Gear Recommendations

Here is an inventory of gear that I did at our local music stores. In the sidebar link ‘List of stuff you need‘ to find out what you should have if you are going to take lessons with me. Read that first and then take a look at the gear I recommend.

.. Korg MA-30 Metronome Battery operated metronome with an auto-shut off feature (nice, I always forget to turn mine off, it saves batteries).  It also has a pitch generator, for those of us who still tune using pitch.
.. Pitch Pipe This is what I grew up with.  The problem with the newer tuners is that electronic gizmo’s do not train pitch recognition.  This is very very important.  However, it make take a while and a few broken strings before you can identify the correct pitch.  I often broke strings searching for the right pitch.  However, my pitch recognition is right on now.  I highly recommend these after 6 to 7 months of lessons.
.. Pitch Pipe This is a vocalist pitch pipe.  It can be used as a pitch tuner for guitars, but its not recommended.  Vocalist, be prepared to use one of these.
.. Korg CA-1 Tuner This is the guitar tuner modeal and NOT the bass guitar model (the CA-1 has been discontinued by Korg), however they are still available locally.  The Bass/Guitar combo tuner tuner is the Korg GA-1, it will tune both Guitar and Bass, but is slightly more expensive.  There are other styles available, check your locals stores.
.. Korg TM40 Combo Tuner/Metronome Battery operated metronome/tuner.  This is a really nice all in one device with an auto-shut off feature. Very useful, however its a little on the spendy side.  Additionally, not all local stores carry these.  They are great to have.  Stencil you name on the back when you buy it, they have a tendency to ‘walk off’.
.. Digitech RP80 This is an entry level guitar processor. Basically it allows you to have several different type of effects and distortion. What is so very useful about these little pedals is the drum machine that comes with them. Metronomes are ok, but are very sterile. A drum machine give you a more live feel. Much more useful when doing all the metronome drills I give my students. Note, this model is not made by Digitech any more. However, they are around 2/3rd’s the cost of the RP90 and can still be found at some of our local music stores.
.. Digitech RP 90 This is the ‘upgraded’ version of the RP80. The major difference to the average user is that the RP80 has 80 presets and the RP90 has 90. For you tech geeks, the internal firmware has changed (different processor manufacturer). Slightly more expensive then the RP80, but is more readily available.
.. Guitar Capo Shown here is the Dunlop Trigger style.  Locally available are also the Kyser Style Capo and the Shubb Guitar Capo.  I prefer the Dunlop capo because of the ergonomics of the trigger (below the neck and not above) and because it keeps a uniform pressure on the fret when applied (not the case with the Kyser).  The Shubb is useless in my opinion, because you cannot clip it to the neck.  Any style that uses a strap to hold it on the guitar, avoid.  Please note there are different types of capos.  A classical capo will be wider.  An electric guitar capo will not have as much spring tension (which is OK to use on an acoustic if your string height is set up properly).  Try and find a Dunlop style.  If you cannot, a Kyser style is acceptable.
.. Ovation Mini Applause This guitar comes in both steel (shown) and nylon string (shown in the link).  Its a 3/4 size guitar that is very comfortable with younger students (9-15).  After 14-15, the guitar feels like a toy, even though its very well constructed. Available locally, check stores for inventory.
.. Hohner HC02P This is an entry level 3/4 size student guitar.  The nylon is easy on young fingers and the 3/4 is great for students 13 and younger.  A student will outgrow this guitar in 3 years.  Not suggested for students older then 10 years of age because of this (unless you do not mind buying an upgrade within a year, year and a half).  Available locally, price is good for the quality.  Check local stores for availability.
.. Hohner HC03 Another 3/4 size entry level guitar.  Same as the HC02 in specifications.  However, it is slightly more expensive then the HC02.
.. Ibanez AW30DVS This is an adult size guitar.  Do not buy this guitar unless you are a serious student.  It is too nice of a guitar to sit in a case and collect dust.  If you purchase this guitar, make sure you ask about getting a humidifier for the case (the extreme cold weather is hard on guitars due to lack of humidity).  Check local stores for availability.
.. Greg Bennett ASDR Another Adult level guitar.  This guitar is definitely gig worthy.  This guitar is great as an upgrade (you should not start out with this guitar).  Please check local stores for availability, they go fast.
.. This is drum practice pad that can be found at many of the music stores in our area.  Durable, not very loud and inexpensive.  Very similar to the one I used growing up as a kid.
.. Gretch Nighthawk This is an entry level drumset. The downside with this kit (as with most kits) are the quality of the cymbals. Good cymbals are expensive. The ones that come stock with this kit are entry level, so do not expect those cool shimmering splashes when you strike them. However, the hardware and shells are good quality for an entry level. This kit is available locally, check your local stores for availability.
.. Greg Bennett Formula Guitars I am a big fan of Greg Bennett guitars.  First, they are cheap but of high quality workmanship for the price.  You can upgrade a Greg Bennett Guitar and it can keep up with any of the high end name brand guitars (I have done it).  I highly highly recommend these guitars. This guitar is based loosely on the Fender Telecaster.  Does it sound like one, no.. but thats because of the pickups (change these out with Fender pickups and wiring harness and it will).  They make many different brands based on the popular models.  Not depicted are their Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul similar models.  These guitars are offered locally.  Check for availability.
.. Fender Mexican Telecaster (shown) or the Fender Squire Telecaster These guitar are excellent.  An American Telecaster is the goal, however.. learn how to play first.  If you wanting the similar tone, the Fender Mexican Telecaster and the less expensive Fender Squire Telecaster are acceptable substitutes.  A word on the Fender Squire, AVOID the Chinese made and Korean made Squiremodels (ask the store clerk to show you where the model is made, usually shown on the neck stock).  The neck joints on the Chinese and Korean made models are cut slightly too deep and do not maintain their tuning higher up on the neck (this has to deal with intonation).  Squire’s made in Indonesia are OK.  These guitars are offered locally, check stores for availability.
.. Squire Strat mini This is a 3/4 size electric guitar.  Overall, a very cool concept.  I can see a young student (7-10 years) learning on this guitar with no problem.  Check stores for availability.
.. Fender Mexican Stratocaster and the Fender Squire Stratocaster.  Again, the goal is the American Made Stratocaster.  Again, if your starting out, I would highly recommend the Squire Strat.  Save the higher end guitars till after you developed your skill and style.  Again, word of warning on Squire Guitars made in Korea and China, the neck joint is cut too deep and it goes out of tune slightly when you play up farther on the neck (the Squire’s made in Indonesia are OK).
Greg Bennett Bass Guitars Bass guitars are a sore spot for me. I have had students come in with an inexpensive bass that was impossible for me to play (let alone the student). A budget bass guitar manufacturer will cut corners to bring down the price. What happens is that you cannot adjust the neck, the frets tend to be uneven (the strings buzz when you fret in one position but do not elsewhere), cheap wiring, among other things. A neck that cannot be adjusted usually means unacceptable string height from the fretboard (making it really hard to fret).

Not related to cost of the instrument is scale length. Parents tend to purchase basses with long scale lengths (scale length being the distance measured from the nut to the bridge). Long scale necks can be really difficult to fret for the small handed student.

Add all these problems up and what you get is a student who fights with their instrument and they get discouraged. For younger students (I would not start a student on a bass guitar until they are at least 12 due to hand size), I recommend ‘short scale’ basses. These are basses with a nut to bridge measurement less than 31 inches. I mention the Greg Bennett Bass as a good balance of quality and playability. They come in short scale, do not cost and arm and a leg, and can be found locally.
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