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11/24/2008 09:05:42 PM · #1 |
I am looking to purchase a Fender Stratocaster, or is it a Telecaster...I don't know.
My son wants the guitar that can make rock and roll come alive, making the note that is plucked continue.
Please forgive me, I am not a kin to the musical lingo.
The sounds of Santana, Pink Floyd, and Led Zepplin come to mind for the guitar riffs that my son is looking for.
My question is this.
Stratocaster or Telecaster?
Pick up types? wood type? manufactured in which country type? vintage?
Any other gear needed to get that sound he is after?
This is going to be a xmas gift.
Thanks.
Message edited by author 2008-11-24 21:10:54.
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11/24/2008 09:12:08 PM · #2 |
| I am a Gibson guy myself but if I were ever to get a Fender, I would go with the Strat without giving it a second thought. |
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11/24/2008 09:14:30 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Bugzeye:
I am a Gibson guy myself but if I were ever to get a Fender, I would go with the Strat without giving it a second thought. |
But, there are many factors to think about. What am I looking for?
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11/24/2008 09:15:46 PM · #4 |
Depends on your budget (heh, kinda like photography).
Epiphone or Gibson Les Paul (Led Zepplin approach would be the Gibson). Slash of GnR plays a Les Paul.
Stratocaster is more a "blues" instrument -- think Stevie Ray Vaughn
Telecaster is what Jonny Lang plays. It is almost more of a country to blues guitar.
A good starter guitar is a fender or squire (the cheaper of the two) stratocaster, and a small fender amp to go with it. A distortion or overdrive pedal will be needed if the amp doesn't have overdrive.
How much experience does your son have?
(this was dictated by my husband, nards656. all i know is that you have to use both hands for a guitar and it uses strings)
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11/24/2008 09:19:35 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by karmat:
How much experience does your son have?
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This is a level advancement for him.
And lets think Pink Floyd, Santana, type music for a minute. The long, stretched out note type rock. Kind of making the guitar talk.
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11/24/2008 09:23:53 PM · #6 |
| this might not be posible but if you can find and view the Fender 50th aniversary party for the stratocaster. Pretty much everyone who is anyone that played a fender takes the stage for that show I think the only person missing was Clapton. Watch that video, It will give you an idea of what the Fender can sound like. But to be honest, you can take the same exact guitar and let Eric Clapton play it, Then Peter Frampton then Carlos Santana and each time that exact same guitar is going to sound frustratingly different. So really it isn't the guitar making that sound, It is the player. I will still vote for the strat for the simple reason that most of the names you have mentioned as well as those I just mentioned use the strat. |
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11/24/2008 09:26:18 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Bugzeye:
I will still vote for the strat for the simple reason that most of the names you have mentioned as well as those I just mentioned use the strat. |
But, which Strat?
Like the camera, there are many versions. Let's say $1000-1500 USD is the budjet.
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11/24/2008 09:30:19 PM · #8 |
| really that depends on how much you want to spend. If you want some good advice. Let the kid pick the guitar, It is just like picking out a camera what feels good in your hands. Almost any strat is going to be a quality build, If you start going over 1000 dollars you are paying for things such as inlays on the fretboard custom paint colors tuning knobs etc.. |
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11/24/2008 09:32:36 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Bugzeye:
really that depends on how much you want to spend. If you want some good advice. Let the kid pick the guitar, It is just like picking out a camera what feels good in your hands. Almost any strat is going to be a quality build, If you start going over 1000 dollars you are paying for things such as inlays on the fretboard custom paint colors tuning knobs etc.. |
So a basic Strat then?
What about pick ups? There not all the same.
Volume, and tuning controls. Any other controls I should consider?
Foot pedals?
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11/24/2008 09:45:54 PM · #10 |
all the bands you listed don't play fenders... or even ash bodied guitars, they all play mahogany bodied, humbucker equipped guitars. If he wants to emulate the sounds of Guns n roses, Led Zep, Santana, Gary Moore etc etc then he should go the route of the Les Paul- Epiphone will be your best bet.
Thing is, the amp should be a critical part of your plan- the world's best guitar put through a 15w practice amp will sound like shit, regardless of how good the player is or whatever else. Conversely, the world's worst guitar put through a great amp will sound great.
Too many ppl put money in the guitar, forgetting that the amp is absolutely crucial.
TO answer your questions: a standard USA strat will cost a lot, go fo rthe mexican or Japanese makde ones- same spec, just made where labour is cheaper. The pickups aren't top notch but the sound difference is totally negligible (trust me, i've had both) for most ears.
Pickups... the standard strat ones are fine, but i think they're a little weedy and thin. I outfitted the USA strat I had with EMGs before selling it on (i've always had a Les Paul anyways). The pickups go a long way to defining the voice of the instrument and the stock ones on any guitar are suited for the lowest common denominator, that is, they try to do a bit of everything. You can spend extra money to get Fenders equipped with Lace Sensor pickups that are pretty cool, but more of the same. If you're serious about changing the pickups, have the guitar retrofitted to your spec, either using DiMarzios or Seymour Duncan pickups. They have a stack on info on their respective websites about pickup characteristics (bass, mid, treble, coild tapping, wiring etc etc).
