Couldn't decide, so I have an LesPaul Studio and a Tele.
2 2006-12-20 03:50:54
Re: the best brand of guitar strings (6 replies, posted in Electric)
I've been playing DiAddario XLs for 20 years. I tried GFS, Fender, Gibson, Black Diamond, etc., but I'll stick to my XL130s. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">
3 2006-06-15 21:07:11
Re: got my first electric (12 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
15 years ago I would have told you to get a Crybaby Wah. Period. I've been playing with a Pod for the last 6 years and I'll tell you now, get every pedal you see! Phasers, delays, flangers, distortion pedals (even if your amp has a good overdrive circuit, add a distortion pedal to that mix and shread!). I have a Pod XT Live that has everything built in and I love it. Don't go too crazy with the effects -- you play guitar, not effects pedals; but learn how to blend them in to what you're playing.
4 2006-06-15 21:03:10
Re: Your best guitar? (62 replies, posted in Electric)
I like to buy players-grade guitars, not collectors-grade. Outside of me, probably few would find much value a beat-up Les Paul Studio... and no one would want my Tele.
5 2006-06-15 21:00:34
Re: electric guitars for beginners (7 replies, posted in Electric)
What electric you select depends alot on what type of music you want to play and how much you can tolerate. Your acoustic is probably generally in tune -- if this is important to you, stay away from tremolo systems. If you don't mind frequent tuning then get a tremolo system -- long "Van Halen" style dive bombs call for a double-locking tremolo but avoid a proprietary bridge in favor of a guitar with a Floyd Rose licensed bridge system with locking nut. Single coil pickups make a lot of noise, called '60 cycle hum' but double coil humbuckers tend to be more loud and can be harsh sounding.
As far as brands go, Ibanez makes quality, afordable electrics (with and without tremolo bridges) as do Epiphone (hard tail) and Fender (both available -- but beware of the squire synchronized bridge).
Decide on what you want to play and how you want to play it before purchasing and you'll be happy with what ever you get.
6 2006-06-12 22:45:29
Re: Your best guitar? (62 replies, posted in Electric)
1994 wine red Gibson Les Paul studio. Incredible sound and sustain, very very durable (I beat it to death), thick neck and fast fretboard, and nothing looks as cool as a low slung Les Paul. The factory electronics are fine, too, but I might upgrade the pickups eventually. The only drawback is that it weighs nearly 20 lbs. Doesn't sound bad to start but by the middle of the set, your shoulders are screaming at you! I also have a Black '99 mex built Tele standard. I'm waiting for my new GFS humbuckers to arrive so that I can give it a fatter sound.
7 2006-06-01 23:34:58
Re: Tuning oddity (10 replies, posted in Acoustic)
It's alot more common for the intonation on electric guitars to go out, but it can happen on acoustics. For the most part, acoustics are pretty much set in stone, but if the bridge is loose or if the saddle tips forward or back when you change strings (I always make sure to put some light direct pressure on the saddle when I change strings to prevent this), if the neck is not quite as set as it should be (like when your cat touches the guitar and it falls down), if you change string gauges, or if the humidity goes wonky (like it does down here in South Florida every year) your intonation can go out. Glad you were able to fix your problem... now, about that drink : )
8 2006-05-28 17:53:22
Re: Tuning oddity (10 replies, posted in Acoustic)
You need to have your intonation set correctly. You've probably recenly changed string gauge (gone heavier or lighter) and now, even though you may be able to get a relative tune, you'll never reach true tune. No real problem when you play by yourself, but when you play along with CDs, or with a band, you'll want to have that fixed.
Intonation is correct when the 12th fret harmonic note matches the 12th fret fretted note on all 6 strings. If your note is too low, you have to tighten, if it's too high you have to loosen. It works better if you loosen the string before making bridge adjustments and then tightening back up to check your result. Set intonation with fresh strings for the best result, and make sure (especially with Fenders) to have several spare strings because you will be breaking strings in the process. If you haven't done it before, it can be a frustrating process and it's well worth the $20 or $30 dollars to have a professional do your setup... they'll set your action, fix your intonation woes, oil your neck and lube your nut in the process and you'll have a guitar ready to go into a recording session when they get done.
Good luck!