Help me buy a guitar $1000

  • Thread starter Thread starter ReInventor
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ReInventor said:
Quoted from wikipedia "When a guitar string is plucked, the string vibrates most prominently at its fundamental frequency, but at the same time also vibrates at all integer multiples of that frequency. The vibration along the entire length of the string is known as the fundamental, while vibrations occurring between points along the string (known as nodes) are referred to as overtones. The fundamental and overtones, when sounded together, are perceived by the listener as a single tone, though the relative prominence of the frequencies varies among instruments, and contribute to its timbre."

Thus, if the pickup is placed under a point along the string which creates overtones, it will hear more of them than if placed otherwise. I realize that this only works perfectly when playing notes that have overtones at this exact point, but all the open strings, the 12th fret notes, plus any other note that has partials at what would have been the 24th fret, will create stronger additional harmonic content at that point.

PLUS, putting the pickup closer to the 12th fret increases the amount of vibration the pickup "sees," lending a louder, warmer sound (this is why your neck pickup sounds warmer than your bridge pickup in the first place...) Pushing it further from the bridge just increases the same effect.

This really isn't rocket science, nor is it any less valid than saying nitrocellulose sounds better than polyurethane.
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seriously dude quit now if you know what is good for you.;)
 
Um...this is an internet forum... I'm pretty sure what's good for me is to actually get some information. So if you've got some to share, please do. If you know something about the way strings vibrate that is contrary to what I've posted, please enlighten me. I'm not above learning. Maybe I'm misinformed. Why would you feel the need to rip me a new one? And my demands are not that high...pretty much basic features in a particular configuration. Picky, yes, but its not like I'm asking for a guitar that weighs 3 pounds and houses a 25 gallon fish tank with black lights shining up the pretty Portugese Man'o'war inside.

Really man, if you have something to share, please do, I'd like to learn. If not, fuck off.
 
ReInventor said:
Um...this is an internet forum... I'm pretty sure what's good for me is to actually get some information. So if you've got some to share, please do. If you know something about the way strings vibrate that is contrary to what I've posted, please enlighten me. I'm not above learning. Maybe I'm misinformed. Why would you feel the need to rip me a new one? And my demands are not that high...pretty much basic features in a particular configuration. Picky, yes, but its not like I'm asking for a guitar that weighs 3 pounds and houses a 25 gallon fish tank with black lights shining up the pretty Portugese Man'o'war inside.

Really man, if you have something to share, please do, I'd like to learn. If not, fuck off.
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Thats right, my expectations are totally non negotiable as well.:rolleyes:

Do I know how a vibrating string works? Do I know how a guitar works? Do I know shit about musical acoustics? I'll leave the rest of the guys here to answer that.

Seriously go back and read your posts. They don't seem to be phrased by som one soliciting information..but despite that some good guys have already given you some good advice so I guess your good to go..
 
I'm not asking you to prove yourself. Just to share some insight. Just because everyone will vouch that you possess knowledge on a subject doesn't mean you aren't wrong or ignorant in this particular situation.

I'm pretty sure the title was Help me buy a guitar. I listed (I can't believe I'm even defending this) some criteria that I need, along with a budget and asked for some opinions. I'm failing to see the problem. Was I combative or obstinate? What gives?

I also posted some evidence in favor of my point which you didn't even address (which is really beside the point, as even if I'm stubborn and wrong, which you've yet to show, I can still have a guitar with 22 frets and I think you'll be okay).

So why not be helpful rather that whatever it is you're doing?
 
I have not seen Roadstars before. I like the body style. I had previously overlooked the PRS because of a non-adjustable bridge, but that would be a cheap fix. Thanks
 
ReInventor said:
................Was I combative or obstinate? What gives?
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Apart from posting as you first did which I ignored you went on to make some deeply flawed statements about the way strings vibrate to justify your original non negotiable demands. After a few more posts I grew tired of your non negotiable criteria mainly because it became obvious that it was based on lack of understanding.

If you started by saying I would prefer "that" because I think "this" is important, I may have taken the time to point out whether that was the case or not. You do however seem to be convinced in you understanding..


I also posted some evidence in favor of my point which you didn't even address (which is really beside the point, as even if I'm stubborn and wrong, which you've yet to show, I can still have a guitar with 22 frets and I think you'll be okay).
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What you posted is simplistic but largely true. It doesn't however support what you originally posted or explain why you want a 22 fret neck..This bit is crucial..
So why not be helpful rather that whatever it is you're doing?
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I don't have to. My attitude is based on a firm grasp of physics and more than half a life time making guitars and understanding how they work. I posted that emoticon initially to give you a chance to go back and read what you posted so far. I always give people at least two chances to be civil and to provide a measured view on their level of understanding. What exactly is yours...?
 