Vol/tone controls are standard across the range- the strat has a master vol and 2 tones, or maybe the other way round. I've found this a totally sucky method and much prefer gibson's tone & vol for each pickup.
Foot pedals= do you mean effects pedals? AMp channel switching pedals? or something else? Foot pedals are ok, but worry about them later, get used to playing the damned thing first, otherwise people tend to end up relying on effects and other crap instead of actually playing the guitar.
I've been playing for 11 yrs, have extensive experience modding, retrofitting and playing and i've been through about 10 guitars from all prices and makes.
The wood makes the biggest difference on the sound. Fenders use ash/alder/poplar which is a bit bright, zingy sounds, good for general purpose stuff but to me, a bit thin and lacking in muscle. Gibsons, PRS et al use Mahogany as it provides a much warmer, richer, smoother tone that I prefer. Listen to 'estranged' by Guns n roses or 'still got the blues' by Gary Moore and you'll see what I mean. LIsten to 'sultans of swing' byt Dire Straits for a strat sound, and 'Layla' too. |
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11/24/2008 09:46:40 PM · #11 |
As far as the electronics go, I am not able to be too helpful because I have little knowlege past the basics about Fenders. If I were you I would set a budget, Tell your son how much that budget is and let him go to the music store and pick out some choices. I imagine you would like this to be a surprise. Buying a guitar is like buying shoes, It is best to try them on first.
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11/24/2008 09:46:49 PM · #12 |
I own a bunch of guitars. My electrics now are a Gibson ES-335, a Stratocaster and I just bought a '71 Telecaster. I've had SG's, Les Pauls, Ibanez and some others over the years...they're all good.
To answer this...
"My son wants the guitar that can make rock and roll come alive, making the note that is plucked continue."
It's called "sustain" and many guitars can scream out a note. Santana used a Gibson SG in the 60's but now uses a Paul Reed Smith. SG's are not too expensive and are generally very light in weight. SG's are amazing guitars but the cheaper ones I don't like that much. Paul Reed Smith's cost a ton of money but are beautiful guitars.
Pink Floyd would be a Stratocaster, although David Gilmour used a whole bunch of different guitars over the years BUT mosty a Strat. Fender makes these re-issues of old Strats that are really awesome. I own a Stratocaster '62 re-issue that I love...same specs as the originals. I highly recommend for versatility, playability and quality. Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, John Mayer, David Gilmour, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mark Knopfle...all big Strat users. Your boy will be in good company.
Telecasters have the most sustain and are known for a gnarly, throaty, spikey sound. Keith Richards, Joe Strummer and Jimmy Page (early Zep) are some Tele players to name a few. Pages solo on Stairway was played using a Tele.
Feel free to PM me with any questions. The Telecaster I bought only a few months ago, so I'm more or less up to date with the market.
Cheers!
Message edited by author 2008-11-24 22:03:36. |
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11/24/2008 09:52:57 PM · #13 |
Here's a clip of David Gilmour with a Strat, playing the solo of the song Time.
It will answer ALL of your questions regarding sound.
Amps are also important. The Fender Blues Junior is excellent, for an inexpensive all tube option. They're small with good power and I've been seeing them used live by many top names.
Also look into Ibanez and Epiphones for some less expensive but excellent guitars.
Message edited by author 2008-11-24 22:08:04. |
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11/24/2008 09:54:42 PM · #14 |
I own a telecaster(1983 american standard), a strat( american 1997 double humbuckers) and a hamer les paul double cut with p90's/
If you want sustain, go with a gibson les paul, or perhaps sg; or a paul reed smith, if your son is not so serious yet, get a high end Epiphone les paul model or a bolt on prs or even an ibanez artist.
Little side note; Jimmy Page used a telecaster in the studio, most notably for thge complete first couple albums and the solo on "Stairway to heaven" live he used a les paul for sustain, so the story goes.(as pawdrix noted)
Message edited by author 2008-11-24 21:56:16. |
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11/24/2008 10:11:11 PM · #15 |
By the sound of the music style your son is after I'd second the advice about getting a mahogany bodied guitar with humbuckers. For the price range your looking at an Epiphone Les Paul or SG seem about right. They have a very rich bluesy tone which sounds great with a bit of overdrive.
I have an 80s American Standard Telecaster and I wasn't happy with the tone, it just seemed slightly "weedy" - I ended up fitting it with a humbucker and it's my number two guitar now - over the top of a Strat and a Flying V, so definately don't discount the Tele, it's a classic.
Of course when it comes to game time it's all about the Les Paul standard - but that'll set you back about $6000 :-p
My very best advice would be, if you're buying this as a present, take your son down to the shop and give him a budget. Ask for advice from someone in store and TRY EVERYTHING before you make a decision, even between two of the same model, they can vary a lot and sometimes you just get a feeling about one in particular. This is a good reason not to buy off the internet!
J
Message edited by author 2008-11-24 22:15:23. |
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11/24/2008 10:13:36 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
Here's a clip of David Gilmour with a Strat, playing the solo of the song Time.
It will answer ALL of your questions regarding sound.
