stagerug Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I have more acoustic guitars than I need, and now Im looking to get plugged in. My best friend from HS and his son are taking drum lessons and jamming with my Martin isn't cutting it. Let's say you have $2K to spend on an electric guitar. What would you choose and why? This group I have always found to be very knowledgeable about equipment, and I would like to know what your opinions are. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghost of Electricity Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 It all depends on the sound you're after. The basic questions to consider are what kind of pick ups, single coil or humbuckers. Then there's solid or hollow body. Do you already have an amp? Different guitars interact differently with different amps, so if you do I would suggest lugging it down to the guitar shop if at all possible so you can be sure that whatever you get will work in your particular set up. The best thing to do is just try a bunch of different guiatrs and let your ears decide for you. If you're ordering from the internet, you're risking it. That said, there are some classics you can't go wrong with- Fender Tele, Fender Strat, Gibson Les Paul, Gibson SG. Personally, I'm partial to Gretsches. There are also some highly regarded luthiers out there, such as Creston, or the guy in Nashville who makes high quality Danelectro copies whose name escapes me right now (is it Jerry Jones?) Anyway, 2K can get you quite a long way, you might even pick up a couple of nice guitars for that. Happy hunting, at let us know what you come up with. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BreezyGrass Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 2k! Nice! I wish I had that problem. I actually have all the electrics I need - and need an good acoustic. I agree that you could pick up a nice guitar with that change. I would even say you could split it and get two decent guitars and have that much more versatility. I love Teles. And if I had the money I would get a nice sunburst one with the white binding that Pat plays. But I've played Les Paul's, SG's, PRS's. Each brand has its own sound and just like acoustics all guitars, even in the same family, have a different personality. So go out and play a ton and see what speaks to you. Good luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 It really does depend on what you like to play. Since you don't already have an electric I would assume you are not playing heavy rock music. You can't go wrong with the 52 Fender Telecaster re-issue. It has become my main guitar because I can play anything from chickin pickin country to heavy rock and anything in between. Once it's set up correctly (probably by a professional) it plays like butter. I think they are selling for $1500 to $1600. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 2K budget is nice...Ill wait to get into the fray where everyone suggests their personal favorite guitar...ive seen too many of those threads go horribly wrong... please remember that when going electric, the amp is AT LEAST half the equation...you simply cannot skimp here, and many guitars act very differently depending on what amp they are paired with...oh, as posted... FWIW, many acoustic players find the most natural transition is to an archtop/semihollowbody type guitar...for guitars, best advice is to play as many as you can til you bond with one... Come back when you have specific questions, my guess is we can be of more help at that point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
deepseacatfish Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Amp is definitely important, but with that budget you could get a nice electric and a decent small/mid sized tube amp and come out just fine. I've got a Jazzmaster and Fender Pro Jr. that works nicely for me (even little tube amps can be loud enough to at least jam with). That'd definitely be inside your budget, though you might want a louder amp (mine's mostly used studio style). If I had your budget I'd got for a Fender classic player series guitar (they're made in Mexico, but honestly I think they're pretty solid) and a Deluxe Reverb reissue or a Vox AC15. Telecasters are good all around guitars, but I'd got try some things out (if possible) or at the very least check out some videos of lots of guitars so you have an idea of their sound range. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stagerug Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Thank you for the information so far. Keep it coming. This is quite helpful. I have checked in a couple of times today and checked on some of the recommendations. This is such a new learning experience for me. Does anybody have any thoughts on the Rickenbacher 360? I know the looks are not for everybody, but I love it. Just wondering about the sound. With all due respect, I'd rather not be stuck in the sixties sounding like George Harrison (at least not all the time). And thank you for bringing Creston to my attention. That is just my style as well. If I can be patient enough to wait, that will definitely make the short list. Edit: The old telecaster pickup set-up with the 2 single coils with the bridge pickup offset at like a 45 degree angle... what is the purpose of that? Any thoughts? I like the looks of that, but I realize that it is ultimately that sound that I'm looking for. If I did have a custom done, I would consider that set up if it is advantageous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmacomber68w Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 In terms of amps, I'd recommend something with switchable wattage. http://www.orangeamps.com/products.asp?Action=View&ID=103 Here is an example, I just got a vox that goes from something like 1/4w to 5w, its great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Thank you for the information so far. Keep it coming. This is quite helpful. I have checked in a couple of times today and checked on some of the recommendations. This is such a new learning experience for me. Does anybody have any thoughts on the Rickenbacher 360? I know the looks are not for everybody, but I love it. Just wondering about the sound. With all due respect, I'd rather not be stuck in the sixties sounding like George Harrison (at least not all the time). And thank you for bringing Creston to my attention. That is just my style as well. If I can be patient enough to wait, that will definitely make the short list. Edit: The old telecaster pickup set-up with the 2 single coils with the bridge pickup offset at like a 45 degree angle... what is the purpose of that? Any thoughts? I like the looks of that, but I realize that it is ultimately that sound that I'm looking for. If I did have a custom done, I would consider that set up if it is