Topic: Guitar help? (Read 9742 times)

Jasper · « **on:** 27 Nov 2007, 23:14 »

I wasn't sure if this should just be posted in the Guitar thread, or if it was enough for a whole topic, but seeing as this is a the music forum, I don't really think it will hurt anyone. Anyways, to make it short, I'm getting a new rig and I'm stuck between an Epiphone (I know, I'm not rich) Les Paul Custom/Standard and an Epi Explorer. How much of a sound difference is there between the two in general? I've felt them both and I could go either way, but the only explorer is a high end Gibson and I don't think it would be a fair comparision. I will keep trying and testing and everything, but some outside opinions are always good. And any other suggestions are welcome, the price cap is about 700, and I don't really like the body shape of Telecasters/ whatever else is shaped like a tele, not because of looks but I can't bend over it or tilt it up while playing, the top... Spike thing over the fretboard jabs me in the chest. I play a lot of different kinds of rock and metal, and considering plenty of bands I listen to use Les Pauls and Explorers I thought it would be a good place to start, but it's not set in stone. I play loads of Tool, I've lost count of soungs I can cover, If I bother tuning down I play a lot of In flames too, Lamb of God, Pantera, Dethklok, QotSA, Iron Maiden, any punk that I might be listening to at the time, and whatever I make up. You can see it's all over there and a very tuneable guitar that doesn't really stick to one sound would be nice. Oh, and my current guitar is a late 80's Yamaha RGX312. It was a hand me down from my dad after he bought a new Telecaster, and it sounds pretty good, but it's not really 'mine', the shape can be uncomfortable, it's getting worn and beat, and I don't want a tremelo attachment, so I've blocked the bridge from moving to keep it locked. And just little things like the knobs always falling off of the smaller knobs they go over, a really wiggly output outlet, blah blah... But yeah. Help me out, ask me anything that I might have missed. Thanks.

Chad K. · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 04:16 »

Well, if those are your only choices, I'd go Les Paul over Explorer, because it's a more versatile guitar and I think they're more comfortable to maneuver because there is less body to contend with. Having said that, there are a LOT of guitars you can get your hands on for $700. Besides just styles of playing, are there certain things you look for in a guitar's playability? I know you want a fixed bridge, what about neck thickness, body style, etc.?

Jasper · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 16:23 »

Well my hands are massive, so a big neck would work but to tell the truth I can easily play a thin neck too. I always play on the humbucker, so that's all I need on it; a dual humbucker setup would be ideal. The part of the guitar above the fretboard (That sticks out on a Tele, but is non exsistant on a V shape guitar) should be pretty small, like I said, it makes it impossable to move the guitar to where I would like it. When on a strap, I run the guitar pretty vertical so the low frets are closest to my shoulder area I suppose, so it should be able to be tilted up like that. Good access to the high frets is always a given too, but I don't need more than 22. My current guitar has 24 and I don't really play the last 2 or 3. I also am very partial to very low action, that is close to the same along the whole neck. The buzzing never really is a big issue, I can just turn the amp up and play softer. Good sustain is something I want to gain, my guitar has next to none, and it's very annoying trying to hold high notes on one pick. But other than that, just things like a smooth neck and nice fretboard are kindof suppoesed to be on any guitar.

jeph · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 16:25 »

Don't buy an Epiphone.*

Some ESP/LTD alternatives in the style of guitar you're interested in:

ESP EC-400
ESP EX-400

They have pretty different sounds, mostly because of the different pickups, but both are quality instruments well within your price range.

*Unless you've found a specific guitar you've played that you like. Their quality control is really shitty- some of their guitars are good, but most are crap.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 16:49 »

Tjhe soloution iids that you lkearn how to play the fucking guitar rather than woirtrying about fucking models. Seriouskly, bruian may made his fyucking own and he ahas morew fucking number ones than you will ever need to worry about on your royalty checks pluis he has a doctorate. Stop being such a fucking precious little sack of shit and just learn how to strum some fucking chords and pick some fucking solos and maybe do some a coustic stuff whatever motherfucker.

