What I really enjoy about this site!

Help!I'maRock! said:
that's how they know your hipster enough for them. you're so cool, you have a guitar that's unobtainable for 500 miles.
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I suppose. There are only a handful of shops around here, and I've not really been bothered to seriously check them out. Even popping into Guitar Center here for strings/picks is like, "Oh, so the Clark St. Guitar Center ISN'T the lamest guitar shop on earth. I shouldn't have bitched." Does reduce the overall chance for an impulse buy, though.
 
ellengtrgrl said:
I agree with you 100% Howie. :thu:

Maybe it's because I'm an old-timer on guitar (been playing for 31 years), but I could care less if my guitars sound like the guitars of <insert guitar hero of choice>. I just want to sound like me, and play guitars because I like the way they sound. I got my Ric because I know for a fact that while they sound good doing chimey stuff, they sound soooooo cool, at high gain - not because the Beatles, Petty, or R.E.M. played them. I am NOT a fan of the way so many players pigeonhole guitars into certain musical categories or roles. When I was active in the Gretsch forums, that attiude used to drive me crazy! I even had a few times, where I came to posting blows with a guy on the Gretschpages, because he felt it wasn't proper to play heavy rock with Gretsches and Rics. I also don't believe the nonsense about a guitar being best for playing lead guitar, or rhythmn guitar. I play lead on my Ric all the time. Sorry, my guitars are not one-trick ponies.

OK, off the soapbox - notwithstanding the above comments, you know as well as I do that pickups have been marketed by citing the fact that such and such a guitar god uses them in his guitars (remember all the ads by Seymour Duncan, that used Jeff Beck?). By doing so, the inference is made to the potential buyer, that he or she can sound like said guitar god, if they use the same pickup shown in the ad.

Still, nevertheless, I prefer to sound like myself! :embarrassed:
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That last sentence says it all for me. I don't want to sound like anyone else. It's why I have my HSS Strat. Not too many people have my H&K amp either, and I'll bet nobody has my combination of pedals. I'm not into being esoteric, but if something sounds nice for me in the store and is cheap enough, there's a good chance that I'll bring it home. I like gear with quality and real value. Just because some artist says that brand X is the greatest thing since sliced bread doesn't mean I'm gonna run out and buy it. I think lots of that is just BS to sell expensive stuff to noobs.

Probably the most famous musician I've ever talked to about gear is Gary Hoey. The guy is a total class act, and makes sure that the fans get more than what they pay for. It's not like were best buddies or anything, but I've picked his brain on multiple occasion during meet & greets after shows. I always try to be near the end of the line so I can spend a little bit of time there. From that, I've learned a few priceless lessons, no doubt they have saved me a few bucks along the way too. He told me one time that playing electric guitar isn't just about playing the guitar. It's all about learning to dial in the amp, and then all the stuff you have on the floor too. In the same session, he said that usually the worst offenders are the settings for all the different tone stacks in an FX chain. Finding what they do to your sound and making them all work together is a long process. Better gear usually makes the process a bit shorter.
 
parrotheada1a said:
Better gear usually makes the process a bit shorter.
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but what constitutes "better"? and here's where we get into the typical argument. just to keep the topic off of agile, i'll use something a little off.

i have a Danelectro DC-12. i bought it for $300 about 7 years ago. story goes that i had come across a Ric 660/12 in Sam Ash. they unboxed it for me, and it was absolutely amazing. then as i'm the first person to play it, guy tells me, "yeah this is a special order. but i can sell it to you right now for $1500." so i walked away. i don't need that kinda bad karma. then i went looking for a 12 string. happened upon the Dano.

now obviously the Dano isn't going to feel like the Rickenbacker. the only thing they have in common is that they both fall under the 12 string electric category. but the Dano sounds incredibly close to the Ric and though the feel is different, it's a solid playing instrument.

IMO, the Ric wasn't worth 5 times the asking price. and the Dano is an exceptional replacement. my hands might be able to tell the difference, but my ears sure can't. and if that's the Agile-lover's argument, then are they wrong?
 
Help!I'maRock! said:
but what constitutes "better"? and here's where we get into the typical argument. just to keep the topic off of agile, i'll use something a little off.

i have a Danelectro DC-12. i bought it for $300 about 7 years ago. story goes that i had come across a Ric 660/12 in Sam Ash. they unboxed it for me, and it was absolutely amazing. then as i'm the first person to play it, guy tells me, "yeah this is a special order. but i can sell it to you right now for $1500." so i walked away. i don't need that kinda bad karma. then i went looking for a 12 string. happened upon the Dano.

now obviously the Dano isn't going to feel like the Rickenbacker. the only thing they have in common is that they both fall under the 12 string electric category. but the Dano sounds incredibly close to the Ric and though the feel is different, it's a solid playing instrument.

IMO, the Ric wasn't worth 5 times the asking price. and the Dano is an exceptional replacement. my hands might be able to tell the difference, but my ears sure can't. and if that's the Agile-lover's argument, then are they wrong?
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In my mind, better gear doesn't mean a higher price. I am a cheap bastard at heart. If the Dano gets the same job done for less money, I'm all for it. Especially since I'm more of a hobbyist player and not using music as a way to make a living. I can't justify spending 300 bucks on a Butler Tube Driver.... the same pedal Eric Johnson uses to get part of his tone. Last I heard, the guy bought 3 just so he has spares. I love that tone, but I'm not willing to pony up the bucks. Thing is, that's only a small part of what he's using, and then there's all the gear that he's saved over the years.... ridiculously priced IF he was gonna sell any of it, but otherwise unobtainable. Let's not forget all the different settings too.... jeez, if he wrote a book explaining in gnats ass detail about that stuff it would be a best seller.

