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Guitar Peeps, I Need Help..

puddlemonkey

puddlemonkey

thou shalt not shill
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What is a good beginner guitar? Years back I had a '77 Les Paul Standard and that was way too much guitar for someone that had never picked one up before. I don't want electric this time around, I was thinking acoustic. Looking to drop $700-$1,000 or in that range. Not sure how much I'll play it, but I should have some time freed up soon in case I choose to. Electric acoustic, those any good? My peepers are drawn to these Taylor guitars for some reason. Alvarez are UGLY! Going off internet pics until I get off work and can swing by the music shop.
 
I've never liked electric acoustic personally, but for $1000 you can get a really high quality acoustic.

I'd suggest getting a Les Paul Studio or you could even go for one of the epiphone les pauls (very affordable, good starter guitar).

Plenty of entry level electrics out there in your range, good quality too.

Personally I really like this one:
Epiphone Les Paul CUSTOM Guitar ~SilverBurst~ *U*FIX* - eBay (item 160282618986 end time Sep-19-08 20:18:04 PDT)


However this one is THE SHIT!
New Unplayed Gibson Les Paul Custom in Silverburst!!! - eBay (item 320300156152 end time Sep-22-08 23:16:09 PDT)




I find that playing acoustic and electric are very different, I like both, but if your goal is to get good at an electric, buy one of them to practice on.
 
Les Paul Custom

25tw2zt.jpg
 
I like the sound of an acoustic, just wondering if there are any advantages of a electric acoustic.

Those Les Paul Standards were so unforgiving I gave up on learning quick! Thinking about giving it another shot but going a different route.
 
PuddleMonkey said:
I like the sound of an acoustic, just wondering if there are any advantages of a electric acoustic.

Those Les Paul Standards were so unforgiving I gave up on learning quick! Thinking about giving it another shot but going a different route.
Click to expand...
what do you mean by unforgiving?
 
I don't think there's any such thing as "too much guitar for a beginner". Better guitars are usually easier to play. The only thing I think a beginner needs to stay away from is any sort of whammy bar. I think it's desirable to get a good quality instrument even if you're a beginner, 'cause you won't outgrow it, and if you end up bailing, it'll have a good resale value.

For an acoustic in the Under A Grand category, I really like the Martin D-15. Plays like a dream, and its all-mahogany construction has a big warm friendly tone. Buy Martin D-15 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

Decent electrics Under A Grand:

Fender Classic Series '50s Telecaster: Buy Fender Classic Series '50s Telecaster Electric Guitar at Musician's Friend

Fender Classic Series '50s Esquire: Buy Fender '50s Esquire Electric Guitar online at Musician's Friend

Gibson SG Classic: Buy Gibson SG Classic Electric Guitar with P-90 Pickups at Musician's Friend
 
samoth said:
Ugg, a Marshall head? Did you buy the full stack as a set, or just not want to mess with a rack system?



:cow:
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"Not want to mess with a rack system" = likes good tone. Rack systems are so '80s.
 
Mr. dB said:
"Not want to mess with a rack system" = likes good tone. Rack systems are so '80s.
Click to expand...


I usually shoved so much distortion through that it probably wouldn't matter anyway.

What's wrong with the '80s?! There were lots of good bands during that era. :D



:cow:
 
PuddleMonkey said:
Not crazy about the wood color, do I have options?
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It looks better in person.

But if you can't deal with the mahogany top, they do have plenty of models with spruce tops. DX1 is a decent lower-end model with plenty of Martin mojo, even though it's made with some non-solid wood products. Even the bottom model DXM is perfectly good for the price. Buy Martin DX1 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

Or the Custom D Classic: Buy Martin Custom D Classic Mahogany Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

D-16GT barely squeeks in at $999.95, It's an all-solid-wood Martin except it's got a "micarta" fingerboard which is some sorto of composite, I think that's why it's several hundred less than a regular D-16 with a rosewood fingerboard. They sound and play great though. Buy Martin D-16GT Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm rather partial to Martin acoustics. That's 'cause they always play well but, most importantly, the Martin sound is just "That's what an acoustic guitar is supposed to sound like". Also, in the unlikely event you have a problem, Martin's warranty and service are tops. Even though my own acoustic is a Gibson, I still hope to add a Martin to the stable someday.
 
