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Importance of a Whammy Bar in Thrash and Stoner Metal


DumbFatHorse

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I've started learning guitar using an HSS Squier Strat I bought a few months back, but now I'm looking to upgrade as well as switch over to a more Metal oriented guitar. Specifically I enjoy the Thrash Metal sounds of classic bands like Metallica or Megadeath, as well as some Stoner Metal from bands like Boris or King Gizzard. I really like the look of a classic Les Paul Black Beauty, but have had no look finding a guitar of that style with a whammy bar. So, question is do I need a whammy bar to play the band's songs/ genres I listed a above, or can I make due utilizing techniques/ external gear.

Thanks in advance

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I don't think you need a whammy bar for any of that stuff. If you want to try using one, and you like the shape of a Les Paul, an LTD Eclipse would be worth a look. You can find those with a Floyd Rose tremolo used for under $1000. Gibson put out a Les Paul Studio "Shred" model with a Floyd a few years ago but that'll cost more, and then there are the "Axcess" tremolo LPs if you want to donate a kidney first.

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12 hours ago, RelentlessOblivion said:

As I understand it effect pedals, not necessarily whammy bar, are responsible for some of those stylistic flourishes. In the case of MegaDave he, or Marty more accurately used a lot of pinch and natural harmonics.

Thanks for the response, I'll look into these techniques

12 hours ago, GoatmasterGeneral said:

Kirk Hammett and Kerry King used a lot of whammy bar back in the day, but there's no reason you couldn't play their music without one. Whammy bar's just gonna put you out of tune. And if you're just learning I'd think you'd want to avoid that.

Thanks for the response and yeah I can definitely see that

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12 hours ago, FatherAlabaster said:

I don't think you need a whammy bar for any of that stuff. If you want to try using one, and you like the shape of a Les Paul, an LTD Eclipse would be worth a look. You can find those with a Floyd Rose tremolo used for under $1000. Gibson put out a Les Paul Studio "Shred" model with a Floyd a few years ago but that'll cost more, and then there are the "Axcess" tremolo LPs if you want to donate a kidney first.

Thanks for the suggestions, I hadnt actually seen the LTD Eclipse yet and its pretty damn good lookin (just wish it was glossy and not matte 😓 ). As for the Les Paul Axcess, I always thought having 2 kidneys was overrated anyways

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6 minutes ago, DumbFatHorse said:

Thanks for the suggestions, I hadnt actually seen the LTD Eclipse yet and its pretty damn good lookin (just wish it was glossy and not matte 😓 ). As for the Les Paul Axcess, I always thought having 2 kidneys was overrated anyways

If you’re selling organs I’ll take a pair of working eyes… seriously though I’d never pay that for a guitar

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7 hours ago, DumbFatHorse said:

Thanks for the suggestions, I hadnt actually seen the LTD Eclipse yet and its pretty damn good lookin (just wish it was glossy and not matte 😓 ). As for the Les Paul Axcess, I always thought having 2 kidneys was overrated anyways

I live in beer country, so I'm using my kidneys and liver pretty frequently. 

There is some solo/lead guitar stuff that you can't do without a whammy bar. Plenty of players shred without one, but if you want to play flashy thrash leads it'll be a good tool to have in your box. If you see yourself as playing riffs and rhythm guitar, you can save yourself the hassle. I like fixed bridges better for 85% of the stuff I do, so I never wind up playing my Floyd-equipped guitar. Floyd Rose trems can be a bit complicated to set up, but once they're set up right, as long as they're in good condition, they'll stay in tune really really well. 

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