Please rate my rig

[Mr 9finger]

Wow! Some guys in here are a little heavy handed w/ their opines. Yeesh here's my .02 on a scale of 1 - 10. 1 being the avg. beginner setup and 10 being the avg. gigging guys setup. I give it a 7.

Things I would change.
Guitars
The only things I would change here is some modifications to the strat. A new set of pickups, new wiring harness, Callaham block & saddles and you're golden. I don't care how much Fender says the new strats are ''improved" they're still using run of the mill pickups and a zinc alloy block...only bigger. You sink the 2 bills into you're strat and I GUARANTEE you'll hear a major difference in that guitar.

Amp. I'm not going to complain a lot here where some do. I will reiterate a new cab preferabley w/ a Vintage 30 - Greenback mix of speakers. And a new set of tubes. That usually does the trick for any PV amp and the Windsors are good classic sounding amps.

As far as tonal Versatility....If you use alot of cleans in you're music, leave the amp set to clean and get accquire yourself a few good dirt boxes to throw in front. Then you're only limited by how many stomps you can buy.

Set the ME 50 for delays and such and leave it in the loop...

The wah? I say gut it and drop some new innards in it. Usually cheaper than buying a new high end wah. There's a few places you can buy wah kits from Area 51 audio gets high reviews on there's and it's only $90 if I remember correctly.

Other than those few things, I'd say you're golden.

[phil_104]

Wicked. Thanks for the suggestions man. I kinda like the strat pups(tex mex at the moment ), but changing other things on it could make it a killer axe.

Also, tubeman87, what is this attenuator you speak of, and how does it sound. I am curious to know, because if I could drive these tubes harder, I would love it.

[Pete Galati]

I think it's a killer setup personally. My rig was no where near being that good at that age.

I'd give it an 8.

I think it could be improved with an old Marshall 4x12 cabinet, or a new one built by someone like Vibroworld. I wouldn't rule out putting Greenbacks in the Peavey cabinet. Or some of the new Eminence Redcoat speakers.

Pedal choice is kind of personal. But anytime you're using mass produced pedals by Boss or Dunlop, there's room for improvement. Dave Barber builds some killer pedals. http://www.barberelectronics.com/

With guitars, I'd probably trade one of the Godins for a Les Paul, or a good Les Paul knockoff. Something with a volume control for each humbucker, and then go with out of phase humbuckers because that gives you a whole range of tones in one guitar. Doesn't give you the Strat quack, but you've got that covered with your MIM Strat.

Killer setup though IMO, even if you make no changes at all.

Pete

[phil_104]

I think that the best next step would infact be to look into better effects. I won't be trading my godin's for a lp anytime soon tho, those babies have travelled with me to many performances, and I can say that they give me all the possible tones I would need. I will look into the greenbacks and this Dave Barber guy you speak of.

[jimmy]

I don't really see this as constructive cristisms. Would you atleast care to explain?

Everything you need to know is right here:

[tubeman87]

Hey bro, here's a link it tells you how to hook an Attenuatorhttp://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm, heres a link telling you what it does http://www.amptone.com/powerattenuatorfaq.htm. Hope this helps bro!

[Mephis]

Thanks all,

Yeah, the windsor is one weak point in my setup, but for what I do and the student budget, it serves me well until I graduate. I don't take offense for rates of 5, because I know that it's nowhere near a proffessional rig, it's ment more for fun gigs.

The godin's are infact strong guitars, and the new MIM strat has added new mojo to my renditions of hendrix songs.

But like Baltar said, its a middle of the road upper mid class set up, wich I find is good enough for a university student. Thanks for the advice, and I will be looking into upgrades for the cab speakers ( maybe celestions ) and I will totally be looking into replacing that ME-50, which has been a source of frustration as of late. No more guitars for me, for a while thought.

Keep the advice comming!

Actually I wouldn't rate the windsor as the weak point, I would rate the godin as the weak point.

I think the windsor is a good amp. Godin guitars on the otherhand haven't impressed me much.

I'd sell the guitars and get a good used american H/H strat with coil splits. Then you'd move up to a 7. There's nothing on earth like a proper extremely well made axe with a nice neck and nice fret work, that's why they cost the big $$$, because they're 100% worth it.(You get a little less for your money with gibson, but oh well) I just got really lucky with my ibanez already having a fantastic fret level job and actually sounding good which I never expected.

Also for the mid 450-500 mark you could buy a carvin bolt kit. I built one last febuary and I love it. If you have the know how to get the job done and get everything dialed in perfect it's going to be one of the best guitars you'll ever own under $1500.

[casblah]

Having read all of this...if your gear gets you where you need to be, tonally...then that's the right setup for you. Don't worry about what others think about your rig...it doesn't really matter. Do the best w/ what you got!

[Mephis]

Having read all of this...if your gear gets you where you need to be, tonally...then that's the right setup for you. Don't worry about what others think about your rig...it doesn't really matter. Do the best w/ what you got!

He asked us to rate his rig, so in his opinion it does matter what other people think. So it's best to offer useful advice.

[Pete Galati]

He asked us to rate his rig, so in his opinion it does matter what other people think. So it's best to offer useful advice.

Not that what other people think should matter if his rig's giving him what he wants.

Even so, discussing various aspects could be useful, and not just to phil_104. I'm enjoying seeing people discuss his gear, and I don't personally own any of what he has. Some, I'd consider though.

