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02
Dec
2009

Boys and How to Buy Guitars

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Massive debate amongst the boys about guitar for Spain studio — lots of cat fighting, screaming, pulled hair.  Ultimately, we didn’t get anything at risk of massive fall out, but thought debate on where, what and how to buy guitars would be worth a read.

Martyn and Case for The Strat:

Had a good look at guitars on Saturday pm. Must have tried out about 20. Looked at big name copies – overall disappointing. Then, tried the 2nd Division names that seem to get a lot of coverage in the guitar magazines. Of these the Schecter was very good, had some good technology and played well. It came in at around £795.  I looked at them with a view to some lead work but ostensible a good rhythm tone with a wide fretboard so there’s plenty of space for  Ed’s chords.  Finally, as I was leaving Rose Morris on Denmark Street, I asked to try a Fender Strat. Frankly this is the one and if I had tried this one first I wouldn’t have gone on to play another score of instruments. If memory serves I think that this was Ed’s recommendation at the outset.

It is white and on the left as you go in the shop. I dealt with a very helpful guy called Joe who is full time and a guitarist himself. I said that you might drop in during the week and have a look. He should remember me from Saturday. Pricing was abut the same as the Schecter and includes a custom case

Andy and Variax

Let’s think about what we would really like.  Now, what would be really ace, would be something that could be used quite proficiently while jamming, and then used to overdub a variety of styles. Now, I don’t think the guitar itself will move the music along, this is the part of the player, adapting to the style and melody of the song.

I would envisage a guide part being laid down and then maybe we decide we need a meatier sound. Ok, it might not sound like the Les guitar its modelled on, but it sounds different. There are two amps over there. One is a keyboard amp and one is a mini bass combo, so the pod is really the best we can do at the minute. It sounds cliched, but you can add a sitar or banjo to things. Easy to do for real if you have either, but we don’t. Do we want to tastefully? I’m not sure. Worked on Norwegian Wood though, and Hayseed Dixie are hilarious.
If we were recording a blues album, where the guitar was centre stage, then I would say, sure lets get another real guitar – a strat or a les guitar, or an SG, but in terms of getting the best value in terms of sounds (and hopefully playability) I think the Line6 gets it. Since we don’t want to trail instruments down to Espana everytime, it gives the widest choice of 12 strings etc etc.
There’s some reviews  and more than a few people have commented that it is not just a cheap guitar with a computer.  The chances of getting a guitar set-up on the job in Spain are quite limited, but hey, you pays yer money

I’ve never really played strats in the past. Great tone, good action, very playable, in fact a dream to play. This one was set up very well too.

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