You Guitar guys!! I have a question.....

[73dodge]

I am going to buy my son a new electric guitar to replace his cheap wally world special, I promised to get him another better one if he improved with his lessons and practiced. He has a really crappy electric one now that we got at Walmart just to see if he liked playing and if he did not then we did not invest in a major purchase, so anyway it's out lived it's usefulness and he's gotten better and even his teacher is impressed with his ability to play, sorry couldn't help the fatherly pride thing.

k back to the topic at hand

So my questions is what would be a good guitar brand to get him to step up to I am looking to spend about 300 - 400 also looking at used guitars.

Is this reasonable? Should I go more or is that right with the money? What is a good brand to look for and what do you look for in a used guitar. I know there are areas to look out for with anything you buy used, like looking for rust in a Charger under the carpeting. But what about guitars. Do they appreciate in value?

Thanks for the help all you Jimi Hendrix clones

[73chgrSE]

Only the really collectable and expensive ones appreciate in value like Gibson Les Pauls or Fender USA strats. "Epihone" is a brand owned by Gibson that sells for under $500 for many models. Also Fenders lower line is called Fender "Squire" and they are nice too. Ibanez is another brand that you will see alot of used ones out there. They aren't bad and are usually alittle less $$ than the other two. If possible let you son play the guitar in the store to see if it is OK and feels good to him. Everyone has a different feel for the instrument and Fenders have very thick necks. Ibanez necks are typically thinner but sometimes easier for smaller hands. Hope that was helpful.

[ChargerBill]

Personally I have seen used USA Strats and Strat customs go for around $400 to $600 on ebay....pretty nice ones too. Keep in mind that a  lot of these guitars went for 2 to 3 times this price when new, so they are good quality instruments (most of them if they were mainbtained well) In all honesty I would look at a good used Strat first and buy from an seller with a high rating and a good track record. My buddy has sold around 40 guitars on there and has a very high rating, so if you want something in particular let me know.

[Ponch ®]

I agree...Epiphone or Fender are the way to go.

[Brock Samson]

  Good advice from these guys up above...
But I have a couple questions...
How old is your son, and what does he like, he must have a preference... a kid who listens to Steve Vai, or Zakk Wilde or other shedders isn't gonna go for a big honkin hollow body Gibson no matter how good it sounds... 
However if you son likes Jazz players like Joe Pass or John Scofield no little, skinny light stringed no sustain plank of wood is gonna do...   
Usually theres two camps the gibson Les Paul and E-335 Guys and the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster guys..
There's tons of fender stratocaters out there and copies and various varyations on their design such as the Ibenez,...
  The Epiphone is a nice guitar too,  i'd recommend either,.. but let your son decide, let him play as many as he wants but i suggest you plug in the finalists and see if they humm have any rude noises when handeled,.. also look at things like how smooth the overall product is, the edges of the neck and pickguards and such, look at a couple fine guitars $1,000-2,000 in price to compare these details,..
Some guitars wont tune well, they will be out a alittle bit at a particualr point or will have flat or dead spots. or the pickups are weak when going for tone either warm or bright...
Some fine guitars end up in pawnshops and they are kept behind the counter...
put a few hundreds on the counter and you can get a real fine bson or vintage Fender...
sometimes the metal is the difference because you might pay for a nice lookin flashy paint job and come to find out after he plays and gets it alittle sweaty, the bridge or tuners and even worse the electronics are pot metal and snap off... or corrode,.. no,..  not a happy situation..
ewwwww.... 
You should be able to get a GREAT guitar for 400 bucks but your gonna have to invest some amount of investigation.
It could be a great amount of fun for your son too... 

[JimShine]

I would suggest a Mexico made Fender. The bodies and necks are cut in Corona California along with the other mass production USA Fenders. The difference is the bodies and necks are sent to Mexico for final shaping, fretting, painting and assembly. Much of the hardware is usually imported stuff made by Ping on the Mexico models, but there are nicer models with better parts and pickups. I would go for a middle grade Mexico model. Steer clear of the USA "Highway" series if you are looking for value. The guitars start out much like the regular Mexico models, they are shaped here, sent to Mexico for the labor intensive stuff, sent back to the USA for a cheap single stage finish, assembled (with import parts) and fret dressed in the USA to technically get the "Made in USA" branding on the headstocks. You can find similar quality guitars with the Mexico label for less.