Mr. dB said:
It looks better in person.

But if you can't deal with the mahogany top, they do have plenty of models with spruce tops. DX1 is a decent lower-end model with plenty of Martin mojo, even though it's made with some non-solid wood products. Even the bottom model DXM is perfectly good for the price. Buy Martin DX1 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

Or the Custom D Classic: Buy Martin Custom D Classic Mahogany Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

D-16GT barely squeeks in at $999.95, It's an all-solid-wood Martin except it's got a "micarta" fingerboard which is some sorto of composite, I think that's why it's several hundred less than a regular D-16 with a rosewood fingerboard. They sound and play great though. Buy Martin D-16GT Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm rather partial to Martin acoustics. That's 'cause they always play well but, most importantly, the Martin sound is just "That's what an acoustic guitar is supposed to sound like". Also, in the unlikely event you have a problem, Martin's warranty and service are tops. Even though my own acoustic is a Gibson, I still hope to add a Martin to the stable someday.
Click to expand...

oh yeah i love my martin, i paid about 699 i think for mine. sound is awesome
 
Mr. dB said:
It looks better in person.

But if you can't deal with the mahogany top, they do have plenty of models with spruce tops. DX1 is a decent lower-end model with plenty of Martin mojo, even though it's made with some non-solid wood products. Even the bottom model DXM is perfectly good for the price. Buy Martin DX1 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

Or the Custom D Classic: Buy Martin Custom D Classic Mahogany Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

D-16GT barely squeeks in at $999.95, It's an all-solid-wood Martin except it's got a "micarta" fingerboard which is some sorto of composite, I think that's why it's several hundred less than a regular D-16 with a rosewood fingerboard. They sound and play great though. Buy Martin D-16GT Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar online at Musician's Friend

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm rather partial to Martin acoustics. That's 'cause they always play well but, most importantly, the Martin sound is just "That's what an acoustic guitar is supposed to sound like". Also, in the unlikely event you have a problem, Martin's warranty and service are tops. Even though my own acoustic is a Gibson, I still hope to add a Martin to the stable someday.
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I'm liking the look of some of the other Martins I'm seeing on-line. Is that OM-16GT I posted a link to worth looking at?
 
PuddleMonkey said:
Is this Martin worth going to look at? He lives in my area.

2006 Martin OM-16GT
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Should be sweet. The OM is an "orchestra model" which is somewhat smaller than a D-series "dreadnaught". All the ones I recommended were full-size dreadnaughts, just because you're a pretty big guy for a small-bodied guitar. Some people prefer the smaller Martins because they're less boomy in the bottom end. Clapton, for example, plays a 000-28, which is about the same size as an OM.
 
Mr. dB said:
Should be sweet. The OM is an "orchestra model" which is somewhat smaller than a D-series "dreadnaught". All the ones I recommended were full-size dreadnaughts, just because you're a pretty big guy for a small-bodied guitar. Some people prefer the smaller Martins because they're less boomy in the bottom end. Clapton, for example, plays a 000-28, which is about the same size as an OM.
Click to expand...

Weird, it looks huge to me in the pic.
 
Mr. dB said:
Martin & Company > Guitars
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Niiiiiiiiiiiiice, information overload!

MODEL 000-16GT
CONSTRUCTION: Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint
BODY SIZE: 000-14 Fret
TOP: Solid Sitka Spruce
ROSETTE: Bold Herringbone
TOP BRACING PATTERN: Hybrid ''X'' Scalloped
TOP BRACES: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16"
BACK MATERIAL: Solid Genuine Mahogany
BACK PURFLING: none
SIDE MATERIAL: Solid Genuine Mahogany
ENDPIECE: Black Boltaron
ENDPIECE INLAY: none
BINDING: Black Boltaron
TOP INLAY STYLE: none
SIDE INLAY: none
BACK INLAY: none
NECK MATERIAL: Select Hardwood
NECK SHAPE: Modified Low Oval
NUT MATERIAL: White Corian
HEADSTOCK: Solid/Square Taper
HEADPLATE: Solid East Indian Rosewood /Raised Gold Foil
HEELCAP: Solid Indian Rosewood
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Black Micarta
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4''
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1-11/16''
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2-1/8''
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: Style 28
FINGERBOARD BINDING: none
FINISH BACK & SIDES: Satin
FINISH TOP: Polished Gloss ; Sunburst available at additional cost.
FINISH NECK: Satin
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Black Micarta
BRIDGE STYLE: Belly
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2-1/8''
SADDLE: 16'' Radius/Compensated/White Tusq
TUNING MACHINES: Chrome w/ Small Buttons
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin Studio Performance Light Phosphor Bronze (MSP4100)
BRIDGE & END PINS: White w/ Black Dots
PICKGUARD: Tortoise Color
CASE: 330
INTERIOR LABEL: Paper Label
ELECTRONICS: Optional
 
