Advice for buying guitars?

steeler4life
steeler4life Philadelphia area Posts: 405
in Musicians and Gearheads
I am looking to upgrade to a REAL electric guitar that I can play for a long time. Right now I have a Stagg Telecaster and it's good to start with, but I'm ready to get a better guitar. I've been looking at a 60s era Roadworn Strat but at $800 it may be a little bit out of my price range. Any suggestions on what I should get?
Philly 10/21/13 Seattle 12/06/13 "No Code" 10/17/14
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Comments

  • steeler4life
    steeler4life Philadelphia area Posts: 405
    Any suggestions? Anyone?
    Philly 10/21/13 Seattle 12/06/13 "No Code" 10/17/14
  • BinFrog
    BinFrog MA Posts: 7,314
    Go test out a bunch in your price range and go with the one that feels right.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • steeler4life
    steeler4life Philadelphia area Posts: 405
    Is there any guitar that you would suggest I try out?
    Philly 10/21/13 Seattle 12/06/13 "No Code" 10/17/14
  • BinFrog
    BinFrog MA Posts: 7,314
    Depends on your style. There is no right answer.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • xtremehardy388
    xtremehardy388 Posts: 2,759
    Like it was already stated...test out different ones. All about feel and connection.
    Grand Rapids '04, Detroit '06
    JEFF HARDY AND JEFF AMENT USED TO LOOK THE SAME
    "Pearl Jam always eases my mind and fires me up at the same time.”-Jeff Hardy
  • mccreadyisgod
    mccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    edited September 2014
    Don't be afraid to buy a used guitar. You can get way more guitar for your money that way, and chances are, it's already been setup and broken in, with a case (sometimes more), ready to play from the start. There are a ton of guitars in the intermediate price range that are worth the cash, it's hard to say which ones will fit you best. Knowing what kind of sound, feel, or look you would like might help some of us come up with recommendations. The obvious frontrunners would be a Made in Mexico Fender Strat or Tele, or an Epiphone Les Paul or SG, which should be around $400 used in good condition. After that, the selection is endless. Craigslist and eBay are still pretty good places to look. If you find a listing for a guitar, feel free to post a link and we can comment on whether it's a good guitar or a good deal.
    Post edited by mccreadyisgod on
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • 2-feign-reluctance
    2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,462
    Play, play, play some more before buying
    www.cluthelee.com
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    Most shops will let you use a practice room where you can try our guitars at your leisure. If you have such a shop nearby, try out a few different styles to see how they feel and sound. Try a Strat, (or more affordable Squire Strat) a Tele (or ditto, Squire Tele) a semi hollow body and a Les Paul copy. See how they feel playing on you feet. Listen to the tone using all pick up positions. Ask yourself, "How does the guitar feel in my hands? How does the fret board feel? Do I like the tone?"

    Don't worry about name brands if you can't afford them. I've had US made Les Paul's, a US Strat, and a bunch of other guitars and right now three of my guitars are inexpensive models- an Epiphone Dot semi-hollow body, a Squire Strat with dual humbuckers and a First Act Westerberg that cost me $280, $200 and $150 respectively and I like them all a lot and have no plans to get rif of any of them. And I play them all way more than the Replica '72 Tele Thinline I have hanging on the wall. That guitar is one I cherish as a gift but it has never felt or sounded quite right to me. Go by what feels and sounds right to you!

    Good luck, keep us posted.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • xtremehardy388
    xtremehardy388 Posts: 2,759
    +1 to the play comments and the used guitar stuff. Most of my stuff is used and works great. Also, just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's great. Just because something is cheap doesn't mean it sucks. Also, you can always modify guitars
    Grand Rapids '04, Detroit '06
    JEFF HARDY AND JEFF AMENT USED TO LOOK THE SAME
    "Pearl Jam always eases my mind and fires me up at the same time.”-Jeff Hardy
  • steeler4life
    steeler4life Philadelphia area Posts: 405
    Thanks for the comments!! I never thought about getting something used. I'll try to keep this updated, but with the upcoming PJ NA tour, I may have to wait to spend money on a guitar until after Moline.
    Philly 10/21/13 Seattle 12/06/13 "No Code" 10/17/14
  • Stickman12
    Stickman12 Posts: 504
    I really am a fan of used guitars. Most people take excellent care of their instruments. Some people have multiple guitars and some sit in the case more than they are played. Ive bought several used guitars and all but one looked brand new and some even have upgrades. The bonus to this is that you only pay a fraction of a brand new one.
  • CM189191
    CM189191 Posts: 6,927
    edited September 2014
    Don't just go to the used section of Guitar Center, either.

    Check out your nearest hole in the wall independent store, and go there frequently. They'll usually let you hang out and play for hours. My nearest store has a bunch of junk. But when something good comes by, it isn't on the wall for very long before it gets picked up. If you start a relationship with the owner, he might go so far as to call you when something special or in your price range comes in.

    Also, pawn shops.
    Post edited by CM189191 on
  • steeler4life
    steeler4life Philadelphia area Posts: 405
    CM189191 said:

    Don't just go to the used section of Guitar Center, either.

    Check out your nearest hole in the independent store, and go there frequently. They'll usually let you hang out and play for hours. My nearest store has a bunch of junk. But when something good comes by, it isn't on the wall for very long before it gets picked up. If you start a relationship with the owner, he might go so far as to call you when something special or in your price range comes in.

    Also, pawn shops.

