ot: Which guitar should I get?

Texas.PancakeMan

Texas.PancakeMan

100+ Posts
I was actually thinking about getting a guitar and trying to learn to play, though I'm not sure exactly which guitar I should get? I'm not looking at getting anything too fancy.. rather just something to help learn how to play with. Since it'll be merely a beginning/learning guitar, I was thinking I'll stick w/ Epiphone, so if all goes terrible, I won't end up TOO much in the hole. I was looking at:
G-400:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-G-400-Electric-Guitar-104319645-i1371713.gc
1966 G-400:
www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-1966-G-400-Electric-Guitar-102676350-i1166714.gc
Les Paul Studio:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Studio-Electric-Guitar-104298773-i1174173.gc

So, I know each are good in their own respect. I understand Les Paul will produce much more "flagrant" colors, whereas SGs will generally have a wider spectrum, and a little bit more potential as a "shredder" guitar. As far as my music style, I love about any style except for country.. and am looking for a guitar that sounds as clear and clean as possible, while being able to hit as wide a variety of melodies possible. In this case, which of these would you recommend (or should I potentially look at other guitars)? I know I can't expect goosebumps to go down my back from an Epiphone necessarily, but that's alright. I'm just trying to get the best bang for as little buck as possible for my first guitar, w/o buying a PoS guitar that will lose my interest in them really quick. I'm thinking SG for a few reasons, mainly that I've heard they're much lighter, have a wider variety, and are all around a little bit easier to get used to guitars than LPs. If this is the case, then by all means, that's what I'm looking for. I can always buy another guitar later if I REALLY get pulled into it.

Thanks for the help everyone!
hookem.gif
 
The SG's are nice and quite versatile. Only other guitar I would recommend is my favorite, the Fender strat. You can get a squire strat I believe for fairly cheap these days and it'll be able to handle a wide range of music.
 
Agree with Chaz. The SG is the one I would pick out of the three you listed, and you can't go wrong with it. I too have always had a preference for Fenders, either the Strat or Telecaster. Both of these are available in the "Squire" line which is Fender's entry level guitar and a good value for the money.
 
I recently went on HF with basically the same question and this is the
greatest board for honest advice. Only thing I would tell you is what I
was told is true - play them all, and Guitar Center is a good place to
do that. You can sit in a corner and play to your hearts content and not
bother or be bothered by anyone. What feels best to you is what to
get. I went above what I thought I would spend and have not at all
been disappointed. With the help of the board I went Fender Tele but
mainly because of the music I described (which included Country) and
this guitar rocks. Just wish I was better at playing. It is fantastic, great
stress relief for me and I am in a high stress job (way too old for it) but
when I hit the Jimmy Buffet, Eagles, or, when I am really on, the James Gang, let me tell you I am there.
Rock on - Hookem
 
I'd be sure and play a tele and a strat before you buy. Mexican or squires would probably be fine for you. They're very versatile guitars.

Nothing wrong with the epi though. Personally I'd get the Paul though. Never been a big fan of the SG.
 
I hate to revive an already dead thread, but I honestly had no idea that this thread was relocated
rant.gif


Anyways, back to my current situation... I played all of those guitars, and though I do agree LP sound better than SG on MANY levels, I just didn't like the feel of that one in particular. As mentioned, I have a HUGE budget atm, so higher LP are out of the question, therefor I was looking at Epi SGs. I haven't been able to find the 1966 reissue SG though, and was concerned how the '66 reissue would sound different, in comparison w/ the traditional g-400? The only difference, besides the pickguard, are the pickups, and even then they are very similar, so I wasn't sure how they would differ in tone.

As for Fenders, I just didn't think they'd be quite my style. I'm looking for more of a "rich" tone, vs a "bright" tone that I've always heard come from Fenders. Some songs just sound absolutely superior when played on a Fender, but I'm going for something a bit deeper. By all means, I do love Fenders, but I just don't think they're going to match my style of music.

Thanks for all the help everyone! Sorry about a really delayed reply
brickwall.gif
 
One tip I would add. The Strat is really great for sitting on your couch as it sits perfectly in your lap. The Les Paul/SG guitars (and for that matter any other including my favorite, the Tele, will slide out of your lap.

1) is the way the guitar is shaped
2) the cord plugs in the face of the Strat, but on the 'bout' on the other guitars.

I played with a guy in college who had an SG. He was always bitching about it sliding out of his lap when were were sitting around in the dorm rooms. The Les Pauls are just heavy as **** (though I haven't picked up an Epi in years, so I don't know the weight issues).

