Daphne Blue, was a close choice between that and the sunburst but I didn't like the look of the sunburst with a maple neck. It was also a close call between the Nashville and the Deluxe Thinline, if I had gone for that it would definitely have been the sunburst.

In amongst my stockpiling and panic buying, I inadvertently added a Fender Jazzmaster to my basket.

It arrived on Friday and my wife loves it.....she's hardly seem me since then.


BTW Whilst I was looking, one of those annoying "chat now" now boxes popped up. I thought nothing ventured , nothing gained, so I asked the chap that if I paid cash what was the best price they could do for me. He said he'd check and then came back and told me that the margin on Fenders were tight, but offered to knock a bullseye off. Worked out at about 50p a keytsroke saving.

Good work Pidster , between us we'll get Fender through this.

Do some research then go second hand. You’ll get a way better deal. Maybe get it set up for you by a professional.

My new Telecaster arrived today, the Nashville has a Stratocaster pickup in addition to the traditional two pickups on a regular Tele. I have signed up with JustinGuitar, Andy Guitar and Fender Play. After about four hours of practice I have sore fingers and can now play the opening riff to Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 very poorly.

Can we have some pics please? I've wanted a tele for years but feels a bit flagrant getting one when I have a Strat and a LP, and the missus would moan.

I've also signed up to Fender play, been messing around on it tonight.

Here you go

Day three. Leaned two new chords (C&G) but forgot the one I had previously leaned (A). Takes me forever to get the chords right, gotta start somewhere though.

Mainly using Fender Play for lessons, have also dipped into JustinGuitar and AndyGuitar, all seem pretty useful so far.

AndyGuitar is good (can't recall JustinGuitar but rings a bell). Helped me at the beginning (and I am still very much at the beginning).

This lockdown has been a great excuse to play more. I’ve been playing for 35 years on and off but have probably played more in the last month than I have in the last 3 years.

Really starting to play better and picking up chords I’d never played before. I’m currently working through James Grant’s songbook (Love & Money for those of a certain age) and have pretty much learnt 70% of the songs.

Practice really does make ‘perfect’. Chords I’d never heard of let alone played are becoming second nature and have added a lot to my ‘repertoire’ if I had one.

I have a Yamaha acoustic and am thinking of branching out and looking at an electric and amp as well. With the cash I’m saving from the pub being shut !

Any recommendations welcome. Budget of £300 or so

For a small practice amp the Boss Katana mini ( about £80 ) might be worth a look.

When buying electric on a limited budget, you have to decide between amp quality and guitar quality. I tend to say get a decent amp because it sounds better but I know people who say get a decent guitar because it feels better. Your choice really.

However, i certainly wouldn't go super cheap on the amp - those 30 quid ones make you sound like you're playing with a power tool. I think if you pay roughly £100-120 for your amp, you should get something decent. To give you an idea of pricing, on Anderton's at present:

• Cheap (Kinsman?)
• Pidstir's Boss (warning - battery powered)
• Laney
• Blackstar
• Fender
• Fender modelling
• Marshall

I note that many of these are out of stock at Andertons but others on this thread have not been too complimentary about them as a retailer anyway.

As for guitars, at the price you're looking, I find Squier to be better than Epiphone/Ibanez Gio etc - better quality control. Yamaha Pacifica are ok too. My favourite is my MusicMan Axis Sub. Of course, if you (or a mate) has some practical skills, then second hand is the way to go - much cheaper so you'll get a better instrument. One thing I would recommend, whatever you buy, is to pay for a fret job (or learn how) - it makes a huge difference to ease of playing.

Nice colour. Brand new? How much did it cost?

£695 from Thomann in Germany, including shipping to London.

I believe the Katana also runs off 9v dc ( at least mine does ).


As to guitars, Harley Bentons ( available from Thomann ) have been getting good reviews.

https://i.imgur.com/CfOwoBg.jpg

Had this for a few months and it’s very different to more usual more agricultural Fenders. I love the playability and sound but bloody hell it’s gaudy. It’s also a lot of money to have in a guitar !

That sent me down the rabbit hole, damn you!;) I've never touched a Harley Benton and know of only one person who ever bought off Thomann from NZ so I can't comment on their quality.

Anyway Worksop Palace, there's a lot on Thomann (all "available immediately" status) starting with:
This bundle of Gretsch-like hollowbody and 5W all tube Laney - closer to £400 than £300
If the bundle is too much, I like the amp they recommend:
Laney Cub8 5W all tube - surely this is the best deal for an amp at only £118 - all tube so the sound will be better than solid state. I imagine it will be more than loud enough for the front room though it has a small speaker so it will be a bit light on bass.

Then, there's a range of HB guitar options:
Semi-hollow, like a 335 for £155
ESP style Les Paul with split coils for £160
Strat for £164
Semi-hollow Tele with P90s for £166
Semi-hollow PRS with split coils for £189

Thank God my wife doesn't let me have the online banking password. I would have bought this already.

my Babies Gibson Les Paul and a merida

that the Custom 24 typical fender player if you find that gaudy:lux: great looking guitar though mate they sound awesome.

Never come across Merida before; what does it sound like?

I tend to favour Shergold electric guitars and basses and Ovation 6 and 12 string electro-acoustics.