A Christmas Present Idea

[ARtraveler]

This topic is way off Spyders, but I wanted to share anyway. Any guitar players out there ???
I have been playing guitar for years and over the years have collected some very nice axes. Those that have seen the collection will agree. Currently I have over 20 assorted. I have mostly good stuff and a few of hem top over $1K. I have one at $2.5K but have not gone any higher than that.

Recently, I bought four guitars that came in under $200 each. Yes, the cheapies. I started with a couple Squirer (Fenders cheaper knock-off brand). I own a genuine telecaster (Tex Mex version). That's about a $700 guitar. Usually, anything in that price area is considered by many to be a "upline." I first tried out a Squirer Stratocaster with three single pickups and a tremolo. ($200) I always read the ratings carefully and on all, they were considered to be equal to $500 or better axes. I dived in and was pleasantly surprised. It does play as good as a Genuine Strat. All arrived in pristine condition and had absolutely no blems or issues. I also picked up a Jazzmaster for about the same. The finishes on these were the normal colors. Got light blue on the strat and white on the jazzmaster.

Also tried a Yamaha Pacifica (a Yamaha version of the strat). Found that one for $219. Better built than the strat, and IMO, the sound also is a bit better. The pickup config on this was HSH. Finally, tried out an Ibanez GSR. (another strat, knockoff). Pickups are HSH. This one came in at $199. I would consider both of these "upline" from the true stratocasters. Got one of those in a "violin" finish and the other in a beautiful violet transparent.

Four companies offer these beauties. Musicians Friend, Guitar Center, Sweetwater, and Amazon. I usually buy from MF, Sweetwater, and Amazon. Prices were the same at all four places. The violet/transparent was out of stock at all but Amazon. My shipping was free from all vendors.

Merry Christmas

 

[CopperSpyder]

Guitars make great gifts for the kids no matter how old we are. Fender makes some very nice guitars even their Squire and Starcaster line that are offered at a very good price point. Fender has many package deals that include guitar, amp, stand and tuner for the begginer. Check out Fender.com. Fender also offers online guitar lessons Called Fender Play. I have a Squire Contemporary Stratocaster HH, Starcaster Stratocaster SSS, Squire Hardtail Stratocaster HSS, Fender Rendondo electric acoustic with Fishman Pickup, Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster Player, Fender American Stratocaster HSH, Fender American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster, Cozart 12 String electric HH and Rogue III base guitar SS. From $100 to $2000. I got one at Musicians Friend, one from Sweetwater, One from Cozart, one from Reverb, two from e-bay and the rest from Fenders web site, I do get a discount for anything I buy from Fender. So my plug would be your never to old to start playing at Fender Play, lessons online for one year on sale now for $74.00 I'm trying to catchup with you AR, 15 wow.

 

[canamjhb]

Geeezzzz..... Just when you think you know your moderators, something new comes out! Many, many years ago I was a professional musician (accordion). By professional I mean that I got paid a couple nickels providing background music at social events and teaching. I even did a solo show in Seattle at the 1962 World's Fair. One of my biggest lifetime regrets is that I did not keep up with my music. I still own an accordion and drag it out once every few years. I know the music is still somewhere in my mind. But it's a bit frustrating when I try to recreate it on the squeeze box. Every time I pick it up, I find myself at the level of about a 2nd year student. Regrets and frustration..... Maybe a New Year Resolution opportunity.....?

 

[racoon]

Not guitars, but I have to admit I own way too many saxophones. The current count is 2 Sopranos, 2 Altos, 1 C-Melody, and 1 Baritone saxophone.

Oh. And two electronic pianos: one 3/4 size and one full size.

 

[ARtraveler]

Guitars make great gifts for the kids no matter how old we are. Fender makes some very nice guitars even their Squire and Starcaster line that are offered at a very good price point. Fender has many package deals that include guitar, amp, stand and tuner for the begginer. Check out Fender.com. Fender also offers online guitar lessons Called Fender Play. I have a Squire Contemporary Stratocaster HH, Starcaster Stratocaster SSS, Squire Hardtail Stratocaster HSS, Fender Rendondo electric acoustic with Fishman Pickup, Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster Player, Fender American Stratocaster HSH, Fender American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster, Cozart 12 String electric HH and Rogue III base guitar SS. From $100 to $2000. I got one at Musicians Friend, one from Sweetwater, One from Cozart, one from Reverb, two from e-bay and the rest from Fenders web site, I do get a discount for anything I buy from Fender. So my plug would be your never to old to start playing at Fender Play, lessons online for one year on sale now for $74.00 I'm trying to catchup with you AR, 15 wow.

View attachment 211150

Guitar playing has been my go to thing now that I no longer am a regular Spyder ryder. I try to go at least an hour a day. The last couple years have been devoted to playing the whole neck. It's coming, and getting easier to do as the days go by. I like to follow gospel cd's. Once I figure out the key they are in I just jump in and play.

 

[ARtraveler]

Geeezzzz..... Just when you think you know your moderators, something new comes out! Many, many years ago I was a professional musician (accordion). By professional I mean that I got paid a couple nickels providing background music at social events and teaching. I even did a solo show in Seattle at the 1962 World's Fair. One of my biggest lifetime regrets is that I did not keep up with my music. I still own an accordion and drag it out once every few years. I know the music is still somewhere in my mind. But it's a bit frustrating when I try to recreate it on the squeeze box. Every time I pick it up, I find myself at the level of about a 2nd year student. Regrets and frustration..... Maybe a New Year Resolution opportunity.....?

Now that you mention it...I had a polka band for a short time in the 60's. I did not like bars and the smoke that went with it so that was short lived.

 

[ARtraveler]

Not guitars, but I have to admit I own way too many saxophones. The current count is 2 Sopranos, 2 Altos, 1 C-Melody, and 1 Baritone saxophone.

Oh. And two electronic pianos: one 3/4 size and one full size.

Now that you mention it...I have one tenor and one soprano sax. Have not played them in over 20 years. They sit just like new in the case. The tenor is black and gold, and the soprano is purple and silver. And I have one baby grand and two keyboards. They get played a couple times a month.

 

[Bfromla]

At one rally Jefferson TX 2016:
Been wanting to learn for quite some time. These just help inspire. Also have short vid of creator playing one. Can email with request. (Hopefully)

 

[racoon]

Now that you mention it...I have one tenor and one soprano sax. Have not played them in over 20 years. They sit just like new in the case.

Unfortunately they would probably require some work before they would be playable. The pads would have degraded over time, and would need to be checked and probably replaced.