Buying electic guitar & amp today...maybe

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Monkey Allen

Monkey Allen

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Before I go out and try to buy a Strat and an amp...any tips would be great...

I can spend up to $1500 on a Strat...I guess you can get American made ones for that price...and $4-500 on an amp...maybe a vavle/ tube amp...

I know it's a pretty silly question...as I have to try it all out etc...but just any tips or things to beware of before I head out?

thanks
 
Dude...you're still alive, and looks like music is back on the menu! :D

OK...so first question, where are you these days (still in the East?) and what choices are available to you AFA guitars and amps?

Personally...I would rather spend $1500 on a kick-ass tube amp, and $500 on the guitar, because IMHO, the "meat" of great tone comes from the amp, not the guitar. So, as long as the guitar has the look and feel you like...the rest will come from the amp.
There are a lot of nice guitars that can be had for $500, without the need to drop any more cash on some bloated prices.

Why a Strat? Is that the kind of guitar you like best?
Are single-coil guitars more your taste than humbuckers?

With $2k...you'll be able to get a sweet guitar/amp rig...but give us more info on what's available to you and what you like/dislike so we can give you the best suggestions, but in the end, go with what you really want.
Are you only looking to buy local...or is online/shipping also a consideration?

Other than that, how you been?
How much longer before you head home, down under?
Are you still possibly hitting the USA/NYC for a visit? (I've got some studio time blocked out for you ;) ).
 
Hey thanks miro...yeah I'm back in Australia for a year or so with some time off...so will be trying to do a bit of recording...as far as guitar and amp...yeah a tube was on my mind...I played at the shop in a room out the back today 9:30am-2:30pm...I played a lot of guitars...almost got a Tele...almost got a tube amp...the 500 buck guitars were not good...the $1500 were quite good and then I tried $2000 ones...mainly Tele's and Strats...Deluxe editions and non Deluxe. The $2000 Tele felt awesome and so did a couple of the Deluxe Strats. The tube amps were getting a little out of my price range. And I would have been in for some kind of multi effects unit too with just a plain amp. The single coil I suppose I have traditionally used in the past, so those are what I looked at.

I'm a bit new coming back into electric guitars after spending so much time with acoustics...my great, great D28...just a peach. Anyway...lots to think about...as you more or less said...kind of shooting yourself in the foot buying an expensive guitar and running it through a cheap pissy Line 6 or something...or a poor amp. But having said that...the difference in the hand between the cheap guitars and the dearer ones is quite a bit...like playing a some Yamaha acoustic then picking up the D28...the quality is in the guitar, no doubt...but it's whatever feels right of course.

I'll have a think about it. I was liking one particular American Deluxe Strat...2010 model I think it was. It just felt good...about 1800 they said.

Apart from that...I have some time off...taking an extended holiday really...gonna play guitar and go to the beach. Haha...a US visit...not in the near future I think...but I'd love to get to America some day. Always wanted to.

How's things Miro? Keepin' your nose clean??
 
great idea spend more cash on the amp and maybe get a mexican strat. Try every strat in your price bracket as every instrument is differant. check build qaulity (rough edges on frets, overhanging) check out volume and tone pots. maybe even ask to try out a multi effects pedal to see how the amp copes with it or take your own if you have one. take a pick too. check the guitars sustain. neck profile is it comfy? and dont forget to ask for a discount as your spending your hard earned dollars. good luck
 
Sounds like you have your mind set on a Strat.
Yeah, I know the Deluxe and Custom stuff is going to be sweet (I've been looking at some Deluxe/Custom Teles) , though too pricey IMO.
I just think if you pick up and play a bunch of the less expensive ones (and other brands/models), you'll see that there are some nice guitars for a lot less than $1500-$2000, but I know how it is when you find that *one* that just keeps pulling at your sleeve. :D
Nothing wrong with buying an expensive guitar...I was just suggesting how you might better stretch your budget at the moment and end up with a nice sounding rig.

Of course, if you don't have any electrics, I can see why getting a really special one would be important. I've got a bunch, so I don't really have a *one*...that's kinda why I was saying the amps are the key for tone...IMHO...but the guitars are about looks and feel.

Just don't get some wanky amp to go with a really hot guitar!!! ;)
 
There was a time when I was a big fan of Fender.I cant really say that anymore.They just dont give a shit about details anymore.No matter if it is production line or deluxe or custom shop, there is no consistency with thier instruments anymore.
$1500.00 is a good bit of buying power in todays market.I would be looking at used Tom Andersons and Suhrs.Pay $1500.00 for a guitar from either of those builders and you will make a profit or at least break even if you ever decide to resell.Buy a new Fender for 1500.00 and the value drops by $500.00 to $700.00 as soon as you leave the shop with it.
 
