View Full Version : Help me pick a guitar.
First a thanks to everyone who offered their advice in my "I want a guitar" thread a while back.:cheers:
I am finally ready to actually throw some money at this but I'm having trouble deciding on which guitar to get. I'm going with an electric because I don't think an acoustic will motivate me to pick it up and practice as much.
I had 2 amps in mind, the Line 6 Spider IV 15 and the Fender Mustang 1 and after reading and watching a lot of reviews I think the Fender is best for me.
The kind of music I'd like to play is rock, metal and classic rock. Soundgarden, Corrosion of Conformity, Rolling Stones, maybe some Neil Young etc...
Money wise I'd like to keep it under 4 bills and closer to 3 and it should look cool.:D I've looked at ESP, Dean, Ibanez, B.C. Rich, blah blah blah but the more I look the harder it is to decide. It should have decent parts to start with as I don't want to have to upgrade it just to get it to sound good.
Lastly, before anyone suggests it... There is no place around here where I can go try them out so I'm just going to roll the dice with a semi-informed shot in the dark.
With all that said, what guitar should I get?????
Yerf Dog
07-20-2011, 3:48pm
How do you feel about used?
How do you feel about used?
If someone has a sweet used guitar that they worked all the bugs out of that would be even better as I don't even know what the bugs are at this point.
Yerf Dog
07-20-2011, 3:59pm
Even a new guitar will need to be setup up properly.
That being said, I've purchased guitars online from music123.com, americanmusicsupply.com and musiciansfriend.com. They all have good return policies if there is a problem.
I've heard some good things about Fender's Squier series.
nhlgopens
07-20-2011, 4:05pm
My son just bought a real nice used Ibanez. I was real impressed with the feel and the tone. Also, look at Blackstar amps. These guys used to work for Marshall. They had some ideas on how to take Marshall to the next level, but Marshall told them no. So they quit and created their own line. They have a lot of Marshall design but [to me] better quality and better pricing. They have a 5 watt tube amp that really rocks - sounds more like a 50 watt. Local store has it for $369... been trying to justify it. :willy:
I had been looking at this one. Ibanez RG2EX1 (http://www.music123.com/Guitars/Electric-Guitars/Solid-Body-Electric-Guitars/RG2EX1-Electric-Guitar.site7prod519783.product)
Jeff '79
07-20-2011, 4:15pm
$1900.00 will get you this beautiful 1983 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty, with a Kahler, locking vibrado, and whammy bar. The machine heads have speed tuners on them, and the thing is in near pristine condition. It sounds great........:yesnod:
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/122-1.jpg
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/001-3.jpg
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/002-6.jpg
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/003-7.jpg
nhlgopens
07-20-2011, 4:20pm
I had been looking at this one. Ibanez RG2EX1 (http://www.music123.com/Guitars/Electric-Guitars/Solid-Body-Electric-Guitars/RG2EX1-Electric-Guitar.site7prod519783.product)
That's real similar to the one my son just got. His is the RG270DX - it's about 5 or 6 years old. Got it real cheap.
$1900.00 will get you this beautiful 1983 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty, with a Kahler, locking vibrado, and whammy bar. The machine heads have speed tuners on them, and the thing is in near pristine condition. It sounds great........:yesnod:
Very nice but a wee bit out of my league at this point.
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 4:27pm
$1900.00 will get you this beautiful 1983 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty,
Thats a little out of his budget me thinks.
Find yourself a decent used Ibanez RG. They can be had all day long for $400.00
B.C. Rich,
Pass!
Dean
Pass!
ESP
Seem kinda cheap to me.
Try Jackson also.
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 4:28pm
Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty, with a Kahler, locking vibrado, and whammy bar
That hardware just does NOT belong on a Les Paul!
Find yourself a decent used Ibanez RG. They can be had all day long for $400.00
I am leaning towards this one so far Ibanez RG2EX1 (http://www.music123.com/Guitars/Electric-Guitars/Solid-Body-Electric-Guitars/RG2EX1-Electric-Guitar.site7prod519783.product)
Jeff '79
07-20-2011, 4:36pm
[QUOTE=Thomas;356348]Thats a little out of his budget me thinks.
