What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
- ratfinkdan
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:02 pm
What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
I'm sure like most of you, I have been through way more guitar stuff than I care to admit to! I read some of the other guitar forums and often fall into the I need the newest whatever syndrom ( GAS ). Some of those purchase's were really good, some were reall stupid! Although this past year I have started selling off a lot of the stuff that I don't use and am really happy with the stuff that I have, nothing really fancy, just basic gear that is really working for me and my needs. I'm down to three guitars a Carvin Strat that I built from a kit, a les paul special with p90s, and a les paul faded studio with humbuckers. I have two amps that are really working for me a fender super champ xd and a fender deluxe vm, I use the deluxe when I go out to a blues jam or to play in a band situation and the super champ around the house or to jam with a buddy. Even though one of my friends keeps trying to tempt me into getting something more boutiqe ( expensive ), I'm very happy with what I have. Sometimes getting the gear that feels right and has the right tone, that just works for you, is as big of a journey as learning to play it. What are your guys experiences are you still searching, have you found your tone and the gear to get you there? What are you using?
- 2WheelsOfBlues
- Posts: 750
- Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:59 pm
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
What im useing...
A Epiphone Sheraton 2
a Line 6 Spider Jam 75
a Squier strat with real fender vitage pick-ups.(it my first and she never go away )
I think that when your start playing you only thing to the guitar at his looks is inportent.
And the amp must have a lots of watts.
Then you are learning a little and the guitar must not only look good, but the sound will come in.
After a while the amp is in site, and a really good one wil be cheaked out.
So i think when you are playing a little while the sound and tone wil change so alo your gear.
And letts face it there will be allways dreams
A Epiphone Sheraton 2
a Line 6 Spider Jam 75
a Squier strat with real fender vitage pick-ups.(it my first and she never go away )
I think that when your start playing you only thing to the guitar at his looks is inportent.
And the amp must have a lots of watts.
Then you are learning a little and the guitar must not only look good, but the sound will come in.
After a while the amp is in site, and a really good one wil be cheaked out.
So i think when you are playing a little while the sound and tone wil change so alo your gear.
And letts face it there will be allways dreams
play guitar like the wind, mysterious but definitely present....
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
I have:
an Epiphone SG
a Squire Strat
a Fender DG-8S accoustic
and a Fender Strat (my baby)
I use a Digitech RP355 effects processor pedal board, which I love all the different tones I can get out of it as well as the wide range of different effects it provides.
and I have a Harbinger HA120 pa system with a 4 channel mixer that I connect everything to. the pa system is probably a bit of an overkill for home use, but I love the quality of the sound it produces compared to the Fender Frontman 15G amp that I was using.
At this point I don't really think I need anything else, but I'm sure in time I'll find something else I like and add it to my collection
an Epiphone SG
a Squire Strat
a Fender DG-8S accoustic
and a Fender Strat (my baby)
I use a Digitech RP355 effects processor pedal board, which I love all the different tones I can get out of it as well as the wide range of different effects it provides.
and I have a Harbinger HA120 pa system with a 4 channel mixer that I connect everything to. the pa system is probably a bit of an overkill for home use, but I love the quality of the sound it produces compared to the Fender Frontman 15G amp that I was using.
At this point I don't really think I need anything else, but I'm sure in time I'll find something else I like and add it to my collection
Music is art, and the souls of others is the canvas.
- VikingBlues
- Posts: 4466
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:44 pm
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
If only my tastes didn't keep changing. My ears / hearng has changed in the last couple of years too I think. So I've gone from preferring humbuckers over single coils to preferring P90s (hadn't really been aware of them before - bit daft of me) then single coils then humbuckers. That's meant quite some changing of guitars over the last couple of years. Discovering just what a tube amp could do for my tone has also changed my gear and preferences.
So first choice currently : Vintage VSA590 (semi-acoustic with P90s), EHX Nano Holy Grail Reverb, Artec Blues Overdrive, Vox AC4TV.
Other guitars:-
Like a lot - Self build "Strat", particularly good for Gilmour / Knofler flavoured recordings. Hagstrom Viking Deluxe - probably a better made semi-acoustic than the VSA590, but humbucker pups so not used as often due to tone preference.
Unsure so far but hopeful - PRS SE Soapbar - great playing action and I believe only the tone from the stock "hot" P90s holds it back for me - getting Alnico II P90s installed - hoping it will be the P90 hit for me for a solid body, the way the VSA is for semi-hollow.
Backup Amp:-
Vox Valvetronix VT15. More powerful than the AC4TV, but that is irrelevant for playing at home. The tone is not so good probably due to being a hybrid. It has lots of modelling options but I was usually just using it in Standard Vox Amp settings anyway.
I love the responsiveness of the tube amp to subtle dynamics in playing, and the P90 pickups I also find sensitive in that way. So as a fingerstyle player it's a great combination as it brings out the subtleties of playing technique. Once I'd tightened up my technique that was - it showed up flaws in my picking technique when I first got the tube amp.
I like to record from the AC4TV amp using a microphone if possible - that was another discovery that made me happier with my tone. If not I'll use a Vox Tonelab ST as a front end to the Alesis iO-2 PC interface. It gets pretty good Vox type sounds that are a reasonably close match for the amp, particularly when you take into account the sound quality is limited by conversion to mp3.
So first choice currently : Vintage VSA590 (semi-acoustic with P90s), EHX Nano Holy Grail Reverb, Artec Blues Overdrive, Vox AC4TV.
Other guitars:-
Like a lot - Self build "Strat", particularly good for Gilmour / Knofler flavoured recordings. Hagstrom Viking Deluxe - probably a better made semi-acoustic than the VSA590, but humbucker pups so not used as often due to tone preference.
Unsure so far but hopeful - PRS SE Soapbar - great playing action and I believe only the tone from the stock "hot" P90s holds it back for me - getting Alnico II P90s installed - hoping it will be the P90 hit for me for a solid body, the way the VSA is for semi-hollow.
Backup Amp:-
Vox Valvetronix VT15. More powerful than the AC4TV, but that is irrelevant for playing at home. The tone is not so good probably due to being a hybrid. It has lots of modelling options but I was usually just using it in Standard Vox Amp settings anyway.
I love the responsiveness of the tube amp to subtle dynamics in playing, and the P90 pickups I also find sensitive in that way. So as a fingerstyle player it's a great combination as it brings out the subtleties of playing technique. Once I'd tightened up my technique that was - it showed up flaws in my picking technique when I first got the tube amp.
I like to record from the AC4TV amp using a microphone if possible - that was another discovery that made me happier with my tone. If not I'll use a Vox Tonelab ST as a front end to the Alesis iO-2 PC interface. It gets pretty good Vox type sounds that are a reasonably close match for the amp, particularly when you take into account the sound quality is limited by conversion to mp3.
An improv a day keeps the demons at bay!
-
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 7:33 pm
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
I have nine guitars, and three amps.
1. 2004 Fender Toronado (This was a short lived model made from 1998-2006, and it was I believe Fender's competitor in a way to the Gibson SG. From what I've heard from it, it sounds to me more Gibson-like than any Fender I have ever touched, and from hearing Gibson SG sounds ala Clapton's, it comes pretty dang close. This was my first electric guitar, and I love it. In fact, I am playing gigs with it still, tonight, I will be taking it to a jam.)
2. 2007 Ibanez JS1200 ( I got this soon after my obession with Joe Satriani began, under the watchful eye of my guitar teacher/pastor. It is probably without a doubt the lightest of all of my guitars. If I am going to play a long jam session or gig, I usually bring it. It can handle mostly everything, though it's specialty is instrumental rock, ala Satriani, Vai, and metal.)
3. 2009 Fender Stratocaster VG (This is one of my all time favorites, rosewood neck, and sunburst, ala Brownie. Beautiful guitar, and the modeling works supurbly. Though, I haven't put in new batteries, just using it as a plain Strat, for when I want a different sound to my leads.)
4. 2010 Ibanez AS73 Artcore (This is probably my favorite guitar at the moment, other than my Carvin. It gives me beautiful sounds and amazing feedback from the Micro Cube. It is Ibanez's attempt at an ES-335 clone, and to be quite honest, I'd rather have this than a 335.)
5. 2010 Carvin CT624 (My all time favorite, with it's 14" radius maple neck, and it's stock pickups are quite naturally hot, with creamy highs and smooth lows, it has the best all around sound. I can get anywhere from early Clapton, to Journeyman Clapton, to Allen Collins tones with this puppy. This is the guitar I will never, ever give up. In the immortal words of some movie star "You can pry this guitar out of my cold dead hands"
6. 2008 Taylor 810ce (My favorite acoustic. It's accouterments are quite nice, and it has a nice warm sound to it.)
7. early 90's Yamaha F310 acoustic. (My first guitar. I think it is a close tie between it and the Taylor for my favorite acoustic. It has really aged beautifully over the years.)
