choosing electric guitars -

G.A.S. Relief

So many choices, a person buying a electric guitar can be easily overwhelmed with the choices.

A person shopping for a electric guitar is confronted with an overwhelming array of choices, this may be your first time buying a electric guitar or you may already have so many guitars that you are tripping over them in the middle of the night.

I am one of the latter people that have a common problem called G.A.S. (Also known as Gear Acquisition Syndrome.)

Buying guitars was a hobby of mine. Now I have too many.

There are so many guitars that look and sound great at very reasonable prices a person can get carried away.

Finding that perfect guitar can be a challenge. Getting the right electric guitar sound can be an obsession which can be a slow down your progress if not balanced by daily practice.

The problem in the early stages is that if your spending your time out looking for that perfect guitar that is going to make you sound fantastic instead of practicing, you probably will not sound as good as you could.

The following electric guitar reviews are of time tested combination's of guitars and amps. To take some of the guess work out of your search so you can get to practicing.

Paul McCartney was once asked what type of strings he used for his bass and he answered long shiny ones. He did not analyze too much he was too busy creating music. So what is the solution? I've found that there are classic combination's of guitars and amplifiers for different types of music. Proven combination's for a great sound for the type of guitar music you are playing.

What you really want when buying a electric guitar is your sound, and these pages along with some of the other info on this site can give you a good start or help you find the sound you are looking for.

Electric guitar reviews - Making a choice doesn't have to be guessing game.

These are the classic guitar and amp combination's that get the sound you need for the following styles.

1. Rock and Roll - Fender American Standard Stratocaster and a huge Marshall Tube Amp stack , this worked for Jimi Hendrix and is a great choice for 1960's Rock and Roll.

   If you don't have a large concert hall or auditorium to play at a smaller but not too small Marshall tube amp will give you a great Rock and Roll sound.

   Fender Stratocaster and a good Fender tube amp such as a Fender Supersonic.

   Pete Townsend of The Who was and is at last check, using this combination on stage during their concert appearances. More than adequate for a very memorable performance.

   Economy Rock and Roll guitar- Squier by Fender Vintage Modified Strat Electric Guitar and a Line 6 Spider III - your choice of size but as big as possible for the full effect.

   The versatility of these amps will provide the sound for 1950's Rock and Roll all the way up to modern rock music. If you want the ultimate practice amp get a Line 6 Spider Jam.

   For a hard Rock sound a Gibson Les Paul through a Marshall Tube amp is a great choice for the heavier Rock sound like Led Zeppelin. This was and is the choice of many Rocks greatest guitarists.

   Economy electric guitar - Hard Rock and Roll - Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy GX Electric Guitar and a Vox Valvetronix amp as large as possible. the epiphone prophecy guitars are a great value with very high quality pickups for a great rock music sound.

   If you want the ultimate practice amp get a Line 6 Spider Jam.

2. Rockabilly - Gretsch Hot Rod thru a Fender Supersonic amp.

   This is the choice of Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats. Who can argue with that?

   Economy Rockabilly - Gretsch Electromatic through Vox Valvetronix amp as large as possible. A great deal for a rocker on a budget.

3. Surf music - Fender American Standard Stratocaster with a good clean Fender tube amplifier such as a Fender Supersonic.Don't forget the reverb and slapback echo.

   I chose the supersonic as my choice for a surf guitar amp because of it's versatility.

   Economy Surf guitar - Squier by Fender Vintage Modified Stratocaster through a Vox Valvetronix as large as you can afford for the presence of a large speaker.

4. Jazz - A big fat hollow body electric guitar such as a Gibson L-5 and a Roland JC-120.

   This is a solid state amp that has become legendary. It's also very versatile with stomp box effects for any kind of music there is.

   Jazz guitar combination economy - S101 EHL 24 - Jazz hollow body guitar (a L5 copy - Laminates used for body but sounds pretty good for a guitar that I picked up on Ebay for $160) with a Roland Cube amp. Get the biggest Roland Cube one you can for presence from the large speaker.

5. Blues guitar and amp combination - The blues is the basis and roots of rock and roll.

   Anyone learning guitar should, in my opinion consider learning the blues.

   Fender American Standard Stratocaster through a Fender Bassman amp.

   Chicago Blues - Gibson ES - 335 through a Fender '65 Super Reverb. Sweet.

   Blues Economy choice - Squier by Fender Vintage Modified Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Through a Vox Valvetronix amp as large as possible for the presence of a large speaker.

   Epiphone Dot through a Roland Cube.

6. Metal - The whole nature of metal is loud, heavy and rude, there really is no one setup that is metal the formula is this - a fast playing guitar with hot humbucking pickups and a high gain amp.

   I recommend a Dean ML and a krank amplifier. This is more than adequate for a massive sonic assault.

   Metal economy choice - Dean ML (wide range of prices, generally very good quality across that range) through a VOX Valvetronix XL. Metal guitar solos take firepower and this combination fits the bill perfectly.

7. Country - Twang and country guitar virtuosity are bought out best with a Fender American Standard Telecaster and a Fender Twin Reverb amp.

   Country Economy Pick - Fender Standard Telecaster and a Vox Valvetronix. A country telecaster and the Vox Valvetronics amp - now that will put a smile on your face.

Well those are my recommendations for some great electric guitars based on research of classic rigs from the past modified to whats available in the present.

Buying guitars can be confusing, just remember that with the well known companies, if the price is higher its because the quality is better and its sad but true, you get what you pay for.

Be sure to check out the following related webpages on this website.

1. Electric guitar amp - A amp makes a huge difference in your sound. How do you choose the right one for you?

2.Replacing guitar strings - Most guitars come new with really crummy strings. How do you choose strings for the right sound and how do you put them on your guitar?

3.Electric guitar tuning - How to tune a guitar with less effort and frustration.

 No compensation was or is made to me (Roy Barnett)or anyone associated with me, for any of the product endorsements or recommendations on this Website (Guitar-skill-builder.com). All products reviewed and recommended were either purchased by myself or I experienced the products at a retail outlet or the item  was recommended because of the research carried out by myself. No company has supplied me with any products or software to review free of charge. If this changes full disclosure will be in the disclaimer page on this site.