Band equipment for lead guitarist's

Amplifiers for band use should be selected on models used in the industry and the style of music you want to play. The easiest way to select an Amp, is once you know what style you want to play, Rock, Blues, Country, Grunge, Metal etc...

First, find out what your favourite guitarist uses and buy the same rig. In theory this is simple, in actuality it is not quite that simple. For starters the price will be a consideration. A good new Combo Amp (speaker and amplifier combined) will set you back anywhere from $1800.00 to $3,500.00 A good guitar around $700.00 to $3,000 and a good effects unit will cost around $500.00 - $1100.00 My rig is about $12000,00 total. (I am not a rockstar with mega riches and mega rigs)

You can buy second-hand equipment but you have no guarantees. The good news is the best brands and top models are the most robust and last for years. Do not be too hung-up on looks. This is live music. It is how the equipment sounds that is of first importance. Another thing to remember is the Amp needs to be at least 75 watts RMS. Anything lower and you will find you cannot be heard with Drums and or in medium sized venues.

Another way around this cost wise; is to purchase a medium priced guitar, Fender valve Amp and a medium priced multi-effects pedal, for a total spend of $2500.00 - $3000.00. It then does not matter too much how your amp sounds, as it can be enhanced from your effects pedal. I control all my sound from my multi-effects pedal. I can clean up my Amp sound and get the crispest cleanest country sounds, Sustained Blues lead, screaming Rock solos, and chunky Grunge chords using a graphic equalizer and range of effects in my multi-effects unit.

Note: a Digitech "Bad Monkey" overdrive/distortion unit and a Graphic Equalizer pedal for a $100.00 total spend is unreal value. Just make certain your Amp choice has a standard clean tone. Overdrive the clean tone with the Bad Monkey when required. Get added tone or cleanliness with the Graphic Equalizer. I recommend you buy e.g. a $1000.00 made in Mexico '62 Fender Stratocaster and a $1200.00 Fender 75, Twin Reverb, Blues Deluxe or similar Amp combination. You are now ready to gig professionally for a total of $2300.00

If you prefer the modern technology method. I recommend you purchase a $1700.00 Line 6 Flextone III Amplifier. It comes complete with effects units and built in Amp modelling. Amp Modelling; gives you access to several classic built-in Amplifiers and multi effects units. Amp models include Marshall Plexi 100 Watt stacks, (2) Mesa Boogie stack, Mesa Boogie combo, Fender Twin Reverb, (100 Watt Blackface 'Lux) Vox AC60, Tweed Bassman and a dozen more classic Amp Models.

Effects are Digital Delay, Chorus, Univibe, Flanger, Phaser, 6 different types of echo units, Compressor, Noise gate and a few other awesome toys. Effects are accessed by a multi-effects foot pedal. Add a Stratocaster guitar and you are in business for a $2700.00 total spend. Anything less is semi-professional and will not cut it live or in the studio. (when you come to record those "originals")

Firstly, find out if your favorite guitarist plays using fingers or a plectrum. ( guitar pick) Hint: use a 1.14 gauge pick if you like playing Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughn. These are heavy gauge picks which give dynamics and harmonics like these players get, when they strike the strings.

Also find out what gauge Guitar strings they use. String mass gives better intonation. A set of DR 11's - 53 are thick enough for good chord intonation, gives body to lead notes and are softest to bend. They also last longer than other strings. Trust me I have used them all. DR strings have a special process of manufacture that produces this result. You would not want to go lower than 10 - 46 gauge strings. Your tone will be to thin and sound tinny.

Last but not least, Noise gates are essential in your effects arsenal. When you use a cost effective guitar that has single coil pickups you get hum and noise. When you use high gain Amps, with high gain toys i.e. Bad Monkey at high volumes (powerful) you get more noise. Noise gates help control noise and make for better (quieter) recordings. Ideally you might want to buy a guitar with noiseless pickups. Great for recording and more expensive. Alternatively, you can also buy quieter replacement pickups and fit them to your existing guitar to cure this problem for around $300.00 or more.

Good gigging for now.

Stratplayer1