Nope. Some electric guitars just doesn't resonate at all. Even some expensive ones (but as the price goes up they are more likely to not be complete rubbish). Stability is good for keeping tuning and so on but most electrics are pretty stable. Comfort is only influenced by shape and weight. The actual acoustic sound of the instrument is the important bit and you can hear the difference clearly when you play a whole string of the same instruments one after the other. I've done this. A fun and interesting experience. My opinion is that different pieces of wood (be it solid or multiple pieces) just have different acoustic properties and this is what ultimately makes or breaks the amplified sound.Shibbibilybob wrote: With electrics I find it's more about comfort. Any comfortable, stable body/neck combination can be turned into a very decent guitar with a decent fret job, decent set up, decent pickups and decent hardware.
Can the audience really hear those high end instruments?
Quoted for absolute truth.warrenpridgeon wrote:
To further expand on this thinking, but in a different direction. Get off stage after having a blast and having made a bunch of mistakes... People will be like "EPIC GIG!". Get off stage where you played "well" but were super nervous because you were concentrating so hard to play well... "meh". lol
Musicians and Joe Public, hear two different things when it comes to music!
Can the audience hear them? There are a bunch of components to your guitar sound - and the audience are far more likely to hear some that others. This isn't to say that they know what they're hearing - of course they don't. But the guitar sound will influence the impression that they get from it.
I remember as a kid I could hear the sound of the Beatles playing Rickenbackers and Gretsches through Vox amps. It was part of their sound. I didn't know what it was, but it was a distinctive sound. Likewise Buddy Holly with his Stratocasters through Fender amps.
But that sound is mostly about the scale-length of the guitar, the pickups, and the amplifier and loudspeakers. A Pacifica 212 with Bareknuckle pickups through a cranked JTM45 with confuse any of us in a blind test against a '62 Stratocaster played into the same amp. The main appeal of really high-end guitars are subtle details that make them thrilling to play - and your audience hears that.
Lookswise, nowdays non-guitar players aren't impressed by expensive guitars because they can't tell the difference between a vintage 335 and a Cort semi-hollow. Or a Zemaitis covered in mother-of-pearl, or a cheap copy covered in mother-of-toilet-seat.
I remember as a kid I could hear the sound of the Beatles playing Rickenbackers and Gretsches through Vox amps. It was part of their sound. I didn't know what it was, but it was a distinctive sound. Likewise Buddy Holly with his Stratocasters through Fender amps.
But that sound is mostly about the scale-length of the guitar, the pickups, and the amplifier and loudspeakers. A Pacifica 212 with Bareknuckle pickups through a cranked JTM45 with confuse any of us in a blind test against a '62 Stratocaster played into the same amp. The main appeal of really high-end guitars are subtle details that make them thrilling to play - and your audience hears that.
Lookswise, nowdays non-guitar players aren't impressed by expensive guitars because they can't tell the difference between a vintage 335 and a Cort semi-hollow. Or a Zemaitis covered in mother-of-pearl, or a cheap copy covered in mother-of-toilet-seat.
+1 on what singemonkey said
The sound that got me interested in guitar playing was a quacky undersaddle pickup on a mini jumbo Cort...Now I know that is not the sound we want... ???
The sound that got me interested in guitar playing was a quacky undersaddle pickup on a mini jumbo Cort...Now I know that is not the sound we want... ???
You're all spot-on.
My take on it, is ......
if you enjoy your instrument (physically and mentally), and are totally confident in it's ability to express YOU, without fail, then you will perform at your best, with the audience picking up on that . . . .. .
Many of the high-end instruments will deliver, and justify your confidence.
A lot of old reliable cheapies will also do this .... if you enjoy your instrument 8)
My take on it, is ......
if you enjoy your instrument (physically and mentally), and are totally confident in it's ability to express YOU, without fail, then you will perform at your best, with the audience picking up on that . . . .. .
Many of the high-end instruments will deliver, and justify your confidence.
A lot of old reliable cheapies will also do this .... if you enjoy your instrument 8)
On one of the Crossroads (Clapton) DVD's one of the guitarists plays trough a modified Super8 Cine projector. Excellent sound! So???????????????????????Visashi wrote: Hi all,
I've been wondering lately about the relevancy of high end guitars. Man how I would love to own a Gretsch White Falcon! Or one of those insanely beautiful Duesenbergs. They sound incredible and look even more insanely hot. But, can the ordinary person in the crowd really hear that tone and appreciate it like the person playing it? Sure it plays like a dream.
But is it really worth paying all that money? Just a thought. :-\
11 days later
High end guitars are like a high end chicks .
They are not for everyone too.
They are not for everyone too.
