Guitar Suggestion

Hi ,

I started playing guitar last year on my family accoustic and was hoping to try electric guitar

[br]I know nothing about specs, sound, performance, what to look for etc. because looking cool is what matters ;P JK.) . Obviously I understand that playability is more important .

[br]Aesthetically I have a soft spot for Les Pauls ,and after asking around I was recommended the Epiphone Les Paul standard 60’s or the Epiphone Les Paul Modern Faded. I was also suggested a fender stratocaster player hss pro top.

I tend to like alternative rock/indie, metal and classic rock. I hope am hoping to play select songs from the doors ,red hot chilli peppers, metallica, nirvana, joy division, queens of the stone age jimi hendrix, rolling stones, linkin park and foo fighters.

Also are there an amps or accessories (pedals, capos, cables, straps carry/gig case etc)you would recommend based on my music choice?

In terms of budget I would say for the guitar: £600-800 &[br]Amp: £150-250[br]any advice appreciated

My main complaint about Les Pauls is that they are not too ergonomic. They don't balance quite right on your lap, they're heavy, the angles are weird, and the body shape is not too comfortable when it's pressed against you. It was one of the first electric guitars (I think?), so the design problems are maybe not too surprising.

Once you play them all the time I'm sure it would be fine. But I'd go for something more modern and comfortable.

I always rave about my PRS SE-24. It was cheap and is super versatile for everything from metal to country.

-Carl.

Originally Posted by: Carl King

My main complaint about Les Pauls is that they are not too ergonomic. They don't balance quite right on your lap, they're heavy, the angles are weird, and the body shape is not too comfortable when it's pressed against you. It was one of the first electric guitars (I think?), so the design problems are maybe not too surprising.

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Blaspheemer!!!!!!! My first guitar was a 68 LP Deluxe and I've got a 2017 Gibson LP Trad Pro IV now....so I might me partial.

[quote=slittle_92]

Aesthetically I have a soft spot for Les Pauls ,and after asking around I was recommended the Epiphone Les Paul standard 60’s or the Epiphone Les Paul Modern Faded. I was also suggested a fender stratocaster player hss pro top.

I tend to like alternative rock/indie, metal and classic rock. I hope am hoping to play select songs from the doors ,red hot chilli peppers, metallica, nirvana, joy division, queens of the stone age jimi hendrix, rolling stones, linkin park and foo fighters.

Also are there an amps or accessories (pedals, capos, cables, straps carry/gig case etc)you would recommend based on my music choice?

In terms of budget I would say for the guitar: £600-800 & Amp: £150-250

Though my reponse to Carl was all in good humor, I do love a Les Paul and will probably always have one. I love the feel. This totally contradicts Carl's thoughts but it is about feel. Is the Les Paul the most ergonomic guitar? It's not but it does have a little bit of a mojo I can't totally describe.

However, tht ma not be your best choice as Les Paul's aren't exactly known for being adaptable to all styles.

With that in mind, my two suggestions are:

-PRS SE Custom 24 Electric Guitar with 85/15 pickups and you could get that for about £650.00

-Fender Player Stratocaster HSS which you could get for about £600.00

My thought behind them is that these will be very versitile and also great playing instruments. Both would probably be great fun to play and well made. The PRS has coil taps wheich means you can split the coils for a more single coil sound. Though the Fender humbucker does not split, it's also very versitile and truth be knowm, when you set the pickup switch bwetween the neck and middle pickup, that's the desirable spot anyway. Both guitars probably some with a gig bag.

Straps? I only go for the Planet Waves woven straps. Very, very comfortable.

Yeah! I don't mean to deny that some people will swear by their Les Pauls. Clearly it's a personal choice. I'm just making a generalized statement about the ergonomics and quirks about the mechanics of them. I think maybe people either love them or... kinda don't.

