Jonny Dubai
Well-known member
The guys I talk to kind of give me a look that says.... "he must know something I dont"
AND I DO!!!!!!!!!!
J
AND I DO!!!!!!!!!!
J
- Thread starter zombi
- Start date
DaPatrooch
Well-known member
Trying to talk to people at my old grade school (thankfully the kids at my high school aren't narrow- minded morons- not just about music, but everything):
kid who doesn't even play guitar: Oh, you play guitar?
Me: Uh, yeah.
kid who doesn't even play guitar: What kind of guitar do you have?
Me: An Ernie Ball Music Man Petrucci.
kid who doesn't even play guitar: You should get a Les Paul, they're the best.
I've had that exact conversation about 9 times.
kid who doesn't even play guitar: Oh, you play guitar?
Me: Uh, yeah.
kid who doesn't even play guitar: What kind of guitar do you have?
Me: An Ernie Ball Music Man Petrucci.
kid who doesn't even play guitar: You should get a Les Paul, they're the best.
I've had that exact conversation about 9 times.
Ye and I bet everyone of them thinks Slash is the best?... lol..
zombi
Well-known member
^ that's basicly what I'm talking about. I sort of stop listening if they don't show some sort of interest or knowledge outside of the G & F box...
RacerS
Well-known member
It's an interesting question... as someone who just got my 2nd Ball after 10 years without one but with some amazing boutiques and a great one-off built by one of the best tele builders out there, I have to say that you really need to feel the lure of these guitars to get one. It can be tough to try one out and searching for the right one is a bit of work, which may be a good thing.
I think the main factor though is that many guitarists are NOT looking for individuality early in their playing careers. They are looking to mimic the great players out there that they admire. And often, that means their gear as well as their licks. I don't think that's all bad, it's just a fact.
The longer I play the more I am willing to experiment with everything about my playing, from picks to guitars to my practice regimen. I find myself looking for more doors to open with my playing.
Ultimately, the way many musicians approach music in general is the same. Some wish to master the library, others wish to master the instrument. And some try to do both. All 3 ways are great, but I suspect that those who want to master the library are more likely to grab an F or G because they feel like it gets them closer to the starting line.
The hilarious thing for me though is that outside of guitarists, nobody seems to know the difference at all. Someone once asked me if I like the guitar with the brown handle better... I had no idea what she was talking about until l realized that there were 2 guitars in the room and one had a maple fingerboard and the other had rosewood. I nearly fell over laughing.
I say if you get negative responses from someone because of your guitar, don't take it personally and let your playing do the talking.
Steve
I think the main factor though is that many guitarists are NOT looking for individuality early in their playing careers. They are looking to mimic the great players out there that they admire. And often, that means their gear as well as their licks. I don't think that's all bad, it's just a fact.
The longer I play the more I am willing to experiment with everything about my playing, from picks to guitars to my practice regimen. I find myself looking for more doors to open with my playing.
Ultimately, the way many musicians approach music in general is the same. Some wish to master the library, others wish to master the instrument. And some try to do both. All 3 ways are great, but I suspect that those who want to master the library are more likely to grab an F or G because they feel like it gets them closer to the starting line.
The hilarious thing for me though is that outside of guitarists, nobody seems to know the difference at all. Someone once asked me if I like the guitar with the brown handle better... I had no idea what she was talking about until l realized that there were 2 guitars in the room and one had a maple fingerboard and the other had rosewood. I nearly fell over laughing.
I say if you get negative responses from someone because of your guitar, don't take it personally and let your playing do the talking.
Steve
DaPatrooch
Well-known member
YES! Exactly my point. Just because he's in Guitar Hero. That said, I think Slash is a really great player with great tone, even though he uses a Les Paul and Marshall.
RacerS, you also bring up a good point. Actually what drew me to EBMM was that EVH and John Petrucci were my favorite players from the very beginning of my guitar playing. I was never really interested in the "greats" such as Hendrix, Page, Clapton, etc., but I guess their music is easier to get into.
colinboy
Well-known member
This topic is very interesting and relates to alot of different other things in life aswell as guitars.Its show that people really just go with the flow and get what other uneduacted people advise them to get as in the LP of the F and a marshall amp usually.
thats what happened to me and i sold my LP recently coz i could bond with it anymore after playing my JP.
As Bp said its the bigger brand names that get the biggest exposure plus the bigger artist play them aswell which sell even more of them to guitar players.
Its like the exposure the likes of D&G and Tommy hillfiger get.
thats what happened to me and i sold my LP recently coz i could bond with it anymore after playing my JP.
As Bp said its the bigger brand names that get the biggest exposure plus the bigger artist play them aswell which sell even more of them to guitar players.
Its like the exposure the likes of D&G and Tommy hillfiger get.
bkrumme
Well-known member
I see both sides on this one. I love my LP and it sounds great plugged into a Marshall, but I also love my JPs and they ALSO sound great plugged into a Marshall. On the other hand, my LP sounds great plugged into a Mesa, Bogner, Vox, Line6, Dr. Z, Bad Cat, or anything else that's not a Marshall. Likewise, so do the JPs.
