truth on hold Posted March 7, 2010 Posted March 7, 2010 I used to play a lot in high school, and even gigged with a band for a few years. Spent a lot of time practicing and took plenty of lessons. Kind of jazz rock style. That was many moons ago and my beloved Strat is long since sold. I've recently decided to get back into it, at least at home. Last week I went to a store thinking I'd get another Strat. Had my eye on the HSS America because I like the humbucker in the bridge position, but single coil for the others. Nice guitar but not maybe not enough sustain. So I next tried a Les Paul Studio that had a maple top like a "real one." Terrific sound and much more playable versus the Strat for me as I have smallish hands (I later learned this is because it has a shorter scale neck ... something I'd never considered.) BUT $1,400 for a Les Paul Studio just seems steep to me. So I next try a regular Studio, main difference is an all mahogany body (versus a maple top.) Just far too muddy and really not worth considering, even though it's around $800. Now I'm at a point where I'll either suck it up and pay $2,000+ for a Les Paul Standard 2008 (which are incredibly sweet.) Or look for a far cheaper alternative. Since I've been away from guitars for a while I'd really appreciate what others I should consider. What I like is: - great sustain - solid body - rosewood or ebony fingerboard - humbucker at least in the bridge - shorter scale (<25") - not too crazy looking - traditional "warm" sound Thanks!!
The Dean Posted March 7, 2010 Posted March 7, 2010 I'm not guitar expert, but have you checked out the Epiphone Les Paul Standard?: http://www.kellyindustries.com/guitars/epi...paul_stand.html Check this out:
truth on hold Posted March 7, 2010 Author Posted March 7, 2010 Sorry no Epiphone. Right or wrong my view of the brand is very negative. And I won't go with anything that's an obvious copy. Thanks for the suggestion though.
The Dean Posted March 7, 2010 Posted March 7, 2010 Another you might want to consider is the PRS (Paul Reed Smith) Singlecut. Gibson sued PRS so they stopped making them for a while, but PRS won the lawsuit. I thought they would be out of your price range (many PRS guitars are north of $4K) but these seem to be reasonable: http://www.amazon.com/PRS-Guitars-Singlecu...c/dp/B002LE8JQ0 Check this:
truth on hold Posted March 7, 2010 Author Posted March 7, 2010 Nice call, definitely have to check it out. I understand PRS is right up with Gibson and Fender in quality. I wonder why that one so inexpensive? Seems to have it all. Only that might not work for me is the neck description of "Neck Shape: Wide Fat", given my smallish hands. But definitely worthy of further exploration.
Cugalabanza Posted March 7, 2010 Posted March 7, 2010 I'm not guitar expert, but have you checked out the Epiphone Les Paul Standard?: http://www.kellyindustries.com/guitars/epi...paul_stand.html I actually own this one. I am very happy with it. I've had it for about 10 years and it sounds and feels great to me.
The Dean Posted March 7, 2010 Posted March 7, 2010 Nice call, definitely have to check it out. I understand PRS is right up with Gibson and Fender in quality. I wonder why that one so inexpensive? Seems to have it all. Only that might not work for me is the neck description of "Neck Shape: Wide Fat", given my smallish hands. But definitely worthy of further exploration. Watch that video I added. It also shows off the PRS SE Custom, which may be more to your liking. The PRS SE line guitars are made in Korea and lack some of the frills and visual appeal of the top of the line PRS axes. That's why they are more affordable. Saw a guy play one of these (SE Custom) last Saturday and the thing has tremendous sound.
wide_right Posted March 7, 2010 Posted March 7, 2010 Nice call, definitely have to check it out. I understand PRS is right up with Gibson and Fender in quality. I wonder why that one so inexpensive? Seems to have it all. Only that might not work for me is the neck description of "Neck Shape: Wide Fat", given my smallish hands. But definitely worthy of further exploration. Made in Korea
The Dean Posted March 7, 2010 Posted March 7, 2010 Dunno if this specs out right for you but holy crap this is one sweet looking guitar: http://www.prsguitars.com/setorero/index.html Just under $1,000 it seems. Here's a vid for WideRight:
truth on hold Posted March 7, 2010 Author Posted March 7, 2010 Dunno if this specs out right for you but holy crap this is one sweet looking guitar: http://www.prsguitars.com/setorero/index.html Just under $1,000 it seems. Here's a vid for WideRight: That sure is sweet looking. Negatives would be the scale and those pickups from what I know about them probably too "hot" for me. I like the way they setup many of their guitars with the maple top ... night and day when I tried the Les Paul's w/ and w/o maple top. I like the PRS's though ... thanks for the head's up. I could see myself with one of them potentially.
truth on hold Posted March 7, 2010 Author Posted March 7, 2010 Made in Korea Unlikely to go non-American in this case. Unlike most of the cars I've owned
truth on hold Posted March 8, 2010 Author Posted March 8, 2010 Build your own. It's a lot of fun. No way I have the time, equipment/tools and know how for that!
Doc Posted March 8, 2010 Posted March 8, 2010 No way I have the time, equipment/tools and know how for that! It's time consuming, but not that hard to do. Especially if you buy the neck like I did (I made the body).
Astrojanitor Posted March 8, 2010 Posted March 8, 2010 I swear up and down by the Fender Telecaster. Used to play a 1980 Les Paul standard...but was stolen out of my car in terre haute, IN. A town that can go straight to hell. Anyway I took the insurance money and went in another direction with the Tele. Amazing guitar with a beautiful warm tone.
The Dean Posted March 8, 2010 Posted March 8, 2010 I swear up and down by the Fender Telecaster. Used to play a 1980 Les Paul standard...but was stolen out of my car in terre haute, IN. A town that can go straight to hell. Anyway I took the insurance money and went in another direction with the Tele. Amazing guitar with a beautiful warm tone. Telecasters are nice: http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=deeBQZ...feature=related
GOBILLS78 Posted March 8, 2010 Posted March 8, 2010 I sold my Explorer and Les Paul standard. My SG (crescent moon fretboard, mmm) and Telecaster (standard sunburst) are all I'll ever need. I can't tell you which I prefer. I'm sure they'd work for you as well.
truth on hold Posted March 8, 2010 Author Posted March 8, 2010 I sold my Explorer and Les Paul standard. My SG (crescent moon fretboard, mmm) and Telecaster (standard sunburst) are all I'll ever need. I can't tell you which I prefer. I'm sure they'd work for you as well. Not enough sustain with the SG. Just not very versatile ... and also fairly pricey as well. Telecaster not enough sustain and a bit too "bright."
wide_right Posted March 8, 2010 Posted March 8, 2010 If you want something so fake, it doesn't even exist, try this Les Paul ad on for size: http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-has-information...=item414d9100dc
The Dean Posted March 8, 2010 Posted March 8, 2010 If you want something so fake, it doesn't even exist, try this Les Paul ad on for size: http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-has-information...=item414d9100dc I'm sure that's totally legit.
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