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Posted by: Becks Aug 5 2009, 03:42 AM

Are there specific guitars or pick ups that are good for shredding? the guitar i am playing with now i find it hard to hear the notes loud/clear when i shredding. I know that also comes with practice (which i forsure need) but could a certain guitar help?

Posted by: bladzerok Aug 5 2009, 03:50 AM

well, first you should tell us what is your guitar, what are the pickup configuration and how far the strings are from the fretboard (the action)
your guitar may not be good for shredding, but learning on it will make you better, so its nothing practise can't solve.

Posted by: Becks Aug 5 2009, 03:53 AM

I have a fender strat and a SG Gibson. I really have no idea what kind of pick ups or the action.

Posted by: bladzerok Aug 5 2009, 04:23 AM

well those are not shred machines, but you could learn a lot of techniques on these.
if you really want a shred monster, i would recommend Ibanez, esp, or jackson

those are 3 companies that makes affordable great metal/shred guitars. there are a lot of others companies in the genres, but those are the 3 most popular i think.

i currently own an ibanez s320, wich is a guitar built for speed: fast neck, humbucker pickup with high output (pickup with a lot of volume, that will help you get more distortion out on an amp, so note will sound a bit more even) and a double locking tremolo (wich wich doesn't help fast playing, but is a fun toy )
i paid 500 canadian dollars for it, si its quite affordable, since its a great guitar

but there are lots of other cool guitars, you can search for ibanez RG, other Ibanez S and most ESP/LTD guitars in the standard range.

but as i said earlier in the post, those kind of guitars aren't nescessary for shredding, just makes the job easier

hope it helps, and if you have any questions, just ask

Posted by: Becks Aug 5 2009, 04:36 AM

Okay thank you! but really who "needs" more than one guitar... but if it makes the job a little easier its a good enough excuse for me to get another guitar. lol

Posted by: mattacuk Aug 5 2009, 09:02 AM

You can shred pretty awsome on a fender strat. The limiting factor there (if you call it that) is the 22 fret neck but it never stopped Yngwie Malmsteen etc.

The problem you describe to me sounds like a problem with your technique rather than kit. May I ask do you practice sequencing over scales on a regular basis (my apologies if your not familiar with that term), and if so at what speed?

For example I can tell you I spent a year practicing alternate picking and legato at no higher than 90bpm to build up control and tone. Perhaps if you share a little more regarding your practice routine we can help further.

regards

Posted by: Muris Varajic Aug 5 2009, 11:31 AM

Hell yeah.
Of course it might have something to do with gear (in small percents)
but it's probably more about your playing and practicing,
it should be clean and accurate all the time
so you could nicely hear all the notes you're playing.
Do you have any recordings of you by any chance?

Posted by: steve25 Aug 5 2009, 01:18 PM

To be honest you can adapt any guitar to shredding. I think it was Michale Amott i heard say that he hasn't picked up a guitar that he hasn't been able to shred on, but can't remember exactly.

Posted by: Alexiaden93 Aug 5 2009, 02:31 PM

For tips on shredding, read comments above, here's a comment against shredding.

If you are at a level where you are uncertain of which guitars are made for shredding (I say this without judgement, and without being acquainted with your actual level), then you should most probably be more concerned with tone, technique and theory.

For example, one of the most known solos in guitar history may be Sweet Child o' Mine and Stairway to Heaven... Any shredding in those ? Nope...

So my point is, if you want to become a true musician, shredding is not always the way to go. I've been listening to Michael Angelo Batio (check out "No Boundaries - Speed Kills" on YouTube) and what he's playing could be played just as nicely on a MIDI software like GuitarPro... There is no feel, and if you think of a melodic phrase being a word, and the shredding/sweeping being "BLABLA", then his songs would sound something like this:

I ... BLABLA ... play ... BLABLA ... songs ... BLABLA ... that ... BLABLA ... will ... BLABLA ... never ... BLABLA ... be ... BLABLA ... remembered ! ... BLABLABLABLABLABLA !

