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At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: Twinfan on December 07, 2009, 11:39:12 PM

Title: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 07, 2009, 11:39:12 PM
Simple thread this.  One item, and ONE ITEM ONLY to be posted.  It has to have been purchased between 01 January 2009 and now, and guitar related.  Guitar, amp, pedal, speaker, cable etc are all OK.

What is the single best piece of gear you've bought this year?

For me, it has to be this.  Humbucker equipped guitars cannot get any better, so I've given up looking for them:

(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/PRSi/Eagle.JPG)

What about you guys?
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Philly Q on December 07, 2009, 11:53:00 PM
Gibson ES-339.

(Having said that, I haven't bought anything else this year other than Warmoth parts - none of which are assembled into actual guitars yet.  :oops: )



(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/BN51KBmkKGrHgoH-C0EjlLltdzBJsBZm6eK.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: bucketshred on December 08, 2009, 12:14:44 AM
My Gibson SG Standard. Soon to get a Warpig in the bridge.

Paddy
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Muttley on December 08, 2009, 12:25:39 AM
[edit] What a numpty, forgot the reason I bought the Effects Gizmo in the first place.

The ADA MP1 in this here rack:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3856582169_1406f41741.jpg)

:D
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on December 08, 2009, 12:39:04 AM
Without a doubt my Egnater M4 preamp (so good I bought it twice!)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/M4-NAMM.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: murraymurray on December 08, 2009, 01:03:40 AM
Dont think ive bought much this year, which is wierd since im finally out of debt and got a payrise a few months ago.
Got a few different OD pedals to try out, none of which worked out as good as the ts9dx i already had though.
so the clear winner for me would be my red bear mk100
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee282/muzz989/DSC04252.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Oli on December 08, 2009, 01:26:36 AM
For me it's got to be the pair of Laney Klipps, but to qualify for this thread it's got to be the bottom one in this pic; Twinfans' Plexi Superlead Klipp :)

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/sqol/amp/th_duo.jpg) (http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/sqol/amp/?action=view&current=duo.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: CaptainDesslock on December 08, 2009, 04:14:26 AM
I'm just waiting for MDV to flood the thread with pics of his new Legra....I would of mine, but *aaarrrgghhhh* con-fabbled tremol-no holding up the train!!!!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: ilÿti on December 08, 2009, 04:52:41 AM
I don't think I bought any guitar gear this year except my new Red Bear pick. So I guess that's my contribution to this thread :lol:
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: hunter on December 08, 2009, 07:16:01 AM
Difficult one, it's real close between the XTC and the Steavens, but with being more consistent and easy to use, it's gotta be the Steavens Poundcake 100MkIII, closely followed by the XTC and the Providence Delay.

Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: _tom_ on December 08, 2009, 07:35:46 AM
I can't remember if I've even bought any gear this year apart from strings and picks :o
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: shobet on December 08, 2009, 08:11:26 AM
It would have to be my Traditional LP.

(http://freaky-geeky.com/guitars/LP_full.png)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Andrew W on December 08, 2009, 08:17:14 AM
For me it has to be my Cornell Romany Plus.  It's the best amp I've ever owned and makes pretty much all the noises I require apart from the occasions I need Plexi.  A really beautifully made piece of kit.

(http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/ikebe/img10293806116.jpeg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Antag on December 08, 2009, 09:14:57 AM
Easy: my Feline (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18047.0) custom superstrat with old-spec ceramic Holy Diver & base-plated Slowhand neck
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh23/george204/th_FG_oHDSH.jpg) (http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh23/george204/FG_oHDSH.jpg)

Actually, it's one of very few pieces of gear I've bought this year, but even if I'd bought everything I've been covetting, it would still be far & away the best.  It's one of the nicest guitars I've ever played or owned.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 08, 2009, 10:29:15 AM
Some great gear here folks!  Great stuff!

