Help in choosing a guitar

I'm a newbie to guitartricks.com but I was hoping someone would help me out. ( I hope this is in the right forum). Just wondering if someone could give me advice with buying a new electric guitar on a somewhat fixed budget. What are some dependable names that won't break the bank too much?
Thanks in advance

This should be in the gear forum, but I won't hold it against you (besides the moderators will prolly move it, Knowing them).

First off what kind of music do ya like? There are some brands of guitars that are more suited towards certain genres of music. Also, how much money are you willing to pay?

Ibanez are pretty good guitars that you can get cheap, a lot of them play and/or sound like more expensive guitars. The solidbodies are suited for shred, metal, thrash, rock, etc....

Epiphone are pretty good also, they have that whole Gibsonny feel but they cost a lot less.

I don't like squires, but so many people start out with them, so I guess if your really low on cash you could go there.

Maybe some of the Mexican made Fenders would suit you, cuz they aren't too expensive, and have a high quality.

Answer the 2 questions I said up at the beginning, and I'll give you a little more insight.

Originally Posted by: The AceThis should be in the gear forum, but I won't hold it against you (besides the moderators will prolly move it, Knowing them).

Good call. And it's "probably", by the way.

Thanks Ace,
I like all kinds of music but I'm mostly into rock....not a big heavy metal fan. I just like messing around on the guitar playing stuff like Foghat, ZZ Top, Pearl Jam, etc....
I figure I got about $350 Canadian to spend.

You may want LATS to help you (I don't know how the Canadian currency works oppsed to American).

Anyway, Always test the guitar your looking at, unless your positively sure that one is for you. A great looking guitar isn't always a great guitar.

For your styles I would go for a Fender Standard Strat ($350 - US) or an Epiphone Les Paul Studio ($400 US), or LP-100 ($300 US)

Here's some links to them:

Les Paul Studio

LP-100

Standard Strat

Good Luck to ya! Right now I'm in a guitar search also.

$350 CAD = $260 USD, but that does not include the costs of buying from an American supplier (e.g. duties, customs and Cdn. sales taxes levied at the border).

Ouch... I'll have to look some more.

I got my Fender Strat (Made in Mexico) for $400 at Long & McQuade, but that doesn't include an amp.

You could probably get a Fender Squier Strat package (guitar, strap, tuner, amp, patch cord, picks, video) for about that much, too.

I'd try to stretch the budget a bit, though. And don't be ashamed to check ebay or garage sales, etc.

Also, you should determine what "type" of guitar you prefer before you jump in. For example, do you like the Strat, LP, SG, Explorer style guitar? You can get the real thing for each, or a cheaper knock-off, which in some cases (e.g. LP-style guitars) are actually better than the real thing!

Let us know after you've done some research (on this forum, with Google, at harmony-central.com's user reviews section, on internet music store sites, ebay) and we'll give you our opinions on each selection. Actually, harmony-central's user reviews are pretty good, too, for giving you a general feel for the quality of an instrument.

Wow, I've never seen the gearish side of you eggman, I'm quite impressed!

Originally Posted by: The AceWow, I've never seen the gearish side of you eggman, I'm quite impressed!

Hmmm... I've always been a gearhead... it's just sometimes easier to let others answer the SAME STINKIN' QUESTIONS OVER AND OVER... just kidding. Well, maybe not 100%.

Anyways, at one point I aspired to be the moderator of the Gear section. I got Tone & Effects instead, since LATS is the definitive gearman, and I have absolutely NO pretenses of being anywhere near his level of experience or knowledge!

I do, however, love new gadgets and such.

Great...thanks for all the info guys. I'm a big fan of the Les Paul style of guitar, and I definitely keep my eyes open for deals in the classifieds or garage sales. Unless i play it and get a feel for it, I can't tell if it's crap or not just by the looking at the name. You guys, however, probably know if something is a good knock-off or a bad knock-off by the name. Thanks again.
Here's a few I saw on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3740443214&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3741176408&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=47072&item=3740577764&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3740937805&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

[font=trebuchet ms]CDN$350 = pawnshops and the used instrument racks at the local music stores. Unless you live close enough to the seller that you can pick up the axe you bid on, the shipping cost is gonna blow your budget. Keep lookin' - keep savin'.[/font]

Give samick guitars a go. I havent got one my self but the consenous is there cheap...

thanks guys.....what do you think of "vantage" guitars? i know a guy who is selling a used vantage LP copy