PuddleMonkey said:
I like the sound of an acoustic, just wondering if there are any advantages of a electric acoustic.

Those Les Paul Standards were so unforgiving I gave up on learning quick! Thinking about giving it another shot but going a different route.
Click to expand...


Advantages: Can we start with you can make it louder and whatever effects your amp has to offer??

Personally I just obtained a newer Fender, cause I can't justify 25k for an older one, for $850.00 which was a steal considering the list is $1350. I love divorces. It still has the stickers on it. And no.....this isn't an el'cheapo.
 
PuddleMonkey said:
What is a good beginner guitar? Years back I had a '77 Les Paul Standard and that was way too much guitar for someone that had never picked one up before. I don't want electric this time around, I was thinking acoustic. Looking to drop $700-$1,000 or in that range. Not sure how much I'll play it, but I should have some time freed up soon in case I choose to. Electric acoustic, those any good? My peepers are drawn to these Taylor guitars for some reason. Alvarez are UGLY! Going off internet pics until I get off work and can swing by the music shop.
Click to expand...


Takamine is my fav. The real nice ones nowadays have dark wood color finish. Bland light brownish wood is too common.

Get an electric acoustic one. Some models even have a built-in tuner.

Ask a guitar tech to set it up, or for advice. If the neck is bent, or the action (string height) is too high, or body crooked, the guitar is WORTHLESS.

Stay away from Yamaha or Fender. Their facotires pump them out as cheap as possible.

r
 
Razorguns said:
Ask a guitar tech to set it up, or for advice. If the neck is bent, or the action (string height) is too high, or body crooked, the guitar is WORTHLESS.
Click to expand...

Yes! A pro setup, even on a new guitar right out of the box (maybe especially on a new guitar right out of the box...) makes all the difference. A little filing on the nut, a slight tweak of the trussrod, shave the bridge just a tad, and a very good guitar suddenly becomes an amazing guitar. Best $30-$50 you could ever spend.
 
Check out the Martin MMV. It is the only all wood Martin with and Ebony fretboard that is made in America for under $1200. Very nice higher end beginner guitar. I don't know if that is out of your price range.... It plays and sounds like a dressed down D-28 which goes for $2500
 
Actually the $89.00 Krammer Focus from musicyo.com can be torn up pretty easily. I would rate it a $350.00 or better guitar. Not bad, notes easily, strings aren't a mile off the fretboard.
 
PuddleMonkey said:
For $89 maybe I get that too lol
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Seriously bro, im no Van Halen but for a hundred bucks with shipping you can't beat it. For a lot less $ you can decide if it's an interesting hobby or not. I actually had Kansas Citys area best guitarist of the year play it and he was fairly impressed for the price. BTW--for some reason it sounded a lot better also lol.
 
Ok I'm back! You guys know anything about Breedlove guitars? I really liked a couple of them and apparently they are a company here in Oregon. I also liked the Martins in the 1k and up range. Taylors weren't as special as I thought.
 
Focus fags! Breedlove! Now I gotta go outside and do some quick yard work in the dark, when I get back I expect a full report.
 
PuddleMonkey said:
What is a good beginner guitar? Years back I had a '77 Les Paul Standard and that was way too much guitar for someone that had never picked one up before. I don't want electric this time around, I was thinking acoustic. Looking to drop $700-$1,000 or in that range. Not sure how much I'll play it, but I should have some time freed up soon in case I choose to. Electric acoustic, those any good? My peepers are drawn to these Taylor guitars for some reason. Alvarez are UGLY! Going off internet pics until I get off work and can swing by the music shop.
Click to expand...
whats up mo'!
 
