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Tunga posted:I have a quick question about strings. The only point I will make is that it looks like you have a tremolo aka whammy bar (i.e. floating bridge) which means the gauge of the strings can more significantly affect the tuning and intonation due to string tension. If you didn't see earlier in this thread this is precisely why I'm looking for a fixed bridge axe (so I can more easily use alternate tunings or string gauges). I'm not saying it's impossible to get everything nailed down on a tremolo guitar, just that it's potentially not worth the trouble--so for your guitar it might be best to just stick to the same gauge strings that is already on the guitar (assuming the bridge is level and everything else is good). I'd guess 9 or 10s. The alternative is simple but annoying--you have to balance the spring tension on the tremolo bridge with the string tension but that will require some back and forth (i.e. adjusting tension between the two) until you get something that is: in tune; has reasonable action; is set up correctly for intonation. Anyhow: get the correct strings for the guitar as presently set up and avoid all that.
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Dec 4, 2010 04:50
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Zakalwe posted:Dan Auerbach uses a Maestro MFZ-1 fuzz box Thank you! This reminded me I was really interested in getting a Big Muff Pi awhile back, and I had totally forgotten until now. Actually heading out to pick one up right now I think.
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Dec 4, 2010 05:21
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What strings would you recommend getting for an Epiphone ej200? I only have a choice out of these; http://www.soundshop.ie/product-listings.php?cid=10&subid=481
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Dec 4, 2010 13:25
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ChiliMac posted:The only point I will make is that it looks like you have a tremolo aka whammy bar (i.e. floating bridge) which means the gauge of the strings can more significantly affect the tuning and intonation due to string tension. If you didn't see earlier in this thread this is precisely why I'm looking for a fixed bridge axe (so I can more easily use alternate tunings or string gauges). I'm not saying it's impossible to get everything nailed down on a tremolo guitar, just that it's potentially not worth the trouble--so for your guitar it might be best to just stick to the same gauge strings that is already on the guitar (assuming the bridge is level and everything else is good). I'd guess 9 or 10s. The alternative is simple but annoying--you have to balance the spring tension on the tremolo bridge with the string tension but that will require some back and forth (i.e. adjusting tension between the two) until you get something that is: in tune; has reasonable action; is set up correctly for intonation. Thanks a lot, I will try to get the same gauge as is on there currently. I've restrung my acoustic before but didn't realise that the whammy bar added a level of complication to things. And thanks to the previous reply as well, I found a good deal on some D'addarios.
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Dec 4, 2010 16:26
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TwoDogs1Cup posted:What strings would you recommend getting for an Epiphone ej200? We should have a string gauge thread or something, I've pretty much always used Lights which are apparently 12s (and I think the standard) but I just bought some 13s - might string my acoustic later! People seem to think 13s sound a lot better but it would be good to hear some opinions... anyway I guess get a set of 12s (12-5?), or 13s if you don't think the extra tension will make it too hard to play. The Earthtones ones are phosphor bronze so they shouldn't be as bright as the others, I've never heard of Rainbow and I have heard of Martins but that's up to you!
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Dec 4, 2010 16:46
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Hey, quick question for you all: I just bought an Ibanez AS73B and the Peavey Vyper 30W yesterday and I'm finally getting a chance to play it. It sounds absolutely great but I'm a little concerned. I ended up picking up the floor model at GC because they were having a 15% off sale and it plays and looks to be in perfect shape. My only concern is that while I'm playing and doing some bends (particularly on the G string), my guitar constantly goes out of tune. I feel like I might be applying to much pressure on the bends (since I'm coming from playing my acoustic guitar), but other places online have said that this is normal and it'll stop after a while. If it doesn't, (if this is normal), then what should I do?
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Dec 4, 2010 19:17
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What I'd try is tuning it up, making sure to bend each string at the 1st or 2nd fret to make sure the string isn't caught in the nut - if it's catching there'll be a tension difference, and bending could even it out and change the pitch. Tune, bend, tune, bend until the string is stable. Otherwise it could be the strings, are they the old ones?
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Dec 4, 2010 20:21
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For all my bluster about "gently caress it I don't need to learn that punk as gently caress hell yeah" I really need to work on being able to play by ear more. As it is, if I know what chords are in it, I can pick them each out, and I can tell if a tab is wrong or not, but I can't tell just by listening Which is a problem, since I want to learn some songs that never have been and never will be tabbed gently caress
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Dec 4, 2010 23:25
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Well, I ordered a Vintage V100 in Flamed honeyburst from Dolphin Music. I had a go of one in my local music shop and fell in love with the thing. I'll be going into town on monday to get a tuner too. As I've not really played before, would I be advised to have the thing checked over before attempting to use it, or should just getting a tuner work ok.
