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Hi--I'm Will and I'm new here. First things fist: I would like to
compliment you on having a really great site!
I'm interested in learning to play a few surf tunes. Probably not
ready for Misirlou just yet--perhaps something a little less
complex. Any suggestions?
O.k.--here's where I'm stretching a bit. I've just started playing;
I have a used Dean Playmate bass and a cheap 15W amp. I'm figuring
around $300 for a guitar and $300 for an amp. Is this realistic?
What should I get? Keep in mind that I'm not a guitar technician;
I'm thinking I might be better off with new gear. I live about 100
miles from two Guitar Centers in Seattle, WA.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks,
Will
Another person from Washington. Welcome. I don't really have any
suggestions on the amp. My best advice is to keep using the amp you
have and buy a reverb unit. You can buy the Fender one of the Peavy
Valverb. For guitar there is always getting a Standard Strat. Then
there are other options like a Dipinto Galaxie if you can find one on
Ebay. Look at the
Eastwood Sidejack and the Del Rays.
Another option you have is spending the $600 all on one thing. You
options increase greatly. You can find a Fender Jaguar. I just bought
a new one for $500. Then you can buy a new Dipinto Galaxie. Los
Straitjackets play those guitars. You can buy a new American Strat or
a nicer used American Strat. Then there are Fender Jazzmasters. Or you
can buy an amp. Fender makes some "new" tube amps you can find used on
ebay or gbase.com. They are the used reissues and shouldn't need much
upkeep.
Check out our band. We all live in Bothell.
--- In , "anotherquixote"
<willbaumann@h...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi--I'm Will and I'm new here. First things fist: I would like to
> compliment you on having a really great site!
>
> I'm interested in learning to play a few surf tunes. Probably not
> ready for Misirlou just yet--perhaps something a little less
> complex. Any suggestions?
>
> O.k.--here's where I'm stretching a bit. I've just started playing;
> I have a used Dean Playmate bass and a cheap 15W amp. I'm figuring
> around $300 for a guitar and $300 for an amp. Is this realistic?
> What should I get? Keep in mind that I'm not a guitar technician;
> I'm thinking I might be better off with new gear. I live about 100
> miles from two Guitar Centers in Seattle, WA.
>
> Any suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Will
I'd say try to find a Danelectro Hodad on Ebay...a fine
surf guitar. Make sure your Danelectro has a tremolo
bridge.
As far as an amp, I'd reccomend a practice amp with reverb
to start off with...I would say a fender Champ...but, those
litle buggers are starting to get expensive.
As for a first song...well "Pipeline" by the Chantays is a
pretty good place to start...also "Wayward Nile" by the
Chantays...also "Mr. Moto" by the Belair...also "Walk-Don't
Run" by the Ventures and "Surf Beat" by Dick Dale...then
give old "Miserlou" a try...
good luck,
dp
--- anotherquixote <> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi--I'm Will and I'm new here. First things fist: I
> would like to
> compliment you on having a really great site!
>
> I'm interested in learning to play a few surf tunes.
> Probably not
> ready for Misirlou just yet--perhaps something a little
> less
> complex. Any suggestions?
>
> O.k.--here's where I'm stretching a bit. I've just
> started playing;
> I have a used Dean Playmate bass and a cheap 15W amp.
> I'm figuring
> around $300 for a guitar and $300 for an amp. Is this
> realistic?
> What should I get? Keep in mind that I'm not a guitar
> technician;
> I'm thinking I might be better off with new gear. I live
> about 100
> miles from two Guitar Centers in Seattle, WA.
>
> Any suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Will
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
__________________________________
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Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less.
Thanks for the info! I checked out your site--looks like a great
start. I live near Ellensburg.
I confess to being rather impulsive, yet hands-on about things--ebay
is just too slow and I like to kick the tires and slam the doors
before I actually lay down the jack.
How dumb is this: Ibanez GRX20 Electric
www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=electric/search/detail/base_p
id/519417/
Or, the Mexi-strat:
/base_pid/510000/
What sort of reverb should I get? I have a Marshall MG 15CDR amp on
loan from my 14 year old daughter.
Thanks!
Will
Thanks for the info!
I confess to being rather impulsive, yet hands-on about things--ebay
is just too slow and I like to kick the tires and slam the doors
before I actually lay down the jack.
How dumb is this: Ibanez GRX20 Electric
www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=electric/search/detail/base_p
id/519417/
Or, the Mexi-strat:
/base_pid/510000/
What sort of reverb should I get? I have a Marshall MG 15CDR amp on
loan from my 14 year old daughter.
Thanks!
Will
--- In , DP <noetical1@y...> wrote:
> I'd say try to find a Danelectro Hodad on Ebay...a fine
> surf guitar. Make sure your Danelectro has a tremolo
> bridge.
>
> As far as an amp, I'd reccomend a practice amp with reverb
> to start off with...I would say a fender Champ...but, those
> litle buggers are starting to get expensive.
>
> As for a first song...well "Pipeline" by the Chantays is a
> pretty good place to start...also "Wayward Nile" by the
> Chantays...also "Mr. Moto" by the Belair...also "Walk-Don't
> Run" by the Ventures and "Surf Beat" by Dick Dale...then
> give old "Miserlou" a try...
>
> good luck,
> dp
>
>
> --- anotherquixote <willbaumann@h...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi--I'm Will and I'm new here. First things fist: I
> > would like to
> > compliment you on having a really great site!
> >
> > I'm interested in learning to play a few surf tunes.
> > Probably not
> > ready for Misirlou just yet--perhaps something a little
> > less
> > complex. Any suggestions?
> >
> > O.k.--here's where I'm stretching a bit. I've just
> > started playing;
> > I have a used Dean Playmate bass and a cheap 15W amp.
> > I'm figuring
> > around $300 for a guitar and $300 for an amp. Is this
> > realistic?
> > What should I get? Keep in mind that I'm not a guitar
> > technician;
> > I'm thinking I might be better off with new gear. I live
> > about 100
> > miles from two Guitar Centers in Seattle, WA.
> >
> > Any suggestions are appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Will
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > .
> > Visit for
> > archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less.
>
Here's a suggestion:
Fender '63 reverb: $410
Fender Pro Junior or Blues Jr. Amp: $250 - $390
Squire Affinity Strat: $150
Reverberated Surf Satisfaction: Priceless.
Maybe a little over your budget, but I say if you're going to cut
corners anywhere make it in the guitar department. Don't skimp
on the reverb or too much on the amp.
-paul
aToMic mOsQuiTos
I agree with obmosquito, don't skimp in the amp dept. Any single
coil strat knockoff with a whammy bar will do. If you don't want to
spring for the Fender outboard reverb, an Electro Harmonix Holy
Grail will do to test the waters (heh heh...)
Check out rondomusic.net they make an excellent strat copy for $100
I second putting your money into a better amp at first
and living with whatever guitar you can get with
whatever you have leftover. If you can get a small
tube combo, that would be ideal, and for reverb I
would recommend first the Electroharmonix Holy Grail
pedal as was suggested and then the Digitech
Digiverb...I was really surprised by the convincing
muted "chunk" I could get out of this pedal.
I'd look around for the best single coil guitar you
can find for what you've got and in that price range I
don't think the brand matters a great deal. Whatever
feels and sounds best is what you should get. Stay
away from Affinity Squiers is my only advice. I had
one that NEVER held tune and the solder joints
literally came apart one by one.
__________________________________
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Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses.
I was in your place when I first came to this site...a half-dozen guitars later,
and a lot of
hard-earned advice, here's my ¢2:
I really like the Made in Mexico 50s or 60s Strats. But any standard Strat will
do you, just
make sure it feels good to your hands and has single-coil pickups. I do not like
the
Squires, although some people own and like them, many others relate quality
problems.
You can get a new Mex Strat for about $350, less for a used one.
For an amp, a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is a pretty good place to start. These can
be had
used for $300 or so. They are about $450 new.
Eventually, you will want more reverb. You can go for a pedal (anywhere from $45
to about
$150), or pop for the Fender '62 Reverb Reissue at about $350. The Electro
Harmonix Holy
Grail is reputedly a nice reverb pedal that almost nails the tube reverb vibe.
Good luck!
> I second putting your money into a better amp at first
> and living with whatever guitar you can get with
> whatever you have leftover. If you can get a small
> tube combo, that would be ideal, and for reverb I
> would recommend first the Electroharmonix Holy Grail
> pedal as was suggested and then the Digitech
> Digiverb...I was really surprised by the convincing
> muted "chunk" I could get out of this pedal.
>
> I'd look around for the best single coil guitar you
> can find for what you've got and in that price range I
> don't think the brand matters a great deal. Whatever
> feels and sounds best is what you should get. Stay
> away from Affinity Squiers is my only advice. I had
> one that NEVER held tune and the solder joints
> literally came apart one by one.
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses.
>
I would get the mexican strat. It'll give you better tone, especially
for surf, plus it has a tremelo. Also, it's easy to upgrade later, if
you want. As for Jake's comment on the amp, I would get a fender blues
junior, I think it's 15W, I don't really remember. It's about $300 I
think, and it has reverb on the amp. That should be a good start,
you'd have nice tone and reverb. Plus, it's a good all around amp, for
blues, rock, etc. for when you feel like playing those types of music.
It's loud enough to play at your house, it would be big enough to do
any live shows though.
--- In , "anotherquixote"
<willbaumann@h...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for the info! I checked out your site--looks like a great
> start. I live near Ellensburg.
>
> I confess to being rather impulsive, yet hands-on about things--ebay
> is just too slow and I like to kick the tires and slam the doors
> before I actually lay down the jack.
>
> How dumb is this: Ibanez GRX20 Electric
> www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=electric/search/detail/base_p
> id/519417/
>
> Or, the Mexi-strat:
>
> /base_pid/510000/
>
> What sort of reverb should I get? I have a Marshall MG 15CDR amp on
> loan from my 14 year old daughter.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Will
Decisions...decisions.....I have a '63 JM....and I starting to think I want
a comparable JAG (pre-cbs)....is the sound a LOT thinner than my JM? I'm ok
with it not being as powerful on the low-end, 'cause my belief is that I'll
have more high-end. And, I think the short scale would be cool.
I've never played a JAG.....
I know, I know....this has come up before....but if anyone feels verbose, or
can point me to some groups that just used JAGs, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
-Brad
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
What's the difference between the Pro Jr. and Bles Jr.?-Phillip
--- In , "obmosquito" <obmosquito@c...>
wrote:
>
> Here's a suggestion:
>
> Fender '63 reverb: $410
>
> Fender Pro Junior or Blues Jr. Amp: $250 - $390
>
> Squire Affinity Strat: $150
>
> Reverberated Surf Satisfaction: Priceless.
>
> Maybe a little over your budget, but I say if you're going to cut
> corners anywhere make it in the guitar department. Don't skimp
> on the reverb or too much on the amp.
>
> -paul
> aToMic mOsQuiTos
I do believe the Blues Jr. has a 12 inch speaker while the Pro only
has a 10" speaker.
--- In , "Landlocked44"
<thee_surrealist@h...> wrote:
>
> What's the difference between the Pro Jr. and Bles Jr.?-Phillip
>
> --- In , "obmosquito" <obmosquito@c...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Here's a suggestion:
> >
> > Fender '63 reverb: $410
> >
> > Fender Pro Junior or Blues Jr. Amp: $250 - $390
> >
> > Squire Affinity Strat: $150
> >
> > Reverberated Surf Satisfaction: Priceless.
> >
> > Maybe a little over your budget, but I say if you're going to cut
> > corners anywhere make it in the guitar department. Don't skimp
> > on the reverb or too much on the amp.
> >
> > -paul
> > aToMic mOsQuiTos
--- In , "Landlocked44"
<thee_surrealist@h...> wrote:
>
> What's the difference between the Pro Jr. and Bles Jr.?-Phillip
Pro JR. 10"speaker, no reverb. I think it's just cot a volume
knob and a tone knob. Very basic, but cool amp.
Blues Junior - 12" speaker, Reverb, master volume, treble, mid, bass
knobs, and a fat switch. there have been many revisions to these
amps over the years. Basically, there are two versions. The older
ones have a green circuit board, the newer ones have a creme
colored circuit board (from about 2003 I think). the newer ones
have TONS more reverb. The green boards have almost none, unless
you modify it. There is a cool website dedicated to these great
little amps .
You can check to see which circuit board it has by removing the
back panel. If you are using only the amp reverb, I would
definetly look for a creme board. I think they have plenty of
reverb for the casual surf guy.
Blues Junior's are great amps, and really loud for only a 15
watt amp. You can pull all sorts of cool tones out of them.
Chris
>
> --- In , "obmosquito"
<obmosquito@c...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Here's a suggestion:
> >
> > Fender '63 reverb: $410
> >
> > Fender Pro Junior or Blues Jr. Amp: $250 - $390
> >
> > Squire Affinity Strat: $150
> >
> > Reverberated Surf Satisfaction: Priceless.
> >
> > Maybe a little over your budget, but I say if you're going to
cut
> > corners anywhere make it in the guitar department. Don't skimp
> > on the reverb or too much on the amp.
> >
> > -paul
> > aToMic mOsQuiTos
