BF2S Forums Guitar help

Just get down to your local music store and try some stuff out. Or go on musiciansfriend.com check out some reviews on some stuff to narrow down your list before you go to the store, to save yourself some time.

With $1200 you should be able to get some pretty decent gear. I've seen some nicely priced used mesa boogie amps on ebay for $700. But thats what I like, and I'm not sure if you're into their sound, hence the first sentence.

I just wanted to add that it's always tempting to spend more of the money on the axe, but really you should try to save most of the funds for the amp. The amp is where you get most of your tone so it is really important. Just pick up a decent ibanez/esp/schecter for like $500 and use the remaining cash for the amp(tube preferably-imo). Pick up effects at a later date.

Presence wrote:

Thanks volatile, and yeah, i know that most of the cash is for the amp.  I want to get a tube amp, and i was looking on ebay, and saw some that you were talking about.  I think I'm just gunna have to test some out and see what I like.  Also, what kind of effects do you have?

@ Alone, lol I wish I could afford a Les Paul.

I've had various pedals from digitech and boss as well as multieffect pedals. Delay, chorus, noise suppressor, and wah are a must have for me. If you want to save cash on pedals you could go with one of the multi-effect pedal boards, but they really are inferior to the individual effect pedals.

As far as les pauls are concerned, I've had one les paul standard and two les paul customs. I can't believe what they go for now. When you buy one of those your basically paying for the iconic status of the guitars and the looks. They play alright, but you can get something faster and better playing for  half of what they cost.

Good luck on your search.

Nope, I am teh lose.

I'd say go on ebay and search for stuff, its your best bet honestly, and you can ALWAYS find a good deal on guitars and amps... You just gotta know when the market is hot and stuff is selling cheap  for whatever you decide you want... I agree w/ most of what slayer said in his post about bar the preferences in guitar companies. You'll have a hard time getting both a guitar and an amp for $1200.... I'd say even though waiting sucks, save up for a good 2k and get the good stuff (whether it be suggestion of slayer's, mine, or anybody else the helps ya) you definitely get what you pay for with guitars and amps.

[EDIT]: Don't go to Musician's Friend, the gear is usually marked up far beyond normal market price through a local dealer and ebay.

I play ska-punk... So my gear is kinda set up to be a nice bright clean sound, and really really dirty distortion...

As far as amps go...

I have a 77 Marshall 2x12 JMP 50W combo w/ Celestion 75W Greenbacks (g12-m). So, that is my first recommendation. I've played a bunch of these amps, and my father actually owns 2. These were the predecessors of the JCM 800 (which was officially made beginning in 81. not bad amps, but I like the simplicity of a single channel amp). Although its tough to find a JMP head for under $1000, you can sometimes get the 2x12 combo (in either the 50W or 100W variety) for around $800.

Even pricier, but worth the money spent are the old late 60s - early 70s Fender Super Reverb amps. Most of those were in a 4x10 config (w/ a better clean sound IMO). I don't actually know what these run on ebay since I haven't searched for them in a couple years (sorry).

For guitars...

I own a Charvel Strat (95 reissue of the old San Dimas style). You can pick these up any time you want for anywhere from $350-500 depending on specifics in wood/etc. I've also got a black Jackson JJP (looks like a Les Paul, not the Les Paul Jr). 1/50 made, 1/2 black w/ just the single cut, so that's a rare find, but a JJP is anywhere from $450-1000 depending on the cut, color, usually serial number. I'm a huge fan of Jackson/Charvel guitars (pre-Fender buyout), although I still haven't seen any newer guitars yet so I cant be a fair judge of the work in the factory compared to the work at the custom shop.

Other guitar brands I would suggest....

Hamer- Very broad range of sound, cool designs. (the older the guitar, the better!) Good alternative to pricier Gibson guitars and the price range varies as well depending on model, serial #, etc.

Gretsch- Pretty bad ass guitars IMO. Definitely pin holed in a rockabilly sound and look though... But if that's what you're into they're definitely for you. Good clean sound and play like a dream. I stand to inherit one from my Grandfather sometime down the road. They're expensive though...

Fender- I say this w/ a little hesitation, but Fender has some good gear out there... Again, the OLDER the better, I personally wouldn't buy anything post 1975 from Fender for guitars... Just don't like the feel of 'em.

[EDIT]: Pedals are a whole other post when ya get to that point .

GL. Hope I helped a little.

Last edited by ChaosSka5 (2007-05-11 08:30:03)

Presence wrote:

Hi guys, I want to buy a pretty good guitar and amp for under a grand, probably 1200 at the most.  I currently have a squire strat, and it's a pos, time for something new.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, and I kind of want to go for a zeppelinesque tone.  Thanks

musiciansfriend has excellent prices.

I would recommend a Les Paul Studio (~$1000). I have played two different Gibsons and really enjoyed both. They were the Les Paul Studio and the Platinum SG (~$700-800). Both were really smooth to play and had a great tone. I have also played the Epiphone Gold Top which was nice and cheaper. Gibsons used to be very expensive. A standard Les Paul was $2000! Now, they make some from a 'eco-forest' and charge $1000 for them. At least for the ones made in the USA.

As for amp, you can get a lot of bang for your buck for $200-300. Marshall always have a good rep with players and and Gibson axes. I was recently considering Peavy (Bandit?). For the above price range, you can get a 30watt or greater amp that will be more than enough for home jamming a small performances. I have a Crate 30W and the thing is LOUD on '3'.

FYI: I would get strap, hard case and a stand for your guitar. It will save your ax in the long run.  Gig bags are ok for light traveling and less cumbersome that hard cases. You don't have as good of protection with a gig bag.

In closing, do your homework. You will get what you pay for. As a fellow Squire owner, I can say this from experience, too. Good luck with your decision!