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Dec 4, 2010 23:41
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Falken posted:Well, I ordered a Vintage V100 in Flamed honeyburst from Dolphin Music. I had a go of one in my local music shop and fell in love with the thing. I'll be going into town on monday to get a tuner too. Is it new or is it used? If it's used, definitely go get it checked out. Most places will charge you $50 US or thereabouts and they'll go through the basics, unless you ask for something a little more specific (ie I had to tell the guy to straighten my neck, it was included in the price but wasn't an ordinary service). They'll check the electronics, restring/retune, that kinda poo poo If it's new, you could probably get away with just getting a tuner if you wanted, but feel free to take someone else's word on this over mine.
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Dec 4, 2010 23:53
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Dickeye posted:For all my bluster about "gently caress it I don't need to learn that punk as gently caress hell yeah" I really need to work on being able to play by ear more. As it is, if I know what chords are in it, I can pick them each out, and I can tell if a tab is wrong or not, but I can't tell just by listening On this note -- is it possible to just be unable to play by ear? I haven't been playing terribly long, but cannot seem to even begin to tell what chord/note anyone is playing. Just about the only thing I can tell is what string/region the note is in, but without playing the notes individually, I can never tell exactly what it is.
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Dec 5, 2010 00:40
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unpurposed posted:Oh god, this is the best question since these are the exact amps I'm fighting between. Update: I went down to best buy and tried out the Fender Mustang II and like it quite a lot (I bought it). I did a very brief comparison with the Peavey Vypyr 30W, Vox VT30 and Fender Mustang I; Mustang II won for me for the following reasons: Controls are fairly simple (the Vypyr went overboard and I honestly had trouble figuring out how to work it) Sound is great (VT30 and Vypyr probably have a similar capability but I didn't have quite the same ease of use to achieve what I wanted) USB connection for custom sound setups--don't know if I'll ever use it but it's nice to have the option. Finally if anyone is waffling between the Mustang I and II all I can say is that bigger speaker (12" vs. 8") makes a huge difference in sound (not just volume) so it's not just the wattage that matters in that case. At the same volume the I sounded a little muddied; obviously I wasn't able to crank either of them so I don't know what the difference at the top end was. Full disclosure: I only evaluated them in trying to achieve a high gain "metal" sound (i.e. fairly bassy crunch sound) not clean so I can't speak to the differences there. I still would recommend trying each if you have the opportunity. Hope that helps someone.  Edit: I just realized the banjo smily kind of looks like he's jerking off while staring you down smiling--creepy.
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Dec 5, 2010 00:44
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Tarnien posted:On this note -- is it possible to just be unable to play by ear? I haven't been playing terribly long, but cannot seem to even begin to tell what chord/note anyone is playing. Just about the only thing I can tell is what string/region the note is in, but without playing the notes individually, I can never tell exactly what it is. I'm in roughly the same boat, but it's a bit easier for me because everything is one of four combinations of chords, and they're all power chords Without a tab I can take a really general stab at it and be wrong, with a tab I know where to listen and I can be like NO THAT TAB IS WRONG IT'S NOT A G AT ALL
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Dec 5, 2010 00:48
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Tarnien posted:On this note -- is it possible to just be unable to play by ear? I haven't been playing terribly long, but cannot seem to even begin to tell what chord/note anyone is playing. Just about the only thing I can tell is what string/region the note is in, but without playing the notes individually, I can never tell exactly what it is. You'll learn to hear all kinds of amazing things that nobody around you can after a few years of diligent practice, assuming you don't hurt your hearing by playing too loud. spiritual bypass fucked around with this message at 02:05 on Dec 5, 2010 |
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Dec 5, 2010 01:34
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Dickeye posted:For all my bluster about "gently caress it I don't need to learn that punk as gently caress hell yeah" I really need to work on being able to play by ear more. As it is, if I know what chords are in it, I can pick them each out, and I can tell if a tab is wrong or not, but I can't tell just by listening I was in the same boat and all it takes is practice. Play more and learn more songs you just need to keep practicing and training your ear. My ear still isn't great but I can tell it is improving and when you figure things out on your own they stick in your head better and I find it is a huge motivational boost to my playing. Also Play your scales and learn the notes of the major scale and the intervals and what they sound like. Learn what third, fifth and octave sound like. Heres something to try: try figure out the melody from somewhere over the rainbow just using notes from the major scale and singing the song in your head. Relating songs to intervals also really helped me Somewhere over the Rainbow? thats an octave, Star Wars theme? thats a fifth. I know thats probably confusing as gently caress but its how I was taught and my improved dramatically once I learned the intervals of the major scale.