Pete

[Mephis]

Not that what other people think should matter if his rig's giving him what he wants.

Even so, discussing various aspects could be useful, and not just to phil_104. I'm enjoying seeing people discuss his gear, and I don't personally own any of what he has. Some, I'd consider though.

Pete

I thought my $200 rig was giving me what I wanted until some people showed me what better equipment was like.

[Pete Galati]

I thought my $200 rig was giving me what I wanted until some people showed me what better equipment was like.

Everyone's right from their own perspective!

If I listed my gear, I'd find out how wrong I am though.

I mentioned Barber pedals earlier (I used to own one) but what I actually use is a ProCo Rat boosted with a homebrew Rangmaster pedal.

Pete

[phil_104]

I really love my rig, and it gets me exactly what I want. But on the flipside, the only way I could expand my style and sound when I believe I have landed on a plateau, is to ask other guitarists that have different styles and opinions, and shake the tree a bit.

I also think it is interesting for others, who might get an insight as to how I think a rig should be with what I have at the time. It could be interesting for you guys to see the choices I have made with my guitar setup.

Just a quick comment on the godins... I really do like them, and although I agree that they are not for everyone, they do have a charm. To me, the godins I own ( wich are older godins ), have a very boutique feel to them, almost like luthier made guitars.

Just to take this thread in a different direction, one of my cousins came from california lately, with his godin, and his godin was different from the ones I saw around here ( not far from where they are made ). It did not feel, look or sound as good. He also told me this was the best one he could find, after listening to a few of my recomendations.Could it be that the company is putting out their jewels in the local canadian market, and sending out the rest to our friends to the south?

[Aceman]

-Godin Lg , all mahogony, rosewood board( PG/CC, with Lr.Baggs t-bridge and control-X)
-Godin SdXt, maple body, mapleneck, maple board ( EMG, SA set )-
-Fender MIM Stratocaster, maple board ( Tex Mex Set )
-Aria Sandpiper acoustic guitar
-La Patrie Classical guitar

-Peavey Windsor 100w amp head with matching 4X12 cab

- Boss ME-50 mutli effects pedal
- Dunlop Classic Wah

[Pete Galati]

Just a quick comment on the godins... I really do like them, and although I agree that they are not for everyone, they do have a charm. To me, the godins I own ( wich are older godins ), have a very boutique feel to them, almost like luthier made guitars.

You have to use what works better for you. My '79 Hamer Sunburst is one of my best sounding guitars, and it's a lot of fun to play. But as a daily player? Forget it! Both of my Les Pauls are better players. They both feel better, with a better control layout IMO.

I mention Les Pauls because they work well for me. But I'm unhappy with how Gibson has made it difficult for many music stores to be Gibson dealers. So there's no way I'd buy another new one. I'd buy used, or import an Edwards, or buy an Agile if I needed another one.

Just to take this thread in a different direction, one of my cousins came from california lately, with his godin, and his godin was different from the ones I saw around here ( not far from where they are made ). It did not feel, look or sound as good. He also told me this was the best one he could find, after listening to a few of my recomendations.Could it be that the company is putting out their jewels in the local canadian market, and sending out the rest to our friends to the south?

We're Godin's dumping grounds!

Actually, Godin might also sell guitars they import from Korea, China or somewhere like that.

Pete

[phil_104]

Actually, godin doesnt make any guitars that are produced outside of north america. But this seems to be a very strange situation, concidering I get better ratings on godins from canadian players than from american players.

[arellanon]

Hey everyone,

After getting a new axe last week, I was looking at my rig and smilling. To me, it seems pretty complete. So I was wondering if you guys could give me advice on my rig, wich I use for small gigs.

-Godin Lg , all mahogony, rosewood board( PG/CC, with Lr.Baggs t-bridge and control-X)
-Godin SdXt, maple body, mapleneck, maple board ( EMG, SA set )
-Fender MIM Stratocaster, maple board ( Tex Mex Set )
-Aria Sandpiper acoustic guitar
-La Patrie Classical guitar

-Peavey Windsor 100w amp head with matching 4X12 cab

- Boss ME-50 mutli effects pedal
- Dunlop Classic Wah

- All wires are planet wave

Please be very critical ( keeping in mind that I am a student), because I need to know if there are any weak link in my rig. Any feedback would be appreciated.

( ps, the rig is used for classic and psychedelic rock )

As long as you are the one who is happy why would you even care what we think?
Just use your rig to its full potential bro and you'll be fine
FWIT, your rig does beat my little effects box and headphones

[super rad stuff]

bump

i'm interested to know, did you ever change your speakers? i'm curious to find a better for my windsor...

[phil_104]

bump

i'm interested to know, did you ever change your speakers? i'm curious to find a better for my windsor...

Zombie thread!

Sorry dude, I never changed the speaker. I wasn't that happy with the windsor after the honeymoon phase, so I unloaded it as soon as I could.

It's so weird to see that thread with all my old stuff in it. Let's just say almost all of that is gone, or replaced.

[SlowGroove]

MUCH, MUCH btter than what i had at age 20 !

Back then, i had an OK Yamaha acoustic, an Epi and a solid state Fender (think it was a 15W) amp.

So compared to mine, yours bloody ROCK !!!



James