Guitar, just to own one

[Bob W]

I'm interested in buying a guitar. Don't have the slightest idea how to play one but I really want one anyway. Does that make me crazy? Heck, I might even learn a note or two after getting one, who knows.

So recommend a guitar that I'll be proud to own even if I never play it. Price range is around $1000, good quality, and something a bit different or more interesting or less common.

Here's a short list of guitars I find interesting in that price range. Any comments are welcome. (links are to manufacturers' sites when available).

Schecter Vintage Solo http://www.schecterguitars.com/products/guitar/solo-vintage.aspx

Schecter Hellraiser Solo-6 http://www.schecterguitars.com/Products/Guitar/Hellraiser-Solo-6.aspx

PRS (Paul Reed Smith) SE series, especially the Santana SE. http://www.prsguitars.com/sesantana/
Or maybe even a PRS "X" series, which are American-made and generally just over $1000.

American-made Fenders, in particular one of the FSR (Factory Special Run) models. Like the "Fender American Standard Hand-Rubbed Ash Stratocaster HSH Electric Guitar Amber Stain Rosewood Fingerboard." Available at dealers now, but the Fender website doesn't list FSRs.

What are some obvious (to you) omissions from this list? Anything listed above that I should be wary of?

I've browsed through Ibenez, Gibson, Jackson, and other brands. Nothing really caught my eye, but I sure could have easily overlooked something though.

I am becoming familiar with guitar lingo and through reading online reviews and specs. Haven't been to a store yet, since I'm out of the country for work for another week or so.

 

[Sufler]

So... you're looking for a piece of furniture more or less. Share with us your style in music... that might help make some suggestions. You'll have to think of an amp too.

I'd go for a classic like a Standard American Stratocaster. It's a classic. It started it all. If you become proficient, you'll be able to play any style of music on it. Nothing out of the ordinary, really. $1K might stretch it out to a late '70s/early '80s piece. Or, hunt down a vintage Jazzmaster or Mustang (keeping your price range in mind).

For Les Paul "style"... you'd have to go for a Made in Japan Epiphone Elite/Elitist to keep it in your price range.

I'd also take a look at Gibson's/Epiphone's Es line... like Es-335 (think Chuck Berry). Or, the Rickenbacker line - you'd be stretching that to about double your budget, but you might be able to find a deal out there.

I mean... really... there are so many out there now. Go to a guitar shop and browse the walls see which one catches your eye the most.

 

[Bob W]

So... you're looking for a piece of furniture more or less.

More or less.

Share with us your style in music... that might help make some suggestions.

Classic rock mostly, but also folk-ish singer-songwriter type stuff.

You'll have to think of an amp too.

I'm aware but haven't given it much thought. May start with a PC interface box.

I'd go for a classic like a Standard American Stratocaster. It's a classic. It started it all. If you become proficient, you'll be able to play any style of music on it. Nothing out of the ordinary, really. $1K might stretch it out to a late '70s/early '80s piece. Or, hunt down a vintage Jazzmaster or Mustang (keeping your price range in mind).

Seems like the American Standards start at $999 retail, with many more models in the $1200-$1300 range. Totally do-able if I feel strongly about them.

Not wanting to buy anything used this time 'round.

 

[Josh Carrasquillo]

Having played guitar for ten years with the knowledge that I will never be able to spend 1k on a guitar, I find this thread difficult to read.

 

[Bob W]

Every time I go to the 'city' I see an endless stream of people buying stereos, televisions, sofas, refrigerators, computers, motorcycles, RVs, boats, and tons of other crap that I know costs more than a mid-range Fender Stratocaster.

I choose to live where the cost of living is low, which allows extra bits in the budget for an occasional luxury item now and then. Besides, Wife has a good job.

If I had one of those Montana oilfield jobs I'd walk into the guitar shop and say, "Get me whatever guitar Lindsey Buckingham plays." I don't have a job like that, so I'm asking here about $1000 guitars instead.

