frets: 22
* Pickups: 2 DeArmond 2K Single Coils
* Bridge: Tune-o-matic With Bigsby Style Tremolo
* Controls: 2-Volume Controls, 2-Tone Controls
* Electronics: Not Available
* Make: U.S.A.
* Model #: 035-7600

that's some info on the dearmond.

Here's a user review:

http://www.bass-guitar-review.com/review-display/1333.html

firewire2001

Dec 26, 2002, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by Moxiemike

If you're looking for a fat sound, you'll probably want something with humbuckers. Single coils (as in Strats and Teles') tend to sound thin and twangy.

your best options would be an epiphone, gretsch (which makes some nice mid-range guitars) and ibanez. Ibanez has some nicely wired single coil pickups that aren't as thin sounding as fenders and they can be used in tandem with a humbucker for a nice sound.

That said, i can attest that the dearmond I have for sale has a very thick, fat sound, much like a higher-end gretsch duo-jet or a les paul/SG.

For bluesly stuff, jazzy stuff, with light distortion it's probably exactly what you're looking for.

It's also unique and soon to be rare. (i know dearmond made a lot of silvers and reds but not too many blues in the sparkle). Like I said, if you're interested, let me know and ill post pics of the blue one. It's pretty sharp and nice looking.

only reason im selling is that im a bassist by trade and buying a nice warwick fretless.

Back & Sides : Not Available
Body : Agathis with Maple Top
Brand : DeArmond
Estimated Price : $600 to $1000
Fretboard : Rosewood
Neck : Maple
Series : M Series
Style : 6 string
Top : Not Available
Type : Electric Guitars

More Information:
* Series: M Series
* Style: 6 string
* Finish: Black, Blue Sparkle, Champagne Sparkle
* Fretboard: Rosewood
* Neck: Maple
* Body: Agathis with Maple Top
* Top: Not Available
* Back & Sides: Not Available
* Frets: 22
* Pickups: 2 DeArmond 2K Single Coils
* Bridge: Tune-o-matic With Bigsby Style Tremolo
* Controls: 2-Volume Controls, 2-Tone Controls
* Electronics: Not Available
* Make: U.S.A.
* Model #: 035-7600

that's some info on the dearmond.

Here's a user review:

http://www.bass-guitar-review.com/review-display/1333.html

ahh bass is an awesome instrument.. i played and upright bass myself for a short while..

that dearmond guitar looks real awesome.. but honestly its a little far out of my reach right now as i have to buy an amp and i think i want to have a bit of money to fall back on to get some pedals and such in the future... id feel almost bad taking it from you too, as im really only an amature.. i hope you can find a good place for it..

thanks a lot for all your insight.. i will definately consider one of those models of guitars youve recommended..

thanks a lot to other for all your time.. again its great to see all you guys willing to help out and all..

firewire2001

Dec 26, 2002, 02:52 PM

hey mmmm...

found this baby online.. very basic.. but what do you guys think..?

http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=p.EPISPIIHS&z=1573009551480.. les paul ferr almost 200.. crazyyy

i found this one too

http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=p.IBAGSA60JB&z=1573013435239 ... and ibanez for about 200 bucks..

the epiphone is pretty nice looking.. though that shouldnt matter much.. =X

Moxiemike

Dec 26, 2002, 03:28 PM

this is actually a VERy nice guitar:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=021226111242004035204202598571/search/g=guitar/detail/base_id/79179

nice ibanez here:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=021226111242004035204202598571/search/g=guitar/detail/base_id/51515
Gretsch also now makes an "economy" line:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=021226111242004035204202598571/search/g=home/detail/base_id/56185

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=021226111242004035204202598571/search/g=home/detail/base_id/56186

Ive seen the Gretsch's in person and they look and play WONDERFULLY. They'll also hold their value better than the LP you were looking at.

The thing you have to determine is what you'll do with it after you move up to the next level.

My recommendation would be to go with the Ibanez if you wanna spend about $200. It'll hold its value a bit better than the les paul-- more people likely to want that than the LP.

