I remember in the early 70's paying 20 bucks for Martin Marquis strings; buy a great body and neck and the best player can be birthed for less than a 1000 $'s in amazing parts. Slash, in an interview last year, reiterated that the difference between a 500 $ guitar and a 5000 $ guitar is EGO... My first guitar, my dad built, using a mahogany table and a walnut table. I stupidly thought it had to be inferior.
Like others above me I have been playing for 20 years and the difference I have seen between then and now is astounding. I've recently been lucky enough to be able to afford some higher end guitars than the $300-$400 range I played growing up but I have still bought a few guitars in that price range because they felt damn good and better than anything in the range when I was young. Also I've come to see that overseas made guitars can be amazing, I have a Schecter, LTD and Wylde Audio that all came from Korea and am convinced the only difference between say my LTD EC1000 and a ESP Eclipse is the logo on the headstock.
A lot of opinions in this video that may, to a certain extent, be considered unpopular but what it all comes down to, for me, at least, is play what you like. Find a guitar you love to play - one that inspires you. Find an amp or a sound you like be it tube, solid state or digital, and rock out. Don't let the naysayers take away your fun. Just play.
100% true. My main amp is a digital Yamaha DG 130 for years and I am loving the sound and flexibility. Had 2 tube amps in between, but endet up selling them again. Now I gave it a 3rd shot for a tube amp (Laney IRT Studio) and seems I have found what I was searching for. However I will still keep the Yamaha. So it really can go in both directions. Ah and one advice: Don't rely too much on the TH-cam reviews or peoples opinions. There are always so many variables that it can look totally different for you
Joe Walsh used fender champs. Satch used Rockman. Dime used a solid state Randall. Use what you like. If you're good, the different sound will set you apart even more... look at Brian may for example?
Your parter is going to kill you! Don’t worry, getting killed by your significant other, doesn’t hurt much, nor does it last… BUT, a good amp will be with you forever.
And then he said digital is just as good. I so wanted that to be true when I went amp shopping recently. Problem was, the sound just isn't the same. It's its own thing, but if you want valve sound, you just can't get that. I'm guessing people who like "modern rock" are more ok with digital than blues and indie folks. To me, just sounded gross.
@@alittlebitoflight I thought I had good modeling amp tone until I jammed with someone playing through a tube amp. That was a long time ago, and there is new gear now. I still can hear the difference. I won't be turning back, but to each their own.
Number 8 was nice, when I was 16 I was set on finally getting a Gibson Les Paul, tried every Les Paul at Guitar Center and ended up with a SG Standard because of the weight and feel.
Lol! I just went through the same experience in the last month. Returned two Les Pauls because I just wasn't feeling them, and ended up with an SG Standard that I just love to play.
I'm with you on that. I loved the look and sound of a Gibson Les Paul, but when I actually played one was so disappointed. Ended up with an Ibanez RG - personally I would move the volume knob a little further down out the way but other than that it's so comfortable with faultless ergonomics.
I try to buy US made more to support US workers than a feeling that overseas built instruments are inferior. I bought (and loved) 2 PDP kits before I could afford DW, and have a PRS SE acoustic which plays and sounds great. I just can't bring myself to buy relic. I definitely understand the worn-in feel argument, though, but my personal preference is for non-relic aesthetics
The only way a relic could possible be good, is if you did it yourself, genuinely over time of course. Who wants to buy someone else's fake relic? And besides it's not a lie, so call it what it is, it is fake relic at best faux relic.
I’m beyond happy with my Harley Benton Sg custom and my Boss Katana 100 watt amp. I can get killer tone and it has great effects and reverb I spent just under $800 for both
I’ve got a Katana 50 I keep at work for practice. I much prefer my expensive amps at home but the Katana sounds great, and I wish I had it as a starting amp back in the late 90s when I started playing.
I think I will get even a bigger heart attack, because then it doesn't have the exact same scratches as Rory's or SRV's guitar anymore. How am I going to copy my heroes now??
I really didn't get why many think that buying a guitar for its "feel" is quite an unpopular opinion when it actually matters so much. It doesn't matter how expensive or great your guitar is, if it's uncomfortable to play it still won't be a great experience. Thank you for pointing it out, Darrell!
Feel is so much a part of it. My gretsch is gorgeous but it just fights me when I play it. My fender strat player, my hand just works with it so well. More so than any other guitar I own. And I wasnt really a strat guy. But its the one thats so comfortable to play. I can express myself with the least amount of effort on it.
@@Mr1bigbaddaddy Sometimes I like a guitar that is challenging to play. It's like an exercise. I have a classical that I cannot stand though. The neck is way to wide.
@@qua7771 I definitely agree with that. Thats why my gretsch is still on my wall. I love the sound. Love it. And even though it fights me, I still play it. Eventually I'll find its happy spot. Seems to make the strat a little easier every time I switch though at least lol.
@@Lowtech14 You just described what my Gibson SG-X is not. And it has a hot single humbucker and mahogany neck. First electric guitar. Best electric guitar.
I’ve got guitars I’ve had since the 70’s and I’ll keep them until I die, because of the necks. Years back, everybody was raging about prs and their wide fat carve neck…I bought a custom and had it for about 6 months, gigged it and hated it!! My actual go to is an Epi LP my kids bought me for Father’s Day in ‘94…. It has the best neck I’ve ever played.
I used to be a tube amp snob, but not anymore. My pockets aren’t deep enough to afford good tube amps these days. After using the Roland cubes and now the Boss Katana, I’m really satisfied with them. Would I like a room full of Mesa amps? Heck yes! If I hit the lottery I’ll fill my house with them. Until then , the Katana and Cube are very satisfying. (Nothing at all like the early solid state crap that first emerged. )You really can’t tell the difference when you make a decent recording ,and you don’t have to play so loud that you attract the attention of every police force in the county. P.S. I used to play with a fellow that had an old Telecaster. It was pretty sweet and we used natural overdrive without peddles. He would carry a compass with him to align his guitar in a North South line to keep the hum down. We almost got arrested one night because a local officer on patrol ,a quarter mile away, didn’t like Bo Diddly. That was 44 years ago. P.P.S My guitars turn into to “relics “ after six months of my ownership. I don’t need to pay extra. I seem to provide my own abuse for free. P.P.P.S. I almost forgot, great topic Darrell .👍 Thanks.
When I was right on cash I learned to do amp repairs and purchased broken gear. Now there are good affordable tube amps, especially in the 15W power range.
@@johnsee7269 Same here. They have a growl that’s unique. Add a compressor and you can do about anything. I couldn’t do without a compressor that has attack and decay controls anymore.
Yeah, agreed, every part of the guitar *can* affect tone, including the different types of woods, but not more than the pickups, tone control, tone stack on the amp or the speaker. On an acoustic the woods would make more of a difference, but on electric, not enough to worry about.
I love this background setting Darrell. The colors are nice and sharp, and desk in back looks good for this type of video format, i.e. non guitar playing.
New studio setup or look, I like the new shot angle and dark look! Im also reminded of a comment John Mayer made that when playing a guitar, you are essentially playing a neck, which is your main touch point. Obviously I’d add overall weight of the guitar and feel of the action on the bridge also, but it’s a good insight.
John Mayer only plays super high end guitars.... he basically said he left Fender because the new management refused to cater to his every whim but PRS was happy to build whatever he wanted. Point is, he cares A LOT about having a guitar exactly how he wants it.
There are also beliefs: - That you need a "metal" guitar to play metal. I believe you can play metal on anything you want. If you have low output pickups - increase gain on your distortion pedal. - That you need tons of gear to sound great. You don't, really - save your money! One guitar and a good amp (and no pedals) are usually enough.
I've found that you can get almost any sound you need out of a Tele and a good amp. You'll need a pedal to drive the amp harder for really heavy stuff though.
Good luck with the noise on single coils. Also metal guitars exist for a reason, sure you can play metal on a telecaster (and I've done it) but the sound and playability won't be the same.
I agree with a good amp can really make pedals seem pretty superfluous. Since buying my first (cheap, no-name, Chinese) 15W tube amp I find myself looking less and less at my pedal board. But I also have a few small digital practice amps too and they have a wide variety of decent effects/cabs pre-loaded.
It depends on the "metal" sound that you're looking for. I like classic metal (Iron Maiden for example) and any guitar that does not introduce hum or any other noise will do. If you want a heavy "squared" sound like in modern metal there might be a greater need for high output pickups.
Sweetest guitar I've ever owned and played - '78 Ibanez Artist Custom - the poor man's Les Paul. Warmer tone, unbelievable feel, gigged with it for about 20 years till I switched to a Strat just for the music I was playing. I played probably 50 or more guitars before I bought it and still play it from time to time. Feel is truly important.
Number 2: The Edge from U2 can tour with over a dozen guitars (some for alternate tunings, others because they are THE one guitar for a song or two, but keeps using the same old (many times rebuilt) Vox combo amp (goes with Number 5 too) he’s had forever because that’s THE amp for him and for the tone of U2. (Of course in between is a giant effects rig)
Yeah but sometimes pedals inspire us to pick up the guitar. I agree with your point though. It's easy to get caught up in thinking if you had this sound or that sound it will make us better.
I buy beat up used guitars instead of relic... same feel for 1/5th of the relic price. My favorite Gibson Les Paul was played so much that the nitro was worn off the neck and you can feel the wood. As a tone-chaser, I think my reaction to most of your points was "yes, but no"... correct from a certain point of view but simplified for a 12 minute video (which I enjoyed) Everything, within reason, matters even if it's only 1% of the sound. The only one that I would 100% agree on is that the amp colors more than your guitar.
Natural relic is the best relic. Play and ware, play it all the time. A relic is strange to me. It's not a vintage instrument why pretend that it is lol. The ones that dig the relics I understand it, I would just never pay for it.
Met a sound guru from Franconia, Germany. Influence and friend with diezel and Thomann family. He gave me an opinion and choice of speakers which I tried in my combo amp and it changed my tone so much, I skipped on buying new amps. Only thing I do is taking care of my tubes and choose cables and speakers, selling most of my drive and distortion pedals. I would add uncommon pickup wiring to the mix of what makes most equalizing equipment redundant: Series and parallel wiring, out of phase, killswitches, tone control bypass, treble bleed, pot resistance, lalala Big BUT hand positions and speakers are more effective like mentioned in the video. Good video.
They are fantastic. They sound great every time I hear Warren Haynes play his EC Strat with Lace sensors, I believe. David Gilmour played a Strat with noiseless/Lace pickups for a while, too. And he also sounded fantastic. 🤷👍
I own 3 different guitars with Fishman Fluence Pups and they are all great. Sure I would love to own a 59' Gibson Les Paul, I just won't drop $500k to get the wholy Grail sound lol.
I have a Sheckter Diamond Series C6 plus guitar and Spark amp. I haven't giged since about 1985. I had a Les Paul and a Strat back in the day, but I had to sell most of my gear except 1 acoustic. I got back into electric guitars when covid started. What I have now works for me just to play in my basement. The Spark works good enough for me. It is loud enough to get me in trouble with my wife. I'm just playing for me now so my setup works for me.
@@thatsphreshish I love it. The model has been around for quite awhile. It has a slim fast neck with good fret work. The pick ups are Sheckter branded and sound good to me. No locking tuners but it has great tuning stability. I have never had a guitar with locking tuners anyway, so I don't miss them. For the price I payed for it, it is a great guitar.
I thought you were going to mention your own video where you sawed a guitar into about 8 pieces and put most of it back together and there was basically no discernible difference in sound and tone.
So I traded my Fender Custom for a Celestion speaker... Wish I could hear the difference but I traded my only guitar. But hey.. Speakers are the most important :P
Number 8 is spot on. I saved for years to get a Gretch White Falcon, it was my dream guitar since I was a teenager. One problem though, I had never played one. Realized real quick that I loved looking at it far more than playing it. Just didn’t feel right. I’d never sell it but it became a case queen within months of it arriving and it still hurts. Number 12: You don’t need more that a 20 watt amp. The amount of guitarists I’ve seen and played with that rolled up with a 50 watt amp with the volume on 2 is ridiculous.
