# The Great Ongoing Guitar Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 31, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172 "2010-01-31T23:20:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 274
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5465 "2018-12-07T16:27:11Z")
Okay, that Telecaster is a “MODERN PLAYER TELECASTER® PLUS” according to a serial number search from [here](https://www.fender.com/product-registration/serial-search-results). No idea if Modern Players have a good rep. **Zakalwe** : one other thing I’d point out re acoustic vs electric: electric guitars are much easier to play for a beginner. Lighter strings that don’t hurt your fingers, and a slightly narrower neck for small hands. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5466 "2018-12-07T16:59:45Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > 1. If she wants to go electric, should she switch now? People have been talking about price. I cannot disagree more with the assertion that you should spend more than $300 or similar. I bought this [Epiphone Special II](https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-special-vintage-edition-electric-guitar/j40301000004000?cntry=us&source=3WWRWXGP&gclid=CjwKCAiA0ajgBRA4EiwA9gFOR5debhpGd4mwL9k3tOdaKQJjyYbrjB9YkJK91zzM6c5zq8T-WyehdhoCrk0QAvD_BwE) guitar, brand new for $150. It sounds almost as good as my Les Paul Custom, plays well, and is quite nice. It is of course different than the Fender. Definitely buy as much as you can afford, though. I strongly suggest you find someone in person who plays and can advise you. Not that I am putting down the esteemed dopers who have weighed in. This is just my experience. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5467 "2018-12-07T18:09:40Z")
The really inexpensive electrics sometimes have poor necks. The fret ends stick out and cut the players hand. I’ve experienced that on several Squires. It can quickly discourage a beginner from playing. A good guitar tech can file down the sharp edges. That’s easily $50 or more. But, it makes sense to spend a little more for a better guitar. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5468 "2018-12-07T18:25:17Z")
Oh, there’s no doubt that there can be issues. Hence finding someone in person who can spot them. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5469 "2018-12-07T18:27:16Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A good guitar tech can file down the sharp edges. That’s easily $50 or more. But, it makes sense to spend a little more for a better guitar. Agreed, but you don’t really need a tech in most cases for improperly dressed fret edges. Rubbing them with steel wool does wonders; I’ve done it myself and been pretty happy with the results. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5470 "2018-12-07T18:35:19Z")
I like Reverb because you get such a nice selection of used guitars. Sometimes at a nice savings I remember in high school the local music store only offered new and perhaps two or three used models. They weren’t interested in making any deals. It’s so much better now. The Mexican Fenders are really nice. I’ve played several and liked them. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5471 "2018-12-07T18:59:43Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The Mexican Fenders are really nice. I’ve played several and liked them. This [guy](https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/mexican-strat-vs-american-strat-whats-difference) seems to know what he’s talking about. Among other things, and I’m sure I’m getting the numbers wrong, is that he says if you buy a Mexican Strat, upgrade the pickups and whatnot to what you would get on an American-made Standard, and you will end spending only $800 instead of $1,300, and have essentially the same guitar. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5472 "2018-12-07T19:34:28Z")
Upgrading the electronics is a nice option. Something many people can do themselves. Sweetwater has started offering a Plek machine option on guitars they sell. It’s fairly expensive but it’s another way to take a mid-priced guitar and make it play like a $2K one. I need to check around and talk to people that had it done. See if they think it’s worth it. [https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/sweetwaters-plek-pro-system-the-perfect-upgrade-for-any-guitar/](https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/sweetwaters-plek-pro-system-the-perfect-upgrade-for-any-guitar/) ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5473 "2018-12-07T19:54:20Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Upgrading the electronics is a nice option. Something many people can do themselves. > > Sweetwater has started offering a Plek machine option on guitars they sell. It’s fairly expensive but it’s another way to take a mid-priced guitar and make it play like a $2K one. > > I need to check around and talk to people that had it done. See if they think it’s worth it. > > [https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/sweetwaters-plek-pro-system-the-perfect-upgrade-for-any-guitar/](https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/sweetwaters-plek-pro-system-the-perfect-upgrade-for-any-guitar/) I wouldn’t turn it down if they offering the service for free. I’m reminded of something a friend said when I jammed for the first time on electric guitar and I was spending a while getting tuned perfectly. He finally said to me, “that’s close enough for rock and roll.” My frets have always been close