Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

[formos]

Hey guys,
Just another newbie looking to get started on this wonderful journey.
I have two questions though, and was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to give me some advice and suggestions.

AMP:
While blues is the primary sound I'm after and definitely the highest in terms of priority, however, being a beginner who has yet to played around with the various tones or discovered his own tone, I'm thinking of finding an amp with some solid good blues tone but one that is versatile and well rounded enough that'll allow me to play music in other genres as well (pretty much anything other than metal). The particular tones i like are: Mateus Asato's, David Gilmour's, Gary Moor's, John Mayer's, SRV's, (clean tone, blues, jazz, classic rock, blues-rock, etc).

How's the Boss katana 100?
I found these youtube videos of someoen using it and I'm quite impressed to be honest:

Would the Boss katana 100 be a good one to consider? What are some other ones I should perhaps look into or consider? THR10? I've heard a lot of praises on this amp as well, but the volume on it is quite low right as its main purpose is as a quiet practice amp? Can it even play loud enough for me to enjoy and get that full immersion while playing? (I wont be performing live or anything, so the amp will be mainly for home use, but at the same time, I would love for it to be loud enough so I can get that full guitar experience while playing and listening.) And while THR10 does sound pretty good from its direct recording through the USB, i wonder if the actual playing experience will be dramatically less enjoyable than an amp with perhaps a bit more volume?
Anyways, let me know if you have any other suggestions!

Guitar:
Ibanez RG220b (1998)
Got this guitar for free from someone (will be taking it to a guitar shop to make sure everything works and get it re-stringed and setup correctly). This is primarily a metal guitar right? Does anyone by any chance have some experience with it or know if it's capable of at least producing somewhat of an enjoyable blues sound?
Since it's a free guitar, I figured I would use it to learn enough until I am ready for something a little better, but at the same time, I'm somewhat afraid that it's just going to sound like crap and affect my motivations to play - hopefully not.
Here are its specs:
https://reverb.com/ca/item/16767528-ibanez-rg220b-1998-black-electric-guitar-with-gig-bag
It does have a floyd rose tremolo bridge, these are a pain when it comes to changing strings right?

If anyone have any other recommendations or tips, I'm all ears! Good strings to use, picks, or learning materials (books, youtube) that you would recommend?

Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks in advance!

 

[Securb]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

Welcome to the forum. First off the BOSS should do anything you want it to from Jazz - Blues - Rock, it is a very versatile amp and will take a while to outgrow it if you ever do. Any of us on the forum could gig with that amp.

One thing to try to get into your head is there are no "metal guitars", there are plenty of metal guitar players. I first started playing blues jams on my Ibanez Iceman. I used the same guitar in school when I first learned jazz. If I remember correctly, those Ibanez RGs came with the Powersound pickups. They are great sounding but a little hot. For blues, you might want to play off the neck pickup and roll your volume back a bit. Depending on how your playing evolves maybe a pickup swap will be in your future.

Yes, Floyd Rose trems can be a pain but well worth the effort in learning how to maintain it. There are plenty of tutorials on setting up and using your Floyd on YouTube. Those guitars did not come with Floyds, so if it has one, it is a mod. A Floyd Rose will have the name stamped on the base-plate. If it is a stock Ibanez trem do not fret (pun intended) they are great trems.

 

[VinceT]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

Welcome to the forum. First off the BOSS should do anything you want it to from Jazz - Blues - Rock, it is a very versatile amp and will take a while to outgrow it if you ever do. Any of us on the forum could gig with that amp.

One thing to try to get into your head is there are no "metal guitars", there are plenty of metal guitar players. I first started playing blues jams on my Ibanez Iceman. I used the same guitar in school when I first learned jazz. If I remember correctly, those Ibanez RGs came with the Powersound pickups. They are great sounding but a little hot. For blues, you might want to play off the neck pickup and roll your volume back a bit. Depending on how your playing evolves maybe a pickup swap will be in your future.

Yes, Floyd Rose trems can be a pain but well worth the effort in learning how to maintain it. There are plenty of tutorials on setting up and using your Floyd on YouTube. Those guitars did not come with Floyds, so if it has one, it is a mod. A Floyd Rose will have the name stamped on the base-plate. If it is a stock Ibanez trem do not fret (pun intended) they are great trems.

+1 to everything Securb said - just get started!


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[PS412]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

The Katana is a good choice. I have the head and 212 cabinet.
There is a wide variety of sounds, especially if you download the supeduper tone editing stuff from the boss site.
Even without the software you can get a lot from it. Good bang for the buck.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

Katana is a great amp. The 100 might be excessive depending on where you are going to use it. I think there is a 50 and 20?

Of course one alternative that I wish people would have told me to get a Blues Junior, Blues Driver and Tube Screamer...

