Q: Going from acoustic to electric

Benjamin Moir

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Jun 3, 1994, 10:17:28 PM6/3/94

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: My question: What's a good setup? I'd like to try some effects,
: with no goal of sounding like anyone. I just want to see what
: an amateur can do. Also, I spend a lot of time playing in my
: condo, so is there something available that would add effects to
: an electric guitar and then play it through headphones? I'd kind
: of like to start this way and then get an amp if I think I'm
: serious enough.

: I've always like the looks of Telecasters, but I'm open to anything.
: I'd like to get something that will hold it's value, in case I decide
: it's really not for me.
Well...I'm not sure if this is the response you're looking for, but here
goes...hehe. I'm not "professional" by any means, but I would recommend
the following:
If you like Telecasters, you're in the right direction. I would say to
stick with "Fender" (be it Tele- or Strat-caster). Fender's have a good
name behind them, and are, in fact, nice guitars.

For effects, if you'd like to get that going right away, I'd recommend a
"Digital Delay" pedal (by "BOSS"). They are lots of fun...and quite
frankly, you don't really have to be very good to use it...hehe...I'm
talking from experience here...hehe. Only draw back is they cost twice
the price of other 'regular-priced' BOSS effects pedals. (ie.Dig.Delay
runs about $220 CAN - or so??; other pedals are usually around $100
CDN.). If you can afford it, I'd go for a Distortion/Overdrive Pedal (OR
one or the other). Foot pedal makes it easier to switch over.

I would say the Amp could be nearly as important as the rest of your
equipment. If you are just doing it as a hobby, like me (in my house
ALONE), then I would say, just get a small amp because the neighbours
and/or parents get mad when it gets too loud....hehe. But, if you're
planning to go out and play a lot, I would to get a larger amp (ie.higher
watts); and, if possible, get 2 channels, and switches for Reverb,
Chorus, Distortion, if available, and within your budget.

One last thing...go for a slide. They can be fun, but it takes a lot of
practice to use them WELL. The whole thing/purchase will come down to
money though. Consider how much you are going to use it, then act
accordingly, because you can get some pretty awesome equip., but if you
don't use it, it's not worth it.

ttyl Ben
(hope this helps??)

--
---
Tagline thought: Do you ever wonder why underwear gets turned inside
out in the laundry?
Ok....so _I_ am the only one....sheesh...

Robert Zawalski

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Jun 4, 1994, 12:28:55 AM6/4/94

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bm...@uoguelph.ca (Benjamin Moir) writes:

I have to disagree with your statement about all Fenders.. I like
Strats, but I wouldn't play a Tele even if I was given it for free..
The Tele neck is the most digusting thing I've ever played..(flames
are coming..>=-) My personal favs are Gibsons. True I haven't played
every Gibson ever made, but I haven't yet played a Gibson whose neck
didn't feel beautiful.. True, you can't get all the tones you might
want from a Les Paul, but with a Les Paul, and a Strat you can get
most any electric guitar tone out there (with some work in cases..)

Overall it has more to do with your taste.. I wouldn't buy a Tele
'cause you think they look cool.. buy a Tele 'cause you like it's
disgusting neck/tone/action then consider looks...

DSZ theantitelegibsonlovingstratlikingjimmypagelovingguitarist

David Nye

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Jun 4, 1994, 5:08:38 PM6/4/94

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bo...@crl.com (Robert Zawalski) writes:

>I have to disagree with your statement about all Fenders.. I like
>Strats, but I wouldn't play a Tele even if I was given it for free..
>The Tele neck is the most digusting thing I've ever played..(flames are
>coming..>=-) My personal favs are Gibsons.

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I've played many Strats over the years
and never felt compelled to buy one. I prefer my Tele and my Les Paul,
which together fully cover the range from bright to mellow. My Tele's
neck is to me as playable as any Strat necks, but taste in necks is a
very individual thing. My current favorite guitar is my Carvin DC200.
With dual humbuckers, coil splitting and phase switches, and active
circuitry with treble and bass tone controls, it has an amazing tonal
range, and the best action of any guitar I've ever played.

When people ask what guitar to buy, they are asking about workmanship,
tone, and playability for the price. It may not help to tell guitar
newbies to buy the one that sounds and plays the best because they may
not yet have much appreciation for the differences between guitars.
They may not know how to hear the difference between Tele, Strat, and
Les Paul sounds, or even how to tell the difference in playability
between a good guitar and a junker. Ultimately, they want a guitar
within their budgets which won't fall apart and whose tone and action
they will continue to appreciate as they become more sophisticated.

My advise to a first-time buyer is this: The best preparation for
buying a first electric may be to spend time playing and listening to
(perhaps on records) the three classics above or close imitations so one
can begin to hear the tonal variations in different guitars. Also try
very playable guitars and contrast them to less playable ones. A good
guitar store will let you do this, which is why I don't think it is a
good idea to buy the first one through the mail. Explain to the
salesman that you want to try some different guitars for the above
reasons and that you intend to buy one but only when you feel properly
educated about the differences. Also resist naming a price range to the
salesman. Once you do, he may have fixed in his mind the guitar he
intends to sell you. Tell him you want to try guitars in different
price ranges so you can decide how much you are willing to spend to get
what you want. Go to different stores if you can, go back and try the
guitars you were most drawn to again (explain to the salesman that you
are narrowing down your choice), and don't decide on the guitar on your
first trip to the store.

Finally, don't pay list price. You can expect to get 20%, maybe 30% off
in most stores, particularly if there is competition in town. I would
give significant weight to buying the guitar at the store I felt most
comfortable in. If they will sell you the guitar you want for less at
another store, ask the store you like if they will match the price.
Usually they will.

David Nye, MD * Neurology Dept., Midelfort Clinic, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Cigarette smoking kills 1 in 5 Americans. Almost half of those who
smoke die from it. Even heroin and cocaine aren't that bad for you.

Tom Crabaugh

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Jun 3, 1994, 6:53:00 PM6/3/94

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Hi, I'm new here and I have a question.

I've seen lots of advice here for new players to start acoustic and
build some skills before getting an electric guitar. Well, I've
been playing an acoustic for about 2 years now, and I think I'm
ready.

My question: What's a good setup? I'd like to try some effects,
with no goal of sounding like anyone. I just want to see what
an amateur can do. Also, I spend a lot of time playing in my
condo, so is there something available that would add effects to
an electric guitar and then play it through headphones? I'd kind
of like to start this way and then get an amp if I think I'm
serious enough.

I've always like the looks of Telecasters, but I'm open to anything.
I'd like to get something that will hold it's value, in case I decide
it's really not for me.

Again, not that I want to sound like anyone, but some music I'd like
to play would be: van Halen (I can already play a pretty cool acoustic
version of "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"), some Zeppelin (I also play
"Black Dog" acoustically), Scorpions, B-52s, some Nirvana, ZZ Top,
Smithereens, Hendrix, and, of course, YES.

Any pointers on a "beginner's" setup (guitar, fx, amp) would be
appreciated. I've followed r.m.m.g.marketplace, but most postings
there assume some level of knowledge (which, of course, I don't
have).

TIA,