It's time.

[astrozombie]

In august I'll begin my bachelor's degree in popular music.

the course has an emphasis on the instrument you play... which in my case is Electric guitar.

I will have recitals, both for the public and as tests, in other words they will be graded, pass or fail.



at the same time, now in July I have another stadium gig on the 21st, a paying gig.

a paying stadium gig.



It's time to get serious about gear.

as of now I only own one guitar, my jaguar. I took the p rails out of the jazzmaster and sold it to the drummer I play with, he enjoys it.



I've decided that I should aim for a high end version of a guitar i loved, the epiphone es-333 I had.

I have to take out a loan soon to help me cover some things I need for college, I will have money left over, and me and the little lady agree: I'm going to be paying for this loan no matter what I use it for, I might as well use it for something I will no doubt use. as JC (singer for the stadium gigs) said, "if you want to do it, and can, do it. the guitar is your tool, it's your breadwinner.



this is where you guys come in.

I've settled on a Gibson. (this is where you laugh out loud)

I've been looking at ebay and sweetwater and I'm not sure on which specific model, but I'm between the ES-335 and the ES-355.

the Es-355 is $4000 on sweetwater.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ES55ARDBG/

the ES-335 plain top is 2700

I feel like the 335 would get the job done.. but I would always look at the 355 and wonder.

I like the idea of the 355 based on some artists I love using them, based on the fact that its flashy (flash is good in front of thousands of people).

I'm no big shot, half the time I'm scared at these big gigs.. I can't keep getting guys from signed artists walking over to check out my rig and see it's a 800 dollar guitar and a borrowed, beaten SG standard. I need a guitar I can stand behind on the stage, in the studio and at my university.

I thought about a Les Paul but the truth is I love the 335 shape and airy feel. I miss that.

all comments welcome, I know you guys give me **** for these kinds of threads but I'm very serious about this and will pull the trigger in the next few months.

also: I'm worried about buying on ebay. cheaper? yes.. but what about warranty? I feel much safer buying from sweetwater.

 

[Kam]

Re: It's time.

.. I can't keep getting guys from signed artists walking over to check out my rig and see it's a 800 dollar guitar and a borrowed, beaten SG standard.

Why not?

 

[astrozombie]

Re: It's time.

Why not?

Because If I want to talk the talk I have to walk the walk. This means not depending on borrowed gear.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with my Jaguar, I just want something a little more top shelf.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: It's time.

Do it!
































Not really, that was just a jab at Matt. He's correct I think.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: It's time.

There's something to be said for investing in a guitar that will inspire you; an instrument that will grow with you. You're young, you're going to be stupid and make mistakes and you're going to jump into things and what the hell, you're 21... just get out there and do it. You're not talking about spending 100k trying to start your own recording studio, you're talking about a few grand for a timeless guitar. Just be smart enough to figure out how you're going to pay off that debt. I don't know how things are in Puerto Rico, but in the continental US there aren't too many musicians that do really well for themselves in this day in age. As long as you can get a steady stream of paid gigs you'll be golden and it'll be paid off in no time.

 

[blueman335]

Re: It's time.

I'm no big shot, half the time I'm scared at these big gigs.. I can't keep getting guys from signed artists walking over to check out my rig and see it's a 800 dollar guitar and a borrowed, beaten SG standard. I need a guitar I can stand behind on the stage, in the studio and at my university.

Let me tell you, it doesn't matter what guitar you're playing nearly as much as what you do with it. I always take imports (with upgraded PU's) and I get some looks from a few guys with MIA guitars, but by the time I walk off stage, they're shaking my hand and treating me as an equal. They'll walk over to my gear and try to figure it out. My approach is under-promise, and over-deliver.

Spend your money where you want, but your playing skills trump the tool. Don't buy a guitar to impress someone else. If they're not pleased with your playing, having a high end guitar isn't going to bail your ass out.

 

[trevorus]

Re: It's time.

I have an LP studio I got for under 600 bucks, and put some great electronics/pickups in it, and I've been hard pressed to find a better guitar. In fact, I own one that should be better in about every way, but I still keep coming back to the LP.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: It's time.

I have an LP studio I got for under 600 bucks, and put some great electronics/pickups in it, and I've been hard pressed to find a better guitar. In fact, I own one that should be better in about every way, but I still keep coming back to the LP.

I see nothing wrong with this logic. Plenty of great guitars out there on the cheap that can be customized to be even better for a lot less money. IMO if you can't afford it, don't buy it.

 

[LedSabbath]

Re: It's time.

The guitar doesn't make the player.

 

[CTN]

Re: It's time.

jeez astro, the real world isn't like TGP.

you are a musician. you make your trade by manipulating SOUND and COMPOSITION, not brands and your image.

Play well. Compose great stuff. All the rest is superficial crap and you would do well to ignore it.

that said, obviously you should make sure that your tools are reliable, and capable of giving you the sounds you want. As long as they can do those things, the brand DOES NOT MATTER. Come on bro, don't be that shallow.

 

[everdrone]

Re: It's time.

hard to make a living as a musician, good luck tho d00d! heh luck is needed to be one of the very few but it can be done!

