Choice for 2nd Electric Guitar?

[Nathans_Dad]

I think I about have the wife sold on getting me a new electric guitar for our anniversary/birthday/Christmas (one of those).

My current electric is a Highway 1 Fender Strat played through a Vox Valvetronix amp. I also have an Epiphone Masterbilt acoustic. I like both guitars very much.

I was considering adding either a Telecaster or a Les Paul to the collection. I am leaning more towards the Tele, every time I play a Les Paul it just feels a bit off. Of course I am a newbie guitarist so I certainly am no expert.

The budget is going to probably be somewhere in the $400-800 range, so I am thinking of either a MIM Tele or a Epi Les Paul.

If I go Tele, I am also trying to decide between a Thinline tele (with the F hole) and a classic solid body tele. My Strat is a HSS strat so I have a humbucker at the bridge on that guitar. I know the reissue '72 Thinline has 2 humbuckers, I am really wanting to get more of the classic Tele sound and go with single coils...

Any thoughts?

[Por_sha911]

Have you tried a Gibson 335 (or copy thereof)?

[Nathans_Dad]

Nope, have not tried one yet.

[Les Paul]

The SG Gibson classic is a wickedly nice choice. They were 700 new several years ago. The thinline tele is a nice choice too. I got one for my son in law a couple of years ago for 600 off e-bay brand new. I think they are 100 or so higher at MF. If I were to start over collecting guitars again which thank god I'm not they would be American Fenders, Strat, Tele, Mustang, Jag, etc. Then Gibson Les Paul Standard, SG's, 335 etc. Throw in a Gretsch, Rick, on down the line.

You really do need to go check out the SG's. Way lighter than Les Paul whatever, and not as pricey. There are some serious guitar guys here. I hope they chime in.

[nostatic]

find a Starcaster. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Starcaster

If you're used to a Strat, going to a Gibson could give you some issues due to scale length differences. If you want a Tele sound, then buy a Tele. Nothing else sounds like it...

[Gogar]

$.02

If you're just starting a collection, I suggest you go 'classic' with all your choices. The Highway 1 strat is great; If you get a tele, IMO stay away from a thinline or hybrid, and just go with a classic solid body Tele with no fancy electronics. Same with the Gibsons; you can find a great Epiphone SG or LP in your price range. Once you figure out WHY people like certain guitars for certain reasons, then you could maybe open up your thinking a bit and get a hybrid or variant style, and understand the 'thinking' better.

[azasadny]

Fender VG Strat!

[Nathans_Dad]

Thanks for the input guys, the Starcaster looks interesting, I'm not sure I could find one in my price range though. There is one on ebay right now and it's at $1900 with 2 days left on the auction.

I'll try out the 335s too, I would like to eventually have blues and southern rock as my primary styles to play so a hollow body would make sense too.

I REALLY like the G.E. Smith Tele (probably just because of how he plays it on the video) but alas that too is out of my price range. I am leaning towards a Deluxe MIM solid body tele, or at least one with the Ash body instead of alder. I have heard that the alder body plus maple neck makes for an awfully bright guitar. My strat has a rosewood neck so the next guitar (whatever it is) will be a maple neck.

[Sarc]

How much are Gibson Firebirds going for these days? I'm afraid by the time I'm worthy of purchasing an electric, the price of admission will be unjustifiable.

[Nathans_Dad]

Heh, that whole worthy thing never stopped me! My first guitar is the Highway 1 Strat, I added the Epi acoustic about 2 months ago (found it used for a good price).

I'm not where I think I can rationalize spending over $1000 for a guitar because I just am not a good enough player yet to notice any difference...

Of course the sensible thing to do would be to just keep playing my strat all the time and not get another electric but...how much fun would that be?

