Jump to content

Dipping a toe into the world of electronics


Recommended Posts

Guest Speed Racer

Now I'm back to considering a 2000s Fender Jazzmaster (pretty sure it's CIJ). At $995, it's certainly worth stopping by and playing it, and they've had it in stock for several months now.

 

I'm surprised about the recommendation for the Road Worn - I'd imagine they were of lower quality because they're cheaper, but what the hell do I know? They're pretty good, you say?

 

I figured I'd rather buy a good Tele and put a Bigsby on it than buy one of lesser caliber and put a Bigsby on it, and I just have to have a maple fretboard if I get a Tele.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Replies 123
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

I'm surprised about the recommendation for the Road Worn - I'd imagine they were of lower quality because they're cheaper, but what the hell do I know? They're pretty good, you say?

 

Well, I think they are worth a look. I haven't as spent much time with one as I would like, so I'm hesitant to make a recommendation. But I think that (if you're not disgusted with the idea of Road Worn) it might be a reasonably priced contender. It does have a nitro-finished ash body (though a poly neck) with big frets and decent (though not great) pickups.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a little ashamed to admit this, but they have had this Gretsch... cough... Brian Setzer model with the TV Jones pickups in there for probably 3 years, and they have slashed the price on it to somewhere near reasonable. I gave it a try. I know nothing about electric guitars as I have mentioned before, but that thing was a beast! Great sound, and seems versatile. I'd have to change the knobs, but a nice looking guitar too. Are any of you familiar? I would love your honest feedback.

 

Here is my short list thus far for guitars (Some from playing them, some from shallow looks) In no particular order:

 

1. Gretsch Brian Setzer priced at $2000 b4 haggling

 

2. American Tele Deluze in 3-tone sunburst with a maple neck

 

3. Creston custom with go knows what on it.

 

4. Rickenbacker 360 Maple or Sunglo

 

5. Gretsch Black Penguin (too expensive)

Why should you be ashamed of the Brian Setzer Gretsch? It looks like a great guitar. O.K., those knobs might be a little cheesey, but that's an easy switch. (I would go for black chicken heads. Don't understand why these never show up on guitars. Maybe it's because they would make volume swells more difficult. But they look cool as hell.)

 

And as for your short list, I wish this was an actual list of my own personal collection.

Link to post
Share on other sites

 

O.K., those knobs might be a little cheesey, but that's an easy switch. (I would go for black chicken heads.

 

 

Yeah, not a fan of the knobs at all.

 

You serious about the chicken heads? Do share. That sounds great.

Link to post
Share on other sites

sounds like a great guitar, man...and you are totally correct on the electronics, but i love CIJ/MIJ fenders as they are usually great players...

 

 

A mastery is an awesome upgrade, but not cheap...folks use mustang bridges on teles with bigsbys and jazzmasters as well...rollers work well too...as well as the standard T bridges like in this thread: tele forum

 

Thanks! Yeah, I think I have a Mustang bridge but I couldn't get the action low enough to be comfy for my miniature girl-hands or the radius flat enough to avoid fretting out on high e-string bends.

 

I've seen some folks use the saddles of the Jaguar for the outside E strings and the Mustang saddles for the inside 4 strings (or maybe it was vice versa). But the point was that you could get a flatter radius and avoid fretting out.

Link to post
Share on other sites

And what is an attenuator?

 

Edit: Nevermind! I know now!

 

Anybody know anything about the VOXAC4TV? It's a little 4W tube amp with an attenuator. I certainly wouldn't need anything louder than that for playing at home, and all the reviews I've read are pretty positive. For $250, it sounds just about right.

 

I have this amp and I love this amp. As long as you do not see yourself needing to play any shows, this is the best possible amp for low key basement/garage jams, practice, simple recording etc. I'm not in a band and I don't think I will be in one for a while, so this amp is perfect for my needs. It takes pedals very well, I love cranking the 1/4w and 1w settings as well!

Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer

I went to Best Buy and played a '52 Reissue Tele last night. :wub I'm headed to a guitar store today!

 

I also played the Valvetronix 15W model and had two problems: I couldn't operate the $%3@ing thing with all it's newfangled buttons (fixable), and I didn't like that the headphone jack was 1/8" (not fixable).

 

:wub :wub I think I'm about to get an electric!!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Have you ever played one? How does it play? How doe sit sound?

 

I have played one but it was 10 years ago so it was before I really knew what I was listening for (not that I particularly know now, but I'm closer). As I remember it was somewhere between a tele and a dano (as one would expect). It didn't exactly blow me away, but it was fun to play.

 

I went to Best Buy and played a '52 Reissue Tele last night. :wub I'm headed to a guitar store today!

 

I also played the Valvetronix 15W model and had two problems: I couldn't operate the $%3@ing thing with all it's newfangled buttons (fixable), and I didn't like that the headphone jack was 1/8" (not fixable).

 

:wub :wub I think I'm about to get an electric!!

 

Congratulations! Great guitar!

Link to post
Share on other sites

I went to Best Buy and played a '52 Reissue Tele last night. :wub I'm headed to a guitar store today!

 

I also played the Valvetronix 15W model and had two problems: I couldn't operate the $%3@ing thing with all it's newfangled buttons (fixable), and I didn't like that the headphone jack was 1/8" (not fixable).

 

:wub :wub I think I'm about to get an electric!!

Cool! keep us updated...

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have to admit, the fact that the '52 comes with an ashtray cover really kind of pushes me over the fence. :lol I love those things.

 

The one thing about the 52 Tele is it has a weird capacitor in it that I had removed (I think most people get them removed). I think the intent was to allow you to get a fat bass sound on it but it ends up making the neck pickup sound muddy. Any good guitar repair shop is going to know about them and it's a simple thing to get rid of. It's worth getting a professional set up on it anyways as it's a bit tricky with the rounded fingerboard but with a good set up it stays in tune and plays amazing. I play on the bridge pickup most the time anyway but I like the neck sound without the capacitor better.

 

The way I play, I never have the ashtray cover on, I play too hard and it won't stay on. Gets in the way of right hand muting. Not trying to dampen any enthusiasm, I love this guitar like a child. And the Tweed case is just beautiful to look at.

 

Anyways, look forward to hearing what you finally decide. Always exciting when someone else spends a bunch of money on guitar gear!

Link to post
Share on other sites

I went to Best Buy and played a '52 Reissue Tele last night. :wub I'm headed to a guitar store today!

 

I also played the Valvetronix 15W model and had two problems: I couldn't operate the $%3@ing thing with all it's newfangled buttons (fixable), and I didn't like that the headphone jack was 1/8" (not fixable).

 

:wub :wub I think I'm about to get an electric!!

I love hearing about people getting new guitars - what a great feeling (even if it is vicarious). Please post some guitar porn when you bring her home.

 

Doesn't help my GAS, tho ...

Link to post
Share on other sites

I love hearing about people getting new guitars - what a great feeling (even if it is vicarious). Please post some guitar porn when you bring her home.

 

Doesn't help my GAS, tho ...

I'm waiting on a custom built overdrive pedal I picked up on the local version of ebay. This should keep my GAS in check for...for...for...a week at least.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer

I'm a new parent. :wub I've been calling it Princess Buttercup, a la Princess Bride, because my girlfriend keeps calling the color buttercup instead of butterscotch.

 

Ended up with the Vox Valvetronix 15W, because I finally figured out how to us it. :lol I'm. In. Heaven.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...