TS Anderson
New member
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
Does anyone know anything about Heritage guitars... just out of curiosity...
Does anyone know anything about Heritage guitars... just out of curiosity...
Electric Guitar Shoppin'
- Thread starter TS Anderson
- Start date
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
As much as I love Telecasters (I own one myself) I still think you should try out several guitars before you just go and pick up a thinline, IMHO. I fear it may be too trebly for you from your description, but you should try one out anyway cuz they are sweeeet. I think the Epiphone Sheraton will fit your bill perfectly, but one person's holy grail is another person's nightmare. Let your ears decide for you.
But jeremy's advice is very wise- buy all your stuff at the same place, and I can just about guarantee they'll cut you some price breaks.
As much as I love Telecasters (I own one myself) I still think you should try out several guitars before you just go and pick up a thinline, IMHO. I fear it may be too trebly for you from your description, but you should try one out anyway cuz they are sweeeet. I think the Epiphone Sheraton will fit your bill perfectly, but one person's holy grail is another person's nightmare. Let your ears decide for you.
But jeremy's advice is very wise- buy all your stuff at the same place, and I can just about guarantee they'll cut you some price breaks.
TS Anderson
New member
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
Also - note, this may seem really novice - does acoustic string lingo translate to electric string world? If anyone could shed light on that, that would be great.
Thanks,
TA
Also - note, this may seem really novice - does acoustic string lingo translate to electric string world? If anyone could shed light on that, that would be great.
Thanks,
TA
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
Amazing guitars ... but way above your stated budget!!TS Anderson said:
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
Most of the basic things are still the same- headstock, body, bridge, fretboard, etc. Also, if you are looking at a semi-hollow or hollow-body electric guitar, you'll also have the laminate vs. solid-body thing going on. (I'm sure your Martin is all solid wood). For the price range you're looking at, the hollow guitars will be laminates, which is fine. The difference between a laminate and solid body acoustic is much more dramatic than it is for an electric guitar, as an electric guitar's pickups will compensate for a lot of the difference in body resonance.
Speaking of pickups, that is the biggest 'lingo' difference. There will be single-coil and humbucker ("double-coil") pickups. Which is better is strictly a matter of preference. You'll also note that strings are lighter on an electric guitar, and you'll have only 3 wound strings instead of 4.
I hope I'm not being overly pedantic or simplistic here- I'm just trying to give the most basic points that you may or may not be familiar with. Sometimes when I'm teaching someone guitar I forget that I started off not knowing anything and I remind myself not to assume a person's previous experience.
TS Anderson said:
Most of the basic things are still the same- headstock, body, bridge, fretboard, etc. Also, if you are looking at a semi-hollow or hollow-body electric guitar, you'll also have the laminate vs. solid-body thing going on. (I'm sure your Martin is all solid wood). For the price range you're looking at, the hollow guitars will be laminates, which is fine. The difference between a laminate and solid body acoustic is much more dramatic than it is for an electric guitar, as an electric guitar's pickups will compensate for a lot of the difference in body resonance.
Speaking of pickups, that is the biggest 'lingo' difference. There will be single-coil and humbucker ("double-coil") pickups. Which is better is strictly a matter of preference. You'll also note that strings are lighter on an electric guitar, and you'll have only 3 wound strings instead of 4.
I hope I'm not being overly pedantic or simplistic here- I'm just trying to give the most basic points that you may or may not be familiar with. Sometimes when I'm teaching someone guitar I forget that I started off not knowing anything and I remind myself not to assume a person's previous experience.
TS Anderson
New member
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
I hate to keep throwing names out there... but any feelings about the Hamer Newport hollow body?
I hate to keep throwing names out there... but any feelings about the Hamer Newport hollow body?
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
Hamer makes killer guitars, IMHO. They Newport is one of the best guitars I've played. It has a true carved spruce top, which I think makes it sound amazing. The only problem is the price. They aren't cheap. I also have an Epi sheraton which i love. I set it up, changed the pickups, and am very happy with it. it can do anything from blues, to jazz, rock, and even a bit of country.
TS Anderson said:
Hamer makes killer guitars, IMHO. They Newport is one of the best guitars I've played. It has a true carved spruce top, which I think makes it sound amazing. The only problem is the price. They aren't cheap. I also have an Epi sheraton which i love. I set it up, changed the pickups, and am very happy with it. it can do anything from blues, to jazz, rock, and even a bit of country.
TS Anderson
New member
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
Sweet...
Question: Many folks are talking about changing out the pick-ups and upgrading. This maybe a stupid question, but how do you tell a crappy pick-up from a good one? Also, can store like Sam Ash change those without screwing up a guitar? Or should I hit up a good luthier/repair guy?
Thanks,
T
Sweet...
