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Question from a gear noob

jiujitsu_jesus
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jiujitsu_jesus
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04/30/2006 8:22 pm
I'm an ignoramus when it comes to gear, so the question I'm going to ask is probably extremely stupid, but please bear with me. I'm thinking of getting a new electric before long, and I want a guitar with plenty of natural sustain. The first model that comes to mind, therefore, is a single-cutaway guitar like an Epiphone Les Paul, or an Ibanez Artist, or an ESP Eclipse, or somesuch. However, looking at these guitars, the neck appears to be rather fatter than the neck on my current electric (a Strat copy). My question is: is this difference in neck width significant enough to impede the fluency of my fretting hand, should I get one of these guitars? And if so, are there any other relatively cheap guitars with plenty of natural sustain (or more than a Strat, anyway)?
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong

If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.

l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
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# 1
Blues_Man
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Blues_Man
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04/30/2006 8:40 pm
Originally Posted by: jiujitsu_jesusI'm an ignoramus when it comes to gear, so the question I'm going to ask is probably extremely stupid, but please bear with me. I'm thinking of getting a new electric before long, and I want a guitar with plenty of natural sustain. The first model that comes to mind, therefore, is a single-cutaway guitar like an Epiphone Les Paul, or an Ibanez Artist, or an ESP Eclipse, or somesuch. However, looking at these guitars, the neck appears to be rather fatter than the neck on my current electric (a Strat copy). My question is: is this difference in neck width significant enough to impede the fluency of my fretting hand, should I get one of these guitars? And if so, are there any other relatively cheap guitars with plenty of natural sustain (or more than a Strat, anyway)?



the neck issue is really more of a personal preference kinda thing. I have no problem with the change but you might. but i'd look at a hardtail w/ no trem. For the most posible sustain.
I STRONGLY recomend a Shecter C-1 Classic! You can spit the humbuckers into single coils (strat pickups) with the switch. They are BEAUTIFUL!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Electric?sku=513072
I am Comfortably Numb... :D

Oh yeah...STICK IT TO THE MAN!
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# 2
jiujitsu_jesus
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jiujitsu_jesus
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04/30/2006 8:53 pm
Thanks, mate. :) That Schecter looks like a beautiful guitar, but it's well out of my price range at A$1500 - I'm a high school student, I need something REALLY cheap! :o Still, I'll remember that one - maybe when I'm rich and famous...
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong

If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.

l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
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# 3
rockonn91
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rockonn91
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04/30/2006 9:45 pm
one thing that really makes a guitar have good sustain is how the neck is connected to the body. a set neck guitar (LP, SG, etc) has significantly better sustain than a bolt-on neck guitar (strat) because the neck and body are glued together- the vibrations transfer throughout the entire guitar much better.
a neck-through guitar has significantly better sustain than the set neck.

theres other things that help it out too- such as string tension. you can get a tighter string tension with an angled head stock. a hard tail as bluesman said also helps. a string-through has even better.

and the wood the guitar is made of can also contribute to the sustain. I dont know so much about that, but mahogany is good.

hope that helps, jiujitsu. :D
JK :cool:

-Agile Guitars Enthusiast
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# 4
Blues_Man
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Blues_Man
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04/30/2006 10:07 pm
Originally Posted by: jiujitsu_jesusThanks, mate. :) That Schecter looks like a beautiful guitar, but it's well out of my price range at A$1500 - I'm a high school student, I need something REALLY cheap! :o Still, I'll remember that one - maybe when I'm rich and famous...


OH! sorry, I just remembered you're in australia! from your location thingy. I was tryin to help 'cuz it's only $699 in the u.s.! ooops. they have one just like that called the c-1 artist thats $499. If it helps any...
What kind of music do you play?
I am Comfortably Numb... :D

Oh yeah...STICK IT TO THE MAN!
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# 5
magicninja
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magicninja
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04/30/2006 10:10 pm
I can't believe rockonn didn't recommend AGILE!
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"If it feels right, play it. If it feels wrong, play it faster” - Magicninja
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# 6
jiujitsu_jesus
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jiujitsu_jesus
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04/30/2006 10:26 pm
Originally Posted by: Blues_ManOH! sorry, I just remembered you're in australia! from your location thingy. I was tryin to help 'cuz it's only $699 in the u.s.! ooops. they have one just like that called the c-1 artist thats $499. If it helps any...
What kind of music do you play?


