I'm currently playing on an Ibanez S520EX with standard strings and amp cable (the ones that came with the guitar) and on a 15W Line6 Spider III amp. So I'm wondering, could you guys recommend me any specific strings or cables to upgrade to? Going to get a new amp later, but that's more expensive so I'm gonna wait with that for a while. I've heard the Ernie Ball super-sleek (or something like that) strings are pretty good, coming from my cousins who have been playing guitar for several years.

Thanks in advance.

I don't think changing the strings or cord is going to make much of a difference in your guitar sound as long as you have a shitty amp. I'd say, save up for a decent amp, and if in the meantime your strings wear out get some new ones.

Once you have a decent amp and you decide you want to sound even better, consider getting a different cable although don't expect a big improvement with that.


That said, I'm no guitar player so I may be talking crap

Nah, that's pretty sound advice Biert.

The cable won't make a shade of difference with that equipment, and all strings will do is make the guitar sound nicer unplugged for a couple of weeks. Super Slinkys are my string of choice, but that's a personal preference. Rotosound are pretty good too.

As was said before me: save up and buy a new amp. You've got a nice guitar there, so get something that'll do it justice

As far as I know Spider amps have POD innards, so shouldn't sound that bad?

I don't know about that, but I've played one and it was horrifying

EDIT

I am exaggerating a little. It wasn't that bad, but I certainly wouldn't call it a good amp.

EDIT 2:

By the way, to the OP: I'm really not trying to piss on your chips mate, sorry if it came off that way

No no, not at all. I haven't tried any other amps do I wouldn't know the difference really, but I can tell that my amp isn't one of the best. Oh and thanks for the other advice, I guess a 30W amp can't be too expensive, and I don't really need any bigger ones since I'm not playing in a band, just for myself really.

Out of curiosity, what are your gain and EQ settings on that amp?

~Josiah

Well I've just screwed around a bit with the "Crunch" preset, a bit more drive and a hint of reverb. There aren't really any numbers for me to look at :p

I'd go for D'Addario 10-52 strings and Planet Waves. Why? C'mon, Devin uses them too

I'd go for D'Addario 10-52 strings and Planet Waves. Why? C'mon, Devin uses them too

I was already settled on D'Addario 10-52's before I found out Devin uses them so I was like WOOHOOO

Since tried Planet Waves cableas and I am quite impressed!

I wouldn't use D'addario unless you are getting them free like Devin They sound good new but don't for very long.
I like DR string, awesome

Don't last very long...? I've had them on a guitar for over a year once until I finally had them replaced, no problems (apart from a bit of a dead sound after all that time ). Pretty durable for me.

~Josiah

Don't last very long...? I've had them on a guitar for over a year once until I finally had them replaced, no problems (apart from a bit of a dead sound after all that time ). Pretty durable for me.

~Josiah

ahaha. ONE year?
D'addarios last for about a week with me before starting to sound dull. ( i play a lot )

I've considered getting fatter strings, pros/cons?

And could you guys recommend me any amps? Don't need huge ones, 30w should be enough, though I have no idea which one to choose.

Maybe this baby



Good reviews, 15W but sounds a lot louder, and it has ze tubes. Goes for around 400 euros.