I need a new guitar :D

Stubbs · 2012-03-22T22:23:49+00:00

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?

Stubbs

Theoretically if I could try them all out, what would be my best option?

1. Deluxe SSS ($650) and swap the bridge pup for a humbucker
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-deluxe-players-stratocaster-electric-guitar

2. American Special HSS ($900)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-american-special-hss-stratocaster-electric-guitar

3. Mexican Standard HSS ($500)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-standard-stratocaster-hss-electric-guitar/423060000731069

The American Special catches my eye the most, but is it worth the extra money? What would a Deluxe be like with say a Seymour Duncan? I'd prefer to avoid a Mexican.

MikeM

American special HSS.

Don't bother with some sub-standard Cort or the like when you can buy an American made instrument for a good deal.

Stubbs

MikeM wrote American special HSS.

Don't bother with some sub-standard Cort or the like when you can buy an American made instrument for a good deal.

And you reckon the humbucker would be okay for Metallica and AC/DC through a Mustang/Cube/Valvetronix?

MikeM

In my honest opinion, a HSS strat is the most versatile guitar typology out there. Combined with the great modelling of the Vox/Fender, you should be able to get most tones (Or near enough to them) that you'd need for 90% of situations.

That in mind, I've played and owned many reasonable range guitars and amps, including a Valvetronix, 2 Cubes. I am also not trying to sell anything to you.

Tokai-SA

MikeM wrote American special HSS.

Don't bother with some sub-standard Cort or the like when you can buy an American made instrument for a good deal.

Sorry, Mike, have to jump in here. ?

What does "some sub-standard Cort" mean?
Is a PRS SE also "sub-standard"?
Or a Korean/Chinese made Ibanez JS100?

MikeM

I've been hugely underwhelmed by Corts, particularly their fit and finish.

The PRS SE range is fantastic.. A huge step above Corts.

The Ibanez are decent, but they just don't have the tone that Tokais, Fenders, PRSi etc have.

Wizard

MikeM wrote I've been hugely underwhelmed by Corts, particularly their fit and finish.

My M200 with ToneRider upgrades is fabulous.

AlanRatcliffe

Corts are great value for money and the models mentioned (M200, G290 and KX-1) are their nicer ones. I've been quite a fan for years, but I have to admit that their quality has become a lot more inconsistent since they started building in China.

costafonix

MikeM wrote
The PRS SE range is fantastic...

+1
go try out the PRS SE's, great value for money. :yup:

MikeM

Guys I am going to bring this up another time.

He's able to purchase a guitar in the U.S and have a mate bring it down.

I've already suggested he looks at MIA Fenders and the PRS SE range, as in HIS situation, these are both good value, consistant instruments.

Lets not try and sell, or validate our own instruments here, and rather offer solid advice to this guy for his comparitvely different situation.

Tokai-SA

MikeM wrote

He's able to purchase a guitar in the U.S and have a mate bring it down.

Different story...if he can do that then a MIA Fender is the way to go.

Stubbs

MikeM wrote In my honest opinion, a HSS strat is the most versatile guitar typology out there. Combined with the great modelling of the Vox/Fender, you should be able to get most tones (Or near enough to them) that you'd need for 90% of situations.

That in mind, I've played and owned many reasonable range guitars and amps, including a Valvetronix, 2 Cubes. I am also not trying to sell anything to you.

So you'd go for that over an HSH or HH Blacktop?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-blacktop-stratocaster-hsh-electric-guitar

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-blacktop-stratocaster-hh-with-rosewood-fretboard-electric-guitar

MikeM

Personally yes, by far. Especially if you like RHCP and Hendrix.. (woops, Hendrix wasn't someone you mentioned, was Hetfield)

Stubbs

MikeM wrote Personally yes, by far. Especially if you like RHCP and Hendrix.. (woops, Hendrix wasn't someone you mentioned, was Hetfield)

I do play Hendrix ?

A friend mine has a theory that the Blacktops might be similar to Gibson specials - made by Gibson, sold for the same price as Epiphones; but with lower grade materials.

So would you take a Blacktop over a Mexican HSS?