Totally agree with most things, especially digital. Us guitarists can be so conservative when it comes to gear! The economics of touring, especially for smaller or for fun bands has meant it's not possible to ship massive amps everywhere they play. Thankfully we now have software solutions. It's pretty much possible to be a guitarist and not even own an amplifier these days. I know we are obsessive about gear, and we can be very snobbish, but computers are pretty much the way forward for guitarists. Imagine a teenager who wants a guitar. His parents say yes, but they don't want the noise of his practice. Now he can just plug into a computer, select a Marshall 800, throw on whatever pedals he likes, and the parents don't get disturbed. I've only ever owned combos so I've not had the 'full stack' experience, but I'd say that's probably true for the majority of guitarists. I know amps look cool, but they are becoming increasingly obsolete. There, I've said it!
I’m left handed so I don’t necessarily have the luxury of trying out every guitar but when I played my future Gretsch G5622LH i was blow away at how comfortable it was compared to my Les Paul
#8 - This is why I prefer BOLT -ON necks. You can swap necks until you get exactly what you want feel-wise. Warmoth has so many profile and fret options, you can dial in exactly what you're after.
I agree with a lot of your "unpopular" points, all of them for the most part. I never had a problem with digital gear, I choose a guitar for how it feels as much as how it sounds. I have been through many amps, and the big daddy of them all was a Fender Twin that broke my back, and I was always being asked to turn it down, which neutered the sound. I have guitars made of alder, mahogany and basswood, all of which sound great with the right amp settings. The only point I disagree with on your list, is I still think Relics are cheesey. We are lucky to have the number of options we have at all price points these days, I started playing in the mid 80's and things were different then. Thanks for the video.
Just drop your guitar a couple times and it's a relic for free lol. I was never in that camp either. I understand it, but I want my guitar to look as shiny and new for as long as I can.
As a retiree who's just taking up the guitar there's so much to learn and info overload. It's difficult to know what to buy. You've convinced me that I need to get a good amp instead of a better guitar. Thanks so much for putting out this video.
A comfortable guitar is more important than an expensive one. Especially if you're learning, you want something to look forward to playing. Have fun with your new hobby! It's definitely one of those where you get as much as you put into it.
No question tube amps "feel" better to play, but at a certain point, especially live in a full band mix, your odds of picking out the difference comes down to 50/50 based on luck! Metallica, Def Leppard has toured live with with digital setups for the last decade and their guitar tones sound phenomenal live. Also I've seen Mark Knopfler's last 2 tours. In 2015 it was still his Reihardt head/4x12 and Tone King Imperial combo setup which sounded amazing and his other guitarist Richard Bennett on his AC30. The following tour in 2019, not a single amp on stage for anyone as he and the other guitar player were now on Kempers. Sounded just as good and still had all his classic responsive tone in spades. And Mark Knopfler ain't going to switch to digital live if it doesn't meet his demanding tone standards!
As far as number 2, I would say that maybe tone isn't as important as playability to the beginner? While I agree that a nice amp and cheap guitar sound better than vice versa, I would argue that it's easier to progress when your guitar plays well. So maybe get a midrange guitar that has a good neck or something...
It's super hard to tell what feels good as a beginner though. I've actually come to the conclusion that satin necks are the way to go, but only after playing for a few years. Until I'd played guitar for a while I had no clue one way or the other which I liked best. I also prefer the Telecaster body shape, it just fits me better. Other folks might have a totally different opinion, and they'd be absolutely right, for them. I'd say try a ton of guitars before you buy one, or buy one cheap at first because what you like will probably change as you get more experience playing. Yamaha Pacificas are good starter guitars IMO, Squier strats and Teles are probably a good option as well. Like Ben says, get a setup as well. See if you can get the shop to throw it in as part of your deal.
Thing is this day and age even budget guitars are pretty damn decent. I have Mitchell MS400 that I think is the best feeling guitar I've ever picked up, and I've picked up and owned a LOT of guitars over the past 40 years. I only have $250 in the Mitchell and I play it FAR MORE than my other guitars.
@@Bagledog5000 Yeah I agree, although I will say my first guitar was so bad that it was physically nearly impossible to play an F chord. Up until that point I just thought I wasn't good enough of a player to pull off the dreaded F chord and having a better guitar would have saved me the trouble. I guess what I would refer to as a "good guitar" in this case isn't so much an ergonomic guitar as much as a playable guitar, with a straight neck, good action, and a good nut and bridge
Tonewood: My issue is not about differences in tone. My issue is when someone claims X is better than Y and puts a $15,000 price tag on a guitar because of that. Especially when everything else that comes after the guitar influences the sound way more than the guitar itself (hence the point where DB says amps are more important for tone than the guitar). Great video (except, Strat FTW! lol)
THANK YOU on the Noiseless Pickups. My practice chair is right next to a ton of RFI, so I just got noiseless pickups for my Strat because I'd like to play it without being annoyed. I have some awesome guitars made in Germany, Korea, Mexico. I agree with someone who said that pretty much every maker has their sweet spots for guitar pricing. I loved that Warmoth video! I love the sound of maple fretboards, but don't like the ratty look they get. Sigh. On the look/feel of guitars, when I got my Johnny Marr Jaguar with that satin nitro neck, yeah, that. I love the feel of the guitar. On relics: the fact that guitars I'd otherwise love are already beat up sure saves me money.
No. 8... A bunch of years ago I fell in love with Carvin Basses based only on their advertising and several profesional musician endorsments. I researched them to death and was totally sold. I almost ordered one sight unseen via their web site bass builder. I lived 1,600 miles away from their shop and couldn't find one locally. Anyway, I finally had a business trip to LA and drove my rental car to their show room to buy one. And, after about 90 seconds of holding that fence-post-sized neck in my hand I realized I'd dodged a bullet.
Not only choice of wood, but also the distance of the strings from the wood. The close proximity of the strings to the wood on a strat is the only reason why it has the body it does with single coils. The strings reverberate the wood, which in turn reverberates through the strings which is picked up by the pickups.
'Je ne sais quois' for tonewood(and also tube vs digi and ss); I have guitars that are just dead no matter what you do to them and others that are always lively(often alder).
Modelling amps are all crappy miserables. The best/classical way is a tube head with no colour/neutral on its clean channel for pedals/effects. Then, another great pain is to find at least a 2x12" cab or better 4x12" with speakers pleasing your ear. This is what Darrel does use in his videos - playing through his MB or Orange. Cab is a King. More modern way is a tube preamp into a fractal or a camper into PA.
@@whoskelly1382 you can find f.i. a 15W laney ironheart studio on eBay for as low as 200€ or new for 600€ or so. I bought mine for 270€ and the amp looked like a new one. It is compact, has a good clean channel and two inputs
@@dmitria6847 Tube amps are great and nothing compares to standing in a room with a cranked tube amp jamming some cool riffs. However, they're not the be all and end all. As someone who plays Master o Puppets at one moment and wants to play Shine on you Crazy Diamond the next, I can't bring myself to buy a tube amp. I don't want to have to switch a bunch of switches and pedals and fiddle with 9 different knobs between each song I play. I get a modelling amp, set some presets and have most of my sounds at the flick of a single switch. Get a decent modelling amp and there's no tube amp setup that can match its flexibility for the same price. Yes, you get a worse sound, but I'll settle for more worse sounds than a couple of great sounds any day of the week.
@@zorkan111 I do understand that, that is why I described also a more modern way above - a tube preamp into fractal or camper into PA. Not for street busking but for home, studios, gigs and concerts most would prefer this way. Exactly for that reason of switching presets.
I'm a bass player and must say that Topic Number 8 is the most importante to me. Totally agreed. Know a lot of other players that are looking for 'The Brand' and not for the feel. I can adjust the sound, but adjust the instrument for a better feel can 'damage the image or the structure of The Brand' if I do it so.
Fun Episode Darrell, of course I disagree on a couple of things... but who cares... this is music and guitar and at the end of the day it should be FUN! Cheers Man!!
So here’s what I’ve learned in the past 6 months Vintage Greco guitars are phenomenal it’s right up there with my Gibson Les Pauls honestly.... JCM 600 is actually a very well made amp and you can find them pretty low cost. If you’re not into tubes... GET A BOSS KATANA!! If you are into tubes... GET A BOSS KATANA!! Gibson Les Paul studios from 2016 sound glorious Telecasters with bigsbys are wayyyyy more fun!! Tweed amps sound great if you can blast them...if not it’s the best clean platform you will ever have! Stay away from fender champion 100 amps they just sound super fizzy! Regardless of what you have someone is going to say something negative... I have a plethora of higher end Les Pauls and if I show up somewhere with one of them I’m a gear snob or a show off but when I show up with a Greco I’m cheap I can’t afford the real deal... The 50s and 60s ARE OVER! yes the music is timeless yes I love the era of true rock n roll as they call it but it’s ok to move on and play Les Paul that was made in the new millennium... not all of us can afford a house payment on one guitar most of us can barely afford our guitars we have now... Jimmy Page is amazing idc if he didn’t play live the way he played in studio he’s awesome... ERNIE ISLEY IS EASILY TOP TEN OF ALL TIME FIGHT ME!!! Eric Clapton isn’t that bad... just give him a chance... Terry Kath👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 The classic vibe strats pre 2018 are surprisingly awesome I don’t like strats at all but I like those... Marshall mg amps are really good... if everyone hated them why is the resale value over 200 dollars if they’re so terrible...
One of the best guitars I ever played was my mate's 80s Squier Strat made in Japan, and my most expensive is a made in Japan. Their culture is quality above everything.
It really depends, just like guitars made in America. For example, B.C. Rich made some of the best guitars available at the time in Japan. Then, Bernie sold the company and his successors made seriously crappy guitars out of the same plant in Japan.
@@1RobHunter1 That's not really Japan and America. Honda, Toyota and Nissan have (or had) higher standards than Ford, GM, AMC and Chrysler but they also had much higher standards than Subaru, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, etc. so... It wasn't a Japanese thing so much as a Honda, Toyota and Nissan thing.
Yup my Fender Heartfield Talon nearly 30 years later has never made me regret the purchase and the MIJ Squier Tele well is still one of the first I grab 👍
I agree with the body type of the guitar. I have an LP style guitar that the body just doesn’t sit well with me. I prefer strat/tele style bodies. I really want to try a strandberg
I have an LP and a Strat. I think the LP looks way cooler than the Strat, but that LP hangs on the wall and the Strat is the guitar I play because it's just a more playable design.
Also tonewood is more in the "feel" when you play than when you actually hear the final result. I've recorded many comparison between similar guitars with different woods, and it drove me crazy how similar they ended up sounding whereas they felt quite different when playing them.
I'm personally on the opinion that wood does affect tone, but to a miniscule level compared to string, pickup and other electronics quality. Your position is one I never even thought to consider. And it makes sense, that vibration you feel while playing is a big tactile part that I've never even put a second thought to. Weird that I've never heard anyone mention it until now.
I get what you are saying, but wasn‘t the tone wood the main argument for the fact that the now unaffordably expensive original 58 Les Pauls are so great … ?
Show me a guitar with a nitrocellulose lacquer that's not a custom shop job. Everything has a poly finish that just chips off so no, you actually can't. I still think buying relic'd guitars is stupid lmao but I wish I could wear my guitar out
Your view on guitar selection is spot-on, at least in my opinion. The last few axes I bought were chosen for neck feel and body shape and contour. I'm a hobbyist player and tend to buy in the low and mid ranges then modify the hardware and electronics to satisfy my superstitions and needs. Resale value? Meh. That really doesn't appeal to me but I do love tearing into a budget instrument to change pickups, etc. and I think it's worked well in just about every case. So, if a guitar's overall quality of construction and finish pass muster and its appearance gives me wood (VERY important), then it's a sale. I'll find a way to make it sound how I like. Great video, BTW.
I'd say it does make a difference on electric guitars, but that difference is WAAAAAY overrated. You can basically only hear it in a direct comparison. In a mix or a band, especially live, it doesn't really matter.
@@JohnDoe9764 I think maybe only with a little bit of the sustain, because of varying densities & weights. I would choose woods based on different factors, such as the look weight & comfort..ect.. and I like dark fretboards..