[Ponch ®]

  Good advice from these guys up above...
But I have a couple questions...
How old is your son, and what does he like, he must have a preference... a kid who listens to Steve Vai, or Zakk Wilde or other shedders isn't gonna go for a big honkin hollow body Gibson no matter how good it sounds... 
However if you son likes Jazz players like Joe Pass or John Scofield no little, skinny light stringed no sustain plank of wood is gonna do...   
Usually theres two camps the gibson Les Paul and E-335 Guys and the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster guys..
There's tons of fender stratocaters out there and copies and various varyations on their design such as the Ibenez,...
  The Epiphone is a nice guitar too,  i'd recommend either,.. but let your son decide, let him play as many as he wants but i suggest you plug in the finalists and see if they humm have any rude noises when handeled,.. also look at things like how smooth the overall product is, the edges of the neck and pickguards and such, look at a couple fine guitars $1,000-2,000 in price to compare these details,..
Some guitars wont tune well, they will be out a alittle bit at a particualr point or will have flat or dead spots. or the pickups are weak when going for tone either warm or bright...
Some fine guitars end up in pawnshops and they are kept behind the counter...
put a few hundreds on the counter and you can get a real fine bson or vintage Fender...
sometimes the metal is the difference because you might pay for a nice lookin flashy paint job and come to find out after he plays and gets it alittle sweaty, the bridge or tuners and even worse the electronics are pot metal and snap off... or corrode,.. no,..  not a happy situation..
ewwwww.... 
You should be able to get a GREAT guitar for 400 bucks but your gonna have to invest some amount of investigation.
It could be a great amount of fun for your son too... 

that's a pretty sweet axe, Brock. I need to put together my first guitar (an uknown brand Korean Strat Copy) again. I took it apart a few years ago when I broke the neck  - the body has been under my bed since and the hardware in Ziploc bags. Yeah, I could probably buy me a new Squier with what its gonna cost me to rebuilt it, but this one has sentimental value and that awesome screechy metallic sound you can only get from a cheap single coil pickup.

[73dodge]

Thanks for the replies guys, I don't think I am going to buy anything from Ebay because I don't know enough about Guitars to bid wisely.

As for his style he really does not have one at least that I know of, he's still pretty green but I am hoping that getting him a better guitar will help him get more involved in playing and start looking at what style he likes. Personnally I am a Stevie Ray Vaughn fan but that's me.

So Ponch Epiphone or Fender eh I like Fender personally I guess because of name recognition but I will be looking this weekend and I'll be posting on this thread when I find something and want you guys to give me an opnion of what you think.

Thanks again for the advice

[Brock Samson]

 heres my first fender,..
a good guitar will improve your playing by a quantum leap...
this is a '1974 three bolt neck flexi flyer,..modded... a few times.. 
i paid 420 bucks for it back in '75... i have light strings on her.

[Ponch ®]

Thanks for the replies guys, I don't think I am going to buy anything from Ebay because I don't know enough about Guitars to bid wisely.

As for his style he really does not have one at least that I know of, he's still pretty green but I am hoping that getting him a better guitar will help him get more involved in playing and start looking at what style he likes. Personnally I am a Stevie Ray Vaughn fan but that's me.

So Ponch Epiphone or Fender eh I like Fender personally I guess because of name recognition but I will be looking this weekend and I'll be posting on this thread when I find something and want you guys to give me an opnion of what you think.

Thanks again for the advice

Epiphones are 'economy' Gibsons. I own an Epiphone Les Paul and it plays and feels just as well as my buddy's Gibson. You can pick one of for just about $400 too.

Whatever you do though, stay away from "store" brand guitars like Sam Ash's Carlo Robelli. Theyre junk.

[Brock Samson]

yup,..

But the pickups on a Gibson are gonna be about 8-10% warmer though...
my GF got me this gibson model on the left for my B-day... two years ago...


personally for a beginner I suggest the Epiphone,.. Strat's are more comfortable to play,.. but,
a hollow body gibson copy can be heard without being plugged in.
...just something to think about... 

[Brock Samson]

hey any of you cats into Jean Paul Bourelly?..

[JimShine]

Not all Gibson pickups are warmer. Get into ceramic magnet and higher output models like the 500T and they have a scooped tone with accentuated highs and lows, but lacking mids (warmth). Or the 496R which is a bright humbucker. For warmth you need a 57 Classic style or a alnico magnet model like 498T.

[Ghoste]

I had a Les Paul with the 498T and hated them.  Too bright for me (on a Gibson anyway).  The Paul I have now has Burstbuckers in it and those are a nice traditional Les Paul sounding pickup (to my ears).

[73dodge]

Not all Gibson pickups are warmer. Get into ceramic magnet and higher output models like the 500T and they have a scooped tone with accentuated highs and lows, but lacking mids (warmth). Or the 496R which is a bright humbucker. For warmth you need a 57 Classic style or a alnico magnet model like 498T.

Uh yea what ever you said sounded ok......................

[Ponch ®]

Not all Gibson pickups are warmer. Get into ceramic magnet and higher output models like the 500T and they have a scooped tone with accentuated highs and lows, but lacking mids (warmth). Or the 496R which is a bright humbucker. For warmth you need a 57 Classic style or a alnico magnet model like 498T.