I've gotta go with miro here ...... there's so many very nice medium priced strats that I'd spend a grand at most on one and the rest on the amp.
 
And if you see some other posters comments... :)
> You can get an excellent US strat for $500-$700, American Standards and American Series without tax too! any day of the week on CL around here. Location does play a role as I been serching around the US and some places have zero US Strats and mainly only Squiers,

Anyway... So unless you have a jonesy for a brand new Fender go used and save $$$$...

Amps are more difficult imo, because its like "what do you need it for?" Recording? Blowing holes in drywall garageband? or Big Gigs or Small Gigs? Can you afford tubes and biasing the thing?
>You can buy used Hot Rod 2x12" US versions for $400-$450

MISC- $400
add some spare tubes,
pedals...got to have some pedal money too. Tuner $15, Chorus, Echo, Flanger, compressions, noise gate (for a strat in some pup positions)... strings, cables, strap, rag/polish, $50
 
Second the "buy used" advise. I was gonna say it, myself, but CoolCat beat me to it.

I prefer the USA Strats made about 10 years ago, as they have dropped in price and have the more versatile "modern" whammy bridge- easily identified by haveing two pivot screws, instead of the "vintage's" six. The vintage only allows dives, whereas the modern can go up or down on the lever/pitch, but can be locked so that it only dives, or does not move at all. Vintage can be locked down, too, but I figure, hell, I'm playing a Strat, and the whammy bridge is a part of the Strat sound/look/vibe.

And while we are economizing, Peavey Classic amps are a great buy. I have found that Fenders have more tone and deeper tremolo (Delta Blues have trem, other Classics usually do not,) but expect to pay double for Fenders as compared to the Peavey Classic series.
 
and one thing about strats .... they're close to indestructible so buying used isn't that much of a worry with them
 
Welcome back home Monkey. The prices for brand name gear is ridiculous in Oz as you know. Pity you couldn't pick something up whilst in S.E.A.
Play a bundle of mid to cheap guitars and buy the best one then get a nice valve jobbie. I can't believe the prices our local stores are asking for the Epi Valve Jr, the Blackheart etc. Almost twice sometimes more than the US proces. I did see a couple go for only $175 on Ebay in the last couple of months which would've been great if you were here.
Enjoy!
 
Hey...yeah SEA...well HK..at Tom Lee's...the prices really do you no favours...it's all pretty much of a muchness with price...

Anyway I tell you what fellas...I got a Deluxe Strat and a Vox Ac4TV.

Yeah, I have more money than cents/ sense...but oh well...I decided to get what I got.

I played a lot of guitars...in all price ranges...I played again for hours...the cheaper ones felt cheap...the expensive ones felt expensive and the Deluxe felt delicious.

The little Vox amp...some kind of cheap tube practice amp is pretty fine.

I'm traditionally a pretty impulsive buyer...impatient...so I have to pat myself on the back this time for at least putting in the hours playing and testing them all out.

Now all I got to do is learn to play all this shit I bought and I'll be ok.
 
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I think you did alright- got the guitar that made you happiest, and a sweet little all-tube amp- I have wondered about/lusted after that Vox. Good job, dude.
 
yeah, if you're happy that's all that matters and that amp gets good reviews for certain sounds. Not a bad deal at all.
 
Yep...I have 6 months or so off now to practice, play and record...lucky to have such good times
 
interesting choice. lots of mixed reviews on that amp. I would have gone for something slightly bigger personally, but if that suits you.

keep us(me) posted on that amp. I'm pretty curious about it, too
 
One thing I liked about the amp is the natural guitar tone that seemed to come out of it...when it's just plugged in/ no effects...the guitar really maintains its character. There's no way I would even have gone for anything bigger. I would only use it for practice and recording.

I read a lot of people on the net say how suitable it was (because of its size and wattage) for use by people who have to live in units/ flats...bullshit....it's way too loud. It knocked my door off its hinges.

The walls are so thin where I live you can just about see the people next door.

I haven't used the amp too much yet to be honest...but gave it a good bashing in the shop and really liked how transparent it was...for want of a better word...and how the character of the guitar came through.

You can 'hear the wood' in the amp from the guitar...if that makes any sense.
 
Monkey Allen said:
I played a lot of guitars...in all price ranges...I played again for hours...the cheaper ones felt cheap...the expensive ones felt expensive and the Deluxe felt delicious.
.
Click to expand...

thats what its all about... i think thats as good as it gets.
 
The electric guitar is a fun and versatile instrument. To better choose, you must understand the type of sound that you require. For sharp sounds, single-coils are better; for a thicker, heavier tone the double coils are better.
 
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