Difficulty choosing a new guitar - penny for your thoughts?

MartWillRock83 · Newbie Alert Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 1

Ok my first question is, are alot of guitar fanatics concerened more with the look of the guitars than the sound?(thats not as important to me unless it looks bad)

Second question: Is there that much difference between the top manufacturers, at the same price range, quality wise?(ie do they all offer the same value for money near enough?)

Third question, Ive been doing some hunting and Ive narrowed my search down to these guitars, which is the best deal?(Ive put them in order of my current preference but thats just goin with my gut feelings on them). Here's what Ive narrowed it down too based on maximum price, features and hopefully capability of the right sound too(heavy metal but able to sound great whatever style you are playing):

Schecter OMEN 6 FR BK
Jackson JS30DK TBK
Ibanez SA120 BK

Any other contenders? Also for UK members is Thomann a cheap place to buy guitars online these days or are there cheaper places?

sharring · Tiger Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 812 Location: Texas

I think most of the smarter guitar fanatics are concerned with the sound, how well it stays in tune, how heavy it is (after a hour or two this becomes very important) and generally how it feels. Is it comfortable? Does it balance well? That's why strats are my favorate electric-they are very user-friendly and ergonomic. The three brands you mentioned are all good companies making a good product. I always like to try before you buy-two guitars from the same company/same model can be quite different. But if the online store you buy from has a good return policy then you are only out the cost of shipping if you don't like it.

PunkStar

Question 1: No, we really don't care as long as the guitar does what we want. The only exception to this is if the guitar is absolutely ugly, then we might have some reservations. But usually guitars aren't all that bad. And if they are, a professional woodworker can fix it. So no, looks don't matter if the guitar is good.

Question 2: I have played Ibanez guitars and I have a Jackson and have played models around this cost and I find they are pretty much the same. You wouldn't go wrong with either of them. I don't have a lot of experience with Schecter, but they aren't a no name and should be pretty good as well. Really, the top brands are the top for a reason. It'd be better to get your guitar from a store if you could, so then you can play the one you buy and see if you really like it. But if you buy from a reputable store and get a good brand, you should be safe from buying a broken one anyway.

Question 3: If this is your starting guitar, I'd go the Ibanez. If you stay with the guitar, you'll probably want to upgrade as you get better anyway, so I doubt you'll stay with this forever. In that spirit, the Ibanez will give you the least problems. The other guitars have floating tremolos, and unless you are really planning to use them, they aren't aren't worth having. They are more complex to tune, and they can have an effect on your hand resting position. They are good if you want to do heavy tremolo stuff or play with the tension of the strings Very Happy

, but they are often not worth starting with. If you later want to get a guitar with a floating tremolo, get one later when you have a bit more experience with guitar use and maintence. Also, the Ibanez has some stuff built in to help it keep tune better (if I follow the product description correctly). So I'd look very seriously at that one at this stage in your playing. And don't forget you can upgrade later if you decide this is what you want to spend your time and money on.

Also, this website has a bunch of reviews on lots of guitars. Check it out when you are looking at a specific model.
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar

George E · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject:

I looked up all three that you liked, and noticed they all looked basically like Stratocasters, but all three had dual humbuckers instead of single-coils like the Strat. If you like the sound of humbuckers, maybe you should consider either a low-end Gibson or high-end Epiphone. That Gibson humbucker tone is what all the manufacturers seem to be chasing after with their humbucker equipped guitars. Why settle for a copy when the originals can be just as affordable.

I'd also echo what Punkstar said about tremelos. In fact, unless your preferred music style relies heavily on major dive bombing, a solid stop tail will stay in tune better and give you better sustain and tone.

markm2553 · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:37 am Post subject:

I don't play electric much, I play a Strat when I do.

I did want to welcome you to the board, and hope you choose to hang around a while. Exclamation

Will this be your first guitar?

Mudbugclub · Sea Monkey Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 10

You just have to go with the one that feels right for you. I still have the first guitar I bought and that was over 30 years ago!

music wasn't part of me · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject:

maplebaby · Tadpole Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 15

i love the tele - they got to have em heaven or it wouldn't be heaven! just a suggestion.

KY Ratshooter · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

Looks of the instrument?

I'm not pretty, why should it be? You ever seen the pieces of trash Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray play/played? Fender is doing a reissue of the SRV guitar warts and all and charging big bucks for it!

But not everyone has my taste.

Personally, I play a 70s era tele with the origional single coil rear pickup and a humbucker in front. I bought it that way.

Yes, it looks like crap. Paint chipped and a small chunk knocked out of the tail. One day, when I get all beat up, it will probably throw me away. Until then it just fits way too good.

winterband · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:58 pm Post subject:

Go to music stores and play different guitars.

See what fits you.

You can get more bang for your buck if you buy used.

Bro. Winter