"Classic" Gear

roachello · Post by **roachello** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:23 am

Many people say that Fender Stratocasters and Gibson Les Pauls are two of the most "Classic" guitars. When they say "Classic", is this defined as timeless design which people never get tired of? Or perhaps does it refer to the quality of a vintage model that cannot be currently replicated?

Just kind of curious, how do you define a classic and what do you classify as classic gear (amps, guitars, pedals, etc)?

Post by **Mike** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:31 am

The Classic or Timeless Guitars:

Stratocaster, Les Paul, Telecaster, ES-335, SG

Classic Amplifiers:

Marshall Plexi
Marshall JCM800
Vox AC30
Fender Twin
Mesa/Boogie Mark IV

Classic Pedals:

Fuzz Face
Big Muff
Crybaby
Phase 90

BoringPostcards · Post by **BoringPostcards** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:40 am

Mike pretty much nailed it.

I'd have to add a few

guitars/basses:

Jazzmaster/Jaguar(they're getting more popular and respected), Gretsch White Falcon, Rickenbacker 360, Flying V, Jazz Bass, Precision Bass, EB-0/EB-3, Danelectro U2/DC2

pedals:

small stone (phase 90s greatest competition)
electric mistress flanger
mxr dynacomp
octavio

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:26 pm

Skiptracer1981 wrote:Mike pretty much nailed it.

I'd have to add a few

guitars/basses:

Jazzmaster/Jaguar(they're getting more popular and respected), Gretsch White Falcon, Rickenbacker 360, Flying V, Jazz Bass, Precision Bass, EB-0/EB-3, Danelectro U2/DC2

pedals:

small stone (phase 90s greatest competition)
electric mistress flanger
mxr dynacomp
octavio

All nice stuff, but the list of "classics" ends with Mike's gear. Strats and LPs are WAY more popular than Jazzmasters and Danelectro U2s.

James · Post by **James** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:30 pm

You'd have to consider the P and Jazz basses as classic too. You also have stuff like a Martin D-18, the Gibson jumbo and the ES-175

I'd say the bassman is a classic amp, maybe also the champ.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:54 pm

I would say all of those things except the basses are niche.

For example I couldn't name one album that evokes the sound of a Bassman amplifier.

James · Post by **James** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:55 pm

A D-18 is about as niche as a strat.

Yarko · Post by **Yarko** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:56 pm

The Rickenbacker 4001 is also pretty recognizable.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:58 pm

James wrote:A D-18 is about as niche as a strat.

Way to dodge the pertinent point.

I don't even know what a D-18 is. Is it some stupidly expensive Acoustic? If so how can something not available to the masses be "Classic"?

James · Post by **James** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:03 pm

I might be wrong as I know next to nothing about acoustics, but it's the dreadnought.

A Gibson Les Paul isn't that available to the masses. That isn't a relevant point at all.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:05 pm

Epiphone.

Countless copies. It is the point to me. We're talking about guitars that are ubiquitous surely? It is a classic design.

James · Post by **James** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:07 pm

The dreadnought has as many copies as a strat or les paul.

Maybe it's a different model number, but from what I know of it (mostly through donkey) the D-18 is the classic.

jmikel17 · Post by **jmikel17** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:56 pm

Maybe explorer too, it came out at the same time as sg

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:06 pm

jmikel17 wrote:Maybe explorer too, it came out at the same time as sg

and it became popular 30 years later...

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:41 pm

i think, clapton, willie nelson, and most 60's/70's guitarists use(d) the martin d18 at some point.

Aeon · Post by **Aeon** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:44 pm

I think the Ibanez Tubescreamer is a classic.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:05 pm

Dont forget the Parker Fly, BC Rich Warlock and PRS Santana....

Srsly, I dont think you can count Jags, Jazzys, Dano's, Explorers and such as some people mentioned as they are'nt the main 'classics'.
Mikes summary was about right plus the odd Bass and Acoustic.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:05 pm

I reckon a ProCo RAT should probably go in this list.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:06 pm

The Boss DS-1 is probably the most widespread used pedal in the world. Now then.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:09 pm

Fran wrote:Srsly, I dont think you can count Jags, Jazzys, Dano's, Explorers and such as some people mentioned as they are'nt the main 'classics'.

I agree. I think guitars and amps that are classed as Classics should be ones that even people that don't play or enthuse about guitars understand and recognise.

Everyone knows what a Strat and a Les Paul, a Telecaster and an ES-335 looks like. Everyone knwos what an SG looks like.

People know about Marshall stacks, Vox amps (via the Beatles) and I'm sure most people recognise the Fender Twin with it's silver grillcloth and blackface. The definition can be debated, but that is how I interpret it and things like the Explorer just don't fit into it, the edge might play one but to be honest only guitar nerds associate that guitar with him, since he switches so often a layman ain't gonna recognise it. I was talking guitar stuff in a cab to Brighton on the weekend to this older bloke who knew his shit about LOADS of crap (everyone else in the cab was really bored), and as soon as I said I played Jaguars we were both on the same page about them - they are idiosyncratic oddball guitars. They were commercial flops.

They are not Classics.