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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 6:20 am
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My preferred strap locks are the Fender ones, simple and very effective.

The easiest approach to the tremolo issue is to tighten the claw screws as far all the way and then give them an extra half turn to make sure that the bridge stays in place during string bends. A block of wood cut to fit the space between the back of the tremolo block and the cavity wall could be used for additional stability if this proves necessary.

I would suggest that you look at the Marshall range of amps.

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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:47 am
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A nice choice that offers a tube-modelling hybrid is the Fender Super Champ X2. One channel for modelling and effects, one clean. Under $400.00.


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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:34 am
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Highline wrote:
This here's a great little tube amp for not too much $$$.

Pretty no nonsense but it also has an attenuator so it can play at 5 watts, 1 watt, or .5 watts, meaning it's not too loud. Has a gain and master volume so you can get some good overdrive. Reverb on it's OK too...

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Bugera-V5-5 ... 1480173.gc


I'm seeing mixed (well, mostly negative) reactions to newer Behringer gear, so if buying a Behringer, I would at least make sure I could return it if it doesn't match the expectations. It seems like a lot for the money though, I give you that.


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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 7:51 pm
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Karl H...Sounds like a nice guitar...classic color combo. I have been to and bought a Pro Jr there at Georges in Jacksonville, pretty good store as I remember (been a few years) but the guys there seemed to know there stuff.

By the way, we need pics of that new guitar!

T2

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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 7:07 am
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arth1 wrote:
Highline wrote:
This here's a great little tube amp for not too much $$$.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Bugera-V5-5 ... 1480173.gc


I'm seeing mixed (well, mostly negative) reactions to newer Behringer gear, so if buying a Behringer, I would at least make sure I could return it if it doesn't match the expectations. It seems like a lot for the money though, I give you that.


Image

My experience with the Bugera 5-watt amp has been nothing but good. I've had it for at least two years now and I love both the attenuator and the fact that the amp has reverb built in, unlike so many similar amps. As a Fender guy, I dislike dry amps. I also like the controls on the front of the amp, rather than on top.

And for locking guitar straps that require NOTHING be done to your guitar, I have used these for decades. They slip on over the existing pins and lock with a snap. Available from Musician's Friend at a very reasonable price.

Image

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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 8:41 am
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I would suggest a Line 6 amp for getting a good clean sound out of your new Strat. I have a Spyder 75w model that can crank out what I consider is a great clean Fender sound. And if you want you can dial in tons of extra sounds and effects. And over the years Line 6 has added many new models so there's plenty of used ones around.

I've also had really good luck with the Dunlop dual-design strap locks. Have them on all my guitars and basses.

It's all opinions, everyone on here has their "go to" gear which they would recommend. Your best bet is to go to as many stores as possible and try them out, see what you like.


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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 11:14 am
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If you want that Stratocaster to sound like the Twin's and Twin Reverb amps of yesterday, then you will have to go to a tube amp, not solid state or any that depends on circuitry to mod a facsimile of a small overdriven tube amp....

For the time being for practice I'm using a G-Deck Junior, awaiting my vintage Magnatone to be repaired. The G deck just doesn't cut it, it's fun, but there is night and day difference between the sound of a blackface and the mods with this amp.. I have used other solid state amps and always return to a simple tube amp design....

Question is what do you need it for .... ?

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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:25 pm
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I like modelling amps.
They're not the be all & end all, but for playing at home as a practice amp--they're fun.
If you want real clean a cheap tube amp probably won't cut it either.

A lot of Roland amps give a great clean sound.

But yeah, save up and have a variety of gear--it's fun.

As for the Strat--enjoy it.

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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:44 am
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I don't have a problem with modeling amps... Other than the sound is synthesized.. As practice amps they work, but so does a small 10-15 watt tube amp... You can find those fairly inexpensively. There are a lot of 60's to 70's and earlier tube amps that are not on the vintage radar and sell for next to nothing... For finding out what a tube amp sounds like cranked at manageable volumes, there are no substitutes... As great of a replicant :wink: sound these modeling amps provide, it is still a sterile clinical sound...

To get a great glass / crystalline sound, that 25 to 40 watt Tube amps are really the only games in town.. By tube I refer to all tube amps, not combined with circuitry that drives the amp into overdrive...

A Blues Junior can be had for much less than $500 on the preowned market, or if you need more than a Hot Rod Deluxe is a capable 40 water... Not a whole lot of clubs where one will need a bigger amp... ( I know there is a lot of hate for the HRD's but for my experience with mine, I loved it...

Of course a Twin Reverb, silver or black face would really rock but those are expensive although well worth the expense... Or if one prefers more of a Brit sound, the Vox's or that typical sound of a Marshall, Roland, Mesa Boogie.... The options are wide ranging...

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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:58 am
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Karl Hungus wrote:
I've heard of putting a block of wood in the cavity, but if it's really as simple as tightening the screws (and I'll have to take a look when I get home to see what you're talking about), then wouldn't that be the best solution right there?

You're quite correct. However, the discussion on this matter reflects our understanding of how the Eric Clapton model is set up. You'll find many photos of that in the Forum archives. The artist's original Blackie had the trem claw flush to the body wall with five springs installed, and the bridge flush to the top of the guitar. For some reason, still unknown to use, the Artist/Signature Series adds to that, a maple wood block inserted tightly between the bridge block and the wall of the trem route. Perhaps there is a sonic enhancement as a result. Either way, the purpose is achieved.

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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 8:41 am
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Karl, you are being pounded by the tube snobs... the Mustang line of modeling amps are outstanding! The Mustang II was voted best practice amp in Anderton's hour-long shootout on YouTube. Also some blind tests have been done using Mustangs and the tube amps they were replicating (I think the main one was a Mustang IV and a Twin Reverb) and over half the listeners got the "real" amp wrong. A modeling amp is perfect for a student guitarist and will likely keep your interest in playing better than a one-trick-pony tube amp that costs way more!

