3k to treat myself, which guitar and equipment?

buck65

Hi all, in the enviable position of having to pick a pressie for myself. I have decided on an electric guitar with amp etc. I play acoustic guitar and am getting lessons again after a 15 year sabbatical (mid life crisis?) and would like to take it further with the electric.
I really like the look of the Gibson Les Paul or a Telecaster but I know damn all about amps and whatever else I need to play at home and maybe jamming in future. Total budget would be in the 3k range.
Also I wouldn't be mad on laptops so the more manual the equipment the more I am likely to use it.
What kind of prices would I expect to pay and what should I buy? Do Ineed lots of pedal effects etc. My favourite guitarists would be Dylan Carlson, Gary Moore but also like jazz, folk. I would rather quality stuff that will last than cheaper gear as I can only see myself doing this once!
Thanks in advance. Buck.

Savman

PRS!

DonkyDonk

Jealous!

A mate got himself a Telecaster and a Vox combo amp (30 or 50watts) a few years ago and the tone was just superb. Lovely warm sound and very versatile.

I'd recommend something along those lines. Spending the money on better equipment that will last longer/sound better is a wise choice. There are some excellent classic guitar shops still around that can help you out as well.

Good luck!

Squidgy Black

I'd suggest maybe moving this to the main Instruments board 'cause the Playing and Techniques doesn't get as many visitors.

Your best bet is to go into town and try out as many guitars as you can, and pick one that you like. Just because johnnywhatshisname says such and such are great guitars, doesn't mean they're the right guitars for you.

Same goes with the amps.

As for effects, possibly a wah or a delay etc, pick up a decent multi effects like a Line 6 M9 which will give you plenty of good effects.

Grolschevik

Yamaha Pacifica and a Microcube FTW!

Ooops. Just reflex!

What about the classic combo of a Gibson Les Paul and a Marshall 1962 Bluesbreaker reissue combo?

With luck/haggling/second-hand, these and a good overdrive pedal would be within your budget.

Fingers Mcginty

Gibson LP + Dr Z Maz 18 = :Dheaven:D

Ravelleman

Not to rain on your parade or anything but I think that wanting to spend €3000 on gear that you have no idea about is an act of absolute folly.

You could easily shell out on a new Les Paul and some kind of Marshall amp but the only thing you'll have succeeded in doing is spending all your money - there's nothing to say that you'll come out satisfied.

A much better approach is to buy something cheaper, see what you like and build up your equipment over time so that it really reflects your tastes and your needs. So buying yourself a Les Paul or Tele and some kind of expensive amp doesn't necessarily mean you'll end up with the best setup for you or even getting good value. Buying pedals without even knowing what they do is even crazier. You'd be better off spending the money on Cornettos.

I urge caution. You have a lot of money available, yes. Just don't spend it all in one go.

Im Only 71Kg

Ravelleman wrote: »

Not to rain on your parade or anything but I think that wanting to spend €3000 on gear that you have no idea about is an act of absolute folly.

You could easily shell out on a new Les Paul and some kind of Marshall amp but the only thing you'll have succeeded in doing is spending all your money - there's nothing to say that you'll come out satisfied.

A much better approach is to buy something cheaper, see what you like and build up your equipment over time so that it really reflects your tastes and your needs. So buying yourself a Les Paul or Tele and some kind of expensive amp doesn't necessarily mean you'll end up with the best setup for you or even getting good value. Buying pedals without even knowing what they do is even crazier. You'd be better off spending the money on Cornettos.

I urge caution. You have a lot of money available, yes. Just don't spend it all in one go.

agree whole heartedly...but i still want you to spend the money! so here's what i would recommend. no point in spending the lot.

Amps:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_reissue_blues_deluxe_gitarrencombo.htm

http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_reissue_blues_de_ville_410_gitarrencombo.htm


Guitar:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/gibson_sg61reissue.htm (Very Similar to LP only nicer)

http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_american_standard_tele_mn_2ts.htm

you should still have €1000 to buy stuff with should you buy these. If you really wanted a les paul..you can get one 2nd hand..they're everywhere and only around €1200. i wouldn't pay more for a 2nd hand lp anyway. Good luck shopping, i suggest buy online. Thomann or Musicstore.de.

buck65

I know that I can buy Cornetto's in most HB outlets but where would you guys recommend to go in Ireland (i'm in the southwest) to get good advice and not be ripped off.
About the folly of spending 3k, it's a present for me and if I don't spend it in the shop I can't take money instead so I thought grand I like playing guitar , always wanted an electric and am quite obsessive about getting decent gear!

68 lost souls

Where in the southwest? Crowleys and Pro-Musica in Cork are good.

-Chris-

Who's your favourite guitarist/band or who would you like to sound like?

hidinginthebush

How long have you been playing guitar OP? You say you have to spend it in a shop, and like playing guitar, so can I assume you have played acoustic in the past? Perhaps get yourself a nice acoustic with some of the cash? I would advise you to just go to shops and try out every guitar you can get your hands on, see what feels comfortable.