Keep 'em coming!  :D
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: James C on December 08, 2009, 10:47:48 AM
Not sure whether it counts, but i re-acquired my Cornford Harlequin on saturday, had previously swapped it for a full set of wardrobes and drawers when moving house, but threw money at my brother for the furniture at the weekend and now its back where it belongs...away from his telecasters!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Will on December 08, 2009, 10:55:48 AM
the Bogner cab arrived this year, but I didn't actually 'buy' it this year.
Its all I think I have got, aside from strings and picks
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Afghan Dave on December 08, 2009, 12:22:52 PM
I only spent £67 on a brand new Peavey Vypyr 15 and I LOVE it... BARGAIN!

(http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/media/vypyr15.jpg)

Oh and these....

(http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/a4/9/AAAAAq9CS30AAAAAAKSSrA.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Mr. Air on December 08, 2009, 02:58:16 PM
I only spent £67 on a brand new Peavey Vypyr 15 and I LOVE it... BARGAIN!

(http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/media/vypyr15.jpg)

Oh and these....

(http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/a4/9/AAAAAq9CS30AAAAAAKSSrA.jpg)

Wow Dave. You're looking pretty ripped!  :lol:

Best gear I bought this year is my Bryan Watts LP clone. Nice playing guitar that just needs a full set of BKPs.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: gwEm on December 08, 2009, 04:40:56 PM
Of course its my white Gibson '84 Flying V with Johnny Winter signature :)

I'd also like to mention my Boss SD-1 converted to OD-1 specs. That was a good value, fun and great sounding experiment.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: fbloke on December 08, 2009, 05:01:40 PM
My Tiger Woods aftershave.

Apparently Tiger is on track for 18 holes....
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: AndyR on December 08, 2009, 05:12:04 PM
Fender Roadworn 60s strat.

Beats all my other acquisitions hands-down - if you'd told me, back on 1st Jan, that that would be the case ... I wouldn't have believed you :D
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: 38thBeatle on December 08, 2009, 06:59:53 PM
I'll get back to you all on this.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: badgermark on December 08, 2009, 08:24:09 PM
My Gibson faded SG, best £250 impulse buy ever. Tis my number one pick up and rock guitar now it has my old MQ set in it. Nolly's 72 tele deluxe is a close second. I need to get some pics up, just realised I only have one non BKP pickup in my three main guitars.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on December 08, 2009, 08:31:38 PM
Ohh, difficult! Since i just got my 12 string Guild, and could still be in Honeymoon mode, i'm going to go with Philly on this one and say my Gibson ES-339

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/Lehi_1987/Photoon2009-10-31at1656.jpg)

Just fantastic
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: lamp on December 08, 2009, 09:20:10 PM
Probably my Fender '65 Princeton Reverb RI.

(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/t_mcwilliams/Pedalboards/P9160108.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: nfe on December 08, 2009, 09:39:47 PM
I apologise for the daft cat in the photo, but it's the only picture I have.

Funnily enough, though it's my gear of the year if you will, the goldtop is actually primarily being used by the singer in my psychobilly band in which I play bass, because the two projects I bought it for are on the backburner while I finish records with other bands. :lol:


(http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss38/e-m_m/neil%20guitar%20and%20pedal%20board/IMG_6685.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: bucketshred on December 08, 2009, 10:01:37 PM
Love the Goldtop.

Paddy
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Oli on December 08, 2009, 10:39:04 PM
Man, that's a nice looking guitar, would love myself some goldtop action one day!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: _tom_ on December 08, 2009, 10:56:01 PM
Man, that's a nice looking guitar, would love myself some goldtop action one day!

+1. I think I'd prefer creme soapbar p90s though.

Les Pauls are easily the best guitar style :D
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 08, 2009, 11:47:01 PM
Les Pauls are easily the best guitar style :D

:o

Wrong, it's Teles!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: bucketshred on December 09, 2009, 12:09:14 AM
Aye, and Gold Tops are the best colour (along with Aged White LP Customs, yummy). I'd love to get one someday and stick some Mules in for some Southern Rock stylings. Oh yes indeed.

