Author Topic: What gear do I get? (Read 7249 times)

Crazy_Joe · « **on:** May 22, 2006, 08:53:47 PM »

I need everyones help here, i have a shitety Epiphone les paul special II, i now have a list of guitars for my second guitar, however i don't want to go to the guitar store and try 5 guitars, it could be good if you could narrow the list down to 2 or 3 guitars.

Model----------------------------Price---------RRP
Ibanez RGT42DXFM------------£479--------£549
Ibanez RG1570 (Prestige)-----£499--------£599
Jackson RR3 Trans Finish------£459--------???
Jackson KE3 Trans Finish -----£459--------???
Gibson SG Special Faded------£469--------???----(free gig bag)

The lucky winning guitar will then get an upgrade of pickups to my first set of BK pickups :D

Next issue, i need a new amp too lol it has to be a combo amp and i need about 50 watt minimum, it wasn't going to be hard to choose at first but then i had people telling me tube amps would be much better, but they couldn't think of any tube combo amps at the price that i am willing to spend, so if anybody does know any good tube amps for the price then suggestions would be appreciated!
Here is the list i have so far:

Model------------------------------Price-----------RRP
H&K Matrix 100 Combo---------£319-----------£349
Line 6 Spider II 112 (75)--------£239----------£285
Peavey Valve King 112 (50)----£279-----------£349

Also i hear line 6 spiders arn't the way to go, but i don't know why everyone dislikes them can someone explain?

I don't have the money for all this now of course but if i know what i want to get now then i will know how much money i will need to get together to buy all this stuff.

badgermark · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2006, 09:25:55 PM »

The RRP of the sg special is £499, and I'd recommend it wholly, I loves mine...

Underground_Player · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2006, 09:26:09 PM »

Hi Joe,

Ibanez is always a safe bet at this price point I think. An SG special is the cooler guitar in my opinion - and taste - but might not be as versatile in the long run. What kind of stuff do you play btw? Metal, right?

As for the amps, I haven't played any of them, but I know a friend once told me that a Line 6 Spider had the worst sounding distortion he'd ever heard - I guess that's why people don't like them!

Jonesy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2006, 09:44:08 PM »

Ye...the spiders seem to be popular with teenage artists that like nu metal ish sounds.

So it kind of depends on what kind of sounds yuour after?

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2006, 09:49:34 PM »

I play mostly metal, but i do like some clasic rock stuff at times, but mainly kind of melodic/death/prog/power/heavy metal, lots of metal basically, i was leaning towards the SG at the Ibanez RGT42, but is an SG good for metal, i know some bands use them but most go for the Ibanez and Jackson, but i guess its down to personal taste right.

Dakine · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2006, 12:23:07 AM »

Inventor of HEAVY Metal = Black Sabbath

Tony Iommi = SG

Nuff said :)

Just my .02cents :)

Put some Warpigs in an SG like I am, Aggghhhhh! :twisted:

fps_dean · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2006, 12:49:41 AM »

Quote from: Underground_Player

Hi Joe,

Ibanez is always a safe bet at this price point I think. An SG special is the cooler guitar in my opinion - and taste - but might not be as versatile in the long run. What kind of stuff do you play btw? Metal, right?

As for the amps, I haven't played any of them, but I know a friend once told me that a Line 6 Spider had the worst sounding distortion he'd ever heard - I guess that's why people don't like them!

You gotta try to go tube. The Peavey ValveKing may be a good bet. My friend got one and he really likes it. Digitial in general sounds to me like a downgrade from the previous cheap option, solid state. Even if you can have 100000 tones, one killer tone owns them all.

I could recommend a RG1570 ;)

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2006, 08:07:48 AM »

Yeah i was thinking of buying the SG and putting some pigs in it, or maybe a pig and a mule or cold sweat in the neck, it would sound killer.
I liked the sound of the Peavey and Hughes and Kettner amps on their sites, i think i will leave out the Line 6 because i'm not into 'nu metal', an amp is the first thing thing on my list to get, so when i got to the guitar store i will try em both out and see what i think.
By the way whats the cheapest tube combo amp out there?

Twinfan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2006, 10:13:42 AM »

I reckon, the best way to get bang for buck is to buy used. Try and get a used Marshall TSL 50 combo for around £350. This will cover classic rock and new metal no problem.

I'd also look for a used Ibanez RG550 for £300. Even with a pickup upgrade, you're under £1000 and will have a pro setup.

badgermark · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2006, 10:59:26 AM »

Like I said, I have the SG Special. And with my amp (A Peavey bandit 112) I can dial in a high gain metal sound and chug away all day. Then again I don't do that much anyway...

But yes, tis a versitile guitar and I would wholly reccomend it.

sambo · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2006, 04:10:40 PM »

Quote from: Crazy_Joe

By the way whats the cheapest tube combo amp out there?

mate, DONT get sucked into this tube euphoria... tube amps are great sure... (im not being an annoying little kid- i HAVE one and have tried them)... but dont think that getting the cheapest tube combo will be awesome just cause its tube.... its NOT the case...

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2006, 04:13:02 PM »

I would but i'm itching to try out these Ibanez necks, people say Gibson's have chunky necks, but i should be used to that because i have an epiphone les paul now. The SG is made in the USA and not in Korea which is a bonus. How much easier is it to play on a wizard neck if anyone has?

Underground_Player · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2006, 04:34:52 PM »

Modern SG necks aren't that chunky, but then 'Wizard' necks are known for playing really fast. I'll add that a Jackson I had had a faster playing neck than my Pacifica, but I preferred the Pacifica's because it was more comfy.

Seriously at this stage re. the guitar I think you just need to go to a shop and try these different models; there's only so much info you can get from other people's opinions.

Quote

but dont think that getting the cheapest tube combo will be awesome just cause its tube.... its NOT the case...

Totally agree, well said sambo.

Twinfan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2006, 05:32:45 PM »

The SG Special Faded has a typical Gibson "rounded" neck. In my opinion, it's a Les Paul neck and not an SG neck and I don't find it that comfortable for speedy playing. Nice for 1st position chords though. My '65 reissue Epi has a slim taper early 60's style neck like a proper SG should :D

I also own 3 Ibanez RGs with the original wizard neck and they're awesome. Wide enough to be comfortable but very thin. Thin enough to wrap your thumb round, which I find perfect.

Go to a shop and try any Ibanez RG back to back with a Gibson faded. You can feel the difference straight away.

R/2e · « **Reply #14 on:** May 23, 2006, 08:25:42 PM »

Quote

I also own 3 Ibanez RGs with the original wizard neck and they're awesome. Wide enough to be comfortable but very thin. Thin enough to wrap your thumb round, which I find perfect.

Now me, they give cramp. Feel good to start with then my hand starts to look like a claw so I don't find them giggable. Guess it's my technique (or lack of it) but I prefer a reasonable handful where I get to the end of a gig and only my fingers hurt! The only way to find out what's right for you, as Twinfan says, is to try them all. Then go with your gut feeling.

The same applies to amps although you really have to gig them to be able to tell what's right for you. Some of these amps, particularly the modelling ones, sound great in the shop but don't fit too nicely in a band mix and the sound starts to feel too clinical and brittle. I followed my own advice and ended up about ten years ago with a Fender Hot Rod. Every time I play it I get a kick from the sound, so I don't think I'll ever change. Tube for me every time!