While it is your money to spend on what you like, I would advise starting off cheap and building your gear up as you get better and can differentiate between the different tonal qualities you are after. Plus you might hate playing electric, and could potentially end up with two €1500 paperweights.

Im Only 71Kg

check out this guy...jimismusicstore. he's in dublin beside xmusic but unlike most places in dublin he will match online prices..he'll have plenty of 2nd hand les paul's too. he's a nice guy i highly recommend.

Demeyes

I'd say go for a nice little combo and get a really nice guitar for yourself. I'd always be a believer in looking at used stuff, even more so if you're spending a lot because you can get top notch stuff for way less than new. Look at adverts.ie and you can find loads of tele's, strats and Les Pauls. You could probably swing a US Tele, Les Paul Standard and a fender tube combo in your budget easily enough.
I'd recommend you check the prices on some english websites like GAK and EU ones like Thomann before buying anything in a shop. A good few local shops still overcharge for the 'higher end' stuff like Gibsons and US fenders and often they have poor selection in these areas so I'd suggest you do a little research on the models you really fancy.
For amps you should look at some vox and fender stuff. They will be pretty loud for home use but they should sound great for the styles you mentioned. You don't need any pedals really but you can't really go too far wrong with having a tubescreamer and a nice delay pedal. Pedals are relatively inexpensive and can be added to your chain anytime if you fancy trying them out.

Ravelleman

buck65 wrote: »

About the folly of spending 3k, it's a present for me and if I don't spend it in the shop I can't take money instead so I thought grand I like playing guitar , always wanted an electric and am quite obsessive about getting decent gear!

Fair enough so. To be honest, if you want to spend all that money, you could easily get yourself a nice Tele and an LP, as well as a quality amp if that's what you really want.

What kind of acoustic do you have? Just curious to see what you mean by decent gear.

seachto7

Get 2 electrics: 1 with single coils, 1 with humbuckers
Get a tube amp
Get a good acoustic

I could do that with 3K I think..........

Creamy Goodness

gretsch white falcon, ok you blow 99% of your budget but **** it, you'll have a **** hot and amazing sounding guitar.

TheDukeOfEarl

Strat or Tele for Sir ?

NMK2008

I agree on the two guitars...

I'd go for a USA std Strat and a Gibson SG/Les paul DC with a Fender supersonic 1x12...
that will cover almost everything!

plus theyre all serious pieces of equipment that will hold their value!

Ravelleman

NMK2008 wrote: »

plus theyre all serious pieces of equipment that will hold their value!

I disagree here. New Fenders and Gibsons take a big hit second hand. Just watch any kind of website like adverts or ebay.

NMK2008

That's true in this market, being small... But many don't try alternate brands either, which is even worse.

I would agree, and say there is amazing value in some of the Korean guitars (of which I have a few and some better the American stuff!!)

At the end of the day buy what you want, not what you think you should have. There are a lot of talkers about guitars and not enough players!!

Ravelleman

^

This is absolute truth!

NMK2008

Ravelleman wrote: »

^

This is absolute truth!

...further more, i prefer second hand guitars, especially good ones! as their owners tend to look after them! (so dont necessarily buy new!)

slavetothegrind

this
http://www.adverts.ie/guitar-bass/prs-guitar-ce22-electric-guitar-platinum-price-drop/180128?page=2#comments

coupled with a nice amp from the blackstar range and a line6 floor pod.

now off you go and make sweet music!!!!

you jammy sod!:p

goblin59

My advice would be, go to a shop try and few of the mid priced hollow body electrics, 200 - 400 euro range, (just try them, don't buy) then sit down at home for a week, go back again try the same guitar and see do you have the same feeling about it playing wise.

You dont really want to spend 3000 on an amp and guitar to relise you prefer acoustic.

then you can use the money on a nice amp, like orange, marshall and so on (I'd recommend valve amps if you want a nice glassy jazz sound)

Even that should set you back about 1300 if you just get a small 15watt valve combo (don't be fooled though, valves are loud as hell, i have a 100watt valve marshall i never turn up past 3 in a metal gig)

Kenny_D

Mod Note: The user was banned for this post.

Very suited to blues and jazz.

Amp-wise I'd be looking for a second hand mesa lonestar

feylya

In case any one else thinks about it, linking to your Adverts ads is strictly forbidden on this forum as it has been for a very long time. If you link to your ad, you will be banned.

Glasgow Megasnake

From my own gear I'd go for a Fender 52' Reissue Telecaster (looks delicious in Butterscotch Blond!), the craftsmanship is second to none and the pickups are incredible. They tend to go for up towards €2,000 here but I got one a lot cheaper in New York so it's worth shopping around.

A Vox AC30 or a Fender Deluxe or something along those lines would sort you out with a decent amp for <€1,000. I have the Vox and it's pretty versatile as you can switch the output bias etc. to tighten up the sound or get real loose blues type tones. Spring reverb is lush as well.