Guitar guys! RG450 pickup upgrade. Recommendations?

[Humpy]

This, good sir, I can agree with. If you compared two guitars with all identical parts and identical body dimensions, but way different woods, there could be a bit of difference...to, like, a computer. But not a human.

To the person who mentioned that it did matter to neck (not fret) materials, Re: intonation and sustain...I also say, okay, plausible.

But to the 'lulz you noob' people...meh, keep drinking the koolaid. And I also gotta laught at people who want to say that [popular line of guitars] are known for sounding more [blank] than [other popular line of guitars]. Well, no shiz, because there is a lot that is different between them. Saying it's a function of body materials rather...well, everything else...that's silly.

It's good to see you've changed your tune (D a little from not a "damn bit different" to "plausible". There must be a difference in sound between electric guitars constructed of different material. Can anyone hear it? Is it better? Does it matter? Maybe. Guitar players are special.

In the extreme example of a guitar made from a steel beam versus one made of rubber just stiff enough to hold string tension do you think you could hear a difference? That proves my excellent point.

 

[Fritzo]

Which you should maybe record and put on soundcloud for us, then, maybe it'll be sounds like.

Heh. The last two things I recorded are listed here:

http://www.reverbnation.com/dougz

The first track I did with an Internet band I coordinated with on Vanderbilly.com. The second was made with a pre-made backing track. I think I played slide in the first half and used a fuzz pedal w/compression on the second half. These were both mixed with a lot of separation, so you have to play it loud to get the full effect

The only other things I have available online are these two tracks:

A play-along to The Faces Stay with Me:
https://soundcloud.com/dougz-1/stay-with-me-play-along

And a quick demo I did of Mary Had a Little Lamb (SRV):
https://soundcloud.com/dougz-1/fritzolittlelamb

 

[Phoenix86]

Have to take a listen at home then, nothing loud at work...

 

[chihlidog]

Boss TU-2. Seriously. It's worth it.

 

[Jesusthewererabbit]

Korg Pitchblack. Cheap, and works extremely well.

 

[Fritzo]

Korg Pitchblack. Cheap, and works extremely well.

Boss TU-2. Seriously. It's worth it.

Nearly everyone I see has one of these two on their board. I have a Line6 M13 and it has a built in tuner, so I'm kind of spoiled there

 

[chihlidog]

Nearly everyone I see has one of these two on their board. I have a Line6 M13 and it has a built in tuner, so I'm kind of spoiled there

The TU-2 is, like all other boss pedals, built like a tank. It's extremely stable and easy to tune right in, whereas a lot of other tuners I see waver back and forth when the string is close to pitch. It still retains its accuracy though. It's also usable in any situation, whether on stage or just jamming out in a bedroom. I played out for a lot of years and always loved the TU-2, I'd take it over any other tuner.

 

[MentalIlness]

Where I shop for these things, They dont have the Boss TU-2....Unless Id order from somewhere else. However, they do have the Boss TU-3...is this just a new version and more of the same?

If it is, ill go with it.

$99.00
Boss - TU-3

Boss TU-2

 

[chihlidog]

Where I shop for these things, They dont have the Boss TU-2....Unless Id order from somewhere else. However, they do have the Boss TU-3...is this just a new version and more of the same?

If it is, ill go with it.

$99.00

Been a while since I've been in the market for one, or played out to see a ton of other people's gear, so I gotta be honest and tell you I dont know anything about the TU-3.

It LOOKS like a TU-2, but with a more detailed display. I cannot speak to its stability. That said, however, based on my experience with Boss in general, and with the TU-2, I would feel good about it.

EDIT: You must have edited the TU-2 pic in while I was writing the post. My opinion hasnt changed.

 

[MentalIlness]

Been a while since I've been in the market for one, or played out to see a ton of other people's gear, so I gotta be honest and tell you I dont know anything about the TU-3.

It LOOKS like a TU-2, but with a more detailed display. I cannot speak to its stability. That said, however, based on my experience with Boss in general, and with the TU-2, I would feel good about it.

