Best blues guitar is....?

[Soulstress]

Assuming we are talking about semi-hollow body

What is the best brand for a blues guitar ever?

What is the best brand for a blues guitar under $500?

 

[sumitomo]

That's a loaded question,but I think if your just talkin the BB King style,well the Epiphone Dot or the Rondo music Argile's are a proven choice.Sumi

 

[Eric]

Assuming we are talking about semi-hollow body

What is the best brand for a blues guitar ever?

What is the best brand for a blues guitar under $500?

I'm probably off-base, but the de facto classic semi-hollow electric guitar seems to be the Gibson ES-335.

Under $500, people will probably recommend...Hagstrom (Viking), Epiphone (Dot), Reverend (not sure?), and some other brands. Those are all good. Can't think of any others off-hand, but there are tons and tons.

However, I thought the typical blues setup was a Les Paul. Relatively speaking, I don't know much about blues, so why I'm answering this question, I don't know...

 

[wingsdad]

Best brand (at least in terms of 'venerable', for having set the standard in semi-hollows with the ES335): Gibson. BB's Lucille is a Gibson, a higher level model than the 335.

Under $500? an Epiphone 'Dot' is a good version of their parent company Gibson's ES335 Dot. Used around $300-350. New under $500. The great debate with Epi s-h's is which are 'better': those made currently in their Gibson China factory, or those made under contract unitl a few years ago by Korean factories like Samick, Peerless or Unsung.

I have a 2001 Epi Sheraton II that was made for Epiphone by Samick Korea. I bought it used for less than $500. Samick moved their factory to Indonesia since then. I was lucky enuff that mine had Gibson Classic 57 pickups installed in it by the previous owner. Other than for bragging rights, or status symbolism, I'd have no reason to switch it for a 'real' Gibson.

 

[oldguy]

It would be the brand you'll pick up and play, enjoy every day, and fits you the best in every way.












In other words, there can be no one right answer.
And that will become evident as more answers are posted.
Anything from a 335/355 style to a semi-hollow Tele can yield beautiful, soulful, sweet blues.

 

[Eric]

It would be the brand you'll pick up and play, enjoy every day, and fits you the best in every way.
In other words, there can be no one right answer.
And that will become evident as more answers are posted.
Anything from a 335/355 style to a semi-hollow Tele can yield beautiful, soulful, sweet blues.

Ah...the accurate, albeit mildly cynical answer (not a bad thing). I was trying to do the same by just predicting what others would say instead of offering my own advice.

 

[Soulstress]

Didn't know Epi's parent company was Gibson. Learn something new.

I'm trying to get an idea of two types of guitars. One to do research and focus on buying next year and then a guitar to work toward in the coming years.

I don't want to walk into the store or go online and find one that's just "pretty". I would like for it to have some quality behind it. I have to do research now and budget for it. I have family vacations I'm taking next year and other things so I have to know the cost and where I'm headed before I get there.

 

[Eric]

I don't want to walk into the store or go online and find one that's just "pretty". I would like for it to have some quality behind it. I have to do research now and budget for it. I have family vacations I'm taking next year and other things so I have to know the cost and where I'm headed before I get there.

It's entirely possible to just go into a guitar store, plop down a wad of cash on a big-name, pretty guitar, and walk away with a very nice guitar.

However, if you know what you're looking for, you can also get very nice guitars (read: used) for considerably less cash. That's the eternal argument: it's not that expensive guitars aren't any good, it's just that there are comparable ones out there for far less cash; they're either used or lesser-known brands. I'd throw Reverend into the latter category, from what I know of them.

There are also other brands that are actually better than the 'originals' (G&L, Suhr), but that's a discussion for another time.

 

[marnold]

It would be the brand you'll pick up and play, enjoy every day, and fits you the best in every way.

In other words, there can be no one right answer.
And that will become evident as more answers are posted.
Anything from a 335/355 style to a semi-hollow Tele can yield beautiful, soulful, sweet blues.

Yes, yes! To oldguy, you listen. You can play blues on anything. Hey, I play blues on my Jackson with pointy headstock, sharkie inlays, and Floyd Rose. I must be doing it well because people usually start weeping!

 

[just strum]

It would be the brand you'll pick up and play, enjoy every day, and fits you the best in every way.


In other words, there can be no one right answer.
And that will become evident as more answers are posted.
Anything from a 335/355 style to a semi-hollow Tele can yield beautiful, soulful, sweet blues.

Took the words right from my typing fingers. The OG is so wise!!!

For me, it is the Dot (while waiting for the 335) and the Strat. They have a different sound and fit my different moods.

 

[wingsdad]

Didn't know Epi's parent company was Gibson. Learn something new.
....

