Seeking advice on new electric

[Sada Yairi]

I’d like to hear some opinions that might help me. I have a classical guitar background and after a few months of playing around with electrics, I’ve decided to get into the whole electric thing properly. I play mainly blues, some jazz and rock (nothing heavy). I use a pick and like finger-picking too. I enjoy a full-bodied, mellow tone and was initially intending to go for a semi-hollow but am now considering more options. I am prepared to invest in a guitar for the long-term so I’m not looking at cheapies, but my max budget is around $1k (AUD).

I don’t want a guitar that is a copy of something else (like an Epiphone Dot etc etc) even if the imitation is a good unit in itself. If I’m spending $1k I shouldn’t have to settle for an imitation. I’ve looked at a couple of Gretsch guitars (didn’t like the tones), an Epiphone Swingster (want a smaller body) and a few others.

So far I have three potential guitars on my list:

Epiphone Wildkat – small semi-hollow, P-90s, Bigsby. I really like the look, and at around $700 (in Australia) this guitar would allow me to buy a new amp as well (I only have a little Fender prac amp at the moment).

Fender Strat Highway One HSS – never liked Fenders before (just aesthetically) but a salesman suggested I try one and to be polite I did. I was blown away. Felt so nice just to hold, before I even played it. And then to hear the tones you can get out of the thing – amazing. This particular USA Strat is around $950 in Aus (apparently its been discontinued, so the low price is probably to clear remaining stock).

Gibson LP Studio Faded – haven’t played this yet (only seen reviews & youtube demos) but apparently it’s a sweet unit. Available here for a little over $1k if you shop around and get pushy.

Given my preferences and intended genres, what other guitars would you suggest I look at?

 

[bcdon]

Welcome aboard, Sada Yairi. When you have a chance, introduce yourself at the Fret Player's section.

It seems to me that, given your budget and desire, I'd go for the Fender. Rest assured that whatever you pick, it won't be the last. :dude

Fender Strat Highway One HSS – never liked Fenders before (just aesthetically) but a salesman suggested I try one and to be polite I did. I was blown away. Felt so nice just to hold, before I even played it. And then to hear the tones you can get out of the thing – amazing. This particular USA Strat is around $950 in Aus (apparently its been discontinued, so the low price is probably to clear remaining stock).

 

[DeanEVO_Dude]

You might want to look into the new Epiphone 339s that they just came out with. I watched the vid, and the Ultra sounds really nice, plus it has the NanoMag pickup. It's a nice mix of the ES335 with a more Les Paul size to it, semi-hollow body, etc. Plus the pickups are Epiphone's version of the Burstbuckers.

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Epiphone/Ultra-339.aspx

Scott

 

[Spudman]

Do you want to rock out or use the various voicings that finger picking allows? I'd recommend a jazz box type guitar like an Ibanez AF95 or a Cort Yorktown if you like a mellower tone.

 

[Sada Yairi]

Don't really want to 'rock out' so much. I like blues improv, plus some of Clapton's more complicated stuff in particular for which finger-picking is the way to go. I don't like the full jazz-box kid of tones (GB10, Emperor Regent etc) but more the 'fullness' of a 335-type sound. The 339 does have some appeal, but I don't like the idea of an Epiphone that's a copy of a Gibson - seems like a dodgy way to get a similar look for a cheaper price. Having said that, I obviously don't know much about the Epiphone range. Are they worthwhile in their own right? Are they a poor imitation of the Gibson equivalents? I want something that I'll be happy with for the next twenty years (like my favorite classical, a Sada Yairi), not something that in a year or two will make me think 'why didn't I go for...'

Never heard of a Cort Yorktown before, I'll look that one up. I have tried the Ibanez AF95 and it was 'too jazz' for me, though a nice unit.

 

[Spudman]

The Samick Royal is a nice semi hollow body you might want to check out if you aren't wanting a full hollow.

 

[Sada Yairi]

Haven't come across the Samick Royale. Just had a quick poke around and it seems right up my alley. There's a Samick dealer not far from where I work so I'll go and check it out. Thanks for that.

 

[Commodore 64]

I've played a Samick Royale, and two people in my band each have one. They are very nice guitars.

I've also had an Ibanez Artcore AF85, which was also a very, very nice guitar.

 

[kiteman]

The Highway One sound like a winner to me. A humbucker (splitable) and two single coils offer a palette of tones.

Plus the fact that the neck and the pickguard are easily removed and switched.

 

[DeanEVO_Dude]

As to the Epi being poor copies of (the real thing) Gibsons, to a certain degree, that is true, but they are quality instruments in their own rights. The major price difference come from two things: 1. Name - the Gibson name carries with it a high price tag (not knocking, just stating) and 2. Location of manufacture - Epis are made in various countries where labor is far cheaper than here in the US, this leads to a lower price overall. Though, the lower cost of labor, thus price, does lead to some inferior (to Gibsons) materials and even craftsmanship, however, they fair quite admirably to their bigger cousins (Epi to Gibson) overall.

