Equipment
you need
Which shop?
I recommend Sound Control, Aireside Centre, Whitehall Road, back of Wellington
Street, and also Academy of Sound, Roseville Road, off Roundhay Road,
Leeds 8.
Guitars and
amps
For blues and rock, get an electric guitar and amp, and/or a steel-strung
acoustic. For jazz, it used to be the case that you had to use a hollow-bodied
semi-acoustic guitar, but nowadays any style of guitar is fine - it depends
what you want to sound like. As far as electic guitars go, I love the
Stratocaster - it's so versatile, you can play any style of music on it.
The American-made Fender Strats are lovely, but cost about £700.
If you can't afford that the Mexican-made Strats (£250) and the
Strats made in the Far East (£129+) are usually fine. I also love
playing jazz on a classical nylon-strung guitar as this offers a large
dynamic (quiet to loud) range.
If you are a beginner on a budget:
a decent nylon strung guitar will cost £90 - £150
a decent steel-strung acoustic will cost £120 - £150
a Fender Squier Strat will cost £129 - £180. I have a Yamaha
Pacifica (£180) which is absolutely brilliant value for money.
a Marshall or Fender practice amp will cost about £130. The Park,
Roland and Peavey practice amps are good too. But NB eventually you will
want a better amp with a 12-inch speaker and probably costing at least
£200, because the cheap practice amps are really just for geting
you started - they tend to have a weaker, boxy sound.
More about amps:
I particularly recommend the Vox Valvtronix range. The 30watt model (with
10 inch speaker) is excellent for home use, though a model with a 12 inch
speaker will give you better bass response. Try the 60watt model for great
features and sound. Otherwise, the Line 6 Flextone is good.
If you want
a valve amp for home use get a Fender Blues Junior (£350 approx):
it's a one trick pony but with a classy blues sound. Get an overdrive
pedal to go with it for lead sounds. I have a Peavey Classic 30 valve
amp for gigs.
Metronome
• This is a must, so you learn to play in time. They cost £17
- £30. Even better, get a drum machine and/or computor sequencing
programme (Cubase etc).
Backing software
• If you are serious about becoming an improviser you will benefit
enormously from using a brilliant software programme called 'Band in a
Box'. You can buy this from Jazzwise. (I think their website is called
www.jazzwise.com)
Guitar tuner
• This is not cheating! Get one. (£15 - £20). The Fender
one and the Korg (CA-30) ones are good. Also get some pitch pipes (less
than £5).
Music stand
• Get one of these so you don't injure your neck or back.
Footstool
If you play acoustic guitar this is very useful for good posture: put
it under your right foot. I have a lovely footstool made by a guy who
has a stall at Leeds Farmers Market (every first Sunday of the month,
Leeds Market). He is: H and B Kershaw, Stool Workshop, 17-19 Quarry lane,
Woodkirk, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF12 7JG, Tel: 01924 476 459 or 0788
432 7522. Ask for a number 27 stool, 7 1/2 inches high. Mine is in elm
and cost £16.
Plectrum
• Get a plectrum that is thick enough - 0.70mm for electric (for
light strings ie .009'' to .042'') and 0.88 - 1.00mm for acoustic (which
usually uses thicker strings).
A4 ring binder
• Get organised. |