Paddy
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: JDC on December 09, 2009, 01:45:32 AM
Les Pauls are easily the best guitar style :D

:o

Wrong, it's Teles!

you mean guitar that can't be named!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Lew on December 09, 2009, 02:33:49 AM
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Elmwood/HPIM0607.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Elmwood/HPIM0610.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: _tom_ on December 09, 2009, 07:18:28 AM
Les Pauls are easily the best guitar style :D

:o

Wrong, it's Teles!

Can't get on with them for some reason. I've really tried but they either sound too thin, or feel wrong on a strap.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: horsehead on December 09, 2009, 08:43:29 AM


+1. I think I'd prefer creme soapbar p90s though.

2nd'd
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: CaptainDesslock on December 09, 2009, 03:27:37 PM
Les Pauls are easily the best guitar style :D

:o

Wrong, it's Teles!

teles for the win!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: agentOrAnGe on December 10, 2009, 03:53:18 AM
It would have to be my Ibanez SV5470f. I was going to put a c-bomb in bridge, crawler in neck and an irish tour mid, but now i ordered a set of C-pigs.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Mr. Air on December 10, 2009, 08:07:12 AM
Les Pauls are easily the best guitar style :D

:o

Wrong, it's Teles!

Teles for a close second. LPs just oozes of attitude!  8)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Mr. Air on December 10, 2009, 12:14:48 PM
Simple thread this.  One item, and ONE ITEM ONLY to be posted.  It has to have been purchased between 01 January 2009 and now, and guitar related.  Guitar, amp, pedal, speaker, cable etc are all OK.

What is the single best piece of gear you've bought this year?

For me, it has to be this.  Humbucker equipped guitars cannot get any better, so I've given up looking for them:

(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/PRSi/Eagle.JPG)

What about you guys?

How versatile is your modern eagle, Dave? I guess it totally fits your bill or else you probably would be looking for another humbucker equiped guitar, right? I would personally love a guitar that could cover anything from jazz to metal, but if such a guitar exist it's not in my posession (at least not yet). So for now I'll have to stick to different guitars. So all in all my question is: Can your Modern Eagle do alot of different styles or does it "just" (no offence) do the things you like overly well?
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: nfe on December 10, 2009, 12:47:13 PM


+1. I think I'd prefer creme soapbar p90s though.

2nd'd

As it goes, I prefer p90 goldtops too, but there aren't any reasonably priced good ones. Plus I generally find Gibsons to be terrible, I just happened to come accross this one that's great.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 10, 2009, 01:17:46 PM
How versatile is your modern eagle, Dave? I guess it totally fits your bill or else you probably would be looking for another humbucker equiped guitar, right? I would personally love a guitar that could cover anything from jazz to metal, but if such a guitar exist it's not in my posession (at least not yet). So for now I'll have to stick to different guitars. So all in all my question is: Can your Modern Eagle do alot of different styles or does it "just" (no offence) do the things you like overly well?

That's an interesting question!

I think it covers everything very well.  I've gigged it, and used the following tones:

1) Clean amp, coil split bridge pickup, chorus and delay - pseudo 12-string for Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi
2) Clean amp, overdrive pedal, neck humbucker - rock rhythm for Wishing Well by Free
3) Crunchy amp, both pickups with coil split - funky rhythm for Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry
4) Dirty amp, neck humbucker - lead parts on Castles In The Sand by Thunder
5) Very dirty amp, bridge humbucker, chorus, delay and overdrive pedals - lead parts on Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne

Quite a range there from one guitar, and in my opinion they all sound superb.  The split tones are compromised a little, as all splits are compared to a true single coil, but they're very useable.  The pickups are stock and are a little hotter than an average PAF, more of a modern PAF sound if you will.  The guitar is very slick to play, so you can go for shred metal with sweeps if you need to.  I don't!

For clean stuff I would prefer to use my CS Tele, and for vintage LP tones I would use my McCarty Korina with PAF-style pickups, but as an all-rounder-do-anything the Modern Eagle is what I would use.  It's also my favourite guitar as its soooooooo easy to play, leaving me to think about what I'm playing, not how.

