Electric Advice PLEASE!!!

Nick Manley · #1 September 21st, 2008

Hi All,
I've been playing for about a year now on an acoustic, really getting on well, can play some songs and I am really enjoying it

I would love to branch out and by an electric guitar but i need some advice on what would be a good starter guitar. I really like the look of Les Paul models

I am into a wide variety of music and would like my first electric guitar to be versatile, any advice iin what would be the best purchase would be gratefully recieved. Budget is not too much of a problem but i dont want to go overboard and pay thousands if i may not get on with it.

many thanks.

Nick.

Sentry · #2 September 21st, 2008

Just go to your local guitar store and try out all the guitars there until one of them just feels right. Odds are, at least one of them will just feel right to you. You'll know it when it happens.

Stratrat · #3 September 21st, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sentry

Just go to your local guitar store and try out all the guitars there until one of them just feels right. Odds are, at least one of them will just feel right to you. You'll know it when it happens.

What Sentry said may sound like a cop-out, but he's 100% right. Since you said budget isn't really a problem, the sky is the limit - there are tons of reasonably-priced guitars that go well beyond what's normally considered "starter" guitars. Epiphone Les Pauls (or even a Gibson Les Paul "Studio" model), Mexican-made Fender Strats / Telecasters (or even the American-made "Highway 1" series), the PRS "SE" models, Schecter, Dean, etc., etc.

Like Sentry said, the best thing is to hit up some shops and play them yourself. Guitars are such a subjective thing - the guitar that anybody (or everybody) else loves may be the one that you can't stand, or vice-versa. Find the one that appeals to you so much that you just won't be able to resist picking it up and playing it every time you walk past it.

IMO, this era is a great time to be a guitarist. The quality of "budget" guitars is higher than it's ever been, and true "junkers" are few and far between compared to years past. You actually have to look hard to find a really "garbage" guitar, as opposed to having to sift through all the trash to find a decent one.

With all that said - since you like Les Paul type guitars, the Epiphone Standard or Epiphone Standard "Plus Top" are both worthy of consideration. I bought a cherryburst "Plus Top" model a month or so ago and am very pleased with it. I've played a couple of "real" (Gibson) Les Pauls for comparison purposes, and while I won't say that I don't feel/hear a difference, I definitely don't feel/hear a $2,000 difference - which is how much more you'd pay for a Gibson!

Maddog54 · #4 September 21st, 2008

If the sky's the limit, I seen Gibson came out with that Robot LP with the auto-tuner for around $3,000 LOL

Seriously though, I agree with Sentry as well. I have a Yamaha Pacifica, which I'm satisfied with. But personally, if I had played an LP first, I wouldn't have the Yamaha. I like the look, sound, and feel of an LP more than any other guitar at this point. Of course, if I had no spending limit I wouldnt stop at one LOL

Top guitars I'd like to have right now:
1. Gibson LP
2. Fender Lonestar(HSS)
3. (insert any guitar here to provide temporary relief of G.A.S.)

cush66 · #5 September 21st, 2008

I would like to add my 2 cents to all the GREAT advice that has been given. If you can get away with it, try playing the guitars standing up and strapped. Sometimes folks realise that weight and neck length all of a sudden becomes an issue. Also use the selector switch on the guitar and see if you like the sounds when switching from say bridge to neck or both pickups. Also consider single or humbuckers pickups. Each have their own distinct sound and noise depending how you look at it. When playing the diff guitars play it on clean when using the amp. That way you get a better judgement on the sound. And remember this as the most important thing, high cost and brand doesnt always equate to great sound and ease of play.

karcey · #6 September 22nd, 2008

My 2 cents worth. Go back and read all the previous replies again. There's value in all of them and I wouldn't like to think you might overlook anything that's been said.
Someone once said "Buy in haste, regret at leisure" or something like that. Look at all of them, handle the ones you don't dislike, play the ones you like the feel of. Make notes about what you experience and buy the one which suits YOU best. Then enjoy it forever. Good luck.

scott58 · #7 September 22nd, 2008

Not sure how many will agree with this, but i'd been playing about a year when I bought my Variax 700 and POD XT Live. The versatility is outstanding and it turned out to be a good learning tool and in the end saved me alot of money buying things i wasn't sure I would like. The thing with the Variax is 25 guitars in 1. 12 string electrics and acoustics, Les Paul, strat, tele, rickenbacker, the list goes on. It is a bit pricey, with the PA and valve junior, I've got just a hair under $2500 in it, but there isn't anything you can't play and I mean anything. Flamenco picking to Iron Maiden and everything in between.

