I currently have a Jackson Kelly JS32T, not a huge fan of the pickups on it but other than that it’s been fun getting started on for about 4 or 5 months now. I’ve found it hard to hear what I’m playing and improve with the sound quality, so I’m looking into a second guitar that would be stock with pretty good hardware. I found a Fender Mustang 90’s in Torino Red that doesn’t look to bad but I’m not sure quality wise how good it is. Any suggestions would be great. Looking for either a Stratocaster, or something similar. Budget would prob be in the 800 range.
#Second Guitar (Prob a Strato)
old totem
clever grail
what amp are you using
fallow quiver
Yeah ...amp and speaker play a way bigger role in tone than the guitar/pickups
old totem
what amp are you using
Boss katana MK2 50W but I’m open to possibly a Mk3 100 or any other suggested amp. And use the 50W as a travel amp to friends and family. Keep it paired with my Kelly for the most part
old totem
Yeah ...amp and speaker play a way bigger role in tone than the guitar/pickups
Really? I figured that the pickups were making the strings sound muddy. Again, open to suggestions
Throw out names of amps and if I see any come up or if I find the time to invest I’ll buy one
fallow quiver
Really? I figured that the pickups were making the strings sound muddy. Again, o...
really depends on if you want something that can do everything, like the katana, or something catered to a certain sound
fallow quiver
Really? I figured that the pickups were making the strings sound muddy. Again, o...
clarity can be a thing of pickups, i would not really see that as 'tone' ... it's sort of part of it but not quite imho
old totem
really depends on if you want something that can do everything, like the katana,...
Primarily rock/metal sort of music, here and there clean tone. Metallica, nirvana, megadeath. Mostly 80’s 90’s time frame. Some of the softer songs would be like Green Day or something like What’s up by 4NB
old totem
clarity can be a thing of pickups, i would not really see that as 'tone' ... it...
I’m here for advice so whatever the experts say
fallow quiver
I am not an expert on amps ... but I do have a lot of experience with digital ... which means I usually advice people to get a modeler and a FRFR speaker
livid mortar
I am not an expert on amps ... but I do have a lot of experience with digital .....
seems to be the best option in terms of
well
everything
sounds better than a katana, cheaper than owning several high end amps, more versatile than just having one good amp, more portable than all of those options
fallow quiver
allows for recording easily
can be incorporated into a pedalboard with a real amp or a poweramp and a cab
livid mortar
allows for recording easily
and headphone playing which is a nightmare on most tube amps
fallow quiver
and headphone playing which is a nightmare on most tube amps
the newer generations of tube amps usually have things like direct out, special headphone connections etc
I think this is already a step up
and then there's stuff like the Synergy stuff ...which is super versatile
livid mortar
the newer generations of tube amps usually have things like direct out, special ...
youd be suprised, ive seen a couple brand new amp heads that dont
dont remember which exactly but it does happen
fallow quiver
dont remember which exactly but it does happen
which is weird cause even the RevvG20 that's quite old has a built in loadbox etc
livid mortar
true that
even so, that ones tied for analog and digital i guess
making the score analog 1 and digital 6000
fallow quiver
I still want a G20 though
livid mortar
its really nice in 2025 where you can actually get a good sounding modeler that doesnt cost 2000 dollars
livid mortar
I still want a G20 though
ive heard good things, never actually played through one tho
fallow quiver
its really nice in 2025 where you can actually get a good sounding modeler that ...
it's a great time to be a guitar player for sure
livid mortar
cnc machining made good guitars cheaper than ever, you can sound exactly like your favorite bands with a 500 (cheaper even) piece of digital gear, or free with amp sims
guitarist who started playing in the 90s are probably even more stunned at just how good we have it right now
but unfortunately according to the black strat owners "real" music is dead so its all for nothing
old totem
Apologies I’m at work lol I’ll read this all later
livid mortar
long story short, look into floor modelers and an FRFR speaker as an alternative to an amp. the most verasatile you can get, being able to sound like amps worth double or triple what you spent on the device, plus all the pedals, cabs, microphone placements you could ever want
and it makes recording incredibly easy
old totem
Aight I’ve been super busy but I finally got to reading this
I’ll def look into that, do you have any recommendations on where to start looking? Or even just names of specific products?
And just for the sake of it, maybe a good amp or two to look at for specifically rock/metal. that can still get a decent clean tone
If I can get an ok clean tone I can sub that out for an acoustic sound on most music
In terms of a guitar itself, I’m not sure what to look for tbh. I wouldn’t mind investing a good bit once I have a better output device for it. But I’d definitely like a more sleek and standard looking guitar than a Kelly. And down the road get something upgraded that’s more “stylish” or “flashy”
livid mortar
I’ll def look into that, do you have any recommendations on where to start looki...
depends on the budget tbh
Hotone does a good line with the Ampero II, its the only one i can vouch for personally cus i have one
Line 6 and Nux also do modelers that wont break the bank
they all do pretty much the same thing, but with slight variance in sound and features, so look into the ones in your budget and cross shop them a bit