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Dec 5, 2010 01:58
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Dickeye posted:Is it new or is it used? If it's used, definitely go get it checked out. Most places will charge you $50 US or thereabouts and they'll go through the basics, unless you ask for something a little more specific (ie I had to tell the guy to straighten my neck, it was included in the price but wasn't an ordinary service). They'll check the electronics, restring/retune, that kinda poo poo How much should I look to spend on a tuner?
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Dec 5, 2010 02:05
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ChiliMac posted:Finally if anyone is waffling between the Mustang I and II all I can say is that bigger speaker (12" vs. 8") makes a huge difference in sound (not just volume) so it's not just the wattage that matters in that case. Glad you found one you liked. I found the same thing, when I went with the Vypyr 30. I had the Microcube before which has a 6.5" speaker or something. At the same lower level volumes, the 12" in the Vypyr just resonates so much better. The confusion with all the controls on the Vypyr does put a lot of people off. It's actually easy, but the amount of tweaking you can do with pushing in all the knobs to go into sub-settings can lead to sitting there for 30 minutes dialing in different tones and effects. Blessing and a curse. I mostly just sit on the Plexi amp right now with a little reverb and delay. The FUSE software for the Mustang looks amazing. As an aside. I got my Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded Humbucker set from a Black Friday discount. Put them both in last night, and it was surprisingly easier than expected. A few 10 min crash courses on how to properly solder pickups and I felt comfortable enough to try this. The soldering was the easiest part, the hardest being putting the drat springs on the faceplate covers. They replaced the stock pickups in my ESP LTD M-10 starter which had.. god knows what in them. Anyways, the sound is really really nice. I'm still a total noob guitarist but I can appreciate the change in tone they're giving me. Hitting strings now is all sparkly sounding on the neck. Very cool. Philthy fucked around with this message at 02:16 on Dec 5, 2010 |
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Dec 5, 2010 02:05
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Falken posted:It's new. 15 bucks. Get a piece of patch cable if you don't already have one, too
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Dec 5, 2010 02:24
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SaucyPants posted:I was in the same boat and all it takes is practice. Play more and learn more songs you just need to keep practicing and training your ear. My ear still isn't great but I can tell it is improving and when you figure things out on your own they stick in your head better and I find it is a huge motivational boost to my playing. I...I don't know any scales. I can pick out notes on the last two strings, because I know my power chords, and I can push that a little further to knowing notes on the fourth string if I think about it. That's about it Oh dear jesus why did I do it the lovely way
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Dec 5, 2010 02:27
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Let's change that. alright heres an octave of the major scale on the top 3 strings. top string: 2-4 fifth string: 1-2-4 fourth string:1-3-4 play this through the numbers refer to the frets but also the fingers you should use. First thing to notice: does it sound like " do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-da" it should. play this over and over until it is all you hear. second thing: notice the first note you started on and the fifth note you play? look familiar? thats your power chord it is made up of a root( first note in the major scale) and a fifth ( fifth note in the major scale) this is also why power chords are sometimes called C5 chords or in this case it would be a F#5 chord( because the first note you played was an F#) Lastly an octave is the 8th or last note you played, this is important because the first not and the last note you played are the same letter note. Start with that and ask some questions I can explain more if you'd like
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Dec 5, 2010 02:37
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Yeah, I know how a power chord is structured, just not what it means For example! This was the first time I knew that the octave was the root at a higher pitch. I know where the notes are on the bottom two strings, because I know where the roots are for power chords, but beyond that? Pfffft. Nothing Definitely gonna start running through my scales though
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Dec 5, 2010 02:42
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One thing I noticed today was that the guitar I was using to try out the amps (Squire Strat) had varying height magnets in the pickup but I don't think it looked like there was any way to adjust them? Anyhow that's not really my question but you see humbuckers (or even single pickups) with a cover plate on them so I assume you can't adjust the pickup heights? Not really important but I've been reading up on certain things I'd never looked at before and that confused me a little. So on the Strat was it set like that at the factory or is there a way I couldn't see to adjust the height? Philthy: Well I surely had some confirmation bias going into it but I at least spent a couple minutes trying the various options. At the very least the controls (of the fender) made more sense at at the time so I went with it. Glad I'm not just imagining the difference relating to speaker size though--I even tried to match all the settings between the I and II and it was night & day. Conclusion: The reason for me looking into a new amp (and guitar) is that despite playing for awhile I was discouraged because it always sounded 'enh' regardless of my effort. So my personal recommendation to a beginner is to keep it cheap but not so cheap that you have extraordinary difficulty creating sounds you want to hear (this goes for the instrument and the amp as they are intimately related). I'm hoping that the slight improvement in my gear will finally inspire me to want to play (rather than just gently caress around on rare occasions). Anyhow, keep rocking goons!
