OOO Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Ok so, I don't really know anything about electric guitars, and I have only played on an acoustic (and only for 3 years now) but for my college graduation in a week my dad (who is a guitar geek) wants to give me one of his many electric guitars so that I continue playing music. Anyway like I said I don't know anything about guitars, but if I remember off the top of my head these are some of the guitars he has: Parker FlyFender StratocasterFender TelecastorCountry GentlemanGibson Les PaulRickenbacher 12 string? He is a beatles nut so if applicable, these are the models that george or john used. I don't know. But I'd like advice with what would be the most fun for someone who knows how to play but is new to electrics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 other than the answers you'll get from die hard fans of one model or another (for years I was narrow minded and only wanted to play fenders), in order to get a good answer to that question, let us know what style you're looking to play. A Telecaster is a fairly versatile guitar and get get a wide range of sounds. I haven't played any Parkers. The atkins country gentleman will get you some of the nice big hollow-body tones that you hear Jeff sometimes throw out, but it's less versatile for covering a broad range of tunes. while lots of players have lived and died by les pauls, I've always found them a bit awkward feeling. If you're only going to have 1 electric, I'd hold off on the 12 string. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted May 4, 2007 Author Share Posted May 4, 2007 I'm probably looking most for versatility, since im probably going to be taking lessons very soon and id like to be able to do a wide variety of things well. I'm not in a band or anything, and will only have this one electric, so whatever sounds/feels the best for the widest variety of things, be it rhythym or soloing. I like rock and roll, and my favorite bands are Wilco, the Beatles, and Radiohead. Also a tiny part of me also wants to have a guitar that people are like "ooh thats a cool guitar". But thats just a tiny part Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 I have always been a sucker for the Tele. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
deepseacatfish Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 I'd go with the Tele as well, it's an all around good guitar, and everybody uses them, from straight up country players...to uh well Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead. Sure, it's not the most impressive visually, but you'll regret not taking it later. I have a strat, it's a solid guitar, but in retrospect the choice between the strat/tele I'd probably take the Tele now. My next guitar will probably be a hollow body or a Jazzmaster, we'll see. Hollow bodies are beautiful for jazz, but I'd take a solid body for the durability and versatility factors. It's a good choice. Rickenbackers are stellar guitars, I would love to own one, but way too expensive, but a 12 string is just a little too niche to be a good starter guitar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stickman Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 I completely agree with the person above me. Tele is where I would go. In fact I'm debating between either a Tele or a Casino myself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Rick's are sick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigWheeledWagon Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 The tele -- definately. Though, I have both a strat and a tele, and I honestly think there's a wider range of sounds to be brought forth from the strat. Still, I love the tele much, much more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 let us know what style you're looking to play.That's the key right there. All depends on what style/sound your into. I'll reiterate what was said above: Stay away from the Rickenbacker. If you plan on playing it around at all it can be a handful keeping it set up and in tune. I love 'em, have owned them and think it's safe to say everything else listed above are much more versatile instruments. A Rick 12 has a very individualistic sound. The Country Gentleman sounds very tempting; ( 6120-6122?) and contrary to what a lot of folks will tell you you can use it in a wide range of applications. You can look to guys like Neil Young and Pete Townsend as examples who both used similar, but not exactly the same models, on some of their most seminal recordings. This, coming from a dyed in the wool Les Paul guy. Oh, and PS:Your dad is a very cool guy to give you one of his own. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 I have a Tele and a Casino, so I'd probably take the Les Paul or the Gretsch. I had a Les Paul once and loved it. The Tele is probably the most versatile guitar on that list. I was Tele-crazy for a few years. They're great guitars. Pretty much everybody has used one at one time or another. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted May 4, 2007 Author Share Posted May 4, 2007 Well thanks to you guys, im leaning towards the Telecaster. It does sound like what I want. Here are some other guitars he has: Rickenbacker 6 string 360 v64 ( the 12 string is 360-12 v64)Gibson L5S Gibson ES-355 thinline cherry Random Facts:-His Country Gentleman was made in 1964-the Les Paul has a synthasizer pick up. -the parker fly is the only one with a whammy bar. (and it has 24 frets not that that matters)-the strat is the "Jeff Beck signature model"-Telecastor is "American Deluxe" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Random Facts:-His Country Gentleman was made in 1964-the Les Paul has a synthasizer pick up. Based on this new info, I would take the Les Paul out of consideration, and grab the Country Gentleman before your dad changes his mind. You can get a decent Tele any day of the week for fairly cheap. You're not going to be able to get a '64 Country Gentleman very easily. Now, if the Tele is also from the '60s that would probably sway me back towards the Tele. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stickman Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 I'm partial to the ES 355. I have always loved and coveted those guitars. I would go with that one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 I just bought a 335 a couple months back. It truly is the best guitar I have ever owned. Those are really great guitars -- so are all those other ones I might just take that Country Gentleman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
deepseacatfish Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Well thanks to you guys, im leaning towards the Telecaster. It does sound like what I want. Here are some other guitars he has: Rickenbacker 6 string 360 v64 ( the 12 string is 360-12 v64)Gibson L5S Gibson ES-355 thinline cherry Random Facts:-His Country Gentleman was made in 1964-the Les Paul has a synthasizer pick up. -the parker fly is the only one with a whammy bar. (and it has 24 frets not that that matters)-the strat is the "Jeff Beck signature model"-Telecastor is "American Deluxe"Yeah, umm if it was me I would take the Rick 6-string, but that's cause it's such a unique sounds. The tele is still an overall great guitar, but given a free guitar choice the ES-355 or the Country Gentleman are going to be guitars you probably can't easily afford...so I'd take that into consideration too. Any chance he'd want to get rid of any more of his guitars for free Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 64? Hmm... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H to the ickle Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 I whole heartedly endorse the Country Gentleman. I wish I had a decision like this to make, I've actually had to pony up for all of my guitars... hence the reason I'm broker than broke. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted May 5, 2007 Author Share Posted May 5, 2007 Any chance he'd want to get rid of any more of his guitars for free Somehow I doubt it.... Thanks again everyone for your help. I don't have to make the decision for another couple weeks, but you've all given me lots to consider...And the more opinions the better! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kalle Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Yeah definately get the Tele, you won't be dissappointed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FaintingGoat Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Lots of good recommendations here, the good news is that you can't make a wrong decision. My advice would be to take the Rickenbacker. Although a Telecaster may be more useful, you can buy one for less than the Ricky. I see that the Tele in question is an "American Deluxe" which is a great guitar. But, you can buy an American Standard or even a Made in Mexico version and you won't hear a noticeable difference. The V64 version of the Ricky is more costly and you can wait up to a year for one to be delivered. Standard Rickys can be ordered relatively quickly on Musician's Friend, but colors of the year and vintage reissue's (like your dad's) take a long time. Go to the forum page on www.rickenbacker.com to read all the moaning and groaning over how long it takes to get a guitar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 Random Facts:-His Country Gentleman was made in 1964 There you go: Sold ! American Deluxe Tele's are a dime a dozen. They're fine but not hard to aquire.A 64 Gretsch is in a whole other league.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socbret Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 I'm not sure there's another choice when you have a 1964 Country Gentleman in there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted May 7, 2007 Author Share Posted May 7, 2007 Is it really the best choice for someone without any other guitars though? I'm assuming its more fragile than the other ones. Theres also the fact that I'm leaning towards picking a guitar that my dad isn't too emotionally attached to and im assuming the '64 Gentleman is pretty special...but he did offer all of them so thats not a hard and fast rule. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socbret Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 Theres also the fact that I'm leaning towards picking a guitar that my dad isn't too emotionally attached to and im assuming the '64 Gentleman is pretty special.Yea, that was my first thought. If I were you I'm not sure I could bring myself to pick that one. Just sit down with them and see which one feels right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted May 7, 2007 Share Posted May 7, 2007 answer=tele Why? Because the fact that you can probably borrow any guitar at any time.The tele will fit every need you have right now,easy to play,sounds great,and easy to tote around.Another reason being that when the time comes and your father has passed,you'll probably get his whole collection.I wish I was in your shoes. I own a tele,so my choice would be the rick 12...........most amazing rythem tones,and rythem is all I'm good for! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.