|
madriver
Nov 17, 2006, 5:03 PM
Post #1 of 31
(758 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 8700
|
I'm planning on getting my son a Acoustic/ Electric guitar and my daughter a acoustic/ electric bass for xmas. Anyone have any suggestions? I have always liked the Ovation sound but the boat back reqiures a strap and I have no experience with any basses. Currently I am looking at the Ovation Elite T series and the Epiphone EJ-200CE. Price range between $500-$1,000 each.
Merry Xmas
Thanks
MaD
|
|
|
|
|
bizarrodrinker
Nov 17, 2006, 5:34 PM
Post #2 of 31
(742 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 20, 2005
Posts: 2316
|
Not sure how long he has been playing guitar, but I was given a Carlos Robbelli accustic/electric cutaway for my birthday a few years ago. It has a very warm and smooth tone. I like it a lot and it only runs about $150-200. If you are really looking to buy top quality and you have very dedicated musician, Martin is the way to go and range from around $500 to several thousand.
As far as basses go Ibanez sound gear series can range from start up to very advanced models. They have a thinner neck which is usually more conducive to female bassists as they have smaller hands. Again not sure what the experience level is but they can range from about $200-very expensive.
Truth be told your best bet is to take them shopping and fit one out to each of them because there is no way that you be able to tell what will fit them correctly.
Hope this helps get things going.
|
|
|
|
|
lagr01
Nov 17, 2006, 5:39 PM
Post #3 of 31
(738 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 18, 2005
Posts: 2417
|
In reply to: I'm planning on getting my son a Acoustic/ Electric guitar and my daughter a acoustic/ electric bass for xmas. Anyone have any suggestions? I have always liked the Ovation sound but the boat back reqiures a strap and I have no experience with any basses. Currently I am looking at the Ovation Elite T series and the Epiphone EJ-200CE. Price range between $500-$1,000 each. Merry Xmas Thanks MaD
Trying to make a family band, Mad? I hope is not as cheesy as the Partridge Family.
|
|
|
|
|
devils_advocate
Nov 17, 2006, 6:59 PM
Post #4 of 31
(719 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 18, 2006
Posts: 1823
|
Do the kids really want accoustic or are you following this age old belief that everyone should start on an accoustic first. Nothing personal, but that's BS. My mom tried the same thing and thank Jeebus that the guy at the guitar shop convinced her otherwise. I later ended up buying both a steelstring and nylon accoustic and even studied classical for a couple years... but I started electric. I was a kid, I listened to hard rock... can't play that on an accoustic. And if a kid can (try to) play the stuff they like, they will spend a lot more time playing.
I got my first 6-string at 12, started a band at 13... soon we were playing on stage in front of our school having a great time, trying to be the next GnR. Memories I will never forget... all seeded from a gift from my mom. just my 2 cents
|
|
|
|
|
madriver
Nov 17, 2006, 8:41 PM
Post #5 of 31
(706 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 8700
|
In reply to: Do the kids really want accoustic or are you following this age old belief that everyone should start on an accoustic first. Nothing personal, but that's BS. My mom tried the same thing and thank Jeebus that the guy at the guitar shop convinced her otherwise. I later ended up buying both a steelstring and nylon accoustic and even studied classical for a couple years... but I started electric. I was a kid, I listened to hard rock... can't play that on an accoustic. And if a kid can (try to) play the stuff they like, they will spend a lot more time playing. I got my first 6-string at 12, started a band at 13... soon we were playing on stage in front of our school having a great time, trying to be the next GnR. Memories I will never forget... all seeded from a gift from my mom. just my 2 cents
....uhhh...I play, my kids are both in bands. My son plays a Gibson SG Standard and has a Strat and Epiphone Les Paul. My daughter plays a Fender P-Bass and a Schecter C4. So yeah....I dig.More spray, the SG is run thru a Marshal Half Stack, the bass thru an Ampeg.
Love
MaD
|
|
|
|
|
comet
Nov 17, 2006, 9:50 PM
Post #6 of 31
(697 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 5, 2005
Posts: 358
|
I have an Ovation Elite 1858 that I LOVE. Really pretty, bright sound used as an acoustic, I like the option to be able to plug in for gigs, and the narrower body makes it much more comfortable for a smaller person to play. It does tend to slide out a bit because of the rounded back, but not enough that I need to use a strap.
|
|
|
|
|
tisar
Nov 17, 2006, 9:57 PM
Post #7 of 31
(691 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 1, 2004
Posts: 2577
|
In reply to: [..]More spray, the SG is run thru a Marshal Half Stack, the bass thru an Ampeg.[..]
