October 20, 2002

9:16 AM

OK, so not only is this a link for guitar bores, its also a link for Europe-based guitar bores. For shame! However, Stringsdirect are more or less the living embodiment of everything that makes buying on the internet great. Really cheap, really simple, really quick. (Well, they were for me yesterday...) And they sell Line 6 PODs as well. You really have no excuse not to buy one now. Awww hell, let's start a Shred-Thread...widdly..widdly..widdly...weeeee
posted by Jofus (20 comments total)

See, now I've got a POD, I can bust some really sick guitar stunts, y'know like dropping to my knees mid-solo, or sticking one foot up on the monitor for Hanoi Rocks covers AND, best of all, I can now make it sound good. Anyone else have indespensable guitar toys?
posted by Jofus at 9:20 AM on October 20, 2002

To old for sick guitar stunts, but as for indispensible toys... how about one of these driving one of these. I got the VG88 over the internet from Piedog but found the guitar hanging almost unloved and unwanted on a guitar shop wall (and if the previous owner hadn't set it up for slide, with an action you could walk under, perhaps someone else would have realised what a bargain it was before I got there). To fellow Europeans, I also recommend Thomann who have relieved me of a lot of my hard-earned over the last couple of years.

I know what you mean about the internet stuff, though. I was thinking the other day about how much I enjoy being able to get strings and other essential supplies, reasonably priced, delivered to my door and not have to deal with the Boys In The Shop, usually too busy bantering and playing Korn riffs to sell me a set of 10s and a handful of picks.
posted by Grangousier at 9:38 AM on October 20, 2002

Jofus, it's meedly meedly meedly meedly meedly MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! not widdly widdly widdly widdly widdli weeeeeeeeee...... sheesh! Get it right, Dude!
Seriously *best StrongBad voice* good link. My husband thanks you.
posted by oflinkey at 9:39 AM on October 20, 2002

Grangousier: Phwoar.
Oflinkey: Seen, and always remember: A one that is not cold is scarcely a one at all.

Incidentally, this could lead to a whole side thread on just how horrible/condescending people who work in music shops really are.
posted by Jofus at 9:48 AM on October 20, 2002

and not have to deal with the Boys In The Shop, usually too busy bantering and playing Korn riffs to sell me a set of 10s and a handful of picks.

I hate these people (see relevant rant here). Thank God for places like Musician's Friend and Mars Music, both of which have allowed me to purchase all the guitar and music gear I've ever needed in the past few years online without having to deal with these idiots.

Also, if you're into burning your own discs, there a ton of sites that offer cheap CDRs in bulk, often with packaging. I also can't say enough good things about Mixonic. Upload your MP3s or mail in a master, and they'll do short-run duplication of your CD with a full-color label, cheap. Perfect for those of us who don't want to end up hauling around 50 boxes of unsold CDs for the rest of our lives.
posted by scottandrew at 10:25 AM on October 20, 2002

I always wanted to write the Independent Musician's Guide to Using Boxes of Unsold CDs as Furniture, but it wasn't a snappy enough title...

For example: 400 CDs + Two Planks = One Coffee Table
posted by Grangousier at 10:38 AM on October 20, 2002

Anything that helps kill Guitar Center is fine with me.
And I've tried to give my business to the last cool Indie shop in town, but the guy just opens when he feels like it.
No doubt he'll be blaming the internet when he closes for good.
posted by 2sheets at 10:44 AM on October 20, 2002

Funny you should post this link Jofus, I was planning on getting some stuff from Stringsdirect in the next few days. I've bought from them in the past and orders have always been speedily delivered and hassle free.

They also stock Dava plectrums which were pretty hard to get hold of in the UK at the time when I ordered them.
posted by mike at 10:46 AM on October 20, 2002

For all Europeans living inside the Euro-region, Thomann seems to be cheap and reliable. They're selling the PODII for 333€..
It didn't surprise me at all when Thomann announced that they have became the largest musicshop in Finland.

The latest gadget that I bought was the ProTools Mbox, which, as I later found out, has few interesting "issues".
posted by hoskala at 11:26 AM on October 20, 2002

Good post - the StringsDirect site really is 'the daddy' of many online shopping stores. Lovin' it.
posted by Resonance at 12:20 PM on October 20, 2002

here's a stumper for you: why is it that people really interested in guitar virtuosity always end up playing the most boring kinds of rock (shred, speed metal, etc.)?
posted by mcsweetie at 2:10 PM on October 20, 2002

As long as it goes to 11.
posted by tommasz at 2:21 PM on October 20, 2002

here's a stumper for you: why is it that people really interested in guitar virtuosity always end up playing the most boring kinds of rock (shred, speed metal, etc.)?

I spent a period of time checking out all sorts of speed metal just to see what sort of axe tricks were going on (in case I decided to become a Rock God, y'know), and while some of the playing is amazing, almost every band has an inane worst-of-Robert-Plant operatic vocalist.

I suspect that chops != taste.
posted by Ayn Marx at 6:01 PM on October 20, 2002

why is it that people really interested in guitar virtuosity always end up playing the most boring kinds of rock (shred, speed metal, etc.)?

Because barre chords are easy to play! (rim shot)
posted by Smart Dalek at 6:33 PM on October 20, 2002

i once had a million and one effects pedals, and a multi-effects pedal in my setup. i sold all of it. i spent more time twiddling with buttons and trying to remember which preset was which than i did playing. screw that. my rig now:

1996 fender strat (mexican) -> marshall series 9000 preamp -> fender twin reverb (original. not reissue)

and when i dont feel like plugging in i've got a 1982 Guild D25 that i just love.
posted by fore at 8:19 PM on October 20, 2002

i once had a million and one effects pedals, and a multi-effects pedal in my setup

Sounds familiar. I wanted all the gadgets and the number of guitars I owned was higher than the number of chords I could play.

And then I sold it all and got myself a Martin. And I still don't regret it.
posted by swordfishtrombones at 1:01 AM on October 21, 2002

i once had a million and one effects pedals, and a multi-effects pedal in my setup
Two basses, amp and a lead. For gigs, a spare lead. And I only ever have to count 4 strings. Guitarists confuse me.
posted by monkey closet at 1:16 AM on October 21, 2002

All you need is a harmonic percolator.
posted by jonathanbell at 1:53 AM on October 21, 2002

For guitar gear in the US, I've been a long-time fan of Elderly Instruments. Their catalogs were terrific and their staff always helpful. Haven't been feeding my inner guitarist for a while, so I can't say what they're up to these days. I gave up my collection of pedals for a Rockman many years ago.
posted by plinth at 5:35 AM on October 21, 2002

Hey, any of you "guitar bores" have any suggestions on sites for a newbie?
posted by valval22 at 1:03 PM on October 21, 2002