Metal guitar question

Hi,
This is my first post and I start with a question that has vexed me for some time.
Some years ago my parents bought me an electric guitar (Marlin Strat.) and amp that I hoped to learn to play, but it didn't sound the way I wanted it too, ie like the groups that I listen too (Iron Maiden, Megadeth etc.) I went back to the shop some time later and asked about this and it was suggested I change one of the pickups for a humbucker, which I got done for about £80.
However it still didn't sound right, just like an electrified acoustic guitar.
Then I lost the guitar as a supposed 'friend' dissapeared off the planet with it and I never saw it again. That was about 10 years ago, and I'm now thinking about getting another setup (on a budget!) and learning.

Am I right in thinking that a good quality amp will produce the desired effect?
I can't afford to take financial risks on getting equipment to find it doesn't produce the required sound, as I learn to play by ear rather than paper as I don't understand music, but can replicate some things I hear.

Sorry this is long and drawn out, but I hope I've got the point across as to what info I'm looking for and would appreciate any advice about anything! :)

Many thanks in advance

Don't mean to burst any bubbles but probably not with out spending lots of cash. Most of the stars don't use midrange equipment ans there is a reason the sound the way they do.

Tone come from the way you play as well as from what you are playing however there is a reason that PRS, Gibson, Vintage Teles and top end Martins cost as much as they do, and that is they sound better / play better than really cheap bottom end guitars.

Whether the relationship between price and tone is worth the money you play is another hotly debated point. Me, Ive payed my dollars and enjoy several really nice guitars / amps etc.

Was it worth it, IMHO yes !!!

Does my PRS sound better than a 100 dollar starter guitar...

well go to a big guitar store and A / B 'em !!

I word of warning spending vast amounts of cash on kit that is identical to your favorite star wont make you play like em. At least 50% of your tone comes from the way you play !!

Guitar manufactures know this however they also know that a guitarists are also willing to part with fast amounts of cash for the next new "thing".

Originally Posted by: Lord_Azrael
However it still didn't sound right, just like an electrified acoustic guitar.

Sounds to me like you were playing without, of very little, distortion/overdrive.

All you need is an amp/pre-amp that can provide you with a nice crunchy sound, any guitar will do really.

or a distortion pedal,. Check out the Boss IS site they have a good overview of the different types of distortion / overdrive

click here and select virtual distortion from the "interactive" pull down menu.

Originally Posted by: Lord_Azrael... However it still didn't sound right, just like an electrified acoustic guitar...

[font=trebuchet ms]When I got my first guitar, I bought a used hollowbody electric because it was the most playable instrument I could afford. I did'nt have enough left over to get an amp with, so I plugged into my parent's HiFi system (my poor, long-suffering parents!). It didn't sound anything like what I was expecting, but at least I could hear what I was doing. I think you'll find that the right kit goes a long way to getting the right sound, but first you have to learn to play, and almost anything is good enough to start on, if you're keen. Use the search icon at the top of this page to review the many pages of sage advice that has already been offered on the subject of what kind of gear to get.

Go to as many of the local shops as you can get to and drive the staff barmy while you try out any of their used guitars and amps that you can afford. Ask lots of questions. There are no stupid questions, but there are lots of stupid answers, and you'll need to spend some time sorting your way through 'em. A lot of the shops also offer lessons, which can be a big help to get you going in the right direction.[/font]

by any chance is Lord Azrael, Azrael in disquise ;)

Originally Posted by: Lordathestrings[font=trebuchet ms]When I got my first guitar, I bought a used hollowbody electric because it was the most playable instrument I could afford. I didn't have enough left over to get an amp with, so I plugged into my parent's HiFi system (my poor, long-suffering parents!).[/font]

Tee Hee, gland I'm not the only who did that !!!

The tape deck on MA's stereo had a left and a right mic input and a big old gain control which was invariably turned up to 11.

The electric guitar was borrowed from a friend and didn't even grace a brand name ! Probably worth less than a tube of toothpaste. But I loved it !!

1983 saw my first real electric guitar a Hondo Explorer which came in a a whopping 35 quit ! That in conjunction with a Laney "Mighty fifty" amp which was always broken, so back to the stereo !!

That was another prized possession until Mr Squire strat came along in 1985 !

Ahhh the halcyon days of 1983 and those single speaker blues !

Originally Posted by: Dr_simonThe tape deck on MA's stereo had a left and a right mic input and a big old gain control which was invariably turned up to 11.

I can see the ol' doc saying, "but these go to 11". :p

The do if you hit 'em with a big enough piece of wood !!

Maybe I have to stop drinking that homemade licker ~~~!

I would first work on coming up with an origonal name

Well it seems you want quality,but are you willing to pay for it?Mabey...

Here is the biggest question though...are you willing to put the effort in?

To get good sound you DO need good equipment(nevermind the guru youve met that can make that broken squire and 'prime' amp sing),but its only worth as much as your skill.

With that in mind I feel anywhere from a $200 1x12 combo to a $2000 half stack will give you a descent sound.Guitars are a little tougher in terms of quality/price performance.Look for something from $500 or up....brands like schecter and ESP.Both good companys with quality guitars under a grand that may appeal to you.

find your crunch/rhythm channel on your amp(it wont have more than 2 or 3 channels)and turn all the knobs except the volume to 5(leave the volume on zero).have your guitar knobs turned up all the way and have your bridge humbucker selected(if your guitar is bought new it may have a schematic).gradually turn up the volume knob on the amp until its at a desirable level...adjust the other knobs as needed to aquire a 'good' sound.

this is easily one of my worst posts ever...

Originally Posted by: noticingthemistakeI can see the ol' doc saying, "but these go to 11". :p

Why not just make the ten louder?

It is this thing called a joke Jolly !

Ever see the movie "Spinal Tap" ?

Originally Posted by: Dr_simonIt is this thing called a joke Jolly !

Ever see the movie "Spinal Tap" ?

yeah! "Why not just make the ten louder" is what Rob Rheiner says when he's told that the amp goes to 11! :D

Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonyeah! "Why not just make the ten louder" is what Rob Rheiner says when he's told that the amp goes to 11! :D

[font=trebuchet ms]SMACKDOWN!! :D

Gotta be good for two points.[/font]

Originally Posted by: Lordathestrings[font=trebuchet ms]SMACKDOWN!! :D

Gotta be good for two points.[/font]

*takes a bow and a victory lap around the ring*

Thanks for the info guys, generally very helpfull. I appreciate that quality and cost of equipment means a lot, as it does with everything, but my point was the generalised sounding of the equipment and I believe the amp I had before was pretty naff anyway with no real distortion, hence the reason I'll be trying out some amps.

I just managed to secure a new guitar on ebay for a cracking price and look forward to it's arrival. I also take note of the points regarding learning, which is exactly what I stated in the first place, I need to learn, but I can pick up a lot from the sounds in the mean time, but only if it sounds roughly correct (hell, I'm probably going to need a shrink after this! :) )

as to your question Alucard, is my username a variation of Azrael? I was known by that about 10 years ago before everyone atarted using it in various forums, hence the change, but I've never been in this forum before, so It's probably someone else......unless there's clones about ! :S

Also, bizarre queston time, if you can plug a guitar through a stereo to produce a standard amp setup, is there a way of using the computer with a program to recreate the different effects?? Just a thought....

One I've never heard of I admit, but the specs sound good (to me as an amateur anyway!)
Its a Raypierre Protone 3000 and these are the specs:
Solid hardwood neck with Rosewood finger board.(or Maple)
Solid hardwood body.
3 x single coil pickups.
Tremolo arm.
Volume control.
Two tone controls.
5 position tone switch.
Quality machine heads
Chrome bridge with 6 individual adjustable micro-saddles

12 Months Warranty.

And I got it for £50, which seems pretty good for a new guitar with a warranty. I'll get one of the lads at work to put it through it's paces when it arrives and see what they think.

Jolly shut up or Ill ban you !

mutter mutter

Originally Posted by: Dr_simonJolly shut up or Ill ban you !

mutter mutter

Ooo, the bitter sting of defeat! Yeah, I don't like that the mods keep threatening to ban me... :o Maybe I should just stop posting...onn second thought, scratch that. That statement will get WAY too much support!