Ray Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 I just got a Fender Starcaster, something to learn while the computer is rendering. Tell me it gets easier after the first day! Is it okay if I ask you some guitar/music related questions in here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 post ahead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 Happy New Year! I want to play some classic (70's) rock and maybe some metal. To get good distortion do I just need a good amp, or do I need to get a distortion box? The 10 watt amp that came in the pack just doesn't have it. Could you recommend a good/reasonably priced amp or distortion box? And, please, tell me that it does get easier. I know it's only been a couple of days, but I don't know if I'll ever get my fingers to go where they're supposed to (with any speed that is!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 if you got aq cheapo practise amp then no, you're right, you wont get anything out of it. so in that case you need an effects pedal. these are very reasonably priced, and really are quallity products (i've used several) and will sound excellent will any guitar and practise amp - http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/browse/category_id/f2ef0d4db9ebdcd47303585bf4ac79f1 infact, browse that site for all the cheaply priced effects you'll ever need. if you're looking for more of a pure traditional authentic tone from your strat, then you'll need a proper amp. ideally, a tube or valve driven amp. these are the best you can buy, but even the lower end of the market valve amps dont particulaly come cheap. so look into solid state (non valve) amps. these are similar what your practice amp is. they range in price from a few bucks, right through to hundreds of bucks. they dont sound as warm and mellow as valves, but the more you spend the closer the sound comes. and specially as you got a strat, i'd reckomend a fender amp too. take a look at these fender made non-valve amps - http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?section=amplifiers&cat=guitaramplifiersenclosures&subcat=frontmanii nice amps, and will give a cracking fender tone with your strat. they've got a knob on them called 'gain'. this is like an in-build overdrive that gives a beautiful richness to your sound. take a look on ebay too, you get good bargins there. and does it get easier? yup. get yourself a set of starter lessons so you get on the right path, then do atleast 1/2 hour practise every night. before long you'll make encouraging progress garanteed m8! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 Thanks for the info! I'm gonna go look for a Behringer OD 100 at lunch--there's a music store two blocks away that is a listed dealer. I'll see how that goes, then upgrade my amp later. I did get a couple of books and can already play the intro to Smoke on the Water (pretty tough, huh?) I saw an infomercial a couple of weeks ago with Peter Frampton pimping some software from emedia, called Guitar Method--ever heard of it? http://www.emediamusic.com/products.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 yeah, although there's 100's of these guitar tutor programs about. and most are very good. i think the best method is to get 15 or so basic lessons face to face with an established player. he (or she) will teach you basic fingering, chord structure, and, if you get that far, basic usable scales. when you know this, which is beginners stuff, all you need to do is sit down with your guitar, switch on your mp3 player, and pratise practise practise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlangas Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Hi Ray, if I can jump in... have you tried http://www.musiciansfriend.com? those guys carry a WWWide selection of products, very good company to deal with, they even have a money back warranty. or the other thing you can do is go to your nearest Guitar Center and talk to one of their sales people. there you can actually hear the difference between the amps and is allways nice to talk to a person instead of geting something via internet. about the pedals, for metal/hard rock the metal zone (boss) is one bad ass pedal, check that one out. that thing has a lot of distortion maybe it you can get nice 70's tone by cutting the distortion. tabs helped me a lot when i started out. most come with chords on top of the actual transcription so thats helpfull too, anyway good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 Thanks for the additional info. I think I'll check some of the local shops first--before buying anything via internet. Maybe even get a demonstration or something. I'll keep you guys posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vizwhiz Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Ray here is a link to a music store literally "3 doors down" http://www.milanomusic.com/ check out The Wall of Guitars picture at the bottom of The page (There is actually a lot more guitars on The wall Than show up here) here is a link for amps http://www.milanomusic.com/guitars.html ** hope This helps Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I'm also an aspiring guitar beginner (with some post-holidays cash), so can y'all give me some advice? On a budget, is a Squire Strat Pack a good idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 On a budget, is a Squire Strat Pack a good idea? certainly is. like Ray, you'll find the guitar is almost second to none, but you might want to spend further on amplification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 Last night I managed to get some distortion by turning guitar volume all the way up but turning amp volume down low. Sounded pretty decent--for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 Ray here is a link to a music store literally "3 doors down" http://www.milanomusic.com/ check out The Wall of Guitars picture at the bottom of The page (There is actually a lot more guitars on The wall Than show up here) here is a link for amps http://www.milanomusic.com/guitars.html ** hope This helps Randy Nice wall. But Look at all the sales people standing around in the first pic. Just waitng to leap on the first guy through the door! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 I'm also an aspiring guitar beginner (with some post-holidays cash), so can y'all give me some advice? On a budget, is a Squire Strat Pack a good idea? I've read good customer reviews on the Squire amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I've read good customer reviews on the Squire amp. It's packaged with a Fender 15G now - still not going to rock more than a fairly small room but it's an upgrade over the 10 watt one. (BTW, is there a formula for figuring out how watts you need to rock a given space? We didn't cover this in my building tech classes.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 is There anyway To put streaming music in a message here at cga there certainly is, but it usually involves fussing about with html stuff, ergo quite probably messing up the rest of the thread, which would royally get Jeff's back up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 I just bought a used Turbo Rat pedal for $40 US. Can't wait to try it tonight! I saw some really nice Fender amps at the store also . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Strat- thanks for the tip, I got the Strat. Roommate's helping me out, and I got the E-Media software, already rocking out with Silent Night I love the guitar - sounds great, looks great, well built. The amp is a bit weak but seems fine for now, but I think I might need different strings. What do you like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 i use a set of size 10's usually. Ernie Balls too and, much to most player's suprise, if you play or practise regular, like a bit every night forinstance, it's almost a must to clean or change to a new set of strings maybe once a month or every other month at worst. you'd be shocked how dirty strings can actually get, and how amazingly differently clean and bright a brand new set always sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Thanks. I've got the stock Fenders now, it came strung with them but a couple of them were a bit dinged up and sound a little off. I'll probably replace them after a couple weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 17, 2006 Author Share Posted January 17, 2006 For most of your guitar tab needs: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlangas Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 or you can try this one, really good site. http://www.olga.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vizwhiz Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 anyone living in The Oregon area? i guess i doesnt matter with Internet and VISA i was bouncing around The Internet (enter not) looking for violas and found a place in Oregon That is moving and having a moving sale Strats and Tele(casters) with mini-amps for $139 if anyone is interested i will look up The url later Today d*mn work it keeps getting in The way Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 17, 2006 Author Share Posted January 17, 2006 anyone living in The Oregon area? i guess i doesnt matter with Internet and VISA i was bouncing around The Internet (enter not) looking for violas and found a place in Oregon That is moving and having a moving sale Strats and Tele(casters) with mini-amps for $139 if anyone is interested i will look up The url later Today d*mn work it keeps getting in The way Randy Send the link, as long as it doesn't turn into one of these : http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13209 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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