Electric purchase

geemobee · 2010-03-08T16:55:16+00:00

Hey chaps Well I have trully been enjoying the whole guitar experience. I have decent acoustic and feel like getting an electric to expand on my collection and keep me motivated :-[ I'd really like a Gibson Les Paul or a Fender Strat or something there abouts ... and lets say I'm not keen on upgrading after this purchase so would like a nice piece. My budget could be around R10k ... and I realise that I would need an amp too.. is this too little for something nice? What would you guys suggest? I dont like heavy metal - prefer smooth jazz and perhaps blues. Does this rule out the need for effects pedals? I actually have loads more questions ? Thanks chaps G

singemonkey

This is what you need to consider first:

Strat:

Les Paul:

For the money you have available, you can get a very good Fender Strat, or a very bad Gibson Les Paul. If you want a Les Paul capable of sounding and playing like the the video above, Tokai is the way to go. They've been outdoing Gibson's factory models since 1978 - making them the way Gibson used to do in the '50s. I can vouch for them as I own both Gibson and Tokai Les Pauls.

But these guitars, Strat and Les Paul, are not the same. They represent two different concepts in electric guitar sound and playability, and few people feel equally at home on both styles of guitars (which is not to say that you're stuck with whichever one you like best. The skills remain the same). It's important that you get a sense of those differences before dropping a wad of cash.

DonovanB

Firstly, if you're telling yourself you don't want to upgrade later, you are lying to yourself. GAS will come for you. You cannot escape it. It is eating at you now to get an electric anyway. Once you get one, you'll want more.... it is the way of the world... and also the 13th, unwritten commandment. Thou shalt have many guitars

I'd say start with a Strat. MIM would suffice and you can pick up a real bargain.
Or you could spend a day in a music shop and play everything they have. You might decide you like a tele better. Or even an Ibanez. (don't knock them yet they are rather versatile) Just because a Les Paul and strat are very well known, it doesn't mean it's the best guitar for you.

Then splurge on a decent amp. Go play them all. Take your time with it cos it is an enjoyable experience choosing gear.

Bob-Dubery

Or consider something along the lines of a 335. Those are surprisingly versatile guitars.

geemobee

Guys, this has been an awesome help!

One thing I know is that I will take my time in this purchase, no rush really.

At this stage, a Fender strat MIM and a decent amp would probably do but let's see after I go see and play a few others.

Wish list =

singemonkey

Again, Tokai can put that dream within your reach if you're not too hung up on the name on the headstock. Very high quality guitars within the reach of most people with a job.

http://www.tokaiguitars.co.za/vintageseries.htm

Check out the ES 135 on this page - their lowest priced made-in-Japan ES335 style model. The distributor is a member of this forum and can tell you which stores are stocking these instruments.

But Don is right. If you're new to electrics, do a lot of browsing around. Fenders, Gibsons, and their clones (of superior, equal, or inferior quality), are not the only game in town. Gretsch, Ibanez, Yamaha, Paul-Reed Smith, Mosrite, ESP and others mean that the field is a very large one to explore to find the perfect guitar for you.

Gearhead

For the money you mention you don't want to buy anything new - all I have to add to the advice. Remember that an electric guitar is only half the instrument, the other half being the amp. So your budget goes accordingly...

geemobee

joel wrote
If you're in JHB , go to Andy McGibbons , they have 2 ES -60's (MiC) in stock to look at , one is Vintage natural , the other is Vintage sun burst...... for about 7.5K............. (plus a high end MIJ ES-165 I think ,...for about 20K.. to drool at )
see http://www.tokaiguitars.co.za/traditionalseries.htm ........for pic and specs.
I have the MiJ ES-135g (142G) , I went there to look at the ES-60's on Saturday and I tell you the build quality of the ES-60's are of a very high standard ,..... flawless actually IMHO............other than slightly thinner necks , they felt and looked as shmoozy nice as mine . 8)

Man you have some nice gear!

why no acoustic?

Banditman

Take a look / listen to these for a hint at the ES-type sound. You should also take a look / listen to Eric Clapton's playing on "Crossroads", Albert Lee "Going Home", Larry Carlton's work & of course B.B. King.

And if you'll excuse me, my Sheraton's just started calling.

racman

Then there's the USA Strat in absolutely mint condition going for what is now a bargain price. ?

(Heard the seller might alo be persuaded to let the Baja Tele go at a bargain price too ? ?

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