Yeah, that was an awkward way to put across my message. In my opinion, though, the most important techniques when it comes to making melodic, beautiful, MEMORABLE songs, are bending, sliding, vibrato and legato.

You don't believe me ? Listen to these two songs, level 4 and level 5 (not level 9/10) and tell me you don't want to start practising the techniques I talked about...

Level 4 : http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/o-holy-night-adolphe-adam/
Level 5 : http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/vibrato-lesson1/

I am in no way trying to discourage you from learning how to shred (Muris has insane shredding AND feel/melody), but do you honestly want to become like Michael Angelo Batio, who plays like a machine without feelings ? Sorry for a long and boring post, but hope it helps you somewhat.

Posted by: fkalich Aug 5 2009, 03:31 PM

Well put. I always pay attention to Muris. He has played much longer than me, and I expect we have some differences do to personality, in perspective. But I always pay attention to him. Not necessarily what he says directly, just I observe. For example I pretty much play everything both legato style, even one handed, and then with a pick, practice that way, and then I do whatever I do. I used to be a stickler about AP on everything, but just paying attention to Muris brought me around. I would never want him to mentor me though, because in those periods before I "come around to seeing sense" he would probably have all he could take and kill me in a fit of frustration.





At least Batio plays musically at that speed. He bores me as he bores you, obviously, I have listened to him for 5 or 10 minutes and that was all I wanted. But as shredders go, I can at least respect that he stays musical. What I don't care for at all is sloppy shredding, where they don't articulate the notes, and the note groups are not tight. Which is most of what I hear that is called shredding. I think the solo of Jimmy Page in "Heartbreaker" was great at the time, it was original then. But that was enough of that for me.

To me what matters in music in order of importance is...

1) Rhythm and timing. And unlike most here, I don't think you can get that with a metronome or drumbeat. Those can be useful tools, but you can over do it, you have to get a rhythm and groove without aides like that, or backing tracks, just you and the guitar, I firmly believe that. Rhythm is most of it. Without it, no matter what you do, it can be at best mediocre.

2) Composition. This is why Jimmy Page is the best in my book. What he did in those first 5 albums was so creative, nothing like it before in heavy rock. It was original. You don't see that creativity a lot. Clapton was also creative, but not as much as Page was. I don't think we have been in a creative age since 1990. Maybe that will change.

3) Technical skill. This is third in importance, but if you have it, it really compliments the two above.

edit: I proof things, and I saw that I wrote "do to...". And is should that be "due to"? No, I think do to. I worked with a Chinese guy for years and he would always be there to answer questions like this. He knew English better than 99% of Americans. But he is gone now, and so I am on my own.

Posted by: Dexxter Aug 5 2009, 04:01 PM

No boundaries isn't memorable? Maybe not to you. But it's musical. If a song can pop up in my mind from nowhere and I get the urge to hear it, it's good and memorable IMO.

I'm in no way saying Batio is the best, I don't even like him that much, Lavendell kicks his butt I'm just saying that; just because he plays fast doesn't mean there's no feel/melody. Alright, mainstream audience maybe can't hear it. But I don't care about the mainstream audience. If they like radio songs, fine.

If you want mindless, boring, sloppy shred:
Manowar rocks, but this solo almost made me fall asleep They should stay out of that and just play songs

And I agree, the techniques you mentioned are more important. But being able to play fast is great too. But the most important thing IMO is the melody/feel. And that have almost nothing to do with what speed you're at.



Edit: Notice how there's a few fast bits in the lessons you linked

Posted by: Alexiaden93 Aug 5 2009, 04:17 PM

Guys, you have made some very good points. I actually posted No Boundaries because that's his best song in my opinion, as he blends in many different styles (even Paganini). What I mean is that all of his songs sound just the same, and although there is some melody, it is mostly silenced by the unnecessary shredding (see the BLABLA part).