Breedlove, nah. Takamani, yeah. Martin's are now mass produced, even if the masses here will say different. Taylor's actually are excellent guitars, But I like Alvarez-Yairi guitars.... Guild even has good ones (nice 12 strings).

Good one's are handmade Martin's if you get a Martin, Alvarez-Yairi, Guild acoustic, Taka whatever the spelling is excellent.

Electric's are different. I like the neck of a Les Paul, but sometimes want a different tone. Why someone would tell you to stay away from the whammy bar (Tremolo bar) is beyond me. Electric I am all Ibanez..... Jem 77 or Jem 777 which is way out of your price range. Don't buy a foreign fender, if you get a fender. Stick with the ones made in USA. I also played a B.C. Rich strat styled that was set up perfect.`

I am a bass Player, 20 years now, I have a 6 string Alembic, 5 string Ibanez, and a 4 string Ibanez.

All my instruments are modified for me, and my set-up. Call it 80's, or whatever, but my set-up is to my comfort, which is what you should be looking for.

Go to your local shop, and play different ones. Forget the brand name bullshit. Play all of them. Get a feel for each one, and pick the one that tops your list. Who cares what it is as long as you like to play it.

Good luck man
Walli
 
I can't get excited about Takamines. The one thing they had going for them was in the late 1980s when they were the first affordable conventional flattops with decent-sounding pickups, so they kind of took over the live market for a while. Before that, only Ovation had useable acoustics with pickups, and of course they're plastic pieces of shit. So Ovation was on every stage from the early 1970s through the mid-1980s, and then Takamine took over from then because their pickups were better and the guitars weren't plastic bowls. As a guitar, though, they never had anything on the real American acoustics like Gibson, Guild or Martin.

Now everyone has at least passable pickups, even my Gibson J45 came with a Fishman that is useable. But if Puddles is a beginner, pickups are moot, he's not going to be performing live any time soon. I say buy the guitar you like, and then get a good pickup installed if and when you need it.

As for Martins being mass-produced in Mexico, that's true for the lower-end composite and laminate-wood models. But once you get into the solid wood guitars, those are still made in Nazareth PA the same way as always.

Breedlove? I've never picked one up, so I can't comment. They seem to sell well in the affordable acoustic sector though. The Alvarez-Yairi gutiars I've picked up played well, but were kind of heavy and didn't feel very resonant. With a good acoustic, you can put it in your lap, strum a chord, and feel the vibrations against your belly, and in your left hand; the Alvarez always feel kinda dead to me. But they have nice necks and fretwork. Metal players seem to like them, 'cause the neck feels like the neck on their Ibanez shredder guitars. Taylor also sells a lot of acoustics on the strength of their slim necks that feel like an electric guitar, but I can't get excited about the way they sound. But new-agey fingerstyle players seem to like Taylors, Leo Kottke plays them and so does my old friend Richard Leo Johnson. They both use Taylor Jumbos.
 
Affordable acoustic? Some of those damn Breedlove's are $2k+ :/

I liked the sound, and the way it felt in my hand. Also like the fact that the company is in Oregon. If I end up hating it I'll just drive down there and kick their ass! Didn't care for any Alvarez I picked up, most of their guitars just look ugly to me. I do understand what you were saying about the darkwood guitars, they look much better in person. The Martins I picked up were very nice, sound and feel. I didn't fool around too much with Taylors. I noticed the music shop is just like the liquor store, all the good shit is up high, stay away from anything ground level.

I'll have plenty of time to learn, just dumped the g/f about an hour ago. She had the audacity to say I didn't have time for it and I'm not spending enough time with her. I see her 4-5 days a week. Any one day goes by that I don't spend time with her and she feels "neglected". Fuck that, I'm done.
 
walliwalibus said:
Electric's are different. I like the neck of a Les Paul, but sometimes want a different tone. Why someone would tell you to stay away from the whammy bar (Tremolo bar) is beyond me.
Click to expand...