[Les Paul]

You have the start of what is called G.A.S. Gear acquisition syndrome. It is kind of like having a 930 and adding this, that whatever. It never ends. I will tell you one thing. Start checking out your local Guitar Centers. They often have a wide selection of used guitars for sale. Sometimes you can find some good deals on them. If you want a Les Paul Standard don't get the epi. Hold out and get the real thing. You won't be disappointed. That Gibson will be worth what you paid for it + years from now probably not an Epi. I suggested the classic SG. The tuners were crap and I changed them out for some good ones it is now one of my sons main gigging guitars.

[Nathans_Dad]

I do like the SG, I tried it out when I was originally looking and liked it over the Les Paul. The Les Paul are just so damn HEAVY!!! Ended up with the Strat because I like the feel and sound of the strat, it was US made and I got a pretty good deal on it. I swing by the Guitar Center by my work about once a month or so just to check out what they have...

I would like to get a used one, my problem is that I am pretty anal about my stuff and I don't want a guitar that has chips or scratches already in it....seems like most of the used ones I see have a blemish here or there.

I tried cruising through pawn shops for a while, but 99% of what they have is usually abused Squiers.

[Les Paul]

Didn't you know there is a cottage industry that relics guitars? In fact Gibson and Fender have relic guitars made to look old and used. My son always did a good job of making relics of all his guitars within about 6 months. Gives them that certain patina he used to tell me. Right. Anyway some belt bucke rash isn't a bad thing but when it goes all the way through the finish that is kind of distracting.

The thing about a Les Paul is as heavy as they are if you get a 3-4 inch wide guitar strap you'll get used to it. Most home players probably play sitting down and when they stand up they're like woa this beast is heavy. Play standing up and it isn't that big of deal after awhile. You ought to try the Gibson double neck SG if you want heavy.

[Nathans_Dad]

Speaking of SGs...saw these on the Guitar Center Website...

About double what I want to pay but....drool....

The green and purple ones caught my eye first, but that fireburst is gorgeous too...

[Les Paul]

I've been eyeing those for years. They've gone up 2-300 in that time.

[Nathans_Dad]

So looking at it from a tonal perspective, does is make more sense to go with a Gibson than another Fender? I mean, I would imagine that a Strat and a Tele sound similar, not the same, but close. I have heard Tele players say they can make their Tele sound like a Strat and vice versa.

Can you make a Strat or Tele sound like a Gibson? If not, if I am looking to be able to produce a larger variety of sound would a Gibson SG or Les Paul paired up with a Strat give me more options than a Strat and a Tele?

I'm asking because there is probably going to be a limit to my G.A.S...lol...wife induced. I doubt that I will end up with 5 or 6 guitars, at least not anytime soon. Also, I bought the American Fender because I knew I would be keeping it long term and could justify spending the extra $300 or so over a MIM both for future value and current quality. Is it the same between Epis and Gibsons?

[Nathans_Dad]

Here's another thought, what about Ibanez? They make a LP and an SG copy which is much less. Quality is less as well?

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by nostatic

find a Starcaster. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Starcaster

If you're used to a Strat, going to a Gibson could give you some issues due to scale length differences. If you want a Tele sound, then buy a Tele. Nothing else sounds like it...

This is great advice. I'll second buying the tele, and I'm a Gibson guy. I find most guitarist I've played with as a bassist, really play one brand well. Strat players tend to murder Les's. Les players can't get that Strat tone thing. Get the Tele. Personally I play a Gibson bass and don't like Fender basses. I DO like the sound of a Fender guitar with my Gibson bass. When I play with a guy with a Gibson (Les Paul), The guitar just doesn't cut through the darkness of the Thunderbird.

[Les Paul]

Look at it this way, Eric Clapton is going to sound like Eric Clapton regardless of the guitar. It's the player. Also, and Ibanez or brand X is going to be just that an imitation of the Gibson or Strat. Nothing wrong with that, but do you buy a Nissan 350Z because it is cheaper and has equal performance of brand X Porsche? Probably not.

I wish Gogar would chime in again he is a real player. I'm just a collector.

[craigster59]

I had a koa tele, regret selling it. get one new at around 400-600 or go with a Gretsch 5150 with a Bigsby and start really "twurfin" it up..