Guitar and amp purchase

Piobaire · Feb 25, 2010

Thinking about playing around with guitar again, after an oh....20+ year hiatus. Looking at this guitar:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBLPSTU

and this amp:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--FEN2316500

Thoughts?

hamish5178 · Feb 25, 2010

Do not spend that much money on a guitar and that little on an amp. Please god no. That amp is a *************.

Also, buying new is a terrible idea.

The amp should cost at least as much as the guitar, check out Epiphone Hollowbodies or Les Paul's, and maybe a Fender Deluxe Reverb Re-Issue? What sort of music are you into?

Piobaire · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by hamish5178

Do not spend that much money on a guitar and that little on an amp. Please god no. That amp is a *************.

Also, buying new is a terrible idea.

The amp should cost at least as much as the guitar, check out Epiphone Hollowbodies or Les Paul's, and maybe a Fender Deluxe Reverb Re-Issue? What sort of music are you into?

Um, I thought that was a Les Paul? A fairly modestly priced one at that.

What's wrong with the amp? What should I be looking for?

As to music, eclectic mix, but hope to mainly rock/alt/metal.

gomestar · Feb 25, 2010

oof, I used to be big into guitars. I slowed down playing significantly throughout college, but my collection would make your wine cellar look like a decoration rack.

I like the Les Paul studio, but have more affinity for the Standard. That is, if you're a Les Paul guy. I am a Fender guy (only 2 Gibsons in my stable ... a 335 and a Les Paul Goldtop from the custom historic series ... back when they made them with Brazilian boards)

For non-tube amps, while far out of date, I really like the Vox Valvetronix. It's the (small, quiet) amp I brought with me to NYC and I have had great luck with it. Solid sound overall and very versatile in a small package. For in an actual house, I'm a sucker for tube amps, even the tiny ass Fender Pro Jr. is excellent. The Twin and Bassman come to mind, but I've never really plugged them in with a Les Paul for more than 1-2 hours at a time.

CunningSmeagol · Feb 25, 2010

Piobaire, that amp is horrible. I have played through it. It is god awful.

You have money. Even if you're not going to be a great player, at least you can afford some gear that you can appreciate on an artistic level and will retain value if not appreciate. Buy something that has been played by someone famous, and spend at least $1,000 on the amp if not $2. Should have tubes if you're buying a Les Paul. The amp should be new or if you're getting a vintage blackface something or other make sure it's been serviced by someone reputable.

There are some very nice solid state amps, but those are only good for straight-ahead jazz playing on an archtop guitar, which they are voiced for.

Piobaire · Feb 25, 2010

I'm open to suggestions. I have large hands but my fingers are medium girth. Looking for rock/alt sound. Again, just putzing around, thought the studio was a solid guitar at a good price. I have bought Mrs. Piob an Ibanez acoustic and semi-acoustic in the past couple of years. It's not going to stick for her, but I've been putzing with the semi-acoustic and realized I wanted to get in the game again.

gomestar · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by CunningSmeagol

There are some very nice solid state amps, but those are only good for straight-ahead jazz playing on an archtop guitar, which they are voiced for.

I've always related them to metal since I could never get the warmth I associated with tube to cut through the drums from a solid state amp for jazz ... or anything clean really. Heavier stuff was just fine and recording was excellent.

For jazz, it was always tube (and I knew some ridiculous jazz players). They always used either a Twin reverb or a bass amp (and a Gibson 335 or 175)

Piobaire · Feb 25, 2010

Okay, let's break this down to guitar and to amp.

Guitar: no one seems to really be dissing it. Pros and cons of that guitar, given you know I have large'ish hands, want to play rock/alt/metal.

Amp: clearly beyond hope. Guidance wanted, like to get by without dropping more than a grand.

Also, need to talk pedals, tuners, etc.

gomestar · Feb 25, 2010

for low-end amps, I like the Vox for solid state, but would highly consider a Blues Jr. or a Hod Rod Deluxe for tube. The Bassman 4X10 is one of my all time favorites but I only really played it with Teles.

But a 50W Marshall tube amp would rip your balls off with a Les Paul (and I mean that in a great way)

CunningSmeagol · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by gomestar

I've always related them to metal since I could never get the warmth I associated with tube to cut through the drums from a solid state amp for jazz ... or anything clean really. Heavier stuff was just fine and recording was excellent.

For jazz, it was always tube (and I knew some ridiculous jazz players). They always used either a Twin reverb or a bass amp (and a Gibson 335 or 175)

The solid state thing is very common in modern jazz guitar. To wit, Polytone, Acoustic Image, JazzKat, Henriksen. I am not making this up. That's not to say that a fender twin doesn't almost always sound great, but these little amps have a clarity of tone that really lets a good archtop speak.

A solidbody guitar most of the time needs a tube amp to sound good.

CunningSmeagol · Feb 25, 2010

Fender Twin Reverb Reissue, new, Tube Screamer by Ibanez, and a fuzz box and you're set.

gomestar · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Guitar: no one seems to really be dissing it. Pros and cons of that guitar, given you know I have large'ish hands, want to play rock/alt/metal.

can't diss that, but I'd go for a Strat personally. But, it's completely a personal preference.

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Amp: clearly beyond hope. Guidance wanted, like to get by without dropping more than a grand.

have not tried but heard great things. I can offer more guidance when I sober up. My bad (not really). I'm am opinionated, but I'd vote for a simple amp (1 or 2 channel) and alter the tone with pedals, as I used to do.

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Also, need to talk pedals, tuners, etc.

Boss chromatic tuner.
Keely modded pedals. End of pedal search, sensational products from Keeley.
Ibanez WH-10 Wah, if you can find it.

gomestar · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by CunningSmeagol

Fender Twin Reverb Reissue, new, Tube Screamer by Ibanez, and a fuzz box and you're set.

get the Keeley modded Ibanez tube screamer. Blew me away (but I use a vintage Boss now).

And the Big Muff for fuzz.

gomestar · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by CunningSmeagol

The solid state thing is very common in modern jazz guitar. To wit, Polytone, Acoustic Image, JazzKat, Henriksen. I am not making this up. That's not to say that a fender twin doesn't almost always sound great, but these little amps have a clarity of tone that really lets a good archtop speak.

A solidbody guitar most of the time needs a tube amp to sound good.

I'll admit to being 4-6 years behind the trend. I hope solid state has really advanced since, they were excellent at not super high volumes but couldn't hold it in a loud setting. A shame at the time, I (and others) always had an issue with the 175 and feedback.

Piobaire · Feb 25, 2010

This Marshall?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MSHMA50C

This Ibanez?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--IBATS808

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