'Cause for a beginner it's a distraction, they should be learning how to play songs, not wanking on the dilly bar. Also makes tuning and changing strings more of a challenge.

walliwalibus said:
Electric I am all Ibanez..... Jem 77 or Jem 777 which is way out of your price range. Don't buy a foreign fender, if you get a fender. Stick with the ones made in USA. I also played a B.C. Rich strat styled that was set up perfect.`
Click to expand...

Some of the foreign Fenders are fine. The Mexican Classic series for example are great guitars for the money. I'd take a Mexican Classic over an American Standard any day. With Fender, I'd avoid any guitar with the word "Standard" or "Deluxe" in its name, no matter what country it was made in.

Ibanez and B. C. Rich? You must be a metal-only player? Lemme guess, you like EMG pickups too?

I like a guitar that has an immediately-recognizable character and tone. If I can hear a song on the radio and tell what kind of guitar they used, I like that. You can pick out a Les Paul, a Stratocaster, a Telecaster, a 335, a Gretsch, or a Rickenbacker out in a mix every time. I can't remember the last time I heard a song on the radio and exclaimed "Wow, listen to that great Ibanez tone!" or "That's gotta be a PRS, I can tell!" or "Hear that? Jackson all the way!"

Shredders got different priorities though. First of all, it's all about the fingerboard, they like it wide, flat, and smooth, with big frets. Tone and resonance don't matter, 'cause none of that would survive the first stages of a high-gain amp anyway. Funny how when you plug a shredder guitar into a clean amp, it sounds like a wet noodle, metal guys have the worst clean tones.
 
PuddleMonkey said:
I'll have plenty of time to learn, just dumped the g/f about an hour ago. She had the audacity to say I didn't have time for it and I'm not spending enough time with her. I see her 4-5 days a week. Any one day goes by that I don't spend time with her and she feels "neglected". Fuck that, I'm done.
Click to expand...

This is the smartest thing you have posted in months.
 
Tomy 'my first guitar' light, portable, on board amplifier, runs on 4 x AA bateries and plays Old McDonald surf style, instant rock god, chicks see you with that piece of serious hardware and think 'i have to be with that man'
 
PuddleMonkey said:
I'll have plenty of time to learn, just dumped the g/f about an hour ago. She had the audacity to say I didn't have time for it and I'm not spending enough time with her. I see her 4-5 days a week. Any one day goes by that I don't spend time with her and she feels "neglected". Fuck that, I'm done.
Click to expand...

Wow, she's jealous of a guitar that you don't even have yet? Typical attention whore. What is it with these bitches who don't respect a man's need for some alone time?
 
PuddleMonkey said:
What is a good beginner guitar? Years back I had a '77 Les Paul Standard and that was way too much guitar for someone that had never picked one up before. I don't want electric this time around, I was thinking acoustic. Looking to drop $700-$1,000 or in that range. Not sure how much I'll play it, but I should have some time freed up soon in case I choose to. Electric acoustic, those any good? My peepers are drawn to these Taylor guitars for some reason. Alvarez are UGLY! Going off internet pics until I get off work and can swing by the music shop.
Click to expand...

i bought my daughter a yamaha pacifica package. . .came with a guitar, tuner, gig bag, 15 watt amp, extra set of strings, some picks. . .less than $300 bucks. . .great starter package imho. . .

i have an old epiphone ft-140 that i bought (no kidding) like 30 years ago. . .

we started taking lessons together. . .haven't played in over 20 years. . .i'm already TOTALLY addicted. . .can't keep my hands off the damn thing. . .
 
Mr. dB said:
'Cause for a beginner it's a distraction, they should be learning how to play songs, not wanking on the dilly bar. Also makes tuning and changing strings more of a challenge.



Some of the foreign Fenders are fine. The Mexican Classic series for example are great guitars for the money. I'd take a Mexican Classic over an American Standard any day. With Fender, I'd avoid any guitar with the word "Standard" or "Deluxe" in its name, no matter what country it was made in.

Ibanez and B. C. Rich? You must be a metal-only player? Lemme guess, you like EMG pickups too?

