Richard asks…
What is a good amp to play metal song on.?
What is a good amp to play songs from bands like
Slayer, Pantera, Lamb of God and Avenged Sevenfold.
Justin answers:
Well, for information that *isn’t* in French, the easiest choices would be Mesa Boogie, Peavey, and Marshall.
Mesa Boogie – Single Rec, Dual Rec, Tremoverb
Peavey – 6505, XXX, maybe the Valveking
Marshall – pretty much any of ’em – the Kerry King model, JCM 800, JCM 900, etc etc
I think the Marshall MG is a great amp (especially considering its a solid state amp) for a great price. Great for thrash, but still can get other tones as well, with proper gear selection.
Your speaker selection is crucial. Crappy speakers = crappy tone. No way to really get around it. Usually you’ll want high-wattage speakers for metal… Usually you don’t want a lot of speaker breakup, so 50 watts or higher per speaker is a good place to shoot for.
My favorite cab is the Marshall 1960a. It’s loaded with Celestion GT75’s, called the “greenback on steroids” speaker. Solid mids, tight bass, and enough highs to cut but not enough to hiss or shriek. At 75 watts, you won’t push it into significant breakup at normal playing volumes. This means you keep a solid low end.
By contrast, I wouldn’t choose a cab loaded with Vintage 30’s for metal (this is totally my bias). Speaker breakup sounds *great* for rock and blues, but breakup = less bass response, and that to me = not as “metal”. 30 watts, to me, means too much breakup.
Too many watts in the amp may mean that you won’t get a great tone at low volumes. 100w tube amps are simply too much – you have to turn up too much for them to really sing. I suggest going with a 50 watt amp, if you’re going tube. There is no significant difference in maximum volumes (what, 10%?), but there is less headroom, which means that you can’t play clean notes as loudly…. But that also means that you get distortion easier.
Many players have used booster/overdrive pedals to saturate their tube amps so they sound better at lower volumes (even on stage… Well, especially on stage, you’ve gotta keep stage volumes a lot lower than most people think). Kurt Cobain used a Boss DS-1, for instance, just off the top of my head. Basically you take a distortion/overdrive pedal that cleans up well (no Metal Zone, etc) and run it with low gain and high level. That boosts the guitar’s signal, which chunks the amp up.
EQ is crucial. You may find it essential to invest in a good EQ pedal or rackmount effect.
Metal doesn’t require a necessarily *complex* signal chain, but it just has to be the right components to get that specific tone.
Good luck!
Saul
Robert asks…
want to buy a really good bass guitar,doesnt matter about the price,im a lefty btw,suggest pls!?
..and pls give links if u can to where i can get them online,the local music stores charge too much
Justin answers:
I play left-handed also and I understand your frustration because in an off the shelf bass there are not that many left-handed choices. First let me say that you want to buy a bass that has both bridge and neck (closer to the missile actually) pickups on it. If you buy a bass with only one pickup you are really gong to challenged tone wise. You need to be able to vary your tone depending on the song.
I finally settled on an Ibanez SR505 5-string bass primarily because I really like the controls on the guitar itself. I have greater versatility of tone at my fingertips with those controls. The SR505 is a medium priced bass. Http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-SR505
My philosophy has always been that most of the sound of the bass guitar is going to come from the speakers and the effects processor that you are using so, those are the items to invest in first. I play my 5-string through twin JBL speaker cabinets and because of that 5th string, I also have twin JBL powered subwoofers to go with them. I have right around $1,200 invested in the speakers alone. I also play through a BOSS GT-10B Bass Effects Processor. Someday I may buy a more expensive bass but, right now I have professional bass players coming up to me all the time asking about my sound so, I must be doing something right. My next purchase will be a Roland GR-55 Bass and Guitar Synthesizer.
The best choice in a Left-Handed Bass comes from Carvin. They will custome make any of there basses in a Left-Hand model for you and you can select what you want it to look like. My next Guitar will be the Carvin SH575. For instance here is a great 5-string bass from Carvin. Http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog/guitars/index.php?model=xb75
If you click on the bright GREEN Bass Builder link to the right you will get this pop up window and you can see how you can design your own left-handed bass. Http://www.carvinguitars.com/cart/buildGuitar.php?model=xb75 – If you take the time to read over the Carvin web site you will see that they make a very fine instrument both guitars and basses. I’m trying to convince them to make a Roland Synth ready bass like they already make in a guitar.