Personally, I'd try and budget an extra 50-100 and get the Gretsch.

This might also be a nice amp:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=021226111242004035204202598571/search/g=guitar/detail/base_id/76162

or:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=021226111242004035204202598571/search/g=guitar/detail/base_id/81858

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=021226111242004035204202598571/search/g=guitar/detail/base_id/50520

Ibanez sound tank pedals are also nice and cheap and sound very good.

krossfyter

Dec 26, 2002, 04:11 PM

wow it seems like the moxiemike and jefhatfield thread!!!

:D

Moxiemike

Dec 26, 2002, 04:24 PM

it happens, kross. :)

firewire2001

Dec 26, 2002, 05:40 PM

ahh man thanks so much mike..

i shouldve done a little more research...

saw some reviews and stuff and it looks like the ibanez would hold up better than that lp.. a lotta reviews say it sounds significantly better than it too..

i was lookin for it to be carved out for that kinda deeper sound.. though im sure those other guitars sound nothing short of awesome without it.. but its a plus to be able to practice at not or whatnot without an amp all set up..

that second gretsch looks really sweet.. very basic but looks like itd have a great sound and hold up well.. as with the first gretsch too..

however, i honestly didnt realize that amp prices were that high.. gosh.. bad on my part.. i think im gonna end up going with that first ibanez..

what are some of the basic differences between amps..? more features and things.. or..? since begginnin to look around i didnt really realize all these different amps.. different manufacturers and all..

also, while on electronics, im curious how sound differs on different pickups.. is it generally the same idea as when on an acoustic you strum in a different place and get a more muffled or sound or a tinnier sound higher up on the bridge?..

ah thanks a lot..

alex_ant

Dec 26, 2002, 06:19 PM

i think i'll be pretty much playing "quiter" stuff.. maybe some alternative.. mild rock.. maybe a bit of jazz.. mild punk.. im not really into the whole hard rock scene.. or heavy metal.. i think im looking for a fat nice sound.. i wont be doing much distortion, too, though.
One thing about the Strat is that it's probably the most versatile guitar there is. If you need twang, you've got the bridge pickup. If you need a fatter sound, you can make humbuckers out of the single-coil pickups with a flip of the pickup switch. Get a Fender and not a copy, though, because the Fenders hold their value best. Whichever guitar you choose now, you'll likely wish for something different in the near future, so, overall-cost-wise, it doesn't really matter what you buy now as long as 1) it holds its value or 2) it's very cheap.

Epiphone guitars are a great value. For under $400 you could get a G-400, which is a copy of a Gibson SG ('62?) that has a set-in neck (for better sustain than a bolt-on). The only real difference between that and its Gibson counterpart that costs $800 more is the quality of the electronics, the pickups, and a few minor cosmetic and quality touches. The Epiphone semi-hollow-bodies (Sheraton/Casino/Riviera) are a bit more expensive but have a nice warm jazzy sound that's unbeatable in their price range. Epiphone also makes a very good Les Paul copy (the Les Paul Standard) and a few crappy ones. If you go with an Epiphone, make sure you get a set neck model, and stay away from the cheap ones, because as with everything else, you get what you pay for.

As for amplifiers, a tube amp will cost more than a solid-state amp but will give you a better tone. It's hard to find an all-tube amp for under $400 (or even higher). Amps with built-in effects and "amp modeling" sound fine if you've never heard the real thing. The size/power of the amp depends on what you'll be using it for (practicing? playing live?). If you have a choice between an amp that has slightly more power than you need and slightly less, get the one that has slightly less, because many amps sound best when they are cranked.

I would suggest the Vox Cambridge. It's discontinued, but it at least has a tube in the pre-amp stage, and it can be had for under $300 used. There's the 15-watt 8" model, the 30-watt 10" model, and the 30-watt twin 10" model (with two speakers). Other brands to look at would be Fender and Marshall. Crate makes ear-splittingly loud amps that sound like ass, but that's just my opinion. Go to the music store and buy what you think sounds good.