I like a guitar that has an immediately-recognizable character and tone. If I can hear a song on the radio and tell what kind of guitar they used, I like that. You can pick out a Les Paul, a Stratocaster, a Telecaster, a 335, a Gretsch, or a Rickenbacker out in a mix every time. I can't remember the last time I heard a song on the radio and exclaimed "Wow, listen to that great Ibanez tone!" or "That's gotta be a PRS, I can tell!" or "Hear that? Jackson all the way!"

Shredders got different priorities though. First of all, it's all about the fingerboard, they like it wide, flat, and smooth, with big frets. Tone and resonance don't matter, 'cause none of that would survive the first stages of a high-gain amp anyway. Funny how when you plug a shredder guitar into a clean amp, it sounds like a wet noodle, metal guys have the worst clean tones.
Click to expand...

Actually you are wrong, I am not a shredder, I find versatility in these instruments. And if you look in the thread "what are you listening to now," you would see I am definitely not a shredder. Stigma's suck, just because I like an instrument oh I must be this or that. My info is correct, as I see it. He was asking opinions, its not a debate, please geez.....

As for the whammy, LOL gets in the way of learning songs..... OK whatever, I am a bass player mostly and really don't care. I stand by my Ibanez....

Yeah, I am a shredder.... LOL if you only knew... hahahahahaha

EMG suck and if you knew Ibanez Jem series you would know what pick-ups were in them. Like I said also my stuff is all modified.

Why the fudk I am justifying what I said I don't know. And you all crazy if you think Alvarez sound dead, hahahahahahahahaha give me a break. OK listen to the pro's..... good luck though. Sorry my Karma didn't match theirs or my opinion didn't matter.

I love my Ibanez. I love my Alembic... I love my music. I play the gear that is dear to me and that I have the greatest control over. To each their own.

Lets get together and dismiss what walli says tee hee..... whatever, waste your money and just buy what someone tells ya, LOL and best wishes. Oh and don't be a shredder, LOL hahahahaha
 
Whoah, don't take it so personally. I guessed wrong, sorry. I agree that it is just opinions, and mine isn't worth any more than anyone else's.

Notice I didn't slam the Alembic. They're not my cup of tea, but they're cool basses and of course you can't top that level of hand craftsmanship. They also meet my silly critera of being an archetypical instrument with an immediately recognizable tone. Besides, Entwistle and JPJ used 'em.

Again, my complaint about the whammy was for A Beginner Guitarist, which is what Puddle claimed to be.
 
Mr. dB said:
Whatcha gettin'?
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Holy crap I'm tired! Its 4am and I just got home, had to go celebrate my new freedom.

Well, I was there for about two hours. I decide to just start picking up guitars and getting a feel for them and playing each one a few minutes at a time. Tried to ignore brand and not let it affect me. By the time I left I ended up with a Seagull (Godin?). I have a feeling I'm gonna be picking up a second guitar soon (electric).
 
I'm impulsive, I want a bass guitar now. I went in yesterday to get a little electric tuner dealio for my acoustic and I was plucking away on the bass guitars. Anything I need to know? Yesterday I noticed some necks are bolted on, some are one piece all the way through. Some take an extra battery for some reason. And I notice I liked the thick sound of EMG pickups, not for sure it was that making the thick sound though. Any brands to avoid? Or counties where they're made?
 
Amps - just starting out.... go smaller... but at least a ten in there. 100 watt bass amp is loud man, seriously. Hell, I still have a 15 watt bass amp i play through at night here.

Bass Guitars - oh my....... My pickups are passive in my 4 string. Start out with a 4 string bass. You know I like Alembics and Ibanez. But, I have others I like too, but just cannot buy them now. Plus I am talking with a relative about building my next bass. That's not gonna help you I know, but anyway.....

I will say the same thing I told ya about guitar. Hit the shops. Plug in and check them out... try different combo's meaning try different basses in different amps... you will notice a difference. Pick-up wise, mine are custom built.... some guy had a machine and did mine... I couldn't tell you anything there.

A good starter bass, all around, I believe is a Fender Precision Bass... or a Fender Jazz bass... either one. I am using Line 6 modified amps. But running them straight out of box is good, as they are good amps.
Hartke is excellent if you get the alum cone. Stay away from very cheap amps as the crackle and pop. Sizzle, know what I mean.