MartinW, Shobet, Matt77 and Ian Price have all played it/heard it gigged so they may be able to give their views too.

If you're local, give me a shout if you want to try it.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: nfe on December 10, 2009, 01:30:53 PM
Crazy Bitch?

Come now Mr Fan, you're a grown up, you don't really play that song! You're pulling our leg!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Mr. Air on December 10, 2009, 01:36:01 PM
How versatile is your modern eagle, Dave? I guess it totally fits your bill or else you probably would be looking for another humbucker equiped guitar, right? I would personally love a guitar that could cover anything from jazz to metal, but if such a guitar exist it's not in my posession (at least not yet). So for now I'll have to stick to different guitars. So all in all my question is: Can your Modern Eagle do alot of different styles or does it "just" (no offence) do the things you like overly well?

That's an interesting question!

I think it covers everything very well.  I've gigged it, and used the following tones:

1) Clean amp, coil split bridge pickup, chorus and delay - pseudo 12-string for Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi
2) Clean amp, overdrive pedal, neck humbucker - rock rhythm for Wishing Well by Free
3) Crunchy amp, both pickups with coil split - funky rhythm for Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry
4) Dirty amp, neck humbucker - lead parts on Castles In The Sand by Thunder
5) Very dirty amp, bridge humbucker, chorus, delay and overdrive pedals - lead parts on Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne

Quite a range there from one guitar, and in my opinion they all sound superb.  The split tones are compromised a little, as all splits are compared to a true single coil, but they're very useable.  The pickups are stock and are a little hotter than an average PAF, more of a modern PAF sound if you will.  The guitar is very slick to play, so you can go for shred metal with sweeps if you need to.  I don't!

For clean stuff I would prefer to use my CS Tele, and for vintage LP tones I would use my McCarty Korina with PAF-style pickups, but as an all-rounder-do-anything the Modern Eagle is what I would use.  It's also my favourite guitar as its soooooooo easy to play, leaving me to think about what I'm playing, not how.

MartinW, Shobet, Matt77 and Ian Price have all played it/heard it gigged so they may be able to give their views too.

If you're local, give me a shout if you want to try it.

It sounds like one lovely guitar. If I ever get a chance to visit England without my girlfriend and our daughter I'll give you a shout and I'll come running to try out your nice collection of "blue stuff" and your Orion amp  :D

Oh, and by the way. May I be so bold to ask what you paid for the Modern Eagle? Not cheap I guess.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 10, 2009, 02:13:49 PM
Crazy Bitch?

Come now Mr Fan, you're a grown up, you don't really play that song! You're pulling our leg!

Seriously!  With a female singer too!  :lol:

Oh, and by the way. May I be so bold to ask what you paid for the Modern Eagle? Not cheap I guess.

I traded a couple of other PRSs, so it wasn't a straight cash price.  It was brand new, priced in the shop at £4299, and with the dealing I think it worked out that I paid around £4000.

Yes, a stupidly large amount of money  :oops:

However, I can't see me ever parting with it and it's stopped me wasting money buying and selling humbucker guitars.  I have no other vices (don't smoke or do drugs, no kids, irregular drinker, don't like foreign holidays etc) so what else am I going to spend my money on other than my dream guitar?
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Lew on December 10, 2009, 02:47:01 PM
It's not really LOADS of money in the grand scheme. Consider yourself lucky you're happy with the PRS and don't want to go hunting down a Teye or Zemaitis and aren't in to archtops!!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 10, 2009, 02:52:42 PM
True my friend, true!

It's loads of money to me though.  I'm not a professional musician, although I have gigged it so it tries to earn its keep.  Might take a while to pay for itself though  ;)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Mr. Air on December 10, 2009, 04:04:01 PM
Quote
I traded a couple of other PRSs, so it wasn't a straight cash price.  It was brand new, priced in the shop at £4299, and with the dealing I think it worked out that I paid around £4000.


