The "Funkmeister" is correct re the Tele with an AC30, can just about strip wallpaper!!! On the valve front, ok I'm only using two Fender Hot Rods, but have not changed valves in a donkeys age, and when I have the old Sovteks have always been great and quite cheap, I do need "super" clean at high volume at times!! However the "Rods" do nice crunch on the switcher and "big crunch" on third switch they will never give you a shred metal sound so I use a Danelectro fuzz type thing to get to that, seems to do the stuff.....must say we (King Size Voodoo Traveller) had another 5 hr rehearsal in the studio last night and boy its all coming together which is good cos we have 30 gigs this year starting 4th May!!! Enjoying playing mostly slide on the old ASAT tele with the P 90's on and Barritone geetar with a 30 inch scale!!! Rock on dudes...
twango, when you revalve yer amp, the increase in tone will blow your socks off!! trust me on this..i think it will sound like a new amp..you wont believe how much your tone degrades over time, the bass gets flubby and indistinct, the mids are flat (which is where the heart of your tone lies...coz the metal players scoop all of the mids they loose the clarity, articulation, nuance and the heart and soul..damnit, the voice of the guitar!! and the highs become brittle and ceramic, never mind the increased noise and the fact they will not begin to push into a smooth distortion, particularly the threshold at which they break up.. i dont know what tubes you use (12ax7 whatever), but ive used JJ for the last few years..very similar to sovtecs, but a much better quality valve..they do 3 variants- a cheap version (which isnt balanced) the V1 and the premium...all the exact same tube, but they have different quality innards and the mid and top end ones are all tested for consistency...inexpensive too (unless they have Mesa Boogie or Soldano printed on them!)
Slightly off topic......I'm just learning to play the guitar, what would you recommend learning to read music or guitar tabs ?
learning to read music is very handy, and pretty much essential to become an advanced player-although its unnecessary to be able to sight read unless youre professional. Tab is good, but gives you no indication of dynamics or timing, so you need to know the recording, and usually have it to hand...most Tab books also have music because of it limitations. If you can read music, you can read the Tab as a shortcut and use the music for detail without having to resort to having the recording..its much faster and infinitely more accurate. Music is two problems..rhythm (timing) and pitch (notes)..if you tackle one at a time, its not as dawnting as you might think.and if you only ever learned to read rhythms, you'll have cracked 50% of it and be able to take advantage of music when its inside a Tab book. the biggest learning curve you'll get from learning to read rhythm (which you'll soon be able to sight read), is you'll have a profound understand for timing, and 'feel' for groove and soloing. you'll also have a much more developed understanding for the mechanics and possibilities, which will make you learn faster and be able to develop as infinitum instead of getting stuck at a dead end. the best book to buy to help you learn how to count timing properly and sight read timing is 'Modern Reading Text in 4/4" by the famous jazz drummer, Louis Belson..its the go to book on rhythm for all major music universities...you can play a single note on the guitar or clap..page 1 starts literally starts with 1,2,3,4, but once you get to the end, you'll be a degree level sight reader, able to read any time signature or group of notes at a glance..
Much appreciated just order the book of Amazon, I'm learning Hotel California as my 1st song a bit frustrating at times but I'm getting there
. This is my Tele, 1998 Collectors edition. 1998 were meant to be made but only 1000 in existance. Ash body, electrics and construction as per 52 reissue but with a modern radius neck. Sounds lush through my modded AC15(90's marshall built), but doesn't get played much now much to my neighbours relief. Also got a Yamaha APX8C electro accoustic and a 60's Hoffner Comittee Blond
I find that learning to try to play songs you can't play is the most motivating way of learning guitar. As you say, you will get there, and the things that seem impossible today will become possible over time. One of the on-line guitar teachers recommends having songs you can play more easily and "project" songs that you find really difficult. Working on the project songs builds your skills, learning the easier ones at least gives you something you can actually play. Eventually you master the project songs and seek out other project songs. I am still learning to play "Under the Bridge". Not simple. I don't know how much longer (maybe years) it will take me, but one day I will have it sorted. I suppose if I practiced the different bits every day, I could sort it in a few months, maybe weeks with real effort.
andy, drop me a line when you get that book so i can give you a few pointers as to the symbols and how to count the different beats...once you get the hang of it, you'll be well away. alternatively have a look on t'internet. if you find certain parts difficult (which you will), its a good idea to write the proper counting in pencil beneath the note(s).. ie 1+,2+, or 1+a, 2+a, 1e+a, 2e+a i often teach people to use words once they recognise the pattern of the notes (so you just glance at them and 'know' what the timing should be without having to mentally count)... ie: spider, fly coca cola each word has a different rhythm. Finally, when using the book, DONT learn the examples..plough through them for better or worse and try to get to the bottom of each page....speed is irrelevant.. Best of luck with it mate!
I had three guitars till recently (6 string acoustic, 12 string acoustic and a Strat). I've not played any of them in at least ten years so I sold the two acoustics. Ive stil got the Strat with the intention that I might get back round to playing it one day. Maybe.
New Addition to the Family - Just bought a US Telecaster A 1997 US standard tele in Lake Placid Blue with Fender moulded case. Guitar is mint (never gigged), apart from a tiny chip on the underside. Bought off Craigslist in Colorado from a guy getting divorced for $500.
When I said I bought it from a guy getting divorced for $500, I didn't mean his divorce was costing $500. Also, the pic is an identical one from E-Bay, as I cant post a pic until I get back to the UK. Mine has the shaped moulded Fender case. Chasing the American dream - the most exercise I've had yhis year....
good for you mate..i love that feeling of acquiring a new guitar...who knows what adventures await? ask this bloke....
Ohh, missed this thread. Guitarist here, used to be a strat guy but switched to Les Pauls. Currently got a MIM Strat (you gotta have one!) and two Signature STR1 Les Pauls, but have had everything from Gibsons (Les Paul, Nighthawk) to PRS, Tokai, Ibanez (Jem FP). If you know about the STRs they were only made for a year until they stopped them. High quality, long tennon necks, solid maple tops etc but can be had very cheaply. Amazing guitars for the £££. Recently sold a MusicMan Silhouette (again, excellent gtrs) and retured two Shur Rasmuses from whence they came due to fret issues. Got a Cavin X100B fuzzy head and some other Jet City amps and stuff. Would love a Soldano SLO or any Freidman head )
80's Jap guitars! Wish I hadn't sold my charvel Mk 4. Want to find a nice 80's squire next but prices are on the up. Hofner verithin also on my list.