The question is what kind of music do you wanna learn? What styles do you play? And go from that point. I could name hundreds of combinations of basses and amps.

Everyone here that has seen some posts I put up of music knows that I have a wide range that I like. But when I play, I like freedom. I like reaching in new ways to play that particular piece and expanding from it. The six string helps me there, plus it can get those lows on the heavy stuff. But I don't play much heavy stuff as I do experimental stuff, or jam band (generic term) stuff. So..... anyway

1. hit the stores and hook up basses, they allow you to do this.
2. Try multiple amps, and multiple basses, just mix it all up.
3. Find one that you like the "feel" (generic term) of (bass)
4. get the amp that sounds best with that bass... in other words, try it on every amp you can.
5. Check the set-up job on it.... if the string are very high, and stuff. (some places don't give a sheet)
6. Make the purchase (make it your pick, and not the guy behind the counters)

Go home and practice good timing and different styles, just don't stick with a particular style.... you'll get stuck, and that sucks and you'll lose interest. Hum bass lines to yourself, then play them. That is a excellent exercise.... and also but either a drum machine or metronome... play in time dag nabbit.

Don't worry about your pick-up's, your set up, or what anyone tells you. You know why? Because if you do what I just typed you know what you got was right, you heard it with your own ears.

Good luck.
Walli

Get a bass and I'll share some stuff with ya. Let me know when you get it.
 
I used about 4 amps, really liked this one though:
.:: Fender®.com ::.

The little "practice amps" didn't have any punch to them. I don't have any neighbors so I'm not worried about being annoying while I learn. I picked up "smoke on the water" in about 10 minutes lol. Easy to do using one string.
 
Out of the bass guitars I used, the one that sounded best to me was something called Schetcter (sp?). Don't know the name and didn't like the look. It was about $850. I tried a couple few hundred dollar ones and they all sounded like priced.
 
Nice select on the bass. I like those... nice amp too... you can find that amp in many stores, and plug that bass in there and see how they sound together. That's when you know.
 
walliwalibus said:
Nice select on the bass. I like those... nice amp too... you can find that amp in many stores, and plug that bass in there and see how they sound together. That's when you know.
Click to expand...

I just noticed there's a Guitar Center a half mile down the road from where I work. They have that same amp I was using at the other music store. I think I'll go in there and try their bass guitars on it, the website shows they have different (and more) models. I loved the sound that Schecter made, but it was ugly as sin. I ain't paying $850 for an eye sore.
 
Well, i do agree there, don't pay for something you don't like. Guitar Center, cool.... good place to find a deal..... hit the used section as well man, just because it's used doesn't mean it isn't good. I be right back to add to this.
 
walliwalibus said:
Well, i do agree there, don't pay for something you don't like. Guitar Center, cool.... good place to find a deal..... hit the used section as well man, just because it's used doesn't mean it isn't good. I be right back to add to this.
Click to expand...

Used section huh? Cool, didn't know they had one.
 
What are your goals, who are your influences? In other words, what are ya looking to do with the bass? I could help ya more with info.....
 
walliwalibus said:
What are your goals, who are your influences? In other words, what are ya looking to do with the bass? I could help ya more with info.....
Click to expand...

No goals really, I've always been drawn to bass for some reason. I think my first interest in bass was after I heard Roger Patterson play.
 
My only advice is to learn on an acoustic; chords, some basic scales, techniques including hammer ons/offs, and bends. You'll thank yourself when you decide to get an electric.
 
Man, just do what you think is right man.... Don't pass a warwick by without trying it out either... and don't start with a six string. My last two pieces of advise. Go ahead with the others. I think I am gonna go play now.... see ya.

Walli
 
I see some of those Warwicks are thousands $$$. They THAT nice? Definitely getting a 4 stringer, don't need the confusion.
 
PuddleMonkey said:
pwned?
Click to expand...


Not necessarily. The Standard he's holding in that picture is a better guitar than most Customs. LP Customs tend to be dead planks.

Your Seagull should be a fun toy. I'm not that familiar with their line, but I know they have some very cheap models that sound and play much better than the price would lead you to believe. I think they're part of the Simon & Patrick conglomerate in Canada, along with Godin and Larivee. The ones with pickups tend to work very well in on stage.
 
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