Debating about what new guitar or amp to get? Tube, or solid state? Wondering what kind of pickups to put in your shitty $100 no-name guitar?

This is the thread you're looking for. If you've got questions, I've probably got the answers (if I don't, I'll do my best to get the answer you're looking for)

Peace

Pastor of Muppets wrote:

Debating about what new guitar or amp to get?

Yes! I'm not going to buy the guitar immediately, but it's good to have my mind made up. I started a thread in fb Lifer, and got lots of suggestions for Ibanez.
My preferences: 6 string, anything not humbucker, 24 frets, and floating bridge.

Thanks.

when I put those 11 gauge strings in my guitar and tuned it to E, the bridge got fucked up
now the screws holding the bridgeplate to the body don't go in straight

Should've used 10s, or D tuning.

yea, I figured that out
switched to 9's
remind me to try 10's next time

Yeah, don't use anything 11 or higher in standard tuning...unless you're trying to be SRV. Then get it set up @ your local music place. If your guitar is set up for regular/light strings, and you put those on there, it messes up the bridge, and can cause wayyy to much tension, which can bust your nut (hahahaha, pun not intended).

What gauge would you recommend for tuning a Les Paul to B?

Like, drop B?

.-.

Nautilus wrote:

Like, drop B?

.-.

Yeah...essentially tuning it like a baritione guitar.

Ziegenbartami wrote:

What gauge would you recommend for playing a Les Paul in B?

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dunlop-Zakk-Wylde-Icon-Series-Custom-Electirc-Guitar-Strings?sku=101623

I've heard good things about these

Ahmedeus wrote:

My preferences: 6 string, anything not humbucker, 24 frets, and floating bridge.

Thanks.

ooooh, no humbuckers? why?

thats gonna be tough

Pastor of Muppets wrote:

Ahmedeus wrote:

My preferences: 6 string, anything not humbucker, 24 frets, and floating bridge.

Thanks.

ooooh, no humbuckers? why?

thats gonna be tough

Well, I won't mind them at all. It's just that I have humbuckers in one of my guitars. My other guitar is 2 single coil + 1 double coil, and I prefer that sound more. Any suggestions for moi?

Ibanez SAS36FM-DRS. My guitar. Only 22 frets, but highly recommended.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Made-In-Japan-Stratocaster-with-Kahler-1988_W0QQitemZ290347961135QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item439a164b2f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-M103-Flame-Maple-Electric-Guitar?sku=514871

Those and the Ibanez mentioned above look pretty decent for the money.

My other suggestion (which has the potential to be expensive) is a souped up Fender Strat with stock floyd rose. I'm pretty sure they still make them, but I'd replace the pickups with either EMGs or something else thats high output (seymour duncans are pretty good IMO, especially the Hot Rails)

Thanks, I like the EMG one best. Let's see if I can find it around here.

BTW: I picked up a Traynor all-tube bass head (YBA 200) for $600 for my birthday

best bass head for the money, not gonna lie

Pastor of Muppets wrote:

BTW: I picked up a Traynor all-tube bass head (YBA 200) for $600 for my birthday

best bass head for the money, not gonna lie

You lucky fuck. I got a Peavy TNT 115 combo a while back. Sounds great, just about loud enough, but FUCK is it heavy! I've had to put casters and two extra handles on it!

Bidley wrote:

You lucky fuck. I got a Peavy TNT 115 combo a while back. Sounds great, just about loud enough, but FUCK is it heavy! I've had to put casters and two extra handles on it!

Peavey's are very good bass amps, esp. the TNT (for the money, at least). What is that, 300 watts? You should get a 2x10 extension cab, and you'll be in business.

Pastor of Muppets wrote:

Peavey's are very good bass amps, esp. the TNT (for the money, at least). What is that, 300 watts? You should get a 2x10 extension cab, and you'll be in business.

No, it's only a 150watt. I don't think you can get an extension cab for it?

Bidley wrote:

I don't think you can get an extension cab for it?

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-TNT-115-1x15-200W-Bass-Combo-Amp?sku=481381

If that's your amp, then yes, you can get an extension. I'd recommend a 2x10 since you'd already have a 15" going, that'd have all your frequencies covered.

Then again, you may not even need an extension. 150 @ 4 ohms (or 200 @ 2 ohms) is pretty loud as it is.

Pastor of Muppets wrote:

Bidley wrote:

I don't think you can get an extension cab for it?

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-TNT-115-1x15-200W-Bass-Combo-Amp?sku=481381

If that's your amp, then yes, you can get an extension. I'd recommend a 2x10 since you'd already have a 15" going, that'd have all your frequencies covered.

Then again, you may not even need an extension. 150 @ 4 ohms (or 200 @ 2 ohms) is pretty loud as it is.

Yep, that's the one. I'm new to the whole bass ampage thing, I take it there should be a connection on the amp especially for an extension? I can't be arsed to lug it out to have a look

Would be a jack connection? XLR?

Bidley wrote:

Yep, that's the one. I'm new to the whole bass ampage thing, I take it there should be a connection on the amp especially for an extension? I can't be arsed to lug it out to have a look

Would be a jack connection? XLR?

I'm assuming that it's gonna be 1/4" extension speaker jack, but it could be an XLR. I see there's an XLR out on the front, but thats if you wanna go to the PA.

EDIT: just confirmed its a 1/4" external speaker jack

Pastor of Muppets wrote:

I'm assuming that it's gonna be 1/4" extension speaker jack, but it could be an XLR. I see there's an XLR out on the front, but thats if you wanna go to the PA.

EDIT: just confirmed its a 1/4" external speaker jack

Yeah, I looked on the back today. Something to look into..... Thanks for the heads up dude!

So John, I take it you can't just whack any extension cab onto any combo - what do I need to look out for? What needs to match up? Also, what bass strings do you recommend? Why do my fingertips wrinkle when I sit in the bath for too long?

Bidley wrote:

So John, I take it you can't just whack any extension cab onto any combo - what do I need to look out for? What needs to match up? Also, what bass strings do you recommend? Why do my fingertips wrinkle when I sit in the bath for too long?

As far as an extension goes, you want something runs at least 2 ohms (I don't think they even make bass cabs that run under that), but I'd recommend something that runs @ 4 ohms for maximum efficiency. If you find a cab that runs @ 8ohms and you really like it, use it. But you end up getting more out of a 4 ohm cab. Also, you need to make sure that the cab can handle the wattage.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-TVX-210-EX-2X10-Bass-Speaker-Cabinet?sku=600561

^that cab would fit very well...hell, its even a peavey

As far as strings, thats really trial and error. It depends on what you play, how you play, and how thick/thin you like your strings. I've found that Ernie Ball strings are very consistent, but even with Power Slinkys (the heaviest 4-string gauge available), you cannot go below D-standard tuning without the strings flopping around too much. DiAdarrio strings are inexpensive but otherwise unremarkable. GHS heavy bass boomers will work until about C# standard (and they last a long time too). But if you're looking to drop anything below C#, go with Dunlop light gauge 5-string strings (just leave off the top string). But by far the coolest strings for standard tuning that I've played are the DR Black Beauties. Not only do they feel great to play on, but they look positively BADASS.

I'm not even going to bother to answer that last question,