You have no gear and $1k to spend. What to get?

[Polyester]

Semi-hypothetical question: Say you have no gear to speak of. Maybe you moved and left it all behind, maybe it was all stolen, something like that.

You also have $1,000 to spend, and no more than that for quite a while. What would you get to give you a solid rig to last for a few years? Figure a guitar or two, an amp, maybe some pedals.

Since this is a semi-hypothetical situation, say you prefer humbuckers, LPs and/or semi-hollow 335ish guitars and are not a Strat guy at all. No gigs either.

Hmm.

[chrisrocksusa]

I have been in that EXACT situation, brosef (i got robbed and lost all my gear)


i bought a second hand LTD EC-1000 and a line 6 spider III (also second hand). I spent less than 600 for both

actually I replaced the Spider III with a mesa boogie single rec (rectoverb) and I only paid 500 for the ROV so i'm still in less than $1k

I went from this

http://i43.tinypic.com/2jexor8.jpg

to this

http://i43.tinypic.com/1sz7lx.jpg
yes, I do happen to like putting glow worms in my amps

[crzyfngers]

a used les paul studio and a blues jr. if you happen to get a gig, you're ready to rock.

[ldizzle]

hmmm Guitarwise...there's a lot of great copies of LP styles for less than $500
Get a solid ac4 for live and home use $200 w/ a new speaker.
Save $200 and get an m9 or maybe just a favorite drive/delay.

I dont knwo your style..i've done this with my rig before on a flight trip...no gear ended up being there- thankfully we rented amps and called some churches, rented a great pedalboard! And purchased a 72ri tele at guitarcenter... ended up working great!

[cratz2]

Hrmm... probably put together a partscasterm for around $400 to $500 and get a used Lovepedal Superlead and a used Polytune or Pitch Black. If it was going to be six months before any additional funds were available, I'd get a Super Champ XD and put a Ragin Cajun in it.

[rockinlespaul]

A used LP Junior and a used Marshall Class 5 combo maybe.

[JxD]

Traynor YBA-1 or a MK III (I got mine for $300) and a '72 Deluxe Telecaster. I'd still have enough left over to buy a used 212 or 412. I'd also consider springing for a Sovtek Mig50 or 100.

[treeofpain]

I would get:

used USA Strat with hum in the bridge - $700
Vox VT40+ with VSF5 footswitch. - $300

[pb641]

An LP Studio and 2x12 combo, or

A used MIM Strat and a second hand reissue Super Reverb.

I think either of those could be done right at 1K.

[CowTipton]

You could pick up a used Fender Hot Rod Deville 212 for ~$400
and still have $600 left over to pick up a guitar.

[boo radley]

I'm smiling -- you say, "I'm not a Strat guy and I'm not gigging, " and what people suggest are:

Strats and 2x12's and other large amps.

I dunno. Used LP Studio and used Classic 30?

[arthur rotfeld]

Epiphone 335-type and a small combo, maybe Peavey or Fender. Extra dough for an overdrive or delay.

[cratz2]

I'm smiling -- you say, "I'm not a Strat guy and I'm not gigging, " and what people suggest are:

Strats and 2x12's and other large amps.

I dunno. Used LP Studio and used Classic 30?

I think some of us were going based on our own preferences and the first two paragraphs in the OP otherwise, if making suggestions against our own preferences and against our own situation, you'd likely get a lot of 'whatever guitar and amp YOU think would best suit YOUR needs.

:p

I think a strat with a bridge humbucker covers a hell of a lot more ground that I need to cover than any dual HB guitar. I live on the neck single coil tone and there's zero chance my only guitar would lack it.

At least I suggested a small amp.

[fulltone1989]

I'd get an a PRS Hollowbody copy with changed electronics, a blues junior, and a good drive + M5

[scmavl]

A used 90's Les Paul Studio ($600) or a PRS SE (<$500)

Used Fender Blues Jr ($300), Super Champ XD ($200), or Vox AC15C1 ($400)

If there is money for a pedal, a used OCD ($100) is a good all around rock overdrive.

Personally, I'd go used 90's LP and Vox.

