Trying to find a new Electric Guitar

[Atty]

Dear ATOT Guitarists,

So I'm tired of only having a decent acoustic guitar to play, my Dean Evo is falling apart (and wasn't very good to being with...)

So need a new one and have NO idea where to start. I've been playing off and on for years and after a couple years of off time I'm getting back into it. No idea what is good (I was young when I started, 13, so I didn't know shit and still don't.) or what to buy.

Music interest: Everything.

Need a versatile electric guitar, prefer to spend more for quality, don't mind upgrading bits and pieces of the years. Planning to get an effects pedal and would need some guidance on getting that as well.

Price range: Under $500 preferably, willing to go up another $100 if it is worth it. Would rather it be under but thats my absolute limit.


TL;DR:
Looking for a new electric guiar.
Love to play all kinds of rock from way back old to todays hottest and trashiest.
$500 limit ($100 more if its undeniably worth it) but prefer options under.
Planing to get effects pedal at some point. (Guidance?)

TIA

Edit: anything suggested will be thoroughly real world tested, just need somewhere to start.

 

[Firsttime]

Do you have an amp? That's more important then your guitar starting off.

Also info on the style of music you play, classic rock, funk, worship, whatever, is pretty relevant to this conversation.

Just as a reference, here is my auto suggestion. I'm a bass player, but a tone freak none the less, so feel free to take what I say with a grain of salt.

Amp:
http://www.amazon.com/Orange-CR35LDX-Crush-35-watt-Guitar/dp/B0030G60TG

Next, go to a local music store. Find someone who knows what they are talking about, small family stores are better then Guitar Center type stuff. Bring your amp, and play several guitars, pick the one that best fits you. If you've been playing for awhile you'll be able to get a good feel for it. In my opinion unless you REALLY know what you want in a guitar you're best off playing before you buy. Squire and Epiphone are both great places to start brand wise.

 

[lxskllr]

I like Fender guitars. I wouldn't get carried away with effects; they get old quick. Reverb, distortion, and wah is all you need.

Edit:
It's really hard recommending a guitar. That's really something you should go and check out for yourself. I'm a die hard Fender/single coil pickup fan, but I'm probably in the minority. You need to play different instruments to see what you like the sound and feel of. A $5,000 guitar will be a POS if it doesn't have the sound you want. I don't like Gibsons, and would never play one as a regular thing. There's a million people around the world who would disagree with me though.

 

[EngenZerO]

i'm a guitar nub... and was in the same boat two weeks ago... my budget was 1k... I purchased this over the weekend...

Amp - i liked it cause it is apartment friendly, sounded good, and had tons of models/effects...
http://www.amazon.com/Vox-Valvetroni...3783315&sr=1-1

Guitar - i jumped on the guitar cause I got it for a great price... before the Slah GT I was looking at Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plain-Tops...
http://epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=301&CollectionID=6

 

[SonicIce]

 

[Fritzo]

If you want to do a little of everything, maybe a nice Mexican made Telecaster or Strat. They really upped the build quality on those recently, so they're cheap, easy players.

 

[Platypus]

Unfortunately, my honest reply to this is that you're not going to get a good guitar and amp for 600. You can get a good amp or good guitar for 600 but not both.

For an amp, I'd recommend the 99 dollar Roland Micro Cube. It has some decent COSM effects built into it and for the price there is no better amp. Take the remaining 500 bucks and look into a Fender strat or tele. Check craigslist, people list that shit all the time. You really need to play it before you buy it... make sure the wood isnt dead and that the neck is good. The electronics will be kinda shitty but you can upgrade those later.. you can't upgrade shitty wood unless you buy a new guitar so make 100% sure it's what you want before going into it.

 

[Fritzo]

Unfortunately, my honest reply to this is that you're not going to get a good guitar and amp for 600. You can get a good amp or good guitar for 600 but not both.

For an amp, I'd recommend the 99 dollar Roland Micro Cube. It has some decent COSM effects built into it and for the price there is no better amp. Take the remaining 500 bucks and look into a Fender strat or tele. Check craigslist, people list that shit all the time. You really need to play it before you buy it... make sure the wood isnt dead and that the neck is good. The electronics will be kinda shitty but you can upgrade those later.. you can't upgrade shitty wood unless you buy a new guitar so make 100% sure it's what you want before going into it.

I've had a Roland Micro Cube for 5 years---awesome little amp The built in effects aren't bad either, and it can run on batteries!

 

[Platypus]

I've had a Roland Micro Cube for 5 years---awesome little amp The built in effects aren't bad either, and it can run on batteries!

yeah I keep one around for low volume jamming, batteries are great too

 

[Russwinters]

Why does everyone recommend a strat! Sigh, i know they are a "timeless classic" but there is a whole world of other options!

One thing that does ring true is you need a good amp.

I think the Peavey Vypyr amps are good practice amps.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Vypyr30/

For effect, you can get a Digitech RP90 for ~$100 bucks, and it will give you TONS of customizability.

http://www.digitech.com/products/Multi-Effects/RP90.php



For guitars, it is REALLY important what type of music you want to play, also remember that you can't just go so easily changing tunings as well, so having more then one guitar is actually preferable.

Floyd Rose bridges are nice, but need to be setup for a specific tuning, so be careful with them.

Watch out for Floating trems, they can be awesome, but can cause problems. I had mine blocked so it is more reliable.

My favorite brands are:

Ibanez
ESP
Jackson
Schecter

 

[40sTheme]

Under 500 bucks? Hagstrom. Or G&L Legacy.

