Free Republic Guitar Society

Vanity ^ | 9/24/15 | Chasio549

[chasio649]

Just decided to restart a thread i made maybe 10 years ago.....Nothing is off limits....gear, favorite players, techniques, amps, effects...you name it, we can all discuss it.

I own numerous amps...SS and Tube Eventide effects, Hardwire and Line6.. I am mostly a Fender Telecaster guy but have a jazz box and various other.

Carry on!

[Mrs. B.S. Roberts]

saw this thread and knew I’d find you here :0

(if not a key of Open G ping was coming your way)

[Norm Lenhart]

When I got my Charvel it was a pawn shop dog in horrid shape. but I’m an 80s kid that likes building things.

Once I learned (thank you StewMac) how to do proper setup, life got a LOT easier. Anyone can learn fairly easily and it doesn’t cost a whole lot for tools. Most likely have them in the tool box as is. Hardcore fret/nut work excepted of course. Straight edges, screw drivers, allen wrenches and pliers. Not much more needed.

A well set up guitar is a dream to play. Makes even Squires play like Strats.

[Norm Lenhart]

A retirement beach house in Malabu probably.

[equaviator]

Yeah, I saw FZ play leads on his SG 6-string '77 (Cobo Hall), '81 (Masonic Auditorium) and '84. Maybe not in '84 (but I did see him play at the Meadowbrook Amphitheater in '84)...What a treat! In '77 he had Flo & Eddie up there with him.

[Boogieman]

Hmm, good advice, but even on a regular size guitar, I find it tricky to hit some of those tight chord shapes too, because my hands are small but my fingers are a bit fat. For example, an open A chord, I can’t use three fingers to fret it or I’ll have the strings buzzing. I have to use 2 or even just 1 finger to get that. So if the fretboard was smaller, yes, I could do stretches easier, but then I’d be screwed playing the tighter chords...

Plus, I’ve been playing piano so long now most of it is second nature. On guitar I have to sit and think things through, and that is such a pain once you are used to being able to just play by ear on another instrument.

[ez]

RE Pro Junior...Big sound for such a little amp, but it starts breaking up early around 3. So far I’ve really enjoyed playing it with just a Carbon Copy and a Rook to get some effects and a little more drive...but I’ve only been able to play it twice since I got it 3 weeks ago. Too much going on. I’m looking forward to exploring it more this winter.

[chasio649]

I got the special edition(wine red tolex) Deluxe Reverb....not crazy about it..they put an alnico speaker to make it break up around 4 1/2 volume....overdrive pedals are great on it...but i wish i had more clean head room...Twin reverbs are over kill for home use.

[Yardstick]

Strat, tele, Les Paul. P and J basses. Martin and Yairi flat tops. Bassman for the guitars and an Ampeg for the basses. Lots of pedals but mainly a Fuzz Face into a delay.

[cva66snipe]

Try dropping the tuning to D and it requires less pressure from your fingers. If you have an electronic tuner then tune 1 & 6 string {top & bottom} to D. The easiest way is to place a Capo on the second fret and tune it to standard E then remove the Capo. Much easier on the fingers and if you are wanting to play with other players just pop it back on at the second fret. That’s how I’ve always tuned mine for years. A Capo also a real good way to get those way up the neck chord sounds by moving it up the neck LOL 12-15 basic chords will have you playing most songs unless you are in a top band. Even Pink Floyds Brain Damage can be played starting in D. On real hard to play chords as long as the sound is true experiment with your finger placement and you might find an easier way for you to do it.

[cva66snipe]

When I got my Charvel it was a pawn shop dog in horrid shape. but I’m an 80s kid that likes building things.

Once I learned (thank you StewMac) how to do proper setup, life got a LOT easier. Anyone can learn fairly easily and it doesn’t cost a whole lot for tools. Most likely have them in the tool box as is. Hardcore fret/nut work excepted of course. Straight edges, screw drivers, allen wrenches and pliers. Not much more needed.

A well set up guitar is a dream to play. Makes even Squires play like Strats.

My wife bought me the 12 string Tak used for a present for under $200. The only thing wrong with it was it had been strung up wrong. I bought new strings, paid the store another $10 to put them on and it was ready to go.

There's a store just north of Knoxville, TN that is a Martin dealer but has great buys on used of any brand. That's where mine have came from.

I watched the guy set up the one I borrowed. I didn't want to chance screwing up someone elses guitar LOL. Actually I still have it. He didn't want it back but it's too much an aggravation for me to play. The neck is too narrow and on the bottom E my finger slides off.

[vetvetdoug]

I play thru a 40W Crate PA system with an old Shure mike. I have a 1990 Studio Honey Sunburst Les Paul and a 1962 ES 125T Sunburst for the slap back rockabilly sound. Acoustic I play a early 1990 Taylor 910 and a 1975 Guild F-30. When not playing thru the PA I use a Fender 1994 40W Blues Amp. I don't play as often as I used to and sold my Gretch 1964 Collection to Gruhn about ten years ago. At one time I had around 30 guitars ranging from pre 65’ Strats and Teles to Everly Bros Gibsons and old L-7s. The one I miss is the 64’ Country Gentleman Gretch that was only a couple of serial numbers away from the one that Elvis played.