I have the Alnico II pro on the bridge. I got it 'cause I found out that's what Slash uses. And I still suck. 

[JimShine]

I had a Les Paul with the 498T and hated them.  Too bright for me (on a Gibson anyway).  The Paul I have now has Burstbuckers in it and those are a nice traditional Les Paul sounding pickup (to my ears).

Maybe it was wired in series or tapped?

I use Alnico styles, but by Seymour Duncan in the early-mid-80's. I am not a fan of Gibson pickups made over the past 20 years.

[69CoronetRT]

Only the really collectable and expensive ones appreciate in value like Gibson Les Pauls or Fender USA strats. "Epihone" is a brand owned by Gibson that sells for under $500 for many models. Also Fenders lower line is called Fender "Squire" and they are nice too. Ibanez is another brand that you will see alot of used ones out there. They aren't bad and are usually alittle less $$ than the other two. If possible let you son play the guitar in the store to see if it is OK and feels good to him. Everyone has a different feel for the instrument and Fenders have very thick necks. Ibanez necks are typically thinner but sometimes easier for smaller hands. Hope that was helpful.

Agree. For the money, the Mexican Fenders are a great bargain as well as used Epiphone 'Gibson's'. Good used ones can be picked up all day in that price range. Let him play them and see which ones fit HIM and his style best. All guitars feel different to different people.

[chrisII]

ok, im a bass player and a sound an light tech (so i do have a clue hear altho i dont play 6 string) im guessing your son is young and into the "rock star"  or "pop star" idea (prob rock star if dad likes SRV). so I would say get him a strat (or quality copy) that he is comfortable playing. if he is playing a POS from walmart now even a real strat with its larger neck if set up well will play MUCH easyer than a cheap guitar. poorly intonated guitars will mess up his sence of pitch for the notes also, so get him off the POS soon!  there is nothing wrong with the hollow body guitars from gibson other than that the bodys are bulky, and to a youngster they probly look as dorky as they do to me. if he thinks its dorky (an he might not say so) he will loose interest in it. also if he wants to be a rock star and you dont let him play through an amp he will get bored. yes there will be times when you have to ask that he turn down, but realise that not leting him crank it up sometimes will stifle his desire. now being a kid and not a pro playing out on a reg bassis, he doesnt nead fancy pickups yet, just a solid body , decent hardware, and a straight neck. you can buy him a heck of a good guitar for his neads for the money your willing to spend.
       our guitar player had a fender "showmaster" for a while he loved the guitar but had problems keeping it from going out of tune during a set due to the "floating trem" but they are a well made guitar (neck through body) with decent hardware. new they are in the $600 range but a used one would be a good choice with lots of bells and whistles to keep a young mind occupied.

[JimShine]

I am a guitar tech and earn my living on repairing, setting up and even selling guitars. Been doing it more than half of my life.

I suggest decent pickups and hardware to any kid that has made it past the experimental stage of a cheap guitar. Why? Inferior components interfere with learning. A properly setup guitar with decent (not top shelf mind you) components lets the kid learn on a functional guitar rather then spend most of his time tweaking things to make it perform right. Get the kid to learn how to properly string and setup the guitar (floating trems are maintanable if one learns how to use them correctly). The key is to get the guitar to perform and sound decent after restriung with minimal adjustments needed inbetween restrings. The trick is finding the best equipped hardware guitar for the money. I do not care for the hardware on most sub-$400 Epiphone guitars. But that is a personal thought. I know I end up changing lots of tuners and pickups on those guitars. There are low end Mexico Fenders as well with crap hardware. You will know the good stuff from the bad when you see it. There are other brands out there that are in the same price range with better hardware already on the guitars. Some of the Schecters are nice for the money. Mid line and above Fender mexico models and higher end Epiphone models too.  I would go to a big chain outlet and really look at some models before making a choice.

I mentioned the humbucker deal above because it isa  common misnomer that all humbuckers are warmer than single coils. It isn't always true.

[Ponch ®]

I am a guitar tech and earn my living on repairing, setting up and even selling guitars. Been doing it more than half of my life.

I suggest decent pickups and hardware to any kid that has made it past the experimental stage of a cheap guitar. Why? Inferior components interfere with learning. A properly setup guitar with decent (not top shelf mind you) components lets the kid learn on a functional guitar rather then spend most of his time tweaking things to make it perform right. Get the kid to learn how to properly string and setup the guitar (floating trems are maintanable if one learns how to use them correctly). The key is to get the guitar to perform and sound decent after restriung with minimal adjustments needed inbetween restrings. The trick is finding the best equipped hardware guitar for the money. I do not care for the hardware on most sub-$400 Epiphone guitars. But that is a personal thought. I know I end up changing lots of tuners and pickups on those guitars. There are low end Mexico Fenders as well with crap hardware. You will know the good stuff from the bad when you see it. There are other brands out there that are in the same price range with better hardware already on the guitars. Some of the Schecters are nice for the money. Mid line and above Fender mexico models and higher end Epiphone models too.  I would go to a big chain outlet and really look at some models before making a choice.

