• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

$300 - $400 Guitar and cheap processor for bassist

dheafey

dheafey

Jul 22, 2012
404
566
Cow Hampshire
#1
Not sure where to put this but as it's for recording, I thought I'd start here; Mods, feel free to move if necessary.

I have a home recording studio as follows:

- Reaper
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
- Windows 10 PC (build documented here)
- Impact LX25+ for any keyboard-y things or drum parts
- assorted basses and an acoustic guitar

I'm looking for an electric guitar that I can lay down some scratch tracks for my guitarist to get an idea of what I'm looking for. I don't need anything extravagant - $300 - $400. I'll also be looking for a cheap multi-effects pedal to go along with it.

I've searched around Musicians Friend and Sweetwater, but don't know jack squat about guitars. I could go play some I guess, but I really wouldn't know the difference. Any bassists out there who have done the same and could make some recommendations?
 
#2
Find a Squier Tele or Strat, ought to be one around in your budget range. Play it. If feels and sounds ok then you’re good. I bought a Tele a couple years back for $150 with a (inexpensive) tweed case. I’ve had several of my guitar players use it and they all like it. It does a good job for me and the price was right. Ymmv

A2422764-BF10-4893-947A-650391F39151.jpeg

Just like this one.
Here my friend Paul C. Playing it. He was a pretty well known player in the El Lay blues scene with the West Coast Blues Band and worked for a while with Chuck Berry.

3F45EAC6-E2E4-4682-BA81-3645F430D0EE.jpeg

Now playing in the band with Jimmie, Bob, Jerry, Janis, Chuck and the rest.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atshen and dheafey
#3
That face says "Damn I really like this tone" :)

Having said that, all you really need is a guitar and a VST plugin to lay down scratch takes.
You can try Tonelib-GFX, it is a free guitar & bass VST plugin which works pretty much like a multi-effect pedal.
Download – ToneLib

As far as I concerned it sounds great and has tons of effects and for the price can't be beaten.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atshen and dheafey
#4
Depends. Are you a headstock snob?

A new Squier CV will run you roughly what a used MIM standard will cost. You can find them for $400, easily, but that’s the top-line Squier vs the bottom-line Fender.

Me, I’d buy a MIM Tele and then plunk a vintage bridge and tuners on it, and rock out for <$500 all in. In fact, that’s exactly what I did.

For your purposes? A Squier will be fine, and you can safely go for much less than $400. Their lowest range is the Affinity, but you can go a step or two better. I’d buy a Squier with gold lettering on its headstock, not black (Filmtex, above, posted an Affinity).

Now... Strat or Tele? That’s personal preference.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dheafey
#5
  • Like
Reactions: dheafey
#6
Any of the above recommendations would work fine. But to @hrodbert696's point about flexibility, be sure to check out some non-Fender alternatives, too. For example, Epiphone offers an inexpensive Les Paul model with coil-tapping humbuckers. Your local GC probably has a few used ones in decent shape.

A used Boss ME-50 pedal can be had for under $150.

Good luck on your search!
 
  • Like
Reactions: dheafey and hrodbert696
#7
Any particular style? Teles are great but maybe not the most versatile instrument, and the necks can feel a little cramped.

As for multi-effects, I'd recommend using plugins in Reaper. Waves GTR-3 is decent and is on sale for $50...
 
  • Like
Reactions: dheafey
#9
Yeah, the thread really did drift right into Teles, which happens to be right up my alley.

If you're more of a Gibsonite, there are a LOT of low-grade Epi offerings as low as $100 new, if you wait for a GC sale. But they'll be Gibson-scale, which feels way too cramped to me. That also shuts out the solidbody Gretsches; I'm just sort of married to Fender or, at a pinch, Dano scales.

I know a Tele "only" has two pickups, but I've never had a problem with versatility. It's got a tone knob, after all. OP, you might be best off heading to a GC or something and just seeing which body style and scale length you prefer to play. Then let us know and we'll help narrow it down further.

Basics to check for your preferences:

Scale length, which affects fret distances and string tension. Gibbo goes around 24.75", Fender usually goes 25.5, though there are shorter options.
Body style. Which fits you best sitting (as I assume you'll use it most).
Body shape; do you need waist cuts? Arm relief? Or are you comfortable with a slab?
Output jack location, particularly if you'll be sitting. You might prefer a jack mounted somewhere other than on the side.

Tone matters less in your case, and a lot of the rest can be modded if you need to.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dheafey
#10
OP, you want to determine whether you prefer Gibson or Fender scale length, foremost.

Then, decide if you want a single coil sound (Tele/Strat), or a humbucker sound (LP/SG), or some combination of the two.

Or, if you want a hotter single coil sound, that is where the P90 pickup comes in.


I think for a Studio scratch track machine, a combo or "Super Strat" "Super Tele" is the way to go.


Shawn Custom Works Ghost 6 MFS Kiwi - RondoMusic.com


For multi-FX, I think your DAW will have sufficient built-in plugins to do whatever you want. If you need a standalone unit, my best recommendation is a used BOSS multi-effect like the GT-10. Very solid metal casing, good FX, gigworthy pedal. $200-300 ebay.

Invalid Link Removed
 
  • Like
Reactions: dheafey
#15
And I said:
i mean i guess, if you like the telecaster neck profile. i personally find it to be wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too narrow. The schecter or ibanez necks are likely going to be more comfortable for a bassist learning guitar, in my opinion. best bet is to try something out, see how it feels in your hands, of course.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I'll have to try a wider necked guitar to see how it feels.
 
  • Like
Reactions: And I

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back