Guitar tone 102
Aug 31, 2009 Blogroll, Charlotte Music, Guitar, Guitar Gear, Music Industry
OK, it has been a bit since I posted anything, but I have been doing a bunch of traveling. Costa Rica in June, then Portugal in August, as well as many out of town dates in between.
Guitar tone 102:
So, hopefully you have been practicing and getting used to the different sounds you can get out of the guitar. Now let’s talk about some gear.
First, the guitar:
This is it, this is your baby. The instrument with which you will create music. Buy the best one you can afford. Use generalizations to help you select your guitar based on the sound it is known for. Almost every guitar has been and can be used in multiple genres, but there are some basics.
Tele style guitar: 2 single coil pickups, bolt-on neck. Super popular for the twang in country music, but also used in indie rock and worship genres for its bite. I have even heard Jazz players use one.
Strat style: 3 pickups, 5 way selector. Widely popular for blues, but works well for just about anything in the right hands.
Les Paul style: Big, meaty tone. two humbuckers, usually a 3way switch. The wood has a lot to do with the tone. These usually have a mahogany body and a maple top.
Hollow bodies: These vary widely in tone. usually played by jazz guys.
Pick what you can afford. Buy used if you can. You will get more guitar for your money. Then take it to a repair shop and have it set-up with new strings. They will also be able to give any other advice on repair, or if you should return it! Find a good repair shop, you will develop a relationship with this person, as they will ALWAYS know more about guitars than you do. If they don’t, find another shop. I have been using the same guy for 14 years, and he is a very trusted friend. Click here for the shop I use.
Happy hunting! Next up: The wide world of AMPS!