Guitar

[Hovadipo 61,303]

[quote name="Buck Naked" post="43552" timestamp="1393793547"]It was but it wasn't. I don't know about your Squier but when I stripped mine down I found out it was basically two pieces of plywood stuck together, i.e. CHEAP body. So, sound wise, you will always lose something even if you switch out the pick ups. The one I did put in does sound better, but it was a cheaper pickup, $35. (BTW- I do recommend Guitar Fetish, cheap prices and good customer service. My pickup sound like advertised, kind of the brown sound I was looking for)

As for the difficulty, the thing I had problems with was work space under the pickguard. Seemed like there was a lot of wiring and shielding under the pickguard. Hated separating the pickguard so the room was minimal. You don't have to be an expert. The pickup I bought had the wiring diagram with it and there are plenty of web sites with info.

All in all, I'm glad I did it as a fun project. Almost bought a kit and still might if I decide to try Franke 3.0, but like I said, I wouldn't throw a $200 or so pickup in it because I don't think you would get a $200 boost in sound.

But do post some pics of the finished project. Did you use a flat paint or glossy? Curious about the look your going for. Love the look of those flat painted guitars.[/quote]

I actually didn't do any painting. I bought all black parts to sub for the ones that were white, except I spray painted the pickup covers and switch tip. The body was black, so no painting was necessary. If i decide to do new pickups I might go all the way and put a new paint job on it, but that will be when I get some cash and time. I can post pictures of the current all black look after the game if you want, but it's nothing special. Thanks for the wiring info, too.


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[JSHoosier 22,196]

Love those two you have pictured. Awesome paint jobs. Question: How much of a pain was it switching out pickups? I, too, have a Squier Fender. I've already stripped it down and put a black bridge (this was my first guitar strip down, so that was an adventure), all black cosmetic parts on it (pickguard, tips, knobs, pickup covers, all that) and I wouldn't mind eventually putting some new pickups in it. A) Was it worth it? (I would assume yes, but you never know) and B ) does it take that much skill with a soldering iron? Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

I would put much in to replacing the pickups, you'll get some improvement in sound but probably not enough to justify an expensive pickup.

 

It depends partly on the guitar itself, and Squier is a lower quality/mass produced instrument (not to sound like a snob, my Ibanez is the same).  Some aren't even made to Fender specs.  It could be an alder body, but it'd be a lower quality wood and it may be made from multiple pieces (cuts down on waste, lowers cost).

 

The only thing I've done to my guitar is have the input jack replaced with a Switchcraft.  That was out of necessity, I had gotten a really cheap cable (package didn't even have a brand on it) and the end broke off in the factory input jack.  Lesson learned, next cable I got was a Mogami Gold.

[Hovadipo 61,303]

[quote name="JSHoosier" post="43622" timestamp="1393794850"]I would put much in to replacing the pickups, you'll get some improvement in sound but probably not enough to justify an expensive pickup.

It depends partly on the guitar itself, and Squier is a lower quality/mass produced instrument (not to sound like a snob, my Ibanez is the same). Some aren't even made to Fender specs. It could be an alder body, but it'd be a lower quality wood and it may be made from multiple pieces (cuts down on waste, lowers cost).

The only thing I've done to my guitar is have the input jack replaced with a Switchcraft. That was out of necessity, I had gotten a really cheap cable (package didn't even have a brand on it) and the end broke off in the factory input jack. Lesson learned, next cable I got was a Mogami Gold.[/quote]

Haha I got a Squier simply because it was cheap and mass produced. It was my first electric. It sounds decent, but I would like to mess with it and mod it for fun. It wasn't 2 pieces of plywood stuck together like previously mentioned, but it isn't Fender quality obviously. I stepped up (kind of) to my Epiphone Les Paul and definitely get better sound from it.


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[JSHoosier 22,196]

Haha I got a Squier simply because it was cheap and mass produced. It was my first electric. It sounds decent, but I would like to mess with it and mod it for fun. It wasn't 2 pieces of plywood stuck together like previously mentioned, but it isn't Fender quality obviously. I stepped up (kind of) to my Epiphone Les Paul and definitely get better sound from it.