Getting back on track here, I think better is what works well for you in any musical situation. I know a guy who plays an old acoustic that he got at a yard sale about 40 years ago. Nothing on the headstock with any ID on it, so it could be a very rare item or just an old guitar. Last time I saw it, it looked like he hadn't changed the strings in about 5 years or so.... one of the tuning pegs had a missing knob. Short story is, this guy makes do, and plays with abandon. Sounds pretty good too when he plays. Sounds like crap in my hands.
 
I think in a nutshell, it comes down to what works for you. The more I think about the topic this thread has evolved into, the more I realize that I could care less what people play, as long as it brings a smile to their faces. I guess, my only beef I have is some of the reverse sobbery I see on some of the other sites, where they thing you're some kind of a moron if you're playing a guitar that costs more than 300 or $400.
 
ellengtrgrl said:
I think in a nutshell, it comes down to what works for you. The more I think about the topic this thread has evolved into, the more I realize that I could care less what people play, as long as it brings a smile to their faces. I guess, my only beef I have is some of the reverse sobbery I see on some of the other sites, where they thing you're some kind of a moron if you're playing a guitar that costs more than 300 or $400.
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Perhaps this will be the official MWGL Guitar forum motto.
 
ellengtrgrl said:
I think in a nutshell, it comes down to what works for you. The more I think about the topic this thread has evolved into, the more I realize that I could care less what people play, as long as it brings a smile to their faces. I guess, my only beef I have is some of the reverse sobbery I see on some of the other sites, where they thing you're some kind of a moron if you're playing a guitar that costs more than 300 or $400.
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and that's just it. people get defensive about what they play and what others should play. i used to get involved in those discussions a lot simply because it allowed me to learn about why guitarists bought the instruments they did, and nailing down the differences between what's real and what's snake oil. there is far too much snake oil out there, on both sides of the equation.
 
Help!I'maRock! said:
and that's just it. people get defensive about what they play and what others should play. i used to get involved in those discussions a lot simply because it allowed me to learn about why guitarists bought the instruments they did, and nailing down the differences between what's real and what's snake oil. there is far too much snake oil out there, on both sides of the equation.
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I've learned that lesson over time Howie. Occasionally I'll forget it, and wind somebody up. I'll end up wondering why they're so uptight, when I realize that not everybody likes the same things.
 
Help!I'maRock! said:
maybe you can tell that to this thread starter. because he's an idiot:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=743802
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Ah yes!! The Gear Page! Not for me! I started reading the thread. I will say this, the 3rd post by rob2001 was OK. The guy basically said, that he could care less what others were using gearwise. The rest? - corksniffing to the max! As for the OP - gee, it's obvious from his username that he's an ESP fanboy. Some people hate ESPs (not me, although I don't like their neck profiles). I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate somebody telling him he was wasting his time having an ESP. But, I guess the concept of different strokes for different folks ecapes him.
 
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ellengtrgrl said:
Ah yes!! The Gear Page! Not for me! I started reading the thread. I will say this, the 3rd post was OK. The guy basically said, that he could care less what others wereusing gearwise.
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TGP is ridiculous. it's like every opinion at HCEG turned up to 11. there are some really good people posting there, but they mostly get drown out by these buffoons.
 
i've only played a few high end guitars... never a balsa wood and spit or xaviere... but, i can't possibly see how brand name A is $1000's better than brand name B... better, maybe... but not that much better for the money... and i'll tell ya' what, my plywood body Cort SP-3 that originaly cam in a $140 player pack with Rose Meriposas in it through my Crate VC3112 hung all day with my best friends Highway 1 Start with Dimarzio Area 58's through his HR Deville...

maybe i am delusional and need to get a grip... but i honestly believe that the "elite" brands is all a mind f*&k... just mho... my Cort A/E is just as good as any Martin or Taylor that is priced comparably and my Cort X-5 is better tahn any Ibanez that is priced comparably
 
diceman1000 said:
i've only played a few high end guitars... never a balsa wood and spit or xaviere... but, i can't possibly see how brand name A is $1000's better than brand name B... better, maybe... but not that much better for the money... and i'll tell ya' what, my plywood body Cort SP-3 that originaly cam in a $140 player pack with Rose Meriposas in it through my Crate VC3112 hung all day with my best friends Highway 1 Start with Dimarzio Area 58's through his HR Deville...

maybe i am delusional and need to get a grip... but i honestly believe that the "elite" brands is all a mind f*&k... just mho... my Cort A/E is just as good as any Martin or Taylor that is priced comparably and my Cort X-5 is better tahn any Ibanez that is priced comparably
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sometimes Brand Name A actually is worth it. and other times you're paying for the name. IMO, the trick is not getting caught up in extras that do nothing to enhance the feel and sound of the guitar. because it's usually those extras that are jacking up the price into the stratosphere (no pun intended).
 
diceman1000 said:
i've only played a few high end guitars... never a balsa wood and spit or xaviere... but, i can't possibly see how brand name A is $1000's better than brand name B... better, maybe... but not that much better for the money... and i'll tell ya' what, my plywood body Cort SP-3 that originaly cam in a $140 player pack with Rose Meriposas in it through my Crate VC3112 hung all day with my best friends Highway 1 Start with Dimarzio Area 58's through his HR Deville...
maybe i am delusional and need to get a grip... but i honestly believe that the "elite" brands is all a mind f*&k... just mho... my Cort A/E is just as good as any Martin or Taylor that is priced comparably and my Cort X-5 is better tahn any Ibanez that is priced comparably
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Hmm, we're dangerously close to what I was talking about in my original thread posting.......

But I am glad you're happy with your guitar.
 
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