Akira

Well enough of Electric Guitar 101, i miss RockGuitar101



"On Easter morning......."

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million dollar basher

Yeah. (at least I hope) people aren't going to go drop $1500 on a LP if they have no idea what to expect out of it. But, speaking strictly from my own experience, some of the new Epiphones are comparable to a large portion of Gibsons product line. In fact, I bought an Epiphone LP a while back and I ended up far more satisfied with the tone than my Gibson.

I understand that they're not the same. And while your sports car analogy was appropriate and somewhat thought out, I will say that you can compare the performance of both cars, can't you? Just because the Corvette (or in this case the Gibson) is more expensive than other 'sports' cars made by Chevy, doesn't mean that it is the superior product. That's all I'm saying.

mr dave

i hear ya MDB, and i've heard great things about the modern epiphone LPs, heck i still enjoy my epi special II every now and again. if i wanted the look of a classic LP i'd definitely consider an epi as well, but i wouldn't be telling anyone i played a les paul. you're right as well when you say they can still be compared but ultimately, whether you like it or not, there's a status symbol factor as well.

a les paul is not an entry level guitar, it's not made for beginners. personally if i see someone playing any sort of gibson or other high end gear i expect them to know their stuff because of the time and effort invested into becoming a musician of that caliber. unfortunately that isn't the case as much anymore with more and more spoiled idiots thinking they need pro gear to be good (but it's great for people keeping an eye on the 2nd hand market).

as for people spending serious cash and not really knowing what to expect, i point you back to the start of this thread, the OP never flat out said it but i'd bet my strat that was the situation.

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mr dave

my mom picked out my clothes and brushed my hair...



(we could turn this into a song writing thing )

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million dollar basher

No you're right. There's definitely a class issue present when selecting a guitar. I remember when I was a kid and my dad offered to buy me a pretty nice Epi SG and I told him I'd rather save for a Gibson. I guarantee now that if I'd listened to both guitars through the same amp, I wouldn't have been able to tell you the difference. Not because they're the same guitar, but because I was young and inexperienced. I was more concerned about having "Gibson" on the headstock, which is really a foolish way to go about it.

I mean, I love Reverend guitars, but I never really considered buying one until I saw Billy Corgan playing one.

But yeah, I see people do it every day. I've had to literally hijack sales from people working the floor at GuitarCenter because I knew they were playing the class game with kids, trying to rip them off.

For instance, I saw a salesman try to sell a kid on a Taylor. Even low-end Taylors are expensive anymore, and the kid just wanted a decent starter guitar that would last him for a few years. I pointed out to him that a local shop was selling Seagul guitars and that they had a great sound to them, even for experienced players, and that he would be well advised to check them out before handing the guy his cash. The kid was way more concerned about having that "Taylor" name and forked over the money. I played the same guitar later that week and I still maintain that he was better off going for the Seagul.

But don't get me wrong....I'd go for a good ol' fashioned Gretsch White Falcon before I bought an Ibanez Hollow-body. ; )

mr dave

i totally hear you on all points (just didn't want to make a long quote). i'm guilty of doing similar things, although when i finally decided to dump well over a grand on a guitar i was old enough to be able to walk away from that cash as if i lost it in a fire. then again i'm no pro so a guitar of that quality and price was pure ego.

on the other hand there is something to be said about actually saving up for a relatively nice piece of gear. by not financing it or dumping onto a credit card you force yourself to really consider all the options and whether or not you really want that piece. it's good for your self-discipline, especially if you're toiling away at the beater you learned on while saving up for your first real quality instrument. it might seem like a long time in the moment but saving up for 9 months for a guitar that is now a teenager doesn't seem that long anymore hahaha

can't say i'm familiar with reverend guitars, they look pretty cool from the site though. my offbeat guitar maker of choice is eastwood guitars, haven't actually tried one yet but they look awesome.

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GuitarBizarre

HELL YES. THAT GUY WAS AWESOME(ly, incredibly, unbelievably RETARDED)

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million dollar basher

I'll follow your lead and keep the quotes short....but I'll select the bits that pad my ego. /\/\/\ haha

Oh yeah dude, Eastwood guitars are sweet. I remember the first time I saw the White Stripes and Jack was playing what looked like an Eastwood. It could've been a different guitar, but it definitely had the look. I've been wanting to get ahold of one for a while. I played one (or at least my memory tells me that it was an Eastwood....again, it could've been a copy cat) at the Guitar Center on Sunset down in L.A. Their vintage room is beyond reproach....if you're planning on looking and not paying. lol.

Reverend guitars are just solid. They're not spectacular. They just have a good strat-like tone and they're usually pretty modestly priced.

But you're right. I remember when I finally saved enough to get my second strat...and I love walking out of a shop with a few new stomp boxes. For some reason I've never been able to bring myself to compromise on effects. If it's between an EHX pedal or a digitech....I'll always go with EHX even if it means spending $100 more.

mr dave

i'm thinking it's the other way around. Eastwood makes replicas of old 60s 'freak' guitars. it's possible that White just chose to use a cheaper replica of his old school Airline guitars but i don't doubt that he owns some of those oldies as well.

as for effects i usually go for used stuff, pawn shops are great for cheap pedals, don't normally pay more than $50-70 for a stomp box unless i'm looking for something specific. as much as i've wanted one for years i just can't bring myself to paying damn near $500 for an EHX bass micro synth hahaha.

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takamine_x2

I tend to really like Mr. Dave's answers throughout this topic. My advice would be simply to narrow it down to 5 or six brands and then go in and hold them, play them, see how they feel. Do not consider the kind of music you are going to play - I don't believe anyone that says your style of music is important in picking a brand guitar. People who tell you this are not musicians. I promise you that if you go into a music store and try out several different guitars, then the instrument will choose you.

Also, get yourself a decent amp and develop your own sound, regardless of what brand of guitar you prefer. I've played them all, and have settled with Fenders, and PRS guitars for electric and Takamine and Taylor for acoustic - not because they are the brands I went looking for, but because they were comfortable for me, sounded better to my ear and made me excited to play them. I think that's the key. -- 20 years picking and shredding experience talking.

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