How do you plan buying new gears?

Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

GuitarDoc said:
I think that buying the most you can afford is the stupidest advice ever. That advice assumes that the more expensive a guitar is, the better it's quality, tone, play-ability, etc. These are very faulty assumptions. There are many many guitars for less than $500 that are way better than some costing 4 times that.

I have several Squires that cost about $100-150 that had all the bases covered except tone. I replaced pups, pots, and tuners putting in less than $200 additional and have ended up with players that cost less than $350 that will compete with my guitars that cost 3-6 times that.

Here's a Tele that plays and sounds pretty good right out of the box, but turns into a "great" player with a Quarter Pound bridge pup (or Jerry Donahue) and fret dressing:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/squier-affinity-series-telecaster-electric-guitar

Or just put one of these in it and have a great sounding Tele for about $200:
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Alnico-Fatbody-10K-OVERWOUND-Tele-Bridge-Pickup_p_74.html

You can add a new neck pup, pots, switches, tuners, etc. later as you feel the need. Or you may decide that you want to go to a more expensive model later once you've had more experience. Put the original pup back in the guitar and sell it for very little loss to help fund your next move up.

Good advice from Empty Pockets, Jocelyn, and KeeperOS.
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I am totally open to consider/buy lower priced products. If they are adequate for my needs I will resist my temptations.
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

Funkfingers said:
High price is no absolute guarantee of excellent quality but, above a certain monetary threshold, you have a right to expect something pretty special.

I am fortunate to own a Fender Old Growth Redwood Telecaster. This was a limited edition run from a few years ago but I do not care about that. The guitar weighs almost nothing, has a fabulous neck profile and resonates like :censored:. Within seconds, I knew that the guitar was leaving the shop with me.

This may sound avaricious. It may indicate that I know a good 'un when I chance upon it.

Like chadd said. These opportunities just kinda turn up sometimes. A trip to buy strings becomes rather more expensive than planned.
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I love good teles Do you happen to have a video of this guitar up somewhere? If you do I would love to see it. :)
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

No videos posted anywhere, sorry. I have recorded with the guitar. (Might be something on Soundcloud.)

There are a few photographs that I repeatedly post here. For a change, here is an image of my local Fender/Martin dealer snapping my Tele next to a newly-arrived OGRW Stratocaster. (I knew that this opportunity would put a smile on his face.) The Strat sold within two weeks.

IMG_0018.jpg

For what is worth, I disliked the OGRW Stratocaster almost as much as adore the Tele. Something about the profile of those necks with the set-in rosewood fingerboards does not agree with me.

And, yes, I still keep the tag on the headstock. How sad is that? ;)
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

Funkfingers said:
No videos posted anywhere, sorry. I have recorded with the guitar. (Might be something on Soundcloud.)

There are a few photographs that I repeatedly post here. For a change, here is an image of my local Fender/Martin dealer snapping my Tele next to a newly-arrived OGRW Stratocaster. (I knew that this opportunity would put a smile on his face.) The Strat sold within two weeks.

View attachment 56951

For what is worth, I disliked the OGRW Stratocaster almost as much as adore the Tele. Something about the profile of those necks with the set-in rosewood fingerboards does not agree with me.

And, yes, I still keep the tag on the headstock. How sad is that? ;)
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Not sad at all. :) Thanks for the picture. Love the colour.
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

Here is my personal take on the matter:

Of the gear equation, player is 80%, amp is 10% and guitar is 10%. I have seen great guitarists play really cheap guitars and make them sound wonderful (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtD3QKOm2u4). However, nobody has ever heard a terrible player and said, "he sucks but his tone is awesome." Never happens. So, this issue is really finding something that inspires you to play. I have had a Parker Fly for 14 years. I am seriously thinking about selling it and just getting a Pacifica 112VM, a mid level acoustic and calling it a day. I recently played a few Pacificas and was really floored at how well they fit me. It was inspiring in a way that my Parker hasn't been in quite a while. Price means nothing. If something really expensive inspires you to play, get it. If it is something much cheaper but you prefer it to the more expensive guitars, get it.

The really difficult is knowing what you want if you haven't played something. It really does take a lot of hands on experience to know. For the longest time I would not even touch a Pacifica because it has such a narrow nut width. I was proven stupid. It just fit my hand better than any other guitar in the store, regardless of price. Same thing with a Peavey Wolfgang Special that happened to be there. I always avoided them because I had usually preferred guitars with a 43mm nut width. The Wolfgang Special fit like a glove. You really have to drop preconceptions and just play to find what works. What works will be individual to you.

