I've been thinking about getting my fingers calloused again (used to play a bit many years ago) but would like to get a decent guitar this time around. Not too expensive or fussy as my kids (teens) are wanting to learn on it (got them Rock Band for Christmas and now they want the real thing). Looking to keep it around the $200-$300 dollar range.
I dusted off my 1969 Traynor YGM-3, plugged it in and it still works! I wouldn't mind a guitar that kind of matches the amp as long as it plays well. It has the JBL D120F speaker.
Any suggestions? I know there are some pros out there. I was only at a typical garage band level back then, played lead for a few local gigs, mostly Eagles, BTO, Steve Miller, that kind of stuff but had a lot of fun with it. Time to get back into it.
My son bought himself a used Fender Stratocaster Squire for $130.00. The Squire is just a Strat that is made in the Far East. He's an accomplished drummer who's learning to play guitar and he's happy with the Squire.
My idea of the ultimate versatile workhorse guitar is a "Stratocaster" with a bridge humbucker. I am sure you can find good examples(doesnt have to say Fender on the headstock) in the $300 range.
Something like this; http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Stratocaster-HSS-Electric-Guitar-Fat-Strat_W0QQitemZ150318327148QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item150318327148&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50
With the traynor amp you have (no master volume ) you should get a guitar with hummbucker pickups. they will give a better range of sounds. (clean to dirty)
the other thing is to get a guitar tuner that is in line between the amp and guitar.It is very important to always be in tune while learning (especially the kids). Trane's the ear to hear notes and pitch correctly and will pick things up much faster.
Try to use light gauge strings. Less stress on fingers and easer to press down on the frets.
Still have my gear from the 80:s - a 50w Marshall Combo amp and my Stratocaster - but living in a residential area I just can't get a proper distortion from the Marshall amp without getting evicted...
But the guitar and the Pod 2.0 plugged into the Powerbook (Garage Band) is really everything you need nowadays.
(btw, my Strat - my second "gem" besides the T/A. Owned it since 1978, when I bought it for the hilarious sum of $700...)
Goran! I´ll be damned! What year is it? 64 or 65? How much you want for it? :-)
It's a 64, checked by serial nr, also build date is stamped on the base of the neck (you have to unmount it too see the stamping). I have it insured for 150.000 SEK (that's appr. $19000). And it's curently not for sale
(But if I ever have to sell it I'll let you know.)
Happy new year btw, it just turned midnight over here.
So Jim, the dial labeled "volume" isn't a master volume? What's the difference?
The tuning and learning by ear isn't a problem, I have my third year of a B. Mus. degree and tipped the class bell curve in ear training.
I've been playing acoustic off and on so the fingertips aren't bad but do like light strings for the electric! So what other string specs - flatwound, steel or nickel, etc.?
Was thinking about a Pod for volume reasons as well. Thanks, guys, as expected you have a lot of good advice! Much appreciated!
Ive played for years (country) and have had several guitars over the years. The quality of the low end Fender stuff is truly AMAZING. Right now I have an old Peavy Felcon, its a Strat copy and I love it. I recently bought a very nice small and powerful amp and off the top of my head I can not think of the name. I'll post a pic but it is a great amp...
A Pod is a computer device from a company called Line6, which emulates most of the great old amp sounds, and you can plug it in to your home stereo, or the PA system, and whatnot. It is basically a way to fake any classic and modern guitar amp sound computer simulated that is. Doesn´t work for me on stage at least, and at home I have my ´56 Princeton at approx 4 1/2 watts, nothing to demolish the house, or the neighbors ears.....
And, my ´64 Strat is L44536, and neck date is oct 64. Had it since 1980, but unfortunately didnt keep it original, much to my dispare these days!!!
A Pod is a computer device from a company called Line6, which emulates most of the great old amp sounds, and you can plug it in to your home stereo, or the PA system, and whatnot. It is basically a way to fake any classic and modern guitar amp sound computer simulated that is. Doesn´t work for me on stage at least, and at home I have my ´56 Princeton at approx 4 1/2 watts, nothing to demolish the house, or the neighbors ears.....
I get it. That would help my son to get acceptable sound out of his practice amp while he's learning.
Take it to a reputable shop & replace the tubes with fresh ones to ensure it operates properly, well worth it. They can bias the amp as well.
Dual coil pickups don't buzz like single coils, that's a good idea. Pawn shops are good places to find bargins. The best thing you can do to improve a cheap guitar is put good tuners on it. Cheap tuners never stay in tune. My lead guitarist in my band Money Shot has a Les Paul that has crappy tuners that don't stay in tune. My Les Paul has Grovers on it so it stays in tuner better. Find a guitar that feels good in your hands.