Well not the cheapest guitar I've come around, but maybe not the most expensive too  :D

And if it has cured your GAS for humbucker guitars and is giging in it's cost it's all gonna work out beautiful.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 10, 2009, 05:07:28 PM
Indeed!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: MDV on December 10, 2009, 06:17:16 PM
The aurora, easily. Most of you have seen it by now, I imagine!

Others include - out of left field: an ESI UGM96 to replace the emu 0202 in the lounge/laptop setup. Very impressive little gadget. The 0202 was having serious stability problems. This doesnt. Hardly a lick of difference in sound quality and it comes with a tollerable VST (studio devil) and EZdrummer lite, which is enough to rough tracks out on from the comfort of my couch without breaking out the powerball, Sup 2 and whatever mics I'm using. It also has even less latency at the same bitrate than my fireface, which is extremely impressive.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: JDC on December 10, 2009, 10:53:17 PM
I keep thinking of getting an interface and attempt recording again

what's so special about the fireface since the price difference is huge!!!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: LazyNinja on December 10, 2009, 11:08:55 PM
It's a tie between my Epi Sheraton and MIJ Tokai Love Rock. Love them both.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: CaptainDesslock on December 11, 2009, 06:05:03 AM
The aurora, easily. Most of you have seen it by now, I imagine!


the legra for me as well, I finally got it today, my coworkers were rather surprised to see it. still trying to figure it out, some bar-steward obviously dropped it between here and the UK cause the box was gouged and the case fractured, the guitar was thankfully in one piece but all the tremol-no screws got knocked out of place.

this is what immidietely comes to mind-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo)


aarrrgghhhhh

(its $%&#ing amazing besides the point)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Antag on December 11, 2009, 09:17:25 AM
The aurora, easily. Most of you have seen it by now, I imagine!


the legra for me as well, I finally got it today, my coworkers were rather surprised to see it. still trying to figure it out, some bar-steward obviously dropped it between here and the UK cause the box was gouged and the case fractured, the guitar was thankfully in one piece but all the tremol-no screws got knocked out of place.

this is what immidietely comes to mind-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo)


aarrrgghhhhh

(its $%&#ing amazing besides the point)

:eek: :eek: Glad the guitar is OK, but I think I might have had a heart attack before I'd even got the case open if it had been me :lol:
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: gingataff on December 11, 2009, 01:18:20 PM
It's a tough call for me between a VHII set, brass blocks from Floydupgrades.com and a Peterson Strobostomp 2.

If pushed I think I'd choose the Peterson, as playing really in tune feels and sounds so much better than nearly in tune.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: shobet on December 11, 2009, 01:38:38 PM
It's a tough call for me between a VHII set, brass blocks from Floydupgrades.com and a Peterson Strobostomp 2.

If pushed I think I'd choose the Peterson, as playing really in tune feels and sounds so much better than nearly in tune.


You're never in tune in western music. Guthrie Govan told me that so it must be true as he has a beard.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: nfe on December 11, 2009, 03:00:55 PM
It's a tough call for me between a VHII set, brass blocks from Floydupgrades.com and a Peterson Strobostomp 2.

If pushed I think I'd choose the Peterson, as playing really in tune feels and sounds so much better than nearly in tune.


You're never in tune in western music. Guthrie Govan told me that so it must be true as he has a beard.

It's almost true. In the overwhelming majority of music you're never in tune, regardless of it's origin. Unless it's vocal only.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: MDV on December 11, 2009, 03:17:11 PM
I keep thinking of getting an interface and attempt recording again

what's so special about the fireface since the price difference is huge!!!

:lol: Look up the specs! At this minute I have 3 mics, one of them a condenser, a line out to a reamper, lines to my monitors and line ins from guitar DI and my CD player and I'm barely using it.

Then consider that the ESI sounds no more than OK in the grand scheme and the firefaces mic pres and dacs sound superb. Its a VASTLY more powerfull audio tool, and is, very importantly, ROCK solid stable. The ESI is more stable than the EMU, but the fireface just doesnt seem to know how to crash, build instability, desync or anthing else. Maybe once a week or fortnight I here a fraction of a second blip out of it, after its been on for days on end.

