Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

bonedish

bonedish

New member
I can probably push $1000 at the very most.

So I'd like to know what would be a good quality electric guitar at these prices.

I'm looking at a couple of models:

Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded (Cherry)
Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop
Fender Tex Mex (Jimmie Vaughan)
Fender Highway One (HSS)
PRS SE models

The Epi LP Goldtop I can get for $300 with a used HSC. I've heard that American Strats and Gibsons are kind of a rip off (cheap pots and bad wiring)? Is this true?

I currently have a MIM Strat with upgraded pickups that I absolutely LOVE . I got it new in '03 before the MIM line went up in price (about $300). Being that I have a Strat, I'd rather look to an LP or PRS.
 
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Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

bonedish said:
I can probably push $1000 at the very most.

So I'd like to know what would be a good quality electric guitar at these prices.

I'm looking at a couple of models:

Gibson Les Paul Special Faded (Cherry)
Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop
Fender Tex Mex (Jimmie Vaughan)
Fender Highway One (HSS)
PRS SE models

The Epi LP Goldtop I can get for $300 with a used HSC. I've heard that American Strats and Gibsons are kind of a rip off (cheap pots and bad wiring)? Is this true?

I currently have a MIM Strat with upgraded pickups that I absolutely LOVE . I got it new in '03 before the MIM line went up in price (about $300). Being that I have a Strat, I'd rather look to an LP or PRS.
Click to expand...

Since you've ruled out the Strats, let's look at what's left. IMO Epiphone sucks, period. I'd happily buy an Agile over an Epiphone every time (actually I have). I've never had one that I liked and I've tried a few. As far as the Gibson goes, I have a friend that has the Les Paul Special Cherry Faded and I have to say I'm not impressed. It's OK but I had a Vintage Mahogany LP that blew it away. I think they're both in the same price range so I'd do the VMLP over the LPSC in a heartbeat. The clear winner for me though is the PRS SE. For the money I don't think you'll find better. Or you could do what I did and watch eBay like a hawk for a PRS CE. I got a 2005 CE24 for $950 shipped, sold my LPVM and have not regretted it for a second. I LOVE it!
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

Thanks!!!

Not Special LP, Studio LP!

Also open to LTD/ESP suggestions!
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

You can not go wrong with a Gibson LP Studio. Doesn't matter the finish.
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

Check out Schecter also. I have three of them and they're all really good guitars, especially for their price range.
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

I'd go with a Faded Gibson or a used Studio LP for under $1,000.00. Sometimes you can find a used USA Jackson in nice shape for that kind of money. I don't like imported Fenders or the plasti-coated Epiphone or PRS SE models; it's hard to find one that sings. Schecter is killer in the mid-price range.
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

Faded Gibson rocks. I have a Faded Flying V, and it's awesome almost beyond words. The other Faded Gibsons I've tried have been similarly great.
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

phil_104 said:
The best guitar in that price range, in the history of the world, that destroys everything else is :

THE GIBSON SG CLASSIC!
Click to expand...

+1. The original SG Special made famous by many players.

Another option is the Epi Elitist line, especially used ones. Very good guitars. Also used Heritages.
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

ya know, BC rich guitars in that price range are great values. real figured maple tops, neck-thru, grover tuners and tonepros bridges or real floyds, etc. i've got a mockingbird special that i picked up for $400 used that friggin' kills other guitars in this price range as far as feel and tone. now, looks is another story;)
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

I've had many good epiphones that play good once upgraded, but I'd say right out the door the highway 1 owns, sounds great, plays great, and are a lot more consistent than epi or gibson
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

super rad stuff said:
ya know, BC rich guitars in that price range are great values. real figured maple tops, neck-thru, grover tuners and tonepros bridges or real floyds, etc. i've got a mockingbird special that i picked up for $400 used that friggin' kills other guitars in this price range as far as feel and tone. now, looks is another story;)
Click to expand...

+1 BC Rich makes some quality noise for cheap!
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

PRS SE on the lower price end

By a mile
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

I've had quite a few Epis that are terrific, especially for the price. I really don't understand all of the Epi bashing going on. Check out the Epi LP Tribute for under $800 (with Gibson Classic '57 PUs and hardshell case!!!).

Schecters are also great quality guitars. What about the G&L Tribute line?
 
Re: Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, or PRS??? Which is the best value at $500-$1000?

The PRS SEs easily beat the Epiphones. They have bad resell value, I would recommend getting a used one. The Epiphone is also screwed with it's metric TOM.

The LP studio has a great price/performance ratio as far as Gibson goes, but be aware that it is still a swiss-cheesed or even chambered LP with Nashville bridge. A used MIJ LP will usually beat the heck out of an equally priced used LP Studio. IMHO the cream of the LP Studio line is the white models with ebony fretboard.

I donno about the tex mex but the HW1 is potentially as good a Strat as any if you replace the tremolo block and maybe the saddles.

American Strats can be had around $600 these days. That is definitely not a rippoff at all, although the guitar doesn't really come out better than a HW1 in general.

Out of the things you listed only the Ephiphone is a bad buy, IMHO, and the SE must not be bought new.
 
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