[rhoda_penmark]

I am fascinated by cigar box guitars. Most of the general public isn’t aware of these. Of course, Bo Diddley did not randomly select his odd guitar shape. All the poor musicians had to learn on home made cigar box guitars!!!

Thanks for posting the video link, very cool.

[Paleo Pete]

First about bass... Check around at pawn shops, I've seen quite a few Fender Squier and Peavey basses at good prices. The older ones are often pretty good. Peavey makes some good bass amps, and a few companies are now making low wattage bass practice amps. Local pawn shop had one a couple of weeks ago under $75 if I recall. I started playing guitar in 1960 at age 5. Been at it ever since. Learned to play everything in the band room in high school, mainly a sax player. Been playing onstage in cover bands since early 70's, first time onstage was about age 10. Currently playing guitar with local band, 3 vocalists, harmonies on everything we can think of, (bass player plays a Peavey P bass clone, he loves it, at least 30 years old) Current rig - Fender Squier Strat, made about 1990. Cort CL 1500 hollowbody Peavey Patriot 1984 or 85 model (fantastic guitar) Harmony Bobkat 1966 model No name telecaster semi hollow Takamine electric acoustic EGS 330 SC Electromuse Lap Steel made around 1945 - 50 Main amps - 1973 Fender Super Reverb completely rebuilt, a couple of minor mods to reduce out of control bass and get back ultra highs. Original speakers. Fender Pro Jr around 10 years old or so, one minor mod, negative feedback loop removed, opens it up a little. I still use a 10 band EQ with it onstage. Other amps - 1974 Fender Champ, completely rebuilt, modded to accept 6L6 power tube. Speaker from a Gorilla amp, didn't have one when I got it. Best practice amp ever made. Mid 80's Peavey MX 130 watt tube head, solid state preamp and tube power amp 1967 Kustom 2x12 cabinet for the MX amp, pair of Emminence 12's. Peavey Classic 212 combo, stored in need of repair. Effects - Arion analog delay Dan Electro Rocky Road (close to a flanger) Ibanez Phaser I sometimes swap with the Dan Electro Marshall Bluesbreaker Overdrive Ibanez SD9 distortion (when it works) Boss DS-1 Distortion backup for the Ibanez when it won't Rocktron Metal Planet Distortion Just tinker with it now and then Behringer pedal tuner, removed from pedal board, using a Snark now Qwik Tune tuner used at home sometimes Boss 10 band EQ used for Pro Jr Schaller Fusschweller volume pedal (can't live without my volume pedal) A/B switch when using dual amp rig Behringer Xenyx 1202FX PA, used to send a line signal to PA for acoustic, gives me more EQ and different effects. Also used for recording. Misc - Artley Flute King Alto Sax 2 xylophones Wurlitzer Electronic Piano made early 70's One that got away...Washburn BT2

Current rig set up for an outdoor gig a couple of months ago, before I got the Pro Jr. Mine is on the right, Middle is rhythm guitar player, Bass/keyboard rig on left.

Let's see if my attempt at minor HTML actually works...if not I"ll try to post the pictures again

[cabojoe]

I kinda do the same. Multi-effects and modeling with an Amplifi TT into a board. That approach appeals to me as in a previous life I ran live sound so lots of times I would be fighting them loud ass guitar amps. Two Fender American Deluxes: V neck Strat and a Tele. Currently waiting for a Line 6 Helix to show up on doorstep. I am much more of a drummer and do the COSM bit with a Roland TD-30KV, so I can appreciate your Boss gear.

[Norm Lenhart]

My DK has the typical thin jackson neck but I much prefer the Charvel’s. Wide and thick as hell by comparison. I have average size hands so it isn’t a ‘sausage finger’ thing.

The problem is adjusting between playing one and the other. First world problems ;)

[Norm Lenhart]

I love Boss/Roland gear. I get the whole boutique/cork sniffing thing...the Klons and the Wampler etc. It’s great stuff. But Boss is simple, it ALWAYS works and it sounds very good to my ears. Plus it’s all well documented and you can get it comparatively cheap/everywhere.

I don’t really need an amp anymore so the GT Pro suits perfectly. I GAS for that AxeFX but it’s too much bux for the use I’d get from it. Helix looks damn good too.

Usually it’s GT Pro with a Plexi/Recto combi for high gain and the JC120/Fender models for clean. And considering it’s 10 year old COSM, I have zero complaints on the sound. It’s on par with my old Marshall for sound quality.

Works great on my Integra7 too. Granted it’s not Eventide H3000 level there but it makes really cool noises ;)

[SparkyBass]

I'll join in.
Music Man Stingray 5 is my Sunday-go-to-meetin' bass.
Fender "Geddy Lee" Jazz is my rockabilly gig
Taylor AB1 acoustic and 1977 Sekova... oddly, I've taken no pics of them... are also in the lineup

[chasio649]

AxeFX....I GAS but not for a mere mortal like me!

[chasio649]

I have a JC77...Works great with pedals...of course the clean is perfect....Chorus is the standard.

[chasio649]

Let me know what you think of the Helix when you get it and put it through its paces.