What's your favourite guitar, your favourite sound, and why?
Discussion
Mine is this
It's a Godin Multiac Nylon. I like the wider fretboard especially, I find most steel string guitars to be too narrow for me. I don't think I've ever tried it with normal amplification though, because this is what I plug it in to
I've programmed my favourite sound (Rickenbacker 12 string) as preset 100, and the up and down buttons on the guitar will transpose it up and down by 11 semitones either way. I pretty much only do strumming and singing, and the transpose allows me to put it in which ever key suits my voice best. I play it through earphones quite loud so I can't hear the sound coming from the guitar itself.
I love the stereo effect and the jangly sound, and that coupled with the stereo output from my voice processor with reverb etc makes the whole sound very acceptable to my ears, though I don't think I would inflict it on anyone else
It's a Godin Multiac Nylon. I like the wider fretboard especially, I find most steel string guitars to be too narrow for me. I don't think I've ever tried it with normal amplification though, because this is what I plug it in to
I've programmed my favourite sound (Rickenbacker 12 string) as preset 100, and the up and down buttons on the guitar will transpose it up and down by 11 semitones either way. I pretty much only do strumming and singing, and the transpose allows me to put it in which ever key suits my voice best. I play it through earphones quite loud so I can't hear the sound coming from the guitar itself.
I love the stereo effect and the jangly sound, and that coupled with the stereo output from my voice processor with reverb etc makes the whole sound very acceptable to my ears, though I don't think I would inflict it on anyone else
Wow, not what I expected opening this thread. I'm still in the 'honeymoon' phase of getting my old Strat back having not played it for 6+ years (have a Tele and LP as well). I really like the bite of the bridge pick up with clean sound (maybe just a hint of break up), but the neck pick up with a bit more distortion from a Tube Screamer is probably my favourite as of right now. Just using a little Blackstar HT5-R with a reduced gain valve in the pre amp to make it more controllable.
I did once play the Strat through a black face Fender Twin reverb in the mid 1980s (so I've no idea what the age of the amp was) and it was a fantastic clean tone that I've never really achieved since with any amount of modelling amps and some smaller valve ones. I'm looking into some of the reissue Fender amps to see if there is something that can give me that sound, but at lower volumes since I don't need to be that loud at home or even mic'd up on stage (if it ever gets to that point). Less weight would be nice too.
I did once play the Strat through a black face Fender Twin reverb in the mid 1980s (so I've no idea what the age of the amp was) and it was a fantastic clean tone that I've never really achieved since with any amount of modelling amps and some smaller valve ones. I'm looking into some of the reissue Fender amps to see if there is something that can give me that sound, but at lower volumes since I don't need to be that loud at home or even mic'd up on stage (if it ever gets to that point). Less weight would be nice too.
singlecoil said:
I was thinking more about a particular instrument rather than type of instrument. Is there one particular guitar that you pick up first and put down last, which one are you going to wear the frets out on first?
And pictures would be good.
And pictures would be good.
I have two.
My 63 custom shop Strat and 59 VOS Les Paul. The PRS is ignored. Need to sell it.
I am very fortunate in that I own the two best guitars I have played - my Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro II and my Martin HD-28.
I really like the fat neck on the Gibson, it is extremely comfortable to play and the fact it isn't lacquered makes it ideal to play for a very long time. The bridge pickup (super 57) has real bit to it but still manages to retain clarity so you an really emphasise certain notes in chords etc which I do a lot with my playing. I initially thought the neck pickup (classic 57) was too muddy, but for lead stuff with a bit of drive it has a great bluesy tone. It really shines through with a clean tone though, and you can control the drive very easily with the volume controls. It has a lovely weight to it as well.
It does have extras like coil splits and a 10db boost switch, but I never use them so I will probably have them removed at some point. It also holds its tune amazingly well for a Gibson thanks to the Grover locking machine heads which have the classic look to them. I originally wanted a sunburst one, but I couldn't pass up the Merlot (wine red...) and gold hardware.
