DU Electric Guitarists, I have a question

[Burma Jones]

What's your recommendation for an electric guitar, new, $250 max?

I've heard good things about Jay Turser and Dean guitars.....What do you say?

[Burma Jones]

1. Must be too early.........

[hobbit709]

8. The only musicians up at 7AM are still up from last night.

[SacredCow]

2. There are a lot of options out there.....

I don't know much of anything about Turser, but I bought a SUPER cheap Dean Avalanche to be used as a stage prop. After taking delivery of it, I was pretty impressed by what it offered for a guitar that was well under $200 (I got it for under $100 on eBay). As good as my Strat? Certainly not. But it was a greatly superior guitar to my very first electric (A Peavy Predator).

Check out GuitarCenter.com and you'll see that there are a great deal of sub $250 guitars to choose from. Dean, Epiphone (low end Gibson), Squier (low end Fender), Yamaha, and some others. They're all OK to learn on, if that's what you're looking for.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Make sure to go somewhere where you can play it first.

The music store clerks will more than likely be arrogant pricks who think they know a lot more than they do and they'll treat you like a war criminal for not having a breadth of knowledge that someone with a Ph.D. in guitar terminology has, so you'll have to put up with that, but otherwise you do need to go to a music store and play the thing.

And then, the guitar you should pick is the one that feels comfortable, has a sound you like, and is at least made well enough that it won't constantly slip out of tune or warp at the first sign of humidity.

There are some pretty good guitar box-deals out there in the $200-300 range that have the guitar, a small amp, a strap, a pic, and maybe a few other things depending on the box.

And different music stores will carry different instruments, so even if people recommend some specific brands here, you might not be able to find them where you are, but will have some other good ones to choose from.

[DarkTirade]

4. I bought a Dean a few years back, haven't felt the need to buy another since.

:)

[Iggo]

5. Go to Guitar Center, and bring a guitar player with you.

Lacking that, go to a hole-in-the-wall store, the kind that offers lessons. They're less apt to give you shit for not being able to play, since that's how they pay the rent.

EDITED TO ADD: Remember, though, you don't have to buy the first one you see. And it's okay to walk away and come back later.

[old mark]

6. I bought a Jay Turser on eBay, and I recommend them highly.

In fact I wrote a review on it online.

I bought one of the SG styles (JT50) and it is a really good instrument.
Look up the eBay store Strings and Things - he sells blemished Jay Turser guitars with minor imperfections such as finish dings for very little. Mine was an overstock, brand new in the factory wrap/box for $165. He ships free most of the time.
I recommend Turser guitars highly-I have been playing for aboput 45 years and have owned several (real) Les Pauls, Gretsch Chet's, etc. The JT50 I own is as good as some I have owned and played for 4 times the money.

I have seen some very nice Deans, but the less expensive ones are not so good.

Good luck, and enjoy yourself whatever you decide on.

mark

ADDED: I used to work for a "hole in the wall" music store, for a guy I used to respect till I worked there - I'd never give one of those places another dime.)

[Burma Jones]

7. So, we went out today, both to Guitar Center and the local "hole in the wall"

and my son played about 15 guitars. We ended up at Victor Litz, a local store, where the Manager is an old acquaintance of mine - we used to play together, he Guitar, me Trumpet, so my son and I received the non-arrogant treatment and he had taken Drum lessons there some time back as we were exposing the kids to a lot of different instruments....so, a good shopping experience - better than the Guitar Center in Rockville (although, they were grilling chicken outside, and it smelled damned good). For those of you familiar with the DC area music scene, I skipped Chuck Levin's because I wasn't spending a grand on an axe......

Anyway, I bought him a very nice Turser Les Paul knockoff for $149.00, it has a small chip on the back......He still has his single coil Behringer, so, I suppose I can replace the tuners so it stays in tune, but he likes the sound of the humbuckers....for now.....

Thanks very much for all the responses.....

[old mark]

9. Put decent strings on that LP copy - Ernie Ball 10's - and get the the stretch out of them.

I have never had any problem with the tuners - but the factory strings - on nearly every new guitar - are terrible.
This is true even on "real" Les Pauls.

FWIW, that guitar lists for around $275.

Enjoy it.

mark

[DarkTirade]

15. Personally, I've always preferred the humbucker sound to the single coil

but its just a matter of preference.

[WV_Biker]

10. Rondo Music

http://www.rondomusic.com/

[guitar man]

11. I played a Squier tele the other day

that was in that price range and it wasn't too bad. Just be sure to play a lot of them if you go looking, the quality of them is inconsistent so you may have to hunt for the best of the lot.

[Zorra]

12. Consider paying more and getttng a better grade used guitar in good shape,

IMO, you get much better tone and all around playability from a higher quality instrument.

[MrSlayer]

13. Can you play? Or is this a starter guitar?

If you can play I'd suggest going for a higher end model, a Jackson or ESP. You're cheating yourself otherwise. If you're just starting out there are plenty of good deals at guitarcenter.com or music123.com.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Solid-Body-Electric-Electric-Guitar,200-300.gc

Here's a nice starter package from 123.

http://www.music123.com/Ibanez-IJX40-Electric-Guitar-Jumpstart-Package-518876-i1168525.Music123

[ProfessorGAC]

14. PLAY THEM!!!!

Even if you get a better price on line, go to a big store and play some.

Check the finishes. Make sure they can be easily "set up". Listen to the electronics. That way you won't buy a guitar and then immediately think "That's not what i wanted to hear it sound like" and start having to think new pickups.

Feel the neck. Even if you're not an accomplished player, just do what you can do and make sure the shape and size of the neck feels comfortable to your hand. If you are an accomplished player, you'll know exactly what i'm talking about.

Play one sitting down. Play one standing up.

Then if you really like it, go ahead and make the final decision on price.

But, unless you're like my friends and i (we know how to do nearly every adjustment on guitars), you should get one that feels good and sounds like you want before you buy. Buying on line can be hazardous to one's real desires.

Now, finally answering the question: Tursers play really easy. Dean's are VERY flat neck guitars. Not my thing, so i'm biased against them. And, i hate their headstock shapes.

Don't be afraid to do price comparison on Mexican Fenders. You should be able to at least approach that price number with their stuff.

Also, don't be afraid to look at Samick. They're not the kind of guitar that you buy to do live work for 10 years, but if you're looking for a decent playing guitar that is solidly built, has a finish that clearly was a concern, at least look into it. They're quite a bargain. (No, i don't have one. I'm an Ibanez, Fender and Shecter guy. All long scale, all tight radius. But, i've played Samicks. Pretty darned good for the $.)

But, i'm going back to point one: Play them first. Then look for price.
GAC