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My Ibanez is my first electric and I got it for the same reason.  I'll most likely stick with it unless/until I can afford to upgrade to a Gibson or Fender, and feel I'm a good enough player to justify the expense.

[Buck Naked 451]

My Ibanez is my first electric and I got it for the same reason.  I'll most likely stick with it unless/until I can afford to upgrade to a Gibson or Fender, and feel I'm a good enough player to justify the expense.

 

Aw come on man, it's only money. Get a Les Paul and have some fun! Like the man said "It's all gone when your dead, you don't take nothing with you but your soul. Think!"

 

My first guitar was a Memphis Les Paul copy. I don't even know if they make them anymore. I washed dishes at a restarunt weekends to buy it . Hunk of crap, but did the job. Then I bought a Charvel, Japan built. Loved the body type. Gave it away, wished I kept it.

 

I don't do the motorcycle thing. Don't have a fancy car. Don't have an expensive vice. I look at guitars at art almost. The different sounds, the different looks. I get addicted. 

 

I told my kids before they started taking lessons, you know they can tell me I can't play ball anymore, they fire me from my job, but they can't tell me I can't play my guitars. It's mine and no one can take it away.

[Hovadipo 61,303]

Anyone have any tips on cleaning a fretboard that doesn't have any finish on it?


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[JSHoosier 22,196]

Anyone have any tips on cleaning a fretboard that doesn't have any finish on it?


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http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Guitar-Fretboard

[southsidehoosier 5,149]

Here's my gear:

 

A 52 Hot Rod Telecaster butterscotch finish. This is my #1 guitar. I saved for a year to get this guitar and it plays like butter. I keep this one at home and use it for any gigs outside of regular Sunday church services.

 

72 Telecaster Deluxe Reissue - My first electric guitar I ever bought. I've had this for 10 years and it's got some war wounds from being played out so much. This is the one I keep at church and play on Sundays.

 

Larrivee L03 acoustic-electric - My only acoustic electric guitar. These are great guitars and great value. If you don't mind a guitar that doesn't say Martin or Taylor on the head stock then these are great. It's solid wood on the backs and sides, not laminate.

 

My amps are a Fender Blues Junior for bedroom practice and small gigs. My other amp is a Quinn Sweet Thunder. Quinn amps are hand built out of Arizona. The guy mostly makes Dumble style amps but this is a Fender Super Reverb style amp.

 

I've got about 10 pedals on my pedalboard full of overdrives, delays, reverb, tremelo and compressor. I'd recommend thegearpage.net for anyone who wants to talk gear.

[Hovadipo 61,303]

I've been thinking about getting a pedal to mess around with, but it would just be an at home type of thing because I don't do gigs or anything like that. Not sure if it's worth it.


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[theriverpilot 6,714]

Self-taught here as well. Been playing roughly 20 years, but sadly haven't picked up the guitar for the past 8-10 months. Changed jobs, schedule, etc. by no means an expert either but I enjoy it. Right now I just have a Takamine acoustic. I never learned to use a pick so I fingerpick. I enjoy Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, Vince Gill, Lindsey Buckingham. Music tastes vary anywhere from classical to blues to classic rock to alternative rock. Wish I had more time to play since I know I've gotten rusty. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[southsidehoosier 5,149]

I've been thinking about getting a pedal to mess around with, but it would just be an at home type of thing because I don't do gigs or anything like that. Not sure if it's worth it.


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 A lot of ways you could go. Is there a specific type of pedal you want (overdrive, distortion, delay) or do you want a multi-effects unit? I can tell you it's totally worth it and will really make playing a lot of fun.

[Hovadipo 61,303]

[quote name="southsidehoosier" post="49438" timestamp="1395105087"] A lot of ways you could go. Is there a specific type of pedal you want (overdrive, distortion, delay) or do you want a multi-effects unit? I can tell you it's totally worth it and will really make playing a lot of fun.[/quote]

I'm really not sure. I've never used one or anything so I don't know how I really want to go about it. Not looking to put my life savings into one.


