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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Ok, Need some help and advise from some of you "Electric" rockstars. I may be in the market for a "mid range" Electric guitar and I have no clue whats good or not. I'm considering getting one as I have been meeting more musicians that play electric and I am thinking/hoping if I have one around the house maybe my son will pick it up again and start playing. I can't afford to by and American Strat or L.P. So, what 2nd tier electric might be something that would "fit" my needs. I would be playing Bluesy/Southern rock mostly. My son, it would just need to look cool! :rolleyes: Shecter's have been suggested (Not Omen) May be a bit to "shredder for me"
What else would I need to look for? Any help/advise would be appreciated.
Some who know me and my situation may ask "How's he gonna afford this"? Just look at my signature!
;) |
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December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | I have three Ovation GS solidbodies that I picked up for less than $250 apiece. Very "Strat" like feel and sound. The neck feels a little beefier than a US strat which is what I was looking for. I've had a couple Ibanez RG series and the neck is super thin and not to my liking. The Ovation Viper's feels closest to a LP neck and gives the full two octave stretch up to the 24th fret. They can still be had for less than $500. |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Your going to need to figure out a few things first.
1)What scale length do you want
2)What nut width do you want
3)Do you want humbuckers or single coils.
Then figure out your price. Then look and play. Pick one.
I have recommendations.
1)Get something used
2)Get a MIM hardtail strat or a tele. I think you can get one for about $400. Then over time slowly upgrade it with warmoth neck and new pups.
3)ESP makes some nice LP copies, but I haven't priced them out.
4)Get a reverend guitar
5)Get a low end hamer.
There are actually a lot of playable instruments in that mid range, 300 to 700. You just gotta try them.
Good luck. |
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October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | You could look at a Mexican Strat, Tele or Epi LP.
Take a hard look at http://www.rondomusic.com There guitars are touted as being equal or better than Epiphones. I haven't seen any complaints on them yet. And their pricing... less than $500.
Michael Kelly guitars, http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com, are very well made too.
You could also look at a lower end VXT. They cover alot of ground, tone wise. |
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Posts: 103
Location: Verona,Italy | What about Epihone semi-solids like the Sheraton? |
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Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | You'd love an Ovation Viper. I can only think of one person who didn't, and he's a bit odd. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Hmmm...
Low end price, 5 way switch, two Humbuckers
Mid price, Singles, Hot!
One of a kind, history, mojo...
Start out with a GS or a Viper and see what you like! |
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Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Originally posted by an4340:
2)Get a MIM hardtail strat or a tele. I think you can get one for about $400. Then over time slowly upgrade it with warmoth neck and new pups.
This is what I did - started out with a MIM Deluxe Players Strat and upgraded it over time.
But as others have said, you can't go wrong with a nice Viper - and one of Woody's would be guaranteed to please. |
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Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Get something used. The prices on eBay now are really low.
My first choice would be a Schecter C1 Classic. The guitar has USA made Seymour Duncan p/u's with a five way switch that can get both humbucker and single coil sounds. Fantastic two octave neck which is a set-thru design, not bolt-on. The workmanship, sound and playability are as good as any high end Fender, Gibson, Hamer, etc. For the money this is the best guitar I've ever seen. Check the reviews on Harmony Central . These go for around $500 on eBay, $800 new.
For a lot less than the Schecter look at the USA made Peavey Predator (Strat) and Reactor (Tele) models. You can get a nice Predator for under $200 on eBay. Make sure it's a USA model. The Reactors go for a bit more, around $200-$250. Both of these Peavey models are better than the Mexican Fenders. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Ok Based on some of your suggestions I'm finding at the moment the below. Still feel the Shecters may be a bit to "shreadder" for me but the price is close to what I'm thinking. Would love to get a Viper but hard to find and not sure I want to pay frieght from Washington Sorry Woody. Unless Woody got a deal for me? :~)
http://hartford.craigslist.org/msg/1254052316.html
http://hartford.craigslist.org/msg/1244904386.html
http://hartford.craigslist.org/msg/1254931320.html |
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Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Check out a Logan guitar. Made in the US (Wisconsin I think) by a one man shop, you can get a nice telecaster style guitar for around $600 brand new. The guy uses good quality wood, parts and pickups, and generally uses a nitro lacquer finish on the guitar. www.logancustoms.com. |
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Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | GET THAT SCHECTER C1 CLASSIC FOR $300!!!!
It's not a "shredder" guitar.
You will love it. |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | C-1 - nice shape, good QA and a lot of that Blue/Green Abalone, For $300 Just Do It! |
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Posts: 7232
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | There are soooo many guitars, excellent guitars, both foreign and domestic in the 200-800 price range we could not possibly list them all.
1. Decide Scale and Neck profile.
2. Humbuckers, single coils or combination
3. trem or no trem
All of these will be based on the music you want to play/ the sound you want to get.
Then... do a little research, go to Guitar Center and try out a bunch that fit what you want.