The Martin was the result of a day trip to Edinburgh and a long time spent in the soundproof room playing about 10 different acoustic guitars. For me it struck the balance between having a well rounded, slightly bassy tone, but retaining the articulation that I felt was lost in some of the more bassier guitars that I played. It plays beautifully and sounds incredible, I am yet to hear an acoustic guitar that I would rather own. Looks really nice too, the herringbone binding is a nice touch and the wood has a lovely grain to it.
Good thread - it is all personal preference but I will look forward to hearing what other people have to say about their favourite guitars
I really like the fat neck on the Gibson, it is extremely comfortable to play and the fact it isn't lacquered makes it ideal to play for a very long time. The bridge pickup (super 57) has real bit to it but still manages to retain clarity so you an really emphasise certain notes in chords etc which I do a lot with my playing. I initially thought the neck pickup (classic 57) was too muddy, but for lead stuff with a bit of drive it has a great bluesy tone. It really shines through with a clean tone though, and you can control the drive very easily with the volume controls. It has a lovely weight to it as well.
It does have extras like coil splits and a 10db boost switch, but I never use them so I will probably have them removed at some point. It also holds its tune amazingly well for a Gibson thanks to the Grover locking machine heads which have the classic look to them. I originally wanted a sunburst one, but I couldn't pass up the Merlot (wine red...) and gold hardware.
The Martin was the result of a day trip to Edinburgh and a long time spent in the soundproof room playing about 10 different acoustic guitars. For me it struck the balance between having a well rounded, slightly bassy tone, but retaining the articulation that I felt was lost in some of the more bassier guitars that I played. It plays beautifully and sounds incredible, I am yet to hear an acoustic guitar that I would rather own. Looks really nice too, the herringbone binding is a nice touch and the wood has a lovely grain to it.
Good thread - it is all personal preference but I will look forward to hearing what other people have to say about their favourite guitars
One of my favourites. Gretsch. Just wish I had the talent to go with it. Enjoy :~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2gER_IXwxo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2gER_IXwxo
This. It's a custom Tele built and maintained by Chris Slack at Tobacco Road. The body is old - the neck much newer. It's been hacked about and battered, had loads of different PUPs on it. Currently has an Oil City Nightfighter at the bridge. And one of their Naked Angel PUPs at the neck. I'm gong to switch the neck back to a trad tele PUP (or maybe put the cover on it) as I've lost the subtlety in the mid position a bit. I just love it. The Bridge PU is a custom order and, by luck more than anything, sounds incredible in the guitar. It just works. I have other guitars, some worth a lot more, but this is the one I always take with me.
It gets used every day. Recording all the time. It is a pure tool and not treated with much respect. It sounds best through a Badcat head and Marshall Cabinet. It's my favourite because, with it, I can make blues this harsh and raw... https://soundcloud.com/tom-greenwood/oh-blues
It gets used every day. Recording all the time. It is a pure tool and not treated with much respect. It sounds best through a Badcat head and Marshall Cabinet. It's my favourite because, with it, I can make blues this harsh and raw... https://soundcloud.com/tom-greenwood/oh-blues
My favourite guitar is my Charvel 650. It's an astounding piece of thru neck loveliness. Metal in style, but equally versatile doing other stuff.
As for sound, I have never really been overly into effects and prefer not to waste time trying to find the perfect mix. Just give me full on metal distortion and maybe a little delay for solos and I am a happy man
As for sound, I have never really been overly into effects and prefer not to waste time trying to find the perfect mix. Just give me full on metal distortion and maybe a little delay for solos and I am a happy man
Edited by gbbird on Thursday 25th December 07:23
Well my favourite sound is a blonde saying yes.
Oh, sorry, I see what you mean. My favourite guitar is a 1991 Fender (Japan) 62 Reissue Strat in Sonic Blue, which I bought in 1996 and am pleased to say I still have. It's been fitted with Seymour Duncan SSL-1's and aged plastic parts. Those are the only changes.
