Which gear have you changed your mind about?

[sjk]

Overdrive pedals

I hated the way they made an amp sound and they felt terrible to play through, then I used one with a lower gain amp that could actually benefit from the boost and my eyes were opened.

10s

I used to believe that big strings = big tone. I still do to some extent but I could never get the high notes to scream the way I wanted until I switched to thinner strings.

Definitely agree with all of that. Boost --> Plexi is a great thing!

I think thinner strings sound bigger IF the action is set correctly. Might also restrict that to the bridge pickup, as thick strings sound great with the neck pickup of my LP. That said, I just switched to 8s for standard E tuning. No plans of going back!

You using 8's on a Les Paul or Strat? Cannot even fathom 8's on a Paul. Different strokes I guess.

 

[TheMagicEight]

You using 8's on a Les Paul or Strat? Cannot even fathom 8's on a Paul. Different strokes I guess.

Haha, yep. 8s on a Les Paul. I dunno; I just prefer a light touch with my left hand. Love hitting hard with the right, and use a 1.14mm pick, but find I'm much neater and faster with my left hand if I'm not having to force the strings to bend properly.

I actually used 11s for a while (and 12s for a brief period) after reading how much better thick strings sound. But once I learned Jimmy Page went between 8s and 9s, Angus Young uses 9s tuned to Eb, and Billy Gibbons now uses 7s, I decided their shitty tone was good enough. Since then it's just been about comfort.

 

[mooncobra]

motor city black irons and 9s. got a guitar and it came with the black irons. I played it for around 3 weeks. I always played low and mid output pups, except Duncan super v which is a hi output that plays asnd feels like mid, but anyhow, took the black irons out, put in a set of suhr ssv and ssv+, and it is so different. now I cant imagine playing any other pickup, the guitar came with 10s, and I usually play 9s, but the black irons are super touch sensitive and forgiving while sounding great. now I will play black irons and 10s and love it. of course tuned to e flat!!

 

[JTyson]

Teles. Used to think they were ugly, boring and strictly within the territory of boring, jangly indie bands. I was wrong, they're killer.

-C

This^^
Me want one.....
And P90's... they are killer

 

[sandman]

Slim neck profiles. I like it chunky these days!

 

[NOE_1942]

OCD's. Hated mine when i got it but hung on to it. Now I love it. Best balance of affordability/versatility on the market.

 

[peterc52]

Single coils.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Teles. Used to think they were ugly, boring and strictly within the territory of boring, jangly indie bands. I was wrong, they're killer.

-C

This^^
Me want one.....
And P90's... they are killer

Been lusting after some old P90 guitars. An old SG or LP. Not too terribly expensive to get a vintage old refinished one. Seems collectors and many players dodge the ones with character scratches.

 

[JTyson]

Teles. Used to think they were ugly, boring and strictly within the territory of boring, jangly indie bands. I was wrong, they're killer.

-C

This^^
Me want one.....
And P90's... they are killer

Been lusting after some old P90 guitars. An old SG or LP. Not too terribly expensive to get a vintage old refinished one. Seems collectors and many players dodge the ones with character scratches.

I got my hands on some kind of weird USA built peavey guitar that had fantastic P90's in it for almost nothing. Its got a really nice neck on it, I think that guys that did the eddie axes built them. I was really surprised how good the P90's were, they clean up well and sound ultimately pissed when cranked, and not too noisey

 

[Michi]

Active pickups, or EMG's to be specific.

I had a Charvel Model 6 waaay back, and never liked the pickups for some reason. After that, I've tried to stay away from actives altogether. I've had an EC-1000 now for abt two months and been loving the EMG's so far! I got the guitar with changing the pu's in mind, but so far I feel no need to.

 

[soc_monki]

Rectifiers...i think the Limp Bizkit stigma killed them for me years ago. dont know why, i enjoyed other bands who used the Rectos. guess i was just young and dumb. picked up my Single since i needed an amp and decided to give them a shot. it was ok at first...and picked up an Ultra Plus and decided I was going to get rid of the Recto. then i sat down, played with it more, and fell in love. using it at practice, and loud, helped with my decision to keep it. theyre not low volume amps...LOL

string gauges...i used to use regular 10 sizes on the high 3 strings, but super thick gauges on the low 3. i thought the tone was better (still think it is, for me anyway). problem is, im getting older. years of riding bikes (bmx, mountain bikes, dirt bikes) and other activities have done a number on my wrists. i switched to 9-46's for my E or D tuned guitars, and use 11-49s for anything lower than D down to B standard. it took a while to get used to, but i like to play so im going to do what i need to to play guitar. i remember watching a video with Mike from Incubus about how he used to use 13s (in STANDARD!) and he wrecked his wrists and had surgery. now he uses 9s. im going to try and avoid surgery if at all possible! LOL

Les Pauls...still havent been able to come to grips with them. i desperately want to, i love the way they look and sound. but i cannot gel with them. i dont like the angle of the neck to the body...it just throws me off and i cant get used to it. makes me uncomfortable. Maybe i just havent found the right one...

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

5th Gear

I used to think it was pretty much worthless, but with these gas prices, cruisin' down the hiway in 5th saves me some cash

 

[rupe]

Another vote for Teles - hated them until I borrowed one in a pinch and it was love at first strum.

Single coils - always felt they were too wimpy back in the 80's...play them probably 75+% of the time now.

BBE Sonic Maximizer - used to love it and thought it helped me get a great tone...then realized that the tone I got was in spite of it and not because of it.

 

[Shark Diver]

Pedals and P90s - never really gave them a chance. Love them now.

Don't hate them, still love to play them, but I'll never haul 20 space racks around again.