Here are some other choices in a left-handed bass:
The Hofner Violin Bass is a unique and great sounding bass guitar. I never liked the looks of the Hofner so, I never gave it serious consideration but, I had the occasion to play one recently and I was blown away by the craftsmanship and the great bass sound. Http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/hofner-500-1-vintage-63-electric-bass-guitar-left-handed/511773000056000
Schecter Bass – http://www.guitarcenter.com/Schecter-Guitar-Research-Raiden-Elite-5-Left-Handed-Electric-Bass-Guitar-423763-i1521463.gc I prefer the Ibanez over the Schecter but, if you intend to play a lot of metal, you might like this bass. I can also get a great metal sound out of my Ibanez with the help of my GT-10B and an ENGL E530 preamp. Schecter offers several styles in a left-handed bass
The Fender Jazz Bass is always a good choice. Http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JBassAMR3SBLH/
This guy has several unique bass guitars. I almost bought one from him but, he sold it before I could get my order in. Http://www.adirondackguitar.com/lefty/lh_bass.htm
This guy also has a lot of left-handed basses – http://www.southpawguitars.com/bass.html
This web site has at least 4-pages of electric bass guitars – http://www.wwbw.com/Bass.wwbw?internal=1&src=left%20handed
Thomas asks…
What Starter Gibson Guitar Should i get?
if i want a good guitar (gibson) what model should i get if im just starting out??
Justin answers:
I think the answer lies in how much you have to spend, not really that you are a beginner. I have kept all my guitars.
Depending on how much you want to spend, Gibson has “starter packs” starting at about $149. Their flagship Les Paul Models (new) go up to about $2500, and their vintage models into the 10’s of thousands.
Also Gibson makes a more affordable line out of Japan called Epiphone. They are about half the Gibson line.
If you are just starting to learn, I would suggest not investing a lot of money until you are sure that you will continue playing and enjoying it. It’s a flashy hobby, but behind the scenes takes a lot of practice time.
Ron in H-town
Michael asks…
what guitar pedal should i get ?
hi i just joined a band . we like to play hardcore music post-hardcore screamo stuff . i wanna buy a guitar pedal like a distortion or overdrive but which pedal would be better for the genre im playing and what exactly will it do ? thank you
Justin answers:
Hello there,
I am having trouble getting my answer posted. Lost it all the last time I tried. I will dig up the links and try again.
For basic distortion, Boss DS-1 is a good inexpensive basic distortion pedal.
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc4rX7nbRW4
You can spend more on the MXR or the ProCo Rat.
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grol8Vr84o8
For heavier distortion, there is the Danelectro Black Coffee. It is very cheap.
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OadGcKkkUNU
As for overdrive pedals, the Tube Screamer is about as good as they come. The vintage ones are better, but hard to find. Don’t know what amp and speakers you are running so I don’t know if it would be worth the price.
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BMm4Iae-JA
As for fuzz pedals, the Electro Harmonix Big Muff is one of the better ones, but I don’t think it fits your style
The vintage ones were better, but hard to find and do cost.
As for the Hendrix Fuzz Face, they are not cheap and I don’t think that is the sound you wantl
Of those pedals, I think the Danelctro Black Coffee is closest to what you need. It is also the cheapest of these. So you don’t have a lot of money tied up in it. I think that would be a good starter pedal until you have played enough to know which other pedals would fit your style. Then you can invest in those.
By the way, you can sometimes pick up used pedals at good prices on eBay. I suggest you take a look there.
Later,
John asks…
Custom Guitar Restoration?
I found this old unfinished custom vintage guitar. There is no serial number on there, so most likely somebody from the US just decided to create it. I know this person is from the US because he taught me guitar for a year. It has a pickguard wired with the humbuckers and everything, but the thing is, I have no idea what all I should invest in to make it work. I know it needs new pickups, considering that the soapbar pickups in there don’t magnetically pickup anything. The input jack looks like it would be unstable if I were to solve the pickup problem if I plugged it in to my Marshall amplifier, and the knobs for the other volume and tone controls are missing. I’m sorry that I do not have the picture to help out. I don’t have a digital camera to take the pic and let you see what I mean. Anyway, if there are any suggestions, that would be very helpful. Thanks.
Justin answers:
TAKE IT TO THE GUITAR SHOP AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO I HAD A GUITAR THAT LOOKED LIKE ZAAK WYLDE’S RESTORED BY THEM
Joseph asks…
Quality of Peavey Guitars?
I am a beginner guitar player and I was wondering if a Peavey Rockmaster Limited Six String Electric Guitar is a good starting guitar. I found it on Best Buy’s website in a combination package with a GT-5 Amp. I’m looking to spend under $200 if possible for a decent first guitar. Any advice or buying tips would be greatly appriciated.