Also fucking paragraph breakds. Diud you even go to schoool, what the fuck.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 17:21 »

Sir, I'm going to need you to step away from the keyboard and do a sobriety test for me.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 17:33 »

im going to say you need to kneel down on the cold hard ground and applky suction to myg gentuitals

jeph · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 18:31 »

KHAR PUT DOWN THE BOTTLE

IT'S EMPTY AND YOU'RE JUST GOING TO BRUISE YOUR ESOPHAGUS IF YOU KEEP SUCKING ON IT

NO

NO DON'T PUT IT IN YOUR ASS

AT LEAST DRILL A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM FIRST SO THE SUCTION DOESN'T GET IT STUCK UP THERE

Jasper · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 20:06 »

Quote from: KharBevNor on 28 Nov 2007, 16:49

Tjhe soloution iids that you lkearn how to play the fucking guitar rather than woirtrying about fucking models. Seriouskly, bruian may made his fyucking own and he ahas morew fucking number ones than you will ever need to worry about on your royalty checks pluis he has a doctorate. Stop being such a fucking precious little sack of shit and just learn how to strum some fucking chords and pick some fucking solos and maybe do some a coustic stuff whatever motherfucker.

Also fucking paragraph breakds. Diud you even go to schoool, what the fuck.

Right, because you must know how well I play down to a T, and of course I know who Bruian is and how many 'number ones' he has. Or maybe you're just a drunk dick, and should tell your parents not to let you on the Dell after you've had too much wine cooler, douchebag. I've been playing for years, just because I don't technically own the axe I'm playing doesn't mean shit all.

jeph · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 20:20 »

Khar gets silly when he's drunk, don't pay him no mind.

KharBevNor

koalamanchester · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 20:29 »

Quote from: jeph on 28 Nov 2007, 16:25

Don't buy an Epiphone.*

*Unless you've found a specific guitar you've played that you like. Their quality control is really shitty- some of their guitars are good, but most are crap.

Word. I happen to have a really nice Epiphone, but I know from experience that the vast majority of them are shit. Check out Schecter, and like Jeph mentioned, ESP.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 21:18 »

I second checking out Schecter. The S-1s are very nice. They play like a Les Paul or an SG, but are more affordable. I thought about picking up an S-1 in Ivory for about $500, but decided I want a Jazzmaster.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 21:45 »

Quote from: Jasper on 28 Nov 2007, 20:06

Right, because you must know how well I play down to a T, and of course I know who Bruian is and how many 'number ones' he has. Or maybe you're just a drunk dick, and should tell your parents not to let you on the Dell after you've had too much wine cooler, douchebag. I've been playing for years, just because I don't technically own the axe I'm playing doesn't mean shit all.

You're tough guy spiel is IMMENSELY AMUSING.

IT MAKES ME LAUGH.

HO HO.

YOU'VE BEEN PLAYING FOR YEARS. WITH YOUR TESTICLES. BECAUSE YOU ARE 110% MAN. YOU ARE SO MAN YOU CAN WANK OFF ABOUT HOW MANY YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN PLAYING GUITAR BUT YOU STILL ASK BASIC, RETARDED FUCKING QUESTIONS ABOUT GUITAR BRANDS BECAUSE YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY NEUROTIC ABOUT HAVING THE 'RIGHT' GUITAR.

YOU SUCK. LEAVE THE FORUMS FOREVER.

jeph · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 21:47 »

SHUT UP KHAR SOME OF US *LIKE* PLAYING GUITAR WITH OUR TESTES

Johnny C · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 21:50 »

EET FUK JEPH

REAL MEN USE THEIR TESTES TO PLAY THE BASS

Johnny C · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 21:56 »

Oh, and I have an Epiphone kind-of Explorer. It's served me well but given the choice I would not go back in time and buy it again, I would buy a guitar that maintains its intonation and doesn't need constant setups that I don't have the money to give it. At the same time, I bought it cause I liked the feel and I still do, so going with my instincts wasn't a completely terrible idea.

Just walk into a music store and start playing every guitar in the goddamn place. Nobody working there will give you shit about it. Take your time and make a decision you won't regret. You'll know when a guitar is right for you.

jeph · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 22:00 »

And if they DO give you shit, take your business elsewhere.

