Guitar Purchase Help Needed

[zj7310]

Hey there,

I am new to the forum though I've read a couple threads on here before. I've been playing guitar for a few years now and I typically have only played an acoustic guitar, which I know inside and out. However recently I have had my interest really piqued by this electric guitar at my local guitar store. It's this beautiful two-tone green guitar with something of a Les Paul body. It sounds really good as far as I can tell but like I said, I don't play much electric guitar so I can't be sure. It's made of solid mahogany throughout and it was made by this guy from North Carolina who handcrafts a lot of nice guitars. I think there's only like 7 of them ever made. It's phenomenal, but the catch is that it's 1800 dollars.

Onto the question: Can any of you tell me, off that much information, if it seems like it's worth it? Is 1800 unreasonable for a first electric guitar? Are there things that I'm not considering that I should look at before coming to a decision about it (or any electric for that matter)? I have the money and can afford it but 1800 is quite a bit and I don't want to spend the money if it could come back to bite me.

Any input or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

It's very difficult to tell without knowing who the builder is, or much anything else about the guitar. Can you provide a little more info?

As to whether it's worth spending $1,800 on a first electric, only you can really decide that. What I would say though, is that it's a lot more than most would spend on their first. It also sounds as if you don't have a great deal of experience in playing electric to know whether this one is a good choice for you, though you do have plenty of play time on an acoustic to draw on. They are quite different animals in many ways, to the point where you should almost think of them as a different instrument.

One thing you must consider is an amp for obvious reasons. Do you have any ideas on that side of things yet? It would also be useful to know what kind of music you want to play on it - I'm guessing it won't be 'Cavatina'.

Overall then, tell us more., and welcome to SDUGF

 

[zj7310]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

Oh make no mistake, I will not feign for a second that I completely know what I'm talking about. Haha. In terms of amps, I was leaning towards something like a low-wattage solid state amp, at least for now. Something not over the moon expensive that I can use just to play at home by myself. Something casual. I'm pretty open-minded in terms of amps but I really don't need anything with a real big stadium sized sound to it.
In terms of telling you more about the guitar, what would you like to know? I might be able to provide more info but I don't really know what's noteworthy. Haha. Also, I have no idea who made it other than some guy from North Carolina who is a regionally well known custom guitar maker. His name escapes me but if I find out soon, I'll post it.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Jolly_Rancher]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

There's a name on the headstock of any guitar 99.9% of the time. Just go to the store, write it down, and report back here!

 

[dominus]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

Oh make no mistake, I will not feign for a second that I completely know what I'm talking about. Haha. In terms of amps, I was leaning towards something like a low-wattage solid state amp, at least for now. Something not over the moon expensive that I can use just to play at home by myself. Something casual. I'm pretty open-minded in terms of amps but I really don't need anything with a real big stadium sized sound to it.
In terms of telling you more about the guitar, what would you like to know? I might be able to provide more info but I don't really know what's noteworthy. Haha. Also, I have no idea who made it other than some guy from North Carolina who is a regionally well known custom guitar maker. His name escapes me but if I find out soon, I'll post it.

Thanks for the input!

Rather than a true solid state amp, I'd recommend getting one of the digital modeling amps. The new Peavey Vypyr VIP series has some great sounds, and it works well with guitars, basses, and acoustics.

(Nothing against solid state amps, I have a few myself, but I bought them for one specific sound.)

 

[uOpt]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

The better forum to identify a builder based on location is probably thegearpage.

Be very careful, namely famous builder now also have lines of production in Asia.

 

[threechordcharlie]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

Welcome to the forum!
I just have to say this:
So many times someone will jump into the deep end of the pool without knowing if they actually even like swimming or not before they jump in.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

In terms of telling you more about the guitar, what would you like to know? I might be able to provide more info but I don't really know what's noteworthy. Haha.

Ya know the name on the headstock would come in quite handy

 

[zj7310]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

Thanks for the input from all of you, genuinely. The cautions are duly noted and it's certainly a decision that I'm not taking lightly. Haha.

First off, it is a Hope Custom Guitar. I found out the guy who makes them does have a website and that was helpful. The man's name is Steve Uveges and after a bit of reading I saw this (http://hopecustomguitars.com/gallery/). The virgo at the top of the page is essentially the same as the one I'm looking at, only the one I've seen is green. There's actually some videos on the site about the construction process of the guitar which I watched and they were interesting. The page should give you any information you would need. It's still hard for me to judge if it's worth the 2K though. Again, all thoughts are appreciated and considered.