No worries, man - but hell, I wish they were that cheap over here! :D
I mainly play prog-pop, electric blues and jazz. Lately I've been playing some metal, as well - I'm no shredder, but I do like to play at speed sometimes. I need something fairly versatile, basically - versatile and cheap, with sustain. Does such a beast exist?
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong

If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.

l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
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# 7
jiujitsu_jesus
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jiujitsu_jesus
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04/30/2006 10:27 pm
Originally Posted by: rockonn91one thing that really makes a guitar have good sustain is how the neck is connected to the body. a set neck guitar (LP, SG, etc) has significantly better sustain than a bolt-on neck guitar (strat) because the neck and body are glued together- the vibrations transfer throughout the entire guitar much better.
a neck-through guitar has significantly better sustain than the set neck.

theres other things that help it out too- such as string tension. you can get a tighter string tension with an angled head stock. a hard tail as bluesman said also helps. a string-through has even better.

and the wood the guitar is made of can also contribute to the sustain. I dont know so much about that, but mahogany is good.

hope that helps, jiujitsu. :D


Thanks, rockonn. You just answered about fifty different questions that I had!
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong

If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.

l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
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# 8
PRSplaya
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PRSplaya
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04/30/2006 10:49 pm
Check out the Yamaha AES series. I've got the AES620 and it is a tone monster.
[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Tonja Renee's personal instructor[/FONT]

>HERE'S WHERE I AM NOW<
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# 9
Blues_Man
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Blues_Man
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04/30/2006 11:03 pm
Originally Posted by: jiujitsu_jesusNo worries, man - but hell, I wish they were that cheap over here! :D
I mainly play prog-pop, electric blues and jazz. Lately I've been playing some metal, as well - I'm no shredder, but I do like to play at speed sometimes. I need something fairly versatile, basically - versatile and cheap, with sustain. Does such a beast exist?


you almost had it! Just take out cheap and we're there! :D
I am Comfortably Numb... :D

Oh yeah...STICK IT TO THE MAN!
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# 10
jiujitsu_jesus
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jiujitsu_jesus
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05/01/2006 1:09 am
Originally Posted by: Blues_Manyou almost had it! Just take out cheap and we're there! :D


Okay, then - what's versatile and, erm, expensive, with sustain?
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong

If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.

l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
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# 11
magicninja
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magicninja
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05/01/2006 1:15 am
My Betsy.

Here dude check these axes out. You'll find something you love. Look for guitars built out of mahogany.

http://www.rondomusic.net/electricguitar-ss2.html

Here's an awsome one.

http://www.rondomusic.net/al2000te.html
Magicninja
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"If it feels right, play it. If it feels wrong, play it faster” - Magicninja
www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
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# 12
jiujitsu_jesus
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jiujitsu_jesus
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05/01/2006 1:25 am
Originally Posted by: magicninja
Here's an awsome one.

http://www.rondomusic.net/al2000te.html


I love you.

Thanks, man, I'll talk to my guitar teacher about it. :)
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong

If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.

l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
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# 13
rockonn91
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rockonn91
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05/01/2006 2:01 am
Originally Posted by: magicninjaI can't believe rockonn didn't recommend AGILE!

I HATE MYSELF!

as self proclaimed endorcer of Agile, I feel I have let them down.

Agile is awesome for the price. I cant say much now because I have to get off, but jiujitsu, if you need any specific info on them, I can try to help you if you PM me.
JK :cool:

-Agile Guitars Enthusiast
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# 14
jiujitsu_jesus
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jiujitsu_jesus
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05/01/2006 7:24 am
Originally Posted by: PonyOnewill they ship an Agile to Oz?


I'm not sure, but that's what I'm going to ask my guitar teacher. He orders instruments from overseas all the time, so he'll know whether it would be possible to ship an Agile.

If not, I dunno - I guess I'll go with an Ibanez GAX30 or something.

Thanks, everybody. :)
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong

If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.

l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
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# 15
jeffhx
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jeffhx
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05/01/2006 8:27 am
jiujitsu mate..why nt a gax 70? it cost me 450 aus...its a pretty decent guitar..then again it depends on what ur looking for.. a gax 30 is quite similar to the 70 tho...not sure of the significant difference...what is ur budget?
[FONT=Impact]grooviest tunes ever [/FONT]
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# 16
magicninja
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magicninja
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05/01/2006 8:47 am
Try to get an Agile if possible man. Check those out jeffhx, you may trade in that Ibanez.
Magicninja
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"If it feels right, play it. If it feels wrong, play it faster” - Magicninja
www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
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# 17
jiujitsu_jesus
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jiujitsu_jesus
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05/01/2006 9:09 am
Yeah, you're right, Jeff - the GAX70 does seem better than the '30 (except it has no pickguard, which makes it look kinda dorky IMO). Still, if I can get my grubby little paws on an Agile, I will.
"It's all folk music... I ain't never heard no horse sing!"
- Attributed variously to Leadbelly and Louis Armstrong

If at first you don't succeed, you are obviously not Chuck Norris.

l337iZmz r@wk o.K!!!??>
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# 18
Andrew Sa
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Andrew Sa
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05/01/2006 12:40 pm
Those Agiles look nice! Also look out and see if you can find any cort guitars...as far as I know they are made by/in conjunction with Schecter in Korea...Cort make some really nice axes...and they are starting to make them really really pretty as well.

I know they arent too common in the states, but maybe they are in Aus...we get quite a lot of them in South Africa.

not sure of the website...

maybe www.cortguitars.com
or www.cort.com or summin like that...have a look on google...
[FONT=Century Gothic]Hope is when we feel the pain that makes us try again[/FONT]
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Andrew Sa
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Andrew Sa
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05/01/2006 12:42 pm
yeah, its www.cort.com check it out
[FONT=Century Gothic]Hope is when we feel the pain that makes us try again[/FONT]
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