Gibson acquired Epiphone back at the turn of the 60's and actually made many Epiphones in the 60's using 'leftover' Gibson hardware, in their same Kalamazoo, MI factory (now Heritage Guitars has that).

I went back to my earlier post and edited it, as to correct that my Epi is a Sheraton II...not a Sheraton. There's a difference. The original, pre-Gibson Epi Sheraton, made in USA, was the guitar of note used by bluesman John Lee Hooker. Significant differences are the pickups on that one are 'mini' humbuckers, a/k/a 'New York Humbuckers' where the Sherri II has full-sized bukcers. The original also has a 'harp' type tailpiece, where the II has a 'stud' or 'stop' tailpiece. Gibson Epi did reissue the Hooker Sheraton as one of their Elitist series.

You opened this thread 'assuming talking about semi-hollow body'. And while it's true you can play the blues on any type of guitar, I'm guessing you're interest in a s-h has something to do with your stated affinity for BB King. Could be, then, that Chicago, or Mississippi River, Delta Blues is what you're favoring or thinking of when you say 'blues'.

BTW: Lucille is available as an Epiphone....

Others here are throwing out a variety of solid bodies and brands. All just fine and well-intenioned, I'm sure, but....off your topic.

For under $500, you have a lot of Gibson s-h clones to choose from besides Epiphone. An Ibanez Artcore AS73 is a nice '335 knockoff' for under $400, new.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Best brand (at least in terms of 'venerable', for having set the standard in semi-hollows with the ES335): Gibson. BB's Lucille is a Gibson, a higher level model than the 335.

Under $500? an Epiphone 'Dot' is a good version of their parent company Gibson's ES335 Dot. Used around $300-350. New under $500. The great debate with Epi s-h's is which are 'better': those made currently in their Gibson China factory, or those made under contract unitl a few years ago by Korean factories like Samick, Peerless or Unsung.

I have a 2001 Epi Sheraton II that was made for Epiphone by Samick Korea. I bought it used for less than $500. Samick moved their factory to Indonesia since then. I was lucky enuff that mine had Gibson Classic 57 pickups installed in it by the previous owner. Other than for bragging rights, or status symbolism, I'd have no reason to switch it for a 'real' Gibson.

I go with this answer for question one, but say that you can get a new Hagstrom Viking for under $500 if you shop well, and it to me is the choice under $500.

EDIT: I like Old Guy's answer too though. I love my strat for a lot of blues tones, and that ASAT tele style semihollow CB has is I bet a great blues guitar too. I bet Marnold can play some great blues on a pointy too!

 

[Soulstress]

Gibson acquired Epiphone back at the turn of the 60's and actually made many Epiphones in the 60's using 'leftover' Gibson hardware, in their same Kalamazoo, MI factory (now Heritage Guitars has that).

I went back to my earlier post and edited it, as to correct that my Epi is a Sheraton II...not a Sheraton. There's a difference. The original, pre-Gibson Epi Sheraton, made in USA, was the guitar of note used by bluesman John Lee Hooker. Significant differences are the pickups on that one are 'mini' humbuckers, a/k/a 'New York Humbuckers' where the Sherri II has full-sized bukcers. The original also has a 'harp' type tailpiece, where the II has a 'stud' or 'stop' tailpiece. Gibson Epi did reissue the Hooker Sheraton as one of their Elitist series.

You opened this thread 'assuming talking about semi-hollow body'. And while it's true you can play the blues on any type of guitar, I'm guessing you're interest in a s-h has something to do with your stated affinity for BB King. Could be, then, that Chicago, or Mississippi River, Delta Blues is what you're favoring or thinking of when you say 'blues'.

BTW: Lucille is available as an Epiphone....

Others here are throwing out a variety of solid bodies and brands. All just fine and well-intenioned, I'm sure, but....off your topic.

For under $500, you have a lot of Gibson s-h clones to choose from besides Epiphone. An Ibanez Artcore AS73 is a nice '335 knockoff' for under $400, new.

I AM looking for that Chicago, MS, Delta type blues. You hit it right on the head.

So is the Epi Dot a "knockoff" of the Gibson in the same way the Ibanez Artcore is, or do most people respect the dot more?

 

[Eric]

or do most people respect the dot more?

Owners of the Dot probably do. Owners of the Artcore would probably say theirs is better. I think it's kind of a push -- I've played the Artcore a bit, and it's a nice guitar.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Here's your huckleberry for under $500, in my opinion:

http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=9125

 

[Eric]

Here's your huckleberry for under $500, in my opinion:

http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=9125

Dag, that first picture is mighty pretty.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

It is better in person! :drool

 

[just strum]

It is better in person! :drool

You are probably right, I'll PM you my address.