Justin answers:
Hello there,
I do not like your choice in guitars. I do not think that is a decent guitar, especially not for a beginner. Too cheaply made. I am guessing a crafted in China product. Peavey no longer makes all its guitars in the US. That is a shame.
Don’t get me wrong. It is not the Peavey name, it is the model. I like Peavey guitars. I think I have 6 right now. But that one is not a good one. Also, I am not a fan of the starter packs. The amps in those are a waste of money. They have lousy speakers. No matter what guitar you play through it, that speaker will make you sound thin and tinny. For a beginner that is terrible. You may not realize why you sound so bad. The problem is not you, it is your speaker.
If you want a Peavey, those make excellent starter guitars. Look for a used Raptor or Predator. The vintage ones were USA made and are excellent quality inexpensive guitars. I bought one in near mint condition for $40. I see them sell for well under $100 all the time.
Http://cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-Predator-Electric-Guitar-USA-Gig-Bag-NICE-/180596334112?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a0c615e20
http://cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-Raptor-Plus-EXP-Electric-Guitar-RH-/270674023001?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f056dd259
Those are examples of what I am talking about. There could be cheaper ones on eBay, I just grabbed the first I saw to use as examples.
Amps. This is the tricky part. Most beginners underestimate the importance of the amp and speakers in their sound quality. You only sound as good as your speakers. A great guitar played through a lousy amp or lousy speakers will sound lousy. A mediocre guitar played through a good amp and good speakers will sound decent. Look for the best deal you can find on a used 1×12 combo by Peavey, Crate, Fender, Marshall, Vox or Line 6. I have not seen a lousy speaker in any of those brands 1x12s. Can’t say the same for their small practice amps. A combo is where the amplifier and speaker is in the same cabinet. 1×12 means it has one 12 inch speaker. The Line 6 Spider 30 watt is a good choice. I see those sell used on eBay for around $100. Do yourself a big favor and get a decent sounding amp. You will not regret the money spent on it.
Yes, folks always say don’t buy a guitar on-line. Go to a store and try them out to find a good guitar. That is great advice for someone who knows what to look for in a good guitar. Most experienced players select their guitars that way. I don’t think it works for beginners, because a beginner does not yet know what to look for in selecting a guitar. They end up with whatever some salesman pushes them into. I see no problem with buying a guitar on-line, especially for beginners. If you can find an item cheaper locally, then fine. But many times you cannot. When you are ready to upgrade and invest in a better guitar, you can go to a shop and select one. By then you will know what you want in a guitar. Also, I am not a guitar snob. I do not think you have to spend $600 on your first guitar. I have known a lot of great guitar players who sounded just fine on an inexpensive guitar. Good quality guitar, but still inexpensive.
Later,
Hello again.
Despite how long I rambled on, I forgot a point. Someone said get a made in the USA guitar. Most US made guitars are quite good. So are some guitars made elsewhere. It is not where they are made, it is how they are made that really matters. If you are not locked into the Peavey guitar, you might want to consider a vintage Squier. Those usually run a little more than the older Peaveys do. However, if you come across a good deal on a 80s vintage Squier, those are great guitars. The Squiers of that era were made in Japan and Korea. They are so much better than the stuff Squier is selling now crafted in China and Indonesia. Absolutely no comparison. Most of the older made in Japan guitars (not just Fender & Squier) are quite good. The made in Korea ones are almost as good. For the folks who sing the praises of made in the US guitars, they must not have played a made in Japan Fender or a made in Japan Ibanez. Those are great guitars. Anyway the point I am making is the guitar does not need to be US made to be good. If you see a made in Japan or made in Korea, chances are it is good. Made in China and made in Indonesia chances are it is crap.
Donald asks…
is $500 to much to spend on your first electric guitar?
Justin answers:
Yes!!!
I would suggest starting on an acoustic guitar to see if you actually enjoy playing guitar and have a talent for it. Not everyone can be a good musician, I’m sorry to say; save your money and get a used guitar from a family member or off Craigslist. When you play for 5 years and prove yourself, then I’d say you’re ready to invest in a good guitar. You can aslo find Fender Squires cheap on Craigslist, but keep in mind you’ll need a good amp to play an electric guitar, and amps are always pricey. (My boyfriend just got me a new bass amp for Christmas and it cost $400.)
Take the money you’d spend on the guitar and invest in some LESSONS. I’d hate for you to pay $500 on a guitar and have it go to waste.
Heck, I have played piano for over 16 years and my parents didn’t buy me a piano until I had been playing for 3 years because they wanted to make sure I’d stick with it. I’ve been playing bass for a year, but even so, my bass only cost me under $300 (got it on Ebay, and it’s vintage!)
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