OT - Question for guitar players Options

[SpecialK]

My boy's been playing for about a year now and absolutely can't get enough, literally plays for hours every night.

I got him a Fender Stratocaster and a small Marshall amp for Xmas last year, and was hoping some of the "gitfiddle" pros on the board could steer me towards some worthwhile gadgets (phase shifters, wah-wah, etc.) that are out now. It's been 20 years since I picked up my Univox and I have no idea what's "state-of-the-art" anymore. Wanted to keep the price for worthy guitar gizmos to around $200 or so.

Maybe even a descent acoustic would be the ticket! (He's bigtime into Eric Clampton, Pink Floyd, and some of the old school finger pickin' stuff like "Classical Gas")

Any suggestions?

Kevin

[Eric_Shea]

There's a bunch of good multi-effects out there on the market that will fit in your $200 price range. Try:

DigiTech

RP Series products should fit into your price range and he could layer up to 11 effects at once.

A good acoustic is always a good buy. If it's decent enough he can keep it around for a while. It's an entirely different texture and style of playing and his Mom might like it too. Everybody wins. Price on a decent acoustic might be higher than $200 bills though...

Let me know what you're looking at and I'll steer you in the right direction.

[redshift]

Acoustic guitar! He needs one.

Blueridge, they are solid spruce topped guitars made to very high specs in China, a guy I know did the training, and they are better (buld and sound!) than new Martins costing 10 times as much.

The least expensive model would be around $279 retail though, and the demand makes them hard to find... we just sold the last one we had...

Tell you what, stay in touch with me about what you decide, and I will try to arrange an @ cost sale on whatever you come up with.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Miles

[SpecialK]

WOW! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Guitar sh*t's come alooong way since I've played, thanks for the link Eric!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rock_band.gif)

Any particular acoustic guitars you prefer? Gibson, Ibenez?

There's a "Guitar Center" around here (where I got the Fender Strat), and they have a pretty good selection of acoustics. The Fender I bought there was used, but in perfect condition. I guess good musicians, like good mechanics, take good care of their tools.

As for the sound processor equipment, I'll have to strike up a conversation about some of the new stuff and see what his response is (I want it to be a surprise) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[chunger]

get him the "old stuff" 'cause they don't make 'em like they used to, and have it restored $$$.

Much of the new digital effects have a hard time emulating analog distortion circuits. At least from my experience in the studio, I prefer to record a good small restored vintage amps.

-'Chung

[SpecialK]

Acoustic guitar! He needs one.


Tell you what, stay in touch with me about what you decide, and I will try to arrange an @ cost sale on whatever you come up with.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Miles

Will do Miles, got any pics of these low-end acoustics?

Thanks a bunch my blue-furred friend! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Carlitos Way]

I somewhat agree with the acoustic... but I think he would be better served if you went for an acoustic/electric. Worthwhile investment in the long run. I bought my Takamine a little over a year ago, and it's been an awesome investment.

I"m also partial to Taylor, but that's champagne taste, and I only have a wine-cooler budget...

Good luck, and let the music play on!!!

[SpecialK]

get him the "old stuff" 'cause they don't make 'em like they used to, and have it restored $$$.

Much of the new digital effects have a hard time emulating analog distortion circuits. At least from my experience in the studio, I prefer to record a good small restored vintage amps.

-'Chung

Thanks Chunger, I think I'm leaning towards an acoustic guitar, always good to have both. Used is no problem with me as long as it was taken care of by the PO.

[SpecialK]

I somewhat agree with the acoustic...  but I think he would be better served if you went for an acoustic/electric.  Worthwhile investment in the long run.  I bought my Takamine a little over a year ago, and it's been an awesome investment.

I"m also partial to Taylor, but that's champagne taste, and I only have a wine-cooler budget...

Good luck, and let the music play on!!!

The Guitar he started out on was my old '67 Univox Custom (still looks good, but the pick-ups and switch are shot). It's a hollow body so you can at least hear it without an amp, but it lacks the tonal quality of a straight-up acoustic guitar when it's unplugged.

[Carlitos Way]

I'll stick to my Takamine. I looked at a Yamaha too and a Martin. Liked the way the Takamine played. My budget was around $500. I ended up getting a great deal from a local shop. The Takamine was marked at $749 plus case... walked out for $560 or so, WITH a case....

I've used this with my acoustic band. Two acoustic guitars and an acoustic bass. THe sound is very nice and very true. The only guitar I've played that outplayed mine was a Taylor... at more than twice the cost. So, I've got the acoustic feel, and I can plug it into an amp... it's the best of both worlds for me... but I'm sort of a purist... not very big on effects and such.

And... invest on ELIXIR strings. They will outlast most other (steel) strings for an acoustic.

[redshift]

Saga distributes them

http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/products....yID=2&BrandID=5

The whole line... and retail pricing.

