The New Guitar Topic

[A K]

For guitars with tuning locks, I find it ironic that tuning is actually a lot more frustrating on them than it is with a good ol' Telecaster or Stratocaster.

[Blind Joe Death]

What would you guys say is a good electric guitar amp for me to get? I'm looking at this website and there's a pretty big range but I don't know where to start. I've been told by a mate to get the brand Kustom, sound about right? Here's the link...

 

http://www.guitar.com.au/amplifiers/electric/index.htm (http://www.guitar.com.au/amplifiers/electric/index.htm)

 

Help would be appreciated.

[Lost-Fender]

Well, what do you play most of the time? Do you play on a band? What is your budget?

 

As said before in this topic, the Blues Junior is a good start, but I see that website doesn't sell Fender amps. You could have a look at the Epiphone Valve Junior, 5-watts all-valve amp, too. Get a good pedal with it and you're good to go.

 

Kustom amps are good. A mate owns a Kustom 30-watt combo and, although solid state, it's pretty loud and you can come up with good tones out of it.

[Blind Joe Death]

No, I'm currently not in a band. But the mate of mine who recommended me Kustom is in a band with some other mates of mine and I go to their jam sessions and help them with recording and lyrics. I was initially in the band but left after the other guitarist (the friend of mine) wanted to be lead guitarist, lead singer, and lead songwriter - even though we're par on guitar and singing and he sucks at writing. We've solved our differences now though. It is weird though since even though I'm out it feels like I'm in charge as I seem to be helping them a lot. I don't mind though, they're going a route I'm not really interested in anyway.

 

...geez, I can ramble.

 

Thanks for the help though. My budget is anything under $500 but it's OK to go a little bit over.

[Stig]

For guitars with tuning locks, I find it ironic that tuning is actually a lot more frustrating on them than it is with a good ol' Telecaster or Stratocaster.

I guess,

 

If you have cerebral palsy.

 

Just kidding, I guess it's something you just have to get used to. I really find it no problem at all.

And don't Strat's have tuning locks too? haha.

[Slamman]

I think the TUNING problem stems from floating point tremolo systems more then anything. Even seasoned pros like the guys who did my setup messed up my bridge, though it was a class setup, they don't work on tremolo gits too often. They neglected to balance the 'float' factor from the bridge end.

 

This entails blocking the cavity under the bridge on the far end of the guitar, then adjusting the tuning and the bridge's springs (rear cavity gits), then as those apply the right tension, the bridge's block up top slides out and it floats correctly.

[rhyn]

Aye I've only sent off my Maverick to be serviced twice, both times the guys in the shop left it with a buzz and unable to bend the upper frets without it muting, all because they couldnt fix the locking trem properly. I just do it myself now, way easier than driving over an hour to the shop I got the guitar to complain about it and have them probably mess it up again.

[Slamman]

Right <G> I have two Guitar Centers not too far from each other, in my State.

 

I wish I lived near the one in Cali, however.

The shop I took mine to was referred by the late Mr. Earl J. Root.

 

He took his own axe there and they mainly do acoustics of all types, so electrics are in the minority.

[nabo45]

Right, so I found this guitar that I like, a lot. It's a Jackson King V KVX 10. Do any of you guys know anything about it, is it good or bad? I need to know, because I don't wanna buy it if it's like a bullsh*t guitar, and I could get something a lot better, for the same amount o' cash.

 

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product...ng-V?sku=512235 (http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jackson-JVX10-X-King-V?sku=512235)

[Slamman]

A number of artists have played the King V since it's inception, but from my understanding, that guitar came about much like the Randy Rhoads/Grover Jackson offset V, where in this case, Dave Mustaine and Grover Jackson designed a replacement for the Gibson V. Oddly enough, in Metallica days, Mustaine refrained from the Gibbo Vs preferring the BC Rich Bich, and he owned a Kahler model in black and an original maple neck thru 10 string.

 

I was dismayed that Mustaine chose to move to whatever brand paid him an endorsement, but at least it wasn't so poorly done as Paul Stanley of KISS.

Paul used Gibsons and Ibanez (Iceman) as well as the Destroyer (IIRC) and BC Rich, all excellent guitars!

 

Then he stopped for some reason.

 

Kerry King loves the King V, and it's associated with him, but I still think Mustaine was there at it's inception and he also had some say over the Kahler trem that does not function but looks like a Kahler 2300 Pro trem. It's designed that way because Dave liked the feel of the Pro trem to rest his palm on but didn't want a tremolo guitar, so that's the story there.

[Canoxa]

Thanks for your insight, but no.

 

Dave Mustaine designed the Jackson Y2K King V. A whole different world. He did play custom shop King Vs, with his Kahlers and 24 frets and whatnot.

 

We're talking about the Jackson King V here, designed by Robbin "King" Crosby, from Ratt.

[Slamman]

Well, I could not remember that, but now I do! Thanks for the addendum. I just want people to not get all snotty with Holier then Thou attitudes. Sharing insight and info is the crux of a forum.

[Canoxa]

So, answering to your question, I don't think it would be a bad catch. I love Jackson necks, but that's me. I haven't played the model in question, so I don't know how the Duncan Designed's handle. If they're anything like their actual counterparts, you're in for a treat, as a 'deth fan. They don't mention the exact model of the Floyd, so I can't be too sure on that.

 

Try to find a second hand deal, that's my advice.