Care to adopt another one?
Honestly, I would've been too freakin glad if my parents gave me half the support. Made it anyway - at least for a while.
Martin for acoustic is a classic. Just sounds like an oil massage. Love it, but I'm outa the biz for a while. Dunno, maybe there's something better out now.
For bass: Acoustic somehow sux. Not loud enough anyway, more like a gimmick nobody really needs. Fretless on the other hand is a niiiiiice feature. Not hard to learn (as long as the ear is there) and super fluffy to accompany both ballads and acoustic stuff. I bought a really cheap 5-string (deep b) fretless on ebay and still it rocks. With 500+ bucks, there's a whole lot of sound and fun to get... just a thought.
- Daniel
|
|
|
|
|
harihari
Nov 17, 2006, 11:00 PM
Post #8 of 31
(674 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 7, 2004
Posts: 182
|
You get what you pay for. Your will get the best value buying a high-end instrument used (or a "factory second" instrument-- new, but has scratches). eBay works sometimes; better is to go to lots of music stores and try stuff out.
Don't listen to anybody who says "Martin [or any other kind of] guitars are the best." The very idea that one brand can consistently out-play other is ludicrous; most amateur musicians become partial to their instruments because they get used to them, and because they need to feel like the ( for them) big$$ they dropped on their instrument was well worth it. You spent $3000 on a MArtin, therefore, MArtins are the best. A typical pro will play a variety of brands. And you roughly, tho not always, get something similar in different brands at a similar price (exceptions having to do with currency changes, etc).
I have played and owned Takemines, Larrivees and Martins. My current Larrivee is infintely better by all standards than its Martin price-and-model counterpart; an older Martin that I played was, however, much better than this Larrivee. There can be tremendous range even among different guitars of the same model-- one Takemine En-10C is NOT the same as the next one!
The most iportant thing after the instrument is BUY A DECENT CASE.
|
|
|
|
|
coreydacat
Nov 18, 2006, 12:07 AM
Post #9 of 31
(661 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 3, 2004
Posts: 79
|
depending on the age of your son, the width of the neck and overall bulk of the instrument makes a difference in terms of ease of use... one thing i don't like about some of the ovations is the bubble back, which makes it uncomfortable for me to hold. and i've got small hands, so playing bigger guitars make my hands cramp. i didn't realize there was that much of a difference until i lucked out with an epiphone/gibson acoustic/electric that had a narrow neck and noticed how much of a difference that made. of course, the trick is to find something that fits right but doesn't compromise the sound... other factors to consider include what kind of a sound you/your son likes -- taylors generally make pretty bright sounding guitars, while martins have a fuller bodied sound... lucky kids to have a father introduce them to the awesome world of music... rock on!
|
|
|
|
|
pornstarr
Nov 18, 2006, 1:11 AM
Post #10 of 31
(652 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 824
|
MR,
a parlor style guitar (smaller body) may be better than a standard dreadnaught style, or a jumbo (like emylou plays) for a smaller person. personally i think most of the acoustic/electrics sound real twangy, i prefer the warmth of a miked acoustic, but i like mostly folk/americana/bluegrass type stuff. ymmv. depends on the pickup(s) too. try a mcintyre (true sound, much more so than a baggs or that other brand, forget the name)
martin and gibson of course, maybe also a tacoma or seagull (nice for less than the martins, etc)
and as for a bass, either stick with the electric or get a smaller size upright. that will set her apart ;)
PS
go devils
|
|
|
|
|
madriver
Nov 19, 2006, 2:53 PM
Post #11 of 31
(606 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 8700
|
I went and played the Epiphone, Ovation, and Takamine. Liked the neck and action on the Ovation. Liked the unplugged sound of the Takamine. Did not like the neck on the Epiphone or the setup. I will probably end up with the Ovation but I am still looking. We found a bass, a Michael Kelly.Very nice. Frettless with a lot of inlay on the neck and banding. My daughter played it and liked it. I agree about the bass though, I'd rather see her get the frettless Warwick she also tried out. Anyway, thanks for the input. I am still working on the guitar so any other input will be welcomed.
Thanks
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
macherry
Nov 19, 2006, 8:47 PM
Post #12 of 31
(590 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 10, 2003
Posts: 15848
|
santa: i've been a good girl this year. There's a fender telecaster, i've been lusting over for years..a paisley telecaster. just a thought
love
ur. stalker
ps a friend of mine just got an epiphone and loves it. could never buy an ovation because of the back, but they do sound nice. I'll be at home playing my handmade larivee....sweet sound!!!