Weber Speakers offer a line of tube amp kits that are fantastic. You can build (have built) a Tweed Deluxe or Princeton Reverb clone, or several other classic examples for pretty comfortable money. The "cheap amp" thing is more of a good amp thing. There are cheap amps that are pretty great guitar loudeners. The US made Peavey Transtube amps are really versatile.
For guitar buying, to me, how it FEELS (playability) and looks to me, is most important. As far as tone, I consider tone and sound COMPLETELY different things. It doesn’t matter what kind of tone anything has, you can manipulate the tone to get the sound you want. 🤷🏻♂️
As for picking a guitar, I love pawn shops... Most used guitars just need a good setup, mild fret work and fresh strings. I have found some guitars with great MOJO... My Peavey JF1, not an expensive or highly rated guitar at all but I swear that thing has a soul. It just plays itself, cries, wails, plays blues all damn night and keeps tune. There's no tone wood, no name pick ups, no hot spec's... But after work, every Saturday, I beat on that thing like it owes me money. Just mojo.
I've been using a solid state Fender Princeton Chorus for a LONG time. It sounds amazing. Just did a gig with it recently and got lots of compliments on my tone, even from my band. At 100W, I have plenty of power. Tube amps are great but I think the general theme here is play what you like that sounds the way you want it to.
I still can’t get on board with the whole reliced thing. If I’m buying a new guitar then I want it to look new. You wouldn’t buy a new car with dents, a sandblasted paint job and broken windows:
A relic guitar is about as similar to a busted car as an apple is to an airplane. Relic means giving a broken in feel and look. Yes it's largely for an aesthetic, and if you don't like it then you don't like it but you don't have to criticize someone else because they like the look But they also feel and play differently, and some people want that. Out of the box
@@the_armada5579 I didn't take the comment as critical to anyone. He simply doesn't like them and I get his point. Having said that I actually like guitars that have been played to that condition. I love the look and the history of every mark but you have the trade off of actual ware too. To each there own.
Legitimate question here, how does the neck on a relic’d guitar have a broken in feel? Isn’t the relic process just about aesthetics? What do they do to the neck to give it a “ broken in feel “? I tend to agree with Chord TheSeeker but I’m willing to be convinced otherwise.
@@steverossi7949 both the body and necks of fender guitars are almost always gloss, and maple fingerboard gloss as well. When they relic a guitar, they sand down the wood so it's a bit smoother and also the neck so it's no longer a sticky gloss but more of a worm in natural wood feel which is softer and smoother. Same with the body, it gets softer and smoother. Same with the fingerboard as well. I prefer it that way, I don't like gloss necks or fingerboards.
01 Noiseless Pups. I prefer noiseless because where I play/practice guitars, there's lots of RFI and I need RFI mitigation. That's why I spend $ on things like shielding cavities & pickguard/backplates. The other side of this strategy is the selection of noiseless pups: stacked pups, humbuckers, shielded pups, etc. Do they sound the same as regular pups? No. But they're close enough for me to use stuffs like pedals, amp, and playing techniques to get close to where I need. 02) Amps > Guitars. Sigh, very true. Ye can have the world's best guitar, but it'll sound crap thru an unsuitable amp. While a cheap guitar (or ANY guitar for that matter) will sound their best thru a quality amp. Of course that best guitar will usually sound better than the cheap guitar on the same quality amp. 03) Country of Origin. In the past by and large, imported stuff would generally be of lower quality due to the lower quality grade of builder skills and knowledge and inferior tools available. Aside from a few notable exceptions like certain factories in Japan, Korea and Indonesia, that was true that they've been inferior quality. But that was before 2009. Now that those regions have largely modernized facilities AND the craftsmanship has improved, the quality across the board has generally improved. That said, the caveat is that the quality of mass produced stuffs still are of lower AVERAGE level than something that's individually built and checked by hand. The mass item will likely still need a good setup and detail work to be at its best possible form to perform adequately. Side note, areas like Japan, Korea and Indonesia had improved more quickly earlier than places like China. Nowdays SOME places in China HAS improved, but not all of them. That's why I nowdays pay closer attention to which FACTORY in the country has made the item than just country of origin. 04) Strat vs Tele. (And Others.) LOL, I'm not going to take sides on THAT debate. I WILL say this much. I started as a Les Paul Guy, then quickly expanded to Strats and other types, and recently acquired my first Tele in 2020. I say this. Each have each own mix of strengths and weaknesses. Each can be used in nearly any situation and styles. And each are unique in each's own way. I use them all, and enjoy all of them for different reasons. 05) 4x12 vs Combo Amps. While having a big 4x12 stack topped with a 100W valve head are downright cool and even sexy, the undeniable fact is that lately the often more compact combos are more practical and their quality and capabilities have improved to point that it makes more sense to just use them, especially if travelling with them are in the books. Now that said, I will NOT give up my Marshall 4x12 with a Marshall Super Lead 100W head. BUT, they WILL stay put at home while I take my 2x12 or even the 1x12 combos out of house for gigs. Heck IF I know I'm gonna go to somewhere that uses a PA, I may just bring either a head only or a small 1x10 combo and plug/mike it in. 06) Tonewoods? On acoustics, absolutely, no arguments. On electrics, to a much lesser extent but still true. However the main component of the electric's voice will be still mostly the choice of the parts that directly affects the electromagnetic fields that produces the sound: pickups, potentiometers, capacitors and resisters, and even strings. The woods and hardwares chosen will color the base tone produced by the electronics. Playing styles and techniques used will have greater influence than the woods and hardwares used. The final voice of the guitar will be the combination and synthesis of the pickups, controls, playing skills, hardwares and woods used (and in my opinion, the strength of influence is in the order listed in this sentence). 07) Total voice (Guitar + Amp) Assuming one is limited to a given pair of guitar and amp. This is an extension of #02, where the amp has biggest impact on the sound. Yes, changing the speakers WILL greatly influence the Total Voice. BUT, be VERY careful, especially in the case of valve/tube combos or heads, picking the wrong speaker(s) MAY cause damage to the amp, or even destroy it. 08) Guitar Sound vs Guitar Feel Guitar Feel > Sound, absolutely! Especially with electrics, you can change pups, controls, even setups to get the sound you're looking for. But if the Feel is not there, yer NOT gonna pick up that guitar and play on it. Every prospective guitar I'm looking to buy MUST pass the Feel test. If I'm not Feeling it, then odds are I'll pass. Out of all the instruments I have (57), theres only 3 that are purely display queens. The rest are all players. 09) Digital vs Tube/Analogs. Overall, I have to agree, digital works especially with the latest generations of digital stuffs out there. The only time I have to disagree slightly is when mixing those different types of gear in a single rig. This is a very specific situation tho. I like doing wet/dry setups with at least 2 amps with different groups of pedals going into each. The one having higher headroom has the time and space modulation pedals into it, whilst the other amp gets the distortions and gain pedals. If one amp is digital, especially those with DSP, the those amp invariably has a slight phase problem in that the output is delayed by miliseconds, just enough to desync it from the other amp. What's worse is that I don't even use the DSP in the amp. My pedals are infinitely easier to use and more adjustable. The easiest solution is to add an inline adjustable module that delays the signals going to the other amp so that its in-sync with the digital amp. However, in my case I just swapped out the digital amp for the older analog SS version of that amp which fixed the sync problem with the valve amp. No sense going out and buying the module when I still have the older amp available. I now use the digital amp as a bridge into my PC for recording tracks. 10) Relics. Ohhhh, gods NO. Sorry, I'm one of those who dislike relics on new guitars. If I'm buying a new guitar, it better damn well LOOK like new. Now, I'm the kind of guy who takes care of my guitars, especially if the guitar is an expensive one. I keep the inactive ones in their cases. The ones I'm using are kept on proper quality stands AND covered with a drop-on shroud to keep dust and exposure to light off the guitar. That said, when I buy older guitars, I still tend to buy guitars that are still in good shape. However, one thing Ive found is that I DO like buying older white guitars that has changed color to parchment to deep rich cream. And yes, some (not just the white ones) older guitars have honestly earned battle scars (finish wears, scratches, dings, dents and chips) that comes with real use over the years. Those I just leave alone unless the damage threatens the structural integrity of the guitar (never has happened...yet). Then I MAY refinish it or just patch it. There are just 2 older guitars that are heavily worn. One is the classic barnyard find story, except it was hanging in an open air beachside garage for 30+ years. The original white finish has aged to a light cream, but also has degraded badly to point where parts that had seen contact with skin has flaked off exposing the flat white undercoat. EVERYONE who has seen it has insisted that I retain the relic finish. One has gone as far to threaten to skin me alive if I refinish it. The other is a rare '89 RG565R spot model from Ibanez. I bought it from the original owner who gigged with it as his #1 all over the east coast for 30+ years before retiring to Hawai'i. It has heavily worn frets which will require refretting the entire board. The finish is mostly good except for the edges of the forearm contour and the back edges of the side that typically contacts the laps when sitting. Here the red metallic has been rubbed to a dull finish and theres a big dent in the lower bout. There are fine pick scratches and buckle rashes. Aside from replacing the half dead electronics and refretting, I'm leaving the rest alone. This guitar has a real personal history to tell and I'll let it continue to show it.
I've played for more than half a century, and find myself agreeing with the unconventional on all but #10. A winter project will be to change the speaker on one of my amps, I've never purchased a guitar because of its "tone woods," and so on, except for #10. I don't care if "relics" have taken over the guitar world, paying extra for a guitar because it's been "pre-beaten-up" seems, well, stupid.
Heck if relic gets anymore popular I figure I'm going to open me up a car sales lot with relic cars. Offer a free bottle of Relic Snake Oil with each car purchase. Tell them the extended warranty purchase comes with a plot of swamp land in Florida.
I completely agree with 8. playability over make. I have a single cut Type guitar with a 12-16 radius neck and it plays far better then the Gibson I had and has a far more versatile tone. And 9. As my Boss Katana Artist has a Pro tone and is consistent and reliable especially compared to the valve amps I had that both broke down at gigs.
BB King used a solid state amp. In fact, he didn't carry an amp on tour, he simply rented the same model wherever he performed. So much is myth, perhaps created and promoted by the sellers of gear. Neil Young built a bunch of gadgets for performing.
tone wood isn't just about the different tones. like you say different pickup location and such affect the tone, but there is one very important thing. I have a few basswood guitars, but also have a nice gibson les and also a nice fender strat. I have noticed that the higher end guitars have more sustain, but also the wood isn't as soft.
Having a good amp is definitely more important than having a really expensive high-end guitar. I have cheap budget guitars, pre-owned guitars and one rare expensive guitar and they all sound great with a decent amp. A really good and well balanced guitar will make a difference and will be more fun to play but it can not make a garbage amp sound like a good amp.
Agree with everything except….. a tube amp in my opinion is very hard to replicate digitally. I have a pod go running through a headrush Frfr 12 and i can’t replicate the warmth or body I get from my fender blues jr or my Vox ac15. I do love my digital set up and it’s versatility but prefer my tubes when trying to nail that perfect tone. Love the channel! Best on TH-cam!
The Chinese made Cordoba nylon string guitars are awesome . The Japanese electrics are superb. So are the Cheap Indonesian .The South Korean guitars are so good that they equate with the original, parent American models. The only difference is collector’s value . I’m a player. I’m not interested in “collecting.”
@@TranscendentBen Even with a shielded cavity and distance, the hiss form single coils can still be pretty bad. I've been waffling on getting some Gen 4s for a while now, maybe it's time to pull the trigger. :)
I do agree with the opinion that the amp is the ultimate equalizer. However, for a new player considering his / her first guitar with a limited budget, I would say put most of your money into the guitar and get a cheap (but decent) amplifier like the Vox Pathfinder 10, the Fender Frontman 10G or similar. The reason is that a cheap guitar will make your learning miserable: tuning instability, action too high, fret buzzing, etc. can kill the motivation of a beginner, so the fewer of those problems your first guitar gives you, the better. On that line, I would also recommend a hardtail or stoptail guitar instead of a Tremolo or Floyd Rose.
