Author Topic: how much money? (Read 3690 times)

Brodo · « **on:** April 02, 2007, 01:04:01 PM »

I have been playing for about a year and half and i'm progressing well and the time has come to buy new gear to replace my £100 guitar/amp/tuner combo.
But i was thinking, all i ever spend money on is guitar magazines and strings, and i've got a load of cash (about £500).
Is it worth me saving up some cash and geting some really good gear, like £2000 worth?
As i say all i ever buy is guitar stuff and by the time i have the cash i'll of been playing for 3 years or something.
do you guys think this is a good idea or should i stick with the mid range stuff?
thanks in advance
-brodo-

PhilKing · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2007, 01:15:32 PM »

it is worth upgrading if you are going to stick with it as you currently only have the beginners gear. You could look for secondhand bargins which would give you more for your money, but do you have a friend who knows what to check when you buy? Is there a good shop near you with s/h gear?

Oli · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2007, 01:50:17 PM »

Go round lots of guitar shops, and try loads of different guitars, and find out what you like; neck shape, scale length etc., and then i'd suggest buying a quality guitar that fits your specs, then go for amp/rack :)

Jp. · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2007, 03:16:34 PM »

Like what has just been said.... try loads of gear. Dont buy anything based on the opinions of others.

theres nothing wrose than standing in a shop and hearing someone being talked out of gear by an expert friend. I hate expert friends.

"Dont bother with epi, thats rubbish. Get Gibson only thats the best"

man what garbage.

I heard that one day.

Hell Hound · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2007, 04:03:54 PM »

that's no expert friend, that's dumbass friend :lol:

dave_mc · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2007, 04:24:33 PM »

generally saving is the best thing to do, but as phil says as you have beginner gear, it's probably worth upgrading with the amount of cash you have at the moment... there are some pretty nice guitars and amps around the £300 mark... i'm partial to washburn and yamaha (mexi and korean fenders are nice too) guitars at that price point, and laney tube amps are generally good bang for buck, but phil also made a good point about second hand stuff.

what type of music do you mainly play? we won't tell you what to buy, but can give you several options that you should attempt to get to try out yourself, so that you can buy the one you like best yourself.

£500 budget, right?

LazyNinja · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2007, 04:45:46 PM »

I'd split the money £200 for guitar and £300 for an amp. Something like:

Epi SG + Marshall DSL401/Laney LC30II (Rock)
Mex Fender Strat + Laney VC30/Fender Blues Jr (Indie/blues)
Ibanez S320WK/Jackson Dinky + Peavey Valveking 112 (Metal)

or if youre not gonna gig for a while you could spend a bit more on the guitar:

Ibanez RG2550 Prestige + Laney LC15/Roland Cube 60
Washburn WI66 Pro/X50 Pro + above or maybe a POD?

I don't know what style you play so I put combinations for some styles.

Ratrod · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2007, 05:51:17 PM »

The first thing on your list should be a proper tube amp.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:16:50 PM »

Nice guitar.

Who the hell gives a damn about tone if you're only learning?

Get a guitar you feel comfortable with, and is suitable with the style which you want to play.

Rest comes after that.

BloodMountain · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:26:40 PM »

first guitar that is great to play and feels right. as most people have said, try as many as possible.
then, get an all valve amp. Marshalls and Laneys are very popular these days.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:28:37 PM »

Not a fan of Marshalls, and I played a few Laneys yesterday, and it seems to me, if you want agood one you have to go for the ones above £500...

Kilby · « **Reply #11 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:56:18 PM »

What do you currently own ? (most of us started on inexpensive kit so don't worry about that)

What music are you currently playing and what are you hoping to progress towards ?

What huitars (and amps) are currently attracting you ?

apart from once again saying try everything.

If you are in school / college find other players and try their stuff. Same if you are working. Players always like so show off their gear :)

If any music shops etc around you have open (or players) nights, attend a couple of those, and try everything you can find.

If you go for an epiplone, I'd say avoid any SG or Les Paul type with a bolt on neck.

I'd personally say decide on your requirements before thinking about getting a new amp, as you can see from the many threads here, thats a bigger issue than thr guitar.