I mentioned the humbucker deal above because it isa  common misnomer that all humbuckers are warmer than single coils. It isn't always true.

i need to set up a mexican tele that im lending to a friend. Im having trouble adjusting the height and tension of the bridge(s) (im not sure if thats the term...i mean adjusting the screw behind the bridge that moves it back and forward - each string has one). any tips?

[Ghoste]

I've often told people to buy as much guitar as they can and to pay close attention to what the kid wants.  It needs to be a qulaity instrument for the reasons Jim mentions plus, a better playing and sounding guitar will encourage them to keep at it.  And, if they don't decide to stay with it, you have a better chance of reselling a better guitar.  As for the kids wants, well, the cool factor has to be there too.  No 13 year old boy will want to get a piece of junk out to show his pals what he's learned if they laugh at him because it isn't cool.
It's a delicate compromise really.

Oh, and Jim, my LP with the 498's was a Classic 60.  As far as I know it was wired stock but I did buy it used so...

[dodgecharger-fan]

73,  I picked up a guitar/amp/bag/cord/string/picks package deal at a place around the corner from HQ.

It's not a package deal in a box, though. The store did their own bundling after I told them what I was looking for.

It was meant for my daughter and she did take lessons, but never played at all in between.
So, now, it's basically mine. (Good thing I picked a blue finish.)

It's a Peavey Raptor Plus EXP guitar with a Peavey Rage 158 amp (small practice amp that's perfect in the house. )

I didn't expect a LOT out of this setup, but, darn it, it turned out to be pretty good. Her instructor even commented on how well the guitar played and sounded.

I've added a Zoom 707II to give me that "ready to tour" sound and to generally add some fun to my "noise-making" sessions.

[Ponch ®]

I've added a Zoom 707II to give me that "ready to tour" sound and to generally add some fun to my "noise-making" sessions.

how do you like it? I've had a 505 and a 1010 and I thought the effects sounded 'fake'. I finally picked up a couple of Danelectro pedals (flanger and chorus), and I thought they sounded pretty good. 

[JimShine]

"i need to set up a mexican tele that im lending to a friend. Im having trouble adjusting the height and tension of the bridge(s) (im not sure if thats the term...i mean adjusting the screw behind the bridge that moves it back and forward - each string has one). any tips?"

Moving the saddle back and forth is to adjust intonation. It has nothing to do with feel. Mess with them and not know what you are doing and the guitar will not play in tune. The up and down adjusters are to adjust the action. No tips there except adjust where you want, retune, then fret the string all the way up and be sure there is no buzzing.

[Charger1970]

I am a guitar tech and earn my living on repairing, setting up and even selling guitars.

Hey Jim,
I'm hot rodding a P-bass and want to install an active EQ. (I've already installed a Seymore Duncan Quarter Pounder.) Where do you suggest I could look at some onboard EQ's? Thanks.

Doug the bass player

[JimShine]

I am not really up on basses. My spacialty is actually vintage guitars. But I have installed some EMG EQ's in the past. Ofcourse they were with full EMG pickup rigs. Note sure what the options are . Does Seymour make a EQ setup?

[Ponch ®]

"i need to set up a mexican tele that im lending to a friend. Im having trouble adjusting the height and tension of the bridge(s) (im not sure if thats the term...i mean adjusting the screw behind the bridge that moves it back and forward - each string has one). any tips?"

Moving the saddle back and forth is to adjust intonation. It has nothing to do with feel. Mess with them and not know what you are doing and the guitar will not play in tune. The up and down adjusters are to adjust the action. No tips there except adjust where you want, retune, then fret the string all the way up and be sure there is no buzzing.

thanks...I wouldnt touch them, except theyre already messed up. Im thinking about grabbing my tuner and then adjust them until I hit the same note with the open string and then on the 12th fret. Does altering the action after that affect the intonation?

[73dodge]

73,  I picked up a guitar/amp/bag/cord/string/picks package deal at a place around the corner from HQ.

It's not a package deal in a box, though. The store did their own bundling after I told them what I was looking for.

It was meant for my daughter and she did take lessons, but never played at all in between.
So, now, it's basically mine. (Good thing I picked a blue finish.)

It's a Peavey Raptor Plus EXP guitar with a Peavey Rage 158 amp (small practice amp that's perfect in the house. )

I didn't expect a LOT out of this setup, but, darn it, it turned out to be pretty good. Her instructor even commented on how well the guitar played and sounded.