enough… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2018, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5474 "2018-12-08T04:06:51Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > People have been talking about price. I cannot disagree more with the assertion that you should spend more than $300 or similar. I bought this [Epiphone Special II](https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-special-vintage-edition-electric-guitar/j40301000004000?cntry=us&source=3WWRWXGP&gclid=CjwKCAiA0ajgBRA4EiwA9gFOR5debhpGd4mwL9k3tOdaKQJjyYbrjB9YkJK91zzM6c5zq8T-WyehdhoCrk0QAvD_BwE) guitar, brand new for $150. It sounds almost as good as my Les Paul Custom, plays well, and is quite nice. It is of course different than the Fender. Definitely buy as much as you can afford, though. > > I strongly suggest you find someone in person who plays and can advise you. Not that I am putting down the esteemed dopers who have weighed in. This is just my experience. 🙂 Yeah, I can’t disagree strongly enough against saying you have to spend more than $300 for a good guitar. The guitar my guitarist uses for 90% of our shows these days is a set-neck LP Jr. copy that he got new for less than $300, IIRC. He’s changed the pickup, but he really didn’t have to. It was already a pretty great guitar. If you’re willing to peruse [reverb.com](http://reverb.com) for awhile, a nice playing guitar can easily be had for $100. I’ve often been tempted to pick up a bunch of Squier basses just because I can get them for $100 right and left, but I like being married. Heck, if you have the right acquaintance, you might get it for free. Sticker price and country of origin are both terrible methods of measuring how good a guitar is. ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2018, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5475 "2018-12-08T10:51:52Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > So, guitar people, advice time! > > ZakDaughter (12 going on 13) is finishing up her first half-year of school guitar classes. So far at least, she loves it. We were lucky enough that her aunt was able to loan us an apparently damn good acoustic for her to use at home. But now we’re at decision time. > > So, if she wants to continue we need to shift to private lessons (school guitar ends at the Christmas break). I have no problem with this and would love to encourage her in the instrument. > > She has seen a Fender Daphne Blue something-or-other (it’s around $270) at the local music shop and says she want to ‘switch to electric’. I have told her that it doesn’t work that way when you’re learning the instrument and that the techniques she’s learning (and will learn) with the acoustic will transfer. > > But I could be full of shit. So, I figured I’d come ask the experts! > > So, TLDR: > > 1. If she wants to go electric, should she switch now? > 2. If the answer to 1 is yes, is that Fender a good buy for a starter electric? > 3. If not, any recommendations on a good acoustic suitable for a 13-year old starting out? One option for electric is to look at Harley Benton guitars. They go for between 90 to 300 euros. They are (usually, not always) well made, cheap copies made for a German store called Thomann. Be sure to check the fingerboard wood, don’t buy a guitar with a blackwood fingerboard. Roseacre is good, it’s just heat-treated maple. They have a full 30 day warranty, so if you don’t like the guitar you can send it back, get a full refund and order another one. In the US I think there will be an additional shipping charge though. IMO the best thing about these copies is that while they usually play great, they also look fantastic. A pretty guitar is often more enticing for a beginner than an ugly one. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2018, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5476 "2018-12-08T12:53:06Z")
Thanks for all the great advice, guys! Yeah, I think that one she was looking at is a Squier, not a true Fender. Lots of food for thought here. We might just go a different direction this year and see if she sticks with it through the year, then go big next year. Next step is finding someone to give her lessons and listening to their advice. Totally hadn’t thought about used guitars…that’s definitely something I’ll look into if we get there. ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2018, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5477 "2018-12-08T13:28:59Z")
Re: used guitars - I started out with a new Epiphone SG. Then I got a deal on a used Ibanez Roadstar 2 for about one third of the price of the sg. Which guitar do I still play? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5478 "2018-12-08T17:36:09Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Yeah, I can’t disagree strongly enough against saying you have to spend more than $300 for a good guitar. The guitar my guitarist uses for 90% of our shows these days is a set-neck LP Jr. copy that he got new for less than $300, IIRC. He’s changed the pickup, but he really didn’t have to. It was already a pretty great guitar. > > If you’re willing to peruse [reverb.com](http://reverb.com) for awhile, a nice playing guitar can easily be had for $100. I’ve often been tempted to pick up a bunch of Squier basses just because I can get them for $100 right and left, but I like being married. Heck, if you have the right acquaintance, you might get it for free. Sticker price and country of origin are both terrible methods of measuring how good a guitar is. I agree with scabpicker. I posted a photo a bit up this thread showing my electric guitars. The Squier Classic Vibe Tele was made in China and is excellent quality. The fret ends are great. The G&L bass is made in Indonesia and is again great quality (not sure what these cost new but it was $200 on Craigslist). I’m guessing the lowest level of Squier would have lower finish quality, but just because it’s made in China or Indonesia doesn’t mean it is shit. Japanese manufactured guitars used to be lower level and Korean made even below that. That Hondo hanging on my wall was made in Korea. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5479 "2018-12-08T18:33:37Z")
