Hi
Although I know a bit about acoustics I am new to the electric guitar, I am looking to invest in a second hand electric in the £1000 range. The only brands I have heard of are Fender and Gibson, but I am aware that there are other less famous brands that may be better value.
I wondered if anyone would be kind enough to post any ideas about what make, model and method of purchase I should be looking at. My tastes are stuff like Led Zeppelin, Dead Kennedys, Bowie, Guns N Roses, Cream and U2.
I don't think I am keen on buying new, abut would be keen to know what the risks of buying used are
Comments
There are hordes of other less famous but equal equal or better quality makers out there. Personally I think it’s hard to beat a Strat for versatility but there are as many opinions on this as there are guitarists. Your rock tastes might better suit a LP type.
Best advice I can give is to get out and try as many different guitars as possible, gradually refining your search criteria as you establish your preferences as to pickups, neck profile, fingerboard, body shape etc etc. Happy hunting!
£1k should get one with a bit of shopping around and bartering.
A bit less if you go Japanese.
- what @JerkMoans said.
- You should also be able to get some respectable new stuff for that money, for example Yamaha Revstar or LP studio
- other s/h ideas: Yamaha SG2000 or a derivative
Have fun lookingSeriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
Something inbetween would be a PRS S2 custom 22 with a tremolo.
If you want something a bit different then look at the upper end Yamaha revstars, Gibson SG's (if you like a small body) PRS Mira/starla s2
Risks of buying used is the confusion of vast amount of models out there and whether you are getting a good price. Then also possible fretting etc issues you might not be able to spot (rare but it happens)
May not be what you're after but it's a beauty.
Then buy a Tele.
Or, take a look at my Taylor T3b that will provide some bridge between acoustics and electrics in terms of the way it feels despite being an electric. It’d also do a damn good job of a number of those tones you mention.
http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/119512/for-sale-honey-burst-taylor-t3b-thinline-with-improved-pics#latest
For what it’s worth I’ve always found guitar guitar very hospitable and open to me trying a range of guitars even when I’m open about about not buying then and there. I really shouldn’t worry about it if I was you, I’m sure they’d rather you try stuff and then potentially return to buy.
Personally I don't like the feel of Les Pauls, so I use PRS, Suhr or Tom Anderson designs for those sounds (which all have more of a strat sort of feel: the PRS is probably halfway, the others more of a strat feel)
If you have patience you will sometimes see a Tom Anderson or Suhr for £1400 or less, but it's rare
I've seen plenty of Les paul standards for £1000 - £1100
If you are completely new to electrics, ensure you get a professional check/setup, especially if buying new, Gibsons in particular often have badly cut nuts, which can drastically affect playing pleasure
My opinion is that Teles and strat have a more acoustic feel (which I guess is why country players all have Teles), not sure if that is what OP wants or not
Yeah, that's mine. And I agree, you should buy it