Best rhythm guitar - Page 2

franchelB · #16 12-19-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaLoo

I'm surprised no one's mentioned a Fender Tele. I always think of them as rhythm guitars but perhaps I'm wrong in that?

Yes ma'am, I could've suggested "this and that" guitar (which is why I have all these guitars under my sig.), but I suggested that the poster should find what or who's style he/she wants to emulate.
No ma'am, not quite. I realise it sounds "cliche'" but Mr. Jimmy Page's solo in "Stairway to Heaven" was played on a Telecaster.

jnapo · #17 12-20-2006, 07:36 AM

I do not think that providing an answer to your question with our recommendations is the best solution for you. Over the years I have played rhythm and lead on many guitars. The guitars had their benefits and drawbacks. You need to consider your situation, the music that you are playing. You also need to consider if you are performing covers how close to the original sound you want to come and how much you are willing to spend to achieve that end. Some of the best rhythm sound recorded come from Rickenbackers 12 Strings. I you are preforming one song that has this tone do you go out and buy one? That is up to you. The other consideration is whether you are willing to move multiple instruments to the performance and whether you will be able to transition between the instruments during the performance without impacting your fellow performers. I have found that playing for many years without a guitar tech that changing guitars during a performance can often put a unnecessary brake in the music. My solution for many years of playing has been to model the sound with electronics. It is not a perfect solution but when played in a live environment the combination of everything else that is occuring often gets you to "It is close enough for the average listener to not be able to tell the difference".

As I said from the start you need to search your soul and determine where you want to be when everything is all done. Once you have a direction I am sure that you can get better information from the community.

Please do not take this the wrong way. I do not mean to imply that the information already provided is not valuable. I just have found that once you define where you want to be you will be more happy when you get there.

steverok · #18 12-20-2006, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

The best rhythm guitar is the one you like the best. John Lennon probably used a solid body Rickenbacker and a hollow body Epiphone more than anything else.

Lennon's was actually hollow, even though there is no sound hole, ala the Gretch Duo Jet. Rickenbackers are the best electric rhythm guitar in the world !

woodruff · #19 12-20-2006, 09:07 AM

Martin D-35

Herb Hunter · #20 12-20-2006, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steverok

Lennon's was actually hollow, even though there is no sound hole, ala the Gretch Duo Jet. Rickenbackers are the best electric rhythm guitar in the world !

Wow. I played the Rickenbacker John Lennon model, the one with the short scale neck and never noticed it had a hollow body.

mojito · #21 12-20-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaLoo

I'm surprised no one's mentioned a Fender Tele. I always think of them as rhythm guitars but perhaps I'm wrong in that?

I have a '91 Telecaster and in my hands it is more a rhythm guitar but it can rip leads too. In fact I think it is a fantastic lead guitar, I just mostly play rhythm in our band but I have no problem kicking it when I need to.

markwayne · #22 12-20-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

I'm surprised no one's mentioned a Fender Tele. I always think of them as rhythm guitars but perhaps I'm wrong in that?

I think that Teles are are wonderful, diverse guitars. There are a couple of factors that, I feel, make Teles great rhythm guitars. One is that they, on average, have a lower output than a Strat and way lower output than a humbucker guitar. Two is that you get the neck + bridge setting that a stock Strat lacks which makes for a wonderful, full sound that still has that single-coil shimmer. Now, if you rewire your Strat to allow that pickup combination and back off the volume a bit . . .

Wayne

Mr. IJaK · #23 12-20-2006, 12:13 PM

I think the best rhythm guitars are kinda not the most sustainful. So, stay away fro overwound pickups, tapered necks and heavy bodies, and what do you have? A tele. Or a rickenbacker. I could go on... then again, most guitars sound better on rhythm on the neck pickup. A tele can do scorching solos just fine using a neck pickup.

Using an Acoustic and putting that in the mix adds an almost percussive thing. Very good if you really want to reinforce the 'rhythms', though I accept that not what rhythm guitar is always there for.

Compurocker · #24 12-22-2006, 11:25 AM

I think both the Fender Strat and the Gibson Les Paul are excellent all around electric guitar choices. In my opinion another incredible electric guitar is the Paul Reed Smith (PRS) CE Maple Top 22 or 24 or the Custom 22 or 24. I love them with the Wide Thin Neck and the HFS Pickups. The PRS Tremolo System is also outstanding. See them here:http://www.prsguitars.com/ There are so many great acoustic guitars out there that I can't even begin to list them all! Taylor/Martin/Goodall/Olson/Ryan/FroggyBottom/Collings/RTaylor/Breedlove/Larrivee/Morgan/Lowden Avalon/Huss&Dalton/Bourgeois/Santa Cruz and on and on...

FLDavid · #25 12-22-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

Wow. I played the Rickenbacker John Lennon model, the one with the short scale neck and never noticed it had a hollow body.

Was it like this one?

jonesbrass · #26 12-22-2006, 08:01 PM

Looking for the "right" electric rhythm guitar is just like looking for anything else; you've got to find the instrument that speaks to you and that you relate to. In my case, for example, I bought a Fender Fat Strat a couple of years back as my first foray into electric. Unfortunately for me, I might as well have strapped strings across a 2x4. It was a very fine instrument- it just didn't work for me. I got rid of it and have since replaced it with an Epi Les Paul. For me, I relate to the feel, sound and vibe of the instrument, and it does what I want it to do. Go out and play a bunch, you'll find the "right" one for you. Or at least the "right now" guitar for you . . . until you begin your search for the next "perfect" one!!

Good luck.

LPPlayer · #27 12-22-2006, 11:02 PM

I have been the rhythm guitar player for the last 20+ years. A lot of good opinions already suggested.....here is mine after 50 plus guitars over the years.....

Best overall - Les Paul
Best purely rhythm - Gretsch 6120 (finding a good one takes patience)
Best strat style - "super-strat" maybe a Grosh or Anderson
A nice tele covers a lot of ground
If you get to have more than 1 - get a Ricky 12 string - they are a blast to play for some of the old "classic rock" songs and also get a nice acoustic electric ( I personally don't like them - but ya gotta have one) !!

and of equal importance - get a nice amp that matches your guitar and playing style !!

Bern · #28 12-22-2006, 11:55 PM

When I was playing in bands in the '60s & '70s I've always felt comfortable with Gretch and Rickenbacker guitars. Gibsons, I've found to be hard to tame for rhythm, but that might have been just me.

Rich · #29 12-23-2006, 07:43 AM

I have a Korean made Epiphone Casino which sounds great for rythym playing.

jonesbrass · #30 12-23-2006, 08:53 AM

One other thing that is vital in the "perfect rhythm guitar" setup is the amp- not only picking the right instrument for you, but also the right amp to match the sounds in your head.