Don't get hung up on the USA vs Import cause the "who makes it" has more an impact on quality in electrics than "where it's made."
There are MANY companies following the old Ovation hard body model of having the bodies/necks made elsewhere and loading with the best hardware and electronics. The difference now is that most foreign factories have the best technology available to build consistent guitars in that price range. |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | plus 1 on the VXT
great deal right now |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | an4340 mentioned a low end Hamer:
Any tell me what they think about this one:
http://hartford.backpage.com/MusicEquipForSale/beautiful_brand_new_... |
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Bob, I haven't played that model, but the foreign made Hamer I have is a WONDERFUL guitar. That is a good price for that. I would go for it. If it turns out not to be what you wanted you will easily be able to sell it and get your money back. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7232
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Bob, I haven't played that model, but the foreign made Hamer I have is a WONDERFUL guitar. That is a good price for that. I would go for it. If it turns out not to be what you wanted you will easily be able to sell it and get your money back. +1 |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I spent a lot of time researching Hamers recently and learned that there are too many varieties for me to keep track of. They range from the Slammer series, which are comparable to the low end Fenders, up to the USA made, which are as good as anything. There are also different pickups available in most of the models, so the variety is endless. I never read anything bad about any of them, but just because it says "Hamer" it doesn't mean it's worth a bunch. If the one listed is close, go check it out. |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...Joe mentioned 'rondo" guitars.
Take a hard look at http://www.rondomusic.com There guitars are touted as being equal or better than Epiphones. I haven't seen any complaints on them yet. And their pricing... less than $500.
Les Paul Clone
....couldn't be happier with it! |
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September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Don't ignore Carvin. These are typically available cheap on the used market and the reviews and quality are generally first rate.
I have had 4 or 5 (still have 2) and never a complaint on any of my Carvins. I bought some new, some used. My DC400P is fantastic with an action so light you just think about the notes, and my LB75P....Absolutely stunning.
They have never gotten the respect I think they deserve, but what do I know. |
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Posts: 482
Location: enid, ok | +1 on the Carvins; I own two, very nice guitars. By all means check out that Hamer, that's a nice price! |
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Posts: 158
Location: South Windsor Connecticut | Bob,
You sold your Taylor and you are now playing blues and southern rock? Wow... |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Originally posted by TOPDOGJIM:
Bob,
You sold your Taylor and you are now playing blues and southern rock? Wow... See what happens when you're not held back by a "control freak". I enjoyed some of what "we" did, BUT, I always loved what I'm learning to play now. ( Just in case some of you are wondering, Topdog is not the C.F.) |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I got a 54 Les Paul I'll sell you.... |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Braggin, braggin... :D
Anything Woody has will be incredible. Also, check out the lower-end PRS models. They do some very nice guitars in that range with a variety of setups.
Or, if you just want something to get started, do what I did and watch for a nice Viper to pick up. It's got great playability, nice mid-range pickups, and is already a classic. You can't go wrong! |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Hey all, Thanks for your imput and suggestions!!
Bottom line, Money is very tight for me. I sold my Taylor which had a bit of sentimental value to it to finance this purchase AND have a little bit of fun with my Son over the summer.
As much as some of your "offers" and suggestions are very appreciated (Beal, will you take $100.00 for the L.P? ;) )I need to get my best bang for a very small buck. I'm hoping to spend no more half of what I got for the Taylor on a new purchace and keep the rest for my Son and me to enjoy a bit. I'm currently considering Woodys offer, The Hamer which I will see/play tommorrow and a couple of others I have found.
Thanks Again!!
Bob |
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January 2006
Posts: 1483
Location: Michigan | i bought a fender mim thinline telecaster that plays fantastic and looks cool.i wish i had something like this when i was young i would of practiced alot more but i always had to limit my playing because of the cheap guitars that i learned on use to tear up my fingers and cramp my hands up.when your'e young that is not fun.the neck on the telecaster is very easy on the hands and very low action for someone young who might want to learn on a nice guitar for the $$$.new one is around $ 550.00 used ??? good luck on getting started into the electric world.GWB |
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Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Bob get a VXT!!
AJ |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Buy a Carvin hardtail strat kit. The basic one. |
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October 2005
Posts: 4065
Location: Utah | Ibanez SZ520. I loved mine. 24 frets, through neck, dual humbuckers. Used go for under $300!!!
Great sustain, nice build quality, excellent finish. The pickups are good Seymour Duncans.
The SZ320 is the downscale version, and the SZ720 is the blinged upscale version.
For the money, the SZ is a great guitar. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Say, BT717, are you still looking for an electric? If so, I'm sensing that you are looking to keep your costs down. You never told us how much, but you can certainly find a used MIM Strat for $200 - $300 on the Internet, USA Strats for about twice as much. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Nope,
all set, thanks to MWoody!! :D |
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December 2008
Posts: 252
Location: Seattle | http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/
fun unique guitar copies with great build quality. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Or start out with some spare parts that finally match!
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OT: Advise RE: Electric guitars