The year is 2021, China perfectly landed a robot in Mars and people still think they cannot replicate a extreme simple technology from 50's. Nice video, as always!
There's lots of other reasons not to give the CCP your money, an ongoing genocide for one. I remember when the world boycotted S. Africa over apartheid. Times certainly have changed when people are blase enough about human rights that they'll happily to fund a genocide as long as they get something cheap in return.
@@Bagledog5000 Do you care to list the US brands that not have any production line in China? I would be happy to not buy from then to help your cause.
Personally I've never been a big proponent of tube amps. I can count the number of tube amps that I've played through where I genuinely lived the tone on one hand. I've always been an "if it sounds good it is good" type of guy. While I do agree that changing the speaker in an amplifier situation will change your tone immensely, pick ups will also change your tone dramatically. Lastly, the only time I've ever wanted a "releced" guitar was when Ibanez put out the limited edition EVO Jem. Steve was floored by the smallest of details they added to it. The true mojo a guitar gets are from the scrapes and dings that come from playing live.
Guitar enthusiasts are a dichotomy. Want the latest and greatest yet still belive the old stuff was better. Weird. Price isn't a good refection of sound or quality anymore. Klon anyone?
While I used to agree to “great amp matters more than an expensive guitar” because it makes sense, actually I don’t anymore. As I have discovered, my BOSS Katana 50 (bought £150) really allows the amazing sound of my Eastman SB57 (£2000) to shine. This amp seems to let the pickups of the guitar plugged in express themselves. 🤷🏻♂️. And in terms of feel, and playability, I am just glad I bought my PRS and this Eastman even though they’re more expensive than my amp 😄.
While I can agree that many guitars made overseas sound just fine, I made it a point to buy and play Canadian made guitars (Godin, Seagull) to support Canadian business and workers. Besides, they sound incredible and dollar for dollar they can’t be beat. 🇨🇦😎🎸
The kinetics, acoustics and the esthetics all have to come together to continually inspire me to play. That is why certain instruments get played much more than others. It's not science. It's a natural human response. The right instruments for YOU is number 1 priority! A thought comes to mind to ponder... I record mostly in the digital realm but I've come to really appreciate the outside my ear holes world when mixing or playing in general where my ears hear the sounds but my body feels it. Headphones no matter how great can not replace the sound waves enveloping your body or the sound waves bouncing in the room overlapping creating unexpected overtones and noises. The fact that the deaf can appreciate music as much as the hearing should tell you something very important. The full musical experience should be felt not just heard.
I love my Fender Mustang amps (LT-25 and GTX100) and saved a ton of money. The Tone Masters seem to be converting a lot of the old tube snobs. It seems to me that a lot of players want to automatically think old guitars are better than new guitars and that is why the relics have caught on. But I love new guitars and refuse to pay for someone to beat one up. New guitars today are so good that I doubt most old ones are worth the money. A 30 year-old Strat is not better than what you can buy new today for less money.
I think with digital vs tube the part where it makes a difference is in what type of music and what type of pedals you're using. A fuzz face or tonebender just doesn't sound the same through a digital rig. And I can't get my guitar and amp to feedback and create walls of noise on stage as well with a digital rig. That being said, digital is perfect for just about everything else.
'50s wiring. Hook an oscilliscope up to your PCB equipped Les Paul and then hook it up to one with the '50s wiring. No difference. the scope doesn't lie, but your ear hears what you expect it to hear,
I haven't heard the newer noiseless ones, I have a guitar with Fender Vintage Noiseless. There is some attenuation of the high frequencies, but it's still obviously single-coil sound, just not quite as "out loud and proud" as non-noise-surpressed (I once loaded an Affinity Strat with Lace Sensor Golds - those sounded like BUTT, to me, and they were pretty noisy). They sound good. I admit i like the sound of the "non-noiseless better" but the Vintage Noiseless sound good, and not having to deal with noise makes them very attractive. As to "guitar vs amp", the increasing quality of cheaper guitars, and cheaper amps, for that matter, makes the question almost moot. I would also point out that if your guitar is built poorly and plays poorly, no amp can help that.
I am in the camp of "tonewood doesn't exist BECAUSE it doesn't matter" Too many other factors that come in to play with it anyways, if anything it's psychosomatic.
Look around on YT for a vid where a highly skilled and knowledgeable techie did a scientific assessment, with oscilloscopes, etc. The wood doesn't matter on an electric. Any differences are miniscule.
Guilty as charged for #5. I used to roll into a gig with a Marshall 4x12 and two heads stacked. I’ve since grown up and I use a 20 watt Friedman 1x12 rig. I get told to turn up now more than to turn down. What a world.
Usually I want to be in a shop trying a guitar out before I buy one. However, I bought an Epiphone Les Paul without doing that (but had played Les Pauls and LP copies before so I knew what it would be like). I also just bought an EART 335 without trying one out because your review of it was so good, including the minor faults with finish. Thanks for that. I only play as a hobby so I don't want to pay upwards of £2.3K for a genuine Gibson but the EART plays so well. I am so glad I bought it and I have your review to thank for letting me know that the guitar was worth taking a punt on. BTW, one of the best amps I had was a 10W practice amp (once I got rid of buzzing by properly earthing the chassis) which I got in a package with a crap LP copy.
“Pick a guitar for feel” Yes The most important thing to me is feel I have picked up guitars & put them back down quickly because of the feel. A guitar could have everything else perfect, but the feel and I wouldn’t buy it YMMV
That is the most important thing. Is it a thin or thick neck, what do you like. How does it sound without being plugged in then plug it in. Someones opinion might not be you own. That's what sets us apart from the rest. The reviews might be great on what your looking for, you still have to play it.
Some years ago I bought a Marshal 4X cabinet with English made Celestions for the drivers alone, so put the empty cab on Craigslist for $40. I sold it to a veteran metal guitarist, who drove 70 miles and paid me $50- it was perfect for their shows. They used light weight gear for real, but needed light weight but authentic husks for show. It remains one of my favorite Craigslist encounters. A very decent guy with crazy ink and great stories let me know that the right combo amp can sound like a wall of Marshalls, especially when you are looking at a wall of Marshalls..
Open back, is nothings like a ported speaker, a 4 x 12 is not ported, but has a sealed back, & 48” of speaker! Joe Bonnamassa used to tour with EVM12L. 1 in a Theil cabinet can be as loud as a 4 x 12. Just less girth to the bottom
![POLYCAT - ข้อความรูปยิ้ม [Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/lBhIgPGCgbI/mqdefault.jpg)
Did you guys find your self agreeing with more of the conventional takes or more of the unconventional ones?
Enjoy! 😊🎸
So right on the Tele Position 2. Can't get that on a thin Strat.
I still don’t know what amp to buy :(
I think I agree with most of these that you mentioned! Glad to know tonewood and 4×12s don't matter!
What would your starting point for a great amp be for a bedroom player ?
@@NateBrotzman try a 50 watt boss katana. Not a tube amp, but super versatile.
Compared to when I started playing some 60 years ago, we are living in a golden age of guitar gear! Great stuff can be had in every price strata.
I remember in the early 70's paying 20 bucks for Martin Marquis strings; buy a great body and neck and the best player can be birthed for less than a 1000 $'s in amazing parts. Slash, in an interview last year, reiterated that the difference between a 500 $ guitar and a 5000 $ guitar is EGO... My first guitar, my dad built, using a mahogany table and a walnut table. I stupidly thought it had to be inferior.
Compared to 20 years ago too. What a time to be alive
True that. I love all the options I have now! Like a little kid at the candy store.
Even within my 20 years of playing gear has evolved so much.
Like others above me I have been playing for 20 years and the difference I have seen between then and now is astounding. I've recently been lucky enough to be able to afford some higher end guitars than the $300-$400 range I played growing up but I have still bought a few guitars in that price range because they felt damn good and better than anything in the range when I was young. Also I've come to see that overseas made guitars can be amazing, I have a Schecter, LTD and Wylde Audio that all came from Korea and am convinced the only difference between say my LTD EC1000 and a ESP Eclipse is the logo on the headstock.
A lot of opinions in this video that may, to a certain extent, be considered unpopular but what it all comes down to, for me, at least, is play what you like. Find a guitar you love to play - one that inspires you. Find an amp or a sound you like be it tube, solid state or digital, and rock out. Don't let the naysayers take away your fun. Just play.
100% i use a 75 watt peavy vyper amp because of the built in effects.
Juat got a schecter c-1+ custom and been jamming alot lately.
Oui t'as exactement raison
Darrell couldn't have said it better. Oh...wait... Darrell did say that... (:
100% true. My main amp is a digital Yamaha DG 130 for years and I am loving the sound and flexibility. Had 2 tube amps in between, but endet up selling them again. Now I gave it a 3rd shot for a tube amp (Laney IRT Studio) and seems I have found what I was searching for. However I will still keep the Yamaha. So it really can go in both directions.
Ah and one advice: Don't rely too much on the TH-cam reviews or peoples opinions. There are always so many variables that it can look totally different for you
Joe Walsh used fender champs. Satch used Rockman. Dime used a solid state Randall. Use what you like. If you're good, the different sound will set you apart even more... look at Brian may for example?
"Get a good amp" "don't be afraid of digital" this is a sign, I need a Jazz Chorus
Same here lol
But then you'd be criticized because that's not a tube amp.
You won't be sorry! I played through one in the late 80's and I STILL wish to God I would have bought it!
The amp tech will tell you it can't be fixed, that's okay since they don't break!
Darrell SAID BUY GOOD AMP. So I think this is a good excuse to get a upgrade
Go for it!
I thought he meant to get a room full of them.
Your parter is going to kill you! Don’t worry, getting killed by your significant other, doesn’t hurt much, nor does it last… BUT, a good amp will be with you forever.
And then he said digital is just as good. I so wanted that to be true when I went amp shopping recently. Problem was, the sound just isn't the same. It's its own thing, but if you want valve sound, you just can't get that. I'm guessing people who like "modern rock" are more ok with digital than blues and indie folks. To me, just sounded gross.
@@alittlebitoflight I thought I had good modeling amp tone until I jammed with someone playing through a tube amp. That was a long time ago, and there is new gear now. I still can hear the difference. I won't be turning back, but to each their own.
Number 8 was nice, when I was 16 I was set on finally getting a Gibson Les Paul, tried every Les Paul at Guitar Center and ended up with a SG Standard because of the weight and feel.
Lol! I just went through the same experience in the last month. Returned two Les Pauls because I just wasn't feeling them, and ended up with an SG Standard that I just love to play.
Good choice! :)
lol you didn't exactly stray that far, it's not like you bought an ESP or something.
I'm with you on that. I loved the look and sound of a Gibson Les Paul, but when I actually played one was so disappointed. Ended up with an Ibanez RG - personally I would move the volume knob a little further down out the way but other than that it's so comfortable with faultless ergonomics.
Same experience. Wanted that shorter Gibson scale length, but the LP body just felt like a big bulky block of wood. The SG was perfect.
I try to buy US made more to support US workers than a feeling that overseas built instruments are inferior. I bought (and loved) 2 PDP kits before I could afford DW, and have a PRS SE acoustic which plays and sounds great. I just can't bring myself to buy relic. I definitely understand the worn-in feel argument, though, but my personal preference is for non-relic aesthetics
The only way a relic could possible be good, is if you did it yourself, genuinely over time of course. Who wants to buy someone else's fake relic? And besides it's not a lie, so call it what it is, it is fake relic at best faux relic.
I just don’t buy Chinese because China
@@Dobermanator Agree. Its fake,a worn in "look" not "feel" like dude said. Its still a new guitar.
And you try to buy Usa because is a great product. If the product is bad sure that you don't buy USA guitars.
@@macauley70 that's a fact
I’m beyond happy with my Harley Benton Sg custom and my Boss Katana 100 watt amp. I can get killer tone and it has great effects and reverb
I spent just under $800 for both
I’ve got a Katana 50 I keep at work for practice. I much prefer my expensive amps at home but the Katana sounds great, and I wish I had it as a starting amp back in the late 90s when I started playing.
