Beginner needs gear advice

Originally posted by Dr_simon
You could just get an amp modeler like a pod or a Digitech RPx or GNXx and a set of headphones.

And I can find those where? Just walk into a music store and ask for it? Or can I find it cheaper online? By the way...how much do those 2 run?

yeah that's a good advice, for one you'll get a really good sound :) that way, always sounds better with headphones.

I know a guy that bought an RP100 for 87$

Just so you know, The Jonezter plays with an RP100. If you don't know him he's a host here and this is he's website http://www.thejonezter.com

Just a little advertising for him lol

but the rp100 is really good, it has great effects and by buying a effect pad like that, you won't have to upgrade later, you'll only have to buy an amp and use that pad with it.

Good stuff DR_simon.


just make a search on the net for it look what came up on ebay : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2545496052&category=38070

I don't know the seller so don't take my word for it :)

[Edited by Benoit on 07-19-2003 at 07:44 PM]

Check out

http://www.8thstreet.com/digitech-store.asp

and have a look around.

Also:
http://www.digitech.com/

You can usually find samples (mp3.. not the best) to down load of what the various patches can sound like

I really like Digitech, I use the GNX2 and record direct from it.

I also like the POD by Line 6 though that is more expensive!

Do I really need this expensive stuff for now? It's about as much as the guitar itself.
Can't I just get a regular amp, nothing special--for cheaper!
Any recommendations for that?

I have a bunch of amps and speaker cabs at my disposal, but you know what gets most of my practice time? An old 1981(?) Ampeg G-18 transistor 'practice' amp. This thing has killer tone - good enough for recording. And I got it for $60 on eBay. Don't just take my word for it, check out this review on Harmony Central. Click Here

BTW: I also have a VT-22 and a VT-40. But I'm not about to part with my lil' G-18! :D

The RPx solution is much cheaper than an amp and is more versatile in terms of tone and sounds produced, check:

DigiTech RP100 eBay Item number 2545405500

or

DigiTech RP200 eBay Item number 2545881917

less than 100 bucks !

(this is not expensive....

This is expensive !
Soldano SLO100 Super Lead Overdrive Head

Soldano Lucky 4x12 Speaker Cabinet

So, no, you don’t need an amp or a processor to start playing your new axe, but it will make it more fun and that is the most important thing ! You also don’t have to get everything all at once, take you time, try things out, see what your friends are doing etc etc

This thread has provided plenty of food for thought but we cant say..."oh yes you want a ..bla bla bla," everyone's playing is different as defined by the sounds they want to make and don’t want to make and part of learning to play the guitar is discovering this.

SO, get out there and break a string, best of luck!


[not bloody Edited nearly enough by Dr_simon on 07-20-2003 at 07:09 AM]

Dr_simon !!! After 660+ posts you should know enough to use the vB code to shorten those d##n URLs! [u]Everybody[/u], word up, when you post a long URL, your post ends up being three screens wide!>

[Edited by Dr_simon on 07-20-2003 at 05:38 PM]

My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS

Permalink

Ok thanks. I think that's a good amp. And its not expensive and you seem to swear by it so I figure I can't go wrong with that Vox.

If you guys have any more recommendations or any other equipment you think I should have, tuners, picks, etc. Tell me!

By the way, what kind of picks should I get. Like, I looked at my cataloge and they have like decimals under the pick description and I have no idea what the h@#$ those mean. So, give me a hint so I know what pick I need and then I should be done for starters. But I will return here! This site is the best I have found!

Later!

What picks??... That's kinda like asking what size of gloves we think you should wear! Stroll into a music store and buy an assortment. Even the expensive ones are like 3-for-a-dollar. If you use the search icon at the top of the page, and type in picks as the keyword, you'll find at least 168 threads on this Forum that mention picks. There are as many opinions as there are players!

Those numbers tell you how thick the pick is.The higher the number,the heavier(thicker)it is.The smaller the number,the thinner it is.When I started playing guitar I used thin picks because it was easier to shred and run across the strings.Then I went to medium as I got better and I was also sick of breaking/wearing out the thin picks(they dont last).Now I use the heavy(thickest)picks for better control.

Theres also different shapes and materials picks are made out of.I use the big triangle picks Clayton makes.You can even find picks made of different metals,woods and rocks.All of which effect the sound in a different way.

Sit down in a music store and try as many as possible.Once you find one that feels good and comfortable stick with it until you "grow out of it" or have different needs.I cant say ive ever seen a person evolve and advance on the guitar without seeing a different pick in there hands.

Later!

p.s the "technical" name for a pick is a plectrum.You'll get confused looks if you say that though...

Nearly Bloddy edited by Bloody Dr Simon

LOTS anything to annoy you mate!!! Are you having a bad day or something ? Have a beer, chill out smell the flowers !
Jeeezzzz !


[Edited by Dr_simon on 07-20-2003 at 05:49 PM]

LOL at Lord! I like what you've done to this thread!

Yeah, so, anyways, ummm...

Good advice to just get a cheap practice amp. Make sure that it has two channels (that means that you can switch from a clean to a distorted sound with a button or foot switch). A couple good amps I've seen are the Peavey Rage 15W and I had a Fender Frontman 15W.

You don't need to have great tone with your first amp; in fact, you probably won't be able to distinguish "good" from "bad" tone for a while (at least I couldn't), until you play long enough to develop your own tastes.

Are you buyingthis stuff online or from your local music store?

Originally posted by iamthe_eggman
Are you buying this stuff online or from your local music store?

Musician's Friend...I have the cataloge...well at least for the amp. For the guitar I'm using musicyo.com.

Just a question, do you guys know of any good basses that my friend can get. Something cheap like the focus I am getting since she knows how to play bass just as much as I know how to play guitar...not at all.

Thanks again!

Ok, I was just talking to someone else at another site and the said for amps...go with a Peavey.. I looked and the peavey is cheaper(89.99 vs. the 119.99 Vox). But I don't know if it is better. Can someone please tell me what they think about it so I know if this person is crazy or not.

Bottom line: Which is better, the Vox (pathfinder model) or the Peavey (rage 3 model)?

Thanks again for the help!

for my first bass i got a second hand yamaha for $130-150.
i was into soft punk (blink is soft punk) at the time, and it worked out great.

PonyOne--You do seem to know what your talking about. I will check out the focus bass and e-mail it to her. I think I am going to go with the Vox since you seem to be diehard about it. And I'm not really going for loud( which is why the other people recommended the Peavey).

Ok, I might actually be covered for a while. You have all been a big help and you can look forward to hearing from me again, seeing that right now I know nothing. Hopefully sometime I will be one of the people rattling of everything I know about guitars but for right now I will leave that up to you guys!

Later!

I want to order that focus from Musicyo.com..but they don't have it in the color I want... UGH!!! Does anyone know when musicyo restocks? Please help me out again!!

i wud also reccommend an overdrive pedal as well bcuz that is what most punk bands use instead of distortion (which u shud use neway)!

I wish I had done the same thing. Great advice... on taking an accomplished player friend with you to the Guitar Store. Don't forget the pawn shops. Sometimes you can find a jewel. A lot of the times, the salesmen won't know what he has if it is a busy pawn shop and they have high turn over. Do your research on the product before you even get inside the store. This way, if you meet a knowledgable salesman, this will help you get level with him on his playing field. Order free magazines and newsletters for the going price of the guitar of your choosing. If you buy and have it shipped, get the free shipping.