This is my fave of the lot

http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/details.a...ProductID=BR-43

M

[TheCabinetmaker]

The brand of the instrument does not matter. A $20.00 guitar can sound better than a $1000.00 guitar in the hands of a truly gifted player. It's like buying a 914. Get the best example you can afford. Give him all the support you can, and teach him everything you know. Then encourage him to learn from everyone he comes in contact with. Musicians love to pass on their knowledge more than 914 guru's. My son and I still play together and he shows me lot's of stuff. Oh yeah, Takimine's rock!!!
I play a tak 12 string!!!!

[Eric_Shea]

I just got a set of prototype Elixir's in the mail yesterday. I'll have to put them on something and see what they do. I agree with Carlos on the Elixirs, they don't have the overall brightness of a Phosphour Bronze string but... they last a buttload longer and that's what matters for him right now. The GHS version (of coated strings) are really dead. D'Addario also makes them and I've got a set here but I've yet to put them on anything...

Miles seems to have a line on the Blueridge thing. I can get you a Takamine or pretty much anything else @ cost as well. Solid top is what I would recommend as well. Only problem is humidity or lack thereof. They sound better but can crack if he doesn't take care of it.

Keep us posted on what you're looking at and DO NOT BUY until you check back with us.

You can check with Danny at St. Charles Guitar Exchange and tell him I sent you or just go to GC and see what you might be interested in...

[redshift]

Yes, casual players will enjoy the benefits of Elixirs, and I won't.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I like to take my strings out of the package before I play on them..

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

like a rubber

M

[wannateener]

american music supply in jersey
best selection best prices
for $200 you should be able to buy a nice multi effect
the boss unit i use has over 150 effects and i paid $239.00
as for playing time , the more the better
i still at 45 play at least 12-15 hrs a week
i work 55hrs plus and commute 2 hrs a day
still the best meditation i can manage

let him play!

jt

ps
just realised im logged on as my son

[rick 918-S]

My youngest son Kyle is an out of control musican. He started in Jazz band in the 8th grade, His instructor brought in a famous sax player as a mentor Greg Abata. (sp) He jambed with the kids for a month. That hooked Kyle. He's 15 yrs old and plays the electric bass for Jazz band in his 10th grade class, he plays one of those huge bass things for the 11th grade Orcherstra, he plays drums for his "after shcool" band. They practice in our basement. They play that demonic sounding stuff. He takes bass lessons, piano lessons, and lately he's taken an interest in classical stuff. Now he wants to take Violin lessons. I think it comes from listening to Lead Zeplin.

Anything you get will be great! Keep him playing!

[bjorn jacobson]

Check out the Dave's guitar shop web site. I worked for Dave from '95 till '99. He always treats the customer right, has his prices about 30% below retail and has every thing you could ever dream of. Any one in the LaCrosse area should stop by his store he has by far the best vintage guitar collection on the planet. probably around 200 or so guitars from custom color Fenders to P.A.F. era gibsons. His only drawback is that he's a 997 owner instead of 914, ha!
BJ

[rick 918-S]

Here's an idea. Kyle wanted a B.C. Rich Bass. We went to the local Music-Go-Round store. There was a used one hanging there with all 4 corners smashed, broken strings and chipped and gouged finish. We made a deal on that abused ax and brought it home. We worked together to build up and reshape the corners, sand and refinish it. It now has a custom black base coat/clear coat finish with glow in the dark cobwebbing accent. There's a whole quart of Urethane clear sprayed over the body. It was a great father/son project.

[SpecialK]

I just got a set of prototype Elixir's in the mail yesterday. I'll have to put them on something and see what they do. I agree with Carlos on the Elixirs, they don't have the overall brightness of a Phosphour Bronze string but... they last a buttload longer and that's what matters for him right now. The GHS version (of coated strings) are really dead. D'Addario also makes them and I've got a set here but I've yet to put them on anything...

Miles seems to have a line on the Blueridge thing. I can get you a Takamine or pretty much anything else @ cost as well. Solid top is what I would recommend as well. Only problem is humidity or lack thereof. They sound better but can crack if he doesn't take care of it.

Keep us posted on what you're looking at and DO NOT BUY until you check back with us.

You can check with Danny at St. Charles Guitar Exchange and tell him I sent you or just go to GC and see what you might be interested in...

Sounds like Elixirs are the strings to get then (damn, what am I goin' to do with all of this fishing line and weedeater cord (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ).

So Eric, you have connections out here in St. Charles? I've still got until Dec. to do some guitar recon, his Bday's Dec. 14th (bummer being so close to Xmas). Maybe an acoustic for the Bday, and a little sumpin' for the Fender for Xmas. I'll head out to work early one day here, see what kind of selection they have and report on my possible selections for review by the experts here.

I read music (band from third grade through US Navy), but he's learning most of the songs using "Tabs" he gets off of the internet. From what I can tell it shows finger positions and picking sequences, and has just about any song you can think of listed there. The rest he gets from listening to the radio or cds (good ear). Anyone ever heard of the TABs thing?

[SpecialK]

DAAAAAMN! I can't type quick enough to keep up the the posts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif) , I'm gonna have to print this thread out so I can check out all of the info I'm receiving from you guys!

Thanks so much!

gotta get back to building aeroplains now! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)