FatBoy
Hi Guys
Well I know this question is not easy to answer, and it depends a lot of what sounds and feels good to me, but please give me your opinions.
I have been playing acoustic guitar for about 2 years now. My passion is with Country music, singing and playing (ok laugh now hehe). I know country isn't that popular in SA, but it's the music of my soul, and I just get this warm feeling inside when I am singing / playing it.
I also do old classic like some Bob Dylan stuff (harmonica included), Neil Diamond, Rolling Stones etc.
I would like to get into blues as well.
Now the question is, I now want to try my hand at electric guitar. As far as the amp goes, I am fairly set on a Vox AD30VT, or maybe a Roland Cube 30 X. Please let me know if you have any reason why I should not get one of these. I like the fact that they can model all sorts of different amps (I know it's not the same as the real thing, but I would like to experiment with the sounds a bit before I buy an expensive amp)
Now for the axe. I dont want to spend too much money on my first electric, but I don't want a toy either. I am looking at spending +- 3K on my first electric.
The current top 4 in my shopping list is:
1. Squier Standard Telecaster
2. Epiphone Les Paul (Not sure which model yet)
3. Squier Standard Stratocaster
4. Cort G260
From what I have read, the Tele is the best bet for country, as it has a certain "twang". The Les Paul just looks uber sexy to me. The strat and Cort is probably in there because of the different sounds you can get when switching pickups.
One thing that bothers me about the Epiphone is that most of the shops here in Cape Town tells me that Epiphone and Gibson has withdrawn from SA. So firstly I'll have trouble finding one, and after that, will I get after sales support / parts?
Please help a noob with some input on the subject?
JoeyBones
I saw a squier tele for R1400 at Cash Converters at The Glen shopping Center.
Spyke
I have an Indo Squier Strat and i'm fairly happy with it.
Unfortunately the more a poke and prod around, the more i realize that my setup with the std pups and maple fretboard is just way too bright. It works for my application but is something i need to address.
This leads me to think that a similar Squier strat may be too bright for your needs too. A rosewood model may help but you'll still miss the depth of a humbucker.
I've only ever picked up two Squier Tele's. One buzzed horrendously but felt nice and the other was generally good all round (albeit a Avril Lavigne sig model). I'd look at the Tele's before looking at the strat.
I can't comment too much on the Gibson, although i'm yet to pick up one that felt wrong - it just felt different.
Cort... ask Alan, i'm clueless.
JoeyBones
I'm a big Gretsch fan, so I'd say if you're in the market for something different, checkout the ebay auctions for the Electromatic models. Very competitively priced against the Epi's.
AlanRatcliffe
Forget Les Pauls of any variety - IMO, they just do not do country. G-260 is a great guitar and very flexible - blues to rock and is my normal recommendation in the price bracket - it completely blows the Squer Strat away.
From your tastes in music the Tele is the way to go. It covers a lot sonic of territory and if you are an acoustic player, you will find the acoustic tonal qualities and fairly unforgiving playability (although still a lot easier than an acoustic) pretty much home. Older Dylan (post '61 anyway - the infamous "Judas" incident) is Tele territory as is the Blues.
I would however balk at a Squier Tele. In your position, I would get the smallest amp that could do the job - the Roland Micro Cube (which is a really cool little practice amp by any standards and surprisingly loud) and spend the money saved on a better guitar. If you can, grit your teeth, gird your loins and get at least a Fender Standard (Mexican). The quality difference is quite big. Then later, when you need more volume for playing in a band, look at upgrading the amp. Actually, being me, I'd probably blow my whole budget on a Fender Classic Player Baja Tele and play it unplugged until I could afford an amp (but that's me - I'm weird like that).
I know this is a bit "guitar snobbish", but I firmly believe that its better to get a good instrument (which is after all the thing you have to put your hands on and play) and lesser amp than downgrade both and have to upgrade them both later.
If any guitar player laughs at your liking country music, play them some Hellecasters, Brad Paisley or Albert Lee, then feel free to laugh as their jaws hit the floor. It's a fact that most country guitarists can smoke most rock players.
AlanRatcliffe
Spyke wrote
I can't comment too much on the Gibson, although i'm yet to pick up one that felt wrong - it just felt different.
I used to do all the Gibson warrantee repairs in SA, and I've yet to find a Gibson I liked (unless you count the old Epiphone Scroll). Granted, it's partly that I don't like the Gibson scale length, but the quality vs. price issue...
