[Ledhead95]

Okay, I've decided that I'm going to get an electric guitar instead of the crappy acoustic I play. At first, I wanted a Fender Stratocaster, and I heard they made models in Mexico that were cheaper. Next, I considered a Gibson Les Paul or SG. But after really thinking about it, I want a guitar that has a wide range of sounds. Something that can play the clean, smooth music of Cream, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, etc. But I also want it to be able to get down and dirty and be able to play stuff like Judas Priest, Metallica, Pantera, etc. Any suggestions for my perfect guitar?

[allthumbs]

Your asking an awfull lot from one guitar unless you go with a variax or a Smith. I have a friend who makes guitars that cover that range, but they are around 2000 bucks.

[D-Dawn]

Originally Posted by Ledhead95

Any suggestions for my perfect guitar?

I suggest you buy more than one!

[fly135]

Even more important than the guitar is what amp you get. But I'll throw in a vote for the SG. I prefer double humbuckers and like the double cutaway. An SG is going to be my next electric. Probably an Epiphone.

[EFinFLA]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Your asking an awfull lot from one guitar unless you go with a variax or a Smith.

Really? I thought that with all of today's fancy modeling amps and effects/processors almost any electric guitar can make a myriad of sounds. Of course it depends on how precise you want those sounds and how much $$ you're willing to spend on gear other than your guitar.

I think a fat strat might be the way to go, best of both worlds pickup-wise.

[Stratrat]

Originally Posted by D-Dawn

I suggest you buy more than one!

LOL....we all know THAT'S inevitable!

I second EF's recommendation for a "Fat Strat" - the humbucker at the bridge widens your possibilities more than either a solely single-coil or humbucker-equipped guitar.

[doug russell]

Sound's like you need a fat strat running through a line6 spider amp.

[r1p32]

a les paul might give u a nice clean and good metal sound.

[D-Dawn]

Originally Posted by Stratrat

LOL....we all know THAT'S inevitable!

I second EF's recommendation for a "Fat Strat" - the humbucker at the bridge widens your possibilities more than either a solely single-coil or humbucker-equipped guitar.

LoL..well you know how it is! Once we get started, we have to have all the sounds! I not only want to get my LP paid off and in my hands, but a classical is next on the list!!
Ledhead95 just needs to kn0w what they're in for

[wjp01908]

Another vote for a "Fat Strat" here - it`s what I`ve used for years and I`ve found it plenty versatile.

Make sure you can coil tap (effectively turn it into a single coil) that humbucker though!

[fly135]

I have a Fender MIM Fat Strat and I wouldn't say it replaces an SG or Les Paul. Quite franky I don't think it replaces anything. IMO the HB should be at the neck and the SC should be at the bridge. Maybe I'll even throw it on Craigslist today.

It seems like it's only half good at anything. I like the fat sound of the HB at the neck because it's darker, which is what I want from a HB. I like the SC at the bridge because it's brighter and more piercing or twangy, which is what I want from a SC.

[allthumbs]

There have always been two schools of thought on this subject. Buy the guitars you want to sound like and add the aprropriate pedals and amp or get a very good modeler or modeling amp and go from there. Either way leads to endless gas.

[D-Dawn]

Originally Posted by fly135

I have a Fender MIM Fat Strat and I wouldn't say it replaces an SG or Les Paul. Quite franky I don't think it replaces anything. IMO the HB should be at the neck and the SC should be at the bridge. Maybe I'll even throw it on Craigslist today.

It seems like it's only half good at anything. I like the fat sound of the HB at the neck because it's darker, which is what I want from a HB. I like the SC at the bridge because it's brighter and more piercing or twangy, which is what I want from a SC.

I passed on the FatStrat for the same reasons fly...decided on the LP custom and have the standard strat here already for the different sounds.

[krissovo]

That is asking a lot, a variax would cover it but I find I "Lose" the feel of the real thing. I would go for a Les Paul as that has a great rock and blues tone, another option would be a Godin SolidAC that has two humbuckers and a single coil pick up as well as piezos on the bridge and the variety of tone is good. The Godin can be both muddy like a Les Paul as well as Twangy like Telecaster.

If you have the cash I would go for an American Strat and a Epiphone LP or SG!

[munky]

I'll cast my vote for a Les Paul. Everyone you listed above played on, except for Keith Richards, who uses a Tele.

Set neck + dual humbuckers + heavy body + fixed bridge = tone for days.