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Dec 5, 2010 02:43
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That's how the magnets on a Squier Strat are set. Mine is the exact same way and gently caress if I touched the pickups. I don't even touch the switch for cryin' out loud e: I hate how my amp sounds but I don't have the money to actually buy one (It was a freebie in a bundle that I've kept parts of and ditched others, like the actual guitar), so I just play unplugged gently caress cheap-rear end amps
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Dec 5, 2010 02:49
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you should check this site out and do scales for a few minutes every day http://guitarcardio.com
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Dec 5, 2010 03:04
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rt4 posted:you should check this site out and do scales for a few minutes every day Cool site, scales are pretty much great for everything, fingers,ears,solos EVERYTHING. but don't jump through that site trying to learn everything. I suggest starting with the Major scale and the minor pentatonic and really focus on learning those and how they sound. How well do you know your fretboard? Once your comfortable with those try learning the major scale with a fifth string root and learn the major scale played on a single string. This will also help you to visualize how the fretboard is laid out. Dickeye what kind of chords do you know? open chords? major and minor barre chords on the fifth string? sixth string? what makes a major chord major? A major chord is comprised of 3 notes. A root a third and a fifth. a minor chord is a root a flat third and a fifth. is that the kind of stuff your interested in knowing? let me know or ask me some specific questions and I'll try help you out. I am supposed to be writing a paper which means I am more likely just playing guitar all night.
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Dec 5, 2010 03:16
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Tarnien posted:On this note -- is it possible to just be unable to play by ear? I haven't been playing terribly long, but cannot seem to even begin to tell what chord/note anyone is playing. Just about the only thing I can tell is what string/region the note is in, but without playing the notes individually, I can never tell exactly what it is. Have you actually worked on ear training as a specific area of practice?
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Dec 5, 2010 03:30
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ChiliMac posted:One thing I noticed today was that the guitar I was using to try out the amps (Squire Strat) had varying height magnets in the pickup but I don't think it looked like there was any way to adjust them? Anyhow that's not really my question but you see humbuckers (or even single pickups) with a cover plate on them so I assume you can't adjust the pickup heights? Not really important but I've been reading up on certain things I'd never looked at before and that confused me a little. So on the Strat was it set like that at the factory or is there a way I couldn't see to adjust the height? From what I understand, the pickup covers go down into the cavity, and are height adjustable as any other pickup. You just turn the screws on the left and right to raise and lower them. It makes a huge difference in sound level from what I found out putting in these new ones. My bridge pickup sounded about half the volume of the neck, so I moved it up to the strings more and it fixed it right up.
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Dec 5, 2010 03:34
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SaucyPants posted:Cool site, scales are pretty much great for everything, fingers,ears,solos EVERYTHING. but don't jump through that site trying to learn everything. I suggest starting with the Major scale and the minor pentatonic and really focus on learning those and how they sound. How well do you know your fretboard? Once your comfortable with those try learning the major scale with a fifth string root and learn the major scale played on a single string. This will also help you to visualize how the fretboard is laid out. I'm gonna be honest with you here, and I don't mean to sound dismissive or dick(eye)ish or whatever: I know how to play power chords and like...three open chords. I know how to play a major barre chord on the fifth and sixth string, just because hell you're just palying a power chord and then some. Here's the kicker though: I'm OK with that. I'm learning so I can play in a punk band. Power chords are pretty much all I need. I would like to learn to play by ear, because it'd be nice to be able to learn some more obscure poo poo that I can't find tabs for, but anything beyond that is pretty much a bonus. tldr: I want to work on ear training first and foremost, everything else is extra
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Dec 5, 2010 03:37
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Dickeye posted:I'm gonna be honest with you here, and I don't mean to sound dismissive or dick(eye)ish or whatever: I know how to play power chords and like...three open chords. I know how to play a major barre chord on the fifth and sixth string, just because hell you're just palying a power chord and then some. don't worry I wanted to get a feel as for what you wanted to do and what level you were at before I throw too much at you. work on the major scale if you want to help your ear and just keep trying. I recommend some Hi-Standard as beginning ear training. I picked up guitar in the first place because I wanted to play in a punk band ( and still do) I just fell in love with all the things I could do with it. Punk turned to Rockabilly and Rockabilly turned to Country,Blues and Jazz. If your happy with what your doing stick with it you can always expand later on if you want to.
