Guitar for around a grand.

[reem]

It's my 40th in November and my other half is buying me a guitar.

Been playing over 20 years and have never owned a decent one! Any spare cash has gone on buying an acoustic (or insuring the car) rather than stretching for a USA made tele or whatever.

Currently own a squier tele with antiquity pickups in. I record through my PC and do not need a gigging guitar. It suffices but isn't exactly inspiring.

I'm leaning towards getting a hollowbody: something about them says 'maturity'. And I wouldn't mind playing a bit more jazz in my old age.

If a rickenbacker showed up I would also be happy, because I love that sound. A blues orientated guitar? Great! Jst call me BB. There's not much that would disappoint me to be honest (except anything with a locking trem - unplayable things!).

Also love the idea of vintage guitars, something I can cherish, but they are very expensive.

Budget is around a grand sterling and it will almost certainly be spent on a used guitar.

Any ideas?

[allen082]

Play as many as you can. You have to make this decision. You'll know when you find the right one.

[wallis222]

Originally Posted by allen082

Play as many as you can. You have to make this decision. You'll know when you find the right one.

Agreed. But if I must make a recommendation based on your wishes I'd say try to find a used ES-339. It is one of the only Gibson semi hollow guitars to come in at around a grand (used).

[risingsun189]

do some research, lots of vintage guitars arent as expensive as you think i saw a few on ebay for under 1000 dollars but if you are looking for old gibsons and fenders that's a different story lots of 70's era guitars out there are amazing. check out DeMont guitars or Norman's Rare Guitars they have some older models and alot are really cheap. Norman's even has an under $500 dollars section but not all are vintage so be careful.

As for hollowbodies my friend collects ibanez models and some of their hollowbodies are nice. you might need a Pup change but they are quality as it is. If ibanez isn't your cup of tea then try an ES-335 or thinline. the options are endless.

[Guit-jitsu]

You've got a lot of options for a grand! You mentioned hollow, I got my Gibson ES-333 for exactly that. I call it my poor man's 335, but it's exactly the same guitar with a satin finish and an access panel in the back (a plus for me!). They were made in the early '00s, and would definitely nail the BB ...

A brand new American Standard tele is 999 on MF, but you could find a ton of nice teles used at your budget. Maybe something thinline? Fender's Classic Series '72 Thinline is only 749 new, but not USA made. Still a nice guitar.

I just did a search on gbase for a used semi-hollow between 900-1100 and came up with a bunch of guitars, from MIJ Fender Thinlines, a '53 Epiphone Zephyr Regent, some old 60s Harmonys, even a D'angelico jazz box. You've got plenty of choices in your price range, so happy hunting!

[Flaneur]

Go spend a day at Frailer's in Runcorn- play and haggle

[reem]

This is going to sound stupid but playing a load of guitars and picking the 'best' isn't really a priority for me. If I did that I'd no doubt leave with a standard USA tele. But that's not what I'm aiming for.

(That being said I probably will nip into somewhere like Frailers, see if I fall in love with a ballpark sound).

Here's my reasoning: most guitars around that price point are likely to be 'acceptable' from a sound/playability viewpoint. Right?

I've been playing that long that I'm not averse to a skinny neck, or a fat neck. Medium frets, vintage frets. I'll adapt! Plus, you can make most guitars sound a certain way if you really try, and by the same rule no guitar is going to be so versatile that it will do everything perfectly. So why not roll the dice?

Aesthetics is the real issue here because this is a romantic purchase. 25 years of playing and finally I get a pretty decent guitar that I won't be treating like crap. Part of that aesthetic appeal will certainly be the knowledge that it's a very well made instrument for the price, I will say that much.

Problem is I have no clue as to what represents good value over 150 pounds sterling.

Will go and research some of the suggestions made. Thanks guys.

[notdave]

Originally Posted by reem

I've been playing that long that I'm not averse to a skinny neck, or a fat neck. Medium frets, vintage frets. I'll adapt! Plus, you can make most guitars sound a certain way if you really try, and by the same rule no guitar is going to be so versatile that it will do everything perfectly.

Bloody hell man, you'll get nowhere on this forum with that attitude

What do you reckon to Gordon Smith guitars?

http://www.gordonsmithguitars.com/

[KokoTele]

In your price range, I think you're at kind of a funny spot. It's not enough to buy a really super nice guitar, but it's too much to buy a cheap one. Gibson does have some low-end models in that range, though I'm not thrilled with some of the compromises they make to get them out the door.

However, a grand is plenty to get a really nice import and have a pro setup and pickup upgrade done to it. After being in the hands of a good tech, the guitar will play and sound like something from the custom shop.

Take the Epiphone line, for example. There are a lot of models that sell for $699 new, and used go for $4-500.

Get a pro setup including a level and crown and a bone nut: $150-200
Get a set of really great pickups. It's hard to beat the Duncan '59: $150-200

Epi has an ES-345 for $699 (BB played a 355 before they made his custom model, which depending on the year, differs only in the inlays).

