Need Guitar Recommendations

April 5, 2009 4:43 PM

$1000, and I want to buy an electric guitar + accessories....what guitar should I get?

So I have $1000, and I'm going to upgrade to a new guitar. I'm going to be giving my current setup (Fender Squier, practice amp, and other things like picks and a capo) to someone else as a gift. I'm going to be taking serious lessons in the summer, and I think it's worth it to buy a nice instrument.

So I'm going to be buying quite a bit...I need the guitar, a case, possibly new strings, a practice amp, etc. I've got it all covered except the guitar itself. I'd like to spend around $500-600 on the guitar, but I could probably go up to $700 for something really awesome. After doing some research, I've noticed that the Epiphone Les Paul and Fender Strat and Telecaster are all in my price range, but I'm not sure which of those might be the best, or if I'm missing something important. So what would you guys recommend? I realize I need to play them to see for myself, but I'm interested in what guitarist Mefites have to say.

Also, while we're at it: what's a good online community for guitarists? I'd love to be able to browse and participate in active forums, if such a thing exists.

posted by DMan to Media & Arts (25 answers total)

Best answer: Some info on what kind of music you play will probably help a lot with the recommendations.

As a general suggestion, go to a guitar shop - preferably with a good selection of used instruments - and find one that feels "right."
posted by paperzach at 4:48 PM on April 5, 2009

Response by poster: Good idea about the music. I do Christian praise and worship music, and some rock/alternative. No metal or anything like that.
posted by DMan at 4:58 PM on April 5, 2009

Slimline tele semihollow and a Princeton
posted by jeb at 5:28 PM on April 5, 2009 [1 favorite]

Maybe put a analogman tubescreamer in front of the Princeton?
posted by jeb at 5:29 PM on April 5, 2009

Gibson Les Paul is about 999 and comes with a nice hard case, strap, etc. You should def. play one of those. They sound great clean and are one of the de facto studio guitars.
Pick up a used amp at guitar center or something - you can get a decent 200watt head and cab for 175-350.

Disclosure: I'm a bass player (Modulus FB4) with an old Kustom Tuk'n'roll cab but was just guitar shopping last week and the Les Paul is what I ended up buying.
posted by zephyr_words at 5:37 PM on April 5, 2009

Response by poster: Zephyr: I realize the Gibson is going to be better, but will it be significantly better than the Epiphone that's like half the price?
posted by DMan at 5:42 PM on April 5, 2009

It depends on the specific epi vs the specific Gibson, you gotta play em. I'd go used anyway. I'm also just generally not a huge les Paul guy.
posted by jeb at 5:48 PM on April 5, 2009

If you're going for a Les Paul copy, you should look out for the Tokai Love Rock. There's a whole range of them, and most will beat an Epiphone.
posted by cincinnatus c at 6:00 PM on April 5, 2009

I'd go used. Go to a Guitar Center, play everything in the store. Then start looking at used music stores and on craigslist for the guitar/amp combo you liked the best.

Do some research on the epiphone. Some are good and some not so good. Also hard to go wrong with a mexican strat and a nice amp, but I think its better to get a better guitar.
posted by Ironmouth at 6:04 PM on April 5, 2009

talking to the Mr. sitting next to me... He agrees with Ironmouth. He teaches too. He said you should go to Guitar Center and that a Strat and a nice amp are the way to go.
His other suggestion is a Carvin.
posted by nimsey lou at 7:11 PM on April 5, 2009

Definitely play everything you can. It took me three electrics and three acoustics before I figured out what plays well with/in my hands.

Although thinline Telecasters and Carvin-types are oddly popular with worship-rock. I have no idea why. Maybe they look vaguely Christian, or the f-holes look dressier than would a shredder's whammy bar.

The difference in feel between Teles, Strats, and LPs is quite a bit, and some people can only love one of them (*cough* get a tele *cough*)
posted by tmcw at 9:22 PM on April 5, 2009

Best answer: Did you like your Squier? If so, the Fender Strat (or Tele) is a good choice because it will feel the same and sound the same but better. Gibson / Epiphone will have a slightly different feel (shorter scale) and possibly a harder sound (humbucker pickups rather than single coils.)

Unfortunately for you, prices have increased recently - a made-in-Mexico Strat is $549 now, I paid $399 for mine a year or so ago. Gibson/Epiphone have also had price increases. That's one reason to seriously consider a used guitar - if you're careful you could get an amazing deal.

My impression is that at the $500 end, Fender's quality is slightly better than Epiphone. But quality varies from model to model, and guitar to guitar. Play before you buy.

A couple of others you might want to consider:

- Gretsch Electromatics - if you like hollowbody guitars, these are very nice for $600. Mine was built better than my mexi Strat.
- PRS SE - a variety of models from $500 to $700. In my opinion these are the best quality you'll get for a new guitar in that range.

Guitar Center just had a big trade-in weekend, so you might find a good deal on a used one there. Otherwise craigslist or your local guitar shop are your friends.

P.S. Especially if you buy used, save $50 of your budget to have a professional setup done on the guitar. It'll make even a cheap guitar play really well.
posted by mmoncur at 9:35 PM on April 5, 2009

Also, while we're at it: what's a good online community for guitarists?

I like GuitarNoise best as a community for discussing playing guitar. There are also some good guitar-specific forums, such as telecaster forum.
posted by mmoncur at 9:42 PM on April 5, 2009

Dman: That's up for you to decide. When it comes to instruments price makes a difference IMO. You really just need to get in there and play on a few different amps see what sounds\feels good to you.
I just mentioned the real les paul since you said your price point was at $1000.

I sort of look at these types of purchases as:
Do I want to spend $500 and be regretful later when I want to upgrade?
OR
Am I serious enough where I want to buy something and never have to replace it?

My bass was something like $2000 a few years ago but I'll never need to buy another 4 string in my life.

Don't be afraid to negotiate at guitar center either. I was able to get about $350 of accessories thrown in for free on a large purchase there.
posted by zephyr_words at 10:42 PM on April 5, 2009

Was just coming in here to recommend a Gretsch or PRS, and mmoncur beat me to it. You should at least try them. I really like the sound that hollow bodies (or semi-hollow bodies) make.
posted by devilsbrigade at 10:44 PM on April 5, 2009

Response by poster: You know, it's kind of funny, I went to GC about four months ago and the salesman said their new policy was just to match prices and that they won't knock anything off like they used to. Anyone know if that's true or he was just giving me a hard time?

Okay, so the resounding answer is definitely to go check them out myself and see what I like. Going to do that tomorrow, probably. I'll keep that in mind about the Gretsch and PRS guitars, thanks!

Feel free to add more if you have anything to say, I'll be checking this thread still, and I'll report back if I end up picking one out.
posted by DMan at 10:48 PM on April 5, 2009

If you ever play in a seated position, you may find the Les Paul difficult to play (generally the shape slips off your leg, but there are workarounds). The Fenders are simply easier to play seated.
posted by artdrectr at 10:53 PM on April 5, 2009

Best answer: Be aware that 'cost' is a strange phantom in something as subjective as a musical instrument. You could stumble across a $150 guitar that plays wonderfully. Seasick Steve plays a $30 machine at gigs that I can only dream of. I have a $750 bass and know I'll never need a better one. Some of the greatest basslines ever recorded were done on a bass that many people considered almost unplayable. Pete Wentz plays a Squier to 10,000-strong crowds. By all means get a nicer guitar if you want a nicer guitar - nice guitars are lovely. Be aware, though, that there's going to be no sonic 'great leap forward'. A Gibson isn't a better instrument than a Tokai if you don't like playing it.

I'd give the same advice as everyone else: Play everything you can get your hands on. If you play a $150 somewhere and it feels great, sounds fine and stays in tune, then go for it. I don't think I've ever heard a guitarist at a gig who I've felt was held back by their instrument rather than their ability.
posted by Cantdosleepy at 3:07 AM on April 6, 2009

Cantdosleepy has an excellent point that matches my experience. Right now I can't stop playing my latest guitar, and it's a brand you've never heard of (Starfield Cabriolet SJ Limited) and cost $250 in GC's used section.

