Guitar help?

R

RedMusic

New member
Hey guys, in about 3 months, I'll be getting an electric guitar. I play mostly pop punk, metal and alt rock. I have a couple guitars shortlisted. Tell me which one to pick or suggest another.
Gretsch Pro Jet 5435
Squier Cabronita Tele
Epiphone LP100

Also, can standard humbuckers fit in the Filtertron rout on the Gretsch/ Cabronita?

Thanks.
 
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Re: Guitar help?

IMO Gretsch Pro Jet 5435

Don't change the pickups, other than for better Gretsch types, like TV Jones, maybe. For what you are playing, Gretsch will do 'ya. So would the Cabronita out of the box. Don't by the LP100. Poor wood, bolt on neck, no craftsmanship. That's just firewood waiting to happen.
 
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I always dug the Gretsch Pro Jet. Of course, I recommend trying before buying. The one I played was very nicely balanced, in that, it didn't have a headstock heaviness to it.
 
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I can't play either the Cab or the Pro Jet cause my local store doesn't have em.
Will the rout accommodate a Duncan Distortion or JB?
 
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I would go with the Gretsch over any of the rest. One day I want to get the Tim Armstrong signature Gretsch, but it's really, really hard to justify a $1500 dollar guitar that is supposed to be for punk...
 
Re: Guitar help?

ok about any style of guitar will play the music you want to play

what you need is something that you find comfortable
that has a neck you can get on with
a weight that isnt too heavy or is kinda heavy ( whichever you like )
doent neck dive

play a few that fit within your budget
remember you can change the pickguard on a strat to a dual Humbucker if you want one
I think Squire makes a bullet version with hums

Ibanez makes some real nice ones

but keep in mind the type of music you play
is whats in you
not whats in the guitar
 
Re: Guitar help?

beaubrummels said:
Don't by the LP100. Poor wood, bolt on neck, no craftsmanship. That's just firewood waiting to happen.
Click to expand...

Don't buy the LP100 if you can get something better. Mine was pretty sweet, but I think I was lucky. It's easy to find one that's a dud.
 
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I would recommend either an EpI LP Studio or G-400 Pro. The lp studio is better quality than the lp100 and has the set neck instead of bolt and the g-400 pro has coil splitting for the pickups providing a much larger array of sounds. Both of these guitars are only $50 more than the squire and Gretsch, but have the advantage of being able to swap pickups for any other standard size humbuckers, as the Gretsch/TV Jones style pickups are smaller and would require routing to change to SD. Keeping with Squire however, I would recommend either the Vintage Modified Tele Deluxe, or the '72 Tele Deluxe Thinline. These use a copy of the Fender Wide Range humbucker, and if you wanted to change them all you would need is a new pick guard which can be ordered from warmoth.com in whatever configuration you need for about $30
Sorry for the long post, but I think you'll be disappointed with the cabronita and gretsch, especially when you play heavier songs, and the LP-100 is, imho, the worst guitar epiphone makes.
 
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allbutromeo said:
…and the LP-100 is, imho, the worst guitar epiphone makes.
Click to expand...

I think it's better than the flat-tops like the Express and the Special models, but I'd still go for any of their set-neck Les Pauls over it. Like you said, the LP Studio or a nice G-400 would be a better investment.
 
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Regarding the Filter'Tron style pickup routs, nothing else will fit the cavities without modifications to the wood. Luckily for you, that nice Mr. Thomas Vincent Jones offers pickups that will fit the cavity whilst sounding more like a Gibson humbucker or a P90 or a DeArmond Dyna-Sonic.
 
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I've had an LP100, wouldn't say they suck but they leave a lot to be desired. If you want LP but don't want to pay the price then look into Agile guitars, they're set-neck LP copies with more options for less money. A $400 Agile would compare to a more expensive Epi.
 
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Enormous fun. A fine platform for modifying experiments. The rotary pickup selector is cheap 'n' nasty. Ditto - the bridge saddles.
 
Re: Guitar help?

RedMusic said:
What's the opinion on the Squier 51?
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Squier '51s are great. I am a big advocate of them.

I modified mine quite a bit, and it became my favorite guitar.

I got mine in 2005, when they were $99 and kind of an experiment, before Squier had its Classic Vibe / Vintage Modified renaissance.

I recommend it for what you want to do with it.

They really do benefit from a few functional mods, though. A better nut, a better bridge, etc. But they may be better now than they were 10 years ago. I'd imagine they are.

If you go this route, PM me, I'm glad to help and share.

Mine sounds great.


audio and video aren't aligned, just listen
I took this video in 2009 before decent cameras were ubiquitous
 
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I've got a slight budget increase. So I'm now considering the Epi LP Standard and the ESP LTD EC 256. Between these two?
 
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I have an LTD EC401w. This is pretty much the same product as the 256, only it is fitted from new with undeniably professional pickups and control electronics. From this, you can deduce that a pre-owned EC256 plus American pickups makes for a gigworthy guitar.

The Epiphone LP Standard has passed through numerous up and down phases. Check very carefully which period you are buying from. Some factories built better guitars than others. Some pickups are acceptable, most are appalling.



Having said all of that, I would still opt for the Squier Cabronita Telecaster (either variant).

Second choice, the Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom (dual G-sized humbuckers, LP control layout).

Third choice, a pre-owned G&L Tribute Series ASAT Special - the one with the big MFD single coils that look from a distance like P90s.
 
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As for amps, I need a good SS non modelling amp. The Fender Champion 40 would do, right? Will it take distortion, delay and chorus well?
 
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Solid state you said
Takes pedals well you said
Built like a tank you could have said

Peavey Bandit

With a speaker change is unbeatable

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
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I'm looking for something below 50 watts and above 25. The Bandit is 80-something and out of my budget. :(
 
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