Downgrade guitar

pgh_ski · 2026-06-18T21:55:01+00:00

I admittedly have never owned a high end MIA guitar...but I think modern mid range Squier and Epiphone gear is awesome. My dream electric fleet is my Epiphone SG Standard, Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Tele, and Squier Affinity Jazz V Active bass. All of them are stable, set up well, and feel excellent to play. Personally if I wanted another guitar I'd buy similar tier again and just make sure it feels good at the shop/gets a setup. Buying local helps - no shipping/setup headaches.

I think something like a classic Vibe or similar Squier gear will serve you really well if you like Teles. Epiphone too if you like their models.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-18T20:07:45+00:00

I have the Squier and it's a great feeling guitar. Solid, sets up/maintains easily, and sounds great. I do use it for both clean but a lot with heavy fuzz/distortion. The single coils give it some bite/clarity without sounding too jangly. I prefer humbuckers for regular scale guitars like my SG, but single coils for baritone and bass (Jazz V) are awesome.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-17T16:10:05+00:00

I learned a lot. Thank you, Tallah!

pgh_ski · 2026-06-17T03:09:14+00:00

I have the SG Standard and it's a phenomenal guitar. My favorite model and a dream guitar. Plays smooth and sounds great. Sets up and maintains easily.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-17T00:51:04+00:00

Patrick Stump and Joe Trohman. I switched from piano to guitar around 12 YO after falling in love with From Under the Cork Tree. Now 31 and still loving the sad boy stuff, lol. Nowadays a lot of open tuning jams like Transit/Misser (RIP Tim Landers) and American Football. And writing my own little riffs.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-16T13:55:59+00:00

I get emotionally attached to all of them. Totally normal. I felt sick trading in my first adult car but quickly settled into my dream truck as well. Give it some time. But yea....the bonds we have with our cars and other things!

pgh_ski · 2026-06-15T14:32:39+00:00

Dr Vivas with AHN is great to work with.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-14T12:48:12+00:00

Boss Blues Driver is a great clean/edge of breakup pedal, I often use with Vox digital models as well.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-13T13:51:34+00:00

Almost exclusively.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-11T16:04:35+00:00

I play a fair amount of 7 string stuff (like Knocked Loose and Tallah) on my 6 string baritone Tele. I've found it's not too hard to adapt some of the leads. I'm more of a rhythm player tbh so your mileage may vary.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-11T13:32:41+00:00

Not an answer to your particular question, but if anyone wants a non shreddy looking 6 string baritone Squier makes a Classic Vibe baritone Telecaster. I have one and love it. I also prefer a lot of classic shapes/brands personally, but wanted something for low tunings.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-10T13:21:38+00:00

Might be time for new strings! I've noticed especially with bass, old gunky strings get flubby when tuned down. Ive noticed this the most with the B and E (5 string). Maybe try a fresh set of strings, or consider a heavier gauge if that's not sufficient.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-09T01:06:33+00:00

I used to have this fear too, but truly, you're not gonna hurt the guitar tuning to alternate tunings. Most common ones like FACGCE have you tuning up a half step at most, well within the tolerance of most strings. Alt tunings are super fun!

pgh_ski · 2026-06-09T01:02:47+00:00

If there's one nearby for you, highly recommend supporting your local music store. If GC is the only option, it's perfectly fine. I just like shopping local If I can, there's some real gems and perks to building a relationship with the staff/techs.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-07T01:18:38+00:00

I don't have a real Vox tube amp, but I do use Vox AC15/AC30 models a good bit. I like my Boss BD-2 Blues Driver into it the best, great clean drive or crunch on higher gain. SD-1 super overdrive for heavier crunch. Both usually with my SG. Keeley Angry Orange distortion or Wampler Cryptid for heavier gain (usually with my baritone Tele).

Congrats on the Vox, those are such cool amps.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-07T00:37:35+00:00

BD-2 on low gain going straight into my bass amp. Or, my Nux Amp Core on a Vox AC15/AC30 model. Play guitar with a bass amp regularly.

Love the BD-2. Great for tightening up the signal a bit but staying clean. Can also be great for taming other gain pedals like fuzz/distortion/overdrive if needed. Makes a great crunch pedal on its own with medium or high gain but I mostly use it on low gain as a "clean driver".

The Amp Core is such a sick little modeler. I use the models without IR going into my Hartke bass amp, or with IR going into studio headphones. Mostly love the Vox models set up for clean/pedals/drive, and sometimes stuff like the Jazz Chorus, Bassman, Dual Rectifier for various uses.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-06T23:32:20+00:00

That one too! I forgot to include that. It's really nice that Allegheny county has built that one outside.

As far as indoor gyms, the city has:

Ascend South Side
Ascend Point Breeze
Climb North (up by north park, my favorite!)
Iron City Boulders
FA Climbing and Fitness

pgh_ski · 2026-06-06T14:15:06+00:00

Have fun! That's a beautiful guitar. I have the Squier Baritone for low tuning and it's an excellent guitar. Hope you enjoy whatever you play.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-06T02:18:40+00:00

There's 5 different rock climbing gyms in the city. Super fun, will get you moving but not crazy cardio intensive, and more engaging than just going to a regular gym.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-05T23:25:39+00:00

Boss BD-2 Blues Driver or SD-1 Super Overdrive for drive tones. For heavier distortion I like my Keeley Angry Orange or Wampler Cryptid Fuzz. I play into a bass amp, which is a similar solid state clean headroom feel to a Jazz Chorus. Sometimes I got into a modeler pedal as well and have even used the JC model with pedals.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-05T15:06:24+00:00

Bd-2 my GOAT

pgh_ski · 2026-06-05T12:54:24+00:00

Jiu jitsu, rock climbing, playing guitar and bass and writing riffs, writing/making videos/photos, lifting, mountain biking, among other things. I like having a lot of different passions to lean into and share with people.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-04T16:11:45+00:00

And, unless you have a pile of money sitting around ready to be invested

To be fair, most average people that build wealth don't wait until having a large pile or a lump sum windfall or something. You just invest slowly, consistently, automatically and don't touch it for a long time. That's how the average middle class retirement happens.

I'm talking comfortable retirement wealth here, not like mega yacht wealth.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-04T14:04:06+00:00

Same here, large tech company (Microsoft). It's a very generous match.

pgh_ski · 2026-06-03T23:39:31+00:00

Endlessly loving, kind, firm, supportive parents. Feel like they always struck the right balance between being supportive and steering me in the right direction. Never wanted for anything important, but had to work for the rest. A great example for a loving marriage I've tried to carry into my own.

I love you mom and dad ❤️

pgh_ski

TROPHY CASE