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Post subject: Choosing a Guitar
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:46 am
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Hey everyone, I'm new to this and would appreciate some input.
I have only been playing for the past month, using a cheap acoustic. In this time I have found a love for the blues.
Now I want to move to an electric guitar. Here's the problem:
Should I start with something simple like a Squier or entry level Strat, or would I be better off just going for it and getting that MIA Strat that I've been drooling over?
P.S. - Any suggestions on a good amp for blues? I've been thinking a hybrid because of the lower price.


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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:01 am
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Nobody can tell you what to do, but here's a fact:

A cheaper guitar through a great amp will sound much better and be more satisfying to play than an expensive guitar through a cheap amp (whihc will NEVER sound good).

For playing the blues at home, you want a low power tube amp (not a hybrid), 5 watts or so if you can find one, no more than 15 (which gets pretty freakin' loud for a living room). I play only in the studio, and my main tube amp is a modern clone of a tweed Princeton: 5 watts, one volume, one tone. You can dime it without deafening yourself and it sings like crazy.

Even a Squire would sound great through an amp like that.

Another good possibility for a beginner's amp is a good modeler like a POD. You can learn a little bit about the characteristic of a bunch of different amps and see wat yo like before you pop for tubes.


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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:07 am
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I agree with Jim. Maybe a small vox, even though they aren't cheap, it would last you for a long time. And a Squier is a perfect beginnning guitar and could be used for just as long as the Vox.


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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:21 am
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Yeah, I forgot about those VOX modelers. I know lots of guys who love 'em, and they sound like great practice amps.


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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:29 am
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For an amp I would recommend a Roland Mini Cube. They sound pretty cool in many of the various settings available on it. It can be used on batteries and on power so it's usefulness will continue even after you have decided to move on to a larger more expensive amp.
For a guitar I would recommend going and trying some out. MIM or Highway 1 Fenders are great guitars for a very reasonable price.

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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:51 pm
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I definitely agree with playing a cheaper guitar through a nice amp. The amp is everything. You can have the nicest guitar, but it won't sound good at all if you play it though a tiny crate amp. I'd have to rule against the minicube
to. It sounds ok, but for the blues it just sounds really small and dry like a lot of solid state amps. You need the warmth of a true tube amp. Even the Vox Valvetronix amps aren't true tube amps. They are only tube powered not tube driven. I play through a Epiphone valve junior. 5 watts all tube, class A electronics, and you can get them for around $120. If your going to play a single coil guitar on it though you will get a lot of hum. Otherwise Fender makes the Champ which is 5 watts and thats about $175.

This kind of turned into an amp choosing thread, but for the guitar I would go with an entry level strat. It is a nice step up from a Squire without breaking the bank. Then when you find your true sound and want to get a nice American strat you will know better as to what type and what pickups etc.

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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:56 pm
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On a budget of +/- $1000, I'd go with a Highway one, or similarly priced guitar, and a Blues Jr.
If thats too much $$$ try a Squier or MIM Fender, and a Blues Jr, or Champ 600.

-David

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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:22 am
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I have a Vox DA 15 and with all the diffferent affects it has, your guitar sounds great. My other amp is a vintage Fender Princeton bought in `63, 40 watts and will blow you out of the house.


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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:38 am
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i highly recommend the little champ or gretsch equlivent. i boutght oene this weekend they are great and not to expensive, so then you can spend a littel more on like a used mim guitar


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