Johnny- what do you mean by "set-up?" Unless you're talking hardcore fret leveling you should be able to do basically anything you need to with a decent tuner and an allen wrench.

Ballard · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 22:03 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 28 Nov 2007, 21:56

Just walk into a local music store that isn't Guitar Center or Sam Ash or a similar warehouse retailer and start playing every guitar in the goddamn place. Nobody working there will give you shit about it. Take your time and make a decision you won't regret. You'll know when a guitar is right for you.

Fixed.

Jasper · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Nov 2007, 22:30 »

After reading Jeph's first post, I looked at ESP's lineup and I really like what I'm seeing. And also, I think the music store I'm going to on friday carries them, lucky me. But still, I'm not ruling much out.

FireAarro · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Nov 2007, 06:03 »

Check out the Japanese brand Edwards too- you probably can't find them in your shops but they have good QC, great features, are made in the ESP factories in Japan and are pretty cheap, I think. They have a ton of Les Paul models I know, I don't know about Explorers.

SilentJ · « **Reply #20 on:** 29 Nov 2007, 17:41 »

Quote from: jeph on 28 Nov 2007, 16:25

Don't buy an Epiphone

Fight you, sir.

I am QUITE PLEASED with my Les Paul, thankyouverymuch.

greenMonkey · « **Reply #21 on:** 29 Nov 2007, 19:20 »

Get a Dano'.

Better yet get a Dano' DOUBLE-NECK.

SilentJ · « **Reply #22 on:** 30 Nov 2007, 04:41 »

Because everybody knows each consecutive neck doubles the ROKK factor.

Patrick · « **Reply #23 on:** 30 Nov 2007, 05:35 »

@Jasper: I bought my Gibson SG new for $550. It's the best guitar I've ever owned and not ALL of them break at the headstock (I don't know if I'll ever stop crying about that, heh).

@Khar: even Brian May was known to use a Telecaster ("Crazy Little Thing Called Love" anyone?).

valley_parade · « **Reply #24 on:** 30 Nov 2007, 06:04 »

Quote from: FireAarro on 29 Nov 2007, 06:03

Check out the Japanese brand Edwards too- you probably can't find them in your shops but they have good QC, great features, are made in the ESP factories in Japan and are pretty cheap, I think. They have a ton of Les Paul models I know, I don't know about Explorers.

Most of what I'm seeing on eBay is in the $750-1,000 range. Nice guitars, though.

Ã¶de · « **Reply #25 on:** 30 Nov 2007, 06:07 »

I recommend Swift of London guitars. They're like $100!

Patrick · « **Reply #26 on:** 30 Nov 2007, 06:50 »

Quote from: jeph on 28 Nov 2007, 16:25

Don't buy an Epiphone.*

(blah blah)

*Unless you've found a specific guitar you've played that you like. Their quality control is really shitty- some of their guitars are good, but most are crap.

The last bit saved you here. I was about to say, man, "But Sheratons and WildKats are AWESOME!"

Johnny C · « **Reply #27 on:** 30 Nov 2007, 07:55 »

Quote from: jeph on 28 Nov 2007, 22:00

Johnny- what do you mean by "set-up?" Unless you're talking hardcore fret leveling you should be able to do basically anything you need to with a decent tuner and an allen wrench.

My neck is kinda warped which creates problems.

I haven't taken my guitar into the shop in about two years. I need to actually buy some screws, the neck pickup's screws came loose and it basically just joggles around in its cavity.

valley_parade · « **Reply #28 on:** 30 Nov 2007, 10:59 »

Quote from: KimJongSick on 30 Nov 2007, 06:50

Quote from: jeph on 28 Nov 2007, 16:25
Don't buy an Epiphone.*

(blah blah)

*Unless you've found a specific guitar you've played that you like. Their quality control is really shitty- some of their guitars are good, but most are crap.

The last bit saved you here. I was about to say, man, "But Sheratons and WildKats are AWESOME!"

And my Firebird's good..in a quirky kinda way.

Lummer · « **Reply #29 on:** 30 Nov 2007, 12:12 »

You have large hands, you play metal..

Dude, I can't find any reason for you to NOT buy a 7-string.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Guitar help? (Read 9742 times)

Jasper

Jasper

Jasper

Jasper