Guitars

[Red Flag 1]

W4,

Thanks! May well be able to make a stop. Maybe I'll see you there.

[dr. mabuse]

Old Fender jazz bass and a 8yo Alembic Series I bass.

[Red Flag 1]

First:
Off to buy acoustic gutar strings. In general I buy Martin Marquis. I like brighter (brass) strings but 80/20 LT, Med Lt. are best for me and my Martins. I would like to ask if any of you have opinions about Elixir strings. Martin is now marketing "F" series ( flexable core ) strings. Advancing age and arthritis really like lighter gauges!

Second:
Carvin has been marketing acoustic guitars for several years and I have played a few, they are pretty good . Carvins' strong suit are in electric guitars. They market electric guitar kits at a very reasonable price. I have reasonably good wood repair and refinishing skills. I would like to ask if any have any experience with Carvin products in general; and any experience with Carvin electric guitar kits. I know very little about electric guitars, but my arthritis pushes me in the electric diretcion. My classical guitar just does not get the job done for me.

I would value opinions on both issues!!!

Thanks!!!

RF 1

[mdb23]

Originally Posted by Red Flag 1

First:
Second:
Cravin has been marketing acoustic guitars for several years and I have played a few, they are pretty good . Cravins' strong suit are in electric guitars. They market electric guitar kits at a very reasonable price. I have reasonably good wood repair and refinishing skills. I would like to ask if any have any have experience with Cravin products in general; and any experience with Cravin electric guitar kits. I know very little about electric guitars, but my arthritis pushes me in the electric diretcion. My classical guitar just does not get the job done for me.

I would value opinions on both issues!!!

Thanks!!!

RF 1

Do you mean Carvin guitars, or is it actually Cravin?

If this is what you are talking about http://www.carvinguitars.com/kits.php then my answer is that they make some very nice kits for the money. I would still have a pro tech set the neck, regardless of how good my wood finishing skills were. Setting a neck is a form of voodoo magic, more witchcraft than science, and is better left to a tech. That's just my opinion.

[JumpinJoe1010]

Originally Posted by Red Flag 1

First:
Off to buy acoustic gutar strings. In general I buy Martin Marquis. I like brighter (brass) strings but 80/20 LT, Med Lt. are best for me and my Martins. I would like to ask if any of you have opinions about Elixir strings. Martin is now marketing "F" series ( flexable core ) strings. Advancing age and arthritis really like lighter gauges!

Second:
Cravin has been marketing acoustic guitars for several years and I have played a few, they are pretty good . Cravins' strong suit are in electric guitars. They market electric guitar kits at a very reasonable price. I have reasonably good wood repair and refinishing skills. I would like to ask if any have any experience with Cravin products in general; and any experience with Cravin electric guitar kits. I know very little about electric guitars, but my arthritis pushes me in the electric diretcion. My classical guitar just does not get the job done for me.

I would value opinions on both issues!!!

Thanks!!!

RF 1

I would suggest Di' Addario strings all the way around. They are a measured to consistent gauging. The EXL 125 Super lights for your electric would be an excellent sound and they are bright. They come in a pack of .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, and .046. For the electric you will be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to push the strings against the fret.

I play a Martin DXK2 Koa acoustic also, and it sounds wonderful playing country/bluegrass music, with light strings. I gave up on mediums because it is just so hard to bend strings that heavy.

Hope this helps.

JJ

[Red Flag 1]

mdb

Thanks for the typo correction. They offer Swamp Wood, is it worth the money? Your advice on neck setting and setup is spot on.

Thanks!!

[Onuma]

My first guitar was a "Discovery", a brand which I've never heard before or since. However, it was a solidly built late 80's thrashing/metal guitar and had a couple of very nice pickups in it, which worked well when the wiring didn't give out! My brother and I picked that one up for free, btw, from our older cousin who played the drums.

My first purchase was a Mexican Fender Stratocaster, 3 single coils, back in 1996. That guitar was what I really learned to play on, even though it had a high action, warped neck (eventually) and buzzing frets.

Next came the 1998 Paul Reed Smith Standard 24, translucent purple. This is still my baby to this day. Pure mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fretboard and two dual-coil hums. I saved every penny I earned from the time I was 13 to 2 years later when I finally had enough cash to order it. Mowing lawns, working carpentry with my old man, babysitting, whatever I could do to get cash for the PRS was good. I think that is one of the reasons I still love this guitar so much - it cost me about $1400 (list $2200, got a pretty good discount from Fred's Music Shop in PA) - but I worked hard and learned how to save money up for what I really wanted. The only maintenance I've had to do is to have the truss adjusted, I've polished up the stoptail and hardware, and I need a new pickup selector knob because my brother lost the original when I was in Korea or Iraq and he was "taking care" of my guitar :P

I've also got a really junky nylon string classical, which my cousin had hanging up in his beach house for at least half a dozen years, with very few people to play it. Every 4th of July we'd go to their place in the Highlands, NJ, and the cousins would rock out with that cruddy guitar, maybe some bongo drums or even some overturned 5 gallon buckets, etc. I wish we'd recorded some of that music - it wasn't Grammy material but it wasn't bad! The sentimental value of that guitar is worth vastly more than the $50 or $100 it'd probably cost new.

And lastly, but not least, I purchased an Ovation Balladeer 1860 acoustic/electric using my first Army tax return, while in Korea. It made the trip with me to Iraq and served to play some blues and kill lots of time.

I recently got the American Strat fever, but I withheld from purchasing one. If you're looking for that uniquely bright sound, you can't go wrong with an American-made Fender.

I've been playing since 1995, though I haven't gotten enough practice time in recent years, and I like to stick to mostly metal and rock styles. I still dabble in blues, jazz, classical, spanish, and other guitar forms as well. That, and I sometimes use it to get chicks They're suckers for "Stairway".

[Red Flag 1]

JJ

I always worried about lights keeping up, especially in bluegrass. Great advice!

Thanks

RF 1

[gagners]

Started playing a few years back - just something I've always wanted to do. Taught myself, and it shows...

currently, I have a Gibson LP standard, a MIM Strat, a Strat copy that I made myself (and love), a PRS Singlecut Soapbar (pre-lawsuit, picked up for $330 brand new), and a Fender Accoustic.

Ernie Ball regular slinkies on all and I have several small amps for travel and a Fender 100W combo for gigs (read: for playing loud as I have never played for money )

I have pics of the axes if requested, but you guys should know what these are anywho.

[mdb23]

Originally Posted by Red Flag 1

mdb

They offer Swamp Wood, is it worth the money?

My friend, in my humble opinion, that depends, especially with an electric guitar.

What you are running the guitar through? I have seen many guys who opt for a much higher end guitar, but then they run it through a beginner amp, or use cheap cables, etc. I have a cheap little amp, and it makes my 62 Fender Strat reissue and a 150 dollar Les Paul copy sound just alike...... On my higher end amp, you can -definately- tell a difference. Also, if you are going to use the cheap effects pedals, that also negates the benefit of higher quality woods and manufacturing.......

Basically, if you are going to invest in the higher quality woods for your electric guitar, then make sure your amp, cables, and effects are also high end enough to appreciate the difference.

Best of luck.

[Philkilla]

Just to add to MDB's post, among using high-quality cables and equipment PERIOD, stray away from EMG pickups if you are using an instrument with some fine wood in it.

An EMG in a spectacular B.C. Rich (or Fender....) compared to an EMG in a low budget Ibanez would sound pretty much identical.

[Red Flag 1]

mdb

I've been using a Crate G40C XL with stero and chorus to play my acoustics through. All have Pezios' in the bridge and amplify pretty well through the Crate. On ocassion I have added a soundhole Shaller pickup if I need more base. I'll no doubt keep the Crate for the acoustics because they are pretty clean and retain the "acoustic" sound. First things first; get the guitar built then amps and effects I would guess. I can use the Crate in the short term.

Thanks!

[brewmonkey]

My wife bought me my first guitar (acoustic) last year. I have been slowly teaching myself to play as I cannot afford lessons right now.

Of course I spend way too much time playing "Rock Band" & "Guitar Hero" these days...LOL!

[mdb23]

Originally Posted by brewmonkey

My wife bought me my first guitar (acoustic) last year. I have been slowly teaching myself to play as I cannot afford lessons right now.

Of course I spend way too much time playing "Rock Band" & "Guitar Hero" these days...LOL!

As someone who played actual guitar first, I find guitar hero to be one of the most frustrating things that I have ever encountered.

Funny, I can play "Bulls on Parade" note for note on my guitar, but only get about 60% accuracy on guitar hero (medium difficulty).

I suck.

[brewmonkey]

Originally Posted by mdb23

As someone who played actual guitar first, I find guitar hero to be one of the most frustrating things that I have ever encountered.

Funny, I can play "Bulls on Parade" note for note on my guitar, but only get about 60% accuracy on guitar hero (medium difficulty).

I suck.

It's an OK game and it actually seems to be helping me a bit with the guitar, being able to move my fingers in a more natural manner if that makes sense.

Played through medium on both GHIII and RB, but if you want to watch something cool, Colm (who is only 5) kicks ass at both. Nothing like watching him jamming to Blitzkrieg Bop by the Ramones. LOL!