I'd still be curious to hear about your guitar.

 

[drvoxmentat]

Strats have classic lines and you should be able to find a nice American example in your price range. If you do plan to learn how to play, I would suggest getting one in the HSS configuration. That's a humbucking pickup in the bridge position and two single coils, one in the middle and one in the neck position. This setup will give you the most versatility, in my opinion. You can do fine with the traditional all-single coil setup, but as your ear gets more sensitive to tone you might find the bridge pickup to be a little reedy and weak.

 

[UNCLEDAN]

You can't go wrong with an American strat or tele. The reissue jaguars are awesome too but they retail around 1,700 and it's not worth that much. I'm partial too the clean fender sounds, and I have smaller hands so I like the smaller scale neck of a jaguar. I had a custom guitar made for me with a jaguar body and neck, telecaster neck pickup, stratocaster bridge pickup, and a hardtail stratocaster bridge, because I don't use the wammy bar. Fatdawg in berkeley out of subway guitars will do all of that for around $600.00. Fit and finish it isn't American Fender, but it plays and sounds just as good and you get a custom guitar made for you. If you call him (and he picks up) it's usually an entertaining experience if you have an open mind. http://www.fatdawg.com/

 

[Bob W]

Interestingly, I was looking at an HSS model from Fender, an American Special with natural-finished ash.

 

[drvoxmentat]

That'll be nice. A rosewood or ebony fingerboard on the neck will deliver a richer tone, maple brighter. Look at Warmoth's (custom guitar parts) for the sound qualities of different woods. If I were you I'd go with a dark wood fretboard both for sound and looks, but of course that's personal preference.

 

[Maprik]

For 1000 you should be able to buy a nice American Strat. Not a highway strat. Full on American made Stratocaster. Don't bother with the Schecters or PRS SE models.

 

[Bob W]

What do you guys know about the PRS "X" models, the Starla and Mira? Right at a thousand or a tad higher, and made in the US. Less than half the price of a 'regular' PRS, but quite a bit more expensive than the imported (Korea) SE guitars.

 

[Sufler]

Then a Standard Strat with your computer/effects wizardry will allow you to produce whatever sounds you like. It's kinda like a vodka drink. If you start off with a plain vodka you can build on your drink in whatever direction you want. If you start with a raspberry, strawberry, or WTH other flavored vodkas there are out there... there's only so much you can do with the thing.

You'd be able to pick up a standard American Stratocaster with a three-tone sunburst finish in pre-owned (but near mint) condition for around $750 off the bay. I can tell you form my own experience... go Standard. They can be modded in whatever way you want... even single-coil pick-ups available today resemble humbuckers. Look at all the "great" guitar players and their equipment... modded Standards. The only other Strat I've owned and liked that wasn't a Standard was the Deluxe series - S1 switching, locking tuners, noiseless pick ups, more/nicer finish options, pearl inlaid fretboard (on rosewood). This, in my opinion, is a refined Standard. It's like a 21 Sebenza with the micarta inlays and polished blade. The only thing about the Deluxe is that I also feel it's their "work-in-progress" guitar - Fender seems to upgrade features on it continually. For example, they recently went to N3 noiseless pick ups making the noiseless pick ups on the previous Deluxe models somewhat obsolete. So, they'll keep "improving" it as technology advances.

I can't tell you anything about the PRS "X" models. There are just as many new technologies and "gimmicks" coming out in the guitar world every year as there are in the knife industry. It was blasphemy when Gibson "channeled" the LP's.

Go with what works. Go with a classic. Once you get over buying the first one and decide whether or not to continue pursuing this interest... then you'll get more into it.

Strat Deluxe

Ohh... yeah: SG.

 

[Bob W]

Thanks Sufler for taking the time to write that. Gives me something to think about.
The Deluxe start at over $1200, which is more than I intend to spend, but not completely out of the question.
When I set my budget I picked the $1000 mark as a random target without knowing a single thing about guitar pricing. Actually, my initial budget guess was $2000, but I lowered the target after seeing how reasonable the American Stratocasters were priced. Then I started looking at other guitars in the $1000 price range and was quickly overwhelmed.