@@dannythemedic what’s up?
The only good thing about relics is that you don’t have a heart attack when you damage your guitar
I think I will get even a bigger heart attack, because then it doesn't have the exact same scratches as Rory's or SRV's guitar anymore. How am I going to copy my heroes now??
And looks good, without the aggravation of screwing up a new guitar.
People!e pay extra for a reissue that is reliced, but will also pay extra for a vintage one In mint condition.
Contradictory?
people who ha ve bought relics have returned them because they has scratches and dents that were not part of the relic process
Unless it's worth 20k
I really didn't get why many think that buying a guitar for its "feel" is quite an unpopular opinion when it actually matters so much. It doesn't matter how expensive or great your guitar is, if it's uncomfortable to play it still won't be a great experience. Thank you for pointing it out, Darrell!
Like walking with a small rock in your shoe.
I can adapt to most guitars, but sometimes one will feel a bit off. Usually something about the set up.
Feel is so much a part of it. My gretsch is gorgeous but it just fights me when I play it. My fender strat player, my hand just works with it so well. More so than any other guitar I own. And I wasnt really a strat guy. But its the one thats so comfortable to play. I can express myself with the least amount of effort on it.
@@Mr1bigbaddaddy Sometimes I like a guitar that is challenging to play. It's like an exercise. I have a classical that I cannot stand though. The neck is way to wide.
@@qua7771 I definitely agree with that. Thats why my gretsch is still on my wall. I love the sound. Love it. And even though it fights me, I still play it. Eventually I'll find its happy spot. Seems to make the strat a little easier every time I switch though at least lol.
Why I love my Ibanez 652 so much. It's a joy to play.
Every guitar I've regretted buying was due to the "feel." If it's uncomfortable, I simply won't play it.
Agreed. Buy a guitar over 7lbs and I just won’t pick it up, reach for my guitars that are less than 7.
100% Agree - Every guitar I’ve ever had that didn’t feel good to play did not stick around in my collection.
Vintage guitars are lame. Except for the first brand new electric guitar I got which was an SG when I started playing as a kid.
@@Lowtech14 You just described what my Gibson SG-X is not. And it has a hot single humbucker and mahogany neck. First electric guitar. Best electric guitar.
I’ve got guitars I’ve had since the 70’s and I’ll keep them until I die, because of the necks.
Years back, everybody was raging about prs and their wide fat carve neck…I bought a custom and had it for about 6 months, gigged it and hated it!!
My actual go to is an Epi LP my kids bought me for Father’s Day in ‘94…. It has the best neck I’ve ever played.
I used to be a tube amp snob, but not anymore. My pockets aren’t deep enough to afford good tube amps these days. After using the Roland cubes and now the Boss Katana, I’m really satisfied with them.
Would I like a room full of Mesa amps? Heck yes! If I hit the lottery I’ll fill my house with them. Until then , the Katana and Cube are very satisfying. (Nothing at all like the early solid state crap that first emerged. )You really can’t tell the difference when you make a decent recording ,and you don’t have to play so loud that you attract the attention of every police force in the county.
P.S. I used to play with a fellow that had an old Telecaster. It was pretty sweet and we used natural overdrive without peddles. He would carry a compass with him to align his guitar in a North South line to keep the hum down. We almost got arrested one night because a local officer on patrol ,a quarter mile away, didn’t like Bo Diddly. That was 44 years ago.
P.P.S My guitars turn into to “relics “ after six months of my ownership. I don’t need to pay extra. I seem to provide my own abuse for free.
P.P.P.S. I almost forgot, great topic Darrell .👍 Thanks.
"... local officer on patrol ,a quarter mile away, didn’t like Bo Diddly" 🤣
When I was right on cash I learned to do amp repairs and purchased broken gear.
Now there are good affordable tube amps, especially in the 15W power range.
The CUBES have a "bassy" lead tone that is like no other. Built in effects are good enough or all I need with a compressor. I love em. I have 5. 🤘
@@johnsee7269
Same here. They have a growl that’s unique. Add a compressor and you can do about anything. I couldn’t do without a compressor that has attack and decay controls anymore.
I love how straight forward u are on tonewoods "they don't matter" noice
Paging Will Gelvin.
Yeah, agreed, every part of the guitar *can* affect tone, including the different types of woods, but not more than the pickups, tone control, tone stack on the amp or the speaker. On an acoustic the woods would make more of a difference, but on electric, not enough to worry about.
Ask someone with better hearing than you, and better sensitivity.
@@morleychallenged Demonstrate reliable significant results in a proper double-blind test and I'll believe you. Until then, you're a cork-sniffer.
@@theharvardyard2356 I think we're all kinda busy right now. I'll do my science. You do you.
I love this background setting Darrell. The colors are nice and sharp, and desk in back looks good for this type of video format, i.e. non guitar playing.
I Could be wrong, but I feel like that's a green screened background.
@@NyneForte Yeah it does seem like a green screen but I think it's just the angle maybe?
I think relics are cool, but for me it’s cooler if you actually play a guitar so much you make it a relic
That's the whole point, the relic fans want to look like they've been playing for decades rather than the two years they've actually played.
@@akallio9000 And those who have played for decades have guitars that look brand new because they respect their tools 😂
Or just because they maintain them well... 😆
That's true, I despise relics, but I have a Seagull S6 where the finish is wearing off the neck, and I think that looks cool.
Relics are cool? I've got some ocean front property in Kansas to sell you.
New studio setup or look, I like the new shot angle and dark look!
Im also reminded of a comment John Mayer made that when playing a guitar, you are essentially playing a neck, which is your main touch point. Obviously I’d add overall weight of the guitar and feel of the action on the bridge also, but it’s a good insight.
John Mayer only plays super high end guitars.... he basically said he left Fender because the new management refused to cater to his every whim but PRS was happy to build whatever he wanted. Point is, he cares A LOT about having a guitar exactly how he wants it.
There are also beliefs:
- That you need a "metal" guitar to play metal. I believe you can play metal on anything you want. If you have low output pickups - increase gain on your distortion pedal.
- That you need tons of gear to sound great. You don't, really - save your money! One guitar and a good amp (and no pedals) are usually enough.
I've found that you can get almost any sound you need out of a Tele and a good amp. You'll need a pedal to drive the amp harder for really heavy stuff though.
Good luck with the noise on single coils. Also metal guitars exist for a reason, sure you can play metal on a telecaster (and I've done it) but the sound and playability won't be the same.
@@the_hippykiller22 yes, I agree
I agree with a good amp can really make pedals seem pretty superfluous. Since buying my first (cheap, no-name, Chinese) 15W tube amp I find myself looking less and less at my pedal board. But I also have a few small digital practice amps too and they have a wide variety of decent effects/cabs pre-loaded.
It depends on the "metal" sound that you're looking for. I like classic metal (Iron Maiden for example) and any guitar that does not introduce hum or any other noise will do. If you want a heavy "squared" sound like in modern metal there might be a greater need for high output pickups.
Fitting how when Number 6 came around, an ad appeared for blood pressure awareness
Sweetest guitar I've ever owned and played - '78 Ibanez Artist Custom - the poor man's Les Paul. Warmer tone, unbelievable feel, gigged with it for about 20 years till I switched to a Strat just for the music I was playing. I played probably 50 or more guitars before I bought it and still play it from time to time. Feel is truly important.
Number 2: The Edge from U2 can tour with over a dozen guitars (some for alternate tunings, others because they are THE one guitar for a song or two, but keeps using the same old (many times rebuilt) Vox combo amp (goes with Number 5 too) he’s had forever because that’s THE amp for him and for the tone of U2. (Of course in between is a giant effects rig)
Brian May is the same, Vox combo amps cranked to 11.🤘
Both those guys use vintage amps that are not similar to the current Asian models.
@@mechmat12345 Edge and his tech admit the only original part of the amp left is probably the logo. 😂
#2. Agreed.
#11. Lessons and Practice are better than more gear. if you want to play AND sound better.
Yeah but sometimes pedals inspire us to pick up the guitar. I agree with your point though. It's easy to get caught up in thinking if you had this sound or that sound it will make us better.
I buy beat up used guitars instead of relic... same feel for 1/5th of the relic price. My favorite Gibson Les Paul was played so much that the nitro was worn off the neck and you can feel the wood.
As a tone-chaser, I think my reaction to most of your points was "yes, but no"... correct from a certain point of view but simplified for a 12 minute video (which I enjoyed) Everything, within reason, matters even if it's only 1% of the sound. The only one that I would 100% agree on is that the amp colors more than your guitar.
Natural relic is the best relic. Play and ware, play it all the time. A relic is strange to me. It's not a vintage instrument why pretend that it is lol. The ones that dig the relics I understand it, I would just never pay for it.
Met a sound guru from Franconia, Germany. Influence and friend with diezel and Thomann family. He gave me an opinion and choice of speakers which I tried in my combo amp and it changed my tone so much, I skipped on buying new amps. Only thing I do is taking care of my tubes and choose cables and speakers, selling most of my drive and distortion pedals. I would add uncommon pickup wiring to the mix of what makes most equalizing equipment redundant: Series and parallel wiring, out of phase, killswitches, tone control bypass, treble bleed, pot resistance, lalala
Big BUT hand positions and speakers are more effective like mentioned in the video.
Good video.
They are fantastic. They sound great every time I hear Warren Haynes play his EC Strat with Lace sensors, I believe. David Gilmour played a Strat with noiseless/Lace pickups for a while, too. And he also sounded fantastic. 🤷👍
I own 3 different guitars with Fishman Fluence Pups and they are all great. Sure I would love to own a 59' Gibson Les Paul, I just won't drop $500k to get the wholy Grail sound lol.
Tonewoods mean everything in acoustic guitars...oops...wrong saloon.
I have a Sheckter Diamond Series C6 plus guitar and Spark amp. I haven't giged since about 1985. I had a Les Paul and a Strat back in the day, but I had to sell most of my gear except 1 acoustic. I got back into electric guitars when covid started. What I have now works for me just to play in my basement. The Spark works good enough for me. It is loud enough to get me in trouble with my wife. I'm just playing for me now so my setup works for me.
Literally thinking of buying a C6. Any downsides to it?
@@thatsphreshish I love it. The model has been around for quite awhile. It has a slim fast neck with good fret work. The pick ups are Sheckter branded and sound good to me. No locking tuners but it has great tuning stability. I have never had a guitar with locking tuners anyway, so I don't miss them. For the price I payed for it, it is a great guitar.
@@ricandes thanks for the reply!
I thought you were going to mention your own video where you sawed a guitar into about 8 pieces and put most of it back together and there was basically no discernible difference in sound and tone.
Or does he plan to bend it to say the amount of wood is not the thing, it's the type of wood 😉
Speakers are the most important. You can totally change a whole rig with a speaker swap.
I might try that to "brighten" up a Marshall
@@TheDoug625 Celestion Vintage 30's...you cannot go wrong there
To the point where you wonder - where is actually the guitar and tube amp tone in all that. Cause the difference is massive.
PS V30 for life
So I traded my Fender Custom for a Celestion speaker... Wish I could hear the difference but I traded my only guitar. But hey.. Speakers are the most important :P
Number 8 is spot on. I saved for years to get a Gretch White Falcon, it was my dream guitar since I was a teenager. One problem though, I had never played one. Realized real quick that I loved looking at it far more than playing it. Just didn’t feel right. I’d never sell it but it became a case queen within months of it arriving and it still hurts.
Number 12: You don’t need more that a 20 watt amp. The amount of guitarists I’ve seen and played with that rolled up with a 50 watt amp with the volume on 2 is ridiculous.
Agreed, on the amp! I run an Orange Dual Terror thru a Marshall 2x12 with my band, and it's PLENTY.
7:06 EXACTLY! That's the best way to explain tone wood; It can affect tone, but not much.
I feel it's a more significant matter with acoustic guitars, most of the time with electrics it's not enough to matter.