Different pickups sound different just because of the way they are made, how their electromagnets are wound, the magnets they use, their distance from the strings, etc. There are two main types of pickups: Humbuckers and single-coil. Most guitars use humbuckers, except most Fenders which use single-coils. Single-coil pickups tend to be brighter, but tend to produce a sound that is less full-bodied. Humbuckers tend to be the opposite, although there is a very wide range.

firewire2001

Dec 26, 2002, 06:26 PM

ah right.. thanks.. i think im lookin more for an amp for practicing more than anything, as i think the school has a few amps i can use if i was to ever do some playing at little events or whatever.. and if not i have friends that wouldnt mind lendin me an amp or whatever..

i think i really have to see what i like with the different sort of amps they have...

just out of curiosity, do guitars have both humbucker and single coil pickups ever..?

also you mention i should get a guitar with a "set in neck".. what is that? Epiphone guitars are a great value. For under $400 you could get a G-400, which is a copy of a Gibson SG ('62?) that has a set-in neck (for better sustain than a bolt-on). The only real difference between that and its Gibson counterpart that costs $800 more is the quality of the electronics, the pickups, and a few minor cosmetic and quality touches. The Epiphone semi-hollow-bodies (Sheraton/Casino/Riviera) are a bit more expensive but have a nice warm jazzy sound that's unbeatable in their price range. Epiphone also makes a very good Les Paul copy (the Les Paul Standard) and a few crappy ones. If you go with an Epiphone, make sure you get a set neck model, and stay away from the cheap ones, because as with everything else, you get what you pay for.

i think ill definately save this thread for a few years in the future.. see the dilemna im in now is that i want something nice.. but somewhat versatile as i am a beginner... as you can see i dont have a particular style im gonna be playin in yet since i havent really done much with bands and all.. i have to do a lot more self discovery which just comes with playin..

when i go to the store, however, i will definately keep what you guys said in mind..

thanks a lot, too, alex

alex_ant

Dec 26, 2002, 06:59 PM

A little 15-watt 8" practice amp should suit you just fine. Might want to look for one with built-in reverb and an effects loop so that it's easier to hook up effects pedals.

The basic Stratocaster has three single-coil pickups, with the one in the middle wound the opposite way as the other two, and it has a 5-way pickup selector switch. So you can choose between:

bridge
bridge & middle (humbucking)
middle
middle & neck (humbucking)
neck

So the combination of two pickups on that guitar produces a humbucker. But all guitars are different. Also, some Strats have a humbucker in the bridge position, and some Telecasters (the "Fat" kind) have humbuckers in the neck position. What's important though is not all this humbucker/single-coil stuff, but how the guitar sounds.

The difference between a bolt-on and a set-in neck is that a bolt-on neck is bolted onto the guitar body, and the set-in neck is glued onto the body. A set-in neck is more solidly attached to the guitar body, and that results in better sustain. Some guitars have neck-through-the- body construction, where the neck is one long piece of wood that runs all the way through the body (Rickenbackers and Gibson/Epiphone Firebirds), and that provides even better sustain.

Good luck,
Alex

krossfyter

Dec 26, 2002, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by Moxiemike
it happens, kross. :)

apparently!

anyways.. you all have some interesting thoughts and opinions so by all means rock on!

Cheese

Dec 26, 2002, 08:55 PM

Firewire, I am a newbie to posting here. (my first post). I am not new to playing and shopping for guitars. I am only 42 years old and have been playing since I was 7. Regardless of what ANYONE will tell you, It is far more important to have fun with the guitar that you play than any other single element related to it. It doesn't matter whether anyone else likes it. All that matters is that you make sounds that feel good to your soul. A guitar can be your best friend and will be there for you even when your crash proof OSX takes a dump on you. There are so many different aspects of "the guitar" that you could spend weeks coparing your final three choices, but first consider this... Apple computers makes what is quite possibly the finest extension of the human brain that has ever been devised, yet, if we were to overscrutinize our decision about which Mac to buy, would we not miss out on a lot of fun by letting the chance to play at all pass us by?
Get the Ibanez, save your cash and have a great time jamming. Think about the kind of music that you want to play and remember that Joe and Steve (Vai & Satriani) say from the heart that Ibanez makes the best guitars in the world. I am a luthier and have to agree with them!

