The OS Guitarists thread

[ProjectRipCity]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Amp, easily. A crappy guitar would sound decent out of a good amp, but not vice-versa. I always suggest tube amps, but unless you're serious about playing, it's probably not worth a $450 investment or so to get an amp. I liked the Fender Blues Junior a lot when I used one a while back and those can be found used for ~$300... solid not-too-loud practice-type amp, but it still has nice Fender tube sound.

Depends what kind of music you like though if a tube amp is worth it or not. If you're playing chords, modern rock, etc., then you might just go solid state and get a decent effects processor to give you some sounds to play with. Tube amps are mostly if you want a really nice clean sound and a typical overdrive (think Stevie Ray Vaughan or something)...

I prefer classic and modern rock. The funny thing is I am selling my Xbox360 and my Rockband 2 collection so I dont have to spend so much of my paycheck.

Amp>Video games

I am looking for the right one...I would also like to have headphones so I dont annoy my neighbors. Those are freakin expensive. I do not mind buying a $400 amp...But when decent headphones cost $70+ it's a tough pill to swallow.

One day I am going to get the Wolfgang EVH. I have been obsessing over that guitar for months.

[RAZRr1275]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

I prefer classic and modern rock. The funny thing is I am selling my Xbox360 and my Rockband 2 collection so I dont have to spend so much of my paycheck.

Amp>Video games

I am looking for the right one...I would also like to have headphones so I dont annoy my neighbors. Those are freakin expensive. I do not mind buying a $400 amp...But when decent headphones cost $70+ it's a tough pill to swallow.

One day I am going to get the Wolfgang EVH. I have been obsessing over that guitar for months.

If you want to knock out two birds with one stone I'd get an amp with amp modeling and effects if you use them so you can alter sounds on them. The vox valvetronix does it and so do the line 6 amps.

[thelems]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

If you want to play without making much noise I think the best option, though it might be slightly more expensive than it seems you're willing to shell out, would be to purchase a 100 dollar USB/Firewire adaptor a pair of decent headphones or monitors. If you have a Mac or iLife, you already have Garageband. So for 150-200 dollars you can already start recording and listening to whatever you're playing.

This is also assuming you have a cable for your electric (or acoustic electric), but honestly. Garageband is the cheapest, decent recording program you can get. You can learn to play easily with a click and record what you play. And even if you just have an acoustic, a basic Shure microphone and cable to attach to your USB interface would work too. So at most, you're talking 200-300 dollars for a basic set up.

Gotta spend money to make money (or at least have fun).

[dmac17]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Gotta spend money to make money (or at least have fun).

That is all too true. I've been playing for a little over 10 years and even though I'm perfectly happy with my tone, it's never going to be good enough. Since there's always something you can do to sound better, I'll be replacing stuff till I die.

[KENYON06]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

I've been playing an acoustic lately. I never played it much, mostly sticking to electric, but my chord work is cleaning up as a result of it. I really like the sound dynamics you can apply to an acoustic guitar. If I remain steady on it for a few more weeks, I'll intensify the playing to full out practice. My finger picking is not even developed enough to call crap, haha.

Same, my finger picking is garbage and I never really tried to get it down, even though I keep telling myself I need to. I usually just do the hybrid picking approach with the pick and my 2nd or third finger. I've been working out Dee by Randy Rhoads lately, that little song is so killer, man, but I'm sucking at it so far. That dude was amazing.

[Kramer5150]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

One day I am going to get the Wolfgang EVH. I have been obsessing over that guitar for months.

I've got a gloss purple Wolfgang special,and absolutely LOVE that guitar,it's an absolute beast.
I went with the Wolf special,not because of cost (could afford either).....but more for comfort (for me). I simply do not like arch top guitars (which the Wolf standard is)...the special is a flat top no tone knob (don't use it anyway) rock -n- roll machine.