@@Bagledog5000 yea, that's true
Totally agree with most things, especially digital. Us guitarists can be so conservative when it comes to gear! The economics of touring, especially for smaller or for fun bands has meant it's not possible to ship massive amps everywhere they play. Thankfully we now have software solutions. It's pretty much possible to be a guitarist and not even own an amplifier these days. I know we are obsessive about gear, and we can be very snobbish, but computers are pretty much the way forward for guitarists. Imagine a teenager who wants a guitar. His parents say yes, but they don't want the noise of his practice. Now he can just plug into a computer, select a Marshall 800, throw on whatever pedals he likes, and the parents don't get disturbed. I've only ever owned combos so I've not had the 'full stack' experience, but I'd say that's probably true for the majority of guitarists. I know amps look cool, but they are becoming increasingly obsolete. There, I've said it!
I’m left handed so I don’t necessarily have the luxury of trying out every guitar but when I played my future Gretsch G5622LH i was blow away at how comfortable it was compared to my Les Paul
I love my Synchromatic and am planning on getting a G5622. They take such a light touch to get perfect tone!
#8 - This is why I prefer BOLT -ON necks. You can swap necks until you get exactly what you want feel-wise. Warmoth has so many profile and fret options, you can dial in exactly what you're after.
I agree with a lot of your "unpopular" points, all of them for the most part. I never had a problem with digital gear, I choose a guitar for how it feels as much as how it sounds. I have been through many amps, and the big daddy of them all was a Fender Twin that broke my back, and I was always being asked to turn it down, which neutered the sound. I have guitars made of alder, mahogany and basswood, all of which sound great with the right amp settings. The only point I disagree with on your list, is I still think Relics are cheesey. We are lucky to have the number of options we have at all price points these days, I started playing in the mid 80's and things were different then. Thanks for the video.
Just drop your guitar a couple times and it's a relic for free lol. I was never in that camp either. I understand it, but I want my guitar to look as shiny and new for as long as I can.
As a retiree who's just taking up the guitar there's so much to learn and info overload. It's difficult to know what to buy. You've convinced me that I need to get a good amp instead of a better guitar. Thanks so much for putting out this video.
A comfortable guitar is more important than an expensive one. Especially if you're learning, you want something to look forward to playing.
Have fun with your new hobby! It's definitely one of those where you get as much as you put into it.
@@pyratoothNL Thank you so much!
Don't get caught up with all the bs around guitar tone and such. This video gives good insight into what's what. Thanks @darrellbraunguitar
Thanks for this! Now I have a strong argument to talk my wife into letting me buy a $1000 amp to go with my $400 guitar
No question tube amps "feel" better to play, but at a certain point, especially live in a full band mix, your odds of picking out the difference comes down to 50/50 based on luck! Metallica, Def Leppard has toured live with with digital setups for the last decade and their guitar tones sound phenomenal live. Also I've seen Mark Knopfler's last 2 tours. In 2015 it was still his Reihardt head/4x12 and Tone King Imperial combo setup which sounded amazing and his other guitarist Richard Bennett on his AC30. The following tour in 2019, not a single amp on stage for anyone as he and the other guitar player were now on Kempers. Sounded just as good and still had all his classic responsive tone in spades. And Mark Knopfler ain't going to switch to digital live if it doesn't meet his demanding tone standards!
As far as number 2, I would say that maybe tone isn't as important as playability to the beginner? While I agree that a nice amp and cheap guitar sound better than vice versa, I would argue that it's easier to progress when your guitar plays well. So maybe get a midrange guitar that has a good neck or something...
Get a good setup to make the action and intonation right.
It's super hard to tell what feels good as a beginner though. I've actually come to the conclusion that satin necks are the way to go, but only after playing for a few years. Until I'd played guitar for a while I had no clue one way or the other which I liked best. I also prefer the Telecaster body shape, it just fits me better. Other folks might have a totally different opinion, and they'd be absolutely right, for them.
I'd say try a ton of guitars before you buy one, or buy one cheap at first because what you like will probably change as you get more experience playing.
Yamaha Pacificas are good starter guitars IMO, Squier strats and Teles are probably a good option as well. Like Ben says, get a setup as well. See if you can get the shop to throw it in as part of your deal.
Thing is this day and age even budget guitars are pretty damn decent. I have Mitchell MS400 that I think is the best feeling guitar I've ever picked up, and I've picked up and owned a LOT of guitars over the past 40 years. I only have $250 in the Mitchell and I play it FAR MORE than my other guitars.
@@Bagledog5000 Yeah I agree, although I will say my first guitar was so bad that it was physically nearly impossible to play an F chord. Up until that point I just thought I wasn't good enough of a player to pull off the dreaded F chord and having a better guitar would have saved me the trouble. I guess what I would refer to as a "good guitar" in this case isn't so much an ergonomic guitar as much as a playable guitar, with a straight neck, good action, and a good nut and bridge
Agreed on the tone woods for electrics. But it makes a huge difference for acoustics.
Tonewood: My issue is not about differences in tone. My issue is when someone claims X is better than Y and puts a $15,000 price tag on a guitar because of that. Especially when everything else that comes after the guitar influences the sound way more than the guitar itself (hence the point where DB says amps are more important for tone than the guitar). Great video (except, Strat FTW! lol)
Relics are great. They FEEL good. And I'm not afraid to scratch it. It all comes down to the same core issue: is it a good instrument to begin with?
THANK YOU on the Noiseless Pickups. My practice chair is right next to a ton of RFI, so I just got noiseless pickups for my Strat because I'd like to play it without being annoyed. I have some awesome guitars made in Germany, Korea, Mexico. I agree with someone who said that pretty much every maker has their sweet spots for guitar pricing. I loved that Warmoth video! I love the sound of maple fretboards, but don't like the ratty look they get. Sigh. On the look/feel of guitars, when I got my Johnny Marr Jaguar with that satin nitro neck, yeah, that. I love the feel of the guitar. On relics: the fact that guitars I'd otherwise love are already beat up sure saves me money.
No. 8... A bunch of years ago I fell in love with Carvin Basses based only on their advertising and several profesional musician endorsments. I researched them to death and was totally sold. I almost ordered one sight unseen via their web site bass builder. I lived 1,600 miles away from their shop and couldn't find one locally. Anyway, I finally had a business trip to LA and drove my rental car to their show room to buy one. And, after about 90 seconds of holding that fence-post-sized neck in my hand I realized I'd dodged a bullet.
Not only choice of wood, but also the distance of the strings from the wood. The close proximity of the strings to the wood on a strat is the only reason why it has the body it does with single coils. The strings reverberate the wood, which in turn reverberates through the strings which is picked up by the pickups.
considering myself as a guitarnerd and after 36 years of playing: everything you said is so true... i agree with you completely!
🍀🍀🍀
'Je ne sais quois' for tonewood(and also tube vs digi and ss); I have guitars that are just dead no matter what you do to them and others that are always lively(often alder).
Boss Katana is an amazing amp! Especially with the Katana Librarian app on your phone or tablet.
Modelling amps are all crappy miserables. The best/classical way is a tube head with no colour/neutral on its clean channel for pedals/effects. Then, another great pain is to find at least a 2x12" cab or better 4x12" with speakers pleasing your ear. This is what Darrel does use in his videos - playing through his MB or Orange. Cab is a King. More modern way is a tube preamp into a fractal or a camper into PA.
@@dmitria6847 yeah but not everyone has the money to spent on a tube amp and tube amps are too loud for people who lives in an apartment
@@whoskelly1382 you can find f.i. a 15W laney ironheart studio on eBay for as low as 200€ or new for 600€ or so. I bought mine for 270€ and the amp looked like a new one. It is compact, has a good clean channel and two inputs
@@dmitria6847 Tube amps are great and nothing compares to standing in a room with a cranked tube amp jamming some cool riffs. However, they're not the be all and end all.
As someone who plays Master o Puppets at one moment and wants to play Shine on you Crazy Diamond the next, I can't bring myself to buy a tube amp. I don't want to have to switch a bunch of switches and pedals and fiddle with 9 different knobs between each song I play. I get a modelling amp, set some presets and have most of my sounds at the flick of a single switch.
Get a decent modelling amp and there's no tube amp setup that can match its flexibility for the same price. Yes, you get a worse sound, but I'll settle for more worse sounds than a couple of great sounds any day of the week.
@@zorkan111 I do understand that, that is why I described also a more modern way above - a tube preamp into fractal or camper into PA. Not for street busking but for home, studios, gigs and concerts most would prefer this way. Exactly for that reason of switching presets.
I'm a bass player and must say that Topic Number 8 is the most importante to me. Totally agreed. Know a lot of other players that are looking for 'The Brand' and not for the feel. I can adjust the sound, but adjust the instrument for a better feel can 'damage the image or the structure of The Brand' if I do it so.
Fun Episode Darrell, of course I disagree on a couple of things... but who cares... this is music and guitar and at the end of the day it should be FUN! Cheers Man!!
So here’s what I’ve learned in the past 6 months
Vintage Greco guitars are phenomenal it’s right up there with my Gibson Les Pauls honestly....
JCM 600 is actually a very well made amp and you can find them pretty low cost.
If you’re not into tubes... GET A BOSS KATANA!!
If you are into tubes... GET A BOSS KATANA!!
Gibson Les Paul studios from 2016 sound glorious
Telecasters with bigsbys are wayyyyy more fun!!
Tweed amps sound great if you can blast them...if not it’s the best clean platform you will ever have!
Stay away from fender champion 100 amps they just sound super fizzy!
Regardless of what you have someone is going to say something negative... I have a plethora of higher end Les Pauls and if I show up somewhere with one of them I’m a gear snob or a show off but when I show up with a Greco I’m cheap I can’t afford the real deal...
The 50s and 60s ARE OVER! yes the music is timeless yes I love the era of true rock n roll as they call it but it’s ok to move on and play Les Paul that was made in the new millennium... not all of us can afford a house payment on one guitar most of us can barely afford our guitars we have now...
Jimmy Page is amazing idc if he didn’t play live the way he played in studio he’s awesome...
ERNIE ISLEY IS EASILY TOP TEN OF ALL TIME
FIGHT ME!!!
Eric Clapton isn’t that bad... just give him a chance...
Terry Kath👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
The classic vibe strats pre 2018 are surprisingly awesome I don’t like strats at all but I like those...
Marshall mg amps are really good... if everyone hated them why is the resale value over 200 dollars if they’re so terrible...
Even boomers who were in their mid 20 or 30s during the 1980s metal craze know that Japanese guitars are highly regarded
One of the best guitars I ever played was my mate's 80s Squier Strat made in Japan, and my most expensive is a made in Japan. Their culture is quality above everything.
It really depends, just like guitars made in America. For example, B.C. Rich made some of the best guitars available at the time in Japan. Then, Bernie sold the company and his successors made seriously crappy guitars out of the same plant in Japan.
I have a S. Korean Hamer that rivals PRS, or any USA comany out there!
@@1RobHunter1 That's not really Japan and America. Honda, Toyota and Nissan have (or had) higher standards than Ford, GM, AMC and Chrysler but they also had much higher standards than Subaru, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, etc. so... It wasn't a Japanese thing so much as a Honda, Toyota and Nissan thing.
Yup my Fender Heartfield Talon nearly 30 years later has never made me regret the purchase and the MIJ Squier Tele well is still one of the first I grab 👍
I agree with the body type of the guitar. I have an LP style guitar that the body just doesn’t sit well with me. I prefer strat/tele style bodies. I really want to try a strandberg
I have an LP and a Strat. I think the LP looks way cooler than the Strat, but that LP hangs on the wall and the Strat is the guitar I play because it's just a more playable design.
Also tonewood is more in the "feel" when you play than when you actually hear the final result. I've recorded many comparison between similar guitars with different woods, and it drove me crazy how similar they ended up sounding whereas they felt quite different when playing them.
I'm personally on the opinion that wood does affect tone, but to a miniscule level compared to string, pickup and other electronics quality.
Your position is one I never even thought to consider. And it makes sense, that vibration you feel while playing is a big tactile part that I've never even put a second thought to. Weird that I've never heard anyone mention it until now.
I get what you are saying, but wasn‘t the tone wood the main argument
for the fact that the now unaffordably expensive original 58 Les Pauls are so great … ?
So true about the speaker! Same thing for the mic and positioning. Makes such a crazy difference, its almost unbelievable.
The best way to get relic guitar is to play the hell out of it.
that's what everyone thinks 😌
I play the hell out of all my guitars, they're all pristine. All relic says is "I can't take care of my gear".
Show me a guitar with a nitrocellulose lacquer that's not a custom shop job.
Everything has a poly finish that just chips off so no, you actually can't. I still think buying relic'd guitars is stupid lmao but I wish I could wear my guitar out
@@HeadbangoO roger that! or don't want to - hey! now I don't need a case! (guitar is gently weeping...)
@@fredstevens799 Sure, whatever suits you best... I just don't go near guys with damaged guitars 😏
Your view on guitar selection is spot-on, at least in my opinion. The last few axes I bought were chosen for neck feel and body shape and contour. I'm a hobbyist player and tend to buy in the low and mid ranges then modify the hardware and electronics to satisfy my superstitions and needs. Resale value? Meh. That really doesn't appeal to me but I do love tearing into a budget instrument to change pickups, etc. and I think it's worked well in just about every case. So, if a guitar's overall quality of construction and finish pass muster and its appearance gives me wood (VERY important), then it's a sale. I'll find a way to make it sound how I like. Great video, BTW.
The tonewood thing drives me NUTS. On acoustic absolutely there's a huge difference. On electric it affects NOTHING! Great video.
Well, semi-hollows and jazz hollows are electric too. Wood works in those instuments giving own feedback.
@@dmitria6847 true. I was referring more to solid body's. I should've been clear.
I'd say it does make a difference on electric guitars, but that difference is WAAAAAY overrated. You can basically only hear it in a direct comparison. In a mix or a band, especially live, it doesn't really matter.
@@JohnDoe9764 I think maybe only with a little bit of the sustain, because of varying densities & weights. I would choose woods based on different factors, such as the look weight & comfort..ect.. and I like dark fretboards..
@@JohnDoe9764 yeah it may make a difference but not enough that it matters
Weber Speakers offer a line of tube amp kits that are fantastic.
You can build (have built) a Tweed Deluxe or Princeton Reverb clone, or several other classic examples for pretty comfortable money.
The "cheap amp" thing is more of a good amp thing. There are cheap amps that are pretty great guitar loudeners.
The US made Peavey Transtube amps are really versatile.
For guitar buying, to me, how it FEELS (playability) and looks to me, is most important. As far as tone, I consider tone and sound COMPLETELY different things. It doesn’t matter what kind of tone anything has, you can manipulate the tone to get the sound you want. 🤷🏻♂️
I'm close to this. How it feels in my hands is definitely number one.
I changed the pickups on my Harley Benton st-70 rosewood deluxe serie for some Fender Tex Mex, and the difference is huge.
As for picking a guitar, I love pawn shops... Most used guitars just need a good setup, mild fret work and fresh strings.
I have found some guitars with great MOJO... My Peavey JF1, not an expensive or highly rated guitar at all but I swear that thing has a soul.
It just plays itself, cries, wails, plays blues all damn night and keeps tune.
There's no tone wood, no name pick ups, no hot spec's... But after work, every Saturday, I beat on that thing like it owes me money. Just mojo.
I've been using a solid state Fender Princeton Chorus for a LONG time. It sounds amazing. Just did a gig with it recently and got lots of compliments on my tone, even from my band. At 100W, I have plenty of power. Tube amps are great but I think the general theme here is play what you like that sounds the way you want it to.
I have the same one. I love it as much/more as my vintage 78 Champ and definitely a little more than my Blues Jr.
I still can’t get on board with the whole reliced thing. If I’m buying a new guitar then I want it to look new. You wouldn’t buy a new car with dents, a sandblasted paint job and broken windows:
I think that’s false equivalence. One of the reasons people buy reliced guitars is the broken-in feel, especially with the neck.
A relic guitar is about as similar to a busted car as an apple is to an airplane. Relic means giving a broken in feel and look. Yes it's largely for an aesthetic, and if you don't like it then you don't like it but you don't have to criticize someone else because they like the look
But they also feel and play differently, and some people want that. Out of the box
@@the_armada5579 I didn't take the comment as critical to anyone. He simply doesn't like them and I get his point. Having said that I actually like guitars that have been played to that condition. I love the look and the history of every mark but you have the trade off of actual ware too.
To each there own.
Legitimate question here, how does the neck on a relic’d guitar have a broken in feel? Isn’t the relic process just about aesthetics? What do they do to the neck to give it a “ broken in feel “? I tend to agree with Chord TheSeeker but I’m willing to be convinced otherwise.
@@steverossi7949 both the body and necks of fender guitars are almost always gloss, and maple fingerboard gloss as well. When they relic a guitar, they sand down the wood so it's a bit smoother and also the neck so it's no longer a sticky gloss but more of a worm in natural wood feel which is softer and smoother. Same with the body, it gets softer and smoother. Same with the fingerboard as well. I prefer it that way, I don't like gloss necks or fingerboards.
01 Noiseless Pups.
I prefer noiseless because where I play/practice guitars, there's lots of RFI and I need RFI mitigation. That's why I spend $ on things like shielding cavities & pickguard/backplates. The other side of this strategy is the selection of noiseless pups: stacked pups, humbuckers, shielded pups, etc.
Do they sound the same as regular pups? No. But they're close enough for me to use stuffs like pedals, amp, and playing techniques to get close to where I need.
02) Amps > Guitars.
Sigh, very true. Ye can have the world's best guitar, but it'll sound crap thru an unsuitable amp. While a cheap guitar (or ANY guitar for that matter) will sound their best thru a quality amp. Of course that best guitar will usually sound better than the cheap guitar on the same quality amp.
03) Country of Origin.
In the past by and large, imported stuff would generally be of lower quality due to the lower quality grade of builder skills and knowledge and inferior tools available. Aside from a few notable exceptions like certain factories in Japan, Korea and Indonesia, that was true that they've been inferior quality. But that was before 2009. Now that those regions have largely modernized facilities AND the craftsmanship has improved, the quality across the board has generally improved.
That said, the caveat is that the quality of mass produced stuffs still are of lower AVERAGE level than something that's individually built and checked by hand. The mass item will likely still need a good setup and detail work to be at its best possible form to perform adequately.
Side note, areas like Japan, Korea and Indonesia had improved more quickly earlier than places like China. Nowdays SOME places in China HAS improved, but not all of them.
That's why I nowdays pay closer attention to which FACTORY in the country has made the item than just country of origin.
04) Strat vs Tele. (And Others.)
LOL, I'm not going to take sides on THAT debate. I WILL say this much. I started as a Les Paul Guy, then quickly expanded to Strats and other types, and recently acquired my first Tele in 2020.
I say this. Each have each own mix of strengths and weaknesses. Each can be used in nearly any situation and styles. And each are unique in each's own way. I use them all, and enjoy all of them for different reasons.
05) 4x12 vs Combo Amps.
While having a big 4x12 stack topped with a 100W valve head are downright cool and even sexy, the undeniable fact is that lately the often more compact combos are more practical and their quality and capabilities have improved to point that it makes more sense to just use them, especially if travelling with them are in the books.
Now that said, I will NOT give up my Marshall 4x12 with a Marshall Super Lead 100W head. BUT, they WILL stay put at home while I take my 2x12 or even the 1x12 combos out of house for gigs. Heck IF I know I'm gonna go to somewhere that uses a PA, I may just bring either a head only or a small 1x10 combo and plug/mike it in.
06) Tonewoods?
On acoustics, absolutely, no arguments. On electrics, to a much lesser extent but still true. However the main component of the electric's voice will be still mostly the choice of the parts that directly affects the electromagnetic fields that produces the sound: pickups, potentiometers, capacitors and resisters, and even strings. The woods and hardwares chosen will color the base tone produced by the electronics. Playing styles and techniques used will have greater influence than the woods and hardwares used.
The final voice of the guitar will be the combination and synthesis of the pickups, controls, playing skills, hardwares and woods used (and in my opinion, the strength of influence is in the order listed in this sentence).
07) Total voice (Guitar + Amp)
Assuming one is limited to a given pair of guitar and amp. This is an extension of #02, where the amp has biggest impact on the sound.
Yes, changing the speakers WILL greatly influence the Total Voice. BUT, be VERY careful, especially in the case of valve/tube combos or heads, picking the wrong speaker(s) MAY cause damage to the amp, or even destroy it.
08) Guitar Sound vs Guitar Feel
Guitar Feel > Sound, absolutely! Especially with electrics, you can change pups, controls, even setups to get the sound you're looking for. But if the Feel is not there, yer NOT gonna pick up that guitar and play on it.
Every prospective guitar I'm looking to buy MUST pass the Feel test. If I'm not Feeling it, then odds are I'll pass. Out of all the instruments I have (57), theres only 3 that are purely display queens. The rest are all players.
09) Digital vs Tube/Analogs.
Overall, I have to agree, digital works especially with the latest generations of digital stuffs out there.
The only time I have to disagree slightly is when mixing those different types of gear in a single rig. This is a very specific situation tho. I like doing wet/dry setups with at least 2 amps with different groups of pedals going into each. The one having higher headroom has the time and space modulation pedals into it, whilst the other amp gets the distortions and gain pedals.
If one amp is digital, especially those with DSP, the those amp invariably has a slight phase problem in that the output is delayed by miliseconds, just enough to desync it from the other amp. What's worse is that I don't even use the DSP in the amp. My pedals are infinitely easier to use and more adjustable.
The easiest solution is to add an inline adjustable module that delays the signals going to the other amp so that its in-sync with the digital amp.
However, in my case I just swapped out the digital amp for the older analog SS version of that amp which fixed the sync problem with the valve amp. No sense going out and buying the module when I still have the older amp available.
I now use the digital amp as a bridge into my PC for recording tracks.
10) Relics.
Ohhhh, gods NO. Sorry, I'm one of those who dislike relics on new guitars. If I'm buying a new guitar, it better damn well LOOK like new. Now, I'm the kind of guy who takes care of my guitars, especially if the guitar is an expensive one. I keep the inactive ones in their cases. The ones I'm using are kept on proper quality stands AND covered with a drop-on shroud to keep dust and exposure to light off the guitar.
That said, when I buy older guitars, I still tend to buy guitars that are still in good shape. However, one thing Ive found is that I DO like buying older white guitars that has changed color to parchment to deep rich cream.
And yes, some (not just the white ones) older guitars have honestly earned battle scars (finish wears, scratches, dings, dents and chips) that comes with real use over the years. Those I just leave alone unless the damage threatens the structural integrity of the guitar (never has happened...yet). Then I MAY refinish it or just patch it.
There are just 2 older guitars that are heavily worn. One is the classic barnyard find story, except it was hanging in an open air beachside garage for 30+ years. The original white finish has aged to a light cream, but also has degraded badly to point where parts that had seen contact with skin has flaked off exposing the flat white undercoat. EVERYONE who has seen it has insisted that I retain the relic finish. One has gone as far to threaten to skin me alive if I refinish it.
The other is a rare '89 RG565R spot model from Ibanez. I bought it from the original owner who gigged with it as his #1 all over the east coast for 30+ years before retiring to Hawai'i. It has heavily worn frets which will require refretting the entire board. The finish is mostly good except for the edges of the forearm contour and the back edges of the side that typically contacts the laps when sitting. Here the red metallic has been rubbed to a dull finish and theres a big dent in the lower bout. There are fine pick scratches and buckle rashes. Aside from replacing the half dead electronics and refretting, I'm leaving the rest alone. This guitar has a real personal history to tell and I'll let it continue to show it.
I've played for more than half a century, and find myself agreeing with the unconventional on all but #10. A winter project will be to change the speaker on one of my amps, I've never purchased a guitar because of its "tone woods," and so on, except for #10. I don't care if "relics" have taken over the guitar world, paying extra for a guitar because it's been "pre-beaten-up" seems, well, stupid.
Takes five minutes dude.