jefhatfield

Dec 26, 2002, 09:27 PM

firewire2001

Dec 27, 2002, 01:03 AM

Originally posted by Cheese
Firewire, I am a newbie to posting here. (my first post). I am not new to playing and shopping for guitars. I am only 42 years old and have been playing since I was 7. Regardless of what ANYONE will tell you, It is far more important to have fun with the guitar that you play than any other single element related to it. It doesn't matter whether anyone else likes it. All that matters is that you make sounds that feel good to your soul. A guitar can be your best friend and will be there for you even when your crash proof OSX takes a dump on you. There are so many different aspects of "the guitar" that you could spend weeks coparing your final three choices, but first consider this... Apple computers makes what is quite possibly the finest extension of the human brain that has ever been devised, yet, if we were to overscrutinize our decision about which Mac to buy, would we not miss out on a lot of fun by letting the chance to play at all pass us by?
Get the Ibanez, save your cash and have a great time jamming. Think about the kind of music that you want to play and remember that Joe and Steve (Vai & Satriani) say from the heart that Ibanez makes the best guitars in the world. I am a luthier and have to agree with them!

yea thats really true.

ive played clarinet for about 6 years now and enter in a lotta competitions and stuff.. but in the long run you have to play for yourself.. someone will always criticize you or whatnot on what they want to hear.. and a lotta times its sall good.. but other times its just your interpretation.. what you feel inside..

i only realized this.. and what clarinet and music and everything like that means to me till a few years ago.. like i see people that have played piano for maybe 15 years that cant feel... their numb to the sensation of music.. and i can sit down at a keyboard and start playin something and move like musicians from juliard.. like with feeling.. though i might not be the most talented keyboardist..

i dont consider that to be a talent really of mine.. but rather something like i respect or like.. people can feel the music of heavy metal music.. and thats them.. and likewise i really cant feel anything in heavy metal music.. while others can.. the feeling and sensation really comes later.

all in all.. i think your right like in respect to guitar i have to find what i like.. and itll grow and ill find myself.. like what style i want to play.. and then ill search for a different guitar that better suits that.. but i shouldnt force myself into a certain class of music based on a guitar i buy.. but by the feeling i get..

haha err.. not that you guys have done anything wrong.. i apreciate your help a lot.. but ill remember fo sho about the music when making my decision..

thanks a lot.. welcome to macrumors..

macmax

Dec 27, 2002, 08:38 AM

Hi there:

Well i play a stratocaster with Tom Anderon pickups through a Voodoo Modded Dual Rectifier Tremoverb.

What is it that you would like to play>?
What is your style?
What bands have the tone you are seeking to?

Answer this so i can help you ?
Are you planning to buy an amp?
do you haev one?
If not , a very cool little practice amp , that could be played live if miked would be a fender junior pro, it is an all tube amp, tubes are best.

Let me know and i will help you, my god at last something i know, hehhehehe, i can't help anyone when entering the computer world, hehehhe.:D ;) :cool:

macmax

Dec 27, 2002, 08:40 AM

check out the canadian godins
they give you a lot of tone for the money.

Also remember i have a Fender strat, hehehhe, so this counts too.

I play with a band "ocassionally", so i will be here to help you as much as i can.

Go tubes, the fender all tube junior pro would be a great amp to start.

Do not, i repeat, do not get a modeling amp, after you hear tubes, you will want to throu it away, well , maybe the vox modeling amp is good from what i heard.

jefhatfield

Dec 27, 2002, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by macmax
check out the canadian godins
they give you a lot of tone for the money.

Also remember i have a Fender strat, hehehhe, so this counts too.

I play with a band "ocassionally", so i will be here to help you as much as i can.

Go tubes, the fender all tube junior pro would be a great amp to start.