Dominus, I find that interesting you'd recommend a digital amp. I've never heard anybody have much anything good to say about a digital amp though I also really don't know anybody personally who actually uses one. What are the pros/cons?

Again, I do appreciate all your help here. I find that I really am learning quite a bit from this board

 

[Dr.K]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

If it were me and it's not and that's what I wanted, I'd find a nice used Les Paul for around 1k and spend the other 1k on a nice amp. I think you'll like the end result better. IMO

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

In about 1979 or 1980, my friend and bandmate's first guitar was a Fender Stratocaster fitted with Velvet Hammer pickups, priced 300 Pounds Sterling. Adjust that figure for inflation and/or currency devaluation and 1500 to 1800 would not be far off.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

If it were me and it's not and that's what I wanted, I'd find a nice used Les Paul for around 1k and spend the other 1k on a nice amp. I think you'll like the end result better. IMO

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

I really don't need anything with a real big stadium sized sound to it.

And this has what all to do with this thread? Does this mean you are going to start spamming us soon?

Oh and there it is... hidden so you cant see it a linky... Well my spammer friend I wish nothing but bad karma upon you for your deeds.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

If it were me and it's not and that's what I wanted, I'd find a nice used Les Paul for around 1k and spend the other 1k on a nice amp. I think you'll like the end result better. IMO

Absolutely this! No offense but at $1,800 you can get an incredible guitar and amp.

Pics of the guitar as well as any names on it would be helpful...but I really don't see paying $1,800 for an LP style guitar when you can get a really nice Gibson LP and a really nice amp for the same price...

 

[voggin]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

I just bought an american standard telecaster used for $600 CDN (@$480 USD). You could probably get a great used Fender Blues Junior for another $300, or a Hot Rod Deluxe used for $4-500. Add a couple hundred, and you could go the used Les Paul Studio route.

If you go that route, you would also be able to get your money back easily if it turns out you're not an electric guy.

One of the really unfortunate things about small builders' guitars is that they aren't as easy as the big names to flip, and you can take a real bath on resale. It's completely unfair, because they can be great instruments, but a guy searching Craigslist is more likely to be looking for a Fender or a Gibson than a (insert small luthier here).

 

[925SS]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

I'd have to agree with others.
While it may be a very nice guitar, the fact that you've never played an electric, & don't know if it's something you'll stick with, leads me to think your money might be better spent on the used market.
CL here is littered with guitars that people have bought to learn on, & didn't stick with it.
IMO, a nice used Epi LP, & a modelling amp (mustang, vyper) would be a better way to find out if it's your thang.
If it turns out that you like electric, you have a pretty decent guitar, & amp to play on for a few yrs before you drop big $ on something, if not, you'll recoup most of you original investment, without have to loose your a$$
Here's just a quick sample of what's out there
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/5142363015.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/5132546849.html
Or for a bit more
http://lexington.craigslist.org/msg/5144385814.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msd/5076868032.html
The used market has so much good equipment, for soo cheap, I often wonder why anyone would pay full retail price for anything.

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

id hold off on spending 1800 .. man thats alot of cash to spend on something that you dont know if you will "stick with it"

most the guitars i have now I bought used for 300 to 400.. and will outplay most new guitars i have picked up at a store...I remember when i first started playing.. i ordered me a brand new kramer focus 1000 and spent $1400.. BUT never really bonded with it.. 25 years later i spend 300 on a jackson DK2.. modded/customized it and now im inseparable from it .. moral of this story.. there is alot of GOOD used gear for a fraction of the price as new..

as for amps.. id go with a modeller amp. they have come along way and sound pretty decent now adays.. granted some sound alot better than others... hell i have 2 heads and i still end up using my PC and a modeller program w/headphones most of the time

on a sorta related note: a few months ago i sorta wanted to get into flight sims but needed a decent stick.. the warthog HOTAS made me drool but for 450.. that was alot of money to take a chance on me not liking it or sticking with something.. so i spent ~60 on an entry level HOTAS controller.. glad i did because in the last month the controller has only been used twice and stays in my closet

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

Why the hell are you guys seriously replying to a spammer bumped 2 year old thread? I sure as hell hope the guy has bought a guitar long before now. If he hasnt he didnt want one very bad.

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

Why the hell are you guys seriously replying to a spammer bumped 2 year old thread? I sure as hell hope the guy has bought a guitar long before now. If he hasnt he didnt want one very bad.

wasnt paying attention.. opps


hell man.. early in the moring.. and havent even had a dr pepper yet..

 

[voggin]

Re: Guitar Purchase Help Needed

Oops as well. Guess I should check the dates of first posts...