(This post was edited by macherry on Nov 19, 2006, 8:48 PM)
|
|
|
|
|
madriver
Nov 20, 2006, 10:42 AM
Post #13 of 31
(566 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 8700
|
In reply to: santa: i've been a good girl this year. There's a fender telecaster, i've been lusting over for years..a paisley telecaster. just a thought love ur. stalker
..Dear Good Girl,
Try being naughty.
Love
MaD SanTa
|
|
|
|
|
macherry
Nov 20, 2006, 3:27 PM
Post #14 of 31
(553 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 10, 2003
Posts: 15848
|
In reply to: In reply to: santa: i've been a good girl this year. There's a fender telecaster, i've been lusting over for years..a paisley telecaster. just a thought love ur. stalker ..Dear Good Girl, Try being naughty. Love MaD SanTa
we can play it either way
|
|
|
|
|
tattooed_climber
Nov 20, 2006, 4:21 PM
Post #15 of 31
(545 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 13, 2003
Posts: 4838
|
fuck it dude,
just buy your son a BC RICH guitar and screw the whole acoustic thing......he'll be shreading like judas priest before you know it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
on a unrelated side note, i'm buying from a friend in my machinist class, his standard PURPLE BC RICH GUITAR!
|
|
|
|
|
vertical_reality
Nov 20, 2006, 4:34 PM
Post #16 of 31
(541 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 19, 2002
Posts: 2073
|
Give your son a gift certificate to the local guitar shop and let HIM pick it out. Then he'll get a guitar that sounds good to him and feel good in his hands.
|
|
|
|
|
macherry
Nov 20, 2006, 4:37 PM
Post #17 of 31
(535 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 10, 2003
Posts: 15848
|
In reply to: fuck it dude, just buy your son a BC RICH guitar and screw the whole acoustic thing......he'll be shreading like judas priest before you know it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on a unrelated side note, i'm buying from a friend in my machinist class, his standard PURPLE BC RICH GUITAR!
the kid's already got electric
|
|
|
|
|
madriver
Nov 20, 2006, 4:38 PM
Post #18 of 31
(533 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 8700
|
In reply to: Give your son a gift certificate to the local guitar shop and let HIM pick it out. Then he'll get a guitar that sounds good to him and feel good in his hands.
...WORDS OF WISDOM. I just don't know about the gift certificate thing on Xmas Day though. While they ain't babies, they still enjoy the thrill of finding that big Santa Gift under the tree. Hell, I know I still do. The Guitar Shop I deal with would most likely exchange anything I but from them. Anybody have a Takamine? How are the electronics?
|
|
|
|
|
madriver
Nov 20, 2006, 4:43 PM
Post #20 of 31
(529 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 8700
|
In reply to: fuck it dude, just buy your son a BC RICH guitar and screw the whole acoustic thing......he'll be shreading like judas priest before you know it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on a unrelated side note, i'm buying from a friend in my machinist class, his standard PURPLE BC RICH GUITAR!
...heh...yeah...he came down the other day and started learning "Hell Bent for Leather". Funny thing is he hates metal. The kid rocks....
|
|
|
|
|
brent_e
Nov 20, 2006, 4:55 PM
Post #21 of 31
(519 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 15, 2004
Posts: 5111
|
In reply to: ....uhhh...I play, my kids are both in bands. My son plays a Gibson SG Standard and has a Strat and Epiphone Les Paul. My daughter plays a Fender P-Bass and a Schecter C4. So yeah....I dig.More spray, the SG is run thru a Marshal Half Stack, the bass thru an Ampeg. Love MaD
wishing for the old :shock: emoticon.
lol holy hell, man, must be nice to have some money....i got a squire p-bass from my girlfriend a couple years ago and still cannot afford to buy an amp. lol
|
|
|
|
|
tattooed_climber
Nov 20, 2006, 4:56 PM
Post #22 of 31
(516 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 13, 2003
Posts: 4838
|
damn right he hates metal...
AND LOVES HAIR BANDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
madriver
Nov 20, 2006, 5:09 PM
Post #24 of 31
(512 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 8700
|
In reply to: In reply to: ....uhhh...I play, my kids are both in bands. My son plays a Gibson SG Standard and has a Strat and Epiphone Les Paul. My daughter plays a Fender P-Bass and a Schecter C4. So yeah....I dig.More spray, the SG is run thru a Marshal Half Stack, the bass thru an Ampeg. Love MaD wishing for the old :shock: emoticon. lol holy hell, man, must be nice to have some money....i got a squire p-bass from my girlfriend a couple years ago and still cannot afford to buy an amp. lol
....LOL!! Dude I HAVE NO MONEY!!!! Between schools, music, and athletics I am broke. My monthly nut for two kids is sick. But I wouldn't have itt any other way....just lookin forward to the end of tuitions.....then I can go back to eating.
