I think that we should also consider the monthly earnings when asking people how many guitars they have. For ex, here, $400-600 is somehow a medium salary so it is difficult to ask these people to buy a high level guitar. So we should also ask how much money do they earn each month.
Also, from an other point of view, I think that Herman Lee, the guitar player of Dragonforce(even outside of your musical tastes,he is still a professional guitar player ) has an Ibanez S520, I think, which is somewhere around $600 which is not a high level guitar, unless is modified or it is a prestige series that I am not aware of, which may be possible since I don't follow all Ibanez guitars, as much as I love them.
Dr. J
· 1 year ago
I own 8 guitars, plus a bass, mandolin, baritone uke, sitar and banjo. My main guitar is the only modified one in the bunch; an Epiphone Sheraton. I've changed one pickup and will be having the second one changed this summer. I don't consider any of my guitars "high-level"; they're just guitars (and about half of them need new $tring$).
The weight of the Les Paul always bothered me; like wearing an anvil around your neck.
Pribek
· 1 year ago
Well, you got me Ovidiu, Dragonforce is a little different than most of the stuff in my music collection. I was just over at YouTube watching "Through the Fire and Flames" and "Operation Ground And Pound". There is no doubt in mind that those guys are all "professionals". Herman and the other guitarist are very accomplished players. They both have more licks than a cat.
8 guitars! Dr J plus all that other gear, I'm envious. The "go to" guitar has been modified, I think there is a lot of that going around. I've always liked the Sheraton and have considered it a very good, mid level type, guitar that you wouldn't be afraid to take on the kind of gigs I play, if you know what I mean.
BTW, the baritone uke is an underrated instrument, in my opinion. The above mentioned Bill Dees used one when he was writing with Roy Orbison and, told me that it was one reason that they came up with the chord progressions that many find so unique.
Ovidiu
· 1 year ago
Yes, but they are too "crowded", a bit of quiet wouldn't hurt at all.
Pribek
· 1 year ago
"Crowded" is an excellent choice of words, Ovidiu.
TheEnemy
· 1 year ago
To continue the survey- I own four guitars, a brand new mid-high level Acoustic (~ $1100 US), a stock Cort m600 (mid-level, very underated guitar), a MIM Fender Stratocaster hot rodded (Lace Sensors Red-Silver-Blue, 500K CTS tone pots, sheilding, etc.), and then the Custom Beast that I built at a Purdue University workshop put on by Fender, Taylor, Seymour Duncan and Stewart McDonald. The Custom guitar is built on a Fender Scale, Basswood-Walnut-Zebrawood body, Fender Hardtail, Seymour Duncan Calssic '59's, Figured maple neck, Zebrawood Fretboard, Jumbo Frets, Assorted Fender USA Hardware. In essence I would say that I fall right into that mid-level hot-rodding group. Not saying if I could justify it I wouldn't want a Custom Shop Gibson or Fender or PRS, or anything made by Ed Roman. Check him out for some wild, High Quality, Handmade guitars. (Not a plug, just a fun site to browse) Hope my post helps shed some light on the guitar playing public out there.
Sammy
· 1 year ago
I only own three: My acoustic is a mid-low level Canadian made Simon & Patrick spruce top six-string. My two electrics are an '04 Gibson Les Paul Studio (all stock) and a 2007 Schecter Blackjack C-1 which is also low-mid level in price.
The Simon and Patrick is underrated and plays like an instrument 3 times' its value. I love it.
Kenski
· 1 year ago
When I first read the post I thought I only had one guitar, a late '06 Les Paul Standard (no mods). Then I realised I have two, an Ovation 1861 Balladeer (USA made, no mods). For some reason I don't consider acoustics 'real' guitars (I know that makes no sense whatsoever).
Then I remembered my old LP copy which plays like a plank of wood strung with twine, but I swapped out the pups for Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates. Sounds very loud and 'hot' but won't stay in tune.
Add onto that a semi-functional banjo and two harmonicas, and that's about it!
Ovidiu
· 1 year ago
Well, I also have one electric guitar, an acoustic that I really love and an old Spanish/classic model guitar that is a bit damaged, so I can not say I am one of the persons owning many guitars, as much as I would love to.
Gary Grainger
· 1 year ago
I only own 2 guitars now - an ESP Telecaster from the early '90s (I've only had it a few months) and a Marlin acoustic (over 30 years old, Martin undersaddle pickup, I love it!) Modified guitar? The ESP Tele - it looks like a custom model, but even ESP don't know what it is exactly - it has a Seymour Duncan humbucker at the neck, Seymour Duncan single coil middle and Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck 'bucker with coil tap at the bridge - 5 way switch too. Main guitar is The ESP High End Guitar? I only dream of playing a high end guitar, but I guess I'd be too worried to take it out - whereas the ESP has plenty of dings and character (pix on my blog: http://thumbrella.blogspot.com) I guess you'll be doing similar research on amps next, jack?
Ovidiu
· 1 year ago
Research on amps? Well, interesting thought, Gary! First thanks for commenting, I hope to see you back again commenting here, I read your blog constantly and I would love to know you read mine ;-)
Regarding amps, I would be curious hoe many guitar players actually go for the brand. Personally I play on a Russian amp that is old but works great. I would only wish it would be a bit louder sometimes.
Kenski
· 1 year ago
Back in the day (when I got my first guitar) I was convinced that Marshall was the only brand to have, but all I could afford was a cheap 20W valvestate practice amp.
I now have a 100W Marshall Valvestate VS100 combo, not because of brand loyalty, but because it came along 2nd hand at the right time and at a price that worked for me. The specific model was supposed to be 'the one to have' of the VS range. I got it cheap with the hope that one day I'll be able to get something better.
I like it well enough, but it's really TOO LOUD for home use. I imagine it may even be too loud for small clubs! It doesn't stop me from using it at home... Our loft is nominally soundproof, but I just found out that the neighbours like to listen to me play :-) Oops!
Based on 'amp propoganda' I'd love to have a real valve amp one day, perhaps a Mesa Boogie, though I understand you have to turn them way up to get 'that sound'. Some of my favourite players use old Fender Twin Reverbs... modified, of course. I've played through a MB in shops whilst trying out guitars. Questionable whether you get any benefit of spending so much money unless you're going to drive it hard.
I think what's confusing these days is that you can buy some of the entry level amps from 'big names' and find that they're made under licence, often in the Far East (same as some guitars). I'm not quite sure how you're expected to appreciate the 'heritage' in such cases.
Pribek
· 1 year ago
Well Gary, you have somehow intuitively extracted what started this whole train of thought. There is this new line of amps on the market , Blackheart, that is a joint venture between Crate and, forgive me I don't have the guy's name, a boutique amp tube guru type guy. These amps are class A all tube affairs, manufactured in China and have a low retail price. The way these things are being marketed is this; they are "mod friendly". These amps can easily be re-wired and they are also selling "mod kits".
My first thought on seeing this marketing ploy was; It won't work, guys want an amp that sounds good right out of th box. Then, I got to thinking that I've been playing modified guitars for about 20 years. I started looking around and, most of the gigging guitarists I know, have some kind of modification, most of the time pick-ups, on a more, mid or low priced guitar. It seems almost the norm and, I would say that the comments here bear that out, to some extent.
So, it seems that we have adopted the practice of hot-rodding our guitars, will we do the same with amps?
Sans Direction
· 1 year ago
1. no-name classical guitar, more for the kids than for me 2. 1980s Ibanez acoustic with neck problems and, currently, no strings 3. Supro lap steel 4. Fender electro-acoustic dread 5. 1988 MIJ Fender Telecaster, which is my most-modded thing, but so far, all cosmetic mods (black control plate, black knobs, bwb pickguard)
So that's five. Plus the mandolin and two fiddles....
I have yet to hot rod my guitars, because I don't really have backups. My acoustic can't play as an electric, my lap steel is out standing in it's own field, the classical just has no hole for plugging in and the Ibanez i essentially a dead thing. I'm thinking of getting a #2 Tele or similar guitar. If I had a spare, I would be far less fearful of messing up my #1 with foolhearty modifications.
