Help me decide on an electric guitar

FatBoy · 2008-06-05T12:14:45+00:00

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...

Help me decide on an electric guitar

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

Take look at these auctions on ebay if you're interested in a gretsch :

http://cgi.ebay.com/GRETSCH-G5125-ELECTROMATIC-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ300229294842QQihZ020QQcategoryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/GRETSCH-G5129-ELECTROMATIC-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ370057969047QQihZ024QQcategoryZ2384QQcmdZViewItem

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 ?

AlanRatcliffe

I just spoke to Robin at Fender and he confirmed there is no stock - he was even kind enough to check the stock all the retail stores to see if anyone had stock, but no joy.

They are on the next shipment which is slated to arrive "the second week of July" - so the wait is only going to be three to four weeks.

...and yes, you should wait rather than settle for one you don't want - you'll never be happy with it if you do.

FatBoy

Thanks for the trouble Alan. You are right, I'll have to wait. Its my birthday on the 10th, maybe just MAYBE I will be lucky and have it by then.

I think it will be worth the wait, she is just beautiful! I know you recommended I leave the amp and get a better guitar, but ya, I need the amp for harp playing too, so hopefully this will be good enough to get me started. I feel that I'd be better of getting a cheapish one now and then get a proper USA Tele when I am a big boy, other than start with a MIM and no amp.

Please don't feel I didn't think about your advice, I have a great amount of respect for you!

JoeyBones

Fritz Brand wrote: 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...

Did they give you a price ?

AlanRatcliffe

Fritz Brand wrote: Please don't feel I didn't think about your advice, I have a great amount of respect for you!

No problem at all. It all boils down to priorities, and everyone's priorities are different - I get that completely. Just because I'm an uncompromising b*****d about guitars, doesn't mean everyone has to be.

Did they give you a price ?

Good question. Did they? I might be able to organise something.

FatBoy

The prices range from R2450 to R2650, that's after asking for discount. I think it retails for R3400. Everyone said that the price on the new stock may have gone up, so I guess I'll have to wait and see.