I need a new guitar :D

Stubbs

So I've been playing for over a year now, from a beaten-up Spanish guitar to a headless Hohner ? and I would like to buy a guitar. I'm using my dad's LP100 right now and I've started working over weekends to save money to buy a guitar and amp. I live in Plett, so the nearest decent music stores are quite a distance to drive to.

I'm into Metallica, AC/DC, Nirvana and the RHCP, and occasionally I play some ZZ Top, Led Zep and Three Days Grace. I LOVE the shape of James Hetfield's Explorer, but having played my dad's Fender Strat, I also love the feel of the Strat-shape. What can you guys suggest? I'm not particularly keen to get another Les Paul, but admittedly I haven't spent more than 20 minutes in a music store and haven't played a wide variety of guitars.

Any ideas?

free2rhyme

I too was once in your position, I wanted the growl of a les Paul but the feel of a fender.

Many may argue but i loved my Jackson dinky... I didn't really have options of a lot of guitars then

Nowadays try out some ltd's or schecters... good value for money, fast necks and great growl

TomCat

For my 1/2 cents worth you could see if you can find a second hand Ibby RG321 with EMG's if you're into the higher gain stuff.......

Scorched

^^ I second the RG suggestion, since you like the feel of a strat but need something with a bit more bite.

MikeM

I vote some kind of LP.

jt

My suggestion is spend two hours in a music store and try a variety of guitars. You will know which one to buy...

DonovanB

Saying, "I need a guitar" in this joint is like saying, "I need oxygen, where can I get some?" ?

there are SoooooooooooOoOOOOO many options... What is your budget? That would help us suggest some...

Stubbs

Yes, I want the growl of the LP but never found the shape particularly comfortable. Funnily enough, I was looking at Jacksons last night.

I won't lie here - appearance is going to be a key factor (I am a teenager, remember) along with sound, feel and price of course ?

At the moment, I'm looking at around R5000, but it also depends on which amp I buy and how big a contribution my parents put in.

I will spend a day in music shops before I buy, but I'm just looking for some recommendations at the moment. What might happen is I try out the guitars here, and then a friend from the US will buy it for me in the States and bring it down in September.

I'm going to George in a few days - will be sure to check that shop, as well as Staccato. Thanks for the heads up ?

A whammy bar is a plus too ?

VellaJ

TomCat wrote: For my 1/2 cents worth you could see if you can find a second hand Ibby RG321 with EMG's if you're into the higher gain stuff.......

Scorched wrote: ^^ I second the RG suggestion, since you like the feel of a strat but need something with a bit more bite.

I must agree on the Ibanez. I have the RGA32 and it's an awesome rock guitar. Only suggestion, if you want the cleans, find an Ibby with passive humbuckers. The actives are gorgeous for drive, but lack a bit of definition when clean...

MikeM

If you're having someone bring it down from the U.S... I'd say consider second hand.

Also,

http://www.prsguitars.com/secustom24/

epictring

MikeM wrote: If you're having someone bring it down from the U.S... I'd say consider second hand.

Also,

http://www.prsguitars.com/secustom24/

:applause:

exsanguinator

If youre really serious,i suggest buying a good secondhand guitar over an adequate new one...since you only have R5K avaliable....
Also depending on what model, brand and specs,...you might find it retains its value ,if not maybe increase a bit ...google all models before you buy.....this not only tells you the good and the maybe bad things,but also what the average price is...
... Trust me,a few extra bucks now will save you a lot, when you find you cant sell your old one for enough cash to upgrade to something you shouldve got in the first place....believe me...

MikeM

Stubbs wrote:What might happen is I try out the guitars here, and then a friend from the US will buy it for me in the States and bring it down in September.

Am I the only one that thinks these people missed this?

This is pushing your budget a bit, but it's a way better investment if you're set on a new guitar.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-American-Special-Strat-HSS-3-Tone-Sunburst-/180831258959?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a1a62094f

There are loads of decent deals to be had on Ebay, but IMO I'd aim for the cheap side of American made guitars. That way if you do decide to sell, it'll hold its value very well.

