Hi guys. My friend who I know says that he is really interested into buying new a guitar. He currently plays on a squire strat and he is looking forward in the future to saving up and purchasing a new expensive guitar for at least $500 dollars. He says what can he do to improve his tone on his guitar already without trying to make huge changes or adjustments to his guitar such as buying and putting new and expensive guitar pickups on his guitar, or buying pedals etc...? What would be your advice to him? Me personally I suggested first look into getting good guitar strings maybe Ernie ball or some other good name brand. Secondly, pay attention to what kind of instrument cable your running from your guitar to your amp. I suggested to take a look at buying a monster cable to improve the quality of his sound. Thirdly, pay attention to what kind of guitar pick you have. A lighter guitar pick goes with lighter strings especially a pair of 8's. A heavy guitar pick goes with heavier strings.
But you know what my friend said after all this? He did not like what I told him and he refused. He said it would be better for him to first buy the new expensive guitar, then a monster cable, and worrying the other stuff later such as pedals, strings, hard shell case etc... later. Was he right on this matter?
Yes, your friend was right. He's going to do whatever....regardless of your input. Get used to it.
It's taken me years to learn that people are going to do and buy some improbable gear....and make their own mistakes along the way. Don't force your opinions on anyone. If asked, STILL approach the subject carefully.
Unless I'm a guitar teacher and being paid to impart basic information like this to students, I typically smile and side step comments by friends that they want to buy a Fender® Yngwie Malmsteen Stratocaster® because not having one is the reason they're not tearing it up! I mean....what are you going to honestly say to stuff people dream up like this? Stand back, let them loose and watch....YOU might learn something in the process.
I work on guitars professionally. I have opinions...but I represent them as such AND admit that many opinions have changed over the years due to changing circumstances in the market or problems I see regularly.
You might think only young and inexperienced players make what would be seen as "wrong" or ill-advised purchases Think again. I see professional players making really bad gear and modification choices on a regular basis. My job is to tell them if it is or is not a good idea to "repair" their way out of bad guitar purchases with neck reshapes, Bare Knuckle pickups or the addition of a Callaham bridge. Whatever.
Guitar players are a strange bunch about their gear. Approach this problem as if you were considering making comment about their choices in girlfriends or wives (ie VERY CAREFULLY).
It all comes down to letting others decide what shade of lipstick they are determined to put on their pig....if you want to stay friends, of course.
And lesson #2 is EVEN MORE important: Fight reminding anyone YOU TOLD THEM SO when they go down these roads and finally realize their mistakes.
Good luck!