It is stupid, extremely so. That’s why it’s so popular….fits the modern world mentality perfectly.👉🤪👈
Heck if relic gets anymore popular I figure I'm going to open me up a car sales lot with relic cars. Offer a free bottle of Relic Snake Oil with each car purchase. Tell them the extended warranty purchase comes with a plot of swamp land in Florida.
We've seen it with jeans and we've seen it with furniture. I don't need it on my guitars.
I completely agree with 8. playability over make. I have a single cut Type guitar with a 12-16 radius neck and it plays far better then the Gibson I had and has a far more versatile tone. And 9. As my Boss Katana Artist has a Pro tone and is consistent and reliable especially compared to the valve amps I had that both broke down at gigs.
imagine someone snobs against digital over analog , only to defend a relic.
BB King used a solid state amp. In fact, he didn't carry an amp on tour, he simply rented the same model wherever he performed. So much is myth, perhaps created and promoted by the sellers of gear. Neil Young built a bunch of gadgets for performing.
tone wood isn't just about the different tones. like you say different pickup location and such affect the tone, but there is one very important thing. I have a few basswood guitars, but also have a nice gibson les and also a nice fender strat. I have noticed that the higher end guitars have more sustain, but also the wood isn't as soft.
Having a good amp is definitely more important than having a really expensive high-end guitar. I have cheap budget guitars, pre-owned guitars and one rare expensive guitar and they all sound great with a decent amp. A really good and well balanced guitar will make a difference and will be more fun to play but it can not make a garbage amp sound like a good amp.
Agree with everything except….. a tube amp in my opinion is very hard to replicate digitally. I have a pod go running through a headrush Frfr 12 and i can’t replicate the warmth or body I get from my fender blues jr or my Vox ac15. I do love my digital set up and it’s versatility but prefer my tubes when trying to nail that perfect tone. Love the channel! Best on TH-cam!
Got a Chinese tele. It's perfect. Modern guitars are top quality. Even "budget" guitars are better than they used to be.
The Chinese made Cordoba nylon string guitars are awesome . The Japanese electrics are superb. So are the Cheap Indonesian .The South Korean guitars are so good that they equate with the original, parent American models. The only difference is collector’s value . I’m a player. I’m not interested in “collecting.”
@@chopsddy3 preach
@@chopsddy3 I have an 89 Korean squier that's made out of plywood lol. It sounds and plays just as good as a Mexican or USA strat
Yep agreed,I have a 2020 squire 70's classic Vibe Strat and it's solid and fun,better than a 2018 Mexican Strat I sold.
@@heavybrett-al4082 I want a classic vibe
7:06 *PRS wants to know your location*
I would rather have noiseless pickups than 60hz blaring through :P
It's not just the pickups, shield the cavities, and keep the pickups away from amp heads and anything with a transformer.
@@TranscendentBen
Even with a shielded cavity and distance, the hiss form single coils can still be pretty bad. I've been waffling on getting some Gen 4s for a while now, maybe it's time to pull the trigger. :)
If you gig yes, but there are noise gates as well, because P90s even with shielding and hum, sound so good.
@@activese
Touche!
@@GCKelloch
I'll check it out, thanks!
I do agree with the opinion that the amp is the ultimate equalizer.
However, for a new player considering his / her first guitar with a limited budget, I would say put most of your money into the guitar and get a cheap (but decent) amplifier like the Vox Pathfinder 10, the Fender Frontman 10G or similar.
The reason is that a cheap guitar will make your learning miserable: tuning instability, action too high, fret buzzing, etc. can kill the motivation of a beginner, so the fewer of those problems your first guitar gives you, the better. On that line, I would also recommend a hardtail or stoptail guitar instead of a Tremolo or Floyd Rose.
The year is 2021, China perfectly landed a robot in Mars and people still think they cannot replicate a extreme simple technology from 50's.
Nice video, as always!
There's lots of other reasons not to give the CCP your money, an ongoing genocide for one. I remember when the world boycotted S. Africa over apartheid. Times certainly have changed when people are blase enough about human rights that they'll happily to fund a genocide as long as they get something cheap in return.
@@Bagledog5000 Do you care to list the US brands that not have any production line in China? I would be happy to not buy from then to help your cause.
My favorite DBG video yet. Between this and the falling faceplant into the snow intro- Darrell is a God
1
I have a guitar made in Canada. It is not electric but diesel, makes it easy to play in cold weather and has great low end.
Clever... :P
I have a wood burning guitar but every time I play it I have to get a new one.
Hope you have plenty of starting fluid!
I'm a relic myself, so I prefer to have a guitar that looks better than me.
Personally I've never been a big proponent of tube amps. I can count the number of tube amps that I've played through where I genuinely lived the tone on one hand. I've always been an "if it sounds good it is good" type of guy.
While I do agree that changing the speaker in an amplifier situation will change your tone immensely, pick ups will also change your tone dramatically.
Lastly, the only time I've ever wanted a "releced" guitar was when Ibanez put out the limited edition EVO Jem. Steve was floored by the smallest of details they added to it. The true mojo a guitar gets are from the scrapes and dings that come from playing live.
Guitar enthusiasts are a dichotomy. Want the latest and greatest yet still belive the old stuff was better. Weird.
Price isn't a good refection of sound or quality anymore.
Klon anyone?
I've got a Wampler Tumnus amd absolutely love it.
I only own one newer guitar…all of my others I’ve had since the 70’s….If I find one I love, I keep it.
I want nothing new except recording stuff
@@ferox965 Sounds like a hearing disorder 😜
@@CathodeRayNipplez Hardly.
While I used to agree to “great amp matters more than an expensive guitar” because it makes sense, actually I don’t anymore. As I have discovered, my BOSS Katana 50 (bought £150) really allows the amazing sound of my Eastman SB57 (£2000) to shine. This amp seems to let the pickups of the guitar plugged in express themselves. 🤷🏻♂️. And in terms of feel, and playability, I am just glad I bought my PRS and this Eastman even though they’re more expensive than my amp 😄.
While I can agree that many guitars made overseas sound just fine, I made it a point to buy and play Canadian made guitars (Godin, Seagull) to support Canadian business and workers. Besides, they sound incredible and dollar for dollar they can’t be beat. 🇨🇦😎🎸
Totally agree! Love seeing the 'Made in Canada" on the headstock of my 5th Ave!
I have the A12. Built like a tank and sounds great.
My 2011 Seagull Coastline is hands down my favorite acoustic.
The kinetics, acoustics and the esthetics all have to come together to continually inspire me to play. That is why certain instruments get played much more than others. It's not science. It's a natural human response. The right instruments for YOU is number 1 priority!
A thought comes to mind to ponder...
I record mostly in the digital realm but I've come to really appreciate the outside my ear holes world when mixing or playing in general where my ears hear the sounds but my body feels it.
Headphones no matter how great can not replace the sound waves enveloping your body or the sound waves bouncing in the room overlapping creating unexpected overtones and noises.
The fact that the deaf can appreciate music as much as the hearing should tell you something very important. The full musical experience should be felt not just heard.
If you really like the *feel* of music... Then you should try a Woojer--either a belt or vest.
I was with you all the from 1 to 9. Especially on tone woods, combos and digital. But relics are stupid. Yep, stupid.
Yep
I like them:)
What are relics?
With Relics you don’t have worry to much if it gets a ding. I don’t get why some people take such an issue with some else’s choice.
@@kadourimdou43 I don't take issue with your choice. I'm talking about my choice.
I love my Fender Mustang amps (LT-25 and GTX100) and saved a ton of money. The Tone Masters seem to be converting a lot of the old tube snobs. It seems to me that a lot of players want to automatically think old guitars are better than new guitars and that is why the relics have caught on. But I love new guitars and refuse to pay for someone to beat one up. New guitars today are so good that I doubt most old ones are worth the money. A 30 year-old Strat is not better than what you can buy new today for less money.
Relics are like buying pre-torn jeans. There's no story, no skin.
Just like jumping on your hat so it looks rugged. Where is the story?
I think with digital vs tube the part where it makes a difference is in what type of music and what type of pedals you're using. A fuzz face or tonebender just doesn't sound the same through a digital rig. And I can't get my guitar and amp to feedback and create walls of noise on stage as well with a digital rig. That being said, digital is perfect for just about everything else.
For me tube amps is better for live and people who takes guitar seriously but for people who just plays it as a hobby digital is the way to go
Some pedals were designed specifically for tube amps... So of course they won't sound so good with a modern digital amp.
Actually it's Speaker/Cab > Amp > Pickups > Guitar... Cab is king
Yeah,the last piece of gear sounds the most,absolutely agree
'50s wiring. Hook an oscilliscope up to your PCB equipped Les Paul and then hook it up to one with the '50s wiring. No difference. the scope doesn't lie, but your ear hears what you expect it to hear,
I didn't even own an electric guitar... Still watching......👍
I haven't heard the newer noiseless ones, I have a guitar with Fender Vintage Noiseless. There is some attenuation of the high frequencies, but it's still obviously single-coil sound, just not quite as "out loud and proud" as non-noise-surpressed (I once loaded an Affinity Strat with Lace Sensor Golds - those sounded like BUTT, to me, and they were pretty noisy). They sound good. I admit i like the sound of the "non-noiseless better" but the Vintage Noiseless sound good, and not having to deal with noise makes them very attractive. As to "guitar vs amp", the increasing quality of cheaper guitars, and cheaper amps, for that matter, makes the question almost moot. I would also point out that if your guitar is built poorly and plays poorly, no amp can help that.
I am in the camp of "tonewood doesn't exist BECAUSE it doesn't matter"
Too many other factors that come in to play with it anyways, if anything it's psychosomatic.
Look around on YT for a vid where a highly skilled and knowledgeable techie did a scientific assessment, with oscilloscopes, etc.
The wood doesn't matter on an electric. Any differences are miniscule.
Guilty as charged for #5. I used to roll into a gig with a Marshall 4x12 and two heads stacked. I’ve since grown up and I use a 20 watt Friedman 1x12 rig. I get told to turn up now more than to turn down. What a world.
2nd position on a Tele is GOAT
Usually I want to be in a shop trying a guitar out before I buy one. However, I bought an Epiphone Les Paul without doing that (but had played Les Pauls and LP copies before so I knew what it would be like). I also just bought an EART 335 without trying one out because your review of it was so good, including the minor faults with finish. Thanks for that. I only play as a hobby so I don't want to pay upwards of £2.3K for a genuine Gibson but the EART plays so well. I am so glad I bought it and I have your review to thank for letting me know that the guitar was worth taking a punt on. BTW, one of the best amps I had was a 10W practice amp (once I got rid of buzzing by properly earthing the chassis) which I got in a package with a crap LP copy.
“Pick a guitar for feel”
Yes
The most important thing to me is feel
I have picked up guitars & put them back down quickly because of the feel.
A guitar could have everything else perfect, but the feel and I wouldn’t buy it
YMMV
That is the most important thing. Is it a thin or thick neck, what do you like. How does it sound without being plugged in then plug it in. Someones opinion might not be you own. That's what sets us apart from the rest. The reviews might be great on what your looking for, you still have to play it.
Some years ago I bought a Marshal 4X cabinet with English made Celestions for the drivers alone, so put the empty cab on Craigslist for $40. I sold it to a veteran metal guitarist, who drove 70 miles and paid me $50- it was perfect for their shows. They used light weight gear for real, but needed light weight but authentic husks for show. It remains one of my favorite Craigslist encounters. A very decent guy with crazy ink and great stories let me know that the right combo amp can sound like a wall of Marshalls, especially when you are looking at a wall of Marshalls..
"Popular is what pays the bills but popular is not always right." Larry D Fox
Open back, is nothings like a ported speaker, a 4 x 12 is not ported, but has a sealed back, & 48” of speaker!
Joe Bonnamassa used to tour with EVM12L. 1 in a Theil cabinet can be as loud as a 4 x 12. Just less girth to the bottom
#4…. Wait WHAT!?!?!?!? Please don’t ever spread that blasphemy! Everyone knows Strats will forever be King 👑. 🤣
Right now it seems more to me like the "Teles are just better" idea is closer to the Received Wisdom.
C'mon man obviously a tele with strat 3 style pickguard and strat fat 50s is the true king.....