Ibanez and other import lines have similar guitars for similar prices.

Edit: Just had a "duh" moment and realized you're talking $1000 pounds, but the strategy still holds. I think the conversion rate will help you out quite a bit, and you'll easily get a dream guitar in your budget.

[Daddy Hojo]

Guild Starfires are nice vintage hollowbodies.

[reem]

Originally Posted by Flaneur

Go spend a day at Frailer's in Runcorn- play and haggle

Look at this bad boy.

What could possibly go wrong with such a purchase?

http://www.frailers.com/Scripts/prod...idproduct=2146

[ScottieHotrod]

Just remember that just because your budget is £1000 (lucky bstard btw) doesn't mean you have to spend that much. Play as many guitars as you can. Google search all the little guitar shops in s 50 mile radius and go to them all! There are always little gems hidden in those places.

Remember, any money you save on the guitar could go towards a sweet amp. Arguably just as important as the guitar in terms of tone.

Edit: If I had to suggest something I'd say a classic series tele, got mine for £300 used and it's incredible.

[reem]

Originally Posted by notdave

Bloody hell man, you'll get nowhere on this forum with that attitude

What do you reckon to Gordon Smith guitars?

http://www.gordonsmithguitars.com/

Haha. I think a lot of my attitude has to do with the fact I'm strictly a bedroom warrior, not a serious musician with bandmates relying on me.

Gordon Smith guitars fill me with a mixture of pride and dread. They're local, but possibly too local. I used to have a Shergold masquerader when I was young and you sometimes see them selling for a fair few quid these days. I HATED that guitar with a passion because it was English made. I literally destroyed it with sandpaper and threw it away.

[reem]

Originally Posted by ScottieHotrod

Just remember that just because your budget is £1000 (lucky bstard btw) doesn't mean you have to spend that much. Play as many guitars as you can. Google search all the little guitar shops in s 50 mile radius and go to them all! There are always little gems hidden in those places.

Remember, any money you save on the guitar could go towards a sweet amp. Arguably just as important as the guitar in terms of tone.

Edit: If I had to suggest something I'd say a classic series tele, got mine for £300 used and it's incredible.

Pfft. The decent amp will be purchased when I'm 50!

Strangely one of the reasons I might be tempted to buy the best solid wood jazzbox I can find is that it might sound good unplugged, DI'd or through a reasonably cheap solid state bedroom amp.

Or so I've been led to believe.

[ianasdfg]

My 40th was recently, I had my heart set on (and money set aside for) a PRS McCarty until I actually played one for any length of time, ditto the custom 22. Just couldn't fall in love with these guitars.

Got myself an Gibson LP Standard instead from ebay. If I did it again I would probably go for a Gibson 330, though doubt they'll come up for 1K

[DrumBob]

Originally Posted by allen082

Play as many as you can. You have to make this decision. You'll know when you find the right one.

Exactly. These questions always puzzle me. "Tell me what guitar to buy." Do some research and play a lot of guitars. We can't possibly know what you'll like. You'll know when you find the right one. Just like you did when you met your wife.

[reem]

Originally Posted by DrumBob

Exactly. These questions always puzzle me. "Tell me what guitar to buy." Do some research and play a lot of guitars. We can't possibly know what you'll like. You'll know when you find the right one. Just like you did when you met your wife.

I can understand your exasperation grandad but this is part of my research.

I've never played a really good guitar. Ever. But I'm a pretty competent player.

If there's a consensus view that certain guitars are overpriced and others far from it, then I'd like to know. Also I've made it pretty clear that I'm not as fussy as a lot of 'serious' players, I'm not looking for the mythical guitar that fits my hands like excalibur. In fact I doubt such a guitar exists for most players, otherwise we'd all have just the one, right?

Looking for a bit of practical advice and lots of inspiration, which I have already received.

[ianasdfg]

My advice would be get something US made that's a classic guitar from a classic brand, that you hear a lot on favourite records, etc. If that means second hand and going over budget, so be it.

The likes Gordon Smith, etc, are great, and make for smart rational choices ... but you'll kind of feel as though you've missed out.

For example I have a Gordon Smith GS2 and love it, though would swap in a heart beat for an old beat up Gibson Les Paul Junior, even though the GS2 is probably a better guitar.

[ludashoeless]

used 52 hot rod. or a used ibanez archtop and used twin reverb

[KellyCaster71]

I turned 40 last year and went the same route. I've got some pretty nice guitars (GE Smith Tele, MIJ 62 Reissue). Had an SRV Strat and a Gibson Herb Ellis (ES165). I traded my ES-165 for the GE Smith. The Jazz boxes don't sound as great unplugged as you think they are going too.

Anyway, I ended up getting the Les Paul Studio Joe Bonamassa model. Loved the idea of a Gold Top and Burstbuckers. Ended up paying around $1200 with a coupon. Absolutely love it but still not over the GE Smith.