Hello! Plus seeking advice...

[PeteyPablo]

Hi there, Im new to Guitartricks.com, so Hi to everyone! Ive been playing the acoustic guitar for about 4 years, and about 7 months ago made the move to electric, and purchased the beginner starting back thing which Fender offer- a Fender Squier Strat, and Squier SP-10 (about 11X11X4 inch dimensions).

Don't laugh, it's one of the best things I ever spent money on, BUT...

As Im progessing now, and I've had a few tries on my friend's stratocaster with a nice large amp, Im starting to feel I would like something more.

So, the question is- what is the limiting factor in my set-up? The amp, (tiny, 10 watt I think?) or the guitar (cheap China stuff) and then what would be a good step-up in either case? Appearance preferance wise, I would quite like something in the Ibanez range for guitars perhaps...does brand have a big influence on amps, or is it down to wattage and dimensions? I don't nescesarily need volume, just sound quality.

Thanks,

Petey

[river]

the fender stuff is good. if you want volume get ya
a fender twin reverb. get tube. if you want other
sounds get a processor. then you can trade in your
chinostrat for an american one. ya cant beat the
strat.once you have an american strat and a
processor and a fender twin ya can add to your
arsenal,but these would make a wonderful foundation
to your gear.

[ScottyTooHotty]

Stick with what you have until you feel that you definetly want to stick with an electric. It's a good "starter" kit. Sometime down the road go looking for more gear. There's all kinds of good gear out there. Line 6, Fender, Marshall, and Mesa Boogie make great amps, but don't go on name alone. Both Fender and Marshall make lower end model amps, but they're solid state instead of tube, so make sure you know what you're buying. I've always preferred tube amps, but I bought a Line 6 Flextone about a year and a half ago and although it doesn't sound as good as a Marshall JCM 2000, it's comparable.

[ScottyTooHotty]

I should also mention that unless you're independently wealthy..price is a big factor too! Mesa Boogies and Marshall are some of the best amps out there, but unless you have at least a thousand to drop on a smaller combo...stick to what you can afford.

[PeteyPablo]

So, you think the amp is the most limiting thing in my set-up towards sound quality? What would be a not-too expensive ideal step-up? Those sound a bit too serious for me seeing as Im not doing concerts here :)

[ScottyTooHotty]

Doesn't matter if you're doing concerts or not...think of guitar gear as you would a car. You drive a Honda...but you always want a Porsche, even if you're not sure you can drive the thing. Basically, your sound depends on you, but I have to admit, you always sound better playing through something bigger, louder and more expensive. I could recommend a setup for you, but A: I'm not sure what sound you're looking for B: I'm not sure what you want to spend and C: What may be good for me, may not be good for you and vice versa. Honestly, I'd stick with what you got and keep plugging away. Wait until you feel you're good enough to invest (and I say invest because to me that's what it is) in something more expensive. When I was 15 I bought a Kramer Focus (This what when EVH was endorsing them). It was a hot guitar. One humbucker and two single coil, a Floyd Rose locking tremolo, solid body and a rosewood fretboard. It set me back about $700 (I just wanted to state that because I don't want anyone to think I bought one of those cheap ass Kramer's on the market now). It was a great guitar, sounded good etc.. but I always felt like my skill wasn't up to playing an instrument like that. Needless to say, I did get better, but I felt it hurt me in the long run. I would avoid playing for many people because I figured they'd be saying "Oh, great guitar, but he's not good enough to be playing something like that". I know it's bull****, because you shouldn't worry about what other's say, but I was a teenager..and I did. Okay, sorry about the rambling! Bottom line: When you're ready, try numerous guitars and amps to see which one suits you.

[PeteyPablo]

I see what you mean, I feel that very soon Ill be wanting to progress, no longer satisfied with my kit (the digitech rp300 is brilliant btw, no replacing needed there!) what would a good 'next step' in wattage for my amp be, going from a measly 10 watts?

[river]

i buy used and at pawnshops. ive got great gear
and everything i buy i can resell for what ive
got in it. any fender tube amp is good. look in
to see the resale value before ya buy . i think
yer next step should be a processor though. wont
give ya volume but will broaden the possibilities
for ya. or just some cheap stomp-box effects so ya
can afford the amp. 50 watts plays most anyplace.

[educatedfilm]

hmmm... the thing is you have to go and TRY lots of amps, cos you know what don't want (and that's some small 10 watt bee-in-jam-jar sound), but you dont know what is more siuted to you... Also dont be biased against smaller lower rated amps, have a look at this...
http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=2823
yeah, i know, it's long, but it tells you loads of stuff so it's worth reading...

By the way how much did the RP300 cost you? I'm thinking about buying RP200 but I'm not sure, namley because of the cost (the cheapest I've found it over here is about £170, that's $238!!! They retail in the US for $150!!!! me not happy bunny :()... Is it anygood?

