[GuillermoC]

Hi guys!

My guitar lessons are making great progress (thanks to all) to the point where the Mrs. has given the go-ahead to purchase something more decent than my current Stagg (which is a real ball buster!).

I have done a couple of english-spanish translations which means that I now have a couple of greens to burn.

I've got to pick, and like now, amongst these guitars:

DEAN ARTIST CSE

IBANEZ PF5ECE

EPIPHONE PERMORMER ME

Picking, folk, REM, COLD PLAY

Thanks for your advice.

[knight46]

GuillermoC,
My advice is: if the price is not a consideration, go to a shop and try them out. Put your hands on each one and see which handles and sounds the best to you. It may be that in the end you will find one on that is not on the list that speaks to you or the tone of one may be more suited to your taste.
JMHO

[scotty_b]

Knight's wisdom is invaluable, but to add to that - Ibanez are generally really well made, Epiphone are inconsistent at the moment, but generally not as good as they were, and I have never seen a Dean in the flesh, so to speak.

[allthumbs]

The Epi, Ibanez and the Dean in that order. The dean got some mixed reviews, it is not a loud guitar. The Ibanez is a good work horse in that price range. The Epi has more bells and whistles but, your paying more for them. I would go with th Epi myself.

[scott58]

I'm a Dean fan myself, but as posted earlier you really need to play them. Specs only take you so far. The particular Dean you list does have a solid top (although the Dean I have is laminate topped and I love the sound). The fishman electronics are also very good. Guitars are such a personal choice however that you'll get different answers from everyone. The more your likely to spend the more important it becomes to sit down with them. Many times the piece of equipment I thought i was going to buy (based on reviews and word of mouth and even looks) was not what I ended up buying. You have quite a price spread there, what made you decide on just these 3?

[GuillermoC]

Originally Posted by scott58

You have quite a price spread there, what made you decide on just these 3?

Several reviews that I have read and the fact that I can get any of these between 200$ and 300$. 350$is the limit for me!

The Dean is outstanding in many aspects, looks and materials but Ibanez is Ibanez and take lots of care in every single instrument that leaves their factories and Epi, well an Epi is an Epi; never know what you are going to get! Since I also wanted electric, purchased and SG Special for 170€ here in Spain and it came out very, very well but others have told me that their experience has not been that good.

I am more for Dean but will see and in any case cannot try any of them. Too bad!

[__tsidewinder__]

"It may be that in the end you will find one on that is not on the list that speaks to you or the tone of one may be more suited to your taste."

I agree with that statement. Go to the shop and try some out. The more you try, the more likely you will find the guitar that is JUST right.

[Andy S]

I've been "sort of" in the market for a new acoustic/electric for the last 4 months. I've been going out to several stores every few weeks and playing most of the stuff they have in the $300-$400 range. To me, this is just my opinion, it seems that the Ibanez are all pretty consistent in quality. Sound is very close , too. Playability is good on all that I've tried (last recollection, that was 7 different guitars at 4 different places)

The Dean's, however, seem to be very inconsistent in the playability and tone/sound. If you would decide on a Dean, I would suggest you buy one from a local dealer rather than on-line or phone from MF or Zzounds or someplace like that. If it was from a local dealer, you could get the feel and hear it before buying.

The three Epiphones I tried , well, I thought they were just Ok. Good quality, but playability and tone was a bit less than the Ibanez's.

Just my opinion. YMMV.

[KGrob]

I'm planning on purchasing a new guitar soon and so is my son so we've been looking at loads of guitars lately including hitting every store within a reasonable distance. We've looked at tons of reviews on multitudes of styles and brands.

We're both looking for a lot of bang for our hard earned bucks.

Bottom Line (IMO): Ibanez and Epiphone give you the most value for your money...I'm certain you can get better guitars...just not for the same amount of money. I'm not convinced right now that I can distinguish between the two in terms of what you get for what you pay.

For versatility, I've been looking at the Ibanez RG series and the Epiphone Les Pauls and SGs (among others).

[GuillermoC]

Originally Posted by KGrob

...For versatility, I've been looking at the Ibanez RG series and the Epiphone Les Pauls and SGs (among others).

The thing is that I am looking for elctro-acoustics.

check out this Dean eBay España: Dean Artist CSE Jumbo Acoustic Guitar w/ electronics (item 160148337048 hora de finalización 23-ago-07 21:32:29 H.Esp)

I no longer know what to do?!

[GuillermoC]

Wnt and bought the Dean after all! And looking for a luthier to have the thing checked and properly set, I found a luthier right next to my place!!!

[scott58]

Welcome to the fold.

[knight46]

Congrats GuillermoC, now you need to post some clips of how she sounds.