 

[Gtrjunior]

Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

The Katana will likely serve you well. It’s capable of a wide variety of sounds so it will be able to follow you on your musical journey....wherever it may take you.

Securb was correct in saying not to label a particular guitar as “metal” or “blues” etc. Provided that your Ibanez is I’m good working order it too, will serve you well.
The gear you’re talking about is miles above what I started out with. You will no doubt get many, many years of use from this setup.
And don’t fear the Floyd...before you know it it will be a piece of cake!!

 

[Old Guy]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

Not much more that I can add from my response on your post on TGP. Good luck!

 

[AlexR]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

Yep, Katana is supposedly a very versatile amp.

The guitar, if it has high output pickups, might be harder to get authentic tones from if you are trying to copy a vintage tone dead on. But as a beginner the feel, technique and the notes are way more important. You can always turn the volume on the guitar down to hit the amp less hard for nuance should you progress that far.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

if this is your first guitar
you may want to avoid the Floyd

a hard tail version of the RG may be better at first

my RG2EX1 is among my favorite guitars
the RG4 I have with the Edge trem is my least favorite

but to be fair I have a lot of guitars

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

Welcome to the forum!

Fill in your location so anyone local to you can offer a hand.

The Katana is an excellent option

The RG220 is a solid entry-level guitar that will serve you well right now.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

For beginners, I'd say any Roland/Boss amp is pretty much unbeatable -and you will never sell them even if you upgrade to a tube or high end amp later -their stuff is that good that you will always find enjoyment and time for it.

However TS, I'd say the actual most important thing is enjoying playing -buy a guitar and amp you like to pick up and play -one that excites you, and play all the time -and don't store your stuff in cases or away from sight.

Don't get too wrapped up in "tone" -tone MOSTLY comes from playing quality -which comes from playing all the time -not from gear. The best guitarists in the world sound like themselves and sound amazing -even if you have them play on the most basic or cheap equipment.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

The Katana is a fantastic choice amp-wise for all kinds of sounds. 50 watts if you want to play out/jam, 20 if you are just playing / learning (and a great keeper practice amp!)

As for the guitar - Yes, a Floyd is a big hassle for beginners. However, that guitar will play whatever you want to play on it. Amp > guitar when it comes to good sound.

Billy Gibbons "Pearly Gates" or BB King's "Lucille" through a Fender Frontman 15 = crap.
A $169 Ibanez Gio through my Mesa Stiletto will sound pretty darn good!

Based on what you want to do, I think a standard 3 single coil Strat might be a better choice tone wise. But again - it's gonna be a while before your technique catches up with your tone. And sound -wise that guitar should sound fine. I think most guys here would also agree that a well set up Fender Squire Strat can work great. Having a good setup often makes the difference between low cost and junk vs low cost guitar and very playable.

 

[Lovegun]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

I agree with that the guitar is good and learn how the Floyd Rose Works. And I agree with that the Katana 100 might be too much if you only use it at home. Other than that just play the guitar and have fun with it.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

On a Floyd, replace the strings one at a time and stretch them properly, don't use the cheapest you can find. If you're new I would suggest getting a set of .009-.042 Elixir's and have the guitar setup for them when you take it in for the first tech job and stick with them as that is what the guitar will play the best with for a while. Congrats and have fun! P.s. keep the volume down or use ear protection too!

 

[dave74]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

On a Floyd, replace the strings one at a time and stretch them properly, don't use the cheapest you can find. If you're new I would suggest getting a set of .009-.042 Elixir's and have the guitar setup for them when you take it in for the first tech job and stick with them as that is what the guitar will play the best with for a while. Congrats and have fun! P.s. keep the volume down or use ear protection too!

I agree except for the Elixir strings. I'd go with EB slinkies or regular D'addarios.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

They're not tone kings but aren't bad. For new players I like them b/c they're smooth on non-calloused fingers and stay fresher for longer with the wrap. Regular XL's are like a cheese grater.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

They're not tone kings but aren't bad. For new players I like them b/c they're smooth on non-calloused fingers and stay fresher for longer with the wrap. Regular XL's are like a cheese grater.

I’ve got them on my Taylor. They are a bit more expensive but they last a good long time. And like you said, very smooth and comfy.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

By the way - a wipe down with GHS Fast Fret or something like it will increase the life of the strings significantly. Get religion about doing that!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

There must be awesome Youtube vids on Floyds nowadays....

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Amp, Guitar, and some general inquiry from a beginner

Have fun, everything takes time. Enjoy yourself. Maybe you can get your tech guy to block off that trem for now? Leave that guitar out. Making ramen? Play it while you wait. Keeper in tune and listen to your playing, the speed will come.

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