I'd go with 2 or 3. Great toys. Probably the Boss Micro BR gives you the most out of all those options. Recording is very rewarding (and with some punishment sometimes too!). You learn a lot and you can let the creativity go nuts.
Hey Fretters! I could use some advice.
My inlaws and parents have been asking what I want for Christmas. Basically, I want money for some guitar-related acquisition. I have three choices that I'm thinking about. I'm not sure which one would be best.
1) A lobotomy for my Charvel Tele. Basically that would involve Fender Texas Tele pickups, a four-way switch, and new volume and tone pots. This was the no-brainer choice until I checked Musician's Friend this week. Suddenly the price of those pups doubled. At US$89 they were a steal. At US$169, not so much. I'd hope this would allow me to play my Tele more often--or it might just remind me that it needs a new neck too.
2) A Digitech Expression Factory pedal. The thought of a wah/whammy combo seems pretty cool, to say nothing of the other effects and distortion models. The problem is that it is quite expensive for just one pedal. I've never actually used one of these pedals so at this point I might like the idea more than the reality.
3) A Boss Micro BR. I like the idea of recording stuff, just to see how I'm improving (or not). It comes with a drum machine and MP3 trainer. Since I use Linux, most recording software won't work with my system. The Micro BR would do the trick. Plus its coolness is off the charts.
4) (OK, I said three, but I just thought of a fourth. Sue me.) An SX bass--preferably a P and J model like the SPJ-62, SB-301, or an SPJ Ash (my favorite). A local shop also has a used Schecter J-bass similar in appearance to the SPJ Ash. I was a bass player in a former life and would like to have one again. I wish I have my Peavey Fury P-bass back, but there you go. Of course, I don't have a bass amp and I doubt it would be a good idea to subject my AD30VT to that.
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
I'd go with 2 or 3. Great toys. Probably the Boss Micro BR gives you the most out of all those options. Recording is very rewarding (and with some punishment sometimes too!). You learn a lot and you can let the creativity go nuts.
The Law of Gravity is nonsense. No such law exists. If I think I float, and you think I float, then it happens.
Master Guitar Academy - I also teach via SKYPE.
I was going to say almost the same thing that Robert said. Recording yourself will not only help you develop in big leaps, but it will give great satisfaction when you say to yourself "ya, I recorded that all by myself." "I'd like to thank the Academy..."
Sorry, I got carried away.
Don't forget to look at other recording units as well. There is some great stuff in the $300-$400 price range that the BR is in. Or...ask for everything on the list.
"No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi
Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.
I agree with spuds, you should check out different recording units. I think that you pay a premium on the BR due to its portability.
I can't say that I've given up on a flanger cause I've never liked the effect either. I also can't say the same about Tremolo. I hate them both equally. - Tone2TheBone 2009
I agree, the recording device everytime. I bought a Digitech Expression Factory about six months ago and although it's a fun toy, I find it's gathering dust now. The real problem is that the wah effects are pretty disappointing, which limits it to a pedal for 'special effects' which it does quite well but how often are you going to use these effects?
- Lev
Main Guitars: Fender US Deluxe HSS Strat, PRS SE C24, Fender Baja Tele
Bass Guitar: Squier VM Jaguar Special
Main Amp: Vox AC15
Main Effects: Digitech EXP-7, Line6 M5, Soul Food, Sub n UP, Flashback, Polara Verb
Vids: www.youtube.com/levguitar
Recording device or a looper pedal if you don't already have one. Money is a practical Christmas "gift" these days.
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz
The Micro BR is US$229 at MF, although it's out of stock until after Christmas. Any suggestions on other products to look at? There was a similar Korg product but it either didn't have the drum machine or the MP3 trainer.Originally Posted by Spudman
I'd be asking for money towards this. My relatives would have no idea what I'm talking about otherwise.Originally Posted by tone2thebone
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
And money works everywhere. Sometimes better than gift certificates to a specific place.
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz