So you’ve been playing Guitar Hero for months and now you’ve mastered it. But it’s never going to match the experience of performing in front of a live crowd. Now’s the time to embrace your inner rock star and start playing the real thing. To help you strum your stuff here’s our low-down on the best axes in town and where to get them.
Burny/Fernandes MG 145s
The Axe: Known in Japan as Burny but called Fernandes everywhere else, these guitars usually have 21 or 22 frets (vertical metal bars). This model adds one more fret for that high-pitched piercing sound. Watch those eardrums bleed.
The Character: A favorite among die-hard glam rockers, it was particularly made famous by the late Japanese guitarist Hide of X-Japan.
The Shop: Theera Music, 100-108 Soi Werng Nakorn Kasem, Charoenkrung Rd., 02-224-8821, 02-223-9127.
www.theeramusic.com.
Price: Starting from B70,000
Paul Reed Smith (TOP PICK)
The Axe: A versatile guitar, and one that isn’t limited to the rock genre. The adaptable styles of a Paul Reed Smith can let you spice up anything from tribal music to some cool jazz. It might be expensive but once you get one, you’ll never need another guitar again.
The Character: It seems that the more eccentric guitarists are the ones to truly appreciate its flexible attributes. Karabao and Santana are among the devotees of this king of guitars.
The Shop: Lucky, 645/17 Petchaburi Rd., 02-657-0755.
www.luckymusic.co.th.
Price: Starting from B100,000
Ibanez RG
The Axe: There are two types of Ibanez in use today, the standard six strings, which is what the Guitar Hero console is modeled after, and the extra special seven-string model which is adored by those lead guitarists who just can’t resist breaking into ten minute solos.
The Character: From hard-core rockers and nu-metal bands like Limp Bizkit and Korn, to guitar whiz Steve Vai.
The Shop: Hong Seng, 121-125 Soi Werng Nakorn Kasem, Charoenkrung Rd., 02-221-6251, 02-211-6775. www.hongsengmusic.com.
Price: Starting from B60,000
Gibson SG Classic
The Axe: It might be one of the most popular brands around but its thick, heavy neck makes it a hard instrument for beginners. Seasoned pros just love Gibsons for their fierce sound.
The Character: The tool of the trade for glam rockers in the 80s but it’s hard rockers Guns and Roses and Angus Young of ACDC who became the long haired poster children that boosted the Gibson image.
The Shop: Petch Siam, 26-28 Soi Werng Nakorn Kasem, Charoenkrung Rd., 02-622-6097/-9.
www.petchsiam.co.th.
Price: Starting from B35,000
Fender Stratocaster (STARTER PICK)
The Axe: Fenders are versatile instruments, and an essential and much loved component of many a band.
It can give you crystal clear pop tunes or screech
out a head banging hard-core score depending
on your mood.
The Character: Diverse. The brand is an all-time favorite for everyone from indie and grunge idols like Nirvana to acoustic rocker John Mayer and the late guitar-god Jimi Hendrix.
The Shop: Beh Ngiep Seng, 110 Soi Werng Nakorn Kasem, Charoenkrung Rd., 02-222-5281. www.bns.co.th.
Price: Starting from B70,000
Warwick Corvette SS
The Axe: OK, not a guitar. This German-made bass is a favorite among moody bassists thanks to its rough and solid sounds. Great if you’re looking to add some deep gloomy sounds to your songs.
The Character: Beloved by Emo’s and soul searching whiny rock bands. A big player in the sounds of local acts Bodyslam and Big Ass.
The Shop: Asia Music, 171-175 Soi Werng Nakorn Kasem, Charoenkrung Rd., 02-222-8601, 02-222-2394. www.asiamusic.co.th.
Price: Starting from B85,000
Music Market
Werng Nakorn Kasem
Now that you’ve decided on the guitar to get you started, you need to head down to Werng Nakorn Kasem for some serious string shopping. A stonethrow’s from the Sampeng wholesale market, Werng Nakorn Kasem looks nothing like the home of rock. But this row of run-down Chinese shophouses is a veritable Aladdin’s cave of musical instruments, where both established and almost famous artists come to get equipped. Whatever your musical passion, you’ll find the instrument of choice from drums, amplifiers, saxophones and violins to the main attraction, the guitars.
Soi Werng Nakorn Kasem, between Charoenkrung and Yaowarat roads. Open daily 9am-5pm.