Gary Grainger
· 1 year ago
I have what I consider to be the best amp I've ever had, which is a Laney VC30 1x12" 30 watt Class A tube/valve combo - basically, so I'm told, a Vox AC30 clone with an extra drive channel. With that and my ESP Tele (see above) I'm better equipped than I've ever been before. I had been a transistor amp user for many years until my GK 250ML combo (really neat!) blew the speakers.
My co-guitarist at that time loaned me a "spare amp that I've got at home" - this turned out to be an original Marshall Bluesbreaker combo with a fantastic sound. He wouldn't sell me it - I offered to have his baby! - but my conversion to tube/valve was instant, and the Laney came highly recommended by people who know about such things, including guys who hand build 7-watt tube amps.
I've had it almost 2 years now and I know that I haven't explored the large majority of what such a simple amp is capable of - this is something I seriously need to do as my new band is coming together.
So for me, tone comes from: a) the player - the heart, the soul, the brain, the fingers (in that order) b) the guitar c) the amp
After that, it is up to the listener to make of it what they will - the notes stop being yours as soon as they leave your fingers.
(Hey, this stuff isn't too bad, think I'll post it at my own blog too!)
So, I don't know if this helps or interests anybody - but there it is.
Oh, and I visit here almost every day - great job, Ovidiu!
And if any of you guys haven't checked out Jack Pribek's tunes - go now!
IG
· 1 year ago
My question re: the guitar sales statistics is always, how many of those guitars (1.5 million in 2006) are in a closet somewhere, not being played? I've actually sent a letter to the US census before asking them to add a question to their census that asks household heads if there are any music instruments in their house and to describe what they are. I can guarantee you guitars would show up in lots of households, but who knows if they're being played.
Anyway, I have 3 guitars, and I am very much like Pribek, don't like to keep too many around and change main guitars rarely:
1. A Fender Strat, standard, no frills, black body and maple neck, my main guitar for my cover band gig. 2. A weird Ibanez humbucker Les Paul look-alike that has been modified like crazy. I use it mainly for the church gig that I do on Sundays. A nice rocking machine. 3. A Simon and Patrick electric acoustic, which is my main play-at-home guitar (all songs/riffs start with this guitar) and the one I intend to take on my future solo acoustic gigs.
And, I subscribe 100% to Gary's theory of tone above.
IG
Ovidiu
· 1 year ago
Thanks,Gary, sorry for not answering earlier! I am glad you like the blog, I also read yours almost every day so this is a small world ;-)
For IG: yes, probably there are guitars not used or rarely used, but this still counts at sales, cause nobody bought them to keep them in the closet. I guess at one point they've played it!
All Comments
Also, from an other point of view, I think that Herman Lee, the guitar player of Dragonforce(even outside of your musical tastes,he is still a professional guitar player ) has an Ibanez S520, I think, which is somewhere around $600 which is not a high level guitar, unless is modified or it is a prestige series that I am not aware of, which may be possible since I don't follow all Ibanez guitars, as much as I love them.
The weight of the Les Paul always bothered me; like wearing an anvil around your neck.
8 guitars! Dr J plus all that other gear, I'm envious. The "go to" guitar has been modified, I think there is a lot of that going around. I've always liked the Sheraton and have considered it a very good, mid level type, guitar that you wouldn't be afraid to take on the kind of gigs I play, if you know what I mean.
BTW, the baritone uke is an underrated instrument, in my opinion. The above mentioned Bill Dees used one when he was writing with Roy Orbison and, told me that it was one reason that they came up with the chord progressions that many find so unique.
The Simon and Patrick is underrated and plays like an instrument 3 times' its value. I love it.
Then I remembered my old LP copy which plays like a plank of wood strung with twine, but I swapped out the pups for Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates. Sounds very loud and 'hot' but won't stay in tune.
Add onto that a semi-functional banjo and two harmonicas, and that's about it!
Modified guitar? The ESP Tele - it looks like a custom model, but even ESP don't know what it is exactly - it has a Seymour Duncan humbucker at the neck, Seymour Duncan single coil middle and Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck 'bucker with coil tap at the bridge - 5 way switch too.
Main guitar is The ESP
High End Guitar? I only dream of playing a high end guitar, but I guess I'd be too worried to take it out - whereas the ESP has plenty of dings and character (pix on my blog: http://thumbrella.blogspot.com)
I guess you'll be doing similar research on amps next, jack?