[FLStratcat]

I'd surf pawnshops for a beat up $150-$200 mexi strat, freshen it up (level/crown/polish or replace the frets, replace the nut with a Tusq (another $30), get a GFS brass trem block ($35), set of raw vintage springs ($20), cut the trem arm down, put in a set of GFS '69 p'ups ($50), an SSL5 at the bridge, used ($60ish?), and a PiO cap from Allparts ($27), and a RadioShack toggle for the bridge ON ($6)) so I'm at $528 on the axe.

Probably find a used Blues Deville and do a couple mods to it. Should be at around $1k when it's all said n' done :D

To fit your situation: I dunno honestly, not a humbucker d00d :)

[Peteyvee]

A used DRRI, a FSR MIM Tele and an OCD. I got just that for under a grand last year. I have a bunch of other stuff too, but that's my dive bar rig for now. Or sub a cheap Epi
LP for the Tele. Or a Haze 40 for the DRRI. Or...

[Varc]

I'd get more money. :P

But in all seriousness.. If you're not gigging, amp wise you don't need more than like the Marshall mg30dfx for around $150-$200 used, but that doesn't have the greatest tone, so you could go with the Fender Blues Jr. for about $300 used. Now you've got no overdrive if you use the Blues jr. so you'll need a pedal. I'd go with the Hardwire CM-2 Overdrive, its based on a ts808 with true bypass and has two different voicing options. Its a solid pedal that you should be able to find used for around $70.

Guitar wise, its a bit of a crap shoot, but I'd probably look for a cheap used Gibson Les Paul Studio or 60's tribute or faded SG of sorts and hope that I had enough money left to swap the pickups for some '57 Classics.

[brianr0131]

ummmmm this is TGP you have to add a zero at the end

I say LP Tribute 60's and Classic 30 or Used Blues Junior

[yoyoyoseph]

I'd get a Vox ac15 and a Reverend Double Agent. Tons of tones there. Blues Jr. III is good too.

[Pietro]

Depends on the style, obviously... And if I weren't modeling, I'd get a MIM Tele (used, preferably a Baja) or LP Studio and a Blues Junior or Pro Junior.

Or, if I knew that that budget was just not going to buy what I wanted, I'd save even more money... and buy a used Line6 Spidersomething and a Squier CV Tele.

If it were only one guitar, it would have to be a tele, imho. most versatile guitar ever made. Jazz? Rock? Country? you name it, Tele can do it.

[jfwund]

If you have time on your side, Mesa/Boogie Rocket Amps and Subway amps come up for sale used around $450-$500. I'd go with one of those and a used LP Studio, but I'm a sucker for a LP through a Boogie.
No gear whatsoever, I'd probably do either the Boogie and a used MIM Fender, and then buy cables from Stone Creek Audio and a overdrive pedal or booster OR the used LP Studio and a Classic 30 or similar tube amp, and then the cables and pedal(s). That should leave you money to buy a guitar strap and picks and all that crap too.

[jaxn slim]

Probably a used LP Studio and one of the newer Fender modelling amps - like the Champ XD or Mustang something.

[XmasTree]

Schecter guitars
Bugera amps

[tnt365]

A Brand New American Strat for $999. And a $1 McChicken.


:sarcasm

Tough for $1000, but the bests suggestions have already been made IMO.

[Dale]

Guitars with buckers. Epi, Esp, Agile and Schecter.

Amp? Vox ac15c1,Tweaker, Jet City, Blackheart and Blackstar.

Pedal? Delay or wah.

Cable decent one.

Picks and Snark.

[weshunter]

well, i'd buy used for sure and:

definitely a mim or squier tele w/pup upgrade for the gtr ($400), probably a tweaker for the amp ($300), and maybe you'd have enough left over for an M13 ($300)-- that can do anything and everything you'd ever want.

EDIT: forgot you were looking for HB's - I'd go B-stock Agile 3100

[midwayfair]

Since this is a semi-hypothetical situation, say you prefer humbuckers, LPs and/or semi-hollow 335ish guitars and are not a Strat guy at all. No gigs either.

Hmm.

