Chinese guitars sure are getting pretty good...

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
7,306
5
0
So my latest update in the saga of applying my nerdiness to guitar...bought one of these little hunnies:

http://artproaudio.com/art_products/signal_processing/usb_audio_devices/product/usb_dual_pre_ps/

Am quite pleased with it. It allows me to just get clean, unaltered, noiseless guitar into my PC. And apply some pretty slick effects that older standalone digi units could not do nearly as well. No, it's not 'real' effects, but it's real guitar with my quite dated PC providing tons of ass to process sound with.

The cool parts comes with using the ASIO interface to get relatively delay-free playing and recording...basically, I'm sending my guitar signal through the pre-amp to the mobo's USB port as a digital signal, it gets processed and sent back to the box, where it can be monitored with speakers or headphones.

...or I can just jack it in to my 25w solid state Fender amp on the clean channel and have limitless effects tweaking that is more than 'realistic' enough for the shitbox I'm cranking through, and yes, without major latency issues.

Now I just need to put a better speaker in the cab.
 

spacelord

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 2002
2,127
0
76
Some cheap guitars can really be made into a beast.
I picked up a closeout Epi Les Paul years ago.. the pickups were mediocre at best...I bought some USA Gibson pickups on Craigslist.. sold the epi pickups on craigslist.. so I put maybe $75 extra for a couple of nice pickups.. its a raging beast now.

Keep on having fun with your guitar.. that's what's important.. you'll learn alot on the journey..
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
The best cheap guitars I've ever come across are by Washburn. Their X series is dirt cheap (sometimes under $200) and very playable. I'm impressed by their construction quality on their low end stuff too. They really make them a gateway for their more expensive guitars.
 

zCypher

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2002
6,115
171
116
uk2e1n3lntxco50fg.jpg


Made of genuine gymnasium floor. Or something.

I can also record 'Mary had a Little Lamb' or something if you guys want. :D

.. i lol'd

nice guitar though. i have a similar one but black, perfect for me.
 

Thebobo

Lifer
Jun 19, 2006
18,574
7,672
136
I don't play electric, but I had a similar experience a couple months ago when my Martin had to go to a luthier for a few weeks for a major overhaul. I picked up a $200 Yamaha to serve as a beater in the interrim, and was pleasantly surrpised at the build quality and playability. The quality of the wood isn't there, of course, so you get $200 worth of tone. But overall not bad.

I have a Yamaha FG-200 thats been around the world and the neck is severly warped and cant be fixed, have not played in 20 years looking to get a good <$500 guitar, any suggestions?
 

Cerpin Taxt

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
11,940
542
126
So my latest update in the saga of applying my nerdiness to guitar...bought one of these little hunnies:

http://artproaudio.com/art_products/signal_processing/usb_audio_devices/product/usb_dual_pre_ps/

Am quite pleased with it. It allows me to just get clean, unaltered, noiseless guitar into my PC. And apply some pretty slick effects that older standalone digi units could not do nearly as well. No, it's not 'real' effects, but it's real guitar with my quite dated PC providing tons of ass to process sound with.

The cool parts comes with using the ASIO interface to get relatively delay-free playing and recording...basically, I'm sending my guitar signal through the pre-amp to the mobo's USB port as a digital signal, it gets processed and sent back to the box, where it can be monitored with speakers or headphones.

...or I can just jack it in to my 25w solid state Fender amp on the clean channel and have limitless effects tweaking that is more than 'realistic' enough for the shitbox I'm cranking through, and yes, without major latency issues.

Now I just need to put a better speaker in the cab.

You can download and install Reaper for free. www.reaper.fm

I use it, and I like it. After 60 days it wants you to buy it, but I don't think it locks you out. I think the lifetime license is like $60 anyway.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
I have a Yamaha FG-200 thats been around the world and the neck is severly warped and cant be fixed, have not played in 20 years looking to get a good <$500 guitar, any suggestions?

Get a Taylor 214. You should be able to get a used one in that price range. It's in the same class of tone as the Yamaha but oh-so-way-better :)
 

Puppies04

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2011
5,909
17
76
Chinese crap. I own many guitars and have played since the early 80's. I will not buy a Chinese made guitar. Why should I reward them for ripping off the technology and artistry that was invented here in the U.S.? Screw 'em!

Because if you bought a guitar made in the US for the same money it would be a 2"x4" with some wires hanging off it.