What I'm saying is that people who don't use shredding as a way to show off, are the ones who are the true shredders. Like Muris, Emir, Marcus Lavendell... The list goes on. I do not want to start a major argument with any of you, as I am not experienced enough to win any argument about guitar; I am just expressing my own views

Posted by: Dexxter Aug 5 2009, 04:46 PM

We're not argueing, just discussing

And yes, Batio is nothing but a showoff compared to Muris, Emir and Marcus Lavendell. Hell, he even spend time practicing his stage moves

"people who don't use shredding as a way to show off, are the ones who are the true shredders." = I agree to the fullest Exactly my opinion as well

Posted by: sigma7 Aug 5 2009, 04:49 PM

speaking of shredding, is it better to have a flat fretboard or a curved fretboard? I would like to know this because I have an ibanez sa which has a flat fretboard. But I play a lot faster and cleaner on my fender strat which has a rounded fretboard. Is it me?!!!!?!?!?!?!!??!!

Posted by: Muris Varajic Aug 5 2009, 05:07 PM

That would be just you I guess,
people use different necks and still play good.
In my case, I like all types of necks more or less, lucky me.

Posted by: jafomatic Aug 5 2009, 05:10 PM

I'm of the opposite opinion. The higher crown on my SA's fretboard is taking some getting used to and feels like it "slows me down" some. On the flip side, the flatness of my RG's wizard III neck is sweet and feels much more comfortable and "shreddable" to me.

Posted by: mattacuk Aug 5 2009, 05:22 PM

Well you know its really down to the individual preference again You might prefer a scaloped fret board like Yngwie Malmsteens Stratocaster, or you might like a full on shred weapon like my Ibanez PGM

Posted by: Jesse Aug 5 2009, 06:58 PM

That manowar guy has HORRIBLE tone!

Posted by: Dexxter Aug 5 2009, 07:11 PM

Talk about full gain

Posted by: Jesse Aug 5 2009, 07:13 PM

Could still sound good, if treble bass and mid were set right... this is just horrible, he should be ashamed.

Posted by: Becks Aug 5 2009, 10:54 PM

What i meant by it not being clean and clear is not when i am picking the notes but when i hammer on and do pull offs. I was wondering if some guitars have more sensitive pickups making it easier to get clean notes.

Posted by: Dexxter Aug 5 2009, 10:54 PM

Yes, ofcourse. I was just kidding He's kind of sloppy too..

It doesn't make it better that Manowar is the loudest band in the world either

Edit:
Sorry for Off-Topic posts

Posted by: Becks Aug 6 2009, 02:34 AM

Is there such a thing?

Posted by: Muris Varajic Aug 6 2009, 11:48 AM

What thing?

Posted by: mattacuk Aug 6 2009, 01:50 PM

yes i wondered also what thing

Posted by: Becks Aug 6 2009, 04:30 PM

I commented on your reply twice. Here is the first one again.
"What i meant by it not being clean and clear is not when i am picking the notes but when i hammer on and do pull offs. I was wondering if some guitars have more sensitive pickups making it easier to get clean notes."

Posted by: seagull Aug 6 2009, 05:31 PM

Of course you can get pickups that have higher output, and therefore will react more sensitively to hammer-on's and pull-off's, but thats not all there is too it. Old strings have lower output because they are dirty and full of sweat, so it might be a good idea to change them before you change the pickups. If that doesn't help..well, then it's purely a matter of technique! So change those strings and get practicing...

Posted by: mattacuk Aug 6 2009, 06:13 PM

I use low output Humbuckers (PAF PRO's) and they are pretty sweet for legato (very clean and bright). I agree on the strings, its good to change them regular it can make a big difference. But ultimatly you need to take a look at your technique

Posted by: Muris Varajic Aug 6 2009, 10:29 PM

You can put any pickups on any guitar, that's fully up to you and your tastes/preferences.
But if you're really going to upgrade your technique
I strongly advise you to practice on acoustic guitar as well, steel or nylon strings, doesn't matter.
Acoustic guitar is awesome tool to straighten your both hands,
left hand when practicing legato and right hand when practicing picking, give it a shot.