scratchy
Yessir'
It's that time of the year when our bosses start handing out more money than we actually worked for and I've decided to blow the lot on some equipment.
I'm looking at getting a second guitar and a nice amp.
Budget would be around 7-9k.
I currently have a Ibanez GIO which I am MORE than happy with, but I'd like something with a Floyd and some proper stock pickups. Brand doesn't matter, but I like my guitars to look the part as well.
Should have a nice metal sound to it, but when I need it clean, it should handle it just as well.
For the amp, I'm looking for something loud and clean that can be used at regular gigs down at the local metal bar.
I used to jam on a Marshal MG100 and it was just just load enough on it's own. So I guess I'm looking for something similar to that, maybe a bit more power but still within the budget.
Much appreciated...
Vintage-Vibe
Hi Scratchy
A few preliminary ideas to get u closer to your goal:
Tell us what style u play, (and listen to) and what your idea of good tone is - then we can start making recommendations. (and any personal preferences on feel, design electronics - gtr; size/weight and largest venue u play in - amp)
scratchy
Thanks for the quick reply Vintage.
I prefer playing the harder stuff(melodic metal etc.), but I like to play some acoustic, classical and old school rock sets as well
Good tone? Hmmm, that's a difficult one.
I like a nice warm controlled sound that doesn't get too muddy. Nice defined and powerful low and mid end I think would describe it best.
Size and weight doesn't really matter to me too much. If it sounds good, I can live with it. The neck however, I would like to be pretty similar to my GIO.
I prefer the classic shape guitar and nothing too wild. Les Paul, Schecter Tempest, First act, Gidon etc.
We play some pretty big gigs, but for those we usually mic up the amps.
The smaller gigs are pretty small(about 100 people) in a tiny metal pub/bar
scratchy
FatBoy
HAHAHA sorry dude I don't know enough about gear to help you out here, but I LOVE the bump! Hahahaha classic
scratchy
Glad you liked it.
I might have found the guitar I'm looking for, but I do not know much about it.
According to the person selling, it's exactly what I'm looking for(off course it is :? )
All I know is, he's selling for R2100, it's butt ugly and it's a Kramer
http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-KRAMER-Electric-Guitar-for-Sale-W0QQAdIdZ67665398
Any good, or should I spend money elsewhere?
I'm also looking at the Line 6, Vox, Roland and Marshall amps. Just not sure which models offer what i'm looking for.
MiKeZilLA
This is what wiki has to say hadn't heard of 'em before...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kramer_Guitars
Mayhaps you should get a serial/model number in order get some more info from the more knowledgable folk round here..... (I always wanted a guitar that looked like a cow ?)
scratchy
I've sent the guy a mail, but he hasn't responded yet. So I guess, it's just a wait till he responds kinda deal.
I am however giving that thing I new paint job if and when I get it.
That thing is kak ugly
MiKeZilLA
AlanRatcliffe
One of the many brands completely screwed up by Gibson. I hated their droopy "hockey stick" headstock, but not bad guitars in an '80s hair metal kind of way.
It's not a Baretta - they only have a single pickup AFAIK.
The finish looks like it is a Korean (Samick-made) guitar, but it's difficult to say. Get serials and any other details (headstock shape can be important too) and go to
http://www.vintagekramer.com/ to get an ID.
scratchy
Thanks guys, I'll wait for him to get back to me on the guitar.
Re the amp: I had a little chat with our local muso shop and the resident expert says I should go for the Marshall MG100DFX or save up for a valve.
He says he would recommend nothing but the Marshall, not even Vox.
Thoughts?
AlanRatcliffe
Just checking further, those Quad rail pickups tell me it's a MusicYo era instrument - Gibson owned, Korean made. I think it's some variation on the Stryker.
MiKeZilLA
Looks like epi released a coupla baretta's with two (and 3) pups
http://www.vintagekramer.com/baretta1.htm
But yeah you're right Kramer never did do a baretta with more than one pup
scratchy
Right, the Kramer was sold a while a go, so the hunt continues.
Any other axe recommendations?
The Epiphone Les Paul looks good, but hows the quality?
Amp?
Thanks for all the helps guys
AlanRatcliffe
The Epis are great. Slap in better pickups and IMO, you're 95% of the way to a Gibby (with a better stock setup).
Metal amps I'm not clued up on...
scratchy
Thanks Alan. If they are that good, I think I'll def get one of those then. I just LOVE the shape.
Which of the Les Pauls and what pup setup would you recommend?
AlanRatcliffe
Hard to go wrong with a Standard or a Studio (BTW, they are very different from the Kramer). The studio is a bit warmer sounding as it doesn't have the maple cap.
Your best bet now you have a general idea is to go and try a few and see if one of them speaks to you. Sometimes what you walk in intending to buy and what you walk out with are different, because one just felt and sounded "right" when you actually played it.
Never, never plan pickup changes before you have had the guitar a month or two. Once you know the guitar's sound well and know how you would like it to sound, you're better informed as to which direction to take.
scratchy
The problem is that I can't walk in and try a few.
I live in Namibia and import is the only option ?
MiKeZilLA
buying a guitar blind sucks.... I ended up flying to CT to buy my geetar ? Let us know bout the LP though i'm still thinking once i go genuine single coil on my G260 i'm gonna need a bucker.... or maybe an archtop
scratchy
The LP is a very real possibility at the moment, I'll let you know in a month or 3.
Now I just need to figure out which damn amp to get
