Guitar Questions
 

Have a few questions for the playas out there...


Just picked up a 10/10 Takamine Jasmine for my oldest daughter for Christmas. While I have owned close to a dozen acoustic guitars, I have never actually purchased strings for one (I know.. I know..) I would like to put a fresh set of strings on it prior to the big day. What would you recommend for this guitar and why. She is a beginner, so she would need playability over durability etc...

I have a nice 20w practice amp at the house that I intend on keeping, but I am considering playing with other people again (you know, a band) and would like your recommendations on a practice amp for this purpose. I am leaning towards a 100W 2x12 combo. This I feel would be about the right size for group practice and possibly small venues. What is your opinion of this...

Also, I have always wanted a stack and I am currently looking a purchasing the Peavey Vypyr 120 tube head and running it on Marshall 1960's (4x12) Do you think that Peavey would push two 1960's? Or do you think that would be overdoing it in the scheme of things. Could I get by just pushing one 1960 for most venues? (don't plan on playing Wembley any time soon ;) ).

Thanks in advance...

I also have a Takamine Jasmine and I think the last strings I put on there were Dean Markleys, though I can't remember the gauge. Probably .013s. I use .010s on my electrics because, when I play other guitars, which tend always use .009s, I can really shred on them.

I happen to be shopping for cabinets at the moment too, though I'm probaby doing a custom 2x12 build. I have an Ampeg 4x12, which has the same Celestions as your Marshall. Paid $160 for it. I run a 100w Soldano Decatone through it. I can't imagine you'd have any use for a second cabinet unless you just liked having your head high enough up that you don't have to bend down to mess with the knobs. You should have no problem running both cabs with a 100w+ head. Just be sure to have your impedance set right on everything.

Hey Rick, you think that a 100w 2x12 combo would be okay for a group practise rig? Any other information I need to know on the Markleys? Does the string have a name in particular or just Dean Markley Acoustic strings?

In the past (when my acoustics had steel strings--now they have nylon ones) I always used Martin strings (lights). No good reason, other than the fact that one of my guitars was a Martin. :)

I also always replaced the wound G with an unwound string. It made bending a bit easier (and resulted in fewer broken G strings).

Oh gosh, a 2x12 would be way more than adequate for practicing. I'm only getting one for ease of movement. My 4x12 won't fit in the trunk of my wife's car, but a 2x12 would. I'll probably sell my 4x12 once I get the 2x12 up and running. I'm buying an empty orange Seismic shell on eBay for $149 delivered and probably slapping in a pair of Celestion V30's.

I don't remember which model Dean Markleys. Just ask at the music store. Someone there will have some recommendations. I don't think string brands are very important. Material (nickel, steel, bronze, etc) and gauge are where it's at.

Couldn't tell you anything about the acoustic strings as I live in the electric world however a 100w combo is plenty loud enough for practicing with some buddies.

I actually have the 100w Vypyr combo and it came in fine over the my buddies bass and drums not even at half volume the few times we played together.

The thing I like about the Vypyrs is that they go to 13.... You know, that's like three more! :D

I use D'Addario Custom lights on most of my acoustics....
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1354232127.jpg

I just sold a Marshall DSL 100 head to a kid last weekend. He came over to try it out. I think I got the volume on 2 before both of us couldn't take it anymore. That thing was just amazingly loud. And I've read many times that they don't even sound right until they get to 7!!!! My Soldano is also 100w, but way more refined.

I am interested in purchasing a Marshall head down the road, but for now, I am planning on going with the Peavey head because of the amp modeling and effects. Just makes sense from a cost stand point...

Peavey Vypry Tube Amp Head

I did finally get a Roland Cube 20XL for practice at the house... Really like it and my wife appreciates the power squeezer function...

Yeah, the volume going to 13 always makes me laugh. I have it with the full size foot pedal, It's a good amp for what it is but I've been thinking about selling it I've had it for a few years and I kind of want to move on.

You have the Sanpera II pedal?

That looks like a lot of things to break on that head.

I have a Boss GT3 processor, but decided to go back to plain old stomp boxes, which I think sound so much better.

Yup got it so I could just switch channels without having to dick around with all the knobs. As well as use the built in looper which you can only use with the foot pedal which is kind of annoying that they have the function built in but you have to get the pedal to use it.

The only thing that I don't like about it is that when you turn it on being a solid state you have to wait a few moments before you plug in. Or if you turn it on with your guitar already plugged in it has a tendency to freeze. I read that the firmware update can fix the issue but I don't have the midi to usb cable so I never bothered.

Rick, I've got the solidstate combo version of that head. Had it for ~3 years so far still good.

D'Addario or Martin Extra Lights.

Best
Les

If you decide you want to unload the amp & pedal just PM me a price. Maybe we can work something out... Would that 100w make an okay practice amp for the home? (Does it have a power squeezer function) or is it best to keep it for group practice. I was actually looking at the Peavey 75 or 100w amp for group practice. That way, I could use the Sanpera pedal on both amps (the practice amp and the head unit).

Does the pedal hold the presets or does the pedal program/save the presets into the amp?

100w is way, way overkill for home playing. It's actually overkill until you get to mid-size theatres.

Yeah that's one of the things that have crossed my mind... being a SS/Tube hybrid...

+1 on D'Addario .011s for a student. Nice light strings let em develop calluses and finger strength gradually over time.

Sheesh! You guys are still pushing around 100w half stacks to gigs and practice sessions??? I guess it does depend on the music you play and the image required but I need about... 20 tube watts in a nice 1x12 Mesa to run with a loud drummer. I use the same rig for most gigs but I rarely play to crowds of more than 3000.