Regarding amps, I would be curious hoe many guitar players actually go for the brand. Personally I play on a Russian amp that is old but works great. I would only wish it would be a bit louder sometimes.
I now have a 100W Marshall Valvestate VS100 combo, not because of brand loyalty, but because it came along 2nd hand at the right time and at a price that worked for me. The specific model was supposed to be 'the one to have' of the VS range. I got it cheap with the hope that one day I'll be able to get something better.
I like it well enough, but it's really TOO LOUD for home use. I imagine it may even be too loud for small clubs! It doesn't stop me from using it at home... Our loft is nominally soundproof, but I just found out that the neighbours like to listen to me play :-) Oops!
Based on 'amp propoganda' I'd love to have a real valve amp one day, perhaps a Mesa Boogie, though I understand you have to turn them way up to get 'that sound'. Some of my favourite players use old Fender Twin Reverbs... modified, of course. I've played through a MB in shops whilst trying out guitars. Questionable whether you get any benefit of spending so much money unless you're going to drive it hard.
I think what's confusing these days is that you can buy some of the entry level amps from 'big names' and find that they're made under licence, often in the Far East (same as some guitars). I'm not quite sure how you're expected to appreciate the 'heritage' in such cases.
My first thought on seeing this marketing ploy was; It won't work, guys want an amp that sounds good right out of th box. Then, I got to thinking that I've been playing modified guitars for about 20 years. I started looking around and, most of the gigging guitarists I know, have some kind of modification, most of the time pick-ups, on a more, mid or low priced guitar. It seems almost the norm and, I would say that the comments here bear that out, to some extent.
So, it seems that we have adopted the practice of hot-rodding our guitars, will we do the same with amps?
2. 1980s Ibanez acoustic with neck problems and, currently, no strings
3. Supro lap steel
4. Fender electro-acoustic dread
5. 1988 MIJ Fender Telecaster, which is my most-modded thing, but so far, all cosmetic mods (black control plate, black knobs, bwb pickguard)
So that's five. Plus the mandolin and two fiddles....
I have yet to hot rod my guitars, because I don't really have backups. My acoustic can't play as an electric, my lap steel is out standing in it's own field, the classical just has no hole for plugging in and the Ibanez i essentially a dead thing. I'm thinking of getting a #2 Tele or similar guitar. If I had a spare, I would be far less fearful of messing up my #1 with foolhearty modifications.
My co-guitarist at that time loaned me a "spare amp that I've got at home" - this turned out to be an original Marshall Bluesbreaker combo with a fantastic sound. He wouldn't sell me it - I offered to have his baby! - but my conversion to tube/valve was instant, and the Laney came highly recommended by people who know about such things, including guys who hand build 7-watt tube amps.
I've had it almost 2 years now and I know that I haven't explored the large majority of what such a simple amp is capable of - this is something I seriously need to do as my new band is coming together.
So for me, tone comes from:
a) the player - the heart, the soul, the brain, the fingers (in that order)
b) the guitar
c) the amp
After that, it is up to the listener to make of it what they will - the notes stop being yours as soon as they leave your fingers.
(Hey, this stuff isn't too bad, think I'll post it at my own blog too!)
So, I don't know if this helps or interests anybody - but there it is.
Oh, and I visit here almost every day - great job, Ovidiu!
And if any of you guys haven't checked out Jack Pribek's tunes - go now!
Anyway, I have 3 guitars, and I am very much like Pribek, don't like to keep too many around and change main guitars rarely:
1. A Fender Strat, standard, no frills, black body and maple neck, my main guitar for my cover band gig.
2. A weird Ibanez humbucker Les Paul look-alike that has been modified like crazy. I use it mainly for the church gig that I do on Sundays. A nice rocking machine.
3. A Simon and Patrick electric acoustic, which is my main play-at-home guitar (all songs/riffs start with this guitar) and the one I intend to take on my future solo acoustic gigs.
And, I subscribe 100% to Gary's theory of tone above.
IG
For IG: yes, probably there are guitars not used or rarely used, but this still counts at sales, cause nobody bought them to keep them in the closet. I guess at one point they've played it!