Congrats on the legra, captain. Great stuff, innit! Shame about the shipping damage but at least the guitars OK and the case did its job!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: gingataff on December 11, 2009, 03:36:27 PM
It's a tough call for me between a VHII set, brass blocks from Floydupgrades.com and a Peterson Strobostomp 2.

If pushed I think I'd choose the Peterson, as playing really in tune feels and sounds so much better than nearly in tune.


You're never in tune in western music. Guthrie Govan told me that so it must be true as he has a beard.
My beard is much neater than his and I don't live in the west, so Govan can shove it ;)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Ian Price on December 11, 2009, 04:29:51 PM
Hmm. Difficult one to pick. It's either the Martamp deluxe or the CS Strat. I think I'll go for the strat.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: CaptainDesslock on December 11, 2009, 05:46:03 PM
I keep thinking of getting an interface and attempt recording again

what's so special about the fireface since the price difference is huge!!!

Congrats on the legra, captain. Great stuff, innit! Shame about the shipping damage but at least the guitars OK and the case did its job!

Yeah I'll post a review thread but its kinda hard to review a custom guitar properly on only a busking amp....and I don't really want to bring it to guitar center cause last thing I want is to be bugged by annoying sales staff and kids.  It does everything I want I'm just lacking a proper amp...surprisingly the FF directly into the street cube sounds spot on.  In retrospect I realized I might have bitten off more than I can chew when I took me roughly 10 minutes to get the guitar to "turn on"  :P
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Spiteface on December 11, 2009, 10:56:23 PM
Might be my Devi Ever Rocket:

(http://canadiana.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/rocket.jpg)

Probably the closest thing I've heard to a pedal that can be described as "Smashing Pumpkins in a Box"  Does great Muff-style tones, wacky octave fuzz a bit like certain settings on a Fender Blender, and even more "out there" scrambled stuff.

Or my Squier Classic Vibe Tele.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Alex on December 11, 2009, 11:18:09 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/theonlywarlock/HiConLoCol006.jpg)
This guitar! Love it!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Fourth Feline on December 12, 2009, 12:01:16 PM


Still this : albeit an amalgum of a great 'replica' guitar - and the B.K.P Manhattans. Not so much a guitar, more a way of life ...  8)

(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u135/Fourth_Feline/VSA575-2.jpg)

Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 12, 2009, 12:10:29 PM
Classy Derek, very classy.  Glad to see you're still enjoying the world of Jazz  :)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: sambo on December 12, 2009, 12:37:14 PM
Alex is that a BFG?
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Philly Q on December 12, 2009, 12:50:59 PM
It's a Voodoo, Sambo. Swamp ash body.  :)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Fourth Feline on December 12, 2009, 03:44:40 PM
Classy Derek, very classy.  Glad to see you're still enjoying the world of Jazz  :)

Cheers Dave !  :)

It's the reason I have been away from the B.K.P family / forum recently ;  as there is so much great stuff to absorb and practice.  Jazz is providing the most fun, creative absorbtion and development I have experienced for many a long year.   As another student of Jazz guitar once commented on the internet :

" With Jazz, G.A.S quickly becomes K.A.S "...     ( Knowledge Aquisition Syndrome ) .


Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: MDV on December 13, 2009, 04:11:19 PM
Classy Derek, very classy.  Glad to see you're still enjoying the world of Jazz  :)

Cheers Dave !  :)

It's the reason I have been away from the B.K.P family / forum recently ;  as there is so much great stuff to absorb and practice.  Jazz is providing the most fun, creative absorbtion and development I have experienced for many a long year.   As another student of Jazz guitar once commented on the internet :

" With Jazz, G.A.S quickly becomes K.A.S "...     ( Knowledge Aquisition Syndrome ) .




How I wish that were the case more often!

I know I'm as GASy as anyone (well, mabye not Dave :lol:) but thinking you can just throw gear and money at sound and tone and it will automatically magically improve is, I'm coming to think more and more, bollocks! Knowing how to use your gear (the strings on the guitar included!) will get you much further in everything, not just jazz.