MaD
|
|
|
|
|
brent_e
Nov 20, 2006, 5:11 PM
Post #25 of 31
(508 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 15, 2004
Posts: 5111
|
In reply to: ....LOL!! Dude I HAVE NO MONEY!!!! Between schools, music, and athletics I am broke. My monthly nut for two kids is sick. But I wouldn't have itt any other way....just lookin forward to the end of tuitions.....then I can go back to eating. MaD
YOU have no money, no, but your kids happiness is pretty cool. And yeah...i know what you mean by eating.
i think i'll revert back to hunter gatherer.
lol
Brent
|
|
|
|
|
bizarrodrinker
Nov 20, 2006, 5:15 PM
Post #26 of 31
(153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 20, 2005
Posts: 2316
|
I have a Stuart Spectre legend bass (5-string), and the thing rocks. The model was discontinued though so if you find one for less than $1000 I recomend buying it. Stuart makes a great bass, and so does Warwick. But for the price of a Warwick you could make th sizable down payment on a car.
|
|
|
|
|
krillen
Nov 20, 2006, 6:14 PM
Post #27 of 31
(149 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 19, 2001
Posts: 4769
|
In reply to: In reply to: fuck it dude, just buy your son a BC RICH guitar and screw the whole acoustic thing......he'll be shreading like judas priest before you know it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on a unrelated side note, i'm buying from a friend in my machinist class, his standard PURPLE BC RICH GUITAR! ...heh...yeah...he came down the other day and started learning "Hell Bent for Leather". Funny thing is he hates metal. The kid rocks....
BC Rich? NAH!! Flying V is where it's at! Nice and light, and nothing looks better on stage. Totally impractical and proud of it. 
On a realistic note, I have a Strat, and an Epiphone Acoustic which have both served me well. The acoustic has especially nice action and tone considering it's the base model, plywood top guitar.
|
|
|
|
|
krillen
Nov 20, 2006, 6:25 PM
Post #28 of 31
(146 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 19, 2001
Posts: 4769
|
In reply to: In reply to: damn right he hates metal... AND LOVES HAIR BANDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .....ahhhhhhhhh...no no no!!!!!! No Motley Crew or Ratt for my boy. The kid is old skewl when it comes to rock. He digs Jimi (both Page and Hendrix). Currently is covering the RHCP and Wolf Mother. Please...do not EVEN suggest Mid to Late 80's Spandex Spewers!!!!!!! 
Old funk RHCP or new crappy pop RHCP? hopefully the early stuff...
Wolfmother is awesome, great stuff to play.
|
|
|
|
|
madriver
Nov 20, 2006, 6:43 PM
Post #29 of 31
(143 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 8700
|
In reply to: In reply to: In reply to: damn right he hates metal... AND LOVES HAIR BANDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .....ahhhhhhhhh...no no no!!!!!! No Motley Crew or Ratt for my boy. The kid is old skewl when it comes to rock. He digs Jimi (both Page and Hendrix). Currently is covering the RHCP and Wolf Mother. Please...do not EVEN suggest Mid to Late 80's Spandex Spewers!!!!!!! Old funk RHCP or new crappy pop RHCP? hopefully the early stuff... Wolfmother is awesome, great stuff to play.
both old and new RHCP...I like the new album!!! His signature cover is Dani California as of a couple of months ago. After he got into the new album he listened to Sex Blood Sugar Majic and dove head first into RHCP!!! Wolf Mother is way cool. A combination of old skewl Led and current rock. Dig it.
|
|
|
|
|
vertical_reality
Nov 20, 2006, 6:51 PM
Post #30 of 31
(138 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 19, 2002
Posts: 2073
|
In reply to: Anybody have a Takamine? How are the electronics?
I don't own one but a buddy of mine had one that I loved to play. The actions was nice a low but didn't buzz. Had a cut out so it was nice to play the higher frets. The electronics were very good.
When I get around to buying an acoustic it's going to be a Takamine.
|
|
|
|
|
krillen
Nov 20, 2006, 6:53 PM
Post #31 of 31
(137 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 19, 2001
Posts: 4769
|
Zepplin Sabbath and a little Deep Purple all rolled into one. Oh ya! heopfully they aren't a one album wonder.
The old RHCP has so much more edge and fun to it than the new stuff. It's all just pop ballads, instead of it being the occassional ballad. Oh well...
|
|
|
|
|
|
