Help to recommend guitar.

[portunderground]

Helloooo

Could someone recommend me a reasonable guitar in below $400? I play mostly clean and overdriven stuff. Prefer a fat, smooth kind of tone; probably a humbucker guitar? Since I dont like the twangness of my strat copy. Wouldnt mind second hand at all. Mainly for home practise; just to chill out after classes.

Thanks.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Get a Les Paul copy. Check out the Rally Les Paul copies at SV Guitars or Standard Value. $390 I think.

Alternatively, you could go to City Music and get a Craftsman GS200 Les Paul copy.

 

[subversion]

+1 to Rally's GL300

also check out:

K Garage's KLP models (@ Tymusic):

 

[portunderground]

Thanks.

Rally keep that in mind. Would Ibanez GIO series give the tone that I would like(fat, smooth)?

 

[subversion]

Ibanez- none in your price range, unless you invest in these models:

SRZ

Destroyer

 

[portunderground]

oh well then, always thought ibanez was cool.

Can i ask about hamer guitars? since some fall within my budget and are from city music, reputable.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Many Ibanez models can give the smooth and fat tone you're looking for as a lot of them have humbuckers. But appearance-wise, they are more aggressive and perhaps fit better in hard rock / heavy metal / shred situations. They also tend to sound brighter than Les Pauls.

 

[loldude333]

Ibanezes do tend to sound rather more trebly than normal, especially the RG series. I'd suggest going down to Swee Lee and checking the Corts and Washburns. You might get yourself a good deal at the sales.

 

[subversion]

within that price bracket, we'd be looking at Ibanez guitars equipped with humbuckers which are rather harsh-sounding by default. if you can take time to test the GART60, maybe you'd find it tolerable (my harsh might be pleasurable to you...). in terms of QC & feel, i'd recommend it as a value-for-money purchase:

GART60

 

[portunderground]

Well, I will keep my options open. I am more to the soft smooth sound like les paul style on the neck pick up. So... Rally GLs would be there. As for the Cort and Washburn when is the sale(price less that $400)?

 

[subversion]

IMO- you won't go wrong with the Rally. this is the type of guitar which is 'complete' in its offering; from that great feel to the sweet tones on board. we often engage in some mod follow-up after investing in instruments in this price bracket but the Rally is simply worth it in every aspect.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

You might wanna try a Craftsman Paul, too. Then, if you're careful enough, Jack&Danny's Pauls have some good offerings. Fat warm tone is more of les Paul. Ibanez/Jackson/Charvel stuff, although it has humbuckers, it uses a superstrat shape. it's mostly for rock, metal, shredding. Generally only though. Then there's this other brand called Shine. Looks decent, although i haven't tried it, i have heard good things. Lastly don't leave out KGarage.

 

[ankursamtaney]

While I do second many of the opinions stated above (I am quite a fan on J&D guitars, especially their acoustic guitars), I'd probably go with an Epiphone LP Special II. Honestly, have never heard it through an amp so don't know what it sounds like (but if it aint good, u can always swap the pickups at a later stage). Reasons for suggesting it:
a) It's an original epiphone, and not a rally or J&D les paul knock off
b) I have messed with it without plugging in, and unlike real les pauls, it has a lovely, slim neck (I was tempted to buy one only coz of its neck)
c) it might have a higher re-sale value when u upgrade, coz its an epiphone and not a rally or J&D.

Then again, that's just me. You may have an absolutely different opinion.. so try em all out, and buy what suits you best.

 

[subversion]

c) it might have a higher re-sale value when u upgrade, coz its an epiphone and not a rally or J&D.

the probability of value appreciation isn't pegged on upgrades. a vintage Fender for instance, won't be a value added unit if one replaces the default pickups with Custom Shop replacements; it's demand & supply mechanics, do we not agree?

 

[ankursamtaney]

the probability of value appreciation isn't pegged on upgrades. a vintage Fender for instance, won't be a value added unit if one replaces the default pickups with Custom Shop replacements; it's demand & supply mechanics, do we not agree?

Maybe i wasn't clear.. i meant, he may be able to sell it at less of a loss than the other guitars when he decides to sell it (if at all) to upgrade to a better guitar

I'm not referring to any kind of appreciation (the kind you'd have for vintage guitars.. fenders, gibsons, etc). In fact, high chances that none of the guitars in question here will see any appreciation at all. I just meant that an epiphone may fetch a higher re-sale value relative to its cost, than other less-known brands might, every other aspect (such as condition of the guitar, etc.) remaining constant.

Then again, I'm going just by brand name here, and as a rule of thumb i do personally judge gear more by sound and feel than the name and look .. And in this case, all i know is the Epi LP Special II "feels" awesome, to me as far as the neck goes. Dont know what it sounds like.. as for the Rally, have never even seen one for real; let alone trying it out.

 

[portunderground]

Im not into epiphones. Played the LP custom, a Squire Strat felt better.

Wanna ask, what about Hamer guitars?