It really depends on what I'm going for. I recently decided that I'm going to look for MORE tones. It doesn't matter where I find them. I'm just trying to find tones that I like. It could be any guitar and any amp. If the combination is good then I'm happy.
It really depends on what I'm going for. I recently decided that I'm going to look for MORE tones. It doesn't matter where I find them. I'm just trying to find tones that I like. It could be any guitar and any amp. If the combination is good then I'm happy.
josheyre
Well-known member
I love my LP too (manufactured nearly 40 years ago), but I think the main issue, for me at least, is the herd mentality that makes a Les Paul's value be so jacked up compared to any EBMM. Is any random new Les Paul, or Fender, worth what they charge for them? Does the "craftsmanship", combined with cache, of the newer models justify that premium over an EBMM? If it's so expensive, it must be worth it, right? I often wonder if the guys building the US Fenders are the same guys that are building them in Mexico... with a new zip code. Is the craftsmanship still really a concern with the big boys? Are craftsmen building the guitars, or not? Should they be able to charge craftsman built prices if not?
I end up focusing on value and quality and read too many complaints about the build quality of these $1500 and up G & F guitars not to be confused about why people continue to look down on a great brand like this one.
Last edited:
The problem is... it will sell regardless.
josheyre
Well-known member
Exactly, and that sucks... especially for the great companies out there who aren't phoning it in.
zombi
Well-known member
SEE! This is exactly my point. The hunt for tones, in my honest opinion, requires one to look outside just "the standards." I have no doubt there are great G & F's out there. Hence the rep that continues today. However, I think those pidgeon holed into such linear thinking are truly missing out...
73h Nils
Well-known member
robelinda2
Well-known member
Well, every gig ive done with AL's has resulted in the same questions from people- what is that guitar, why does it sound so awesome, is that some kind of fender? Mostly people want to know where they can try some out, i always have a nice selection at gigs and people are free to have a twang while they are there, I swear Ive made people buy EBMM's just from playing them at my gigs!
zombi
Well-known member
I could see that easily being the case. Seeing an ebmm in action is on a whole different level!
mikeller
Well-known member
I have always had good responses also.
Very often during gigs I will get patrons walking up to the stage while I am playing looking at the headstock to see what type of guitar I am playing...
Good stuff and I wouldn't trade em for anything!!!!
Very often during gigs I will get patrons walking up to the stage while I am playing looking at the headstock to see what type of guitar I am playing...
Good stuff and I wouldn't trade em for anything!!!!
bkrumme
Well-known member
I definitely see your point here. If a $500 guitar plays better than a $1500 guitar, I'm going to go with the $500 one every time. In fact, I've heard of this numerous times over. Quality is VERY important to me. That's why I'm here
bkrumme
Well-known member
Same thing on the amplifier side of the market. You have a company like L***6 who sells every poor musician on "Amp Modeling" and "Pickup emulation" and whatever else is going on these days. The poor chumps who buy the stuff think they're getting the same tone they would out of the REAL thing they're "modeling" with some digital box. The sad truth is that they're not. I'm not going to deny that they may have some good solutions for a guitarist on a budget, but you're not going to get the sound of a Bogner from ANYTHING but a *REAL* and Bogner. You're not going to get the sound of a Tube Rectifier from ANYTHING but a *REAL* rectifier.
zombi
Well-known member
Werd. It's also the same with pedals. Some mainstream pedals are amazing. Some boutique pedals are unbelievable too. It's all just a matter of sifting through the bs to find the right solution. I'm just surprised at most peoples unwillingness to do so (outside of these boards of course!) and like I've said, the live deal isn't really part of this particular equation, since they are seeing it in action. Also, the little line 6 combos can be cool for diddling on. My girlfriend had one when I met her and messing with it helped me narrow down what effects were crucial to have. I found I needed delay way more than chorus for what I do as well as the fact I like phaser much more than flange. When you are looking at boutique pedals that are $300 and somewhat hit or miss, getting an idea can help. On the same hand my live rig is completely analog using the items that I hunted to make my tone.
candid_x
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2006
- Messages
- 3,272
People buy what they like, and there's different reasons for liking something. For many the #1 thing is image, and that most often means fitting in, not standing out. Fenders and Gibs will always be accepted. On the other hand, I think if one is individualistic by nature, they're more likely to be a candidate for a less common guitar.
I like them, first, because they're easy and comfortable to play, and they resonate well/sound good, and hold together. Looks is a distant 4th for me. I'd play them if they were butt ugly. Not saying they are... just sayin
I like them, first, because they're easy and comfortable to play, and they resonate well/sound good, and hold together. Looks is a distant 4th for me. I'd play them if they were butt ugly. Not saying they are... just sayin