I don't build guitars, but I've played a few. I've played many guitars over 14 years and done enough research to feel like I have a pretty firm grasp on what I want out of one. And since we're cock measuring, I hold a bachelor's degree in Recording Industry Management, Production, and Technology from MTSU, much of which dealt with acoustics and the physics of sound. I don't think this makes me an authority on the subject, but I do have a fair background in it.

What about the way strings vibrate makes my statement false? At this point, yes, I'm convinced and you've done absolutely nothing to change that.

Mr. Satriani seems to agree with me. He's played 22 fret guitars for years, and when he wanted 24 what does he do? He uses a single coil sized pick up pushed as far up against the neck (which stops shorter than most after the 24th) as he can get it. Why? Because that's where the tone is.

I'm not asking that you make me a guitar, and even if I was, "demanding" 22 frets isn't really much of a bother is it? Again, it's not like I'm making fantastical demands. These are all very standard features of many guitars made everyday. I'm having a hard time finding exactly what I want, and hoped that maybe someone could guide my search. It's looking like I might have to let up on one thing or another. I'd rather not, but if it's not readily available, it's probably not it my budget. Okay, so I'll save more, or settle for less. Why so upset about it?
 
You won't be settling for less if you play every guitar you can possibly get your hands on. You may find a guitar that has all your requirements and it could still suck compared to one that meets none of your requirements.

You won't really know until you actually play them LOL
 
Do you really think another mid-ranged guitar is going to cut it? Just keep the ibanez and save up a few thousand instead of wasting $500. I'm sure it's a fine guitar and all, but I thought the point was to buy something really nice and pro?
 
It is... I was just excited to find something. You're definitely right. I'd be in the same place I am now in short order. The real deal (and there's a reason for it) is $1700. Probably worth every penny I don't have.
 
Sell your other guitars and you'll be real close to having the money... Better to have one good guitar instead of many half-assed ones.
 
That's pretty much the plan, and where the $1000 bucks came from. I figure I can get $300 per guitar and $300 for a drum set I don't ever play putting me a $900. I'll take the rest out of pocket.

The other thing I considered doing is selling one guitar, upgrading the other with that money, and then saving until I could afford something in the higher range...a la $1700 axis or something.

I'll find something or do that. Probably following your path, going to the music shops and playing until my fingers bleed and then taking something home.

I hate guitar shopping though, because I play gauge 11s, EVERYTHING in the shop sounds and feels wimpy. Oh well.
 
You'll know when you find it. You'll even try some others out and try to find one better. Then keep going back to it. The real test is when you get it home though. When you have some private and intimate time with your new baby :spank:
 
I'm interested in why you insist on basswood. Also, why must the headstock be angled?
 
Milnoque said:
I'm interested in why you insist on basswood. Also, why must the headstock be angled?
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Increases pressure on the strings and helps them stay in the nut slots. An increase in string pressure also means there is no loss of string vibration between the nut and the tuners, which equals better sustain.
 
please, the section of string from the headstock to the tuners is non-speaking and has no impact on sustain PLUS, with a properly functioning nut, the vibration stops at the nut. In a good guitar there is no vibration of the section from the nut to the tuners and that's not a reason an angled headstock might have better sustain although the angled head stock DOES, as you said, increase downforce on the nut which does have some benefits and possibly would increase sustain.

But as for the rest of your requirements, to me it's all personal taste and you should get a guitar that provides the things that YOU want in a guitar. If you want 22 frets hey ......... most of my several hundred gits I've owned had 22 frets.

But IMO you shouldn't restrict yourself so much and should just go play some guitars.
Are you saying that if you picked up a 24 fret git and it sounded just like you want and played just like you want and sustained just like you want you would reject it over the extra 2 frets?
It's your money of course but I would think the ultimate point is just to get a git that does what you want.
Simply setting out some specs far from guarantees that.
 
FoulPhil said:
Increases pressure on the strings and helps them stay in the nut slots. An increase in string pressure also means there is no loss of string vibration between the nut and the tuners, which equals better sustain.
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Afraid not. A vibrating strings sustain or more correctly decay is a product of the amplitude of the note, the mass per unit length of the string and the impedance of the model as a whole. In other words decay is solely dependant on the rate at which energy is lost via the fixed points at each end of the string, via the air as air compression waves and as heat from internal friction. Neither tension or break angle behind those fixed points play a part in the decay of the vibrating strings sound wave. As long as the string is fixed you can have any angle you like.
 
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