I've added a Zoom 707II to give me that "ready to tour" sound and to generally add some fun to my "noise-making" sessions.

DCfan

How much was your setup?  this sounds like something I would be interested in if the $$ was good? In real money not that funny canadian money lol j/k


Hey man did you get your new company car??

What a bummer you are not allowed to get the HEMI or the SRT 8 option??  just the measly little 2.7L
What does it look like parked next a real Charger?

[dodgecharger-fan]

About $450 in our funny munny. So, with the exchange rate the way it is now, about $400 in US.


Not yet on the car, I've been working from home a lot this year and haven't been racking up the kms on the Ferd Tortoise.
I'm only at 76,000 Kms. Although December should be the end of the third year. So, maybe then. I did hear that they were just going by mileage now instead of 3 years or 90K which ever comes first... Sigh.. They just better not change the program again before I get mine.

Yeah, it sucks that they don't allow us to purchase upgrades anymore. I did it with my Intrepid and I really miss that car. I should have bought it out at the end of the lease. 

As for ever parking it next to the real Charger. Some day, I hope. Right now there's no room in the garage. 
But I'm working on it. This past weekend, I was actually able to close the lid on my tool chest. First time in 2 years. 
I scored a good deal on some resin cabinets at Home Desperate. that's helping cleaning things up nicely.

[73dodge]

I was in Key West last week working with MM the SE out of Tampa and he has a new Charger nice car, oops can't say that here. I mean it sucked big time ,any way no guts with the 2.7 he stomped on it a few times and off the line, nothing. Once you get cruising and hit it it has some gitty up and go but you can't do that much in Key West any way since it is only like three miles across and 4 miles long. Nice color combo tho apparently that's the only choice you get for the car.

My advice get it, and trade it in right away for the HEMI......   

[JimShine]

"i need to set up a mexican tele that im lending to a friend. Im having trouble adjusting the height and tension of the bridge(s) (im not sure if thats the term...i mean adjusting the screw behind the bridge that moves it back and forward - each string has one). any tips?"

Moving the saddle back and forth is to adjust intonation. It has nothing to do with feel. Mess with them and not know what you are doing and the guitar will not play in tune. The up and down adjusters are to adjust the action. No tips there except adjust where you want, retune, then fret the string all the way up and be sure there is no buzzing.

thanks...I wouldnt touch them, except theyre already messed up. Im thinking about grabbing my tuner and then adjust them until I hit the same note with the open string and then on the 12th fret. Does altering the action after that affect the intonation?

You have the concept down for intonation adjustment. It may take lots of adjusting, but you can get it. No, raising the saddles should not mess with intonation. Changing string guage does though.

For the intonation, here is how to get started using the Fender factory method. Measure from the bearing edge of the nut to the middle of the 12th fret. Then take that measure ment and shift it up to the 12th fret. Place the saddles at the same measurement line (it will be around 12 3/4"). Find out what guage strings you have. Start at the A string saddle. Take the string diameter size and adjust the saddle back that amount from the D string. Then move onto the low E and adjust that one back the equivalent of that strings diameter. Then move up to the B saddle, do the same as the last two. In the end they will have a stepped down appearance. That will be the factory default starting point

[dodgecharger-fan]

I was in Key West last week working with MM the SE out of Tampa and he has a new Charger nice car, oops can't say that here. I mean it sucked big time ,any way no guts with the 2.7 he stomped on it a few times and off the line, nothing. Once you get cruising and hit it it has some gitty up and go but you can't do that much in Key West any way since it is only like three miles across and 4 miles long. Nice color combo tho apparently that's the only choice you get for the car.

My advice get it, and trade it in right away for the HEMI......   

One of the sales monkies here in Brampton got one in Blue. Is that the color combo?


Key West, huh? Nice gig.

[is_it_EVER_done?]

73dodge,  Don't fret (no pun intended) over which is best, holds it's value better, or if any one guitar is going to be the absolute perfect one for your son.

Let him (your son) be the judge of what he likes best, as every guitar is going to be different, play different, and sound different from even an identical model. Plus name brands are not necessarily better than their economy lines - i.e. Gibson = Epephone, Fender = Squire, Takamine = Jasmine, etc. I guarantee you that if he has the musical "gene", that he will own a long list of guitars over the coming years.

I absolutely agree with you to upgrade now that he has shown an interest in playing, as a poor quality instrument can inhibit the learning curve, but understand that his playing preferences and style will change as fast as his improvement does, and if he pursues, he will have a around a dozen instruments over the next few years.

My advice is to educate yourself on what problems to look for, such as humming pickups, straight neck (an eyeball down the length is the best measurement), loose "buzzing" frets, poor quality "loose" tuners, and the all important "ACTION" of the guitar. Pickups/strings can (and will) get changed over time, but the "Action" shouldn't.