Here's the Schecter that caught my eye, only $600:

And here's the PRS SE, about $725:

 

[Sufler]

I'll take it then that you only want to buy brand-new.

PRS, to me, has always been a reincarnation of a Les Paul.

At the end of the day, go with what your gut tells you. If the PRS or Schecter are the ones that "speak" to you the most - get it. They're both fine guitars. Try and feel them at a store before you buy them.

 

[555]

I'm interested in buying a guitar. Don't have the slightest idea how to play one but I really want one anyway. Does that make me crazy? Heck, I might even learn a note or two after getting one, who knows.

IMHO To play a Guitar well and enjoy, you need to find one that fits your hands, body and fingers.
I'd learn some basic guitar playing first, on a rental or starter electric. This will let you take test drives of different guitars. Then you'll have a better idea of what you'll really like in the long run.

 

[k4df4l]

Keep in mind that if you buy an electric guitar, you then need to buy an amp to play your guitar through... Plunking around on an unplugged strat is a bit boring after a while.

Another option is obviously an acoustic guitar; no amp required,grab and play plus as a bonus they look very nice as a decorative object in a room if you don't wind up getting into the instrument. Plenty of really nice options in your price range and lower

 

[Bob W]

IMHO To play a Guitar well and enjoy, you need to find one that fits your hands, body and fingers.

Absolutely. I don't plan to buy anything without seeing it in real life first. I have smaller hands so am especially aware that some models have larger necks than others.

Keep in mind that if you buy an electric guitar, you then need to buy an amp to play your guitar through... Plunking around on an unplugged strat is a bit boring after a while.

I imagine so. To start with I'm considering a PC interface; my computer is equipped with a 500W surround sound speaker system. And I'm beginning to research very small amps in search of whichever one sounds the best at low volumes.

Another option is obviously an acoustic guitar

I've considered it, especially given the John Denver - Leonard Cohen music I often listen to. Still, I'm pretty much set on an electric to start.

 

[drvoxmentat]

If you have smaller hands, you may want to look at the SG. It has a 24.75 scale neck instead of the Strat's standard 25.5. A little easier to play in the beginning.

The HSS vs. SSS discussion can go ad infinitum. In the end it's a matter of taste, and I believe you can get a fuller selection of tones with a humbucker in the bridge position, and you can always get the split-pickup variety that can go single coil if you're after that sound. That said, my main guitar right now is a Warmoth Strat with custom-wound single coils. I love it, almost all of the time.

For amps, you can pick up a Fender Mustang modeling amp that gives you all kinds of tonalities, plus you can output via USB to your computer to record your musings. All for about $110.

 

[spyderco lover 450]

Gibson les paul

 

[k4df4l]

If you have smaller hands, you may want to look at the SG. It has a 24.75 scale neck instead of the Strat's standard 25.5. A little easier to play in the beginning.

Shorter scale guitars, like Gibsons, are definitely easier for most to play and they feel looser/more flexible. I think that for many people, the neck profile is a huge factor for large or small hand sizes; my SG Classic has a baseball bat for a neck and small hands would struggle with the thick neck.

The HSS vs. SSS discussion can go ad infinitum. In the end it's a matter of taste, and I believe you can get a fuller selection of tones with a humbucker in the bridge position, and you can always get the split-pickup variety that can go single coil if you're after that sound. That said, my main guitar right now is a Warmoth Strat with custom-wound single coils. I love it, almost all of the time.

Yeah, that's really a personal preference thing. I started out with splitting the bridge humbucker on my latest strat but quickly realized I never use it split. Warmoth swamp ash body & Warmoth neck w/ SS frets, Dimarzio 36th Anniv PAF in the bridge and Area 67s in the mid/neck.