A guitar amp has two main parts. The pre amp and the power amp. The pre amp controls the input single from the guitar (volume,and tone functions. this is powered by the12ax7 tubes)).The power amp, the large tubes are driven by the pre amp and are only as loud as the volume in the pre amp. To get the best rock sound the pre amp section has to be driven hard to get the power tubes to produce overdrive and natural harmonics. But that is not always the best because it is as loud as the amp can go. A master volume is a volume control in front of the power amp section. this lets you turn the pre amp up to 7 or 8 and the master down to 4 or 5. You get the tone and drive of the amp but not the loud volume.Go the opposite for a clean sound.
All this is just to say you will need a overdrive box to get the best rock sound with your Tranor amp.
Thanks, Jim, obviously lots about amps that I don't know! Is there a way to add a master volume control to my amp? I have some electronics and wiring experience but haven't looked at the schematic. Sounds like it should be fairly easy. Or does the overdrive box sidestep that? Does a Pod do that as well?
Steve, all the tubes were replaced about ten years ago - the last time I was thinking I should get back into it. It's been turned on three times since then!
Good note about the tuners, I do remember always adjusting my old guitar. I have a fussy ear and was never happy with how the pitch wandered, especially after a bit of bending. I think my old guitar had issues which is why I'm asking you guys about this! Does the neck shape/size vary much? Is there a way of telling if a neck fits my hand other than playing (haven't been playing lately so I might not be able to tell right away)?
If it's barely used since tube replacement, you're good to go!
Shape & feel of guitars vary tremendously. I own two Gibson Les Pauls, one is an 1980 Heritage Series standard, the other is a studio version. You may think a Les Paul will all play the same but it's not true. They both play differently & sound different as well. A Strat plays way different. All I can tell you is that it should feel good in your hands & the strings should not be too high off the fretboard or it will be more difficult to fret.
We just gave my son a Line6 Pocket Pod for his 18th Birthday. Thanks Hansi for the tip. He can practice and learn all he wants and we don't hear a thing! It's amazing how many different sounds can be made out of the home stereo with that thing.
- Gotoh tuning heads - Bigsby style tremolo - 4 lipstick pickups wired like 2 humbuckers - coil tap & out of phase switches - color changing paintjob (see last photo) - teardrop hardshell case
Small crack on back, doesn't effect sound or playability."
Actually a small dent in the steel access plate.
It's local to me which is nice, no shipping worries or cost. The reviews that I've read seem to indicate good things. Fits well with my idea of a retro look with versatile sound.
I like the coil tap, it gives you bolth single coil or humbuckers with the flip of a switch.(I rewired all mine to do that) I don't see the switches for coil tap or phase.
I have never played one but if it feels good and has a good set up go for it.
The dials pull out for the coil tap and phase change. The guy said that he bought it new in 2001 but switched to bass five years ago. Also said the shop he bought it from set up the action fairly low, did a bit of fine tuning on the frets (filing and sanding) and that it plays very well. I guess I'll find out tomorrow! Thanks, Jim!
Went and had a look - and brought it home. The action is very light, barely need to touch the strings to get a nice clear tone, much better than my old brute. No buzzing either, seems to be well set up and stays in tune! I played around for about two hours tonight and my fingers are just fine.
I also picked up a Pocket Pod (on sale for less than half price) when getting a couple of cords at the local guitar shop. Total expenditure for the "low mileage" Hodad with Bigsby tremolo, very nice hard case, guitar strap, two cords, and the Pocket Pod for a total of about $330 US. And just to prove a point, hooked up directly to my Traynor, cranked it up and blasted out some BTO - sounded great to me! The Hodad does more than just surfer sounds! With the pod inline and the variety of sounds that the Hodad can do I had a lot of fun tonight!
Now to the task of actually learning to play well so I can quit my day job.
Thank you very much to everyone, I now have what I think is a pretty good combo to learn with.
Good call with the Danelectro. I've got a decent collection of guitars - Gibson 50's Les Paul, Epi Casino, Takamine Dreadnaught, etc... One of my very favorites, which plays sharp as a tack and fast as a Jackson is my 56 Danelectro U2. Nothing sounds like a Danny, and for the price, they're brilliant. Rock on!
Ooh, I forgot to mention about my choice in amps... I'm a vintage guy, almost a purist, but I recently got a Line 6 Spider 3, and it's amazing. I liked it so much, I traded my vintage Marshall tube amp for it. I know, it sounds like sacrilege, but go give it a try at the guitar store. I've got the 120 combo, but the small $100 jobby works great, too.
A friend of mine has a Line 6 amp, don't know what model but I was very impressed with it! That's why I bought the Pocket Pod. I didn't look at the amps at the store; sounds like I should have at least done that before buying. I thought the amps would be a lot more expensive.
Thanks for the confirmation on the guitar, I think it's great too!
Sorry, but there is no way to truely emulate tube sound through electronics. Nothing like the sound of an amp buzzing a bit, lol! I've had some decent solid state amps in years past but once I got into tube amps I won't look back. I do have a Marshall practice amp for home but usually use my 50W tube head anyways. Hope you have fun jamming!
