Looking for a used guitar, need some advise .

[herman maire]

Thanks for looking. I did do some research but I still have a ton to learn, I want to pick up a acoustic + electric guitars . I have been looking around at some used guitars but dont really know what to pay.

Some electric guitars I have looked at but dont know the models whether there low end or upper end.

fender strats SSS $190
1979 fender stratocaster $1800
epiphone special 2 / with amp $200
gibson epiphone les paul $400 ( I dont even think a gibson epiphone exists)
1974 gibson les paul $1800
Gibson les paul studio $1000

I am pretty lost as to what to look for.... made in the US would be nice. Any advise appreciated.

Thanks

[nostatic]

price gives you a clue

What kind of music do you want to play? Cheaper name brand is usually a safe way to go and gives you some resale value. Most any strat will work, and the made in Mexico ones can be quite good instrument.

Generally easier to get a cheap electric that plays easy/well than a cheap acoustic.

Figure out a price range, what kind of music, acoustic or electric, and go from there. Buying used it is very helpful if you have a friend that knows guitars who can come check them out.

[Rick Lee]

I got a great Takamine Jasmine for $160 new. My Mexican Strat ran me $300 new about 12 yrs. ago.

[herman maire]

Nostatic, thanks for the reply.

I would be plenty happy to able to play like M.Ward... I dont know if there are any M.Ward fans here but his playing impresses me anyway. As for the price range, if everything in the lower price range is stuff to be avoided I will stick to the higher price range but again I dont know and I cant tell yet by sound.

Why is it harder to find a good playing acoustic guitar vs electric?

[hardflex]

The Epiphone Company, A part of the Gibson family of brands. I toured the Gibson plant in Memphis a couple of years ago. I'm not savvy enough to be able to tell the difference if I played them blind.

If you're just learning, there are a bunch of great lessons on youtube that will speed your learning curve, and your interest too.

[craigster59]

These are great all solid acoustics for the money. This one is a good deal..
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152300&highlight=epiphone

[ramonesfreak]

what is your budget?

for electric, i would suggest you buy a late model used fender strat made in USA. i paid about $750 for mine 3 years ago. i have guitars that i spent $5,000 on and the strat never stops amazing me how well it does what it does for the price compared to the rest of my collection.

Fender recently increased their retail prices of strats and teles so, get a used one and save a few bucks. it should take you all of 30 seconds to find a used one. with this, you will have a wide range of tones to play with, a very easy playing guitar, a guitar that will hold its value should you decide you dont want to play or dont like it and a very versatile guitar that will give you some pride of ownership. the mexicans ones are not bad either, though the electronics often need upgrading

if you want an easy playing acoustic, i would suggest you look for a used Taylor 410. I just sold mine for $700 on ebay which was a great deal for someone. played like an electric with a skinny little neck and ebony fingerboard.

Canadian company Seagull makes an easy to play and affordable acoustic that you might want to look into http://www.seagullguitars.com/seagullstory.htm

lastly, i would suggest looking at Baby Taylor models. Nice and small and comfortable, play extremely easy and are just alot of fun to own. ive played many and love them. you get alot for the money with them

[T77911S]

sounds like you are a begginer?
takamine makes some very nice low end stuff. also yamaha. i would stay away from the lower end or off brands of any company except for the epiphone for electric and the squire stuff. ibanez also makes good entry level for electric, but not acustic stuff.
i would not spend less than 3-400, as said above, you get what you pay for.
the best thing is to find someone that plays (well) and take them with you. its a matter of how well it plays. if it is too hard to play(action too high) you will not want to play it.
i have seen working bands using epi's and squire stuff. you can always upgrade the parts on thses and have a good guitar that you do not have a lot of money in.

alverez has some good low end stuff too

[m21sniper]

Send a PM to Wolf McLeod, he builds them.

I'm sure he can tell you all you need to know.

[rnln]

I don't know the answer but a friend of mine is selling some of his guitars include gibson. Some from a pro singers, etc. I'll will email ask him to PM you.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Send a PM to Wolf McLeod, he builds them.

I'm sure he can tell you all you need to know.

Thought Wolf made pick ups?

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Thought Wolf made pick ups?

I think he builds whole guitars too.

Perhaps i am mistaken. Either way, he knows a butt-load about the subject.

[azasadny]

Whatever you do, be sure to play the guitar you're considering before you buy it! We looked long and hard before buying our son's guitars (Schecter electric, Taylor acoustic, Fender Precision bass) and each one felt and played differently than others... Have fun and enjoy the shopping!

[JeremyD]

Got a Mexican Strat for my son - with an amp, barley used for $100 on craigslist

[Vipergrün]

Dunno, to me (even though I suck), a guitar is a very personal acquisition and I would not skimp on it. I ended up with a Gibson Les Paul Studio maple top with cherry sunburst. I got it on sale for 1000.00, normally 1399. It was setup perfectly out of the case. The action is perfect. I also had a Mexican Strat and it just never felt right to me. Also picked a Line 6 Spyder Jam amp, which is more than sufficient for me and has a ton of built-in songs to play along with.

[cwiert]

I've been playing guitar for almost 20 years now...I'll give the same advice I give to anyone who asks... If you're just learning, get something inexpensive that plays well (well, how would you know that, right?) Take a guitar player with you and just let them feel it out, how do the frets feel, how's the action (string height), etc. But I'd go with something inexpensive until you know that playing is something you enjoy and want to do for a long time... then jump into the higher end models.
Intro-level guitar quality has come a long way and even some "cheap" beginners models can still play very nice.

Personally, I have a Fender USA Lonestar strat which I love, a Gibson Les Paul which sounds fantastic, and I still have my first guitar... a $300 Ibanez that is still fun to tool around with now and again. (Plus a bunch of acoustics).

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by rnln

I don't know the answer but a friend of mine is selling some of his guitars include gibson. Some from a pro singers, etc. I'll will email ask him to PM you.

Put me on that list as well.

If you are a beginner two words.

Epiphone and Epiphone.

Seagull is a GREAT guitar. My old guitar player in FL had one and the workmanship is awesome for a low cost acoustic. Keeping in mind a new Gibson will set you back $2K and up.

I too toured the Nashville plant. Pretty cool experience. The acoustic Gibsons are made in Bozeman, MT. I would to tour that plant as well. Electrics only in N ville.