Tokai-SA

jt wrote: My suggestion is spend two hours in a music store and try a variety of guitars. You will know which one to buy...

The problem is...

90% South African music stores don't stock all the brands available in South Africa...so you can't try out a big enough variety.

DonovanB

Tokai SA wrote:
jt wrote: My suggestion is spend two hours in a music store and try a variety of guitars. You will know which one to buy...
The problem is...

90% South African music stores don't stock all the brands available in South Africa...so you can't try out a big enough variety.

Yip, you have to go see a few stores.

Stubbs

MikeM wrote:
Stubbs wrote:What might happen is I try out the guitars here, and then a friend from the US will buy it for me in the States and bring it down in September.
Am I the only one that thinks these people missed this?

This is pushing your budget a bit, but it's a way better investment if you're set on a new guitar.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-American-Special-Strat-HSS-3-Tone-Sunburst-/180831258959?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a1a62094f

There are loads of decent deals to be had on Ebay, but IMO I'd aim for the cheap side of American made guitars. That way if you do decide to sell, it'll hold its value very well.

I have considered getting an HSS Strat, something similar to Kurt Cobain's black one. Prices here are ridiculous though. Good point on the resale value, I hadn't actually considered that..

MikeM

Yea dude. Thing is if you do want to buy new, you can get a cheap MIA strat (For like R6500 or whatever) and you'll be able to sell it locally for at least as much as you paid..

cipher

Hi there
Check this out.......got EMG 89 humbucker in bridge and EMG SA in middle and neck positions. It's got a brutal tone if you're into the more heavy stuff....

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/cort/g290/index.html

ZarK

Stubbs wrote: Yes, I want the growl of the LP but never found the shape particularly comfortable. Funnily enough, I was looking at Jacksons last night.

I won't lie here - appearance is going to be a key factor (I am a teenager, remember) along with sound, feel and price of course ?

At the moment, I'm looking at around R5000, but it also depends on which amp I buy and how big a contribution my parents put in.

I will spend a day in music shops before I buy, but I'm just looking for some recommendations at the moment. What might happen is I try out the guitars here, and then a friend from the US will buy it for me in the States and bring it down in September.

I'm going to George in a few days - will be sure to check that shop, as well as Staccato. Thanks for the heads up ?

A whammy bar is a plus too ?

Hi Stubbs

If you haven't found your axe yet, here are my suggestions based on your info:

1. Cort KX1Q:

This is the closest you're going to get to having that Gibson Les Paul growl + Fender Strat shape + high gain potential + in your price range...

The KX1Q has the following features that are very similar to a Gibson Les Paul:

- mahogany body & neck
- figured maple top
- set-neck
- angled headstock
- 3 tuners per side
- tonepro lic. bridge
- slightly angled neck
- dual humbuckers.
- Gibson style toggle
- Binding around fretboard and body

It also has the following features that are more in line with a Fender Strat:

- 25 1/2" scale neck
- Strat body shape
- Coil tap offers single coil tones

Modern features:

- 24 Large frets
- 12" fretboard
- EMG HZ pups with coil tap
- neck shape a cross between a Les Paul, Fender and Ibanez. Feels very similar to most PRS's
- Graphtech nut

ZarK

If you are more interested in a Fender Strat-style guitar with whammy bar and modern features + still within your budget, I'd also recommend the Cort G290 (as per cipher's post.) [Also known as the Cort G Custom]:

The Cort G290 is a pro-level instrument in every way except price...

Some modern Fender Strat similarities:

- Ash body
- 22 medium frets
- 25 1/2" scale neck
- 12" radius fretboard
- neck shape very similar to Fender modern C shape and feel.
- Single coils (Humbucker has coil tap.)
- Tremolo bridge with whammy bar
- straight headstock

More specs &features:

- Swamp ash body with quilted maple top
- Brid's eye maple neck
- Sperzel trimlock locking tuners (staggered)
- brass block bridge
- Graphtech tremnut
- Humbucker with coil tap offers high gain tones as well as Fender-like single coil tones.
- EMG active pups (EMG 89, EMG SA x2)
- Fishman electronics