It's time.

[crusty philtrum]

Re: It's time.

You're playing stadium gigs now with the gear you have. Wahwah plays big gigs all over the place with that Strat of his and a tiny little amp. Why change anything ? I suspect some of this is more in your own head than in anyone elses'.

Unless someone has mentioned this issue to you, as if it's a problem ?

From the pics i've seen, your money might be better spent on some new jeans.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: It's time.

yeah, but wahwah's strat isn't exactly a squier affinity, is it..?
and surely he didn't always use the little champ?

 

[astrozombie]

Re: It's time.

I'm strongly considering the 333 but will still look into the 355.

the price difference is huge, if I find a 355 for a great price I will consider it again as #1.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: It's time.

$1,400? Damn. They have gone up. I sold mine for $900 about three or four years ago. I recently talked to the guy, and he offered to sell it back to me for what he paid. I should jump on that.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: It's time.

$1,400? Damn. They have gone up. I sold mine for $900 about three or four years ago. I recently talked to the guy, and he offered to sell it back to me for what he payed. I should jump on that.

you should!

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: It's time.

I think the advice so far is sound. After 40-years playing I find the guitars today are far better than they used to be when I started. It matters less what I play (assuming it plays well) today. My $800 Jag CP is one of my go to guitars.

This said, I remember being 21. Yes, it is a faint memory. I understand feeling like coming in and starting in the one-down position. I used the Gibson logo for the same reason. In that case go used 335. Aspire to the 355. Nobody starts their career driving BMW (most anyway) and CEO. Drive some and buy local. You get one shot at this purchase and it HAS to feel right. You are shopping for security as much as a guitar.

I buy used Hamer and Washburn USA these days. Did you see the Joe Walsh Crossroads? It is the player.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: It's time.

I think the advice so far is sound. After 40-years playing I find the guitars today are far better than they used to be when I started. It matters less what I play (assuming it plays well) today. My $800 Jag CP is one of my go to guitars.

This said, I remember being 21. Yes, it is a faint memory. I understand feeling like coming in and starting in the one-down position. I used the Gibson logo for the same reason. In that case go used 335. Aspire to the 355. Nobody starts their career driving BMW (most anyway) and CEO. Drive some and buy local. You get one shot at this purchase and it HAS to feel right. You are shopping for security as much as a guitar.

I buy used Hamer and Washburn USA these days. Did you see the Joe Walsh Crossroads? It is the player.

thanks for the insight friend.

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: It's time.

Have you checked out the midtown custom and standard?

 

[MojoMonster]

Re: It's time.

I know it's Guitar Center, but they carry a Trad Pro 335 for around $2500.

Something to consider.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: It's time.

Its not about your gear. Its about your chops.

 

[trevorus]

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.

Read this, again. Then re-read the bolded part over and over and over! Seriously, you can do the job with under a grand, EASY. Once it starts making you money, then you can reinvest a bit. You're going to be in debt up to your eyeballs as it is with student loans. Don't make the mistake of adding more to that. Let's be honest, music is not a lucrative career unless you do what sells. What sells right now is not made on a guitar.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: It's time.

Do whatever makes you happy.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: It's time.

If a 330/333/ 335 is going to be your long term (as in life time mistress) player and THE guitar you have always wanted then you are a wise enough young fella to know whether or not you will benefit from the outlay now. However, don't just go out spending big money for the sake of it, there are other considerations when you're gigging high end gear... accidental damage, theft and then you'll still need a back up or 2! If things work out for you what's to say you won't get some kind of sponsorship deal? Whilst I will never play stadiums or the like I am planning on doing some selling to finance an expensive guitar when THE one comes up because I know that it will be a lifer! Also, I certainly wouldn't buy new, look for a CL deal.

 

[aleclee]

Re: It's time.

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

Let's not get crazy, now!

Seriously, one of the great lessons I learned hanging out on TGP was to buy used. One of the great lessons I learned despite hanging out on TGP :scratchch was to follow my heart when buying gear and to follow my fingers when buying guitars. The best guitar is the one that inspires you to play it.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: It's time.

Do whatever makes you happy.

In general I agree with this but the dudes contemplating using student loans to get a guitar. What might make him happy now could make him really freaking miserable later.

Astro I mean this in the kindest way but unless you get lucky music degrees arent worth much. So your going to want to start out with as little debt as possible.

The people who show up to your gigs dont care about your gear only other guitarists do. J from white zombie used a freaking 300 dollar Charvel 6 for their first 3 albums!

You will never have a recital in college where they say well we would have given you an A if you had played that on a Gibson 335 but since you used a Squire Bullet we're gonna knock it down to a D. Sorry there is nothing that you will play on a semi hollow that you cant play on your Jag.

Hell its college they expect you to be poor. Use what you got.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: It's time.

My 2 Cents...the Jag is a cool guitar and has sufficed thus far. Additionally, it's easy to get into debt and a B*TCH to get out and it can take a while and what may seem like a grand idea NOW in reality may viewed as a big mistake later on. But, all that said, if you must add a new guitar, definitely go the used/pre-owned route.

 

[everdrone]

Re: It's time.

you have already been hereby granted permission to rock people's minds at a stadium and any other gig, whether it is an epiphone or a gibson that you rock!

you dont need a fancy guitar or education and that stuff will only slow you down with a sack of sadness

 

[wahwah]

Re: It's time.

The people who show up to your gigs dont care about your gear only other guitarists do.

This is exactly right. Nobody in an audience will even notice what kind of guitar you use, much less have any opinion about it, nor would it matter what opinion they had if they had one. I've been doing this for a living for three decades, and about 3 times a year, a guitarist or guitar enthusiast comes up after a gig, and the conversation goes like this. "What year is your Strat?" "It's a '68." "Wow, cool."

It's important to maintain perspective when considering decisions like going into substantial debt over an instrument. If you were in the main act doing stadium shows it would be a non-issue, because there would be plenty of money flying around. The most lucrative stadium tours I've been on as part of the main act would buy the guitars you're looking at with a week's wage. But as the support act on a few big shows, the truth is you would be lucky to pay some rent and bills, not buy a guitar. I don't say this to be discouraging, it's great to aspire to greater things, but the maturity to keep things in perspective and not get carried away with the moment will pay off in the long run. It's a different story if you have done enough paying work to save up the money for an instrument, then you can take your time and choose not only the model, but the exact guitar that you want to use. To buy it using money that you don't have on the strength of a couple of support spots doesn't add up to good sense.

I've never studied music, so I can't speak with any authority, but it doesn't seem that it would be necessary to have an expensive guitar just to be a student. Again, working within your means would seem to make more sense. More important that you have a guitar that plays well, stays in tune, and gives you every opportunity to develop your craft. Obviously it's your choice in the end, and only you will be responsible for whatever decisions you make. Best of luck with it.




Cheers........................................ wahwah

 

[astrozombie]

Re: It's time.

We're not talking about a $4000 guitar anymore, I've really got my sights set on the 333. $1500 for a nitro finished 335 is right up my alley.

I can always add things like pickups and a pickguard.

 

[totergecko]

Re: It's time.

no offense dude, but your plan sounds terrible. the whole point of getting a college education is to get yourself a stable career with steady income. of all the possible degree programs to choose from, you chose one of the ones which is least likely to provide you with these benefits. to make matters worse, you are taking out a huge loan to pay for it. at the end of your college experience, you will not enjoy a higher earning potential or a better job market, you will just have a five or six figure debt and a worthless degree. if I was you, I'd be trying to figure out a better career path, not which expensive guitar to buy with money you don't even have.