[PeteyPablo]

The Digitech RP300 is absolutely fantastic, I payed about £250 for it, which was the same I spent on the amp and guitar package, but it was worth it, because it makes a whole lot of difference. You just never get bored fiddling with all the options.

However, with hindsight there isn't that much difference between the 200 and the 300 other than a few 'learn a lick' type features which I personally rarely use, although it's come in handy every so often, but you could do the same kind of things with the PC. The other feature the 300 has over the 200 is the amp A/B switch which I still don't 100% understand, but it doesn't seem that useful, it seems to allow a quick easy method of changing amp emulators, quite a subtle change. But correct me if Im wrong someone.

So, BUY ONE NOW. But, only make the move from 200 - 300 if you really want those features, or there's little price difference.

Right- Im gonna look in freeads for some second hand amps...about 50watt should tide me over you say?

[skee1]

Your Pickups plus your amp is the heart of your sound!
(Buy used)or if your rich buy new.

Mark

(Play through a cheap amp or play a cheap guitar (sound cheap)
Go to your music store and try out everything they have!

[Edited by skee1 on 02-13-2002 at 07:33 AM]

[fendermonkey77]

Stick with what you got until you KNOW what you want...take you time and play everything you can get your hands on. I love Fender stuff...but that's me...find out what you like. I would go tubes over solid state. Any fender tube amp would do great. Twin, Vibrolux, Pro Reverb, Super, Blues Jr, Hot Rod DeVille...all on my list of cool amps.

[fendermonkey77]

PS...look into used stuff...I made quite a few great purchases that were used. Plus it saves you money.

[PeteyPablo]

Sorted- Im going USED! Seen a few hotrods I think they were called, on Ebay.

[PonyOne]

Definitely go amp first. I'd suggest a Vox Pathfinder ($120) or Vox Cambridge ($170). Vox amps are, IMHO, the best out there. I seem to be in the minority, but even as a hard rocker, I can't stand Marshall or Mesa-Boogie amps.

Vox amps were used by the Beatles, Yardbirds, Clapton, a lot of early rockers. I have their bottom-line Pathfinder, I got it for my first amp because it can use a footswitch, but haven't had any desire to replace it until I can for over the $900 for a Vox AC30, the king of all amps... my little 15-watt Pathfinder sounds better than most amps 2-3 times its cost, and it's extremely durable, it's survived snow, rain, sun, general abuse and bird crap and sounds new.

I hear you on the cheap guitar issue... I've outgrown my Epiphone SG and need something nicer, I'm just broke... I don't know what type of music you're into (maybe you posted it, but I missed it?), I could help you after that though.

[PeteyPablo]

Thanks a lot for that info, I'll look into Vox's. My musical taste ranges around Dire Straits, Beatles, Bon Jovi, Chuck Berry, Oasis...a bizzare mix. General things which make you wanna air-guitar ;)

[Raskolnikov]

Going by what you listed there, a Strat is probably a good guitar to be playing, but you may end up changing your mind.

My advice is this: Never buy a guitar or amp you haven't played. Poke around the "used" section and try things. Since you're not looking to play out at any point in the near future, then you have no need to get either a new guitar or a new amp first. This means that you should just play stuff until you find something you really like. If you find an amp first, then get that. If you find a really nice guitar on the other hand, buy that.

You have a guitar and an amp to play on for now, so take the time to find a very special instrument and amplifier.

[PeteyPablo]

Would an S or RG Ibanez be an appropriet guitar for my tastes? (Not sure which precise models- just a cost and quality which would be a suitable step-up)

[Raskolnikov]

Any guitar could be.

Play as many as possible and see what feels and sounds best to you. If you look around you'll find all kinds of oddballs that defy their sister guitars.

[PonyOne]

Rask is right, that you can use pretty much any guitar for anything. I use a hollowbody 12-string w/metal, and paly middle eastern scales on my SG.

I must say though, that trading up to a better guitar/amp can help you gobs in becoming a better musician. I tried for years on acoustic and couldn't memorize a single chord or song, and then I got my SG and everything changed, it was like someone blew open this dam and all the info just hit me.

I've never been much of a fan of Ibanez gitars but must say that the S series are pretty sweet guitars. Most of the ones I've seen that are a few years old have some issues with the finish, but they're solid and sound good. It's also cool how shallow the bodies are, they're about 1/4 the width of a phone book. I've seen used ones in the $200 range. Check http://www.gbase.com for some.

I tried an RG about a week ago because it was a lefty, and it was nice. Nothing to rave intensely about, just a good strat copy that's a little more stylized and has more output.

Also check some of the Kramers at http://www.musicyo.com, they're great bang for the buck. But as has been said, most important is to go and just try every guitar on the wall, because when you find the right one you'll know.