Choice for 2nd Electric Guitar?

[Nathans_Dad]

I appreciate the input on sticking with one brand due to scale differences in the neck, remember though I have only been playing since October. Would it make a difference if you started out playing both brands? Would you then be able to play both well? Clapton played a Strat and an SG...now obviously I'm not and never will be Clapton...

[Les Paul]

Have you ever watched the DVD of U2's Chicago show from a couple of years ago? The Edge plays a different guitar on every song. He still sounds like the Edge.

Don't stress about scale lengths, neck widths, bla, bla, bla, hone your craft and all that won't make much difference if your used to different types.

And please don't worry about your tone yet. I get so tired of the great TONE enigma. If it sounds good it's good.

[Nathans_Dad]

Ok so to hijack my own thread (please keep the input on the as yet to be determined addition coming!!)...

My Highway One Strat has the standard pickups in it. I am thinking about putting a wedge behind the bridge to make it a hardtail (I never use the tremolo bar right now anyhow) to see if I like that any better.

If I were to change out the pickups for an upgraded set, any advice on which ones to look at? I have heard the Texas Specials and the Custom Shop '69s are good but other than that I'm clueless....

Also, my Strat came with a humbucker in the bridge position. If I buy a new pickguard cut for 3 single coils can I install that ok in the body?

[Les Paul]

Take the pickguard off and see what is cut into the wood more than likely it was cut for a humbucker.

There is a very informative video on youtube that Clapton made in the late 60's. In it he shows what the various tone knob settings will do for your sound.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4vxOoSS5RY

amazing what your guitar is capable of without effects. In other words leave it as is and learn its capabihttp

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7omYv89SGAs&feature=relatedlities.

that one is more like your strat.

[Rick Lee]

You can buy humbuckers that will fit into a single coil space, since they are stacked instead of side by side. I think DiMarzio still makes the HS-3 and I have one laying around somewhere. I have a Tex Mex Strat with EMG's in it and it screams.

[Nathans_Dad]

Right, I know they make humbuckers you can fit into a single coil space, I assume there wouldn't be an issue putting a single coil into where humbuckers were?

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

So looking at it from a tonal perspective, does is make more sense to go with a Gibson than another Fender? I mean, I would imagine that a Strat and a Tele sound similar, not the same, but close. I have heard Tele players say they can make their Tele sound like a Strat and vice versa.

Can you make a Strat or Tele sound like a Gibson? If not, if I am looking to be able to produce a larger variety of sound would a Gibson SG or Les Paul paired up with a Strat give me more options than a Strat and a Tele?

I'm asking because there is probably going to be a limit to my G.A.S...lol...wife induced. I doubt that I will end up with 5 or 6 guitars, at least not anytime soon. Also, I bought the American Fender because I knew I would be keeping it long term and could justify spending the extra $300 or so over a MIM both for future value and current quality. Is it the same between Epis and Gibsons?

Personally, I would buy a Gibson (but then again, I'm a Gibson guy). I've had a similar thought of buying a Fender to balance the two Gibsons I've got (SG and Les Paul). My SG plays like a dream, but the Les Paul's tone is incredible.

One thing I have found is that I don't really like cheap guitars. It may sound snobbish, but it always seems that you get what you pay for.

Bottom line, I would go play a bunch of guitars and see what "speaks" to you. You might find something you like that you never expected.

[deathpunk dan]

Someone asked about firebirds - I say forget those. They are cool looking (especially the reverse firebirds), but newer/reissue ones play like crap. They lack the innate balance of a proper les paul, be it a plank body or carved top.

SGs are awesome, especially ones with 60 style necks, slim and fast.

Have you ever tried a les paul junior (think Leslie West, Mick Jones, Johnny Thunders,even Keef once in a while sports one)? Double cutaway of course...

Here's my in 'action' awhile back with my favorite guitar:


They really only get one tone, but it's a killer. Make sure you get one with a real P-90 and not the WEAK noise-cancelling P-100.

[dhoward]

Go with the SG.
I've got a Strat, Tele, LP, Kramer, couple of Ibanezs.
I always go back to the SG for fun.
Just plays nice.

[targa911S]

Did someone say Firebird?? Here is it's big brother.

[deathpunk dan]

the thunderbird is a very cool bass....here's a friend of mine with hers a few years back:

[targa911S]

It makes a huge dark raspy sound. Through and SVT it will rattle your nuts. Hers looks white. If it's an original, like mine, those are rare. I had a white, factory mistake T-bird years back that had 3 pick ups. WAY too much sound for a bass. It IS haevy by the end of the night. Hell the thing is huge. It's like wearing a bar stool!

[Les Paul]

A few of my sons guitars. The one in the middle is a starter Peavey and is still a killer guitar after 12 years of hard living. The Fender is a big apple, Les Paul, and SG. Notice they all have a broken string. He used to be very hard on strings.

[dhoward]

Originally Posted by targa911S

Did someone say Firebird?? Here is it's big brother.

Who's the old dude holdin' it?

[targa911S]

Ouch!! It's your old pal T-Bird.. Just think of your Dad with an attitude.....looking a little buzzed too if I say so myself. How could that be? :-)

Yeah feeling a little old these days. 57 hurts every day.

[nostatic]

where the hell is the B-string?!?!?

[dhoward]

For a minute I thought you said G-string.
Real basses don't have B-strings.

[Sonic dB]

There is something about a Telecaster that just is just pure classic.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=telecaster&st=

every time I play a Les Paul it just feels a bit off. Of course I am a newbie guitarist so I certainly am no expert.

That is how i feel too and Ive been playing 20 years but lots of people love them. My first professional guitar was a Les Paul and just from playing at home the cheap hardware fell off, tuning pegs broke etc. it was embarrassing for Gibson to be so cheap... however i do like Gibson basses and the archtop jazz style guitars...

Not all cheaper guitars are bad, you just have to look around to find one that is well made. These days there is quite a lot in that price range that is good.

[rouxroux]

Any # of strings over 1 is wasted anyway....

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by nostatic

where the hell is the B-string?!?!?

It's there. I use a five string set and throw away the G. I tune B,E,A,D. The low B on a T-Bird brings plaster down.