You don't need a new Lamborghini to get where you're going either. An old used car in decent condition does the same. The difference is impressing other people, if that's what's important to you.

Guitars made now seem more playable than those from 50+ years ago. My first guitars (Royalist, Zim Gar) were fingerbreakers and so was my teacher's acoustic Gibson archtop. I also think modern guitars can sound better for much less money than they used to cost (or worse for more money).

Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com

I've had this very same conversation before, with some of my friends.

If you are like me, you probably wish that you could go back in time (50 or 55 years), and see some Surf bands onstage, playing some matching Jazzmasters, Jaguars and Precision Basses, through some Blonde Dual Showman or Twins, with matching outboard reverb tanks. And I'm sure that scenario played itself out, across the country, probably thousands of times over. I'm sure that some of these bands were pretty good.

I'm equally sure that one of these bands, that, despite having top-shelf gear, were pretty mediocre.

The flip side of that, of course, is all of the really good Surf bands that rocked the house playing second-hand Duo Sonics, Les Paul Jr's, Silvertones, and whatever else they could get their hands on, through some rather substandard amps. In some instances, using imaginary reverb units, because they couldn't afford real ones.

So, if you are just getting into Surf/Instro music, use whatever equipment you can get your hands on, and just play. You can upgrade your gear later on.

Cheers, Clark

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

-Cheers, Clark-

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

I want to avoid having poor fretwork, bad nuts, or cheap bridges myself, besides my guitars.

Another way to pose the question: Which setup will give you better sound: An expensive guitar with a Danelectro corned beef reverb pedal, or a Danelectro guitar with an expensive reverb (say Strymon) pedal? Despite Strymon's costliness, the latter pair is much less costly than the former.

Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com

Hey! I'm new to this place,I'm just getting comfortable with this all.. But I just have to say,if your guitar is in good shape and you're gear is solid,the sound is really is in your hands... Brand names and fashion statements are cool if you can afford to drop the coin,but my bottom feeder gear/rig has served me well for decades.I'm always lusting for better stuff,and will score it if I can,yet(thank you people)I still get complements on my sound using my "off beat"rig.If you have a certain sound in your head,go for it. Otherwise just go BALLS OUT with what you've got!!!

Salud!

Mark

LHR wrote:

No, but it helps.

This is true.

He who dies with the most tubes... wins

Surf Daddies

I always think too much emphasis is put on gear these days.
I know, I've posted that before.
The internet has not helped this obsession with concepts like the "right" or "correct" gear.
A "good" guitar to me is one that you play well and sound good on.
My monkeygrip Teisco has frets that are in rough shape and a big, fairly ugly shaped neck but I can play the guitar with no problems and I like the sounds I get out of it. I've handed the guitar to other players and it will fret out for them but not for me.
Examples like this are why I think it's a personal and individual thing.
As to the original post/concept I would totally agree: you don't need expensive or even high quality gear to make good and even great music.

Cheers,
Jeff

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

DonKiyote wrote:

..But there's nothing wrong in owning, or aspiring to own, "high quality gear" is there? I've worked hard for 40 years, paid off the mortgage, helped my daughter and son-in -law get their own place etc. etc. etc. I don't feel bad or embarrassed about treating myself now!

To me there's nothing wrong with ANY gear. New, used, vintage, collectible...
The gear's purpose is to make music but for many the gear itself is also a hobby and there's nothing wrong with that at all.
The only time gear becomes a problem from my viewpoint is when a player or band is judged by their gear: "wrong" reverb, "wrong" surf guitar, pickup, amp - we all achieve our music making goals differently and there are no medals or badges of honor for using highly desirable or commonly thought "cheap" gear. In the end it should be the music you make or your enjoyment pursuing that music.

Cheers,
Jeff

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

tubeswell wrote:

LHR wrote:

No, but it helps.

This is true.

JakeDobner wrote:

I scoff at the thought that Supros/Silvertones/Kay/Dan Electros aren't great instruments. They sound incredible and unless time has caused them to require a set-up/work they play great. Just because you wouldn't shred/play technical metal on a guitar doesn't mean it isn't a guitar that plays well.

Guitars shouldn't have poor fretwork, bad nuts, or cheap bridges. If these three things are cleared, you have a guitar you can do anything reliably with.

Good points!
There are very few, if any shortcuts to a good sound/tone. There will always be some high quality gear involved in the chain of gear you need to make and record good music.

Last edited: Jul 25, 2016 10:25:10

elpacifico wrote:

elpacifico wrote:

JakeDobner wrote:

I scoff at the thought that Supros/Silvertones/Kay/Dan Electros aren't great instruments. They sound incredible and unless time has caused them to require a set-up/work they play great. Just because you wouldn't shred/play technical metal on a guitar doesn't mean it isn't a guitar that plays well.

Guitars shouldn't have poor fretwork, bad nuts, or cheap bridges. If these three things are cleared, you have a guitar you can do anything reliably with.

My girlfriend has A Made in china silver tone, you think it has what it takes? should she even bother swaping out the pickups for some fenders or just better off getting a new guitar?

sorry i meant silver tone not "fender tone" hahaha

When gear is unreliable or is not setup well to remain in tune for at least the duration of 3 songs or action is too high or whatever, then it sure takes the enjoyment out of playing.
But this is simply not the domain of cheap guitars! Over my 30s yrs of playing, I have played a variety of guitars - not massive, but plenty - and all instruments are capable of having vibe, charm, a distinctive tone, and simply a tool for delivering music - and I have played a few expensive instruments that seemed too precious, not setup well, the typical Les Paul D & G string tuning issues, etc.

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada