WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?
- Thread starter Miget Kotla
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LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?
One of the best B + M combo sounds I've heard was with a Jackson Soloist (And Kahler) with SSL-1's. 3 Singles and RWRP middle (which typically I don't like).
^^ yes and no.
It depends entirely on what you consider a "strat" sound. 24 frets for example only slightly moves the neck PU, the effect on the bridge + middle tone will be absolutely zero. If your strat sound is the neck + middle position, the difference between gibson and fender scales will be negligible (all other things equal, which they never are).
And I think it was Dickey Betts that dropped the bomb a few years ago about one of his more famous tracks everybody constantly said was a tele, and he maintains it was a les paul.... I think that kind of sums up what can be made to sound like what in the right players hands
One of the best B + M combo sounds I've heard was with a Jackson Soloist (And Kahler) with SSL-1's. 3 Singles and RWRP middle (which typically I don't like).
Last edited:
RorySquier
Well-known member
Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?
For a custom guitar, it's best to look around or actually try the guitars. Put some thought into what you exactly want because there are different variations of strats. If you don't know exactly what you want, then you are probably not ready for a custom guitar yet. For myself, I like buying a used, ordinary strat and turning it into the guitar I want. I do my own mods and pick up wiring, painting, etc. That's if you are into that sort of thing. You can save money doing your own custom work and you get the satisfaction of playing something you worked on yourself.
For a custom guitar, it's best to look around or actually try the guitars. Put some thought into what you exactly want because there are different variations of strats. If you don't know exactly what you want, then you are probably not ready for a custom guitar yet. For myself, I like buying a used, ordinary strat and turning it into the guitar I want. I do my own mods and pick up wiring, painting, etc. That's if you are into that sort of thing. You can save money doing your own custom work and you get the satisfaction of playing something you worked on yourself.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?
MK. This and your other recent threads leave me with the lingering impression that you desire a guitar that you hope will impress others and, perhaps, bestow some status upon you as its owner. In my opinion, this is an unwise method by which to select an electric guitar, be it boutique, boot sale or any price point in between.
To use myself as an example, I could (and often do) bore everyone here senseless, writing about why I dig Telecasters, Stratocasters and mahogany/P90 type guitars. For better or worse, I have a definite opinion about these things. My opinions apply to me and me alone. They help me to refrain from buying beautiful musical instruments that I can afford but which I can confidently say will not suit me. They also help me to spot inexpensive guitars that will do exactly what I need after a pickup transplant. (Case in point: Clearance price Hamer XT Junior + SD Ant P90 = big grin!)
MK. This and your other recent threads leave me with the lingering impression that you desire a guitar that you hope will impress others and, perhaps, bestow some status upon you as its owner. In my opinion, this is an unwise method by which to select an electric guitar, be it boutique, boot sale or any price point in between.
To use myself as an example, I could (and often do) bore everyone here senseless, writing about why I dig Telecasters, Stratocasters and mahogany/P90 type guitars. For better or worse, I have a definite opinion about these things. My opinions apply to me and me alone. They help me to refrain from buying beautiful musical instruments that I can afford but which I can confidently say will not suit me. They also help me to spot inexpensive guitars that will do exactly what I need after a pickup transplant. (Case in point: Clearance price Hamer XT Junior + SD Ant P90 = big grin!)
Miget Kotla
New member
Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?
I enjoy the sound of other guitars too....lots of my friends are much more into Gibsons.............PRS...although on the Fender side it's true Strats dominate here. As for showing off the guitar, for the most part it will remain for me to play in my house and office - I don't do public gigs although I would not hesitate to allow one of my students to use any of my equipment. They are young but have earned lots of public recognition (no discussion about who owns their equipment though, heheheheheeee). They recently opened for Kool and the Gang and were selected to open for Journey but the last concert is delayed. I have a band room in my home and a large portion of my office is dedicated kind of a stage area (without the stage) where a full band can jam with everything provided/ready to go. It's been all about playing music......and passing the opportunity on to others (and down to young people).
I have lots of respect for those who make/repair instruments - enough that it is not tempting to jump in and aside from all the hours spent working with bands during the day/night add the technical side to doing even more. Unfortunately I don't live in a place that has guitar luthiers "a few hours from me" hehehehheeee. Most work is done by mailing/shipping your instrument off to a place that does have these professionals. In order to get a good sound from the equipment we do have, aside from being able to play all the instruments, I've had to learn sound engineering and set-up and things do run better now that a musician runs the boards.
Not all sound engineers may agree with that last statement but our bands sure notice the difference. I still think it's best to let the pros do what they do best..........if anyone has a question about music or equipment set up or board configurations or mic selection and positioning or even music curriculum ....I think I can contribute lots. But guitar creating and repairing and customization......a whole new area for me at least. I wish I had the time in life to learn this new world of knowledge but admittedly I don't and it would take away from the music playing and instruction side and I can't always find enough hours in the day for even that. I really appreciate the advice though and do understand how important the tech side of playing the guitar is. I enjoy jamming but receive a better high watching my students on stage, maybe the same way those of you skilled enough to customize your own guitars feel when you are playing your own guitar (instead of playing a guitar someone else worked on). Good stuff......thanks again!