Question: Many folks are talking about changing out the pick-ups and upgrading. This maybe a stupid question, but how do you tell a crappy pick-up from a good one? Also, can store like Sam Ash change those without screwing up a guitar? Or should I hit up a good luthier/repair guy?
Thanks,
T
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
T, my advice is to live with the guitar, before deciding on wholesale replacement of parts. Some guitars need parts replaced right away, depending on preference. For example: I love Strats, but I detest single coil pickps, so those gotta go. In other words, develop a taste of what you like and don't like 1st, then go about changing what you don't like in a guitar.
T, my advice is to live with the guitar, before deciding on wholesale replacement of parts. Some guitars need parts replaced right away, depending on preference. For example: I love Strats, but I detest single coil pickps, so those gotta go. In other words, develop a taste of what you like and don't like 1st, then go about changing what you don't like in a guitar.
TS Anderson
New member
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
I'm glad I found this forum! Hopefully over the next week or so I can go get my hands wet at a few stores. I'll keep you updated on my progress (I'm sure I'll have a few questions along the way).
The input has been fantastic.
TA
I'm glad I found this forum! Hopefully over the next week or so I can go get my hands wet at a few stores. I'll keep you updated on my progress (I'm sure I'll have a few questions along the way).
The input has been fantastic.
TA
Seraphial
New member
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin'
I've heard a few people say good things about the thinline's, and I've also heard some great things about this as well -
http://www.schecterguitars.com/Dprods.htm
Maybe not you're style, but very versatile and has some quality components as well. If your're looking into vintage sounding amps, also check out a Carvin Bel-air as well - does the Fender thing pretty well and is cheaper than what you'd expect.
Oh, and another thing - if you do buy from a store, buy altogether and and be firm on what you want. Like "I've got $1100 and I want this and that." Haggle like hell and make sure you know what prices you should be paying - its definitely worth searching the internet for the best possible price or emailing smaller retailers. And make sure you get all the goodies (strings, picks, cleaning cloth) thrown in.
I've heard a few people say good things about the thinline's, and I've also heard some great things about this as well -
http://www.schecterguitars.com/Dprods.htm
Maybe not you're style, but very versatile and has some quality components as well. If your're looking into vintage sounding amps, also check out a Carvin Bel-air as well - does the Fender thing pretty well and is cheaper than what you'd expect.
Oh, and another thing - if you do buy from a store, buy altogether and and be firm on what you want. Like "I've got $1100 and I want this and that." Haggle like hell and make sure you know what prices you should be paying - its definitely worth searching the internet for the best possible price or emailing smaller retailers. And make sure you get all the goodies (strings, picks, cleaning cloth) thrown in.
Last edited:
TS Anderson
New member
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin' UPDATE
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin' UPDATE
Hey Folks... it's me again (the novice electric guitar shopper). The advice and directional opinions you gave me up to now have been great. I am beginning to shift my search by up-ing the $$$ range I am looking in. Up to now I've picked up a lot of the usual suspects at Guitar Center... including Fender, Gretsch. Yesterday I got my hands on a Hamer Newport and a Guild X150. The Hamer was too thin (body and neck) for me. The Guild felt much better... much more along the lines I'm looking for in terms of feel. Hopefully tomorrow I am going to get my hands on a Guild Starfire III and a Starfire IV. Based on info from the net... both of these seem like they might be good candidates (if they are anything along the lines of the X150 in terms of feel).
In terms of amps... I've not played a Peavey Classic 30 or Tech 21 (the stores I've been to have only stocked Fender and Marshalls in my price range)... but it seems like so many people recommend these amps that I could go wrong with either one (?).
Anyhow... it is looking like my $$$ range has gone from $1000-$1300 to about $1800-$1900.
I'm curious to see if anyone has any suggestions based on what I've learned.
Thanks,
TA
Re: Electric Guitar Shoppin' UPDATE
Hey Folks... it's me again (the novice electric guitar shopper). The advice and directional opinions you gave me up to now have been great. I am beginning to shift my search by up-ing the $$$ range I am looking in. Up to now I've picked up a lot of the usual suspects at Guitar Center... including Fender, Gretsch. Yesterday I got my hands on a Hamer Newport and a Guild X150. The Hamer was too thin (body and neck) for me. The Guild felt much better... much more along the lines I'm looking for in terms of feel. Hopefully tomorrow I am going to get my hands on a Guild Starfire III and a Starfire IV. Based on info from the net... both of these seem like they might be good candidates (if they are anything along the lines of the X150 in terms of feel).
In terms of amps... I've not played a Peavey Classic 30 or Tech 21 (the stores I've been to have only stocked Fender and Marshalls in my price range)... but it seems like so many people recommend these amps that I could go wrong with either one (?).
Anyhow... it is looking like my $$$ range has gone from $1000-$1300 to about $1800-$1900.
I'm curious to see if anyone has any suggestions based on what I've learned.
Thanks,
TA