Guitars:
335: Used Ibanez Artcore, Agile Harm, or Epi Dot: ~$300. Even new they won't put you over 400. If you're getting a used semi hollow from most of the guys on the emporium here, you might even be getting something better than new. If you're brave, GFS has a few pieces, but I personally would think long and hard before buying a set new guitar from them.
OR
Agile 3XXX: ~$350 used, and it'll most likely have upgraded pickups. As much as I'd love to suggest a LP Studio here, I think it'll run you $200 more even used, without some of the parts upgrades that come on the Agile (like the graphtech nut and so forth).

Amp:
Used Hot Rod Deluxe: $400, possibly even with a few upgrades at that price. I'm suggesting this because you can spent $30 total on two 12Ay7s and a 12At7 and make the drive channel not only usable but quite good - saving you the need for a drive pedal with most other amps in this price range. This gives you a very versatile amp (better cleans than the blues jr., for instance) that can also be loud as balls if you need it to be when you get gigs. (Otherwise, the low gain tubes tame it enough for practice volume, in fact it won't be much quieter than a Blues Junior.)

If you prefer a Vox sound, an AC4 can be had for $250 used, and I personally love the sound of them. $120 gets you a really, really nice speaker upgrade for it, too, and you're still well below budget.

This leaves you about $200 (plus shipping) for pedals. I'd just get a couple serviceable pieces from Boss, Joyo, EHX, etc. As long as you're not too worried about having some amazing effects gear, you can easily build a small basic pedal board with this. Oh, and the board itself: a shelf from Ikea.

[shredtrash]

Used ASAT Special
Used Peavey Classic 30
OCD Pedal

I think I could do that with a grand.

[Tommy Biggs]

MIM Tele, some new pickups and a used Peavey Classic 30. and some cables.

[Socrates]

Would I be gigging or jamming with people or is this strictly for home/practice use?

If just for practice or home playing.

Used '52ri
EHX Headphone amp

If for jamming

Used 50s classic tele
Fender HRD

[partsocaster]

If I only had $1000, I would find someone selling a used Tweaker Combo, buy an Agile AL3100 and spend the leftover $225 and get myself a used TS9 (or better,a Signa Drive) and a used HoF reverb.

[your name here]

A used Vox AC15hw and either a Danelectro or a Sqiure CV 50's tele. Both used.

[Rock Johnson]

I'd look for a used Marshall Class 5 or a used Classic 30, say $300. Then I'd find a used ESP or Epi, or a new Agile or Vintage LP, about $300. $300 for a used M9 modeler, and $100 for accessories.

If pedals aren't important, I'd put that extra $300 into the amp... $600 on the used market goes a long way.

What's really important about your question is how you divide it up - how much are you going to spend on each category - guitar, amp, effects, accessories (straps, cables, etc).

[whitecadillac]

Used AC15 and used MIJ Tele or Strat.

[exrunnerguitarist]

Used Baja Telecaster
Vox AC4 with Greenback
Used clean boost pedal
Used delay with tap tempo

[Polyester]

Oh man, lots of good suggestions here... other than the half that suggested a Strat or a Tele. :) Going to take some time to soak it all in and do my research.

Then again maybe I hammer on some Teles at Guitar Center and see if my taste has changed... because you never know.

Any word on if the new Epi 339 is any good?

[timrocks311]

I'd get a used PRS SE and probably a Tweaker

[Marble]

For gigging, if I had only 1k to spend on my gear I'd probably go with a used Gibson SG Classic (p90s) and a used Blues Jr, and a new cable. If I had some spare change I'd get a tuner and another cable.

[tsar nicholas]

Can't go wrong with a used SG Special and a used Peavey Classic or Delta Blues

[SharkAtl]

Would have to go with a PRS SE Singlecut, a Fender Blues Junior NOS Tweed, and gotta throw in an Ibanez TS-9 pedal. You would be good to go!!

[doc]

Since you specify no gigs and hums:

Silverface Fender Champ or Ampeg Jet + recap - about $600
Agile Les Paul - around $350

[donnyjaguar]

Put the word out you're in the market for some cheap, stolen equipment and you might just get your gear back. ;)

[itstooloudMike]

I'd first look for a used Mesa combo that could be bought cheap. I've seen DC-5s for less than $600. Then I'd find an early 80s Ibanez Blazer (Strat copy), which can be bought clean for no more than $300. Spend the last hundred on spare strings, a tuner, and maybe some extra 12AX7s, and I'm ready to gig.

