A while back, I owned a used Ernie Ball EVH (actually the Axis SuperSport). It had the best neck and possessed the most powerful lead sound of any guitar I've ever played (and I've gone through my share). But for clean, funky, rhythm chicken-scratch guitar, nothing beats a fender strat and I couldn't get that sound at all. So, I had to part with it. But what a guitar!!!

Music Man makes great instruments - my "dream guitar" nowadays is the LUKE (Steve Lukather model). It has the cool rhythm sound of a strat and the powerful lead sound of the EVH (courtesy of the EMG humbucker in the bridge position).

Our boy P knows a 'lil somethin' about EMG's...

JesseDezz said:

Hi JesseDezz,

Have you checked out the Music Man Silouette? It's 24 frets, hardtail with Paf Pros and a single coil in the middle. The sunburst with the maple neck is nice. I usually prefer rosewood but this a nice axe. (IMO)

carlcranshaw said:

I like how he dipped the pick ups in paraffin wax, picks by tapping the index finger, and how he works the harmonic overtones.

carlcranshaw said:

It's a cool axe - all the Music Man guitars are pretty cool. They're just so darned expensive (at least for me).

JesseDezz said:

Does anyone have a preference between the Ernie Ball and the Peavey Wolfgang? I'd say the Ernie Balls look a little cooler. And I've heard the Peavey's just play like buttah

Only in my wildest dreams will I ever be a guitar god, considering I only know about 7 chords. But you know what? My dad gave me an electric violin last Christmas and I've only played it a couple of times. I'm gonna pull that baby out of closet!!!


damn...I need to get an amp...

heartbeatocean said:

Like I tell anyone who's come to me for "learning guitar" advice - just do it...do it for fun.

and you're in luck about the amp - these days you can get any cheap solid state amp with DSP technology and it will sound totally cool - have fun!

Rudy said:

Uh uh! Got to be tube!

NDRU said:

well, we all know tube is "better" and certainly sounds cooler, but my point was that a beginner could spend $100 on an amp with digital effects built in and it really doesn't sound that much different.

quite unlike that Gorilla amp I was playing in '85! just terrible

Rudy said:

Definitely. And for clean sounds, Solid State is just fine anyway. But in 10 years of playing, nobody ever told me about tube amps, the guys at the stores kept selling me solid states, and I just wondered why I sounded different than every guitar player I listened to on record (other than my playing, of course).

It's my mission to tell beginners that tube amps are what the pros use (generally) & you can get a something like Fender Blues Jr. for $400. That amp kicks ass, and it's professional sounding.

$400 isn't chump change, but I want people to know what I didn't.
[Edited 5/22/06 11:26am]

You're never too old to see something new:

VH covers ZZ Top.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...h=zz%20top

We all know one of Edward's heroes is Eric Clapton.

Eric does "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" but.....


Eric can't **** with the original.


http://www.youtube.com/wa...die%20king

carlcranshaw said:

That was a pretty cool clip. Diamond Dave looked totally rad. And I've never heard Michael Anthony sing in such a low register - sounds great.

Sometimes Eddie's tapping shit really doesn't suit the song, though. He couldn't help it I suppose, being drunk off his ass and all

NDRU said:

Thanks for the tips guys! I've played violin quite a bit and am currently in a band, but always acoustic or sometimes with a pick up. I just haven't explored the electric option yet. This thread has got me interested in working out the electric sound -- maybe I can develop some flashy runs like Eddie. Maybe some grinds and squeals. A $100 amp sounds more my speed at this point (in fact how about $50?)

heartbeatocean said:

you're probably not going to get away with less than $150, but that's probably not going to break the bank, is it? It's worth it.

I just checked out a Fender FM 15 DSP at Musician's Friend. Looks pretty sweet actually for a little 15 watter

Rudy said:

Believe me, that WILL break the bank. But I'll see what I can do. So far I've been playing the thing with headphones.

The Who play "Hey Joe"

http://www.youtube.com/wa...rix%20live