[http://danelectro.com/all-guitars/](http://danelectro.com/all-guitars/) What about a Danelectro? They are light, popular with musicians and cheap. I bought a 12 string for $400 just to have. Jimmy Page used one for slide stuff. They will always be cool somehow. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5480 "2018-12-08T19:50:58Z")
Danelectros are great. I’ve got more than one (my 12 string is a purple sparkle :D). The neck profiles are a little strange, with fingerboards that are unusually flat compared to most others, but they still play really well. With their metal nut, they’re actually very durable compared to most guitars. The only thing I would warn a buyer about regarding modern Danelectros is to be wary of the ones with the popsicle stick bridges. The ones on the older guitars are fine, but the ones that were equipped with them beginning in the early 2000s came with one that is aluminum instead of brass. When you tuned it to pitch, they would bow. I had this happen on my Longhorn bass. It’s easy and cheap to swap it for a brass unit from Allparts (or you can just put a few pennies under it), but it’s something to consider when shopping. It looks like everything they’re producing now uses their “pro” bridge, which has normal saddles and doesn’t bow - except the Longhorn bass, which still has the popsicle stick. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2018, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5481 "2018-12-09T00:33:09Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Yeah, I can’t disagree strongly enough against saying you have to spend more than $300 for a good guitar. The guitar my guitarist uses for 90% of our shows these days is a set-neck LP Jr. copy that he got new for less than $300, IIRC. He’s changed the pickup, but he really didn’t have to. It was already a pretty great guitar. > > If you’re willing to peruse [reverb.com](http://reverb.com) for awhile, a nice playing guitar can easily be had for $100. I’ve often been tempted to pick up a bunch of Squier basses just because I can get them for $100 right and left, but I like being married. Heck, if you have the right acquaintance, you might get it for free. Sticker price and country of origin are both terrible methods of measuring how good a guitar is. I have the Squire Jaguar short scale bass. Love it. Do you know the LP Jr copy brand? ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2018, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5482 "2018-12-09T21:40:23Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > I have the Squire Jaguar short scale bass. Love it. > > Do you know the LP Jr copy brand? It’s apparently a [Vintage V130CRS](https://vintageguitarsus.com/electric-reissued-details/#v130). (Wow, “Vintage” guitar is a bummer of a brand name). At the studio today, the owner had bought a [Epiphone Les Paul SL](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ENOLVSCH--epiphone-les-paul-sl-vintage-sunburst) for $119 at Sweetwater. There’s nothing at all wrong with that guitar. It does have a very flat fretboard, similar to the Danelectros, but it was a shitload of fun to play and sounded great. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2018, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5483 "2018-12-09T22:45:56Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > It’s apparently a [Vintage V130CRS](https://vintageguitarsus.com/electric-reissued-details/#v130). (Wow, “Vintage” guitar is a bummer of a brand name). > > At the studio today, the owner had bought a [Epiphone Les Paul SL](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ENOLVSCH--epiphone-les-paul-sl-vintage-sunburst) for $119 at Sweetwater. There’s nothing at all wrong with that guitar. It does have a very flat fretboard, similar to the Danelectros, but it was a shitload of fun to play and sounded great. Thanks for the brand. Yeah, I got this [Epiphone Junior](http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Les-Paul/Les-Paul-Junior.aspx) used from Guitar Center for $60. Put in another pickup, a Gibson P-90 style that fits in the humbucker space, for around $120, and have great guitar for under $200. ---
**Author:** ![SigMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SigMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SigMan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/5484 "2018-12-10T00:51:39Z")
I have this Parker PDF30 guitar for $200 new from Reverb com. It’s a cheapest guitar made by Parker and it’s amazingly well made. Mahogany body and Maple neck makes a good tonal set. I play it with my Vox VT40+ amp (with the British Mullard vintage tube in it) and they sounded creamy together. I wrote to Parker Co and asked what pickups are they? They said Duncans (not Duncan Design). They are unmarked so no idea where they’re made but they sound friggin good. I’m thinking Tone Riders. [https://i.postimg.cc/BZ1V6L04/S5030863.jpg](https://postimages.org/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=273) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=275)