MikeM

I'd be speculating if I were to have an opinion. I haven't played a blacktop so I'd rather not spout my mouth off to you bud.

An HSS strat is the safest choice in my books ? HH if you're way more focused on rock stuff, but IMO hss combines the best of both.

ZarK

MikeM wrote Don't bother with some sub-standard Cort or the like when you can buy an American made instrument for a good deal.

This is a bold statement if I ever saw one... Absolute nonsense imho. If budget allows for it, sure, I'd definitely take a USA Strat over either of the Cort's for a number of reasons including resale value as you've correctly stated but don't be fooled, a Korean-made G290 is very much on par with a USA Strat and even out-spec's them in certain aspects. I say this with the utmost love and respect for my USA Strats... G290's are crafted from quality timber and come factory fitted with hardware and electronics that rival and supersede many high-end premium brand instruments and therefore offer exceptional value&quality for roughly a third of the price of similar 'big brand names...'

I used to ignore Cort electrics completely based on the name on the headstock and my impression of their entry-level models... Until I eventually spent some quality time with certain higher-end models... My suggestions are spot-on and based on Stubb's needs expressed in his original posts. One majour deciding factor being the R5k budget... I think we're all trying to help Stubbs with good advice presumably based on personal experience, well at least I know I am...

@Stubbs: You're not going to get the Gibson-type tones you originally mentioned you where after from either the Fender or the G290 I suggested in any case... A mahogany body & neck with maple cap and a set-neck is a crucial starting point for Gibson-like tones and sustain. Also, you will not get the Metallica and similar harder style lead tones from a single coil in the neck position. You'd have to swap that pup out with a single coil sized humbucker if that need arises... For the music styles you mentioned you are playing, a medium to high output humbucker in the bridge is crucial.

+1 for PRS SE's. Not superior to a G290 by any margin but they offer excellent quality non the less. In my experience they are consistently good guitars that offer excellent value-for-money.

chris77

Hey Stubbs. Have a look at the Fender FMT Custom teles. Mahogony set neck, mahogony back, maple cap and HH configuration for the Gibson growl. Comes fitted standard with a SD 59 pup in the neck and a SD Pearly gates pup in the bridge. Not terribly high output, (but they work magic with whatever else throw at it) so high gain metal might be a stretch if you don't swop em out.
For the Fendery feel it has a 25.5 scale length, rib contour, push\pull coil split and a string through bridge.
Locally their pricing is shite, but you should get a decent price in the US for one.

ZarK

chris77 wrote Hey Stubbs. Have a look at the Fender FMT Custom teles. Mahogony set neck, mahogony back, maple cap and HH configuration for the Gibson growl. Comes fitted standard with a SD 59 pup in the neck and a SD Pearly gates pup in the bridge. Not terribly high output, (but they work magic with whatever else throw at it) so high gain metal might be a stretch if you don't swop em out.
For the Fendery feel it has a 25.5 scale length, rib contour, push\pull coil split and a string through bridge.
Locally their pricing is shite, but you should get a decent price in the US for one.

+1 (Well spotted!) Don't think its MIA but the specs are perfect for what Stubbs is looking for in my +1 opinion. I suspect it would sound something between a standard Tele/Strat and a Les Paul which would be a great compromise. (I think those pups will do the trick as well...)

Also consider the Spalted Maple limited edition version of this guitar... It's an absolute Stunner!! I suspect these guitars will get you very close to the tone you're after + will offer the familiar Fender feel and playability you seem to prefer...

V8

I also imported my 1st electric guitar from the states (many moons ago). Got a BC Rich for Samick $, and a few years later sold it for what I originally paid (inc shipping!).

17years later, I like to sit and check if the instrument inspires me before I take it home. A bit tricky in your scenario, but given all the excellent advice in this thread, I reckon you'll have some fun sitting in the store trying out your short list of pickup configs and brands.

Personally, I'd be prepared to set aside a few rands on getting which ever guitar you decide on setup for your taste (ears, fingers/pick). Imho, setup (Strings, action, intonation, etc...) is critical to feel, and often overlooked when one shops :-[ I've bought +/- 10 2nd hand instruments & 3 new ones - and all have needed some attention before I felt I brought the best out of it.

Good luck!

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