Which is better...

Chilli

Hi.

I am looming at buying a guitar. there are 4 i have my eye on.

1st - Vintage V100 AFD Paradise. ( Not sure where its made)

2nd - Fender Modern Player HSS Strat. (Made in China)

3rd - ESP LTD 401 VF (made in Indonesia)

I just found this as number

4th - Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top Pro

Help/opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

studmissile

how much you got to spend?

Chilli

studmissile wrote: how much you got to spend?

4k to max 5k.

Chilli

I can get the ESP Ltd for R4k with an Esp hard case.

Is it any good?

Jacques_nasi

"is it any good" is a very subjective question, what might be great as an entry level guitar to a person starting out on a low budget might be less good to a more experienced player who owns a much more expensive guitar.

all of your choices of guitars are made in the eastern side of the world, sometimes you get great examples and other times less so. I would say try them out and then decide. it also depends on what you like, style wise. apart from the Stratocaster all of the others are single cut designs, so it looks like youre more inclined to that shape. Also take into consideration your music style and comfort while playing

I cant give you a direct answer, but I own a Vintage V100 Paradise, and to me personally its a great guitar for the price.

ezietsman

I assume the ESP is this one:

I would not be totally unhappy with that if its the one that comes with the Seymour Duncan pickups. They are well made from what I've seen in shops.

There is also the Tokai chinese series of guitars. They're in the same price range. Maybe send Tokai SA a pm.

DaFiz

Is the 4 or 5k just for the guitar?
Do you already have an amp ?

What area are you in ?

beardedmoose

I would def go for the chinese Fender they are amazing guitars.

V8

Chilli wrote:
studmissile wrote: how much you got to spend?
4k to max 5k.

BigG's Carparelli 'Slimm' Les Paul...https://www.facebook.com/groups/739245542817704/.

Big-G

Out of the options that you have listed above for up to R5k, I would choose the LTD myself. Everything about my old EC-500 oozed quality, and it was a great guitar that I regret selling.

The Vintage is also a great guitar for the money, though may require a pickup change to really shine, so that should be factored in.

As V8 mentioned above, I have my Carparelli slimm singlecut that I'm selling, and its a lovely instrument that is well made, and of the kind of quality level of an PRS SE. Has a bit of a darker tone to it than most les pauls, which I like. Its not muddy or dull, but just darker sounding if that makes sense?

If you're interested, drop me a message.

Regards
G!

Rabbit

Just be sure to check that the neck on a Vintage band guitar is straight and not twisted. While neck relief can be adjusted using the truss rod, a twist is kinda terminal without expensive repairs. Relief is when there is a consistent curve towards or away from the strings on both sides of the neck, while a twist implies a different curve on each side of the neck. (A slight twist might be intentional, but I get the impression that this is rare.)

I got burnt on this, and while trying to get more info, I found that this is fairly common with Vintage-branded guitars. Our local music shop has about three of them in their window because their necks are twisted, so they cannot sell them without destroying their reputation. Unfortunately, the cost of the repair is about the same as the guitar is worth...

That said, Vintage-branded guitars are pretty awesome for what you pay (I really like mine apart from the neck), so if you get one with a straight neck, you will have an awesome guitar! Just be sure to check...

ZD630702

Hi Chilli,
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/?sa=view;id=5027

I totally agree with Jacques_nasi's comment!

I have a Vintage V100 as well as a Vintage V99 and a Vintage SG. I had a few more Vintage guitars (strat shape and another V100) but swapped them for something else.

In my experience, Vintage guitars are quite well made and the hardware is solid (I had 7). Maybe I was just lucky! BUT, any guitar you buy, however expensive or not, check EVERY detail on it!

Among other guitars, I also have a Carparelli Slimm and Big G explained the tone exactly right. It is a really lovely, easy and comfortable guitar to play. Sounds great too (to me!). Even though I really like the V100, I'd choose the Carparelli Slimm (depending on the price, of course).

Can't comment on the other guitars you mentioned because I haven't played those exact models. Anyway, you should play ALL the guitars on your list, see how they feel to you and then make a decision. You can change the sound of the guitar (different strings, pickups, pots etc) but to change the weight, shape of the neck, scale, frets etc, is way more difficult.

Cheers and good luck.

Liam-de-M--rov--e

Hi Chilli,

If you haven't bought your guitar yet, I suggest strongly to go for this one:

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-musical-instruments/emmarentia/epiphone-les-paul-custom/1001240728940910028767209

I own one of these and they are definitely on par with a Gibson LP when it comes to the overall build quality, the hardware and specifically the great set of high class pickups. No costs were spared in building this guitar.

?

proze

Careful of these. Loads of Chinese fakes. Post it up on the Fake Epiphone thread on MLP and ask the experts.

beardedmoose

Liam de Mérovée wrote: Hi Chilli,

If you haven't bought your guitar yet, I suggest strongly to go for this one:

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-musical-instruments/emmarentia/epiphone-les-paul-custom/1001240728940910028767209

I own one of these and they are definitely on par with a Gibson LP when it comes to the overall build quality, the hardware and specifically the great set of high class pickups. No costs were spared in building this guitar.

?

This one is the real deal.