Scott

 

[mapka]

I have an Ibanez AG95. Beautiful guitar, great sound. This is a true hollowbody guitar. Comfortable size, well at least to me. I got it to do Wes Montgomery stuff on and it excels at that! Also does blues, rockabilly, and Beatles stuff well IMHO.


P1010053 by mapka2000, on Flickr

 

[Sada Yairi]

These are great suggestions, cheers.

Regarding the Epis, how do their LPs compare to the Gibsons? And what about pickups? For example, the Wildkat (that's on my list of potentials) has Epi P-90s - how good are they? Likely to hum too much? Good mid and low range or mainly for treble stuff? Anyone got experience with the Epi P-90s or with the Wildkat itself in particular?

Re the Highway 1, it's the broad range of incerdible tones that impressed me. Having a neck that is easily switched isn't a selling point for me - the only modifications I'd realistically consider (years down the track) would be pickups. I really want to buy something that is the finished item, and in its 'stock' form the Highway 1 does seem the finished item. I do prefer a higher radius neck, but that's a small compromise.

And psychologically I don't find the Ibanez options appealing just because I've played some dodgy Ibanez in the past, but clearly I'll have to get over that!

 

[otaypanky]

Welcome to The Fret


Good guitars come from lots of different companies these days. I have friend who is an amazing player. One night I heard him playing with his band using an SX strat and he couldn't have bought better tone with a million dollars. I think he said he paid about $100 for it. Maybe it's just me, I like a fine instrument as much as the next guy and I'm lucky enough to have a few, but I think there's a bit of pleasure to be found in playing a less than 'prestigious' brand or model and making it sound so good that the folks with the fancy high dollar stuff come over to see what the heck you're playin'

 

[Sada Yairi]

That's certainly a valid point. Part of the appeal in the Wildkat is that there are very few of them around so they're not easily recognizable. That makes for less expectation and higher impact. The Gibson LP Faded is also appealing in that way - unless you're up close and can see the name on it, it doesn't look like a high-end guitar.

 

[kiteman]

These are great suggestions, cheers.
Re the Highway 1, it's the broad range of incerdible tones that impressed me. Having a neck that is easily switched isn't a selling point for me - the only modifications I'd realistically consider (years down the track) would be pickups. I really want to buy something that is the finished item, and in its 'stock' form the Highway 1 does seem the finished item. I do prefer a higher radius neck, but that's a small compromise.

That's understandable but if the neck breaks it's real easy to replace or that you'd prefer a neck with a profile you like. As to pup swaps, no problem, just switch pickguards.

This is what I like about my Carvin Bolt guitar.

 

[Sada Yairi]

A neck-break hadn't even occurred to me - does that happen often with elecetrics? Surely not?!

 

[bcdon]

A neck-break hadn't even occurred to me - does that happen often with elecetrics? Surely not?!

Depends on how hard you are on them or how clumsy you might be.

 

[Katastrophe]

Guitars with tilt back headstocks can be prone to a neck break from a fall or impact to the headstock. I wouldn't let that discourage you from choosing a set neck, tilt headstock guitar, though. It happens, but the repair is straightforward and doesn't usually cost a lot to fix.

Epiphone makes a good, solid guitar. Yes, many of their models are imported copies of Gibson designs, but the guitars out nowadays are of excellent quality overall. You may have to play a couple to find what you like, but that goes for every guitar maker out there that mass produces their products. Squier does the same for Fender (overseas made copies of Fender designs), and some of their products (the Classic Vibe range in particular) are every bit as good (if not better in some respects) than my Made in Mexico Strat that says "Fender" on the headstock.

For sheer versatility, I would not overlook the Epiphone Nighthawk, and the 339, along with the 'Kat. For Fender products, you just can't go wrong with a Highway 1. They're built like a tank, have great necks, and sound fantastic. They are being discontinued in favor of the American Special line, so you might be able to find a good deal on one. I would look at a Strat and a Telecaster. A good Tele can do everything you would want it to do and then some.

 

[Sada Yairi]

More good input; glad to benefit from others' experience. The Nighthawk and 339 are ones I intend to play, just haven't seen them in the flesh yet. The 339 in particular seems to fit just what I want (though aesthetically I do prefer a single-cut).

And re the Strats/Teles, I wasn't even considering a Fender until I played a Strat the other day (for the first time in about 20 years). Couldn't believe it. Now they're on my list...

 

[kiteman]

I'm not surprised. I was an LP and SG guy til I bought my first strat, the Carvin Bolt. Since then it's all strats.

 

[Bookkeeper's Son]

More good input; glad to benefit from others' experience. The Nighthawk and 339 are ones I intend to play, just haven't seen them in the flesh yet. The 339 in particular seems to fit just what I want (though aesthetically I do prefer a single-cut).

And re the Strats/Teles, I wasn't even considering a Fender until I played a Strat the other day (for the first time in about 20 years). Couldn't believe it. Now they're on my list...

What you've narrowed down to are what I consider two basic and generic types of guitars/tone - Gibson-type and Fender-type, where there are easily identifiable differences between a 2-pickup humbucker guitar and a 3-pickup Fender-type single coil guitar (I know that P90s are single coil, but I still tend to lump them overall in the "Gibson-type" category). And I'll mention that I think (still thinking very generically) that the main difference between a Strat and a Tele is a middle pickup (that's where the Strat "quack" comes from).

What I'm trying to say is that if you can narrow you choice to which basic type of guitar tone you're looking for, then you can choose one that has the feel and look that works for you. And don't forget that the amplification/effects are a BIG part of the overall tone, regardless of the guitar.

Edit: I guess I should have included "hybrids" like HSS Strats, too.

 

[deeaa]

Just get the strat. It will be by far the most versatile, upgradeable and repairable plus proper quality with great resale value compared to epi and the likes - but very likely a guitar you will never need to change from.

Sent from my HTC HD2 using Tapatalk

 

[Duffy]

There is even a great Fender Black Top strat that has twin covered full sized humbuckers as well as the vintage tremolo. I have on of these and it is a great guitar.

Also the faded Gibson LP's now have solid maple caps on the body over the mahogany. It is a satin finish, not like the older ones with the rough feeling mahogany on the top that look unfinished. They have excellent Gibson USA Burstbucker Pro pickups as well. These Gibson's sound and play great and I can notice the difference between these and the nice Epiphone's.

Strats are great, but the MIM ones that are higher up the line than the standards are, to me, way nicer guitars and excellent values for like 100US more. The MIM ones with Vintage Noiseless pickups are very nice, without the noise.

P90's in most cases can be quite noisy and I personally wouldn't choose one as my "only" guitar, rather I would supplement my guitars with one and use it when I want that particular sound. Noisy pickups can get annoying. At least "most" sss strats have five way switches that give noise cancelling in the 2 and 4 switch positions. Some people favor humbucker guitars for the obvious reason of quietness and they work great and are fairly quiet when using high gain overdrive and distortion or fuzz pedals.

Don't forget the amp. 500US for a Black Top Fender twin humbucker strat or tele.

 

[NWBasser]

I'll chime in for the faded LP. My only reasoning being that when I tried one out, I couldn't put it down. It felt and sounded perfect to me. I really like the worn finish on the neck.

I'd really recommend going through a music store trying different guitars until one says "take me home, I'm yours!"

 

[hubberjub]

My .02. I know a lot of players who come from a classical background and do a lot of finger picking who like Godin guitars. Some of them tend to have a wider nut that classical players find comfortable. They are incredibly versatile and many have traditional electric pickups, piezo acoustic pickups, and MIDI pickups built in. Just a thought.
http://www.godinguitars.com/godinmontrealp.htm

 

[bcdon]

Hello Music has the Highway One for US $575, I'm sure it wont last!
http://www.hellomusic.com/ec/DealMain.aspx?did=12471

 

[bcdon]

My .02. I know a lot of players who come from a classical background and do a lot of finger picking who like Godin guitars. Some of them tend to have a wider nut that classical players find comfortable. They are incredibly versatile and many have traditional electric pickups, piezo acoustic pickups, and MIDI pickups built in. Just a thought.
http://www.godinguitars.com/godinmontrealp.htm

I have a Godin Icon Type 3 (see here) which is just incredible. Mine came with Lollar P90s and is a limited production run (only 50) and cost $1400 US but you can find it cheaper. This is an incredible guitar for the money and if it had Gibson stamped on it it would be over 2.5K.

I agree with hubberjub, take a look at their other guitars too.. very good workmanship.

 

[Sada Yairi]

Never played a Godin, but I certainly will now! Seem to be a sweet unit, and at a reasonable price. Thanks very much.

 

[Tig]

Hello Music has the Highway One for US $575, I'm sure it wont last!
http://www.hellomusic.com/ec/DealMain.aspx?did=12471

Hello Music has been sending me emails on some great deals lately. Damn them!
Today, they have the Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass on sale for $640 US. Bass GAS is strong...

 

[jpfeifer]

Hi Tig,

After reading through your description of your ideal electric guitar I was thinking that we have similar tastes in guitars, in terms of liking the mellow-er sounding guitars that sound good finger-picked as well as played with a pick.

I agree with you about wanting to get the real Gibson if you can afford it. The Gibson ES-339 is a fantastic guitar. I may get one of these some day myself. They have a lot of the qualities that you mentioned here, but they are more in the $1700 to $2000 price range, although they are worth it in my opinion. They are really that good.

Another great guitar that I played some time ago was a Tele-style guitar from (from Fender) with P-90s instead of the standard Tele pickups. This guitar sounded very 335-like to my ears and I really liked it. You might want to check out the Jim Adkins Thinline Telecaster if you can find one. This is a great guitar with some very warm sounds, and also some great blues tones as well:
http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0262350538

I also agree with the mention of Godin guitars. I only recently discovered these guitars. I bought my wife a Godin classical guitar for a Christmas gift and I was amazed at the quality of their guitars, especially for the price. This is a great company.

Good luck in your search.
--Jim