Sentry · #8 September 22nd, 2008

Sure, if you have $2500 to spend go for the Variax, or $1500 or so for Fender's similar Stratocaster VG, but only if one of them feels right in your hands. If the scale length, nut width, or neck thickness of them is too awkward for you then there's no point in buying. 25 guitars in 1 is no use of it's 25 guitars you aren't comfortable playing. Always try before you buy.

Nick Manley · #9 September 22nd, 2008

Hi Guy's,
Many thanks for all of the great advice! I guess this is where i go off and spend many happy times in the local guitar shops.

Thank you all once again.

Nick.

Maddog54 · #10 September 22nd, 2008

If you're gonna do that, might as well play as many as you can get your hands on

I went into GC one time and started playing the high end stuff, although when I left I was kinda bummed because the one I really liked was around $3,000 over my price range LOL

MCH · #11 September 23rd, 2008

I think the most difficult part of buying an electric, is the amp to go with it. Finding an amp that is going to give you the sound you want is a tall order.
Once you find the amp and guitar, then you can spend multiple hours of pure fun and hopefully neighbours enjoy your new setup.

PS I found my guitar by building them. Click on View All Attachments by MCH and you can see a couple other guitars I built.

Sentry · #12 September 23rd, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCH

I think the most difficult part of buying an electric, is the amp to go with it. Finding an amp that is going to give you the sound you want is a tall order.
Once you find the amp and guitar, then you can spend multiple hours of pure fun and hopefully neighbours enjoy your new setup.

I have a tiny, POS Peavey amp, but I never use it. Garageband software is pretty much all I use, it gives me any sound I want.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCH

PS I found my guitar by building them.

WOW!! Seriously awesome guitar!! Looks like some sort of bizarre medieval weapon, I like it!!!

Maddog54 · #13 September 23rd, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCH

I think the most difficult part of buying an electric, is the amp to go with it. Finding an amp that is going to give you the sound you want is a tall order.
Once you find the amp and guitar, then you can spend multiple hours of pure fun and hopefully neighbours enjoy your new setup.

I agree. I'm not a pro, but even I found out quickly how much more I like my electric with the new amp.

Quote:

PS I found my guitar by building them. Click on View All Attachments by MCH and you can see a couple other guitars I built.

Very Nice! Looks like a true Battle Axe.

mhurwi · #14 September 26th, 2008

Some technical advice that is easy to forget in the glamour and glitz of the guitar store:

Check the intonation of the guitar. Play the 12th fret of any string, and then play the harmonic (same 12th fret) of that string-- the notes should sound the same. If they dont, the intonation is off and the guitar needs either to be adjusted or put aside.

Get a look at all the joint where the neck meets the body. There should be no gaps. Look at the other bits, like the bridge and pick-guard, etc, to make sure everything is solid.

Used guitars can be a great deal, just be double sure to check them out. I bought 2 used guitars recently-- one was an Epiphone dot that was in absolutely perfect condition. This is the same guitar that Kurt Rosenwinkel plays-- he's super awesome, but still plays this entry-level jazz guitar. So I suggest trying out some used gear.

Sentry · #15 September 26th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhurwi

Check the intonation of the guitar. Play the 12th fret of any string, and then play the harmonic (same 12th fret) of that string-- the notes should sound the same. If they dont, the intonation is off and the guitar needs either to be adjusted or put aside.

I can see putting aside an acoustic due to intonation being off if it has a typical, non-adjustable acoustic guitar bridge. With most electrics, though, the intonation is easy for even a novice to adjust with only an electronic tuner and a screwdriver or hex wrench, depending on the type of bridge. If the 12th fret note is too flat, you move the saddle forward (towards the neck), retune, and check again. If it's too sharp, you move the saddle backwards, retune, and check again. Easy.