For your situation, I wouldn't spend big unless you know you can make the money back if you don't like it.
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

^^

I usually do the same. Try everything in the store until I find that one that makes me smile. Buying **** and making it sound nice make me really happy. That's why I am not happy, I just can't make it sound good, gotta practice more lol.
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

shred4Him said:
Here is my personal take on the matter:

Of the gear equation, player is 80%, amp is 10% and guitar is 10%. I have seen great guitarists play really cheap guitars and make them sound wonderful (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtD3QKOm2u4). However, nobody has ever heard a terrible player and said, "he sucks but his tone is awesome." Never happens. So, this issue is really finding something that inspires you to play. I have had a Parker Fly for 14 years. I am seriously thinking about selling it and just getting a Pacifica 112VM, a mid level acoustic and calling it a day. I recently played a few Pacificas and was really floored at how well they fit me. It was inspiring in a way that my Parker hasn't been in quite a while. Price means nothing. If something really expensive inspires you to play, get it. If it is something much cheaper but you prefer it to the more expensive guitars, get it.

The really difficult is knowing what you want if you haven't played something. It really does take a lot of hands on experience to know. For the longest time I would not even touch a Pacifica because it has such a narrow nut width. I was proven stupid. It just fit my hand better than any other guitar in the store, regardless of price. Same thing with a Peavey Wolfgang Special that happened to be there. I always avoided them because I had usually preferred guitars with a 43mm nut width. The Wolfgang Special fit like a glove. You really have to drop preconceptions and just play to find what works. What works will be individual to you.

For your situation, I wouldn't spend big unless you know you can make the money back if you don't like it.
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WTH!! How is he getting all the twang and the sparkly tone!! It sounded like a good tele at first and then all other colourful tones. I fully agree with your point. Not against getting a lower priced instrument at all. I just need to make sure that the quality is good.
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

While it won't work for everyone, what I've always done is gone in "steps" with buying gear. I started off with an MIM Fender Strat and eventually I'd sell it and take the proceeds to put towards something that worked better for me. Over the years, I got to the point where I had a few pieces that were really nice and sold off all, but the one guitar I'm realistically going to want to keep years down the road. So I guess what I'm saying is that it doesn't have to be an "all or nothing" philosophy with purchases. You can budget your way up to something and enjoy playing a lot of great instruments along the way rather than sticking with something you don't like until you can get something expensive.
 
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Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

That90'sGuy said:
While it won't work for everyone, what I've always done is gone in "steps" with buying gear. I started off with an MIM Fender Strat and eventually I'd sell it and take the proceeds to put towards something that worked better for me. Over the years, I got to the point where I had a few pieces that were really nice and sold off all, but the one guitar I'm realistically going to want to keep years down the road. So I guess what I'm saying is that it doesn't have to be an "all or nothing" philosophy with purchases. You can budget your way up to something and enjoy playing a lot of great instruments along the way rather than sticking with something you don't like until you can get something expensive.
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Thanks. Thats a very sensible approach. Sometimes when you suddenly really like a guitar (the colour, the look, the everything designed to entice you into emptying your pocket) sensible approaches seem to evaporate. hee hee. We are a sad bunch. I have this method that I write down the amount of money every time I resist and don't buy something unnecessary. Saved 640 USD since last May that way (if you can call it saving - almost bought an epiphone). lol
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

saqib09 said:
Thanks. Thats a very sensible approach. Sometimes when you suddenly really like a guitar (the colour, the look, the everything designed to entice you into emptying your pocket) sensible approaches seem to evaporate. hee hee. We are a sad bunch. I have this method that I write down the amount of money every time I resist and don't buy something unnecessary. Saved 640 USD since last May that way (if you can call it saving - almost bought an epiphone). lol
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Haha... a person after my own heart. I'm the same way! I'm so tight financially with so many aspects of my life because I see something I really want and focus my energy into saving for it instead of being distracted by the more frivolous things. You'll get there if you've got the right mindset and it sounds like you do.

One tip I will give you is to invest in well regarded instruments as you go up the "ladder" so to speak. The key is that the more well known of an instrument you spend your money on the better your return should you decide to sell it and put the proceeds towards something else. In this economy, you can't afford to take a chance on an instrument that you may lose half it's value on. That's not to say you can't find excellent guitars of all price ranges and brands, but there is an inherent gamble that you can avoid by being a really selective buyer. I've seen lots of people struggle to sell things, but I haven't had an issue. In most instances, anything I've put out for sale have been sold within two weeks locally (I haven't even had to ship them).
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

Being stuck with decent gear money in a country where there isn't much to play in person or to flip easily in mailorder isn't pretty.