No they cant...
its in the fingers and style
Eddie vH is still Eddie... whether its a pawn shop special or a rare Rmil guitar
Ive seen Yngwie demo a cheap $99 made in china s/h strat before a show... and he sounds the same
Vai?...same thing
And lets not mention the sound output at different venues...sometimes even gold picks and cufflinks wont help a dime,but we can still hear the artists trademark through the k@k
its in the fingers and style
Eddie vH is still Eddie... whether its a pawn shop special or a rare Rmil guitar
Ive seen Yngwie demo a cheap $99 made in china s/h strat before a show... and he sounds the same
Vai?...same thing
And lets not mention the sound output at different venues...sometimes even gold picks and cufflinks wont help a dime,but we can still hear the artists trademark through the k@k
No they can't and in many cases don't care.
Depending on the venue, the audience is there for the jol.
To me it is a personal thing. My fender acoustic has been properly set up to increase the feel while playing, so also my squier and to me both sound perfect.
In many cases its not the instrument but the driver that makes the difference.
Why cart around expensive gear with the increased risk of damage and theft?
Secretly I crave a Martin or high end Taylor and would like to have a doodab Fender strat in my arsenal. Now I am satisfied with "cheapies" barring a Tokai LS92. My dream guitar of the LP's. Lekker to hold, play and caress.
Nuff said I'm rambling
Depending on the venue, the audience is there for the jol.
To me it is a personal thing. My fender acoustic has been properly set up to increase the feel while playing, so also my squier and to me both sound perfect.
In many cases its not the instrument but the driver that makes the difference.
Why cart around expensive gear with the increased risk of damage and theft?
Secretly I crave a Martin or high end Taylor and would like to have a doodab Fender strat in my arsenal. Now I am satisfied with "cheapies" barring a Tokai LS92. My dream guitar of the LP's. Lekker to hold, play and caress.
Nuff said I'm rambling
Most audience can barely hear if your guitar is in tune, never mind if it is a top class guitar. I agree with all who say that it is all about you. If the guitar can make the sounds you want it to it makes no difference what it cost. Seasick Steve plays all sorts of strange guitars including his 3-string trans wonder and one made from Morris Minor hub caps! As long as it stays in tune, has proper intonation and does not rip your fingers to shreds then it is all good.
I watched a great local guitarist blow his valve Marshall amp during a performance and then finish the show on a Cube and managed to sound really good. Most did not even notice that he swapped amps.
I feel really uneasy about carrying expensive equipment round where it can be stolen, damaged or completely broken and much happier with a functional cheep guitar.
It was also stated that for an acoustic guitar it is different and I agree. But there again you get great guitars at really good prices and don't have to mortgage your house. My Cort was not that expensive but sounds awesome through a PA and gets the job done. I leave my vintage Ibanez 12-string safely at home.
I watched a great local guitarist blow his valve Marshall amp during a performance and then finish the show on a Cube and managed to sound really good. Most did not even notice that he swapped amps.
I feel really uneasy about carrying expensive equipment round where it can be stolen, damaged or completely broken and much happier with a functional cheep guitar.
It was also stated that for an acoustic guitar it is different and I agree. But there again you get great guitars at really good prices and don't have to mortgage your house. My Cort was not that expensive but sounds awesome through a PA and gets the job done. I leave my vintage Ibanez 12-string safely at home.
So I just got back from playing an 80k custom Fender, played a 35k afterwards, then a 15k after that, and even the 35k one sounded like a petrol can guitar compared to the 80k. Yet the other customer didn't really hear much difference at all. I on the other hand, well I don't know how to move on from this. Oh beautiful Fender, I will never forget you.
And while on that note, I played it through a valve Fender amp and then through a Marshall. Like day and night. The amp certainly goes along way. That I think might be more important than the guitar itself? I don't know. Anyway, all of us musicians, we're cursed. Cursed I tell you. That musician's ear will be the end of our bank accounts.
And while on that note, I played it through a valve Fender amp and then through a Marshall. Like day and night. The amp certainly goes along way. That I think might be more important than the guitar itself? I don't know. Anyway, all of us musicians, we're cursed. Cursed I tell you. That musician's ear will be the end of our bank accounts.
I agree with you there.
Small things can make big differences.
You can own the most amazing-sounding guitar in the world, and un-do any of the amazingness built-in, through anything form a poor set up, bad amp, dead strings etc.
That said, I'd still rather play my PRS through a poor amp than play my cort through the same amp. (same as I'd rather play it if I had no amp at all).
Small things can make big differences.
You can own the most amazing-sounding guitar in the world, and un-do any of the amazingness built-in, through anything form a poor set up, bad amp, dead strings etc.
That said, I'd still rather play my PRS through a poor amp than play my cort through the same amp. (same as I'd rather play it if I had no amp at all).