I have been playing for 26 years,and have run the gamut with all kinds of equipment,I'm not into all this amp modeling jazz,and fancy gizmo's to help my sound.
I'm also strange to alot of guys in that I don't like Les Pauls, Strats and Marshall amps.
I've currently only got 6 guitars,but my favorite at the moment,is a little $100 OLP guitar that was modeled after EVH's music man guitar....as a matter of fact OLP stands for Officially Licensed Product,but I tell ya what.....this little guitar screams,and the neck feels just like my Wolfie,so I was naturally comfortable right off the bat.

As far as amps go,Peavey's have always been my choice...I'm currently using a little express 112,and can crank out any sound I desire. The nice thing about this size is,it's perfect for home use,as well as gig use...and it won't break my back.

I've had the half stacks,212 combos...but getting older,I'm tired of having to be a bodybuilder to carry this stuff around.
My rack consists of only a tuner,a Samson wireless unit,digitech S200 studio effects processor and of course power...that's it...no fuss no muss.

[jim416]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Went away for three days to visit a friend and my lovely wife had an early birthday present for me when I got home.



Peavey. Always wanted an old Fender Telecaster, but this is like a clone. Really happy with it. Now, I have to start playing again after 40 years.

[gopadres]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

This is the great thing about music...you can enjoy it as a hobby your entire life!

[J.R. Locke]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Hey fellas. I play a lot of finger picking stuff. I love Bert Jansch, Dave Van Ronk, T-Bone Walker, Hubert Sumlin, Curtis Mayfield.

I put up a few videos of my playing on youtube. I go in and out of writing/playing music. Somedays I think about just hitting the road. Somedays I spend all day recording stuff. Other days I am fine playing NBA 2k9 all day.

<object width="425" height="344">


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/loS1SGxxoFc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></object>

http://www.youtube.com/JRLocke

I have a busted finger from a factory accident. I had to change the whole way I play. It sucked.

But I would be glad to share some ideas, words of wisdom. Always play with a metronome.

[RAZRr1275]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

^ Pretty nice stuff.

[onlybygrace]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Hi guys...

I've played for about 21 years...started when I was 8.

Major influences are Jimmy Page, Eric Johnson, and Dave Matthews.

Pretty eclectic bunch of dudes right there...but that would also describe me well...eclectic.

I mostly write my own stuff and stopped learning other peoples songs a long long time ago.

[headrulz101]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Glad to see this thread still going strong. I just recently signed a contract with Fender for a batch of customized guitars (I was previously with Ibanez) so I'll get some pictures up when I get my first two. Interscope has been nice to me with their connections <3.

Anyways, as of late, I've been focusing more on my guitar playing skills rather than songwriting (my career). In the past two years, I've spent way too much time on the piano. A thread like this is perfect for me since we could discuss different styles/tones/technique/etc.

I have to agree with JR's words of wisdom. Always, always play with a metronome. It'll help your playing immensely, I promise!

PS Awesome, awesome, awesome guitars HiJumpr and great video JR!

[WhiskeyD0G]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Try and learn "Satellite" and if you can pick that you'll be good for most anything.

This is what I'm doing right now actually, with an accoustic as well. I'm having a blast so far although I don't have a ton of time to play...especially in the summer.

Anyone want to recommend any good, somewhat beginner accoustic songs to learn?? I have a hard time deciding on songs, especially ones that I can play...

I would like to ask the same question. Any of those who taught themselves use a particular song(s) to break into the hobby?

[onlybygrace]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

I would like to ask the same question. Any of those who taught themselves use a particular song(s) to break into the hobby?

I learned to play every single guitar part of Stairway to Heaven when I was about 14...that really got me going as it was a lesson in tasteful fingerpicking, chording, soloing, and riffing.

There are many many parts to that song and so few people actually play it right as compared to those who try.

Anyways...I would recommend anyone Stairway To Heaven...even if it is cliche, its a full lesson.

[windseer90]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

I recently started playing on an acoustic and taking lessons from a local guy. Only have 1 more lesson before I go back to college though. I've progressed quite a bit, but still very, very raw. I bought a pretty cheap lefty-acoustic to start to learn on before I decide to spend any real amount on an electric/amp. I gotta get a lot better before that though lol