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[JSHoosier 22,196]

I'm really not sure. I've never used one or anything so I don't know how I really want to go about it. Not looking to put my life savings into one.


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Go with a used unit if you can find one, you may be able to find some at a pawn shop.  I would go to a music store like Guitar Center and pick their brains about them, then try to find a used unit.

 

I've considered a drop tune petal.  I'm not sure how much I'd really use a multi effects pedal partly because I don't like distortion at all.

[Hovadipo 61,303]

[quote name="JSHoosier" post="49446" timestamp="1395105550"]Go with a used unit if you can find one, you may be able to find some at a pawn shop. I would go to a music store like Guitar Center and pick their brains about them, then try to find a used unit.

I've considered a drop tune petal. I'm not sure how much I'd really use a multi effects pedal partly because I don't like distortion at all.[/quote]

I don't mind a clean sound, but I also like making stuff sound completely crazy and experimenting with things. So I'm looking for something that will make it sound a little bit nasty.


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[southsidehoosier 5,149]

I'm really not sure. I've never used one or anything so I don't know how I really want to go about it. Not looking to put my life savings into one.


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If you've got a price range you'd be willing to share I'd give you options to research.

[Hovadipo 61,303]

[quote name="southsidehoosier" post="49448" timestamp="1395105789"]If you've got a price range you'd be willing to share I'd give you options to research.[/quote]

Well that's the thing, I'm not sure where to start haha.


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[southsidehoosier 5,149]

Well that's the thing, I'm not sure where to start haha.


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I'll just give you some options to look at. Buy used unless you absolutely can't. Gear, much like cars, depreciate a lot once you take them out of the store unless they're a collectible item.  If you don't mind buying things online I use this place a lot to find good deals on gear:  http://www.thegearpage.net/board/forumdisplay.php?f=5

 

Boss ME50 - This was my first multieffects pedal and I still have it for bedroom practice. They don't make this model anymore but you can find them used all day long for under $100 bucks. http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=534

 

Zoom G3 - Gets a lot of good reviews on gear forums for it being straight forward, simple and good sounding. You can find them used around 100 to 120. http://www.samash.com/zoom-g3-guitar-effects-and-amp-simulator-pedal-zg3usbxxx

 

Vox Stomplab IIG - Easy to use and from reviews I've seen good sounding effects pedal. It's got the Vox name so its got some good track record.  Probably your cheapest option with the least amount of bells and whistles. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StompLab2G/

[Hovadipo 61,303]

[quote name="southsidehoosier" post="49464" timestamp="1395107001"]I'll just give you some options to look at. Buy used unless you absolutely can't. Gear, much like cars, depreciate a lot once you take them out of the store unless they're a collectible item. If you don't mind buying things online I use this place a lot to find good deals on gear: [url="http://www.thegearpage.net/board/forumdisplay.php?f=5"]http://www.thegearpage.net/board/forumdisplay.php?f=5[/url] Boss ME50 - This was my first multieffects pedal and I still have it for bedroom practice. They don't make this model anymore but you can find them used all day long for under $100 bucks. [url="http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=534"]http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=534[/url] Zoom G3 - Gets a lot of good reviews on gear forums for it being straight forward, simple and good sounding. You can find them used around 100 to 120. [url="http://www.samash.com/zoom-g3-guitar-effects-and-amp-simulator-pedal-zg3usbxxx"]http://www.samash.com/zoom-g3-guitar-effects-and-amp-simulator-pedal-zg3usbxxx[/url] Vox Stomplab IIG - Easy to use and from reviews I've seen good sounding effects pedal. It's got the Vox name so its got some good track record. Probably your cheapest option with the least amount of bells and whistles. [url="http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StompLab2G/"]http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StompLab2G/[/url][/quote] Awesome. Thanks man. I'm kind of liking that last one you listed. Found it pretty cheap on ebay. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[Hovadipo 61,303]

About to pull the trigger on a Boss DS-1 distortion pedal I found on Ebay.


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[southsidehoosier 5,149]

I love Boss pedals. I have 3 boss pedals on my board (Boss tremolo, Boss Reverb and Boss Delay). Those things never break.