Cheap Gear That Surprised You? |
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Cheap Gear That Surprised You? |
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Oct 2 2014, 08:15 AM |
The Dunlop picks I have are the cheapest gear that surprised me Made my playing better
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Oct 2 2014, 08:44 PM |
Great to hear you found a cool pedal for such a cheap price! Stores here don't have that brand, it would be interesting to try out some of those pedals. But, back to the topic of cheap gear that surprised me - I think I have a few favorites :
- Behringer BDI-21 : http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BDI21.aspx This pedal is awesome for the price. It is rumored to be based on Sansamp Bass Driver (hense the name) : http://www.tech21nyc.com/products/sansamp/bassdriverdi.html Works really well as a bass guitar preamp/DI pedal. - Behringer Miniamp AMP800 - http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/AMP800.aspx This was the unit we couldn't do without in the band. It was very useful for home rehearsals using the mixer only without real amps and with electronic drums. We never had any issues with it. I never expected much from Behringer when it comes to quality or sound but these two units really surprised me. -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net
Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now! |
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Oct 5 2014, 04:21 PM |
Mooer 'Black Secret' - a really great RAT pedal for usually about $80 on Ebay. Sometimes a lot less.
I tend to look for really useful and problem solving gear that may not be 'cheap', is well made, doesn't cost a lot and is worth every cent. To that end the Radial 'JDX' amp DI is the best $150.00 I've ever spent ... http://www.radialeng.com/jdx.php Variable voltage/impedance, DI with amp through and 4x12" cab EQ, polarity reversal and ground lift. The Mastery Bridge. If you play a Jazzmaster or Jaguar and you're really sick of the bridges falling apart and the strings popping off when you bend then you want this ... http://www.masterybridge.com/ They're about $175.00 and again - worth every penny! Spectraflex cables ... http://spectraflex.com/collections/fatso-flex It takes a lot of abuse to break these. I've had one in consistent use for 20 years. This post has been edited by klasaine: Oct 5 2014, 04:24 PM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Oct 6 2014, 05:33 PM |
QUOTE Spectraflex cables ... http://spectraflex.com/collections/fatso-flex It takes a lot of abuse to break these. I've had one in consistent use for 20 years. Never heard of those but I'll definitely have to order one and try it out! |
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Oct 7 2014, 04:32 PM |
Got a Squire Classic Vibe 50's very cheap. TOTALLY surprised! Seemed well-made. Could get low string action without buzz, nice neck and overall a very nice instrument. Changed pickups to a Dimarzio Injector set and now it rocks! Since I bought it Iv'e read on different forums that I'm not the only one surprised by the quality in those builds, a lot of people seem to have made the same discovery... Priced as a beginners guitar, but can hold it's own for more experienced players too... A bargain. I heard the same about Classic Vibe series by Squire but for bass guitars too. It appears as the guitars are really good sounding and well made. Great to hear from you that is the case. Here is an interesting video comparing those basses with the original vintage instruments : -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net
Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now! |
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Oct 7 2014, 11:31 PM |
Won't buy any. I know the arguments, the exploited teenagers working in the Asian factories are doing better living crammed into small dorms and working for $1.25 an hour than they would had they stayed living in rural poverty. And look at Apple, after a few dozen workers jumped to their deaths from top floors of the factory they hung a bunch of nets around the factory to catch those attempting suicide, what a nice touch! I don't buy it. They are being exploited by these companies to squeeze out more mega bucks for the filthy rich to buy their half dozen 20,000 square foot mansions with.
I am buying a compressor now, and looking at companies such as Xotic, or Keeley, or this company. Wampler Factory It is not like I am flush. I have a Monte Allums Mod Boss Compressor that is decent, and I will use it until I see a good deal. I justify that one because I did not buy it new, I have not researched Boss but I highly expect that little or none of their product is actually manufactured in Japan anymore. I like to visualize workers who were treated like human beings, rather than farm animals when I stomp on a box. Hell I won't even eat Beef because how they are treated in agribusiness. I give humans at least equal treatment. I was not like this in the past, largely because I assumed too much. I was really surprised when I found that Eventide uses Chinese factories, real disappointed in a company that is so cheap that it finds a way to avoid paying workers a decent wage or support decent living conditions, and then markets a top end product. But there are those that act better. Fulltone is one but they don't make a compressor. Heck, even Dunlop makes it's stuff in the USA. I have nothing against foreign made products, so long as the labor is not exploited. I drive a Toyota Truck built in the US. This post has been edited by fkalich: Oct 7 2014, 11:58 PM |
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Oct 8 2014, 02:30 AM |
Yeah, people rave about them on forums. I'm not a typical Fender strat guy myself, but people who are compare them to the best MIM strats. I currently own USA, MIM Fenders and a Squier Classic Vibe J-bass as well a Squier Bass VI. I have had every country of origin Fender that there is. I'll say that the Squier 'classic vibe' stuff is as good as the average MIM Fender. Some of the MIM gear is terrible. The really great MIMs (few and far between), can rival current USA and 80s/early 90s MIJ Fenders. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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