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: It's time.

As a recent college graduate and owner of one very dead-end bachelor's degree, I'm going to impart some very helpful wisdom to you.

It may seem like the right route to go, and you might have some amazing chops/creativity, but the music industry is not what it was in the 80's and 90's particularly with respect to guitar-oriented music. Just turn on the radio, and you'll hear what's selling on iTunes.

Adele, Katy Perry, Rihanna, David Guetta, Flo Rida, Niki Minaj. Dance/Electronica/Dub Step is pretty much what's in currently.

If you need to take out a loan to pay for an instrument, you really need to consider the returns on the long run. That one gig may be a moment to remember, but are you going to play for beers for the next three years?

I'd be less concerned about the money you pay for the instrument rather than the debt you'll have from tuition.

Buy an "el cheapo" guitar (Epiphone Sheraton/Ibanez AS73) and figure out if the career is right for you. If you can't do it with a $500 guitar, it definitely isn't worth your while to go into debt for a $4000 one.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: It's time.

I am with everyone else.... etc etc

I really dont care about what I play... damn man... I am playing a Squier Classic Vibe Strat I upgraded the crap out of... I really like playing this thing and usually after I play I get the same response from people about my playing as I did when I had my Gibson.

So just play man! Have some fun with the extra money.

 

[everdrone]

Re: It's time.

ya I agree too, college debt can be a lifelong draining sack of sadness... and the interest they charge should be criminal! 8% is profit making highway robbery for govt loanz compared to what home loans etc have been getting

put it this way, being broke is one thing, but being broke with mass govt debt is another story

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: It's time.

Man, eff those uppity "artists" and their BS. And eff trying to ****ing fit in with them!

Rock out with your "cheap" gear and make them say "Damn, you're getting that sound from that?"

Come on, buddy.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: It's time.

Used ES-333 Gibson. They discontinued them for a reason. They were too good of an alternative to a 335 at too good a price. Every bit as good as a 335 where it counts (tone), but with a flat finish. Plus you get an easy access rear door for the pots, switch, and jack. If you don't like the satin lacquer, you can polish it up to be fairly glossy.

That said, nothing is wrong with what you've got.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: It's time.

I remember Rory Gallagher saying in an interview .... own your guitar. By all means use a loan to buy an amp, but always own your guitar, so no-one can take it away from you.

I have a Les Paul which is extremely good, probably better than most Gibsons i'd find in the music stores in my city. It is the guitar i always take to any audition or the first time i play with anybody. It has a full-headstock decal with the G word on it. I did that specifically for one reason .... to shut people up and get beyond their obsession with brand names, so they will actually listen to what I do with the guitar.

If i have any further involvement with those people, they will only see the Gibson-labelled Fernandes (Burny) LP sitting on a stand as a back-up instrument while I play a Strat, Hamer or one of my custom-built guitars. If questioned, i say "Yeah, that Gibson is my backup, my other guitars are better". Which is the truth, and would remain the truth even if the LP was made by Gibson.

If you want a Gibson, buy a Hamer. Better in all respects and one of the very few brands of guitars one can reliably buy without ever having seen or played the specific instrument.

It is absolutely not worth being tied to a large loan simply to have the G word on the end of your guitar. If you want to get noticed, do it via your playing. If, like me, you feel the need to get past certain predjudices to be heard, spend $20 on a headstock decal and a few dollars on a can of lacquer.

BTW, i see plenty of bands, both new and upcoming AND established, playing all kinds of brand names now. It's really not that important, except perhaps to a few tragic individuals who are not a part of the music industry. The type who famously say "They sounded great ... UNTIL i saw what they were using". Don't buy into that crap, you will never please those people. And you don't need to.

BE good, don't worry about looking good.

If you absolutely must have a Gibson, buy a Hamer.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: It's time.

Used ES-333 Gibson. They discontinued them for a reason. They were too good of an alternative to a 335 at too good a price. Every bit as good as a 335 where it counts (tone), but with a flat finish. Plus you get an easy access rear door for the pots, switch, and jack. If you don't like the satin lacquer, you can polish it up to be fairly glossy.

That said, nothing is wrong with what you've got.

man, I hadn't searched for the 333 on ebay.

1,400 is a hell of a lot better.



I don't know if I made it seem like the loan is for the guitar.. it isn't. it's for a computer and some things I need. the cash for the guitar is what I would have left over.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: It's time.

I like the 333 idea but the 335 plain top would be great.

IMO yes, the 355 DOES display something "extra" to the crowd, but don't come right out of the gate with your flashiest ideas. Make them get to know you, and then start pulling out 355s when money isn't the issue.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: It's time.

unfortunately i'm going to have to go against the grain here;
for what you're playing, image does matter.
don't send yourself broke, but if you're being told you need to look the part, you need to act or they'll boot you for someone prettier. and that cute little GF of yours will probably side with the band.
it's for the A&R types. and agents. and management. and photographers. and all those other soulless, whoring, fork-tongued, spiritually bankrupt scene-queens.

heavy modification of an affordable instrument should still be acceptable though?
ie putting $400 of parts on a $100 guitar?