Well, maybe not indiee

Or punk

But most things!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: 38thBeatle on December 13, 2009, 05:43:55 PM
I have posted in the guitar section my best new gear of 2009.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: dave_mc on December 13, 2009, 07:33:34 PM
Humbucker equipped guitars cannot get any better, so I've given up looking for them:

LOL, when are you going to stop posting ridiculous blanket statements which make you look silly when you change your mind? ;)

for me... i dunno. what did i buy this year? :lol: I think i bought my JJ jewel retro this year, which I like, and i bought my valvepower 18 watter, which i also like, but you can't really compare a guitar with an amp, can you? i bought a bunch of pedals, too, but same reason...

i used to be indecisive...
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Philly Q on December 13, 2009, 07:39:20 PM
Humbucker equipped guitars cannot get any better, so I've given up looking for them:

LOL, when are you going to stop posting ridiculous blanket statements which make you look silly when you change your mind? ;)

Oooh, pistols at dawn!  :lol:
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Fourth Feline on December 13, 2009, 07:44:09 PM
Classy Derek, very classy.  Glad to see you're still enjoying the world of Jazz  :)

Cheers Dave !  :)

It's the reason I have been away from the B.K.P family / forum recently ;  as there is so much great stuff to absorb and practice.  Jazz is providing the most fun, creative absorbtion and development I have experienced for many a long year.   As another student of Jazz guitar once commented on the internet :

" With Jazz, G.A.S quickly becomes K.A.S "...     ( Knowledge Aquisition Syndrome ) .




How I wish that were the case more often!

I know I'm as GASy as anyone (well, mabye not Dave :lol:) but thinking you can just throw gear and money at sound and tone and it will automatically magically improve is, I'm coming to think more and more, bollocks! Knowing how to use your gear (the strings on the guitar included!) will get you much further in everything, not just jazz.

Well, maybe not indiee

Or punk

But most things!

Certainly : I cite Jazz as my catalyst, but the things I am having to re-learn / improve upon ,  are of course common to many styles and instruments.  It is a vehicle for going back to tonal basics as well ;  the resonance of the guitar body, choice of pick, strings  - the need to make the guitar and what you play on it sound sweeter and more eloquent, before adding the next pieces of the sonic puzzle.   To be able to elicit the reaction of " That was a nice phrase / harmony " before gleefully ( and skillfully ) adding more layers.   This enthusiasm for re-examining the very foundations of what we currently profess to know,   being ( in turn ) something that I wish some of the 'cork sniffers' in the Jazz guitar would desist from thinking that they own exclusively.  :)

 
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: dave_mc on December 13, 2009, 07:45:44 PM
Oooh, pistols at dawn!  :lol:

:lol:

he knows (i hope) i'm only keeping him going :D
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: sgmypod on December 13, 2009, 08:24:36 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/theonlywarlock/HiConLoCol006.jpg)
This guitar! Love it!
Nice....think mine is my duesenberg 49er(think was this year)(http://www.oasismusicalinstruments.ltd.uk/acatalog/NewDuesenberg49erBlueSparkle.jpg)
or the tv jones for my bluesbird....also zen, ocd and not forgetting amp50 lovepedal
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 13, 2009, 10:14:19 PM
LOL, when are you going to stop posting ridiculous blanket statements which make you look silly when you change your mind? ;)

Steady on there Dave  ;)

I bought the Modern Eagle on 12th February 2009.  Since then, the only humbucker guitar I've bought was a 'player' McCarty Rosewood as I didn't want to gig the other McRosie (that I had at the time) or the Eagle.  After playing the Eagle a bit, everything else wasn't as 'good' to me so I've sold off a bunch of guitars.  I've gigged the Eagle occasionally in my non-DC band, but my Esquire/Cabronita are the main two.

