TOTALLY N/A, Guitars

markb5900

markb5900

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Mark B
I bought my daughter in law a new guitar for Christmas.
Spent about 3 hours in the music store looking and listening to the "guy" play different ones for me.
I ended up getting a Fender, 4 pick ups, dual tone control and of course a "whammy" bar.
NOW, since I really don't know CRAP about guitars other than I like the way this one sounded the best and "that one is 1,000 and this one is 500.00"
How do I REALLY know if I bought her a "good" guitar.
Soliciting opinions from everyone I know, I have 30 days to return no questions asked or to "upgrade".
Thanks for you help

Mark B
 
I'm no expert, especially on electric guitars since I just play acoustic, but IMO you can't go wrong with the name Fender.
 
markb5900 said:
How do I REALLY know if I bought her a "good" guitar.
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Two ways. First she likes it. Second in 30 years someone offers you $30,000 for it.


markb5900 said:
Soliciting opinions from everyone I know, I have 30 days to return no questions asked or to "upgrade".
Click to expand...
Let her play it and decide if she likes the action, sustain, and feel of the neck. Instruments are a very personal thing. I go to music shops all the time just to play the different ones. If I run into one I really love I'll buy it. I am down to only two banjos so I have been out looking for a new one. I want a long neck Pete Seeger model. I found one I liked but it was the cost of a Garmin 430W (not installed), I passed.
 
Well Mark , i agree with both of the other posts. Fender is a good guitar, And let her try it . I have 5 guitars 1 Electric (Gibson/epiphone) and 4 acoustic (2 fender 1- 6 string and 1- 12string,1 Epiphone (pre-gibson),1 Martin) Cant go wrong with brand names.
Hope she enjoys it
BTW is it a Stratocaster or what ?
Dave G.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
 
Shipoke said:
Well Mark , i agree with both of the other posts. Fender is a good guitar, And let her try it . I have 5 guitars 1 Electric (Gibson/epiphone) and 4 acoustic (2 fender 1- 6 string and 1- 12string,1 Epiphone (pre-gibson),1 Martin) Cant go wrong with brand names.
Hope she enjoys it
BTW is it a Stratocaster or what ?
Dave G.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
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Yes it is a Stratocaster.
I "know" how personal they can be. But I also know my daughter in law. She would just be looking at price and not get what SHE wanted if she thought it cost to much, that is why I bought it with out her.
Wanted to get her something that she could keep "forever" if you know what I mean.
For me Christmas is about getting things for people that they would never buy themselves. Whether it is a 5.00 or 500 that is not what is important.
 
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Well i think she will LOVE the Strat. Mark .And i agree with the reasoning behind it .
Tell her i said ENJOY the new Xmas toy.
Dave G.
 
A stratocaster with a whammy bar?

reet-toont, teen-toont, teen-toont, teen-toot-teen-toon-teeee!
(for those who don't get the joke, wikipedia "Joe's Garage")
 
Well, if she doesn't like it, regift it to me.:yes:

Frankly, I've always wanted a Tele, but any port in a storm.:D
 
smigaldi said:
Two ways. First she likes it. Second in 30 years someone offers you $30,000 for it.


Let her play it and decide if she likes the action, sustain, and feel of the neck. Instruments are a very personal thing. I go to music shops all the time just to play the different ones. If I run into one I really love I'll buy it. I am down to only two banjos so I have been out looking for a new one. I want a long neck Pete Seeger model. I found one I liked but it was the cost of a Garmin 430W (not installed), I passed.
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Happy Birthday, Scott; and that expensive banjo might just be one of Jimmy Cox's hand-made instruments. Until I moved to Georgetown back in June, Jimmy's house(and studio) was only a few miles from my Topsham house.
Or, if y'all have never heard of Jimmy Cox be aware that some of the stars of the country music scene are pickin' on a Cox. He's pretty much wound down the 40+ years career but still produces replacement parts.
The Maine license plate of his wife's Cadillac(s) over the years has always been 5-STRING. http://www.coxbanjos.com/

HR

EDIT: Oh, keeping to the thread: Guitars

http://www.cabinetshop.com/waldo/default.asp

Jonathan Waldo can offer you some amazingly fine instruments. He lives about 10 miles from my Georgetown house.

Contrary to popular belief, Mainers do more than lobster, pick potatoes, and rake blueberries. (The last line in jest, of course)
 
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She'll either love the guitar or not, and if she doesn't, don't take it personally. Picking out a guitar is like picking out a mate...only you can pick your own. There are several guitars at the studio that everybody seems to love, but I don't like the way they play or sound at all.
If you can return it in 30 days, you and she will be all set. Just take her with you to the store, and have her try a few things out.
I don't know how the new fender strats are made, but I can tell you that the same make and model of older strats can feel and sound very different from each other.
 
I've never been a guitar man, but I know several people who like 'em.

On the re-sell it front, I just got my 5-String fiddle re-appriased. Seems the luthier died recently and what was an expensive instrument is now obscene (more than a nice used PA28).