    I regularly check the website of my local indy store and just found this

    http://www.drumsetc.com/content/used-fender-mexican-made-stratocastor-special-edition-yellow-splattercastor-finish

    It's a little out of my price range but I may be able to bargain or put it on layaway. Any thoughts?
    Philly 10/21/13 Seattle 12/06/13 "No Code" 10/17/14
  • CM189191
    CM189191 Posts: 6,927
    steeler4life said:

    CM189191 said:

    Don't just go to the used section of Guitar Center, either.

    Check out your nearest hole in the independent store, and go there frequently. They'll usually let you hang out and play for hours. My nearest store has a bunch of junk. But when something good comes by, it isn't on the wall for very long before it gets picked up. If you start a relationship with the owner, he might go so far as to call you when something special or in your price range comes in.

    Also, pawn shops.

    I regularly check the website of my local indy store and just found this

    http://www.drumsetc.com/content/used-fender-mexican-made-stratocastor-special-edition-yellow-splattercastor-finish

    It's a little out of my price range but I may be able to bargain or put it on layaway. Any thoughts?
    It's...unique.

    I like this one better: http://www.drumsetc.com/content/used-gibson-2012-les-paul-studio-70s-tribute-electric-guitar

    you should go play them both!
  • musicsam3
    musicsam3 Posts: 238
    Go to your closest Sam Ash Music store.
    Prices the same as Guitar Center, but family owned.
    Usually a good new AND used selection so you'll get the
    best range of all options, and price points.
    Try to buy American made if possible.
  • steeler4life
    steeler4life Philadelphia area Posts: 405
    CM189191 said:

    steeler4life said:

    CM189191 said:

    Don't just go to the used section of Guitar Center, either.

    Check out your nearest hole in the independent store, and go there frequently. They'll usually let you hang out and play for hours. My nearest store has a bunch of junk. But when something good comes by, it isn't on the wall for very long before it gets picked up. If you start a relationship with the owner, he might go so far as to call you when something special or in your price range comes in.

    Also, pawn shops.

    I regularly check the website of my local indy store and just found this

    http://www.drumsetc.com/content/used-fender-mexican-made-stratocastor-special-edition-yellow-splattercastor-finish

    It's a little out of my price range but I may be able to bargain or put it on layaway. Any thoughts?
    It's...unique.

    I like this one better: http://www.drumsetc.com/content/used-gibson-2012-les-paul-studio-70s-tribute-electric-guitar

    you should go play them both!
    I saw that one. I like it but the strat is just so unique. I've never seen anything like it. I think I'm going to try them out on saturday.
    Philly 10/21/13 Seattle 12/06/13 "No Code" 10/17/14
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    CM189191 said:

    Don't just go to the used section of Guitar Center, either.

    Check out your nearest hole in the independent store, and go there frequently. They'll usually let you hang out and play for hours. My nearest store has a bunch of junk. But when something good comes by, it isn't on the wall for very long before it gets picked up. If you start a relationship with the owner, he might go so far as to call you when something special or in your price range comes in.

    Also, pawn shops.

    Yeah, I've been in some great small shops. I once saw a marvelously beautiful old Guild electric in a small independent shop in dinky Diamond Springs, CA- (Knight's Music- now long gone but was a great shop). Can't remember what it was now but oh man, wish I'd coughed up the $150. I was dead poor at the time and I stared at that thing and said, "Guitar or food?". Oh well- gotta eat. haha!

    Yeah, for sure. Check out those good little shops!


    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • xtremehardy388
    xtremehardy388 Posts: 2,759
    edited September 2014
    Craigslist and ebay were my friends. I bought a few off there and got great deals (just be aware of what you're buying). The downside to ebay is that you can't try the specific guitar. Craigslist and pawnshops are great. Also garage sales! I got a vintage univox amp for 25 bucks...and there was a microphone hidden inside! I was honest and brought it up to the seller and she said "it's your lucky day"!
    Post edited by xtremehardy388 on
    Grand Rapids '04, Detroit '06
    JEFF HARDY AND JEFF AMENT USED TO LOOK THE SAME
    "Pearl Jam always eases my mind and fires me up at the same time.”-Jeff Hardy
  • mccreadyisgod
    mccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    With that Strat, with the splatter paint job, the price is a bit higher than it should be. Even with the fancy paint job, that should only be a $500-700 guitar. There is one currently on eBay, buy it now $599. If the paint makes it worth it to you, you will probably pay extra for it. But if that was a solid-color or sunburst finish, it would be $400-500. I think you should be drawn to guitars, even based on how they look, so if this guitar is calling you, be prepared to answer. Thankfully, it's local to you, so you can go sit and hold it and try it out.

    My one piece of advice is to play it in a quiet room unplugged, at least at first. A good electric will sound good unplugged, and feel good in your hands. Then your impressions of the guitar won't be colored by the amp and any effects, distortion, reverb, etc.

    It definitely sounds like you are drawn to Fender and Fender-esque guitars. You should be able to find something that fits your needs, and within a price range you can afford. Fender is still an amazing value in guitars.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • mccreadyisgod
    mccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    I like the looks of this one:

    http://lancaster.craigslist.org/msg/4656041252.html

    I'm assuming you're in Lancaster? Anyways, the price is right on this one. A few upgrades, a nice hardshell case. They blocked the trem, but that's easy to revert if you want it unblocked. It's a solid color with flake, so it's a bit sparkly but not nearly as flashy as the splatter Strat. That said, it looks like it has 100% of the play and sound of the other one at 45% the price.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.

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