Find yourself a decent used Ibanez RG. They can be had all day long for $400.00
:iagree:....Just go and sit at Guitar Center, and play 'em all, in your price range.....Narrow it down to 3, and then shred 'em until they go out of tune....The longer it stays in tune, after some hard playing and bending, the more you'll like it...There's nothing worse than an ax that goes out of tune really quickly.Also the "action" is very important. Even though you are a novice, you'll want the strings as low as possible, w/o buzzing....That can be fixed, however, if you find a guitar that you like. The place that you buy it, may just throw a set up in, if you wheel & deal with them. Post some pics when you get it !
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 4:39pm
Basswood body Good. Light.
3-piece maple neck Good.
Wizard II neck profile AWESOME
25-1/2" scale Typical for this kind of guitar.
24 jumbo frets See above.
Rosewood fingerboard Personal Preference between maple and this.
Dot inlays Fine
Fixed bridge No whammy bar dive bombs.
IBZ V7 neck and IBZ V8 bridge humbuckers Cant say I know of these.
Tone and volume controls Normal
3-way pickup switch See Above
I have two Ibanez guitars. A RG450DX and a JEM.
jaxgator
07-20-2011, 4:55pm
How do you feel about used?
:iagree: You can get a whole lot more guitar when buying used. I bought my son a Carvin (now owned by Fender). He guesses it was originally $8-1200 and I picked it up for $400.
He owns a Line 6 amp but says for the music you intend to play, the Fender amp would probably be the right fit for you.
He also says you should check out musiciansfriend.com and guitarcenter.com. He thinks they are both owned by the same company but says guitarcenter.com has a wide selection of used.
Although Thomas says ESP seems kind of cheap to him, my son says since you are a beginning guitar player, it is made by Gibson and is in your price range and is a beginner guitar so you might consider that.
Whatever you get, he suggests EMG pick ups as they are really good.
Here's a thread with some of his music: http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/off-topic/18079-my-kid-guitar.html
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 4:57pm
Let me expand a little on this. Basswood is a nice light wood. Bright sounding. A Les Paul has a mahogany body, maple top. Strap one on for an hour or two and your back is killing you. SERIOUS sustain, due to the weight.
The Wizard neck is VERY thin, as opposed to a Les Paul neck or a '57 Strat neck. They are thick. If you have bitch hands like I do, you will prefer thin. I manage fine with a thicker neck however.
Far too much is made of scale length IMO. The claim is 24 3/4" scale lengths are easier to bend strings on than the 25 1/2". I say bullshit to this. I have a 25 1/2 with 10's on it and no problem bending. I have been playing since my teens however. That helps.
A fixed bridge WILL stay in tune longer than a floating type Floyd Rose bridge. I done give a fuk WHAT you read.
Jeff '79
07-20-2011, 4:59pm
:iagree: You can get a whole lot more guitar when buying used. I bought my son a Carvin (now owned by Fender). He guesses it was originally $8-1200 and I picked it up for $400.
He owns a Line 6 amp but says for the music you intend to play, the Fender amp would probably be the right fit for you.
He also says you should check out musiciansfriend.com and guitarcenter.com. He thinks they are both owned by the same company but says guitarcenter.com has a wide selection of used.
Although Thomas says ESP seems kind of cheap to him, my son says since you are a beginning guitar player, it is made by Gibson and is in your price range and is a beginner guitar so you might consider that.
Whatever you get, he suggests EMG pick ups as they are really good.
Here's a thread with some of his music: http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/off-topic/18079-my-kid-guitar.html
I have a Line 6 amp, and love the concept of a modeling amp, but the dependability sucks...I can make some great sounds, but my wa wa pedal sounds crappy through it.I would not get another Line 6 if given the opportunity.
jaxgator
07-20-2011, 5:00pm
:iagree:....Just go and sit at Guitar Center, and play 'em all, in your price range.....Narrow it down to 3, and then shred 'em until they go out of tune....
RIF :slap:
Lastly, before anyone suggests it... There is no place around here where I can go try them out so I'm just going to roll the dice with a semi-informed shot in the dark.
jaxgator
07-20-2011, 5:01pm
I have a Line 6 amp, and love the concept of a modeling amp, but the dependability sucks...I can make some great sounds, but my wa wa pedal sounds crappy through it.I would not get another Line 6 if given the opportunity.
Really? I think this is his 2nd one. :bilmem:
I have no clue on the dependability. I'm just writing what he says and he's not a bad guitar player.