8. Washburn Rover Travel guitar (It is more of a novelty guitar, but I brought it on a camping trip, which came rather in handy, more than any of my other acoustics. Small and light weight.)
9. Carvin bass. (I'll update with the model, it is a four stringer, and I'm self-teaching myself the bass.)
Amps
Roland Micro Cube (I love this thing, I use it as a preamp to go into the big Carvin speakers at jams, and it sounds rather professional.)
Carvin MX1200 and speakers, with POD X3 LIve plugged in to it. (Four speakers and the mixer, with the POD pedalboard is quite the lethal combination. All of these amps are in my small bedroom, along with all of my guitars! It is quite crowded in there!)
Carvin V3 Full Stack (More than 2 volume!, I would kill myself! Beautiful tone, what more can I say?"
1. 2004 Fender Toronado (This was a short lived model made from 1998-2006, and it was I believe Fender's competitor in a way to the Gibson SG. From what I've heard from it, it sounds to me more Gibson-like than any Fender I have ever touched, and from hearing Gibson SG sounds ala Clapton's, it comes pretty dang close. This was my first electric guitar, and I love it. In fact, I am playing gigs with it still, tonight, I will be taking it to a jam.)
2. 2007 Ibanez JS1200 ( I got this soon after my obession with Joe Satriani began, under the watchful eye of my guitar teacher/pastor. It is probably without a doubt the lightest of all of my guitars. If I am going to play a long jam session or gig, I usually bring it. It can handle mostly everything, though it's specialty is instrumental rock, ala Satriani, Vai, and metal.)
3. 2009 Fender Stratocaster VG (This is one of my all time favorites, rosewood neck, and sunburst, ala Brownie. Beautiful guitar, and the modeling works supurbly. Though, I haven't put in new batteries, just using it as a plain Strat, for when I want a different sound to my leads.)
4. 2010 Ibanez AS73 Artcore (This is probably my favorite guitar at the moment, other than my Carvin. It gives me beautiful sounds and amazing feedback from the Micro Cube. It is Ibanez's attempt at an ES-335 clone, and to be quite honest, I'd rather have this than a 335.)
5. 2010 Carvin CT624 (My all time favorite, with it's 14" radius maple neck, and it's stock pickups are quite naturally hot, with creamy highs and smooth lows, it has the best all around sound. I can get anywhere from early Clapton, to Journeyman Clapton, to Allen Collins tones with this puppy. This is the guitar I will never, ever give up. In the immortal words of some movie star "You can pry this guitar out of my cold dead hands"
6. 2008 Taylor 810ce (My favorite acoustic. It's accouterments are quite nice, and it has a nice warm sound to it.)
7. early 90's Yamaha F310 acoustic. (My first guitar. I think it is a close tie between it and the Taylor for my favorite acoustic. It has really aged beautifully over the years.)
8. Washburn Rover Travel guitar (It is more of a novelty guitar, but I brought it on a camping trip, which came rather in handy, more than any of my other acoustics. Small and light weight.)
9. Carvin bass. (I'll update with the model, it is a four stringer, and I'm self-teaching myself the bass.)
Amps
Roland Micro Cube (I love this thing, I use it as a preamp to go into the big Carvin speakers at jams, and it sounds rather professional.)
Carvin MX1200 and speakers, with POD X3 LIve plugged in to it. (Four speakers and the mixer, with the POD pedalboard is quite the lethal combination. All of these amps are in my small bedroom, along with all of my guitars! It is quite crowded in there!)
Carvin V3 Full Stack (More than 2 volume!, I would kill myself! Beautiful tone, what more can I say?"
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
Gear.... My favorite subject...
It has taken me about 25 years to settle on what I have now, and in 5 years, who knows what I'll be playing.
My main guitars are currently... The FrankenStrat, a mid '70's body with a '83 Strat Elite neck and various other mods (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=369 Here is a more detailed description), an Epiphone Casino (my current favorite), an Ibanez archtop w/two humbuckers, a '69 SG, a , two resophonics, a '32 Melody King, a '52 Gibson ES-125, a late '50's Regal parlour guitar, a '64 Fender Super Reverb, an '83 Fender BluesDeVille 4/10, a Fender Custom Shop ProSonic, and a late '50's Supro champ style amp with an Alamo reverb unit from '63, As one might suspect, I am a vintage nazi, and I love the classic sounds. I play almost exclusively live, and with my Casino, or FrankenStrat, through any of my Fender amps, (but particularly the '64 Super) I am VERY happy with my rig. That doesn't mean that I don't suffer from GAS (gear acquisition syndrome), though.