In fact, I now only own 13 guitars (compared to a high of around 27!) and only five of them have regular humbuckers:

Epiphone SG - #1 guitar for YC/DC
Gordon Smith SG - YC/DC backup
Kramer Baretta - my only Floyd equipped guitar
PRS McCarty Korina - with Throbak PAF pickups, my 'vintage' toned guitar
Modern Eagle

I'll say again, I won't be buying any more humbucker equipped guitars.  If anything, I'd be selling the Baretta.....
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Philly Q on December 13, 2009, 10:22:35 PM
Kramer Baretta - my only Floyd equipped guitar

I'm still amazed you sold your RG collection!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 13, 2009, 10:29:34 PM
Yep, the lot went!  They reminded me of my youth but I never played them!  Hell, I never play the Baretta!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Philly Q on December 13, 2009, 10:34:31 PM
Ha, if "never playing them" was the criterion, I should get rid of all my guitars!  :lol:
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Twinfan on December 13, 2009, 11:07:38 PM
I actually play around half of mine on a regular basis I guess.  Not great, but we all have favourites  ;)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Lew on December 13, 2009, 11:35:04 PM
If anything, I'd be selling the Baretta.....

When the time comes send me a message first!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: dave_mc on December 14, 2009, 02:14:54 PM
Steady on there Dave  ;)

hehe. been offline for about a week, and already forgot that you have to tone things down online because the nuances get lost... :lol:
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: tomjackson on December 14, 2009, 04:16:21 PM
Probably my WEM Dominator MK3 for £105.

Spruced up by Martin (New filter caps, preamp valve and health check) and sounds Great.  Beano tones at decent volumes. 

Also my Tokai ES130.  Although lovely, value wise the amp has to take top spot!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: marauder on December 15, 2009, 10:19:46 PM
Laney Lionheart L20H with matching 2x12 fitted with a G12H heritage and a Gold, included original G12H heritage all for £400!!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: d1dsj on December 18, 2009, 11:54:12 AM
Well I haven't bought much, sold loads mind  :(

But from the ashes, I bagged a Wayne guitar that is simply stunning to play
(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/d1dsj/W3.jpg)
(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/d1dsj/wayne1.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: guitargeek62 on December 18, 2009, 11:12:29 PM
It's a toss up between these two, both have rejuvenated my playing no end and made me happier with "my" tone than i've ever been;

(stock pic)
(http://www.martamp.com/images/Goldstar10Watt.jpg)

(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p194/guitargeek62/Current%20Setup/P300509_1236.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: CaptainDesslock on December 26, 2009, 06:28:03 AM
tis a christmas miracle!
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: BigB on December 26, 2009, 03:19:20 PM
Simple thread this.  One item, and ONE ITEM ONLY to be posted. 

Ouch... One single item only ? I never ever bought as much guitar gear as this year, so making a choice between half a dozen pedals, a Blues Junior, and two new guitars (Vox standard 25 and Fender CiJ '62RI tele) would be difficult...

But yet it's obvious : the single best piece of guitar gear I bought this year is the BKP Crawler set for my Vox Custom 24 - hopefully I still didn't received my BGF50s, I guess this would have made the choice harder :mrgreen:
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Frank on December 26, 2009, 11:34:01 PM
Easy decision for me. I got this.

And a week after I got it, I managed to trip over the power cables and knocked my entire stack and rack system to the floor. Looked like end of a Who concert. Feared the worst, opened it all up and checked for obvious signs of damage ... no broken tubes, no dislodged transformers ... so I plugged it in, gritted my teeth and flicked the power switch, worked fine.

Moral of the story is that Marshalls are built to last.
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: dheim on January 02, 2010, 12:12:39 PM
a bit uncertain...

my Cicolin WR guitar or my ENGL FB100? my heart says the first, my brain says the second, and i think i'll listen to it for once... :)

(http://www.guitarthai.com/picpost/gtpicpost/A1004172.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the single best piece of guitar gear you've bought this year?
Post by: Herbie the Rad Dorklift on January 06, 2010, 10:49:54 AM
Haha... single piece?

There's been lots of "best buys"...

My Egnater Rebel, Gibson Explorer, Gibson V, custom MJW shell for my Boogie Mark IV...