We haven’t had a guitar thread in a while and I’m all giddy over my early Christmas present so I had to post it. My new baby on the left, a Fender American Standard Stratocaster “Shawbucker” tobacco sunburst finish with a maple neck. I just got it last week and it is a dream. Next to it is the Epiphone Les Paul I’ve had for a few years. It is really nice but I have always loved the Strats.
Started a guitar thread on here years ago that resulted in my getting a 'tele' which, although I still cannot play worth a crap, I love messing around on it - and my Martin.
So, my son (17yrs old) has asked for an electric guitar for Xmas. Evidently he's outgrown the $150 Starcaster we bought him a few years back. He normally plays accoustic guitar and earned his own money to buy a $750 Mandolin this past summer. What are some good moderately priced electric guitar brands? I'm not interested in anything >$1,000. Is there a good place to get a decent electric guitar for $500?
Here are a couple nice options from Guitar Center. I know there are other good brands and models but I have personal experience with these and they are both very good. Epiphone Les Paul — $100 to $500 guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul.gc Fender Stratocaster — $500 guitarcenter.com/Fender/Special-Edition-Standard-Stratocaster-HSS-Electric-Guitar.gc Check Amazon too. A lot of companies sell their products there as well at lower prices, including Gibson, Fender, and other good brands. This link is for popular models priced between $300 and $500: Amazon Link.
SH, Thats how I determined to go with Fender, responses on this site. I went Tele instead of Strato just because of musical tastes. It was opinions on this site that had me test American version instead of the Mexican (I think). To me it was no question which felt better but for the $ Mex is significantly less. And I am sure in the right hands one can play equally well regardless. I got mine through Musicians Friend web site - really good pricing and great service, or at least my experience was good. And Guitar Center is a great resource - good knowledgeable people (although for an old fart like me a bit intimidating cause most of them can play and play well) who are eager to help and let you try anything that suits your fancy. Heck you can plug in and go to town right there, testing whatever suits your fancy. Good hunting, its a great fun thing, trying new guitars.
Thanks for the advice. Since an instrument tends to be an intimate experience with the musician I'll probably given him $$ towards a guitar that he can pick out. We have Guitar Center here in Seattle and he frequents it often. I will have him checkout Musician's friend too. After shopping with my son for a mid-range Mandolin, I'm surprised electric guitars are a little more affordable. I guess it's the quality of the acoustic sound vs. the technology of the pickups.
1958 Fender Musicmaster that my father-in-law brought over today. He has had it since the 60s and never played it much. I’m going to clean it up and re-string it, see how she plays.
As a follow-up to my earlier question, we ended up purchasing an Ibanez Artcore AF75 Hollow Body Electric guitar. Given his affinity for string instruments, he loved the hollow body. He also got a Concert Ukulele and has recently begun researching banjo's.
He's using his old "beginner" amp for now. It seems getting a banjo is more important to him than an amp, surprisingly. I think he considers himself a "collector". He has his violin, mandolin, acoustic guitar and now his new toys mounted on his bedroom wall. All get played often.
Had a cousin that played a ukulele very well when young - it was mostly off color songs he'd sing with his buds during his youth. But he sure made that uke sing. Kinda funny cause now he just sings in Church.