It has taken me about 25 years to settle on what I have now, and in 5 years, who knows what I'll be playing.
My main guitars are currently... The FrankenStrat, a mid '70's body with a '83 Strat Elite neck and various other mods (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=369 Here is a more detailed description), an Epiphone Casino (my current favorite), an Ibanez archtop w/two humbuckers, a '69 SG, a , two resophonics, a '32 Melody King, a '52 Gibson ES-125, a late '50's Regal parlour guitar, a '64 Fender Super Reverb, an '83 Fender BluesDeVille 4/10, a Fender Custom Shop ProSonic, and a late '50's Supro champ style amp with an Alamo reverb unit from '63, As one might suspect, I am a vintage nazi, and I love the classic sounds. I play almost exclusively live, and with my Casino, or FrankenStrat, through any of my Fender amps, (but particularly the '64 Super) I am VERY happy with my rig. That doesn't mean that I don't suffer from GAS (gear acquisition syndrome), though.
Last edited by Blindboy on Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"Throw yo' big leg over me Mama, I might not feel this good again!"
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
I have a bit of gear. Currently loving my P90 archtop (Godin Kingpin) for traditional blues and playing a LP Gold Top (Epi) for modern Blues. The amp is a Blues Jr, though I really have fun with my Fender Mustang II (allows me to get quiet, traditional tones).
- DeaconBlues
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:08 pm
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
I've got way more gear than I need, especially for my skill level. Like the OP, I've started selling my gear off over the last year.
I have three amps. My guitars currently consists of three electrics, one bass, one acoustic and a resonator. Last week I had four amps and two electric guitars. So, my gear ebbs and flows.
I try not to get too attached to any of my gear because there will always be that next new thing. But like Bb, I am sort of settled into the tones and sounds that I get from the gear I now have.
Amps:
57 Fender Tweed Pro
Victoria 5112-Tweed champ clone with a 12" speaker
Early 50's Alamo Amp3
Electric guitars:
97 Fender AmStd hardtail Strat
93 Fender Std Tele
05 Gretsch 6119 Tennessee Rose
I have three amps. My guitars currently consists of three electrics, one bass, one acoustic and a resonator. Last week I had four amps and two electric guitars. So, my gear ebbs and flows.
I try not to get too attached to any of my gear because there will always be that next new thing. But like Bb, I am sort of settled into the tones and sounds that I get from the gear I now have.
Amps:
57 Fender Tweed Pro
Victoria 5112-Tweed champ clone with a 12" speaker
Early 50's Alamo Amp3
Electric guitars:
97 Fender AmStd hardtail Strat
93 Fender Std Tele
05 Gretsch 6119 Tennessee Rose
Last edited by DeaconBlues on Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
That boy ain't right...,
but he's big on the North Sea Coast of Germany.
but he's big on the North Sea Coast of Germany.
- ratfinkdan
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:02 pm
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
Man, you guys gotta lot of cool gear! Starting to give me GAS! Yeah I think as guitar players we all love to talk about gear!
- 2WheelsOfBlues
- Posts: 750
- Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:59 pm
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
ratfinkdan wrote: as guitar players we all love to talk about gear!
Thats for sure
play guitar like the wind, mysterious but definitely present....
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
Funny - I nearly have the same gear, Sheraton 2 and Fender Squier.2WheelsOfBlues wrote:What im useing...
A Epiphone Sheraton 2
a Line 6 Spider Jam 75
a Squier strat with real fender vitage pick-ups.(it my first and she never go away )
The Sheraton is my dream guitar, currently no GAS attacks
OK, need a decent amp, but you can't have it all. Although, Stratlover2, NINE guitars ... a National would be fine for me!
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
Hello!
I have 3 guitars at 15 years old.
1997 Fender Stratocaster
2006 Ibanez AEL-10LE Acoustic
Academy D-2 Acoustic (Cheap Dreadnought)
Fender Frontman II 65R Amplifier
I am very pleased with my gear. I think the next purchases would be a Epiphone Dot and possibly a VOX AC30 amp. I'm not to keen on buying a tube amp though.
I have 3 guitars at 15 years old.
1997 Fender Stratocaster
2006 Ibanez AEL-10LE Acoustic
Academy D-2 Acoustic (Cheap Dreadnought)
Fender Frontman II 65R Amplifier
I am very pleased with my gear. I think the next purchases would be a Epiphone Dot and possibly a VOX AC30 amp. I'm not to keen on buying a tube amp though.