Do not, i repeat, do not get a modeling amp, after you hear tubes, you will want to throu it away, well , maybe the vox modeling amp is good from what i heard.

i totally agree

feel in music is the most important thing and the tube amp is like a living breathing woman...i am an engineer and work with the concepts of solid state and digital technologies...very accurate and a must for high tech

tubes on the other hand are very unreliable and will not give you the same signal everytime and it's hit and miss, and very tempermental

mixed with your own human feelings, it becomes a tug of war with getting the right sound out of a tube amp and you have to work your guitar to make the tube amp sound just right

the whole process makes you think and forces you to feel the living breathing entity of the tube amp in order to get in the vibe with it

many times you will miss and have bad gigs and bad recording sessions, but when you, your guitar, your effects, and your tube amp mesh, it's like sex...amazing

having played for 26 years, i have always enjoyed the warmth and unpredicatability of a tube amp, but at times i would opt for a transistor amp to get a quicker fix when i didn't want to fool with the sound

sometimes a tube is on the way out or one of a rack of tubes is shot and the amp gets crippled and lo and behold, you may get the best sound you have ever had but will likely never reproduce it again

so always keep a tape running because magic strikes rarely...even with great musicians;)

firewire2001

Dec 27, 2002, 12:32 PM

Originally posted by macmax
check out the canadian godins
they give you a lot of tone for the money.

Also remember i have a Fender strat, hehehhe, so this counts too.

I play with a band "ocassionally", so i will be here to help you as much as i can.

Go tubes, the fender all tube junior pro would be a great amp to start.

Do not, i repeat, do not get a modeling amp, after you hear tubes, you will want to throu it away, well , maybe the vox modeling amp is good from what i heard.

i think ive pretty much found out what im gonna get and stuff.. but nah... i dont have an amp yet or a guitar, for that matter..

i think i prolly juss want a practice amp.. hey i never thought about that - juss mikin a guitar to a main amp.. interesting though a lotta lower end amps dont have much control over mic inputs.. though that really shouldnt be much of a problem..

there are a lot of bands that i like.. i havent really played for too long so i havent really discoverred the styles i want to play yet.. it sounds like most i like, however, have a fatter sound - the bands the get up kids, semisonic.. but i also like red hot chili peppers which have more of a tinny sound - they prolly use single coil pickups..

the main guitar im lookin at right now is the as73 ibanez.. it looks like it has humbucker pickups and has a fatter sound since it is carved out.. thats the type of sound im pursuing now.. but it may ver well change in a few years when looking for a new guitar.. and once i have really explored the styles i like playing in.

wilburpan

Dec 30, 2002, 10:16 PM

Originally posted by firewire2001

i think ive pretty much found out what im gonna get and stuff..
Dang. I go away on vacation and another guitar thread pops up while I'm gone. :(

The best advice that I have for buying a guitar is don't go online. You may save a few bucks, but you could very well lose out a lot on sound.

If you've already decided on the model of guitar you want to get, then you should go to as many stores as you can find that carry that model and try them all out. There's enough variability in weight, necks, body profile among guitars, even among the same model, that you will find that two guitars of the same model may play very differently.

Try the guitars out without an amp, and listen to the strings just like you would an acoustic guitar. No matter how many pedals or what type of amp you use, this is the sound that is going to get amplified, and no amp will change that. Only after you find a guitar that you like to play unplugged should you plug it into an amp to try it out.

When I bought my two electrics, I was lucky enough to live in Chicago, where there are a lot of decent guitar stores. I knew which model I wanted, so I went from store to store to try out a bunch of them, and both times, there was just one guitar that said "buy me". As a result, I've kept my electrics without needing to upgrade, and they are now 22 and 15 years old, and I never tire of playing them.

By the way, when I bought my first guitar, I was a beginner, too, so you don't need to be a great player to be picky about your guitar. After all, it's your fingers that are going to be touching it.

Trust me, you will know which guitar is the one for you, but you have to pick it up to try it, and you can't do that online.

Oh, for a low cost great sounding amp: buy a used tube amp. Used Fender Champs or similar amps can be found for about $200.

By the way, if jefhatfield is still tracking this thread, I'm the guy with the 1939 Epiphone Broadway. :p