Seems it was the only 5 string he ever made.

~ Christopher
 
I'm down to 2.5 guitars and a cello...

The Fender Strat, while not exactly the same guitar as the Strat of 40 years ago, is a pretty good guitar, with good QA at the factory... that said, she'll like it or she won't, and it's not an indication of a bad choice on your part - just the personal nature of picking out an instrument! :)
 
TMetzinger said:
A stratocaster with a whammy bar?

reet-toont, teen-toont, teen-toont, teen-toot-teen-toon-teeee!
(for those who don't get the joke, wikipedia "Joe's Garage")
Click to expand...


And a cheezy little amp..............

I have 2 champs in the pile


You cant go wrong with a Fender Strat. It is prolly the most popular guitar and for good reason.




I have a few strats also. My faves of them are my Pink paisley (basswood body & 50's Maple aged laquered neck) Wayne's world 1 & 2 special editions. The 1 is from Japan (Alder body with a 62 style maple/rosewood neck) & the WW2 is mexican (Alder body with a v style maple/rosewood neck :)

More Cow Bell!! Rock on
 
Just play acoustic but can't really go wrong with a Fender. After a while, pnce she get experience and develops her own style she'll just go to the guitar store and play one until one "sings" for her. Beware though if she takes a shine to playing guitar, they tend to multiply. For proof see Nigel Tuffnels collection in the movie "This is Spinal Tap":D

John Feagin
 
For $500 I would assume it is a "Mexican" strat? I.e., made in Mexico? If so, it is a good, all-around guitar. Better than the Japanese ones, but not as good as the American made or custom. That said, one of the best guitarists I know played a Mexican strat and was more than happy with it. I'd say if he was happy with it, it is good enough for anyone :)
 
Well we could debate "who's the best guitar player" all day.
But i will say each genre has it's best and whoever they are they are GREAT.
I listen to all kinds of music ( Rock,Blues,Folk,Bluegrass, Country,Etc.) and i love the sounds of a good guitar player weither they Pick ,Strum.or even sometimes pound on the guitar. That being said, My favorites are Chet, SRV,Arlo Guthrie,Flatt & Scruggs, and anyone that applies themselves to being great.
Hope you all agree there are some REALLY GREAT Guitar Players out there.
Dave G
 
Shipoke said:
Well we could debate "who's the best guitar player" all day.
But i will say each genre has it's best and whoever they are they are GREAT.
I listen to all kinds of music ( Rock,Blues,Folk,Bluegrass, Country,Etc.) and i love the sounds of a good guitar player weither they Pick ,Strum.or even sometimes pound on the guitar. That being said, My favorites are Chet, SRV,Arlo Guthrie,Flatt & Scruggs, and anyone that applies themselves to being great.
Hope you all agree there are some REALLY GREAT Guitar Players out there.
Dave G
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Well stated Dave. All those you listed are definitely great players and/or pickers. And you are also correct, someone who applies them self to greatness gets a nod from me.:yes:
 
"applies themselves to being great." I'm not sure what that means! :)

I have seen folks that worked very, very, very hard to rise to the level of mediocrity! :(
 
SkyHog said:
Where's the love for Yngwie Malmsteen?
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To paraphrase Albert King, "There's a lot of young folks out there who can play fast, but they ain't got no soul." For my taste I'd put Steve Vai in this category as well. Technically off the charts, but their music doesn't speak to me at all.
 
There's a couple of Vai tunes I like (Sisters comes to mind), but I agree his compositions aren't up to his playing talent.

Just watched Zappa's Dub Room Special, and was amazed at both FZ's playing and Ruth Underwood (who still looks hot at 50-60+) working out on the wide array of percussion instruments.

If I ever am in a position again where I have to audition musicians I'm gonna make them play "Montana".
 
TMetzinger said:
If I ever am in a position again where I have to audition musicians I'm gonna make them play "Montana".
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Not Stairway to Heaven???
(waynes world sign)
NO STAIRWAY when they were in the music store.

Mark B
 
Interesting how many pilots also seem to be into playing music! I had no idea there were so many on this board...

Currently at one acoustic, down from a high of 8 guitars once, I now only play for my own enjoyment (kind of a Mr Tanner thing, if you get the reference). But what great you tube vids you guys dredged up! Made me almost wish I played more frequently and with the passion I once did long ago...

Oh well... to each, his own...

What ever you play, play it with passion and soul... :)
 
Wow, I didn't know you played guitar, Ric! Now we'll have something else to do besides flying when we get together.
 
gibbons said:
To paraphrase Albert King, "There's a lot of young folks out there who can play fast, but they ain't got no soul." For my taste I'd put Steve Vai in this category as well. Technically off the charts, but their music doesn't speak to me at all.
Click to expand...

I can see that. That's how I feel about Dragonforce. I think Yngwie is irritating in attitude, but filled with soul. Just look at his face when he plays, he's really into it.

BTW, Dragonforce:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qIYJhvbGj8
 
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