Guitar help

[Wimbo]

guitarists & luthiers:
I play drums more than anything, but dabble around with guitars from time to time. I have a nice Taylor acoustic, but I am thinking about buying an electric guitar for myself for Christmas. I have a two part question for you guys & gals:

1) I am not a serious guitarist, just a hobbyist. I can't justify spending more than $400, which I know doesn't get much. 2 guitars that jump out to me at this price range are:

• Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus - LINK
• Fender Standard Stratocaster (Mexico) - LINK
• Other you suggest?

I would like to hear your opinions on these guitars - good and bad - and any suggestions you have for others I should consider (and why).

2) I have a PA system set up full time in my house. Can I get by with skipping on buying an amp (using the PA for amplification), and just buying a pedal board for effects?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Blake]

guitarists & luthiers:
I play drums more than anything, but dabble around with guitars from time to time. I have a nice Taylor acoustic, but I am thinking about buying an electric guitar for myself for Christmas. I have a two part question for you guys & gals:

1) I am not a serious guitarist, just a hobbyist. I can't justify spending more than $400, which I know doesn't get much. 2 guitars that jump out to me at this price range are:

• Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus - LINK
• Fender Standard Stratocaster (Mexico) - LINK
• Other you suggest?

I would like to hear your opinions on these guitars - good and bad - and any suggestions you have for others I should consider (and why).

2) I have a PA system set up full time in my house. Can I get by with skipping on buying an amp (using the PA for amplification), and just buying a pedal board for effects?

Thanks in advance.

I have an ephiphone Les Paul and the sound is amazing. Alot better than my Austin Stratocaster anyway. I think every guitar player should own a les paul, they just have a uniqueness about them that cant be touched. I've never played a Gibson Les Paul but from what I understand the Ephiphones aren't far off from the sound and quality of a Gibson and your paying a whole lot less. Unfortunately that's about all I can tell you, I'm a hobbyist guitarist and cant really jump into the technical aspects on it all. If you can try to find some sites that review music gear.

 

[theebs]

If you are willing to wait and search for something used, you maybe able to get an older american made strat or one of the older japanese made strats that are very nice.

I would say search high and low on ebay for a quality guitar to maximize that 400 bucks.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I have heard a great deal of people praise epiphone lately. I think they actually have had better quality control than their higher priced brothers (gibsons).

Now..I am not saying they have better quality woods, pickups and so on. But I have heard some say their quality control is actually better for the last year or so.

I guess it would also go down to the sound you like better. Single Pickups on a strat vs Humbuckers on an epi.

I don't have either but I have been jonesing for a Strat or an SG. I just need to find a strat with a comfortable neck for me...oh yes and money.:laugh2:

 

[Cochese]

Look on Craigslist. You will never get a decent instrument from Guitar Center with that kind of money.

I bought one of my dream guitars, a Fender Mustang , with brand new Seymour Duncan pickups for $450 on craigslist.

 

[Cochese]

If you are willing to wait and search for something used, you maybe able to get an older american made strat or one of the older japanese made strats that are very nice.

I would say search high and low on ebay for a quality guitar to maximize that 400 bucks.

Yep. I would suggest looking for a Japanese strat, they really make the instruments well and are a better bargain than spending money on the worthless Mexican guitars that are a complete gamble.

 

[Cochese]

Thats my latest purchase, a great value for $700. The wood is fantastic, and the only slight problems are with the wiring. I would highly recommend this guitar to anyone. It plays jazz, it shreds blues, its so good it sounds worse with overdrive or distortion.