I'll never sell this one.
Oh, sorry, I see what you mean. My favourite guitar is a 1991 Fender (Japan) 62 Reissue Strat in Sonic Blue, which I bought in 1996 and am pleased to say I still have. It's been fitted with Seymour Duncan SSL-1's and aged plastic parts. Those are the only changes.
I'll never sell this one.
My Ibanez K-7, a wonderfully balanced guitar, has a lovely smooth Dimarzio Paf7 in the neck and an X2N7 in the bridge. I may well swap the X2N7 and tuned it back down to A standard like it came from the factory. It's currently tuned BEADGBE, and has been that way pretty much since I got it, but I feel like a change.
My favourite guitar overall is without a doubt the Stratocaster. They just sound fantastic out of the box, with minimal fiddling, they balance beautifully and just feel 'right'. Here is my Classic 50's Series Stratocaster:
It sounds great through my Fender Super Sonic 22 amp. The cleans have a fantastic sparkle to them, and I prefer a smooth fusion-y lead tone, which works really well.
Example of my favourite Statocaster sound. Eric shows off one of the key things about the Strat; namely that dynamic sound they have. They're so subtle, rich and touch sensentive. Quite the opposite of say, a Les Paul or whatever and that is why I love them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB6HA350kv8
My favourite guitar tone though, I'm sure I'll get close to. It is, of course, Shawn Lane's early 90's Charvel era sound. Both his clean and overdriven sounds were perfect. Close delay, occasionally a touch of chorus and a surprising amount of gain disguised by his exceptionally clean technique. He made the guitar really sing in a style which no-one has since been able to come close to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhXXldQIZ50
It sounds great through my Fender Super Sonic 22 amp. The cleans have a fantastic sparkle to them, and I prefer a smooth fusion-y lead tone, which works really well.
Example of my favourite Statocaster sound. Eric shows off one of the key things about the Strat; namely that dynamic sound they have. They're so subtle, rich and touch sensentive. Quite the opposite of say, a Les Paul or whatever and that is why I love them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB6HA350kv8
My favourite guitar tone though, I'm sure I'll get close to. It is, of course, Shawn Lane's early 90's Charvel era sound. Both his clean and overdriven sounds were perfect. Close delay, occasionally a touch of chorus and a surprising amount of gain disguised by his exceptionally clean technique. He made the guitar really sing in a style which no-one has since been able to come close to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhXXldQIZ50
^ That is a lovely Strat, I do sometimes think that I should have got a sunburst one.
I know what you mean about the balance and feeling "right" witha good setup. Mine doesn't see a huge amount of action these days but every time I pick it up it feels exactly right. Great guitars.
I have discovered that the sweet spot is tuning to Eb and using .013 gauge strings. Can't seem to put the damn thing down now
I know what you mean about the balance and feeling "right" witha good setup. Mine doesn't see a huge amount of action these days but every time I pick it up it feels exactly right. Great guitars.
TheExcession said:
(That Martin looks ace b.t.w.)
Thanks I have discovered that the sweet spot is tuning to Eb and using .013 gauge strings. Can't seem to put the damn thing down now
My favourite guitar is the only one I own : a PRS Santana. The body / fret and neck profile fit me like a glove.
I can't afford one, but (as - mainly - a blues player) my favourite sound is this :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP6dZpLNkCo (go to 5:40)
The warmth and natural resonance of the tone just reeks of Chicago Blues.
I can't afford one, but (as - mainly - a blues player) my favourite sound is this :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP6dZpLNkCo (go to 5:40)
The warmth and natural resonance of the tone just reeks of Chicago Blues.
vournikas said:
My favourite guitar is the only one I own : a PRS Santana. The body / fret and neck profile fit me like a glove.
I love my PRS 513, although I know many people don't rate them very highly, but i love its versatility. But king of the PRS sound for me is Jimmy Herring of Widespread Panic, this is just awesome IMHO.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2W5JnUGyKg
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