[Slamman]

After Charvel and Jackson merged in the import division, the necks and bodies were much alike, but it's not to say the USA models aren't the better of the two. BUT I've owned more then two import Charvels and one USA Rhoads Jackson and I would always say get one!!

[Lochie_old]

I'm really digging the Fender Jag's lately;

 

 

http://www.oharaguitars.com/finalalbum/OHaraGuitarRepair/images/DSC01787.jpg

 

 

Anyone got some experience?

[Statutory Ray]

I'm really digging the Fender Jag's lately;

 

 

http://www.oharaguitars.com/finalalbum/OHaraGuitarRepair/images/DSC01787.jpg

 

 

Anyone got some experience?

Never heard or played one, but they look too round and shiney for my tastes. Looks like they tried to make a desktop icon for Vista. I'm a fan of Les Pauls because of the flat fronts and squared edges

[Slamman]

... I'm a fan of Les Pauls because of the flat fronts and squared edges

Don't they have arched tops, or select models, like most other lines?

 

Anywho, I thought the neck joint and weight were not to my liking. I owned an 80s Gibson USA Flying V and wish I never sold it!

 

Here's a funny pic of my black Bich...

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk164/MetalliBill/HelloBichlovers.jpg

[Canoxa]

I don't doubt that BC Rich guitars are exquisite, but their designs put me off, BIG TIME. They just don't seem to click at all with me, even in their Vs and superstrats, like the Gunslinger Retro. Not to even mention their own models. Maybe if they did more 10 stringers. Maybe if the Warlock was symmetrical. And so on, so on.

[Statutory Ray]

...  I'm a fan of Les Pauls because of the flat fronts and squared edges

Don't they have arched tops, or select models, like most other lines?

The outline is round, yes, but it's a simple and symmetrical shape, and the corners connecting the faces of the guitar are 90 degrees and the surfaces are all flat. I'm talking the Les Paul Standard here, there are variations of course, but most of them come down to the same simple design and look.

[Slamman]

I know Paul Reed Smith took the LP shape to heart with his guitars, and the archtop is more promonent there. I have to say, the LP as the man, is one classy act, but I'd prefer to get me an Explorer first!

[Lochie_old]

Explorers are so weirdly shaped they just look ugly to me. So do Firebirds.

[Zyo]

Just to add a quick gear run-down.

 

I been bassing it up over the past few years so the main axe is a 1999 Fender P-Bass played through an Ampeg SVT Pro + 6x10 speaker cab. It's a good solid bass, Corona model, 3 col sunburst. Added a hipshot drop-d tuner.

I don't have a picture of me playing it handy, but here is one of my friend Steve playing it at Stockholm Debaser Gearfest in 2005.

 

 

 

For six stringers I got a Jackson Kelly, A Washburn (something or other model, honestly can't remember as it has been boxed up for a few years but it is similar to the JK) A ZZ top model Stratocaster, and an Ibanez Acoustic. I have a few speaker boxes too but they have seen so many parts come and go there is practically nothing left of the original things. Cones are 15 and 2x12. No separate amp right now.

 

Here is a (bad) pic of the Jackson in action

 

http://www.isarapix.org/pix18/1221625846.jpg

 

And while I am in the mood for comedy pictures here is one of me rocking a Musicman bass I had my hands on briefly. Location is Le Nouveau Casino in Paris.

 

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p252/zyonig/FHS011.jpg

 

 

 

[Slamman]

As for the BC Rich shapes, they really went against what was the norm, however Gibson also crafted some unusual bodies. The BCR designs were highly copied and in Japan, there were some very interesting fakes. I own what appears to be a fake Bich, but it is very well done, considering the abuses it has.

Neal Moser himself offered to refurb it, but alas, I've been too poor. I'd need about $1500 or so to invest, and it may go beyond that. Like all small luthiers, the wait can be over a year for custom guitar work, some don't have the patience.

[Lochie_old]

Slammy!

 

You said you use to have a Guild acoustic a few pages back; what was that like? Guild acoustics are so dreamy

[Slamman]

Yep, it got lost to the pawn shop, I missed three payments and they sold it in days! I wanted to keep it, but I have a pic of it front and back. It's the Songbird, in woodgrain finish. I think a Gibson Chet Atkins model would be better. It's the signature model of none other then Barry Gibb. Tesla used them for their Unplugged MTV special.

I had Tesla sign it as well as Zakk Wylde.. so you can see I had not intended for it to be sold.

 

It was formerlly owned by Edie Brickell as well, the case clearly said Edie on it... as the only real proof, but I believe it was likely hers.

[Lochie_old]

Wow, thats a pretty interesting story.

 

How did it play? I'd imagine pretty decent.

[Canoxa]

You wanted to fix up a fake japanese guitar for the price of a new, good guitar?

[Lochie_old]

Me and my brother were having an argument about which is better for recording; I said that Mac's are easier because its just right out of the box and you can set it up straight away with Garage Band and such, but he continues too disagree.

 

Whats everyones opinions here?

[rhyn]

I'd say Mac's too because they're just easier to use and more reliable but at the end of the day if your just recording stuff in your bedroom it doesn't make much difference. There is soooo much home recording software available these days that work on both Mac and PC

[Canoxa]

Me and my brother were having an argument about which is better for recording; I said that Mac's are easier because its just right out of the box and you can set it up straight away with Garage Band and such, but he continues too disagree.

 

Whats everyones opinions here?

Depends. I really doubt a proper sound engineer would want to make 'easy' part of his methodical chain. And if you're on the other end of the spectrum, it would be mighty useless to buy a brand new Mac for recording.