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Dec 5, 2010 03:46
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SaucyPants posted:don't worry I wanted to get a feel as for what you wanted to do and what level you were at before I throw too much at you. Got a link, and is it free? College is putting a serious dent in my funds.
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Dec 5, 2010 03:50
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a link to what?
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Dec 5, 2010 03:52
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Hi-Standard? I assumed it was a site or something
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Dec 5, 2010 03:55
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oh sorry no Hi-Standard is just a punk band that has fairly simple songs and are a good band to start learning songs to. I am sure you have lots as well I was just suggesting a band I used.
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Dec 5, 2010 04:03
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SaucyPants posted:oh sorry no Hi-Standard is just a punk band that has fairly simple songs and are a good band to start learning songs to. I am sure you have lots as well I was just suggesting a band I used. Oh, that Hi-Standard. Gotcha. I've been using the Ramones and Ramones-core bands, personally. Simple musically, but fast enough that I have to work to stay in time with the music
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Dec 5, 2010 04:06
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So I've gotten a lot better at barre chords but when I play them for even a short time the fat part of my hand where the thumb is and the space between the thumb and forefinger start to hurt and cramp. This is mostly up around the top of the neck, it doesn't bother me as much further down. Am I just pressing too hard or something? I can't really get the notes to ring out if I don't though.
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Dec 5, 2010 04:15
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Epi Lepi posted:So I've gotten a lot better at barre chords but when I play them for even a short time the fat part of my hand where the thumb is and the space between the thumb and forefinger start to hurt and cramp. This is mostly up around the top of the neck, it doesn't bother me as much further down. Am I just pressing too hard or something? I can't really get the notes to ring out if I don't though. Certainly not an expert here (I've only been playing for MCM years) but I'd guess it's just you not being used to using that muscle for that yet. However, you mentioning that it's relative to the part of the neck is slightly confounding--do you have extra thick strings on your guitar? Or perhaps really high action (gap between strings and frets)? Brass string acoustic? Reaching here  I have the same problem on my stupidly cheap acoustic I keep at my mom's house that is mostly related to neck shape (i.e. convex vs. flat) and potentially some bow from the string tension. Edit: it's usually harder to do barre chords nearest the nut but I don't generally identify it as being specifically harder--is what it is. i.e. that's why I raised the questions I did. ChiliMac fucked around with this message at 05:45 on Dec 5, 2010 |
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Dec 5, 2010 05:40
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Epi Lepi posted:So I've gotten a lot better at barre chords but when I play them for even a short time the fat part of my hand where the thumb is and the space between the thumb and forefinger start to hurt and cramp. This is mostly up around the top of the neck, it doesn't bother me as much further down. Am I just pressing too hard or something? I can't really get the notes to ring out if I don't though. You will have to build up some grip strength, but yeah you're probably over exerting yourself. You do need more pressure near the top of the neck to get the strings to sound right, but make sure and check that your grip is correct. I'm still learning too, so my explanation may sound funny, but if you align the wrist and forearm properly you can take a lot of strain out of the hand. It felt really weird when I first tried it after my teacher showed me, but it works well and I got used to it quickly. Hopefully someone else can explain it better because I learned by seeing and can't really describe it much more than that.
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Dec 5, 2010 05:44
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ChiliMac posted:Certainly not an expert here (I've only been playing for MCM years) but I'd guess it's just you not being used to using that muscle for that yet. However, you mentioning that it's relative to the part of the neck is slightly confounding--do you have extra thick strings on your guitar? Or perhaps really high action (gap between strings and frets)? Brass string acoustic? Reaching here I've got .11s on my Jazzmaster I think, and .09s or .10s on my acoustic 12 string and those are my mains at the moment, the rest of my guitars aren't up at school with me. I just meant that I can go longer if I'm playing, say, I Wanna be Sedated instead of Chinese Rocks. I'm pretty sure this all has a lot to do with thumb placement and how I hold my arm and wrist but I'm not sure how I'm supposed to be doing it. It's a little frustrating because though I am better at barre chords than I was a year ago, I'm still having a lot of trouble.
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Dec 5, 2010 07:48
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Porn Thread posted:Have you actually worked on ear training as a specific area of practice? No -- I assumed it was something that just came with having played for a while. What would you recommend in regards to practicing ear training?
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Dec 5, 2010 08:22
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Tarnien posted:No -- I assumed it was something that just came with having played for a while. What would you recommend in regards to practicing ear training? I would appreciate this too, this whole discussion made me pop in The Ramones Road to Ruin album and I was able to figure out the first song myself which made me feel cool, but I couldn't figure out the next one which made me feel less cool...
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Dec 5, 2010 08:32
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