what guitar (I know there is a preference involved) ?

sjt269 · 14 May 2007 at 19:52

You say 'get away' with an RG321 like you expect it to be terrible, or something. Okay, so a cheap set of pickups isn't going to rival a set of £80 apiece DiMarzios, but they're not going to be bad, especially if you don't have an electric or amp atm, so you won't really have a lot to compare it to. It'll probably take you a while before you begin to notice any shortcomings...you might not, I've seen people on Jemsite who were quite happy with the stock pickups in an RG321. Mind you, they were Americans... :rolleyes:

Grad · 14 May 2007 at 21:49

It's no so much I expect it to be terrible - just want to make sure I'm making the right choice at this point. I also don't want to be throwing money beyond my talent.

cokebottles · 14 May 2007 at 21:54

RG321 and the RG321EX is where it's at for a quality, cheap affordable rock guitar. As you mentioned, your budget is £600, a quality £200 guitar like the 321 is a great choice, which leaves you money for a good amp, which will go furthur in giving you a nice sound than a £400 guitar and a £200 amp. Quality amps will last with you, whereas [me personaly anyways] need a new guitar every now and then just because, regardless of quality of what I already have =]

sjt269 · 14 May 2007 at 22:07

The RG321 is only £170 at GAK (last time I looked, anyway) and a place called PMT are doing the Ashdown Fallen Angel amps for £270 in a clearance sale (at least, I think that's what it is). Sounds like a pretty good partnership to me, plus it leaves a lot of extra money for effects pedals, future pickup upgrades etc.

Zefan · 14 May 2007 at 22:12

Andelusion said:
I wouldn't buy ANYTHING with a floating trem for £200, especially not the 370DX, one of my students has one and the edge-pro 3(?) trem goes out of tune very easily.

Wish I knew this when I bought my guitar a couple of years back.

cokebottles · 14 May 2007 at 22:33

tTz said:
The RG321 is only £170 at GAK (last time I looked, anyway) and a place called PMT are doing the Ashdown Fallen Angel amps for £270 in a clearance sale (at least, I think that's what it is). Sounds like a pretty good partnership to me, plus it leaves a lot of extra money for effects pedals, future pickup upgrades etc.

Yea. 321s are a bargain right now. Funny you mention PMT and Fallen Angels though. I have become a regular customer at my local PMT, Oxford. I first went in there lookin for a new amp as an upgrade from my original Fallen Angel 60 combo (not dsp, mine was made in england). Me and the manager had a chat about the decline in quality of Ashdowns since they moved production to the far east, and said at one point he was sending more back than he was selling. I did notice over the last month they have a big display of their Fallen Angel stacks and combos tho, I spose warranty will keep you safe, just trying to make you aware.

Another cheap valve amp that has a dubious reliability record is the Peavey Valve King range. These amps REALLY rock, I love thier sound, and the little class A to A/B dial on the back in imense. I know a couple of people who had to return their little 40w 1x12" combo versions a couple of time, but I'm pretty sure the recurring fault was limited to just that model, and it's been cleared up. I'd be much more inclined to get one of these than an Ashdown.

Just my 2 pence, amps/guitars are personal choices in the end. Good to share info all the same.

Grad · 15 May 2007 at 09:03

Cheers so far for the advice

Ok so we're decided on a RG321

Will an amp give me the effects I need or am i better of keeping the amp "clean" and using pedals. If I used pedals can I get away with one of these allinone type setups?

edit : the one for £169 is the RG321 MH http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ibanez-rg321-mh/67798

alexthecheese · 15 May 2007 at 09:36

Andelusion said:
Definately definately definately look into getting a second hand Ibanez RGA121 off ebay. (picture)

I got mine for £350 in good condition and it's my favourite guitar ever, I hardly touch my £1500+ Jem anymore because of it.

The bridge is fantastic, ergonomic and easy to palm mute with, they're my favourite frets on any Ibanez, and the neck is very comfortable. With a pickup change it's just a fantastic guitar.

Is there an equivalent Ibanez like that with a Floyd Rose? That looks awesome. :eek:

Grad · 15 May 2007 at 13:14

Tempted by the POD XT to handle the effects side of things now. Day off Friday so want to order tomorrow or Thursday

Just need to finalise the amp and we're off and running.

Andelusion · 15 May 2007 at 13:27

alexthecheese said:
Is there an equivalent Ibanez like that with a Floyd Rose? That looks awesome.

Hehe it always make me shudder when people say they want an RGA with a floyd, as it's the fixed bridge which imo makes it so great

I'm not sure really, I personally hate them but ESP seem to have quite a lot of arch-top guitars with floyds, couldn't quote you any models though.

EDIT: By the way the RG321 is definately good for the money, they seem to be quite popular in most guitar shops too since they're obviously going to be in a lot of people's price brackets, so if you find one try it out, like any guitar it'll depend on the build, but I should imagine you'll be able to find out with decent fretwork which should be very nice for the money indeed.

sjt269 · 15 May 2007 at 15:54

Grad said:
Tempted by the POD XT to handle the effects side of things now. Day off Friday so want to order tomorrow or Thursday Just need to finalise the amp and we're off and running.

A POD XT would be better suited for playing through headphones or something, imo. I suppose this is a bit subjective, but I would personally rather use a multi-effects box of some description (or better still, a few seperate pedals) for running into an amp rather than an amp modeller with the modelling turned off. That said, I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who'd disagree with me, and they're more than welcome to.

cokebottles said:
Yea. 321s are a bargain right now. Funny you mention PMT and Fallen Angels though. I have become a regular customer at my local PMT, Oxford. I first went in there lookin for a new amp as an upgrade from my original Fallen Angel 60 combo (not dsp, mine was made in england). Me and the manager had a chat about the decline in quality of Ashdowns since they moved production to the far east, and said at one point he was sending more back than he was selling. I did notice over the last month they have a big display of their Fallen Angel stacks and combos tho, I spose warranty will keep you safe, just trying to make you aware.

I can't comment on their reliability, and I've never used one myself, but I've heard a lot of good things about the sound of these amps. I've had my eye on one for a while, actually, I've just never yet had the money required.

As for other amps, the Vox AD series are always highly recommended, as are Roland Cubes. My knowledge of amps is pretty limited, so I'll let someone else give out the advice on these.

alexthecheese · 15 May 2007 at 17:50

Andelusion said:
Hehe it always make me shudder when people say they want an RGA with a floyd, as it's the fixed bridge which imo makes it so great

Ha, fair play man. I'm just after a decent affordable gutiar like that - just with a floyd! I have LP's, Teles and a Strat, but nothing with a floyd I can abuse.