Even if you can't play a lick, if you just finger the strings like an air guitar, you will notice that some instruments are like silk, while others feel stiff or "just not right". Your son should be able to recognize this intuitively, however some young kids get sucked into appearance over action, so you should at least have a working knowledge of this. My suggestion is to ask his guitar teacher to give you a crash course in instrument qualities.

Each and every guitar is going to be different, In fact I don't know of anything that is as "personal" as the right guitar, and there is no way you (or anyone else) can pick out what your son likes. Neck thicknesses, tapers, radiuses, fret board materials, etc., will affect the action and sound. Also the density and grain of that particular piece of wood, plus the body material/density, method of attachment, and size and shape will affect sound and sustain even if you have two instruments that are "appearance wise" indistinguishable from each other. It's actually much more complex that that, and that is why there is NO best brand, model, or country of production.

I myself prefer a used instrument that is at least three or more years old that comes from your immediate area. The reason for is that it is seasoned to your specific environment (temperature/humidity) and won't change over time. I don't care if you could buy Jimmy Page's personal guitar. By the time it settles into your environment (from the English cold and damp), it will need major work, or may not even be playable. That's why a new unit from a dissimilar environment is not usually a good choice (my opinion). Plus a used guitar has generally "burned in" the electrical/electronic components so you won't get any changes in those. -- Again I stress that this just my opinion, let your son decide!!!

In any event, I applaud that you are supportive of your sons musical interests (I finally talked my parents into one, and ended up with a "gift" "classical" guitar, and I can promise that you can't play Black Sabbath on a Goya . Even though I continued on from there, my own son never had much interest, so I envy your opportunity and situation. Make the best of it! – Just remember that your job is to provide an instrument that will not be a limiting factor and not the "perfect instrument". - Jimmy Hendrix bought his guitar out of a pawn shop for about $20.00 bucks, Hank Williams learned on a $2.00 used guitar, and Stevie Ray Vaughn learned by sneaking his brothers guitar and playing without an amplifier, so if you provide a decent instrument, you have done pretty much all you can do.

[Ghoste]

There you go.  What he said.

[69charger383]

Epihone or Jay Turser

[mopar_madman]

One not mentioned was the economy brand of paul reed smith, (se i think) I worked in a music store for a while, also do guitar tech and have been playing for 27 years. I was more impressed with them then the lower  line fenders and BC riches. Hamer also makes a good guitar for a lower price. also got a web site called harmony central they have user reviews on all instruments and gear. Take him in and find him something he will like and be comfortable with, have it set up properly (the store should do it for free when you buy ) Stay away from ebay or mail order cause you don't always know what your getting and this way he can feel it and see how it fits him. As much as i hate the store you might want to go to guitar center they have a 30 day return policy if he's not happy (just a thought, I personaly prefer a mom and pop place) Where are you located? maybe someone from the board that plays can help pick one out. Good Luck.

[JimShine]

'low line' PRS guitars are imported and made by factories that produce guitars under many other names. It is best to shop those around as you can find the same quality for a better price due just because one name fetches more than the other.

[Brock Samson]

 yeah i have a PRS and for a factory built guitar the finish and tolerances are pretty damn good,.. the neck is a nice slick piece of work very accurate with a great overall tone and sustain.

so has any purchase or decision been made?..

[moparsons]

I like an Ibanez or a Jackson.

[69charger383]

I like an Ibanez or a Jackson.

The Jackson Randy Rhoads V!!!!!

[Ponch ®]

"i need to set up a mexican tele that im lending to a friend. Im having trouble adjusting the height and tension of the bridge(s) (im not sure if thats the term...i mean adjusting the screw behind the bridge that moves it back and forward - each string has one). any tips?"

Moving the saddle back and forth is to adjust intonation. It has nothing to do with feel. Mess with them and not know what you are doing and the guitar will not play in tune. The up and down adjusters are to adjust the action. No tips there except adjust where you want, retune, then fret the string all the way up and be sure there is no buzzing.

thanks...I wouldnt touch them, except theyre already messed up. Im thinking about grabbing my tuner and then adjust them until I hit the same note with the open string and then on the 12th fret. Does altering the action after that affect the intonation?

You have the concept down for intonation adjustment. It may take lots of adjusting, but you can get it. No, raising the saddles should not mess with intonation. Changing string guage does though.

For the intonation, here is how to get started using the Fender factory method. Measure from the bearing edge of the nut to the middle of the 12th fret. Then take that measure ment and shift it up to the 12th fret. Place the saddles at the same measurement line (it will be around 12 3/4"). Find out what guage strings you have. Start at the A string saddle. Take the string diameter size and adjust the saddle back that amount from the D string. Then move onto the low E and adjust that one back the equivalent of that strings diameter. Then move up to the B saddle, do the same as the last two. In the end they will have a stepped down appearance. That will be the factory default starting point

Ok...another question. The Tele is now officially gone, but I just got a new axe.