[dreamspace]

Used Fender MIJ 62RI Strat
Used Peavey Classic 30 or Blues Junior
Used OD pedal of some kind.

[rumblebox]

Get a higher end LTD or epiphone, a peavey vypyr 30, and still have money left over.

[Deathmonkey]

For Blooze: Agile 3XXX and Blues Junior
For Pop: Agile 3XXX and Peavey Classic 30
For Rawk: LTD EC and Egnater Tweaker
For Teh Br00tz: Schecter C series, used Carvin Legacy or V3

:D

[fjblair]

First thing I would buy is a Tweaker combo and then guitar with whatever is left. Probably a Schecter.

[GtrDr]

I'd go used all the way. a decent guitar can be had for $350.00, a tube amp as well. (I bought a used Carvin X-100 & 4x12 for $300) A $50.00 Tube screamer, $100 should get you a delay. That leaves $150.00 at your disposal. If you want to go the modeling route, the VOX's sound better than the Line6 IMHO. You wouldn't need effects then. Your choice.

[chrisross]

Used Epiphone Sheraton = 400
Used Blues Junior = 300
Used Blues Driver = 50
Used Tuner = 50
Used Nova Repeater = 100
Power supply, cables, everything else = 100

1000 bucks.

[geekocaster]

based on criteria- set aside $100 for a really good luthier setup and proceed to buy an epiphone (used) either an Les Paul custom, ultra or dot. add some sperzil locking tuners replace bridge pickup, then get a jet city JCA-20 head and cab and with whatever is left a bad monkey/tube screamer dirt pedal and a nice delay

i actually gigged with a similar setup, ( epi ultra with gibby 500t pickup, and GFS brownie pedal) sounded great and i wasnt worried about theft.

[todaystomorrow]

used LP Junior or Melody Maker with a p90
Vox Night Train half stack

[kenneth]

If I only had $1000, I would find someone selling a used Tweaker Combo, buy an Agile AL3100 and spend the leftover $225 and get myself a used TS9 (or better,a Signa Drive) and a used HoF reverb.

Great suggestions.

I would add that one of the most economical TS9-like pedal is the boss SD1. NEW street price is $39, so you can guess what they sell for used. The boutiques have a tighter bass, but this gets you really close at a fraction of the price.

[TimH]

Used Squire CV Tele - $300
Used Egnater Tweaker Combo - $450
Used Bad Monkey - $35
Used OCD - $100
Used DD20 - $125

[Help!I'maRock!]

Godin Redline
Peavey Bandit
maybe an MI Audio Tube Zone or MXR '78 Badass Distortion

[whomad1215]

I would get a used partscaster or a Rasmus. Amp would depend on size needed. A used vox ac4 or the epiphone 5watter + cab. Or Ac15

[SeanMc]

A PRS SE with humbuckers on evilbay - roughly $300-$400
-or -
A MIM Tele on evilbay - roughly $300-$400

A Fender Blues Deluxe, or Fender Blues Jr on evilbay - roughly $300-$400
A decent and simple OD - roughly $100
A pedal tuner, preferably a PitchBlack - roughly $75
A decent strap - roughly $50
Needed cables to hook it all up - roughly $50-$100, depending.

Puts it all in the $1K range anyway.

[Demioblue]

Ibanez RG350...

[ShadowPlay]

Today, I'd shoot for a used Charvel San Dimas, a Marshall Class 5, and an OCD... if possible.

[CadillacRed]

Marshall Class 5
Digitech Studiotube
BC Rich NJ



I'm set. I still have money left over for lunch and possibly a beater bass guitar or acoustic.

[levous]

Semi-hypothetical question: Say you have no gear to speak of. Maybe you moved and left it all behind, maybe it was all stolen, something like that.

You also have $1,000 to spend, and no more than that for quite a while. What would you get to give you a solid rig to last for a few years? Figure a guitar or two, an amp, maybe some pedals.

Since this is a semi-hypothetical situation, say you prefer humbuckers, LPs and/or semi-hollow 335ish guitars and are not a Strat guy at all. No gigs either.

Hmm.

A job