I think the key for me would be attractiveness for resale inside that country, so if you go through the trouble of importing and it doesn't work out you don't leak gear money.

I feel strongly that if you have the cash you should go for American Vintage Strats and Teles, which can be had for very reasonable prices on U.S. ebay. Then you use Ebay's global shipping. Maybe have it shipped with neck detached. Play. If it doesn't work, sell inside the country. The resell attraction of AVRI instruments is very good.

I dunno which country you are in but there is also the Japanese reissues, sold directly from Japan. They ship anywhere for reasonable prices and they don't blink an eye. No fuzz. Some crappy hardware but overall good instruments. If you are in Asia already that might also be a good option.
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

IMO...

Amp is the heart of your sound. If you're not happy with the sound, this is the first place to look. Pedals are like seasoning: they add spice but it's hard to make up for lackluster main ingredients.

Guitar is the interface into the rig. Playability is the key here. "Best sounding guitar" is nice but won't make as big a difference as the right amp. If budget is limited, focus on a guitar that feels great in your hands (and sounds at least good) over one that sounds great but isn't super comfortable to play.
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

I think what does it for so many people is that the guitar is the immediate part of the chain between you and the music that comes out. Amps may play a bigger part of your overall sound, but they don't impact that connection that is the integral part of the music making process.
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

Based on my experience, they make better guitars these days as opposed to back in the day (late 80s early 90s) A cheap guitar back then was usually a piece of junk. These days you can pay $600+ and get something pretty good.

For example. I wanted a 7 string so I searched online to see what was out there. I stumbled across a Schecter 8 string. The Damien Elite 8. It was only $650 and I could pay it off monthly so I just took a shot in the dark and ordered it. It turned out to be a really good guitar which made me think a high end Schecter would be even better.

Just search everywhere for what you want. Take your time and when you find it, get it.
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

I start by not calling it "gears".

Then you determine needed. What is the weakest link? What are the alternatives that will upgrade it sufficiently? Rinse and repeat
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

uOpt said:
Being stuck with decent gear money in a country where there isn't much to play in person or to flip easily in mailorder isn't pretty.

I think the key for me would be attractiveness for resale inside that country, so if you go through the trouble of importing and it doesn't work out you don't leak gear money.

I feel strongly that if you have the cash you should go for American Vintage Strats and Teles, which can be had for very reasonable prices on U.S. ebay. Then you use Ebay's global shipping. Maybe have it shipped with neck detached. Play. If it doesn't work, sell inside the country. The resell attraction of AVRI instruments is very good.

I dunno which country you are in but there is also the Japanese reissues, sold directly from Japan. They ship anywhere for reasonable prices and they don't blink an eye. No fuzz. Some crappy hardware but overall good instruments. If you are in Asia already that might also be a good option.
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Thanks. I'm in Asia. I look into buying from Japan. Do you happen to know any Japanese online shop you would recommend?
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

aleclee said:
IMO...

Amp is the heart of your sound. If you're not happy with the sound, this is the first place to look. Pedals are like seasoning: they add spice but it's hard to make up for lackluster main ingredients.

Guitar is the interface into the rig. Playability is the key here. "Best sounding guitar" is nice but won't make as big a difference as the right amp. If budget is limited, focus on a guitar that feels great in your hands (and sounds at least good) over one that sounds great but isn't super comfortable to play.
Click to expand...

Yes, at this stage I don't intend to exceed 600 USD for the guitar. I would love to get a Princeton Reverb too. I wanna wait another year to shed the beginner status. Thanks for the comment. :laugh:
 
Re: How do you plan buying new gears?

LazNovak said:
Based on my experience, they make better guitars these days as opposed to back in the day (late 80s early 90s) A cheap guitar back then was usually a piece of junk. These days you can pay $600+ and get something pretty good.

For example. I wanted a 7 string so I searched online to see what was out there. I stumbled across a Schecter 8 string. The Damien Elite 8. It was only $650 and I could pay it off monthly so I just took a shot in the dark and ordered it. It turned out to be a really good guitar which made me think a high end Schecter would be even better.

Just search everywhere for what you want. Take your time and when you find it, get it.
Click to expand...

Thanks :)
 
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