Best of luck in whatever you decide......1) have them teach you how to change strings and 2) buy a tuner and keep fresh strings on it. It will make a greater difference than you think.

Nash...glad to see things are going well with your purchase.
 
Best thing to do is play a bunch of different ones at the store through an amp and listen to the tone as well as see how easy the fretboard is to play. Back in the mid '80's I was a Les Paul guy, but when Fender came out with their new (at the time) American Standard Strat series, I immediately became a convert mainly because the neck was so easy for me to play on. Every player is going to feel & hear something different with each guitar. Therefore, try as many as possibly. Good luck!
hookem.gif
texasflag.gif
hookem.gif
 
Yeah, a Strat neck is a thing of beauty. I have a Jap Fender (in addition to my Am Std) that has a maple "boat neck", and it's like a baseball bat. It fits my hand perfectly. I have a large palm (stop laughing) and normal fingers, so even though my hand is "big", it's weird. That big old boat neck is made for me.
 
I think what jimmy said is true...pay attention to the neck. The Fender guitars will have a slightly longer neck than the Epiphone guitars. I have smaller hands, so the Gibson/Epiphone necks feel better to me. The Fender's, being slightly longer, can be difficult for me. For example, a barre F7 is difficult for me on a Strat, but not so much on an Epi. There are also different "shapes" to the neck. You gotta' go feel 'em. You said you prefer a "fatter" sound, so that would lean toward the Epiphone with it's humbucking pickups. However, at this point I think you would be safe shaping your sound with your amp and a cheap pedal or two, and not worry so much about the sound of the guitar. It's sort of ironic that we cuss and fight about the sound of one guitar vs. another, only to add distortion units, compressors, delays, eq's, and flangers ad infinitum.
 
Plus you can always get a strat with a humbucker in the bridge - it'll sound heavier like you want. I never use my single coil bridge pickup on my strat anyway.

having said that, I have a les paul custom that is my all time fav so I get where you are coming from.
 
I admit, I haven't gotten to play around and experiment w/ Fenders much, but as far as the "feel" is concerned, I think the SG works a bit better for me. As mentioned, the LP is very heavy and bulky. I love the tone it puts off, but price is a bit high, and I'm looking for a beginner guitar that I can keep for some time anyways, and I know the cheaper LPs just aren't all that worth it.

Having said that, I did love the neck on a SG G-400. It was entirely easy to use, and I have no complaints w/ it whatsoever. MY hands are a bit misshapen, and it just felt right. I have a large palm, average length fingers, and they're pretty skinny, so frets that are really close are not a big issue. I haven't really been able to pick a Fender up yet, so my mind may change, but I just haven't had the time as of recent to go try a few of them out. I've heard their tone, but for what I'm working w/, I preferred the SG. Distortion is amazing and all, but I'm mainly going to be playing around in clean mode. I'm probably not going to be able to get a very good amp, and am thinking about just getting a Roland 20x for now, until I know what to look for in an amp, and which brand/model suits me best. I've heard it's a pretty sweet beginner amp, w/ quite a few features, and a very good clean-channel. Power is no issue for me atm..

Thanks again for all the big help everyone. I'll definitely keep my guitar-status posted.
 
A roland 20x is a great amp, as far as solid state, practice amps go. I picked one up about 2 weeks ago for those times when I can't crank my tube amp. Which is most of the time.

As far as the guitar goes, if you're going to a big place like GC ask em if they have more models in the back of the one you've decided on. You may be able to find one that feels even better to you and hasn't been abused by sitting out on the floor.
 
Hey Hula
Yeah everyone, as they have been here, was right on when I was making
my decision on a guitar. Main thing was playing alot of them before
deciding AND listening to the guitar guru's on this board.
Still am struggling with 'the Gang' and ZZ but was butchering
"Sweet Home Ala" tonight and visiting Granddaughter actually came
upstairs and asked if she heard me playing it. Recognized it, made
me proud.
Ha Hookem and good luck with whatever you purchase.
 
Nash:
You ever want accurant transcriptions to classic rock songs, i probably have them. I started collecting them from around 1986-2000 via the guitar mags. pm me if you want me to email you a copy to work on. Hook 'Em
hookem.gif
 
Wild Bill, have you scanned those into electronic format....are the e-mailable?

With that many, do you have a list of what you have? I used to have a ton but apparently lost them in a move somewhere along the line.
 
I haven't scanned them, but I could do a few if you specify certain songs. Otherwise, y'all keep me at the scanner 24/7.
smile.gif
 
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