It needs new strings, but I want to go from the from the .10's it has now to the Ernie Ball .9's I always use. It has a stop tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge (Les Paul - style). I don't have to have take it in for a new set up, do I?

[Harlow]

I started out with a cheap "kay" brand guitar that I bought used. After playing that for about a year I noticed a nice mexico made strat at a yard sale. I picked that up with a decently sized fender practice amp for 30 bucks. I then got into effects pedals etc... so I could change my sound. A cool set I would suggest is "Guitar port". It comes with a port to plug your guitar into the computer. You then can search their online program and find lessons on how to play almost any famous song you want. You can also slow down the song (I used it for learning solos) to 1/2 speed, but not change pitch or notes...VERY cool. When you choose a song to learn it automatically sets up your digital amp to the exact specifications that the real song was recorded with...so you sound exactly the same. You also can choose to play the lead guitar part (the lead is edited out of the song) and you get to play the lead...VERY fun. Its an awesome program. It has a HUGE database of amps and effects to choose from if you just want to mess around and not play along with a song.

[69bronzeT5]

Well I perfer Jacksons but Im really wanting to get a Gibson LP. My Jackson RR3 cost $740CAD, my Jackson JS30 Warrior cost $320CAD and my Jackson JS1 Dinky cost me $220CAD

So a Jackson JS Series (Warrior, RR, Dinky, King V etc) would be a great next guitar!

Like here are my 2 JS Series guitars. 1st one (the Warrior- $320), 2nd one (the Dinky- $220) 3rd pic (all of my guitars----sorry I just had to add it in )

[Brock Samson]

Ponch just put the suckers on 

[Ponch ®]

Ponch just put the suckers on 

I used to do that, but now I'm a little more cautious. I just don't want to put the new strings on and then have it not stay in tune. If it needs a set-up, might as well do it now.

[Brock Samson]

they will go out easyier thinner strings do that perhaps the action can be lowered slightly approx a 20th of an inch... but with out the whammy of a strat screwin with stuff you should be fine, be aware your loose some heft in the sound and getya gerneral lee reedier sound and the bass will suffer as a result but you'll gain flexability in bending and some softness in feel,.. you might also raise the pickups height to get closer to the strings to gain back a bit 'o volume... oh and they'll break ezer too..  worth experamenting with though... it's only a ten minute swap of ya dont get distracted... teles are easy... i'[ve had two custom ones built... traded one for a PRS and a four ten Cab.
cause my gigging buddy coudn't live without my custom tele..  and then had another built and painted Mopar light blue for my GF who never plays it,..  prefering a cheap acoustic i bought from a homeless guy for five bucks,... the action on that thing is a full half inch off the fret board and the high E tuner is compleatly stripped... it's impossible to play ut she says it has "soul".... 

     
anyhow my blonde strat has 9s as does my les Paul.... very responsive that way,..  the LP is maybe too slinky... everything else  has the deadario meds "orange" sets...

[73dodge]

holy resurrected threads batman this one is old!

I did get my son a decent guitar to answer the original question

I got him a Fender Squire I got for 125.00 used. I know it's not the greatest guitar but the one it replaces it is infinitely better because the difference for my son was night and day and after he got his hands on better guitar he really started playing it and I don't have to yell at him to get him to practice.

He will go online and look up music and will practice the first few cords of the song until he gets it down in his head.

he does like SRV, AC/DC, Led Zepplin the police and even some kiss songs. So getting him a better guitar has had a good affect on him and he is enjoying playing the guitar.

He also has started to save his money to buy a decent BASS guitar because he is playing BASS for his youth group.

So thanks to all the guys who helped me out when I first posted this thread.

73

[Ponch ®]

they will go out easyier thinner strings do that perhaps the action can be lowered slightly approx a 20th of an inch... but with out the whammy of a strat screwin with stuff you should be fine, be aware your loose some heft in the sound and getya gerneral lee reedier sound and the bass will suffer as a result but you'll gain flexability in bending and some softness in feel,.. you might also raise the pickups height to get closer to the strings to gain back a bit 'o volume... oh and they'll break ezer too..  worth experamenting with though... it's only a ten minute swap of ya dont get distracted... teles are easy... i'[ve had two custom ones built... traded one for a PRS and a four ten Cab.
cause my gigging buddy coudn't live without my custom tele..  and then had another built and painted Mopar light blue for my GF who never plays it,..  prefering a cheap acoustic i bought from a homeless guy for five bucks,... the action on that thing is a full half inch off the fret board and the high E tuner is compleatly stripped... it's impossible to play ut she says it has "soul".... 

     
anyhow my blonde strat has 9s as does my les Paul.... very responsive that way,..  the LP is maybe too slinky... everything else  has the deadario meds "orange" sets...