Amps are also important. The Fender Blues Junior is excellent, for an inexpensive all tube option. They're small with good power and I've been seeing them used live by many top names.
Also look into Ibanez and Epiphones for some less expensive but excellent guitars. |
THAT is the sound my son wants.
What is it? how do I talk inteligently about the guitar? For my $1000-1500 budjet, what don't I need?
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11/24/2008 10:14:39 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by JimiRose:
By the sound of the music style your son is after I'd second the advice about getting a mahogany bodied guitar with humbuckers. For the price range your looking at an Epiphone Les Paul or SG seem about right. They have a very rich bluesy tone which sounds great with a bit of overdrive.
I have an 80s American Standard Telecaster and I wasn't happy with the tone, it just seemed slightly "weedy" - I ended up fitting it with a humbucker and it's my number two guitar now - over the top of a Strat and a Flying V, so definately don't discount the Tele, it's a classic. The Stairway to heaven solo was recorded on one of these.
Of course when it comes to game time it's all about the Les Paul standard - but that'll set you back about $6000 :-p
My very best advice would be, if you're buying this as a present, take your son down to the shop and give him a budget. Ask for advice from someone in store and TRY EVERYTHING before you make a decision, even between two of the same model, they can vary a lot and sometimes you just get a feeling about one in particular.
J |
What is a humbucker?
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11/24/2008 10:23:04 PM · #18 |
On electric guitars there are 2 standard variations of pickup;
This is a Strat fitted with 3 single coil pickups:
This is a (sweet) Les Paul fitted with two humbucker (or double coil) pickups:
A humbucker is essentially two single coil pickups stuck together. It was originally invented as a way to stop feedback but it creates a warm, rich, distinctive tone. |
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11/24/2008 10:32:56 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
What is it? how do I talk inteligently about the guitar? For my $1000-1500 budjet, what don't I need? |
As has already been mentioned, buying a guitar is all about budget. You spend what you can afford in the same way that you do with cameras and photgraphy. However, unlike photography you often don't spend extra money to get extra features. There are certain models of guitar, for example the Fender Stratocaster, which have a standard shape, they all come with 3 pickups, a tremolo bridge, a volume knob and 2 tone knobs. The same is true of Telecasters, Les Pauls SGs Flying Vs etc etc. The reason you spend money on a guitar is all about build quality, A mexican Stratocaster is cheaper than an American one because the labour is cheaper, however the build quality might no be as good. If you were to go for a Squier Strat, same thing again except these are made in Japan or Korea, possibly by machines instead of by hand as all American and Mexican ones are.
So what you need to do is choose your model and then spend as much as your budget allows on that model.
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11/24/2008 10:35:24 PM · #20 |
Don't forget the stomp box!
Stevie Vai on an Ibanez with his distortion pedal //www.ibanez.com/features/jemini (he starts playing about through the video) |
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11/24/2008 10:35:50 PM · #21 |
Your son may want to try out several models of guitar as most players feel "comfortable" with a certain model. Les Pauls can be very heavy but are well balanced. Strats are contoured on the back to feel snug against your body. My favorite guitar from my playing days was a modified '78 Strat with HSH pickups (humbucker/single coil/humbucker.) The humbuckers were splittable so it could still sound like an out of phase Strat. Ibanez makes Strat-like guitars (S series) with this configuration from the factory. I found this to be the best of both worlds as I could emulate most guitar sounds.
A Mexican-made Strat is a pretty good guitar, or look for a used USA made guitar. For amps, you can choose tube or solid state... tube is old technology but very warm with good sustain (Marshall is a good example.) Solid state is all electronic, and have gotten really good over the years, even offering factory pre-sets to let it sound like different types of amplifiers without needing lots of effect boxes.
(Nice gold-top,  JimiRose!
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11/24/2008 10:35:58 PM · #22 |
Soooo what I am gathering is...
Without my son getting involved, and having a receipt in case he doesn't like it...
Lightweight, warm sounding, humbuckers, individual volume and tone control per pick up,sustainability, all in a $1000-1500 budjet.
With this in mind.
Strat or Les Paul?
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11/24/2008 10:36:11 PM · #23 |
| P.S the difference is noticeable with build quality, how much is really a matter of opinion, you've just got to try them out and see for yourself. |
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11/24/2008 10:41:15 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
Soooo what I am gathering is...
Without my son getting involved, and having a receipt in case he doesn't like it...
Lightweight, warm sounding, humbuckers, individual volume and tone control per pick up,sustainability, all in a $1000-1500 budjet.
With this in mind.
Strat or Les Paul? |
My answer would be Les Paul, you should be able to get an Epiphone Les Paul for around that price range which would be a very good investment. Epiphone is to Gibson the equivalent in build quality between Fenders American and Mexican versions (more or less). I'm a big fan of Epiphone, they're really good value for money, I've got an Epiphone Flying V which although not often used due to the "being mocked by everyone" thing is a cracking guitar. If I was your son I would be very happy with a Les Paul! |
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11/24/2008 10:43:54 PM · #25 |
This is what the Ibanez looks like.
Well made guitars and kind of a hybrid of Strat type body and more Gibson style electronics. |
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