Nollykin Posted March 11, 2002 Share Posted March 11, 2002 Heey guys I'm finally going down to adelaide (my nearest city) next weekend. So, I'll finally get to try out some guitars. the question is - what am I looking for as far as sound goes. Now, I hear everyone saying "Try the guitars out before you buy them!" which is all well and good - except I dont know what I'm looking for - I'm just as likely to sit down, play a few notes, not have a clue and say "hmmm" so that I might look like I know what I am doing So... what do I need to look for? I'll be searching for a double humbuck guitar most likely... or perhaps a guitar with 2 singles and a humbuck. the latter more likely. I'd like some real oomph in the humbuck(s) but also some tone, so I can play decent notes, not just bash the thing and call it 'music'. Remembering I dont have a clue what I'm listening for, Nolly (PS: Thanks in advance) "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickerman Posted March 11, 2002 Share Posted March 11, 2002 Two singles and a humbucker... Sounds like a Fat Strat to me! Great guitars. Otherwise Ibanez makes some decent ones... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted March 11, 2002 Share Posted March 11, 2002 Mick Dundee says: No worries, mate...the first thing you need to look for is someone who knows what to look for. Someone who's been playing for a good many years. Someone to take with you to Adelaide. Or, perhaps you can meet someone there if you know a decent guitar player who lives in the city. Someone who can try the guitar out and ... (Steve Irwin voice): CRIKEY!!! It's a Australian death viper! And what a beaut! (Dundee whops him upside the head): Loyk oy was saying, mate, get in your Subaru Outback and foynd someone who plays well...take him (or her) with you and troy some out. G'day! "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted March 11, 2002 Author Share Posted March 11, 2002 hahaha... (russian accent) Aigh... ze fucking americans. GIEVE ME MORE VODKA!! Oh, by ze way... I do not know too many people who play - much less someone who knows. I am loooking at ze Ibanez SA60, Zey are ze good first guitar, yes? FOR MOTHER RUSSIA! Nolly (heh.) "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboDog Posted March 11, 2002 Share Posted March 11, 2002 Here's what I do... First, check out the guitar visually. Look it all over and make sure the fit and finish is nice. Next, start picking on it without an amp. Does it resonate well? Is it easy to play? Is there any fret buzzing when you strum chords hard? (may be fixable). A friend of mine recommends strumming one chord hard, then grabbing the headstock and seeing what kind of vibration you get. More vibration means well built guitar. Does the guitar feel nice to play? Do you like the neck and frets? Does it have a nice, deep tone, even without amp? Now plug her in. Just pick an amp. Play it for a while, checking out all the pickup configurations, volume and tone knobs. If it has single pups, how noisy are they when played alone? Is the bucker quiet and punchy? Does it sustain well? Try a different amp. Do it again. Then try another amp. You don't want to buy a guitar based on how it sounds through just one amp. Other things to keep in mind. What kind of tremolo does it have, if any. Some people hate the vintage style, some hate Roses. What kind of bridge does it use, etc. Some of the floating tremolos can be touchy. I've grown to dislike them. What I like to do when trying a guitar is pick a chord, and play it several times on each guitar, and try to notice what differences come up. Pick some htat sound well. Then try another chord, maybe barred up higher and do the same. You'll find a guitar that sounds great unplugged, which is a great start. Last, if you buy an American made guitar, youre likely to get better components, but youll pay more. (Although there are some high end foreign guitars, but not many.) Some people will argue this, but I find it to be true in MOST cases. And ALWAYS haggle the price. Hope this helps a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted March 12, 2002 Author Share Posted March 12, 2002 Hahaha thanks for that TurboDog - Extremely big help Ohh yeah - one question, what haggling techniques do people use? Nolly "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickerman Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 Originally posted by Nollykin: Hahaha thanks for that TurboDog - Extremely big help Ohh yeah - one question, what haggling techniques do people use? NollyThe I can get this for $200 less on EBay, can you cut me a bit of a deal to make it worth it to remain loyal to you guys. Works @ my Guitar Center. I've gotten a pedal and a multi-effects processor there for about 20% off each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickerman Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 Also, make sure to play through an amp similar to your own. My friend played an Ibanez through a Fender Bassman reissue and thought it had an amazing clean tone, got it home, played it on his $400 Crate 2x12 and was suprised it sucked. (Duh) He returned the guitar and is saving for a new amp. (What I've been telling him to do for MONTHS) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboDog Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 Well, a good friend of mine has worked at 2 guitar shops in the last 4 years. (Aren't those the best friends?) Anyway, he has always told me he could knock off 30% from sticker. That may be a little much for Guitar Center. I don't have one nearby, so I don;t know their prices. Find a nice guitar and let us know, we should be able to come up with a reasonable price. 20 or 30 bucks shouldn't stop you from getting a guitar that you'll love playing. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip McDonald Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 Originally posted by Nollykin: Hahaha thanks for that TurboDog - Extremely big help Ohh yeah - one question, what haggling techniques do people use? Here's the one people most often use, and I bet no one will have posted it yet. All you have to say is "they're in Musician's Friend (mail order catalog) for $3.57". Of course, it may be a loss leader and the store might also kick you out, but it's probably the easiest way to get to the point.... Otherwise, expect in the neighborhood of 20% off. This may be different down under, though... Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/ / "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickerman Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 Originally posted by Chip McDonald: Originally posted by Nollykin: Hahaha thanks for that TurboDog - Extremely big help Ohh yeah - one question, what haggling techniques do people use? Here's the one people most often use, and I bet no one will have posted it yet. All you have to say is "they're in Musician's Friend (mail order catalog) for $3.57". Of course, it may be a loss leader and the store might also kick you out, but it's probably the easiest way to get to the point.... Otherwise, expect in the neighborhood of 20% off. This may be different down under, though...Guitar Center is owned by the same company as Musician's Friend and they have the same price or cheaper than MF.com Also, they know me by name so they cut me deals on their already awesome prices! I love that place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted March 12, 2002 Author Share Posted March 12, 2002 I'm thinking of an Ibanez SA60 - provided i like it when I look at it. Or any other Single-Single-Humbubk pickup arrangements. I'll figure one out this weekend. What do y'all think of the SA60's? They look alright to me - but I am not sure. Nolly "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickerman Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 I think you mean GSA60 and it's a real good guitar for the green. Until you get up to about $400 I think that's just about the best H-S-S you can get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted March 12, 2002 Author Share Posted March 12, 2002 Hmm. I guess its a GSA60 - I'll look... *goes off to websites* Yyyyep. The SA60 is exactly the same as the GSA60. It is the australian model... weird how they changed the name. *shrug* Is it really now? I was kinda scared of Ibanez, I heard they were a shitty company - in fact I didnt really like the idea at all. However, everyone keeps suggesting and appraising them - my ideas of Ibanez must be wrong - I dont remember where I got them.. OH! OH! I know! The 'local' music shop in this shitty little town sells them. And I hate the guy there - he's the biggest rip off merchant. So yeah. Maybe thats why. Maybe I should go and see if they have one, and ask to try it - thing is hed prolly want me to buy it. Har. I must be strong... "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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