upgrading in guitar

tommy79 · #1 March 17th, 2008

Im thinking of buying a new guitar I was thinking about a fender stratocaster {made in the usa}or a les paul I want to play nothing but rock and roll the price difference is about 700.00 dollars should i fiance it or but it out right? P.s. i have the money for it

Stratrat · #2 March 17th, 2008

Always buy outright if you have the money. Financing costs you more because you have to pay interest. There's no reason to finance something if you have the money to pay for it up front.

Maddog54 · #3 March 17th, 2008

I'm sure most places would love to have you finance as a lot of them get about 20% or more, so for every $1000 you spend, you'll end up tossing them another few hundred by the time its paid off...

of course if its like 6 or 12 months same as cash, you could take the cash on hand that you have, put it in a CD at the bank, and pay it off before the time is up on the financing and make a profit on the CD from the bank

chammon · #4 March 17th, 2008

Since we are sort of on the question of whether to pay cash for something or financing it, unless you don't the have cash to pay for it, a good practice is to avoid financing anything that depreciates. You are getting hammered two ways. The best example here is most all new autos. On the other hand, finance anything that will appreciate faster than what the cash you would have paid for it could earn if deposited at interest. I suppose this could describe some guitars, if you place value on your enjoyment of it.

eddiez152 · #5 March 18th, 2008

Guitar center has always had a no finance charge offer. You might consider something like that. However, you must be prepared to pay for it in full at term. There is nothing wrong with that either. But that must be sorted out only by you and your own situation.
Good luck with your choice.

Andy S · #6 March 18th, 2008

Quote:

P.s. i have the money for it

Well, if you have the CASH, not a check, go in for whichever guitar you have decided on. Ask them how much is the guitar if you pay CASH. Cold hard cash. I mentioned this in another similar thread and repeat it here. I was considering buying a Strat VG. The price dropped by around $100 bucks if I paid cash, not check or credit card or financed. This is because they don't have to pay bank charges on cash. They do on Credit card charges and checks. If you charge it on a GC card or they finance it, you pay extra in interest and other smaller fees hidden in the charges.

garth653 · #7 March 19th, 2008

Guitar Center mark ups are very high. At Christmas time, I bought a new 12 string for my Mom, and decided the time was right for me to get a new electric. I paid cash, and by the time negotiations were over, they knocked off over 40% of the list price. Just keep in mind that the salespeople make commissions off of sales, so 10% of a discounted profit is still better than nothing. You'll even find that you get different prices on the same guitars if you go in on different days, to different salesmen.

Midnight Rider · #8 March 20th, 2008

As far as your question of "Strat" vs. "Les Paul"...I have an
Epiphone Les Paul and love it....excellent quality......my understanding is that Les Paul has more "Sustain" and "Warmth", whereas the Strat has more "Twang".....Both are used plenty for Rock...I think some of the Strats come with a couple extra frets....or with Jumbo frets......I'm so curious...I'm going to try one out TOMORROW! It seems the most important advice I hear....is to go "try it out for awhile and see how it fits".... good luck.....I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever choice you make....

JREC · #9 March 21st, 2008

The sound comes from the pickups, not the style of the guitar body for the most part (solidbody of course). You can always mod your guitar for the sound you want...get one you love.

Midnight Rider · #10 March 21st, 2008

Ok I test drove the Fender Strat and a couple others today.....the Xtra jumbo frets didn't seem to make a big difference in my playing from my Les Paul I think are medium frets at my playing level......nice action on the Strats....though....

cfzinser · #11 March 22nd, 2008

Hi. I own both a Les Paul and an american Strat. I have to say that, in my very personal opinion, even though Gibsons are more "rock looking", playing a Fender, any Fender is AMAZING!!!!! In my experience they are "softer" to play which is tricky because initially they seem easier, however it is also easier to screw up!!!
Good Luck with your upgrade!!!!

79Lespaul · #12 March 22nd, 2008

Like cfzinser I own both the stratocaster and Lespaul.You can't go wrong either way as long as you go for the top of the line!
Like you, I was faced with a decision to buy or finance. Guess what, I did both!! It may sound crazy, but at the time I could pay cash and get an excellent guitar but not the dream guitar. So I fried chicken at KFC for a year after making my down payment.I've never regretted doing that and still would do it again!
PS...Custome Gibson Les Paul is the ultimate rock guitar!!!

Imabeginner45 · #13 May 8th, 2008

i own a PRINCE acoustic and im thinking of getting a gibsun les paul

s1120 · #14 May 11th, 2008

As for what one to get...

They are two diferent guitars, in feel, and sound. Play bolth, and you dicide. Me? I have a strat [MIM] but I like the feel and. sound of a les paul better. best case, would be have bolth.