This may well turn into the only rant ever on UG to piss off just about every member. Its about amps and pickups and the ignorance around them. I'm putting my flame suit on right now before we even got started so I can finish this without burning to death.
Guys, if he wants a new guitar, eh wants one. I would rather play a great guitar thats keeping me playing through a meh amp then a piece of crap I hate through a stack. To a new guitarist, the guitar means more then the amp, as its where the sound starts and the piece of gear you pour your heart and soul in. And if little joey likes his MG he likes it. Or if he wants a Valve State, don't tell him not to because you don't like it. You wouldn't want to be treated like sheep would you now? And lets face it, stacks own combos. Once you get past the investment, you'l lalways have that cab. and heads are a lot cheaper then combos. And "Wel lwhy do you need a cab" Because half stacks kick ass you idiots. Who doesn't want a screaming line of stacks behind him? People also need to realize amps do some things better then others. A Crate Palomino isn't going to do Metallica, thats why you get a Peavey Valve King. Or you get aren't going to play death metal on a Valve Junior; a nice solid state head will do that fine. By the way, gig with that ValveTronix and tell me how it does.
Now here is my next rant. "Well its your amp not your pickups". Pickups make a lot of difference through most amps. The pickups are perhaps the most important part of your sound. They are what makes it. the higher the pickup quality, the better the sound through the amp will be. Pickups make a huge difference on most amps. If a person decides thats what they want, thats what they want. New pickups can also have a psychological effect, and thus maybe make you more proud or inspired.
Now Im not down playing the amps role, but people are sheep and do what everyone tells them to do or buy. And it pisses me off. Just buy what you want and like people, and don't do what other people say because you think they're right. Do what YOU want and what YOU think will get you clsoer to your tone.
I agree with this blog. When I first started playing, the guitar was all that mattered to me. I actually had a decent tube amp but didn't know what I was doing so to me it sounded like shlt. It was easier to get the bedroom level sound from a low watt SS amp. It served me well even though I wasn't crazy about my sound. It was good enough to keep me in it for years to come. Had that crap MG for about 5 years, then bought another SS modeling amp and loved it. (Crate G40C) Good blog CJ, I think you can lower your flame shield now.
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