advantageous. Ive owned a couple rics, including 360s...they are not the one trick ponies most think they are, however they cant do everything. The single coils can sound thin--some people are looking for that. Also, Rics have pretty slim and narrow necks, not to everybody's taste... As far as just sounding like Hari, consider that Radiohead uses them a bunch... I have 2 Deluxe Reverbs, one customized...they have my endorsement, but again, they cant do everything...most folks dislike the lack of a gain channel or master volume, not I... The angle on the pickup is strictly a tonal thing...adds brightness and fullness to the strings in the relative positions, as well as the copper plate and treble bleed cap...I also suspect the tele pickup angle allowed fender to use a pickup they already had on the tele, instead of designing a new one, and the angle kept the pole pieces aligned to the strings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Since I already have a Strat, a Tele and an amp I'm happy with, if I had $2K I'd start looking for a used Gibson ES-335. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 If I had your budget I'd got for a Fender classic player series guitar (they're made in Mexico, but honestly I think they're pretty solid) and a Deluxe Reverb reissue That's my setup, and I love it. I have the '60s strat from the Classic Player series...got it right before Fender's price increase last year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 It really does depend on what you like to play. Since you don't already have an electric I would assume you are not playing heavy rock music. You can't go wrong with the 52 Fender Telecaster re-issue. It has become my main guitar because I can play anything from chickin pickin country to heavy rock and anything in between. Once it's set up correctly (probably by a professional) it plays like butter. I think they are selling for $1500 to $1600. That's my setup, and I love it. I have the '60s strat from the Classic Player series...got it right before Fender's price increase last year. Picture of cool guitars...I swear...it's porn for old guys like me... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Since I already have a Strat, a Tele and an amp I'm happy with, if I had $2K I'd start looking for a used Gibson ES-335. This crystallizes my thoughts nicely. Either an ES-335 or a 58 re-issue Les Paul is my next choice (Since I have the strat, tele, and amp). There is some good amp porn out there as well: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Oh why do i even... fucking great moss, he has a 2K budget for a guitar and amp combo and you suggest a $2600 amp...helpful! is it any wonder the 'what rig should i get' thread is always a disaster...?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Oh why do i even... fucking great moss, he has a 2K budget for a guitar and amp combo and you suggest a $2600 amp...helpful! is it any wonder the 'what rig should i get' thread is always a disaster...?? If I had a budget of 2k, I'd probably end up spending 3k. Wouldn't you? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dude Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 This one: I can't put mine down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Oh why do i even... fucking great moss, he has a 2K budget for a guitar and amp combo and you suggest a $2600 amp...helpful! is it any wonder the 'what rig should i get' thread is always a disaster...?? I thought we had moved on to gear porn, sorry, lost track of the subject matter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghost of Electricity Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 maybe we should just open up a gear porn thread, so we can keep all the perving in one place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 maybe we should just open up a gear porn thread, so we can keep all the perving in one place. I'd check it out if it had a name that was safe for work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghost of Electricity Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 it's safe for work. Can't figure out how to edit the thread title to make it look like it's safe for work, though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Elixir Sue Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 That's my setup, and I love it. I have the '60s strat from the Classic Player series...got it right before Fender's price increase last year. Now that is a pretty guitar! If I could play, I'd be all over something like that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Smokestack Joe Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 gibson ES-335!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Now that is a pretty guitar! If I could play, I'd be all over something like that. Bummer that my cat knocked it off it's stand, flat onto it's frontside onto a hardwood floor the other night. Now I need to replace the broken nut and get the neck adjusted. Could've been a lot worse, I guess. If it was a Les Paul the headstock probably would have snappesd off from a fall like that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 If it was a Les Paul the headstock probably would have snappesd off from a fall like that. When my cats moved in they automatically gravitated to my Epiphone Cortez - it's like they have a radar for expensive breakables. I'm actually starting to budget for an electric and a small amp as well. What kind of a good, small amp for home-playing would one of you get for $200-$300ish? If I were less-prudent, I'd run out and get this now, but I'll wait until I have save up the cash for this and just get something else in stock then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghost of Electricity Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 When my cats moved in they automatically gravitated to my Epiphone Cortez - it's like they have a radar for expensive breakables. I'm actually starting to budget for an electric and a small amp as well. What kind of a good, small amp for home-playing would one of you get for $200-$300ish? If I were less-prudent, I'd run out and get this now, but I'll wait until I have save up the cash for this and just get something else in stock then.my admittedly basic math skills lead me to believe that if you were planning on saving up that much for the guitar, then putting an extra 2 or 3 hundred into it, that you would have a total budget of 17-18 hundred dollars. If this is true i would urge you to consider spending a little more on the amp side of things, as the quality really jumps at about 400 dollars or so (this refers to prices on new gear). In any event, look for something which is all tube and has at least a 12 inch speaker. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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