Electric Guitar Suggestions?

bradmatznick · 10-18-2010, 05:21 PM

I have an Epi Special II that I bought from a friend at work.. just to play around with. What i have discovered is that the guitar does not meet my minimum expectations and I'm thinking about selling it along with my 12 string Takamine and purchasing something higher quality. Maybe in the $400 - $450 price range. It's like shopping for a guitar for the first time.... so many choices and not enough experience with electrics. I've done some internet shopping for the Epi Les Paul, and the Fender strats.. and also Ibanez ART320. What should I get serious about? Thanks!

1/2-Fast Player · 10-18-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

What should I get serious about?

Depends on what you want to do with it. A Strat is more versatile than a Paul, but if you love the humbucker sound and nothing else will do, you'll want the Paul.

OTOH, if your dream is to sound like Segovia, you should forget electrics and get a classical.

It's been my experience that you can get an excellent guitar in your $400-$450 range, but there's more variation between guitars of any given model. It's a good idea, in this price range, to play several (or many) guitars of the model you want. You'll likely find one that stands above the rest. If you buy mailorder, though, you'll get luck of the draw.

Be advised that whatever you buy will probably need some setup work and possibly a fret polishing job. Unless you want to learn to do it yourself (not too terribly hard, btw), don't blow every dime you have on the guitar.

bradmatznick · 10-18-2010, 06:27 PM

I'm pretty prepared to do the setup as I do y own on my guitars.. including some nut and saddle work.. well at least on the acoustics. I've even done a fret leveling job too. It turned out ok, but much to learn! As far as sound goes; I don't know what I want and don't even know how I'm going to use it.. just developing skills I guess. I will probably remain primarily an acoustic player. It took me so long to figure out what I liked in sound for acoustics, I don't really want to go through all of that shopping again.. it appears that most prefer a Strat.. is that true?

**thesteve** · 10-18-2010, 06:35 PM

I don't know that there's a guitar that "mos" prefer."

If I was going to generalize, I'd say that Stratocasters and Les Pauls are the most common...but then, my experience has brought me to prefer Telecasters and SGs...

jefcon1 · 10-18-2010, 06:50 PM

I would suggest trying a Telecaster. It is the simplest guitar in the world. It keeps you focused on the music and not the instrument. But they aren't for everybody and I didn't start on one either, I just wish I had. Strats are great guitars but they enjoy a good bit of tweaking and setup. I'm sure the Ibanez is a fine instrument, but I would feel more locked into a style or sound with a guitar like that than a Tele or a Strat. That is all very subjective a probably useless information I gave you, but if you try a telecaster and love it, then my work here is done.

1/2-Fast Player · 10-18-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

I don't know what I want and don't even know how I'm going to use it

In that case, my advice (worth what you paid for it) is to get a Strat. You can get a wider variety of sounds from a Strat than from a LP, so a Strat will be good for you to develop skills and experiment.

BTW - don't lock yourself into a new instrument. You can find some tremendous bargains in used guitars, especially in this economy, if you're patient and diligent.

bradmatznick · 10-18-2010, 07:02 PM

Amen on the new vs used comment. There are MANY good used acoustics and if I were in the market, I would probably buy used unless there was some new guitar that I just had to have and couldn't find a used one.. it's under-rated for sure. Hey, thanks for the input, I'll take all that I can get.

Ben Colder · 10-18-2010, 07:20 PM

And don't forget the variations within the models themselves. Keep an open mind and try not to get tunnel vision by predetermining a make and model before you start searching. It can limit the chance of buying an instrument you can really enjoy. I have a MIM strat I bought new. I then bought a second hand one that was circa 1996 for my daughter for half the price. Different guitars totally. I really wanted to give her my new one and keep the old one. It just felt and played so much better!

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 10-18-2010, 07:31 PM

Personally, I would not be quick to recommend a strat.

I don't like them.

I would, however recommend auditioning a strat, tele, LP, SG, and a few semi-hollow styles.

Basically, I would kind of think for solid bodies the continuum runs from LP to SG to Strat to Tele generally speaking. Semi's and hollows are a whole 'nother beast. Personally I'd also recommend trying some of the dual humbucker superstrat styles as well such as Ibanez.

I'd also want to know if you think you want a trem.

bradmatznick · 10-18-2010, 07:39 PM

Since I posted, I've been surfing trying to learn a little. How about pickup types; humbucker vs single coil... etc, etc. What are the pros and cons? As Ben suggested.. I should understand the variations of a given model. Yes, i think I want trem, but it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 10-18-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradmatznick

Since I posted, I've been surfing trying to learn a little. How about pickup types; humbucker vs single coil... etc, etc. What are the pros and cons? As Ben suggested.. I should understand the variations of a given model. Yes, i think I want trem, but it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker.

Trems impart a different sound.

Most single coils are a little weaker in output, brighter and have some hum. Most humbuckers have no hum, a more pronounced midrange, and a somewhat higher output as a general rule. Different tools for a different job to a slight degree, but some things actually sound like a noiseless single coil. What you plan on playing primarily determine which is better for you.

ethan_hanus · 10-18-2010, 08:49 PM

I'd stay away from a trem for now, it's more of a hassle and hindrance than it is a benefit. You'll most likely end up blocking it until you gain more experience. I hardly ever use my trem, but my guitar has issues, lets not go there though.

I would look into some used Fender MIM HSS strats, or some used Fender MIM Tele's. Simply because they are just, tough as nails, simplistic guitars. Or you could look into some of the lower end Ibanez's. The Art series are great great guitars for intermediate beginner level players.

Just start playing a bunch of guitars to find the one that fits you.

gtrdave · 10-18-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradmatznick

I don't know what I want and don't even know how I'm going to use it.

It would be a good idea to maybe set a goal of what or who you might want to sound like or are inspired by.
For example, back when I first started playing, most of the guys I was inspired by were Les Paul Players (Gary Rossington, Peter Frampton, early Jeff Beck), so my gravitating towards a Les Paul-type guitar was a no-brainer for me.
If you can get an idea of something similar in your head, it might help you narrow down your search criteria a bit.

pooleman0 · 10-19-2010, 05:39 AM

Go to the store and try every guitar they have. Get the one the feels best, sounds best and is in your budget. Do you have an amp or will you need to buy one of those as well?

jeepnstein · 10-19-2010, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradmatznick

I'm pretty prepared to do the setup as I do y own on my guitars.. including some nut and saddle work.. well at least on the acoustics. I've even done a fret leveling job too. It turned out ok, but much to learn! As far as sound goes; I don't know what I want and don't even know how I'm going to use it.. just developing skills I guess. I will probably remain primarily an acoustic player. It took me so long to figure out what I liked in sound for acoustics, I don't really want to go through all of that shopping again.. it appears that most prefer a Strat.. is that true?

Since you're no strange to doing a bit of fiddling about with your guitars, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest an Agile. When you're just learning what electrics are all about some times it helps to have something that you don't mind taking a few chances with as far as pickups and stuff. Another good source of things that make guitars go "Twang" or whatever sound you prefer is GuitarFetish. In both cases the sites I'm referring to you are sort of bottom feeders but they sell pretty good stuff. Just don't expect top dollar resale value.

I'm a big Telecaster fan. I also have a thing for Les Pauls. The acoustic player in me prefers a fixed bridge. Just remember that the bulk of the tone from an electric guitar is had through the amp and whatever pedals you use.