I got the new guitar (which I will unveil later, as soon as i get around to taking some pics) from my brother. I traded him the Squier tele and my 100W Fender Performer Amp for it. I think I got the better end of the deal, but he didn't really like the guitar anyway. I'm gonna miss my Fender amp, but I could never even turn it up beyond "2" without every neighbor within a 2 block radius complaining that it was too loud - it's even more of a hassle now that I live in an apartment complex. For now I'm stuck with a 30W Marshall (no reverb!), which I guess is more than enough considering my current housing situation. I can always get another amp, but I felt this guitar was too good to pass on (he was about to sell it way, way too cheap).

Anyway...guess I'll stop by Sam Ash after work and pick up a set of 9 Super Slinkys, put 'em on,  and see how that goes. Hopefully I'll be jamming to some Budokan-era Cheap Trick tunes by tonight. 

BTW - I'm not worried about the sound loosing heft...that's why God (through Seth Lover) gave us humbuckers.

[tkkruzer]

I bought my son a fender squire, he still has it . he also has a gretch. he taught him self of the internet and now he and his brother, ( a drummer) are starting up a christian rock band, and even though i'm biased , they ROCK . music is the best thing you can gget kids into. both my boys were in band in school, and caried it on from there. you did well with the squire they are great beginners. look for a GUITAR CENTER in your area. they have the best prices on name brand instruments anywhere.  from one OLD MAN to another,,,,ROCK ON DUDE  TK

[Ponch ®]

I bought my son a fender squire, he still has it . he also has a gretch. he taught him self of the internet and now he and his brother, ( a drummer) are starting up a christian rock band, and even though i'm biased , they ROCK . music is the best thing you can gget kids into. both my boys were in band in school, and caried it on from there. you did well with the squire they are great beginners. look for a GUITAR CENTER in your area. they have the best prices on name brand instruments anywhere.  from one OLD MAN to another,,,,ROCK ON DUDE  TK

Good for your son...but @ Christian rock.

That's like a Prius with a gun turret.

[Brock Samson]

i dunno ponch check out King's X... I love them guys...  by the way, my latest forays in song writing have been putting Bible verses to music..

[R2]

This is a shot of some of mine,,,,,,I have a 81 Fender Strat,,,,i bought new,,,,,i put a floyd rose on it a long time ago,,,,,
I have been getting into Kramers lately,,,,, lot of guitar for the money,,,nice necks,,,,play like a Charvel,,,,,and be found for a few hundred bucks,,,,,,
I have had a Les Paul,,,,,,a Charvel,,,,,,and bunch of others,,,,,,,,,,,

[Ponch ®]

Without further ado....my new piece de resistance



Hamer Standard Custom (if anybody got my earlier Cheap Trick reference...)

[Brock Samson]

"PIECE OF RESISTANCE"?   

[Ghoste]

As long as he doesn't start to dress like Rick Neilson, just leave him alone.

[Ponch ®]

"PIECE OF RESISTANCE"?   

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%A8ce_de_r%C3%A9sistance

[tkkruzer]

yea christian rock !!!! basically we just kick up the beat on some praise and worship songs they really sound great. by the way if a prius came with a gun turet i'd buy one. kinda put an end to drive by's wouldn't it ?  LOL  have a good one guy's ... TK

[Nacho-RT74]

I would vote for a second step guitar a Yamaha Pacifica or Washburn...

Yamaha Pacifica is good enough even like e keeper one, not just a second step. However the BIG line on Yamaha about strings instrumemts are Basses ( top of line ones ) and Acoustic guitars, specially APX4 and 6 ( steel and nylon )

Washburn guitars are a little bit harder feel, but good enough to a profesional, depending on model.

[Ponch ®]

Yamaha Pacifica is good enough even like e keeper one, not just a second step. 

I have a Pacifica. Bought it a few months ago so I could have something laying around that I could just pick up whenever I felt like jamming (as opposed to having to go to my closet, dig through a bunch of stuff, get the case with the Les Paul, etc) and not worry too much about. It actually plays better than my other guitars, and I only paid $60 for it (used). The sound leaves something to be desired, even with the bridge humbucker pickup, but the playability is awesome.

[dodgecharger-fan]

That's exactly the reason why I have an Eterna Acoustic in my office..
Eterna is made by Yamaha but you can get them at all kinds of places including Costco (at one point anyway)

The sound is actually pretty decent as the body is large - they use the same body for 6 and 12 string guitars.

I read a lot of stuff on the PC - for work - and I always pick up the guitar and noodle while reading...