JoeyBones wrote
I'm a big Gretsch fan, so I'd say if you're in the market for something different, checkout the ebay auctions for the Electromatic models.
Very true and the only way to go if you're a Chet Atkins fan. Expensive though.
Mr-M
I'd go with the Squier Tele for country, for the twang and for some blues, as you said. If you have the bucks go Alan's route of a Mexican Tele.
Otherwise, if you can, have a look at the Vintage Modified Tele Thinline:
http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0301240544
Looks like a really nicely constructed Tele with decent pickups out the box. As far as I've heard these are in the R4000 price bracket (I might be wrong here), so you could still conceivably get it at a price near to your budget.
On the Vox AD30VT, I have one and I love it! Really versatile and it will definitely do the styles of music you're interested in playing very well. It sounds as close to a real tube amp as your going to get from a modelling amp. Highly recommended in my book.
MiKeZilLA
Bought a G260 on the weekend ? Tried the Squier strat really didn't like it way too much twang for blues but for some reason the salesperson continued to try and flog me the squier .... Didn't play the Tele but i would have to say if it's anything like the strat give it a miss...
kayDUB
Hey Fritz
check gumtree out for a mexican standard tele in CT, priced at R2000, that's a good deal if the guitar is in good nick!
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Fender-Telecaster-Black-W0QQAdIdZ53459093
Make sure you inspect any second hand guitar properly tho!
JoeyBones
AlanRatcliffe
kayDUB wrote
check gumtree out for a mexican standard tele in CT, priced at R2000, that's a good deal if the guitar is in good nick!
That is a good price! The Mexican retails at R7,000 new (about R6K street).
Gray
G260 Dude, its got a broad spectrum and from my experience with Cort they make quality products for dirt cheap. After I bought my G254 I did some research and every other page was G260. Maybe Its not the perfect guitar for your style but is capable and if you feel the need to change/alternate styles the 260's like a chameleon. I dont know the other guitars well enough but Alan's advice is always pretty solid.
albeit a Avril Lavigne sig model
Somebody shoot me with a rubber bullet.
FatBoy
Thanks for all the input guys, now if only that mid year bonus at the end of the month is a decent size I'm on my way!
Yea I think I'm set on the Tele. If it's good enough for Waylon Jennings, it's good enough for me. I'm not really planning on becoming a great lead guitarist, I'm more of a singer, but yea I need the right guitar for the job.
Not sure if I want to spend 7K on my first one, and I really want that Vox, as I plan on playing my harmonica through it as well. I do get your point though Alan, I normally buy the best I can afford, but ya, the Vox is so sexy...
Choices, choices, choices...
The Gretsch's look awesome, but ya there is no way I am getting my first electric without playing on it first.
Wow that tele for 2K looks like a sweet deal if its in an OK condition, now if only that damn bonus could have come sooner.
Maybe I should sell my mother?
Spyke
Gray wrote
albeit a Avril Lavigne sig model
Somebody shoot me with a rubber bullet.
I know... my sentiments exactly. Checkered scratchplate looked dodgy but the fretboard inlay was nice. When i pulled the head closer to examine what series it was, i made out the signature and almost dropped the thing. Didn't have a bad feel at all. Good hot rod project then...
Jay
I would also go for the Telecater, although Gretch also make some very nice compareable hollow body electrics that offer that "twang" you are looking for.
hooligan
go and have a look on the internet at;gumtree.co.za i saw a few teles there with amps etc
there is a ephiphone les paul too for R2500 and a few others
FatBoy
Yea Gretch's look awesome, and I've only heard good things about them.
My heart is currently set on this puppy
Squier Standard Series - Antique Burst Finish
And as my luck goes, the supplier have no stock of them May only arrive in 6 weeks, maybe longer!!☹
They only have the Vintage Blond ones, and ya I must say I don't like the look of those. What to do, what to do...
MiKeZilLA
Patience is a virtue (which i don't have) you should probably wait though..... You and ya tele'll be together for awhile so i'm guessing it'd be better to wait for what you really want.. :?
FatBoy
That P word hey, yea I also lack that virtue ☹ Damn damn double damn
MiKeZilLA
Lmao - Yeah well my buddy Reef is very good at talking me out of impulse buys she's quite practical and can be rather mean find yourself a reef or buy go forth and buy ya self a tele i'm very short on ppl to jam with ?
