I have an Epi Les Paul Ultra and an acoustic 12 string (fairly old, late 70's early 80's) and both are super guitars. The Ultra is hollowed out - so it's light, but it's not a semi (no f-holes) so it's got some real nice squeal to it. I run it through a Fender Hot Rod DeVille (2x12's, all tube, 60 amp) and, depending on volume, get everything from a liquid blues to screaming crunch. As to the Rockman? Yeah, when it comes to that type of stuff if I see a lot of online reviews that say something is shit, I heed them. I"d go with the Bigsby over the Rose on the Gibby, more classic. Then again, take it with a grain of salt, I always stick a piece of wood in my strats in the tremolo in the back to stabilize them, thus rendering them useless. I've lost every tremolo arm I've ever owned. I fear one day I'll open a closet and have 25 years worth of tremolo arms fall on me from the top shelf and kill me.
Every year at work we have at least two Epiphone contests - sell x amount of Epi guitars and get a guitar of a certain MSRP or lower. I have an EL-00 acoustic and a Casino, both are great guitars for my studio. We had a customer come in with a Rockman that he wanted to sell us - I just passed on it outright. Technology moves too quickly, and stuff that was super popular and well rated back then becomes useless now. Smartphones with the Amplitube app and an iRig connecter have taken over. Even the guitar amp modeling on Logic and Garageband is great, that's what I use.
Well I finally broke down and bought a new acoustic. It's a Martin acoustic electric. It actually sounds pretty damn good, and not too bright which I find acoustic/electrics tend to.
Is that the DX1AE? They're really nice. I like the Fishman pickup system, it's not too tinny sounding.
It is. Frankly, it was a bit above the price point I was looking at. There's a Sam Ash and a Guitar Center right in the same shopping center (Cherry Hill, NJ). I went to Guitar Center first, but the acoustic room was so crowded - including a screaming 4 year old running around. People playing loudly everywhere, so I couldn't hear anything. I also don't generally like acoustic/electrics. They tend to be too bright for my taste - but to be fair, my first interactions with those guitars was back when Ovations were huge. Not that they're bad guitars, but I like a warmer sound. Anyway, went to Sam Ash and played a Guild, Fender, and Gibson that were straight up acoustics. The Gibson was used and had bridge work done, so I was a bit nervous on that. But it sounded great. Went back to Guitar Center, tried out a Breedlove (never heard of them), an Ibanez. I had no idea that it was so tough to find straight acoustics at price points higher than $200. I tried a bunch of acoustic/electrics, but they were all too bright for my taste. Finally pulled down the Martin, and I loved it. It felt great and sounded way warmer than the other ones I tried, like a straight acoustic. So I ponied up. I have 4 other acoustics, all of which I maybe spent $100 each. So I needed a really nice acoustic since I don't really play anything else anymore. My bank account ain't happy, but I am.
Keyboard and/or midi people: I have, what I think is a simple question, but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere I've looked. I have an old Yamaha PSR-275 keyboard with midi capability. And I know I can use one of these: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/yamaha-ux16-usb-midi-interface or similar product to interface with my computer and it's software. So, that what I play on the keyboard gives instructions to the computer. However, assuming I have the right cable(s), can another midi device give instructions to my keyboard? Like, if I get midi foot pedals, can I play the keyboard with my feet? I've read the manual over, and can't seem to get a definitive answer.
If you play guitar (Or want to) this guy has some awesome tutorials on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcZd_G62wtsCXd-b7OhQdlw
Does anyone have any recommendations for a digi recorder? Right now I'm using an antique Korg D8 8 track that I picked up off e-bay for an incredible $20 + shipping. I mean seriously, you can't beat that. But it does leave a lot to be desired. It's 20 years old and the modeling for it's limited effects leave a lot to be desired. I've had a couple Tascam DP-01FX's that I loved, but I imagine their effects modeling is now somewhat dated. So I'm looking at the Tascam DP-24. Has anyone had any experience with them? They seem awesome, but sweet Jesus do they seem complicated, and I can't find anything that lets me hear their modeling.
Kind of cool...guitar finger board graphics. NAMM best in show add-on and on sale right now. http://neckillusions.com/collections/leap-year-sale
Wow... that looks surprisingly good, and easy to apply. And it's only $20. I wonder how well they wear?
I have no idea. But hell, I'd pay $20 to watch a monkey fuck a football... EDIT: From the website Typically, they will begin to show signs of wear after 1000+/- hours of playing. (your results may vary)
Might as well bump this thread... I've gotten the guitar itch lately and want to get a new or used electric guitar. I haven't had one in my collection in about 10 years. I had my acoustic primarily in college because it was just easier to travel with and to just take out and play. But now I'm trying to decide between and Fender Strat or tele and can't really decide on which model and whether or not to fork over the extra bucks for the American ones or stick with a Mexican one? I suspect that the Mexican ones are probably more than enough for my purposes. But there's also got to be a reason why they come in at half the price. Any insight?
I've found that the playing and build quality of even the cheapest new guitars these days are way better than just about anything produced 10 or more years ago. The CNC and build technology has gotten so much better and cheaper and tolerances so much tighter. Personally, I'd try the cheap one... odds are you're right and it'll be more than good enough for what you're looking for.
Anymore the only real difference between a Mexican Strat and an American Strat is resale value. Personally, I'd rather have a Mexican one just because of the price difference, the play ability and tone difference is negligible.
One other thing....unless you're dead set on a Fender narrow neck, check out a Fender Showmaster. They're Korean made which used to be something to look down on. I had one and I wish I'd never gotten rid of it. It's got a neck that is Gibson wide/Fender thin and absolutely the most amazing guitar I've ever played. Mine was the 2 humbucker model, but it also comes in a 3 single coil version. The sound was awesome and it played like butter. I'd buy another one, but I can't justify the price now. I just don't play enough anymore. Here's one for $550: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-Fender...757311?hash=item43ebda3dff:g:gyoAAOSwBnVW9eqL At the moment, I have a Schecter C1 with $400 worth of pick ups in it that I haven't touched in ages. Just looking at that Showmaster makes me want to play again. Seriously...they are an awesome guitar.
I'm going to respectfully disagree. While I agree that the Mex one is fine, I owned both a Mex and American at the same time, and the difference in tone and playability were significant. The Mex's are cheaper because of the wood/hardware/pick ups they use. They're not bad guitars at all, so this isn't a 'shit or perfect' situation. But depending on your financial situation, it's worth it to spend the extra $500 for an American strat. It feels better, plays better, and sounds better, in my opinion. Now of course, I love my Japanese Fender '72 Reissue Telecaster Custom (the one pictured in my avatar). Not sure if Fender still has Jap guitars, but I would highly recommend one. I've had mine for 20 years, and other than minor tune ups/intonations, it's been a great guitar that I used as my main guitar playing out for many years.
Ah,that makes a huge difference. I had a high end Epi Les Paul and an actual Gibson LP at the same time. I would've swore that the Epi was near identical sound wise to the Gibby until I played one after the other. The playability was very similar, but the Epi's tone was just not right....kind of muddy, just not as crisp. I never would've really noticed if I hadn't played them at the same time, so I'm sure you're right.