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 5:02pm
And now, show and tell. I paid for 'em, you're gonna see 'em! :lol::lol:
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/Full-Front.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/Six.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/PRS.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/Strat1.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/JEM3.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/4-Guitars.jpg
Jeff '79
07-20-2011, 5:03pm
RIF :slap:
Hell ! I live in the Buffalo burbs and there's a guitar center up in the north towns.....There's gotta be somewhere that he can go and take some test beats.....It's like buying a car....You don't buy it unless you drive it, and love it.
jaxgator
07-20-2011, 5:10pm
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/JEM3.jpg
My son said he loves this Steve Vai custom.
Hell ! I live in the Buffalo burbs and there's a guitar center up in the north towns.....There's gotta be somewhere that he can go and take some test beats.....It's like buying a car....You don't buy it unless you drive it, and love it.
You know what? You're right. How far can it be to a city with a guitar shop. I also agree that if it were me, I'd want to take them for a test drive before I purchased one.
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 5:12pm
My son said he loves this Steve Vai custom.
The lad has good taste!
NeedSpeed
07-20-2011, 5:13pm
Yamaha makes some decent guitars for cheap, i.e. $300-400.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj280/Dilemma_1962/PRS.jpg
Beautiful!
The Fender Mustang amp says it has a built in tuner.... Is that good/reliable/whatever?
jaxgator
07-20-2011, 5:17pm
The lad has good taste!
Unfortunately, he has no $$$ or he would have one.
American Made
07-20-2011, 5:19pm
I am leaning towards this one so far Ibanez RG2EX1 (http://www.music123.com/Guitars/Electric-Guitars/Solid-Body-Electric-Guitars/RG2EX1-Electric-Guitar.site7prod519783.product)
Can't go wrong with that especially with the kind of music you want to play. :cool1:
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 5:22pm
The Fender Mustang amp says it has a built in tuner.... Is that good/reliable/whatever
Let me just say this about that. My Fender Cyber-Twin has a built in tuner. It is the BIGGEST piece of shit known to man. I use a Boss tuner.
Having said this, I think Fender resolved this issue with the later generation Cyber-Twins. I have been looking at the Mustang IV combo amp myself.
These modeling amps have come a long ass way since they showed up. Line 6 was one of the first. The early amps all made the same claim; "Sounds just like a tube amp!" Well, they didnt. And they still dont. But they come close. Close enough for a LOT of people.
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 5:27pm
http://newsite.soldano.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/SLO-100-lrg-468x620.jpg
I know this is WAY out your budget, but if you want to hear a proper tube tone, THIS IS IT. Hands down.
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 5:49pm
Since I'm a posting pig today, here is some more advice.
Since you really cant play, (No offense) I dont think you will be able to tell a big difference between $400.00 guitars. I dont know if you picked up a $3500.00 PRS, you would understand WHY it feels like it does.
I have a friend who collects guitars. He really cannot play for shit. He cant tell the difference between his LP Custom, and his RG Ibanez. "The Ibanez is cooler. It has this bitchin' whammy bar. LOOK! Motorcycle sounds!"
Take a friend with you who can play. (If you have any that play) They will be able to see a proper set-up, shitty fret jobs, sky high action, etc.
While we're at it... Any downside to using a 20' cable? Good/bad cable brands?
all this talk is why I bought a Taylor acoustic.
maybe some day I'll be able to play something good on it.
Petew1971
07-20-2011, 6:19pm
fk your guitar play the spoons mthrfkr
Giraffe (He/Him)
07-20-2011, 6:30pm
While we're at it... Any downside to using a 20' cable? Good/bad cable brands?
No HUGE diff. I have a couple good Monster cables only because they last forever. Cheap cables seem to short out quickly.
fk your guitar play the spoons mthrfkr
Spoonman bitch!
Petew1971
07-20-2011, 6:32pm
No HUGE diff. I have a couple good Monster cables only because they last forever. Cheap cables seem to short out quickly.
Spoonman bitch!
:dance:
stingraymyway
07-20-2011, 8:33pm
If you're on a tight budget, an Ibanez is a good quality guitar. Might also look into Les Paul Studio models and Fender Strats, either Mexico or Japan made. Not bad for the money.
Cables don’t really vary much. Maybe in types of materials used. 20ft won't hurt your signal (tone) . Monster makes a heavy duty cable that will last. George L's are a "tone seekers" top choice. These are expensive. If you're just getting started I'd just go with a modest (store labeled ) cable and save the extra $$ if you really get serious. Then you'd be talking high end amps.......:hurray:
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