Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

[phil_104]

... caus playing The Ramones or The Clash on a PRS guitar just doesn't work.

So here is the gig : I have a new gig that is going to require me to get dirtier with my guitar playing, hitting that vintage punk vibe of in your face power chords. My PRS can do it, but it just doesn't feel right you know?

Also, I am fairly poor, but am sitting on a few guitars or stuff I could sell. So I am looking for something inexpensive, but still a step up from my squier Jagmaster to rock out with.

The options I have been considering are :

- Fender MIM Tele with Hotrails bridge
- Gibson Melody Maker with Hotrails bridge
- Take a MIM strat body I have, strap on the 50s classic player's neck I have laying around, get a new guard, and throw in the Duncan Designed "Distortion" bridge I have.
- Scavenge the used gear website and find some old beater that I can slap some high output pup into.

I want to know what you guys would do... you all usually have the answer to my guitar related problems.

PS. Playing through a mesa express, if that means anything.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

putting together that strat would be pretty punk. but ya gotta do it with an old, used 'guard

also, i don't like high output pickups for punk styles, they're not as broken apart when you pile on the distortion, they keep it together too well-too smooth. something like a pearly gates would frackin' rock for punk, but it's expensive:dunno:

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

How about, oh I don't know, a Squier Jagmaster?

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

+1 on the "thrown together" MIM Strat option.

 

[Grandturk]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

White Les Paul Custom? just saying...

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

MIM Tele. Absolutely. But, put a broadcaster pickup in it.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

The tele. Or jag. Or strat.

I use all 3.

The melody maker is kind of wy too simple.

But that's my taste.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

The Tele, because it'll have more bite than the Strat. It'll be raunchy and punchy and every other kind of -chy you want it to be.

 

[Wonker]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

Have me make you a V

 

[tnvol]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

White Les Paul Custom? just saying...

+1. Some pretty historic punk was made with one of those. Sexy weapons those white LPs.....

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

if you've got 2 guitarists in your band a tele would be great. joe strummer got some great punk tones from his single coil tele, they did have mick jones and his lp to thicken things up too though. if your the only guitarist in the band go for anything with a low-medium output humbucker. the start would be pretty cool too, the only downfall is that you dont get to have a new guitar lol
another cool guitar for punk would be a gibson dc lp special with p90's. your options are endless!

 

[baritone]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

Of all my guitars, my Mexico Telecaster Standard in stock form is the most punk-sounding. When playing punk styles on my Squier Stratocaster, I usually mix the JB Jr. (bridge) and the Duckbucker (middle) to trim down the midrange spike I like for grunge and metal. But regardless of what you settle on, I think you should go to a store and try out a Mexico Telecaster. The stock pickups sound slightly hotter than US Telecasters to me.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

Tele with Quarter Pounder or Hamer P-90

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

If it was me, I'd go with a Tele, but for you the obvious path of lease resistance is the Strat. Stick to a single pickup - a hot Strat-style or lower-output HB. Quarter Pounder is a good choice, but spend the extra few bucks and get the tapped version. A new pickguard would be nice, but perhaps 2 empty pickups holes (or covering them with stickers) is more punk.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I think I'll find a beat up strat guard, and wire up a mystery humbucker I have lying around. I think it might be from a Godin Lg, but I'm not sure. It's old and rusted, and I don't know if it's a bridge or neck pup, but I don't think it matters. I'll probably just wire it with a single 500k volume, and start hitting power chords.

If I don't dig the strat, then I'll put all the stock electronics in it, and shop around for a tele to trade with


Immortal, the only reason I ain't rockin' the Squier Jagmaster for this one, is that power chords never ''felt'' right to me on a short scale like that. I think fender length is my fav for the style.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

What do you guys think, punk enough? Might have to write something on it in paint marker or something....

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

what about a beat up old LP junior?

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

My first choice would probably be a Firebird - somehow they look the most 'punky'

 

[iceman79]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

If you're talkin' about good old '77 style punk then you need a Les Paul or a Tele
I can't think of any classic punk bands that used Strats.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Gonna need a guitar for punk music...

Punk Rock isn't about about what guitar you play. It is about how you play it. Attitude is all. Check out Ron Asheton.