There are so many other comfortable guitar builds these days. As I am becoming an old man and various parts of my body are breaking, I have less tolerance for anything that adds a struggle. :)

-Carl.

Originally Posted by: Carl King

Yeah! I don't mean to deny that some people will swear by their Les Pauls. Clearly it's a personal choice. I'm just making a generalized statement about the ergonomics and quirks about the mechanics of them. I think maybe people either love them or... kinda don't.

There are so many other comfortable guitar builds these days. As I am becoming an old man and various parts of my body are breaking, I have less tolerance for anything that adds a struggle. :)

-Carl.

which is exactly why I sold mine. My first "good" guitar was a Les Paul and it was with a few tears made the decision that I couldn't tolerate playing mine any longer. My back could just not tolerate the weight.

I still wanted the humbucker growl and got that with my PRS Pauls. Without the weight.

@slittle_92, you outlined the type of music you like AND you have a budget in mind. You are further along (more organized) than many that start shopping. You have a self-described "soft spot" for Les Pauls and the Epiphone line is an economical way of pursuing that.

But you also mentioned Hendrix and a couple other Strat players so at some point you are going to potentially want that sound. When shopping for the Epi's look at some that have "coil splitting" to get close to the single-coil (Strat) sound. Many will argue it's not the same and they may be correct.

The opposite route is @JeffS65's suggestion of an HSS Strat. Strat sound, single coils, but with a Humbucker in it. A very versatile guitar.

Or you could just recognize now that down the road you are most likely going to be shopping for more guitars! But shopping is a lot of the fun so just enjoy it. You are soon going to appreciate/comprehend the expression G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome)

I'm a beginner and a huge les paul fan (learning on my epiphone les paul standard). Granted, I play sitting down, but I really want a gibson. I have two great offers available to me (which is always limited compliments of me being a southpaw). A 2018 gibson les paul traditional or a brand new tribute. Both are around the same price but I am worried about the neck not being tapered on the traditional. Which would you suggest I go with?

Coil tapping is VERY COOL. Both guitar sounds at the comand of your fingertips with the push of a button. click... Thick Heavy Humbucker sound, or click... Clear Transendent Single Coil sound BOTH IN ONE GUITAR. I love my coil tapping guitar! Coil-tapping is one of the features that I would most miss if it was not includIed in my guitar. It really is like having the best of both sounds at all times. click... [br]

I don't think an SSH set up, without the Coil-tappng is the same thing... I love the sound of my single coil bridge pick up. I would miss that for sure. Talk about cutting through the mix!! I also use my neck pick up on the Humbucking setting for thick deep dark sounds. I would sorely miss etiher option if I didn't have them. That does not even begin to talk about how coil-tapping enlarges the range your clean tones!

By Jeff's pricing numbers, I would suggest that 50 pounds more is well worth not having to buy a secont guitar to cover the sounds your non-coil-splitting ax won't produce.

Love my Les Pauls but after playing standing up for an hour my old back starts to feel it. I play a lot more slide these days and the Pauls have that certain Duane tone I love. I've got Strats and Teles too, and depending on the style of music or just for the sake of playing different guitars, I'll switch. I'm about to set the Paul down and start back with my SG with P-90s. The world is your oyster! If you fall in love with guitars, you'll eventually own your dream axes

I suggest Guild T-Bird or if you need tremolo Dean Dime Stealth. These are the most comfortable guitars.

To the OP: I was in a similar situation as you and same stage. I went with a HSS strat and a Mustang I amp. No regrets. I can get a ton of different tones out of it very easily. I'd be lying to myself if I said that the equipment in any way holds me back.

If you haven't already, I'd recommend going to a shop and just feel and hold the guitars. Wrapping your hands around a few necks alone with give a sense of the differences and you might say "ooo, like that" or ""nope, not for me."

So much of the entry level equipment is so good. Also check out the video and online reviews at Andertons. They do some great reviews, and have recently published some on new entry level Gibsons and Fenders.