Electric guitar, need help.

[Sonicblu]

Ok so I bought a Fender strat HHS, the mexico made one.. Really liked it, but the guy at guitar center pissed off the wife when she went to exchange it for me for a new one in the box.

So I no longer have a guitar because she told him to take it and shove it were the sun don't shine. ( Don't smart your mouth to customer let alone my wife )

Anyway I have picked up and played a few others since then and for the price $499.00 It seems to be a decent guitar. ( I am a beginner guitar player, this i first electric, I have a taylor 310c.)

I picked up a Dean guitar in the $800.00 range made in china, and really liked it, Then I found a dean usa 74 $1300.00. ( I really really like it, but don't know anything about dean guitars )

Any thoughts? I would consider myself a beginner but definitely want a guitar that I can play for years, into the intermediate guitar player range.

As far as music style ( jerry C canon in d rock, and Cliffs of Dover, is were I want to get to and anything in between from gospel to country.)

Oh played the Gibson melody maker and did not like it as well, Esp Ltd don't remember the model $800.00 felt real nice when I played it but knew nothing about so was afraid to drop the do ra me on it. If the sales guy would have said yes buy this one for these reasons I would have bought it.

Any help is appreciated. 

[AAJagerX]

Heya Sonic.  I've had GREAT luck with LTD guitars.  In that price range, I'd go with the M-300.  I've got one, along with a KH-602 and love em both.  The M-300 feels like a much more expensive guitar and is flexible enough for many different styles of play.

This is the one I that I have.  I doubt I'll ever part with it.

http://www.amazon.com/ESP-M-300FM-Electric-Guitar-See-Thru/dp/B0045YBY6G

[Masherbrum]

Dean's are good guitars IMO.   Ric Ocasek used them throughout most of The Cars recordings.   Michael Schenker has used them since around 1995ish and if I am not mistaken Dave Mustaine uses them now.    Dean is a bonifide luthier IMO.  

For $1300 a "vintage Dean" isn't bad, but it depends on what you're going after.     For that you could get a Vintage Fender/Gibson/Epiphone (they really aren't that bad)/Music Man, etc.  

These guys are sometimes pricey, but they are known Worldwide for their Shop:  http://elderly.com/vintage/cats/30U.htm

[AAJagerX]

Yeah Mash, Mustaine uses them now.  I was surprised that his sig model is a string thru though (still a wicked lookin V).  Dean's "Dime" series guitars are great as well.

[Yeager]

Not sure really what help you are looking for.  Sounds like you have it well enough figured out.

Anyhoo: Guitars are like women.  You are better off getting your hands on many different kinds before settling in on the top half dozen or so.

In my experience pick up, hold, play, as many as you can and when one feels good , especially good, go for it. 

PS The Fenders made in Mexico are very decent guitars these days.

[Sonicblu]

Thanks for the help....

AA..that just what I'm looking for in a classic stat style. I'm low key don't like flying v's skulls or hard rock look.

Mash I will be up all night thinking of how to justify that blue hard tail to the wife. Thanks for the link that is the best looking dean I've found in that price range. 

Does dean USA mean it's made in U.S.? Are there any advantages to the upgrade of buying U.S. Made. I know I won't spend more than $1500.00 first electric, but don't mind if I am getting value.

Yeager lol the more I touch the more expensive I like...

 

[branch37]

I played a black Les Paul Standard the other day.  I almost cried when I saw the price. 

[jigsaw]

Charvel and G&L make some decent starter strats.

Find something that has a comfortable feel on the neck. Everything else can be tweaked/replaced by a decent luthier or guitar tech.

[gpwurzel]

For starter guitars, don't discount Yamaha or Washburn either. As Yeager said, play as many as you can, get a feel for them. When you pick up a good one, you'll know.

Charvel, G&L, Dean are all good guitars, but like the rest of the makers, you have to try as many as you can, to avoid picking up the random dog that's out there.

Bear in mind you'll need a lead, amp, pedals etc eventually (amp most important, even a good guitar can sound bad with a useless amp).

If your staying playing inside initially, amp wise I'd recommend a roland micro cube - useless for gigging, but loud enough for practise use, sounds good and has some useful effects built in.

hope the above helps,

Wurzel

[TequilaChaser]

I recently purchased a Silverstone Citation ( Strat copy ) for my  X-Wife's boy, and liked it so much I went and ordered one for myself...

comparing it to an old MIM Fender Tobaccoo Sunburst FatCat HSS that I used to own, it has better quality, better action, intonation was perfect and it only cost $129.99  at Newegg ( and later at American Musical Supply who I got to price match NewEgg's price )

the price included a practice amp, extra set of strings, crappy gig bag, strap, picks, tuner, chord chart

I love it just as much as I love my Telecaster......... not quite as good as my American Standard Strat White Fender ........

go to newegg or AMS and type  Silvertone Citation  in the search area  or can google it also.......  I was amazed at how well made this cheap setup was......

I am now back to 10 guitars and am guitar poor once more


TC

[1Boner]

If you got the money, I would recomend a used Gibson Les Paul double cutaway Studio model.

The sound is awesome and VERY versitile, they're light yet rugged and can be had for around $700.00

I've had Fenders (american) Jacksons, a Travis Bean, Yamaha, Charvel etc etc, and my favorite has been and still is my Les Paul DC studio by a long shot.  Plug this thing into a Marshall and it will do about anything you ask of it. With zero pedals.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/gibson/les_paul_dc_studio/index.html

PS. Les Pauls are notorius for holding their value and their value will increase ALOT over time.

[VonMessa]

If you got the money, I would recomend a used Gibson Les Paul double cutaway Studio model.

The sound is awesome and VERY versitile, they're light yet rugged and can be had for around $700.00

I've had Fenders (american) Jacksons, a Travis Bean, Yamaha, Charvel etc etc, and my favorite has been and still is my Les Paul DC studio by a long shot.  Plug this thing into a Marshall and it will do about anything you ask of it. With zero pedals.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/gibson/les_paul_dc_studio/index.html

PS. Les Pauls are notorius for holding their value and their value will increase ALOT over time.

... and notorious for weighing as much as a compact car 

[1Boner]

... and notorious for weighing as much as a compact car 

So true.

But NOT the DC studio. Thats one of the many reasons its my main rig.

Chambered mahogany body.

[VonMessa]

So true.

But NOT the DC studio. Thats one of the many reasons its my main rig.

Chambered mahogany body.

Oooo, nice!   

[sluggish]

Dean's are good guitars IMO.   Ric Ocasek used them throughout most of The Cars recordings.   Michael Schenker has used them since around 1995ish and if I am not mistaken Dave Mustaine uses them now.    Dean is a bonifide luthier IMO.  

For $1300 a "vintage Dean" isn't bad, but it depends on what you're going after.     For that you could get a Vintage Fender/Gibson/Epiphone (they really aren't that bad)/Music Man, etc.  

These guys are sometimes pricey, but they are known Worldwide for their Shop:  http://elderly.com/vintage/cats/30U.htm

Back when I lived down state we would make a monthly (or so) pilgrimage to Elderly.  I love that place...