Beginning the guitar hunt...

E

Eg303

New member
So i've decided I need a new electric. I took a look at my setup yeasterday and thats where im lacking. My Aria acustic (circa 1982) is just fine, my amp is splendid (fender blues deluxe) but my electric is a POS.

So, the research begins, I dont like to jump headfirst into anything lol. What are some guitars you would sugest?

Money's fairly tight, mabey 750-900 dollar budget, so im looking for value.


So far this is what I have thought of, add or comment as you like.

used Fender MIA strat
used Hamer Studio
Epiphone Les paul
PRS santana SE
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

I love Strats. Fender and G&L are my favorites.

Never played a Hamer

For that much, I'd skip Epiphone and go for a used LP Studio. Or maybe a beat up Standard.

Ibanez makes awesome shred guitars, if that's your thing.

Never tried the PRS Santana SE. Too ugly for my tastes. I did play a PRS SE EG, and it sounded really good, and pretty unique (It's the only mahogany, single coil guitar I've seen or played). I might pick one up after Christmas.
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

i myself would go for the strat. heard very mixed things about the SE, i wouldnt buy that unless i personally went and tried one. as for the hamer, eh, i dont know. i have an epi LP its okay, pots are scratchy and tuners are junk, but its not a bad guitar. i would have preferred to wait and get a used gibson
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

You can get alot for your money with a Fender strat and it's a good all around guitar. G&L is a good strat alternative. It doesn't have the name recognition but the quality is sometimes better for a bit less. If you have $750 you can get a pretty good to excellent guitar. I would also leave the Epi stuff alone. If you go Gibson, you'll be talking used for in the range of $900 plus.
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

Another vote against Epi lots of bad necks out there.

Hamer USA Studio is an excellent guitar you should not have any trouble finding a decent one used in that price range.

You should get a real nice quality strat in that price range even new Americans can be found for 800.00 NEW

This Warmouth may be up for grabs. The guy that built it for me wants it but can't seem to raise the cash

IMG_0061.jpg
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

The moneys not in my hands right now, just starting the research.

I heard some clips of a hamer studio through a Blues Junior today-AmAzIng
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

For less than your price range you could get a Gibson Faded Special DC. I did a setup on one at the shop and was completely floored at what a great guitar it was (minus the finish) regardless of price. Acousticly, it just sang. Playability was great and even the stock pickups sounded pretty darn good.
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

The moneys not in my hands right now, just starting the research.

I heard some clips of a hamer studio through a Blues Junior today-AmAzIng


no offense or anything, clips are great, but when looking at guitars, playability is the top factor ( at least on my list ). if a guitar isnt 'right' for me, im not going to be happy with it. if you can, go and tryout a guitar before you buy it. who knows, the one you almost bought could turn out to be a lemon. ( or, in some cases, better than you expected )

i dont think i would buy anything i havnt played. with some guitars, you dont have any chances to play them, so the decision is up to you.

not sure i made sense. but hey, you get the jist of it
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

Much of this has to do with the sound you are looking for. Comparing a Strat to a LP.... they are vry different sounds. Both are good, but very different. I would look at an MIA Strat or Tele, or a used LP Standard. The LP standard will cost a little more than you stated, but it will be worth it. A friend of mine just bought a black LP standard (2003) for 1200. Great guitar.
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

Used Hamer Studio, no question. Of course, I may be biased, I have one Studio & two Specials. All were bought used. Great guitars for the price. Good luck.

Peace,

Darrin
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

BSM-how do they compare to a strat or a les paul in playablity and quality?

Any of the gutiars im looking at will have a tone I like, its really a matter of will they hold up for awhile.
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

well if you like dean, they have a goldtop lp copy

I was very impressed with the gretsch electromatic hollows, and some of the jets

you may be able to pull off a warmoth with that much scrilla

but remember to check www.stewmac.com for some parts, on a lot of stuff, well, they got it cheaper.
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

also the tele hh blackout is killer

I'm biting one in my avatar

sell for $600

if you want a gretsch, pm me and I'll tell you where to get them for REAL cheap
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

thanks for the offer, but I've never been a big fan ofr gretch. Just something about them lol *shrugs*
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

Eg303 said:
BSM-how do they compare to a strat or a les paul in playablity and quality?

Any of the gutiars im looking at will have a tone I like, its really a matter of will they hold up for awhile.
Click to expand...

The playabilty, durability & overall quality are outstanding. Their USA models (I have no experience with their imports) are probably the most consistent guitars built. I have yet to encounter, or hear about, a Hamer Studio that was not up to top notch standards. Mine's a '93 dark cherry sunburst (absolutely gorgeous), it's playabilty definitely side's with a LP as opposed to a Strat, being a mahogany body with a maple top. Don't get me wrong, I love Strats & Pauls (own quite a few), but for the money it's hard to beat the overall package you get with the Hamer. Good luck.

Peace,

Darrin
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

thats what I have been hearing...

Also, I saw one in that dark cherry burst color. Very nice :).
 
Re: Beginning the guitar hunt...

my advice? ... try to play some of the schecters ... even a top of the line new one would leave cash in your pocket and they are seriously good guitars ... if you can find a used brian moore in your range, i'd heartily recommend them as well ... both come stock with SD pups that are killer and won't need to be changed

good luck
t4d
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
NGGD-New Gifted guitar day.. haha
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
astrozombie
astrozombie
jerryjg
The "Relic" thread
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
WhoFan
W
JeffB
A Gear Thread..mostly for the "older" crowd
2 3
Replies
43
Views
3K
Skarekrough
S
Back
Top