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Post subject: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:00 pm
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I got my first guitar, an Epiphone Les Paul Special II, a little over a year ago. It has served me well and sounds great considering its low price tag of $140. Even though it is a good starter guitar, my playing has gotten a lot better and I think it is time to move on to a better guitar.

I have a budget of $550, since I'm not old enough to work this is basically going to be a combined birthday-Christmas present. :lol: I was looking towards three guitars:

Fender Telecaster (MIM)

Fender Stratocaster (MIM)

Gibson SG Special Faded (MIA)

I'm guessing that you guys on the forum have tons more experience than I do, so I was looking for opinions. I love the SG, it feels great (tried one at GC once, what a beauty!) to me and is very versatile.

The Strat has single coil pups, which produce a more bright sound. I love bright, jangly tones, so this would also be a good choice. It's also a Fender Strat, and the name basically speaks for itself.

The Tele also has that bright tone, but it's different from the Strat. It has that unique Tele tone. I love the sound this guitar makes.

I'm having a tough time deciding which guitar would be the best for me. I need help from you guys! Any input will be appreciated!

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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:19 pm
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$550. might get you an used American Standard, if you look around enough. Check craigs...

If you play a Faded SG..make sure you look it up and down. Many of them were cut wrong..therefore the price is low. Gibson has had difficulties within the last 15 years, or so.


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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:51 pm
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Okay, play several of each kind and buy the best sounding one for your genre/style. Don't be afraid to try used, just be cautious and look for problems.

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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:01 am
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As a beginner, but one who has stuck through the most difficult phase, I'd say buy the very best guitar you can get for your money.

A quality instrument will elevate your playing and motivate you even further.

If you agree, then the best bang for the buck are Fender instruments.

Fenders are Industrial guitars insofar are they are a series of components, devoid of the Luthier's 'skill' with their bolt-on necks and solid bodies.

If you are paying a Luthier to set the neck, etc. you're gonna be paying for a lot of stuff that doesn't translate into your playing.

My humble $0.02 of course...

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:26 am
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This and other videos in the series give a good appraisal.


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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 2:55 am
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If it were me, I'd get a MIM Stratocaster, I gat one for a Christmas present two years ago and love it. Right now you can get discounts. Like Buxom and Minn said, shop around.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... tar/h76526


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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:51 am
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For $550.00 , you could probably get a used Highway One, which were made in the USA. Take a look on either E-Bay or Guitar Center's website on their used gear section. www.guitarcenter.com


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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 5:31 am
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Benny Hill wrote:
$550. might get you an used American Standard, if you look around enough. Check craigs...

If you play a Faded SG..make sure you look it up and down. Many of them were cut wrong..therefore the price is low. Gibson has had difficulties within the last 15 years, or so.



Cut wrong? :lol:
That's one of the funniest things I've heard in a while. I just played a few Melody Makers and while I didn't care for the colors, very much, they played and sounded great, were Made in the USA and were under $400. I have a Gibson LP Studio 60's Tribute, that's a incredible sounding guitar and playing guitar. For the record, I've been playing guitar for over 45 years and gigging for a good bit of it. What exactly is cut wrong, the nut, the body, the neck, headstock? Just about all guitar manufacturers have issues in all price ranges. Use your own judgement, play many guitars, bring your own amp if you can, and don't listen to rumors and half truths. Get the best instrument you can afford and don't just play Fender and Gibson, try everything.

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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 6:55 am
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Location: Magnolia, Texas (just north of Houston)
It really depends on you. I always say play before you pay. There's nothing wrong with single coils. It just depends on the sound you are going for, how it plays, and how it feels. If I had to give a recommendation it would be:

1. Telecaster Modern Player--best of both worlds Tele spank in the neck and a coil tap in the bridge for humbucking or single coil in the bridge. Mine is awesome.

2. Blacktop Stratocaster--good guitar with humbuckers in the bridge and neck. They also have a model with a Floyd Rose if you want to do some dives and pulls. Better tuning stability to stay in tune.

3. You can never go wrong with a MIA Stratocaster. I'm pretty sure with your budget you would have to go used. I love all the different models for different reasons.

Forgot to mention the Squier Classic Vibes. These are the cream of the crop guitars from the Squier line that are in my opinion just as good as any MIM Fender.

Like I said play before you pay to see which one you like the best.

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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:22 am
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rkreisher wrote:
Forgot to mention the Squier Classic Vibes. These are the cream of the crop guitars from the Squier line that are in my opinion just as good as any MIM Fender.


+1 On a used MIA or a new Squier CV

The best value would be a used American strat as the electronics would be a vast improvement over any other guitar you can get given your budget. You can also sell it one day for exactly what you have in to it (or more).


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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 9:48 am
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If I could interject, I'd like to say that old MIJ Fenders/Squiers from the late 80s/early 90s and other Asian made Fenders/Squiers of the time period are on par with the CV series and some even beyond that.

If he finds one in good condition for less than $300 or so, he should snap it up, then use the other $250 from his $550 on a new amp, maybe a 2x12, or something like that?

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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 10:03 am
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with 550 bucks, you can get 2 guitars!!!!! Really, I would check the local gc for sales on fender as well as the used guitar room. If you work it right you could pick up a nice used strat or tele or both depending. craigs list is also another great idea as one member posted.

But as another posted, make sure you try out a few!!!! YOU MAY FIND YOU LIKE AN IBANEZ MORE :shock:

Happy hunting!!


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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:11 am
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This is another option besides Fender and Gibson. Everyone I know that has played one loves it including myself.

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_eg_p ... ies_id=157

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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:18 am
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I've seen some faded SG guitars and basses that had mis-cut bodies, bad cut contours..etc.

I'd hold out for a bit and try to find an American Standard used, if I were in your shoes.


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Post subject: Re: Question about getting my second guitar?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:51 am
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Thanks for all the help, guys. I'll check around eBay for a used MIA Strat and I'll keep looking around.

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