Having said all that.... you should divest yourself of the "buy-new" thing you have got going on! If you should return your Mustang I, you could easily find on Craigslist a Mustang III for about the same price. The Mustang III is probably the most popular, biggest value, and most practical of the Mustangs. The Mustang IV, with its stereo twin speakers and 150 watts is also a phenomenal amp but a little too much for some who have no gigging intentions.

You will find no better line of modeling amps than the Mustangs for Fender cleans anywhere! Only go Line 6 Spider or Peavey Vypyr if your thing is heavy distortion and metal and whatnot.

But don't let these guys taunt you about owning a Mustang instead of a tube amp! I traded a Peavey Delta Blues tube amp for my Mustang V half-stack and have never looked back!

Oh and congrats on the US Standard Strat! THAT was undisputedly money well spent... it does not matter if you go on to become a guitar virtuoso; that guitar will never become obsolete to you! Then you can pass it to your son or daughter and it will never be obsolete for them either!

+1 on the Schaller strap locks!

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my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 9:47 am
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ZZDoc wrote:
Karl Hungus wrote:
I've heard of putting a block of wood in the cavity, but if it's really as simple as tightening the screws (and I'll have to take a look when I get home to see what you're talking about), then wouldn't that be the best solution right there?

You're quite correct. However, the discussion on this matter reflects our understanding of how the Eric Clapton model is set up. You'll find many photos of that in the Forum archives. The artist's original Blackie had the trem claw flush to the body wall with five springs installed, and the bridge flush to the top of the guitar. For some reason, still unknown to use, the Artist/Signature Series adds to that, a maple wood block inserted tightly between the bridge block and the wall of the trem route. Perhaps there is a sonic enhancement as a result. Either way, the purpose is achieved.

My guess is that it is a baka-yoke. They do that so it cannot be moved. If just tightening down the bridge, some users will try to use the trem bar anyhow.


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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 10:26 am
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arth1 wrote:
ZZDoc wrote:
Karl Hungus wrote:
I've heard of putting a block of wood in the cavity, but if it's really as simple as tightening the screws (and I'll have to take a look when I get home to see what you're talking about), then wouldn't that be the best solution right there?

You're quite correct. However, the discussion on this matter reflects our understanding of how the Eric Clapton model is set up. You'll find many photos of that in the Forum archives. The artist's original Blackie had the trem claw flush to the body wall with five springs installed, and the bridge flush to the top of the guitar. For some reason, still unknown to use, the Artist/Signature Series adds to that, a maple wood block inserted tightly between the bridge block and the wall of the trem route. Perhaps there is a sonic enhancement as a result. Either way, the purpose is achieved.

My guess is that it is a baka-yoke. They do that so it cannot be moved. If just tightening down the bridge, some users will try to use the trem bar anyhow.

Interesting take. My expectation would be that anyone knowing and buying the Clapton guitar understands from the get go that the bridge is stopped.

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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 1:35 pm
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Tiger J wrote:
Karl, you are being pounded by the tube snobs... the Mustang line of modeling amps are outstanding! The Mustang II was voted best practice amp in Anderton's hour-long shootout on YouTube. Also some blind tests have been done using Mustangs and the tube amps they were replicating (I think the main one was a Mustang IV and a Twin Reverb) and over half the listeners got the "real" amp wrong. A modeling amp is perfect for a student guitarist and will likely keep your interest in playing better than a one-trick-pony tube amp that costs way more!


Hardly.... Tube Snobs .... :roll: It's just two very different approaches, but still to this day there is an audible as well as a performance difference.... ( A 60 watt De-Ville amp will far away outperform a 175 watt solid state amp, although in order to use the De-Ville to it's potential, living in the woods or having deaf neighbors would be preferable... The De-Ville is overkill in just about any club smaller than 500 capacity...) Now as far as modeling amps versus pure tube amps as I said before it is dependent on the usage, however with a tube amp cranked, you can really color your sound by just your attack on the strings, it does take a lot of practice to discover all the nuances available and those change when switching guitars, but tube amps are much more rewarding and easier to control from just your guitar's controls... They are hardly One Trick Pony's, just research the recording amp equipment for most bands, those huge amps on stage are not the reality for that recorded sound... But YMMV..

Not sure why you need to revert to character assassination to prove YOUR point, but I suppose over time you might realize it doesn't add to a discussion / debate.... :wink:

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Post subject: Re: New Strat!
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 2:18 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
( A 60 watt De-Ville amp will far away outperform a 175 watt solid state amp, although in order to use the De-Ville to it's potential, living in the woods or having deaf neighbors would be preferable... The De-Ville is overkill in just about any club smaller than 500 capacity...)

Solid state or tubes, it's probably reasonable to say that, in the pursuit of the sonic holy grail, the decibel levels to which one is obliged to climb are far beyond the capabilities of the ears of mere mortals to withstand. I can recall that, in my 'yute', a 20 watt Danelectro Centurion amp was considered 'too loud' by mom, when cranked. Then came the Fender Concert and the Dual Showman, along with the threat of being disowned and deported. Then came Jim Marshall, and the world was totally remade. Artists are wont to remain in the control room patched through the board while their amps stand alone in the studio shaking the walls with output. You'll have to choose your gear based upon need, purpose and audience. There are dance venues wherein no one seriously gives a crap about the fact that 'it might be loud'. On the other hand, there will be situations in which people will demand to be able to carry on a conversation without being assaulted by the band. I've been in both situations, and on both sides of the amp.

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