What guitar should I get?

James Hunt

I'm a returnee to playing after not playing for about 5 years. I've been doodling with my acoustic and got the urge again, so I'm in the market for an electric.

Having read the threads here for a while, you lads are really into your instruments so I was wondering what you thought I should get.

I'll be throwing about €500-€600 at this, I don't mind second-hand, I have no brand bias or loyalty and I am a lefty.

Thanks for any reply's.

dabhoys

Being Lefty really hurts your selection in this country I'm sure. But not the end of the world. What type of music are you into and how would you describe your playing style?

These are the first things you need to look at before we could start throwing suggestion up to ya.

James Hunt

Originally posted by dabhoys
What type of music are you into and how would you describe your playing style?

My style is crap at the moment actually....

When I used to play before, it was just rock and nothing else. Billy Corgan was my fave at the time and so I tried to play like that and I never really bothered with anything other than short rock/metal riffs, loud power chords and pentatonic/ major minor scale noodles. Nowadays, I'm older (boo), but richer (yay!), and I want to be able to play more kinds of things and learn new styles. At the moment Pink Floyd are my band of choice.

dabhoys

Ah pink floyd. Well Dave Gilmours main axe of choise was a Fender strat. I play one meself and there are a great guitar. You could very well pick up a nice second hand one for the €800 if you do a bit of shopping. I was never a fan of the Mexican ones. The Japanese would suprise you with the quality of there build. Then the US is very good. Billy corgan uses a few different types. Don't know exact types but I know he plays Les Pauls and Strats. A nice strat would be what your looking for. Can't go wrong with them.

As for amps etc. I'd lean towards Vox and Fender for the Pink Floyd sound. Even fender and vox's non valve amps are extremely good. Not to sure what price they range from.

I hope this helps ya in some way. The only thing I can tell you is to get out there and try the guitar urself. We can all make suggestions to ya. These only help guide ya. At the end of the day you'll make the decision on how the guitar feels to you and you'll know

James Hunt

cheers dabhoys

I was thinking along the lines of a strat myself as they seem a bit more versatile than some other brands. I was thinking along the lines of a Mexican to be honest, but if there is such a difference between those and an American/Japanese, then I might have a rethink - will being a lefty have any bearing on those?

thanks again.

dabhoys

Oh sorry I forgot the Lefty part. The only problem I envision could be the price. But with the Strat you can very easily pull a jimi hendrix and play upside down. Your best would be to go check out the stores and talk to them and they'll help you. I'd recommend Musician Inc. Sound lads in there and are always a great help to me when I ask question etc...

Here is a list of the difference between an american strat and mex strat.

http://fender.demonweb.co.uk/fenderfiles/WhatsthedifferencebetweenaMexicanStratandaUSStrat.asp

I do me best to help you out man. My ideas and view could be different then others. But i hope my two cents help you.

I've had both American and Mex. I only have the american one!!! Its ten times better. The mexican one drove me insane. The japanese ones are great. Alot of people don't relise it but for a period in the 80's there we're no Fenders made in america at all. They were all made in Japan. Some argue these are better then the american made ones of today!!!

James Hunt

Originally posted by dabhoys

I do me best to help you out man. My ideas and view could be different then others. But i hope my two cents help you.

your two cents did help me. I'm glad you went down the strat road as that where I was thinking of heading myself.
Thanks again.

moshmonkeys

get an esp mh-100. they're much better than fender. just go in and play one you will be converted.

K!LL!@N

No offence to anyone, and don't discount anyone's advice.
But when buying a guitar, i'd only trust my own opinion of it.
By that i mean, go and play the guitar.
It doesn't matter how great a reputation a guitar has, if it doesn't feel right for you it's next to useless. You'll grow to hate it and eventually stop playing it.
In saying that though, don't go out and hastily buy something just cos you liked it the first time you played it.
If you like it, go and do a bit of research on it.
Then go back, armed with knowledge of the guitar and a feel for how it plays and sounds.
If it's an electric guitar, try it with different amps to see if it's the actual guitar that sounds good or if it's the amp.

Can't really give you any more advice than that.

Killian

Ancient1

Exactly, if it feels right, it's right for you.

Crash

re: left handed guitars. the only place with more than two or three is Waltons unfortunately. though Musicmaker have a number of left handed acoustics.

Waltons is your best choice for a left handed Geetar. usually its only 10 or 20 euro more expensive really.

mirv

Only 10 or 20 euro more expensive than standard waltons uber overcharge, but what do I know? I only saved about a grand buying my gibson guitar online.

Washout

Waltons blows..


I was trying out some right handed semis in there and am really looking for a left handed version....went in and tried some and like d a the souns of aa couple......when i go to ask if there would be any chance of getting left handed versions they were like " we dont do left handed semi accoustics nor do we ever intend to" so basically it was feck off your left handed is what they were saying.