KVR Audio

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:08 am

Hey Guys and Dolls,

After nearly 18 years of playing with me Tele Im gonna splash out a bit and get myself a new set-up for my 30th so I'd be wanting advice please.

(Im keeping the Tele - thats not even an issue

)

The guitar band with my mate is going well ish and were making a small bit of cash - but me Tele keeps drifting out of tune - I want to use it more as a recording guitar so Im after the kind of warm tones Jeff Buckley had on Grace (namely Hallelujah) kinda warm Jazzy tone.

I've been looking at the Gretsch G5235T Pro Jet w/ Bigsby anyone have any experience or comments please?

I think Ive only ever owned one amp - years ago - so Ive also been looking at the VOX Valvetronix AD50VT again any comments welcome.

Been looking at everything else too Variax (the reviews dont seem that hot and the delay in getting the software out...) Duoverb Combo, Ibanez Artcore so any comments welcome... I kinda have it in my head tho about a Gretsch guitar through Vox amp yaknow?!?! I want to get laid after a gig too

Ok too drunk - too late - such a broad question... but I would appreciate comments please?

Nite nite...

Dave

Lunch Money · Post by **Lunch Money** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:23 am

The Variax has gotten very good reviews, actually...! But I still wouldn't get it. Not a big fan, myself.

The Ibanez Artcore series has some real winners, but if you have the $$ for a Gretch, why not go for it? Not everyone is using Filtertron-style pickups, so right off the bat you have a bit of a different sound. It does tend to be a bit brighter a sound than jazz boxes equipped with regular humbuckers, though. If it's the real smooth sound you want, I'm not sure if the Gretch would be your bag.

There's always the old standby Gibson or Epiphone (depending on budget) 335. Can't beat that with a stick, and they look damn cool, too. Just don't get any signature ones (the Blink dude has one, as well as the ugly-ass Noel Gallagher (?) one).

Vox amp. Can't beat it. I don't know that particular one, but Vox have really stepped up to the plate with modeling and re-invention of their tone. Obviously you'll want to test the rig out first, but I have a lot of confidence in the Vox brand lately.

Greg

crazed one · Post by **crazed one** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:27 am

I have a marshall mode 4. I like it. I jammed with a friend of a friend and he even said he liked it for blues. Well, I use it for metal and hardcore and some clean. I think it sounds good with my tele-plus.

I have a problem with the strings going out of tune quick but I think it's the gears wearing out. Not sure, but I'm going to replace the gears and one of the volume pots some time soon.

donkey tugger · Post by **donkey tugger** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:31 am

mckenic wrote:]I want to get laid after a gig too

Become the singer then!

713 TSB · Post by **713 TSB** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:49 am

Listen, I would check out the excellent user reviews at Harmony Central to see what they have to say about your prospective goods....

Just do it in a Google search & it should take you there.

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 11:24 am

Hi guys,

I really appreciate you all taking the time to reply!

With regards to the Variax Greg, I did indeed read many good reviews but some of the built quality and floor unit complaints I have seen make me a bit wary... and the software still isnt out... I think I'll stick to the one guitar for one job route at the moment. Its good to know you regard the Vox line so well too!

My big problem is that I'm in a little town in the south of Ireland - Limerick (home of The Cranberries! ) - where a cappo is thought of as an exotic instrument

The trouble I had to get an Ebow... so testing anything out involves a 3 hour drive to Dublin in the hope they have what I'm after and 3 hours home... and it will be twice the price as on-line if they have it at all

Ive always lusted after either a Rickenbacker, Gibson or Gretsch... Andertons.co.uk are doing the Gretsch for £399 and the Vox for £199. Even with shipping it works out WAY better. Are the Epiphone's any good? I was always under the (mistaken?) impression they were cheap knock offs...???

Crazed One - many thanks but the courier would have a hernia

Whatever I decide the Tele is going to get a lot of TLC after any purchase so she wont feel left out! Thinking about those lockable tuning heads and such...

Thanks 713 TSB - Harmony Central is invaluable and has been for nearly everything I've got over the years. Thing is the Artcore scores very well with lots of reviews where the Gretsch scores even better but there are only 2 reviews...

And Donkey... its an instrumental band - me and a Bass player (with backing drumloops) and he has a long term GF so theres no competition

Although I'll have to get one of These

Again guys many thanks - the Vox is decided on, now its just more research on the Artcore or Gretsch...

Thanks,
Dave

Lunch Money · Post by **Lunch Money** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 6:11 pm

Epiphone aren't exactly cheap knockoffs, though they ARE to Gibson as Squier are to Fender. They started as a separate company, though, and some of their models are original to Epiphone and not to Gibson. The build quality is excellent, and the sounds are pretty much spot-on. On the Les Pauls, some people find they have to swap out the toggle switch and the pickups, but I don't know about the 335... never heard anything bad about it.

If the Gretch is that cheap, I'd consider the Gretch anyhow.

I just think you'll find that it's brighter than you expected. Since you are already accustomed to a Tele, though, you're quite an expert with bright sounds and will be able to find a very useful spot for the Gretch in your arsenal.

Greg

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 2:58 am

Hi Guys,

Thanks a million for the advice and opinions - I went and did everything backwards in the end. My usual trick I guess

The Gretsch I was looking at has developed a manufacturing problem and Andertons expect 'em in Novenber.

Id be too old then

so I had to do it...

Gretsch 3156 with Bigsby.
(Thanks Mom & Dad)

And of course the Vox AD50VT has not started shipping yet - October.

Id nearly be too old so I had to... really I had... really...

Line6 FlextoneIII XL
(Thanks Bank Manager)

So now its just waiting for the buggers to get here, hide from the Bank and not buy ANYTHING or drink till Im 40

Woo Hoo!

Thanks again guys!

(a broke but happy) Dave

Guitar / Amp advice please? - Update and Thanks!