Granted, it was a bit of a bargain, it's probably worth $400 or so - but I'm ignoring my $1700 PRS because it doesn't sound/feel as good as the Starfield.

Negotiating: My local GC's won't negotiate at all any more, I can't even get them to throw in a free case like I used to. But the one in Vegas was open to bargaining last time I was there. I assume it varies from store to store.
posted by mmoncur at 5:13 AM on April 6, 2009

You don't mention if your Squier is a Tele or a Strat. What about it do you not like? I'm a bassist, but I have a Squier Tele that I love (it's a knock off of this Fender version). It's something of an odd bird, in that it has humbuckers (most Teles have two single-coils). If you're interested in Teles, definitely try one out.

The Strat vs. Tele thing goes around like vi vs. emacs (and with about as much point). I like the look of Strats but the feel of Teles. If I could have a Les Paul just for recording solos, I probably would, but I've never liked them as much for rhythm playing. My point is, it comes down to personal preference. And that preference will be a combination of look, feel, and sound.
posted by wheat at 7:44 AM on April 6, 2009

#1 piece of advice: Buy used.

Use Craigslist preferably, since you can play it first and negotiate the price, but eBay is also an excellent place if you're feeling lucky. I got a '99 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster for $800 shipped a couple of years ago, in perfect condition, and they now sell for $1700 new (MSRP $2200). For guitars, eBay is definitely the place to buy (and, accordingly, not the place to sell!).

That said, I have heard a lot of people who are more than happy with their Mexican-made Strats or Teles. Also, you can also usually get really good bargains on some discontinued 'upgrade' models like the Deluxe Powerhouse Strat, which is a Mexican-made Strat with an active mid-boost and a few other upgrades. It's very highly regarded on review sites like Harmony Central, with some people saying they play better than any American strat, but since they're discontinued and no one's heard of them, you can usually find them for around $350-400.

So – first decide out what style of guitar you'd like (Strat, Tele, Les Paul, hollowbody, etc.), and then do loads of research. Look at reviews, look at Craigslist, look at eBay. Look at completed auctions. If you see a model you haven't heard of, check out the reviews for it and see what people liked and didn't like about them. If it's a non-standard model, check YouTube for a demo of any featurs to see if it's what you want. Then give it a couple of days so you aren't acting on impulse.

It's definitely worth your while to spend some time on this, as it can save you loads and loads of money (as well as putting some really nice guitars inside your price range).
posted by relucent at 8:11 AM on April 6, 2009

Response by poster: Well, I ended up going to GC today and I played several different guitars....interesting learning experience, I know agree with the sentiment that they all feel different.

Ended up with an Epiphone Les Paul that cost me $479....it would have been $530, but the guy gave me what I guess is the "display model" and it's in pretty much mint condition. I'm really happy with the purchase.

Thanks for the help, all, and I think the main point of this thread for use by future searchers is that you really do need to go to the store to play them, I definitely didn't expect them to all feel so different and actually play differently, too. So definitely do that. If you're concerned about sales pressure like I was, just ask the salesman to point you in the direction of certain models, and then say something like "okay, thanks, I'll let you know if I need you!" The people there were actually really helpful, and it might be the first time I've experienced that at GC.

So, thanks for all the help! You guys helped me make an informed decision.
posted by DMan at 3:22 PM on April 6, 2009

Fantastic news. May it give you uncountable hours of pleasure!
posted by Cantdosleepy at 3:44 PM on April 6, 2009

Cool, sounds like a good one!

Don't be afraid to take advantage of their 30-day return policy if you're not 100% happy.
posted by mmoncur at 1:16 AM on April 7, 2009

also, you should try some brands that are less well known, but have a great rep for quality among those in the know.

Try Heritage instead of Gibson, and G&L instead of Fender, for example. They hold their value much worse in the used market which is great for you and bad for the seller, and both have tighter quality control than the big names (Gibson and Fender, respectively). A used G&L should be within this price range if you shop around a bit, and if you can go up a little bit more a used Heritage will blow away pretty much any Gibson while costing a couple hundred less.
posted by I like to eat meat at 2:50 PM on April 7, 2009