Keep The Blues Alive,
- Adam De Rocco
- Adam De Rocco
- 2WheelsOfBlues
- Posts: 750
- Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:59 pm
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
I love my sheraton also, and first i had a fender G-dec 30 and i was really happy with it, but when longer i played more i heard a (how do you say that.... noise/brom/some elektric sound), I've done everything to avoid any electrical interference, even a separate electrical group made for the amp itself.12bar wrote: The Sheraton is my dream guitar, currently no GAS attacks
OK, need a decent amp,
But to make a long story short, I finally have one out of Line 6, the spider jam 75 modeling amp, and it goes very well with the 2 guitars.
sow maybe is a modeling amp also for you a great amp.
Because the Fender G-dec 30 and the line 6 spider jam, i like them very very much.
play guitar like the wind, mysterious but definitely present....
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
I don't want to show off but i have a problem to say now when i see a guitar that i like. I don't care what kind of shape it is because it is my passion to give here a second life. Some of the guitars i bought them second hand or trade them for a an other. I owned at this moment 17 top shape examples, 1 all most finished 3. projects, and a cigar box guitar. I am still looking for a nice tube amp, but i have 6 channel P.A. a mixer, 1 Peavey TK0 80, 1978 a Peavey Studio pro 50 1976 with a 4 X 10" + 2X Piezo 1982 (Sammick) ore 2X8" + 1X 12"+ 2Xpiezo (Homemade 2006) Yamaha 212 II G100 1979 a Danalectro mini amp and a microcube. a lineairbooster, a digitech rp 50, and a Boss Bluesdriver mounted at a floorboard. a Powersoaker - subwoofer
And Yes ! i dont use the most of the stuff.
And Yes ! i dont use the most of the stuff.
You can't bend the rule, Every man is some womans fool
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
Epiphone Dot with upgraded wiring and Sin PAF pickups. Vox Ac4 amp. I really don't even think about any other guitars. I feel like I want to master that one guitar and put as much mojo into as I can. I also play bass (a custom Yamaha BB300) that I started playing before I took up the guitar a year and a half ago.
The only thing I want is a Zoom H4N. I will use it as a recorder for DSLR filmmaking and it also can be used as an audio interface. Then I can finally record to my computer!
The only thing I want is a Zoom H4N. I will use it as a recorder for DSLR filmmaking and it also can be used as an audio interface. Then I can finally record to my computer!
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
My gear:
Fender USA stratocaster (~2007)
Fender Blues Jr Amp
Ernie Ball Wah Pedal
Boss looping pedal (RC-20 I think)
Cole Clark FL2AC (acoustic with pickups)
MI Audio overdrive pedal (which I never use)
Dying for an epi casino, but while looking for one recently I got sidetracked and ended up buying a new mountain bike which took up all my guitar money (plus some more), so I'll have to wait a while before picking one up...
Fender USA stratocaster (~2007)
Fender Blues Jr Amp
Ernie Ball Wah Pedal
Boss looping pedal (RC-20 I think)
Cole Clark FL2AC (acoustic with pickups)
MI Audio overdrive pedal (which I never use)
Dying for an epi casino, but while looking for one recently I got sidetracked and ended up buying a new mountain bike which took up all my guitar money (plus some more), so I'll have to wait a while before picking one up...
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
Mountain biking is one of my hobbies too... I live in mountain bike paradise.MajorTom wrote:Dying for an epi casino, but while looking for one recently I got sidetracked and ended up buying a new mountain bike which took up all my guitar money (plus some more), so I'll have to wait a while before picking one up...
"Throw yo' big leg over me Mama, I might not feel this good again!"
- rocknroll93
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:45 pm
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
I have a handful of guitars, and for the most part im happy with them.. i still want a fender strat though...
i have a crappy 80w solid state amp that i want to get rid of, but i dont have money...
i have a crappy 80w solid state amp that i want to get rid of, but i dont have money...
"Playing the blues is like being black twice. Stevie Ray Vaughan missed out on both counts, but I never noticed" - BB king
- oneeyedslide
- Posts: 156
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 8:19 pm
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
I've got more than I need and want even more! Harmony 400A Widowmaker amp (1966) my current fav. It's gotta have tubes. Watch out for that tree!
-
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:00 am
Re: What kind of gear do you have and are you happy with it?
Watch out, blind mountain biker!Blindboy wrote:Mountain biking is one of my hobbies too... I live in mountain bike paradise.MajorTom wrote:Dying for an epi casino, but while looking for one recently I got sidetracked and ended up buying a new mountain bike which took up all my guitar money (plus some more), so I'll have to wait a while before picking one up...
In the name of God, Eric Clapton and the Slowhand, Amen.