EDIT: You must have edited the TU-2 pic in while I was writing the post. My opinion hasnt changed.

Ive seen nothing but good reviews for the Boss as well. Seems ill pick up the TU-3. Unless I can locate a TU-2 substantially cheaper. Which probably won't happen....soo...Thanks man.:thumbsup:

There is a Boss TU-2 on Amazon for $80

 

[twinrider1]

If you're spending up in that area, consider the ST-200. It's $130 and a lot more accurate than the Boss. Helpful for intonation. The ONLY bad thing I've read about it is it's hard to see in bright sunlight.
I'm very happy with my Peterson Strobostomp 2. Some have had display issues with it, but I never have. I don't gig, so I'm not as hard on gear as many might be. Peterson has a newer pedal but I'm not up on it.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

I got a TC Electronics PolyTune locally for like $60 and its fucking sweet. Surprised nobody else mentioned it.

 

[Fritzo]

Where I shop for these things, They dont have the Boss TU-2....Unless Id order from somewhere else. However, they do have the Boss TU-3...is this just a new version and more of the same?

If it is, ill go with it.

$99.00
Boss - TU-3

Boss TU-2

TU3 is the updated model.

 

[slightlyhuman]

I got a TC Electronics PolyTune locally for like $60 and its fucking sweet. Surprised nobody else mentioned it.

They are great but definitely a different kind of tuner.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

They are great but definitely a different kind of tuner.

It doesn't only tune in poly mode. It automatically detects single string plucks or a strum. I don't know anything significant that it doesn't do.

 

[chihlidog]

If you're spending up in that area, consider the ST-200. It's $130 and a lot more accurate than the Boss. Helpful for intonation. The ONLY bad thing I've read about it is it's hard to see in bright sunlight.
I'm very happy with my Peterson Strobostomp 2. Some have had display issues with it, but I never have. I don't gig, so I'm not as hard on gear as many might be. Peterson has a newer pedal but I'm not up on it.

I would not discourage OP from getting one of the ones you mentioned, merely throw in that sometimes too much accuracy can be a pain. As you note, for setups, yeah, one needs a hyper-accurate tuner of course. But if this is to be an all around tool, especially for gigging, I'd suggest that stability is something to consider, which is why I like the TU-2 so much. I cant imagine trying to tune quickly between songs using something that was jumpng around so much.

I think the super fine tuning enabled by the ones you mentioned is nice to have if one needs it, but most people dont.

 

[twinrider1]

...merely throw in that sometimes too much accuracy can be a pain. ...

lol, I hear you. In which case I think something much less expensive is better to start. An app, or a clip on like a snark will get the OP up and running.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Love my snark!

 

[MentalIlness]

I actually started to learn guitar when I was in the 6th grade. I am now 38. Its been about 12 years since I have played "a lot". Im actually surprised how much I still remember. Im not a complete stranger to guitars or equipment...but some things have certainly gotten a little different since 1987 when I first started.

Basically, the RG450DX is to get "back into it" although I love Ibanez. My second guitar is going to be a Gibson LP.

However, I also like ESP, LTD and Jackson.

 

[twinrider1]

...My second guitar is going to be a Gibson LP.....

And now we've entered my form of mental illness. :biggrin:

 

[schmuckley]

 

[MentalIlness]

And now we've entered my form of mental illness. :biggrin:

This one.

Gibson Slash Les Paul Signature Vermillion

 

[MongGrel]

I like maple, but that's my drum's.



I'm just a banger

 

[MentalIlness]

OP updated.

Next question. What is the "best" way to refinish a guitar? My brother has one, and is just giving it to me. He don't wanna put any time into it.

This isnt the guitar, but its the same exact thing.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Love my snark!

.. I mean, the chromatic tuners look sweet, but doesn't a Snark pretty much get the job done at a fraction of the cost and even more portability?

Again, I'm no expert, but I love the snark. I pretty much leave it on the headstock.