Looking for suggestions for new electric guitar

DonalN

Hi..

I've been playing acoustic guitar for many years, but am now ready to purchase an electric guitar. I want to spend no more than around €400.

I have no idea of good/bad brands, value for money etc when it comes to electric guitars.

Can I even get a decent one for around 400yoyo. Is it worth looking at the second-hand market? (although I think I'd prefer new).

Appreciate any help you can give..

D>

Karl Hungus

It's always worth looking at the second-hand market, I fully advocate it.

But other than that, we'd really need to know what kind of music you're into and what you intend to play on electric? No point in making any recommendations for a Strat if you'd rather play a Jazz box, or anything else, you know?

DonalN

ah yes - fair point.

I mess around with a lot of Blues music on the acoustic, and would love to learn some blues soloing on the electric.

I'd also like to play some Clapton style lead.

Karl Hungus

DonalN wrote:

ah yes - fair point.

I mess around with a lot of Blues music on the acoustic, and would love to learn some blues soloing on the electric.

I'd also like to play some Clapton style lead.

I think a Strat would be best so.

My own personal advice is to see if you can stretch to a second hand, Japanese strat. They'll be miles ahead of anything else in the price range. You can have a look here: http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/

Some very nice Japanese strats on there now.

dr.bollocko

What about an Ibanez Artcore Jazzbox style guitar? Lower action than an acoustic, though not as low as electric, but it can be played without amplification, and they are just gorgeous. Mine is called Alabama. And you cant have her.

deaddonkey

don't spend 400 on a new strat in dublin, because you won't get anything worth playing

push your budget to 500 and go second hand on the international market and you'll get a *great* guitar, far and away beyond anything you'll get for 400 here.

bombidol

dr.bollocko wrote:

What about an Ibanez Artcore Jazzbox style guitar? Lower action than an acoustic, though not as low as electric, but it can be played without amplification, and they are just gorgeous. Mine is called Alabama. And you cant have her.

And believe it or not! I have one for sale!

Quattroste

Here's an absolutle steal. Only 30 mins left and free shipping from OZ!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.ie/FENDER-EARLY-MIJ-57-RE-ISSUE-STRAT-EX-COND_W0QQitemZ120092947477QQihZ002QQcategoryZ33039QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

TelePaul

Go with a strat. I love strats. Thomann will deliver a mexi for €455. Of course you have to buy without trying it....same with second-hand. I know people give out about the retail prices in Dublin shops, but there is the piece of mind that brick-and-mortar offers...

I found this G & L tribute T-type guitar, nice brand, founded by Leo Fender himself! Nice price too.

http://www.intunemusic.ie/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26_35&products_id=460

This one is pure Clapton!! Like Blackie.

http://www.intunemusic.ie/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26_35&products_id=461

But yeah, the thing about buying in an actual shop is that you can bring it back for intonation and set-up which may be put off during transit or in storage.

vengeance52

bombidol wrote:

And believe it or not! I have one for sale!

ahem, i do think i may have a touch of GAS, drop me a PM, dont wanna spoil the thread


Saw the prices of some of the strats in dublin lately, and it was crazy. Try em in one of the stores, then order online

DonalN

hey thanks for the replies folks...much appreciated.....

I love the look of the Les Paul, and those Artcores look amazing...but I know it's not just about the look. It's also how you like the playability and the range of what you can do with it.

I'm going to go into Dublin on the days off and try out a few different ones, see which feels good for me, and then as mentioned above, buy online to get a cheaper price.

Thanks again!
..
..
oh yea - Walton's is the only shop I know (Georges street right?)...are there any others you can recommend trying stuff out in?

vengeance52

go through st georges arcade near waltons on st georges st, then take a right and a few doors down is Muscian Inc, then near by theres Music Maker, and perfect pitch. an instrumental on the keys near the hapenny bridge.

Savman

Strat (not a Squire strat) from Music Store or Thomann is good choice.

DonalN

Savman wrote:

Strat (not a Squire strat) from Music Store or Thomann is good choice.

yea - I saw some of those on a few sites - they're a lot cheaper - I take it they are just inferior replicas...not even any good for a beginner in the electric guitar world ?...apologies if I have just offended anyone who has one and can play miracles on it

david

Look up a lite ash strat... Theyre made in Korea but surprisingly nice

deaddonkey

DonalN wrote:

yea - I saw some of those on a few sites - they're a lot cheaper - I take it they are just inferior replicas...not even any good for a beginner in the electric guitar world ?...apologies if I have just offended anyone who has one and can play miracles on it

they're ok, good, not great

if someone can't spell 'squier' correctly they're in no position to say they're crap.

i have a squier tele, i played it for about 4/5 years before i was better than it was.

but for your first electric they're ok. if you have 400 to spend though, you will get a much better guitar than that.

Savman

deaddonkey wrote:

if someone can't spell 'squier' correctly they're in no position to say they're crap.

If you say so. You're obviously defending amateur gear, good for you. I had the unpleasant experience of having to play a s....q....u...i...e...r.... for a whole gig. No thanks.

deaddonkey

Savman wrote:

If you say so. You're obviously defending amateur gear, good for you. I had the unpleasant experience of having to play a s....q....u...i...e...r.... for a whole gig. No thanks.

tell that to RL Burnside, man, he sucked so much on his squier strat.

get a clue

a squier is a perfectly giggable instrument, and only a gear snob will say otherwise.

Voodu Child

The Squier is/isnt crap debate is irrelevant, as there is no reason to purchase one, even for someone on a very tight budget.

A Pacifica 112 can be had for E230.

TelePaul

voodoo_child wrote:

The Squier is/isnt crap debate is irrelevant, as there is no reason to purchase one, even for someone on a very tight budget.

A Pacifica 112 can be had for E230.

My first electric was a Yamaha, cool sound but it didn't last too long. Think I'll get a Pacifica for old times sake!

The problem with squiers is quality control. It's been said time and again, you really have to check several models of the same guitar. A problem with alot of them is that the frets are often pretty rough and the finish isn't great aroud the neck pocke; although, the latter is a problem with €800 Epiphones.

TelePaul

deaddonkey wrote:

they're ok, good, not great

if someone can't spell 'squier' correctly they're in no position to say they're crap.

i have a squier tele, i played it for about 4/5 years before i was better than it was.

but for your first electric they're ok. if you have 400 to spend though, you will get a much better guitar than that.

+1 on that.

seaner

Got a Yamaha Pacifica myself - and i really love this guitar.
I've had it for about 3 years and recently i changed the machine heads, replaced the pots, switches and the jack plate (put a metal one it, it was plastic) and i gave it in to a music shop to get the intonation tweaked and its excellent now.
The guitar was originally a present - and at first I thought it wasn't all that great but the more and more I hear from people is that its actually a good guitar but sometimes the parts can be a bit crappy and are worth changing.
Anyway my two cents.!