 

[Spudman]

Blues is about attitude and feeling. Whatever voice you chose is the best one. That's all you're looking for when you are after a "blues" guitar. One that becomes your voice. Which in essence means any guitar will fit the bill. You just have to find one that says what you want to say with the tones you want to express yourself with. I don't think there is any shortcut. You'll have to do some shopping and find one that speaks to you.

 

[just strum]

...You'll have to do some shopping and find one that speaks to you.

Man, you must be hearing a lot of voices.oke

 

[sumitomo]

Told ya it was a loaded question,now about those cigar box guitars!Sumi

 

[Spudman]

Man, you must be hearing a lot of voices.oke

I've done MY shopping. I'm just trying to steer our friend into the same sad addiction we all suffer from.

 

[just strum]

I've done MY shopping. I'm just trying to steer our friend into the same sad addiction we all suffer from.

yep, you'll find no rehab here. But maybe some sound advise to make smarter decisions and then again, maybe not.

 

[Eric]

How about this: if I was going out and buying a semi-hollow guitar today for under $500, I'd make sure I played one before buying, but would lean heavily toward a Hagstrom Viking.

 

[just strum]

why lean heavily toward anything until you've played it?

 

[Eric]

why lean heavily toward anything until you've played it?

Word of mouth, price, features; it's not like those things mean nothing.

 

[just strum]

Word of mouth, price, features; it's not like those things mean nothing.

true, I was just jabbing at you oke . You displayed something everyone here is guilty of, hyped by sight. SVL guitar is sweet and a real eye catcher, but doesn't mean it is any good (in this case it is good looking and good playing). Most times it is the visual that is what we are reacting too, but one must be aware of the need to play. Of course we all take chances and like Vegas gamblers, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Fortunately the odds picking a gutiar sem to be better than the odds Vegas gives.

 

[oldguy]

Ah...the accurate, albeit mildly cynical answer (not a bad thing). I was trying to do the same by just predicting what others would say instead of offering my own advice.

I assure you there was no cynicism intended in my reply.
There are a ton of things to consider when buying any guitar.
To me, first and foremost, comfort. Does it fit well? Is it the right weight/size for your body? Is it neck-heavy? Does the neck fit your hands and feel good when played? Do the frets hurt your fingers after playing an hour or so? Do you feel hampered by the size of the body? Is it too light?
Then there's the sound. Does it ring out acoustically unplugged? Do you like the sound amplified? Are the pickups balanced to your ears?
The design. Are the controls in a comfortable position for you to use? (Think Telecaster...). Can you pick comfortably between the pickups? (Think Strat...).
I tend to prefer smaller/lower profile frets, larger semi-hollow guitars don't seem to hang comfortably on me when I stand playing, I can adapt to Tele standard controls, but don't prefer them, I seem to gravitate towards my Agile AL-3000 for my go-to axe, but it's not a semi-hollow.
The two I mentioned are semi-hollows, vastly different, yet each can do blues quite admirably. I do believe a person cannot give an impartial answer, an accurate answer, without a lot more information.
I know Soulstress likes B.B. King, and wants to learn the blues.
The natural tendency would be to recommend the ES-335, or rather, the Epiphone Dot, a fine guitar to be sure. Neither of those choices fit me, personally, all that well.
I believe all the choices mentioned thus far are fine axes, but if we go back to Soulstress's original question.........

"Assuming we are talking about semi-hollow body

What is the best brand for a blues guitar ever?

What is the best brand for a blues guitar under $500?"

......... I would have to revert to my original answer.........


"It would be the brand you'll pick up and play, enjoy every day, and fits you the best in every way."

And the only way to know the answer for a particular person would be try out a bunch of semi-hollows under $500 and see which one meets the criteria.

 

[Eric]

true, I was just jabbing at you oke . You displayed something everyone here is guilty of, hyped by sight. SVL guitar is sweet and a real eye catcher, but doesn't mean it is any good (in this case it is good looking and good playing). Most times it is the visual that is what we are reacting too, but one must be aware of the need to play. Of course we all take chances and like Vegas gamblers, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Fortunately the odds picking a gutiar sem to be better than the odds Vegas gives.

Yup. I'm actually negatively interested in another guitar, but trying to put myself in the shoes, you know? I think that's an honest answer -- I'd probably begin my search with one of those because the fretboard/neck is (anecdotally) quite nice and they're not bad if you use SVL's ebay connection.

I think Jim P. posted something once about how people make rational buying decisions based on emotion -- e.g. that guitar looks sweet, so let me figure out why it would be a sensible buy.

 

[Eric]

And the only way to know the answer for a particular person would be try out a bunch of semi-hollows under $500 and see which one meets the criteria.

Agreed.

I bet she had no idea what she was in for when she posted this question. There's passion in these forums, there is.