EDIT: I meant G&L Tribute series.

 

[hans030390]

Schecter makes some nice guitars that are priced really well. I found a C-1 Elite for around $300 new at Guitar Center a few years back. It was a clearance sale, but it was still a great deal and a great guitar.

PRS also makes a guitar right around $500 that will be decent as well.

 

[gorcorps]

Schecter makes some nice guitars that are priced really well. I found a C-1 Elite for around $300 new at Guitar Center a few years back. It was a clearance sale, but it was still a great deal and a great guitar.

PRS also makes a guitar right around $500 that will be decent as well.

Schecter is far and away the best bang for your buck guitar. They're built very well and look pretty nice too.

 

[duragezic]

I hear the Agile guitars are pretty dang good for their price.

I'd check out a Mexican made Strat, an Epiphone Les Paul, and some sort of Ibanez. I don't think anyone can say "get this model" but we can give suggestions on ones you should look closely at in the store.

 

[TheVrolok]

My first electric was a Mexican Fat Strat and I still love it.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

I don't regret this purchase in the slightest.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2036875

 

[biggestmuff]

I have no new brands or models to add, but I'd stay away from any double-locking tremolo Ibanez guitars in that price range. They are not very friendly to the uninitiated. Even to a novice, they can be a headache. You'd be able to get a decent fixed bridge, though. Being new to electric and still semi-new with guitar, you'll be wanting to try out different tunings. A fixed bridge electric will allow that with plenty of ease.

 

[spacelord]

Pick up a scratch and dent or clearance Epi Les Paul, or even better something used but nice on CL. I picked mine up for under $300 from MF and replaced the pickups with some $100 used Gibson USA pickups and that thing is a serious rock and roll beast now.

Fender Super Champ XDs can be had for $300. Tube amp.. and damn loud for 15 watts.

As far as pedals go, my fav has gotta be a Metal Zone MT-2 with the Monte Alums mod. Pick up the pedal used, buy the mod for around $30. solder that crap in and you've got a sweet pedal. I keep buying dist pedals in search of the holy grail, but always go back to that one.

 

[lxskllr]

I have no new brands or models to add, but I'd stay away from any double-locking tremolo Ibanez guitars in that price range. They are not very friendly to the uninitiated. Even to a novice, they can be a headache. You'd be able to get a decent fixed bridge, though. Being new to electric and still semi-new with guitar, you'll be wanting to try out different tunings. A fixed bridge electric will allow that with plenty of ease.

Double locking vibrato can go to hell. I like the traditional Fender design, and I back them down so the bridge rests on the body. You can't go up in pitch that way, but it makes tuning easier. Put some graphite in the nut to make it more slippery, and a quick push of the string will bring it back in tune if it hangs up.

 

[Genx87]

I got this a month ago. An upgrade from my shitty beginner electric. I am very impressed with the quality and sound. Certainly not a gibson but for the price it is damn nice!

You, of course can pick a different color scheme.

http://www.amazon.com/Epiphone-Stan...&s=musical-instruments&qid=1273808710&sr=8-13

 

[Atty]

Unfortunately, my honest reply to this is that you're not going to get a good guitar and amp for 600. You can get a good amp or good guitar for 600 but not both.

For an amp, I'd recommend the 99 dollar Roland Micro Cube. It has some decent COSM effects built into it and for the price there is no better amp. Take the remaining 500 bucks and look into a Fender strat or tele. Check craigslist, people list that shit all the time. You really need to play it before you buy it... make sure the wood isnt dead and that the neck is good. The electronics will be kinda shitty but you can upgrade those later.. you can't upgrade shitty wood unless you buy a new guitar so make 100% sure it's what you want before going into it.

I wasn't planning on getting a high quality expensive amp, that price range wasn't for both. I have an old Fender one that came in a gig bag but it is pretty shit.

So first off, answer this, how good is that Roland Micro Cube? Any other small amps maybe a bit more expensive with a lot more punch/quality/worth? I'm mainly going to be playing in my home (having to worry about 3 other people so it can't be huge) or jamming with friends (still don't need anything stage worthy, just goofing off.)

I'm not looking for something I can bring to a stage for a performance, just something I can set up at home in my room or maybe outside with friends when I want to

 

[Fritzo]

I wasn't planning on getting a high quality expensive amp, that price range wasn't for both. I have an old Fender one that came in a gig bag but it is pretty shit.

So first off, answer this, how good is that Roland Micro Cube? Any other small amps maybe a bit more expensive with a lot more punch/quality/worth? I'm mainly going to be playing in my home (having to worry about 3 other people so it can't be huge) or jamming with friends (still don't need anything stage worthy, just goofing off.)

I'm not looking for something I can bring to a stage for a performance, just something I can set up at home in my room or maybe outside with friends when I want to

The Cube is designed just for that. They have demo videos on Roland's website.

 

[biggestmuff]

I forgot to add that I think you should check out some local pawn shops. You might get lucky and be able to purchase something with your money well beyond your price bracket.

 

[Imported]

I don't regret this purchase in the slightest.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2036875

I have an Agile too.. picked up a B stock Dauntless in blue flame last year for under $200 I believe.. I couldn't find the blemish. :hmm:

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Try to find a guitar exchange. You'd be able to trade in your acoustic and pick up a used electric. Try to have a knowledgeable friend go. Like all instrumets, you get what you pay for. Fender makes nice guitars :thumbsup: