Upgrade or Buy new Guitar
- Thread starter Kamrick
- Start date
J.custom
New member
Hmm IMO, I think you can survive on your guitar for now, maybe it just needs a pickup change. Save up more and with the extra cash go buy yourself a nice juicy tube amp! 
If you're getting your drive tone from your pedals, then it's more worthwhile and better to invest in an amp that excels at cleans.
What's your budget for pups?
If you're getting your drive tone from your pedals, then it's more worthwhile and better to invest in an amp that excels at cleans.What's your budget for pups?
MadWerewolfBoy
New member
what don't you currently like about your guitar? maybe the answer to that will help you decide better
i'd say get a new amp. 400+ can get u a decent solid state/modelling amp. With your current rig, you'll get a much improved sound upgrading your amplifier as compared to upgrading your guitar .Line 6 spider 4 isnn't too bad as well, but u really have to get models 75w and above to get the best of its modelled tone. Vox vt series sounds amazing as well, the vox vt40+ should be well within your budget. If clean tone is your main concern right now, try the vox ac 15vr, and keep your spider 4 for metal tone.
relinquish69
New member
When you mentioned buying a guitar of higher quality, what do you mean by that? Better hardware? better construction? then again, what determines better? better hardware just makes the guitar more stable but it does not improve the tone significantly. try bringing your guitar for a set up first before deciding to upgrade your guitar. I think Rallys are good enough as they are (for the price of course).
My opinion is, have an idea of what you want before buying something. Guitar stuff are expensive and before you know it, that $800 budget of yours is out of the window and you still haven't found what you are looking for.
I'm more of a tone person. I listen with my ears more than my eyes so when I buy stuff, I buy based on what I hear and not on what people say. Everyone's words are opinionated. I've seen people raving about a set of pickups only to sell them the following week later.
I buy more 2nd hand stuff only because it's cheaper and you won't lose too much money in the process. For your case, the term "if it's not broken, why fix it" applies. Find out what you feel is lacking in your set up. Too boxy? Lacking headroom? what kind of sound are you referencing too? what is necessary to get that kind of sound.
Usually it's the amp that contributes the most to overall tone. I like my combo amps to have at least 1 12" speaker. whole world of difference when compared to a small practice amp with 8" speaker. pedals and pickups in this equation at the moment is secondary.
My opinion is, have an idea of what you want before buying something. Guitar stuff are expensive and before you know it, that $800 budget of yours is out of the window and you still haven't found what you are looking for.
I'm more of a tone person. I listen with my ears more than my eyes so when I buy stuff, I buy based on what I hear and not on what people say. Everyone's words are opinionated. I've seen people raving about a set of pickups only to sell them the following week later.
I buy more 2nd hand stuff only because it's cheaper and you won't lose too much money in the process. For your case, the term "if it's not broken, why fix it" applies. Find out what you feel is lacking in your set up. Too boxy? Lacking headroom? what kind of sound are you referencing too? what is necessary to get that kind of sound.
Usually it's the amp that contributes the most to overall tone. I like my combo amps to have at least 1 12" speaker. whole world of difference when compared to a small practice amp with 8" speaker. pedals and pickups in this equation at the moment is secondary.
MadWerewolfBoy
New member
plus one to the 12" drivers. maybe it's a rock-distortion thingy, haha.
if there's nothing you don't like about your guitar, then look elsewhere to zhng your geer.
+1 to selling your spider 15w for a better amp.
if you don't know what you are looking for, you might wanna invest in a good multi effects like say, a line6 podhd after the amp upgrade. you can experiment from there and your tone will improve quite a bit for that price.
if there's nothing you don't like about your guitar, then look elsewhere to zhng your geer.
+1 to selling your spider 15w for a better amp.
if you don't know what you are looking for, you might wanna invest in a good multi effects like say, a line6 podhd after the amp upgrade. you can experiment from there and your tone will improve quite a bit for that price.
Kamrick
New member
That is so very true, that is what i reliased. So i unscrewed the back plate etc... I find no problem what so ever, wiring is neat. It stays in tune. Sound wise im like half hearted. That is why i am upgrading it. I tried the VOX VT 40+, it was alright but i find my spider's clean tone better... As for pickups i've decided to get Tesla Opus 1 or VR 3's. That should do it right?
lokiregnarok
New member
Opus for bridge and VR3 for neck?
Mehhz
New member
IMO, if u frequently visit the jamming studio , buying an amp wont be much useful cause no matter what there's a much better amp over there, and the amp u need right now is just an average practice amp.
you could try Fender blacktop Telecaster, $850 at bgw or maybe squier J5 Telecaster or maybe even squier Tele Deluxe.
Just my opinion though
you could try Fender blacktop Telecaster, $850 at bgw or maybe squier J5 Telecaster or maybe even squier Tele Deluxe.
Just my opinion though
ShredAddict
New member
IMO a pickup change really isn't what you need. I feel that pickups is a matter of tone dynamics. That means only when you are very specific about the output and sound you want from your pickups that suit your style of playing, go ahead and swap them out. to change the overall sound, you need to focus more on your amp / effects chain.
In this case depends on the application. if you go jamming studios a lot, focus more on building a good board. if you stay at home, get an amp with a big speaker and decent clean sound. Get a multi effects to save money & find out what tones you prefer before committing to individual pedals which cost so much more. The best way to save money is getting a Line-6 Spider. don't go crazy with the built in effects. Be a minimalist and use more of the onboard drive to get decent tones.
In this case depends on the application. if you go jamming studios a lot, focus more on building a good board. if you stay at home, get an amp with a big speaker and decent clean sound. Get a multi effects to save money & find out what tones you prefer before committing to individual pedals which cost so much more. The best way to save money is getting a Line-6 Spider. don't go crazy with the built in effects. Be a minimalist and use more of the onboard drive to get decent tones.
