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Buying a midrange electric guitar
Mortal Sky
queer punkhedge witchRegistered User regular
queer punkhedge witchRegistered User regular
Okay, so I'm getting decently proficient with an acoustic guitar, and I've been decent at bass for a while, meaning it's time to consider getting an electric guitar and/or a better bass (right now it's a junky generic, just like the acoustic is).
So here's my idealistic instrument:
Electric
Around $600 (450 to 800 is my preferred range unless something amazingly kickass below or just above that exists), to ensure quality without busting the bank too hard.
If it's a bass, 5-string is optimal, but 4 is fine.
Designed for rock, but can be decently flexible as to what kind of rock.
Decently unique (meaning I don't want a Strat/Les Paul clone if I can avoid it. If I bought either of those, it'd have to be the highest quality strat/LP on the market)
So what's the best instrument you guys have used within these general parameters? I've seen some really nice guitars by Peavey around the price range, but pretty much anything is cool.
Also, any recommendations for amps would be nice while we're at it, since the one that came with the starter bass is pretty trashed (read:broke it in Africa a while back).
So here's my idealistic instrument:
Electric
Around $600 (450 to 800 is my preferred range unless something amazingly kickass below or just above that exists), to ensure quality without busting the bank too hard.
If it's a bass, 5-string is optimal, but 4 is fine.
Designed for rock, but can be decently flexible as to what kind of rock.
Decently unique (meaning I don't want a Strat/Les Paul clone if I can avoid it. If I bought either of those, it'd have to be the highest quality strat/LP on the market)
So what's the best instrument you guys have used within these general parameters? I've seen some really nice guitars by Peavey around the price range, but pretty much anything is cool.
Also, any recommendations for amps would be nice while we're at it, since the one that came with the starter bass is pretty trashed (read:broke it in Africa a while back).
Mortal Sky on
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I messed with one of these the other day and was fairly impressed.
I've always been a fan of these as well.
I've also heard nothing but good recently about the current NJ Deluxe and WMD series B.C. Rich guitars. They fit the quality requirement, they fit the unique requirement, and they fit the rocking the fuck out requirement.
If you don't mind buying used, I believe a couple of guys on the Dean Guitars forums are selling their guitar from a limited run dubbed "Cadzilla", which is a Dean Cadillac with a killer looking quilted maple top and trans-green color. Everyone says those play great and they are one of the coolest looking roundies I've ever seen.
And that Dean guitar looks great, but I'm betting someone will get to it first. I'm holding off on actually buying this guitar for a little while, when I know I'll have the proper cash.
So light, such a thin neck, perfect for shredding and hard rock
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This. There is no other real answer.
Besides, you're not giving us much to go on. I'm not too clear on whether you're looking for a bass or a guitar... or both? What sort of a sound are you looking for? Any particular body shape or wood? Pickup combinations? What sort of bridge? Have you considered neck width, shape, or radius?
Fender Strats and Epiphone Les Pauls are the most popular choices and they are very versatile. Like others have said, go into a guitar store and try a whole bunch of things.
I have a noname Les paul (cost about 600 and i love it). My advice is to just go into a guitar store and try a bunch of different guitar amp combos and find something you like. For me, the most important thing is how a guitar feels, then how it sounds and lastly how it looks.
If you have a guitar idol, and play alot of his/her music, get a similar guitar.
As for amps, depending on the price range but the Roland Cube series and Valve Valvetronix are good.
Seconded, I play an SZ520 and it is super slick. Try it out. I think they're regarded as pretty good mid-price guitars that are good for a lot of heavier styles.
But yeah, go into a guitar shop and say "I'm looking for blank in blank range, what would you suggest?" and then try them.
hitting hot metal with hammers
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Sidenote: If your looking for a rather inexpensive solution to your problem here, go for a Rondo bass (actually it'll be an SX bass). They really do play and look great and the only thing you really need to do to them to make them sound just as good if not better than anything out there would be this:
-have it professionally set up to your liking.
-replace the pickups if you'd like to suit your sound.
-replace the strings.
You won't be disappointed.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
One thing worth noting is that tonewise, everything else being equal, an extra dollar spent on your amp is going to have more effect than an extra dollar spent on your guitar.
Seconded. My main guitar is a Mexican Strat Special - circa 94 or 95, interestingly enough. I love the feel of the guitar and the humbucker in the bridge gives it some tonal flexibility. My only complaint is that some of the hardware (bridge saddles, tuners) leaves something to be desired. But for the price, that stuff is very easy and affordable to upgrade if you want.
I was just about to recommend that, though the Hellraiser variant. It has the EMG 81/89 combo instead of the Seymore Duncans.
Definitely going to be my next guitar.