I enjoy the sound of other guitars too....lots of my friends are much more into Gibsons.............PRS...although on the Fender side it's true Strats dominate here. As for showing off the guitar, for the most part it will remain for me to play in my house and office - I don't do public gigs although I would not hesitate to allow one of my students to use any of my equipment. They are young but have earned lots of public recognition (no discussion about who owns their equipment though, heheheheheeee). They recently opened for Kool and the Gang and were selected to open for Journey but the last concert is delayed. I have a band room in my home and a large portion of my office is dedicated kind of a stage area (without the stage) where a full band can jam with everything provided/ready to go. It's been all about playing music......and passing the opportunity on to others (and down to young people).
I have lots of respect for those who make/repair instruments - enough that it is not tempting to jump in and aside from all the hours spent working with bands during the day/night add the technical side to doing even more. Unfortunately I don't live in a place that has guitar luthiers "a few hours from me" hehehehheeee. Most work is done by mailing/shipping your instrument off to a place that does have these professionals. In order to get a good sound from the equipment we do have, aside from being able to play all the instruments, I've had to learn sound engineering and set-up and things do run better now that a musician runs the boards.
Not all sound engineers may agree with that last statement but our bands sure notice the difference. I still think it's best to let the pros do what they do best..........if anyone has a question about music or equipment set up or board configurations or mic selection and positioning or even music curriculum ....I think I can contribute lots. But guitar creating and repairing and customization......a whole new area for me at least. I wish I had the time in life to learn this new world of knowledge but admittedly I don't and it would take away from the music playing and instruction side and I can't always find enough hours in the day for even that. I really appreciate the advice though and do understand how important the tech side of playing the guitar is. I enjoy jamming but receive a better high watching my students on stage, maybe the same way those of you skilled enough to customize your own guitars feel when you are playing your own guitar (instead of playing a guitar someone else worked on). Good stuff......thanks again!
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?
Not sure whether post #65 is supposed to be a response to post #64 or not? Nothing seems to follow in a clear way.
One statement that caught my attention is the comparison drawn between yourself and a "proper" sound engineer. I find this significant.
The best sound engineers listen far more intensely than most people. They detect details that most people overlook. In my opinion, this capability is just as important for the people who play instruments as it is to those who record and/or mix.
Without "golden ears", you are less likely to notice the differences between a great guitar and a truly outstanding one.
Not sure whether post #65 is supposed to be a response to post #64 or not? Nothing seems to follow in a clear way.
One statement that caught my attention is the comparison drawn between yourself and a "proper" sound engineer. I find this significant.
The best sound engineers listen far more intensely than most people. They detect details that most people overlook. In my opinion, this capability is just as important for the people who play instruments as it is to those who record and/or mix.
Without "golden ears", you are less likely to notice the differences between a great guitar and a truly outstanding one.
Miget Kotla
New member
Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?
Yeah, takes lots of time and training.....and some still are not able to get it just right even with all the time in the world. Those who can.....they should handle the mixing during live events. Really wish I could do the repair and modification work on guitars too but as I said, already doing lots and so need to refer that work out to a professional. Maybe the better sound engineers you describe have the "golden ear" while an expert on the guitar tech side has the "golden hand?"
As they often say, "Those who can do; those who can't..........teach."
Yeah, takes lots of time and training.....and some still are not able to get it just right even with all the time in the world. Those who can.....they should handle the mixing during live events. Really wish I could do the repair and modification work on guitars too but as I said, already doing lots and so need to refer that work out to a professional. Maybe the better sound engineers you describe have the "golden ear" while an expert on the guitar tech side has the "golden hand?"
As they often say, "Those who can do; those who can't..........teach."
Diminished Triad
New member
Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?
Next you'll be doing your own drumming and harmony? IF I COULD AFFORD professional work on my guitars I would go for it in a second. Can do some wonders on a guitar when playing but heck yeah let the teachers teach and the players play and the techies do what they do best!
Do not do your own tech work guy!Yeah, takes lots of time and training.....and some still are not able to get it just right even with all the time in the world. Those who can.....they should handle the mixing during live events. Really wish I could do the repair and modification work on guitars too but as I said, already doing lots and so need to refer that work out to a professional. Maybe the better sound engineers you describe have the "golden ear" while an expert on the guitar tech side has the "golden hand?"
As they often say, "Those who can do; those who can't..........teach."
Next you'll be doing your own drumming and harmony? IF I COULD AFFORD professional work on my guitars I would go for it in a second. Can do some wonders on a guitar when playing but heck yeah let the teachers teach and the players play and the techies do what they do best!
