• Registered: 2008-07-09
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Need Some Guitar Advice

Hello all,

I'm shopping for a new guitar (my price cap is ~$700, but lower is always better big_smile ) and I need some advice. I generally play older rock -- Beatles type stuff.

Now, my caveat is that I'm a lefty. I'm also limited to what I can get via Guitar Center. As you can see here, their lefty electric selection leaves a lot to be desired.

I had been looking at the Epi LP Custom or the Epi Sheraton. However, the Sheri's lacking of fret markers above 15 and it's relatively jazzy sound makes me think it may not be too suitable for me.

Recently, someone also recommended I take a look at the Fender Standard Tele. I've also noticed that GC has recently added the Hagstrom Swede, and have heard some good-ish things about that.

Now, Guitar Center is about 3 hours away from here and I'd really rather not make the trip until I have some idea of what I'd like to check out (they've told me they'll order two or three guitars for me to play with if I tell them what I'd like to try, as they don't deal with too many Southpaws).

So, my question is this: what's your advice for this? I basically need to be able to narrow it down to a few.

Thanks all!

  • Registered: 2007-01-29
  • Posts: 533

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

The Telecaster is an excellent guitar (I've got 2) but might be a bit too country and twangy for classic rock...  I think the Epiphone LP Custom or Standard would be good choices...the higher end models are pretty much the same except for decorations and top veneers...They can give a sweet clean sound and can also do a great distortion...plus a world of aftermarket stuff if you should decide to change out the Pickups or other upgrades later...
Typically the Les Paul and Stratocaster designs are extremely versatile and be wrapped around just about any type of music...

Middleaged Redneck sorta guy who refuses to grow up...passion for music, especially Southern Rock but like bout everything cept Gangsta/Hip Hop. Collect guitars, mandolins, and love to ride Harleys.
  • Registered: 2008-07-09
  • Posts: 3

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

Would the Strat Standard be worth looking into?

  • Registered: 2008-07-14
  • Posts: 7

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

go with a telecaster, no doubt, i have one and it's my main guitar, and also if you're going for a beatles sound george used a telecaster on a lot of stuff from sgt.pepper-let it be, most notably the one he played at the rooftop concert when they performed let it be on top of apple records.

  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

First off Roswell you need to focus in on the kind of guitar and sorta sound you want. Your current list has some jazzy hollow-bodies mixed with full-on solids. How about a) a thinline telecaster or b) an Epiphone Ultra Les Paul?

The thinline has an f-hole and cavities so sounds lighter than a normal nasal telecaster. The Epi Ultra has tone chambers that again make it less of rock-monster and an acoustic pickup that could be very useful for Beatles strummers.

Second do check out the shops. Often the stores have items not in the online catalogue. Could be someone's just traded in a leftie bargain. Try the right hand models. Even though they'll be upside down you should get a feel for frets, body finish, weight, actual colour etc. All things you can't judge online. Look on it as a research trip where you won't be buying. Pace yourself, don't try anything you hate, get home and don't think about all the dozens of guitars you tried. Next day certain guitars should beckon...

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • Registered: 2008-07-09
  • Posts: 3

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

Out of curiosity, how much would it cost to have a righty guitar switched to a left handed setup?

  • Registered: 2008-09-23
  • Posts: 2

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

I feel ur pain buddy... Im a lefty and live in the UK...even less choice here. was looking at musiciansfriend.com earlier and there are loads more guitars for us superior beings there...but thats the problem, they are there and not here!!!
as for the righty converted to lefty.. a sunburst strat hendrix style would be ok but otherwise itd look odd imo.

What i feel i need is a friend in the US to be a middle man to ship the guitars i desire to me (for a small fee of course) just like eBay.

  • From: Western Oregon,US
  • Registered: 2008-07-22
  • Posts: 2,498

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

If you are looking for a Gibson "lefty", carry smelling salts... or settle for an Epiphone equivalent. One of the guys I play with regularly is also "gifted" and plays Epi guitars because the Left Gibsons cost so much more than "righties".  So far he has been really pleased with the quality, and he has owned several over the past twenty years.  SG, Sheraton, Casino, LP, Dot Studio etc.....
changes guitars with his moods it seems!  Other than some small adjustments in the initial set-up they've all been quite good.

Is there a shipping problem with Musician's friend?  I'll have to look into that.

  Take Care;  Doug

"what is this quintessence of dust?"  - Shakespeare
  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

Roswell3980 wrote:

Hello all,

I'm shopping for a new guitar (my price cap is ~$700, but lower is always better big_smile ) and I need some advice. I generally play older rock -- Beatles type stuff.

Now, my caveat is that I'm a lefty. I'm also limited to what I can get via Guitar Center. As you can see here, their lefty electric selection leaves a lot to be desired.

I had been looking at the Epi LP Custom or the Epi Sheraton. However, the Sheri's lacking of fret markers above 15 and it's relatively jazzy sound makes me think it may not be too suitable for me.

Recently, someone also recommended I take a look at the Fender Standard Tele. I've also noticed that GC has recently added the Hagstrom Swede, and have heard some good-ish things about that.

Now, Guitar Center is about 3 hours away from here and I'd really rather not make the trip until I have some idea of what I'd like to check out (they've told me they'll order two or three guitars for me to play with if I tell them what I'd like to try, as they don't deal with too many Southpaws).

So, my question is this: what's your advice for this? I basically need to be able to narrow it down to a few.

Thanks all!

Build one, you can get an american made kit with an ash or alder body (your choice) in a lefty config. for around $300. plus shipping. The money you save can upgrade pick ups, machine heads and the trem.

Bootlegger.

  • Registered: 2008-10-11
  • Posts: 3

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

take a close look at the hagstrom, their swede's are a lp style only not as wide,,, i have a hagstrom viking and a ultra swede and i love them both

  • Registered: 2007-03-24
  • Posts: 1,108

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

How about Agile Les Paul copies? They get great reviews.

I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused.
Elvis Costello
  • Registered: 2006-11-17
  • Posts: 40

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

As an earlier post indicated, Epiphone Les Pauls are very good guitars. You will spend $700 or less on one.  I have a Standard Stratocaster made in Mexico, a very good guitar and not much different from an American Standard Stratocaster.  I paid $300 for it in 1994 and they go for about $400 now.

  • From: Texas
  • Registered: 2008-08-05
  • Posts: 256

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

It all depends on the sound your going for ... I prefer the Les Paul over the Fender Strat because of the sound/style of music I play which is classic/hard rock (nothing against Strats) ... the Epiphone is still a good choice but I did notice a difference when I compared the two (I ended up buying the Gibson Les Paul) ... it just depends on your taste ... you can always buy the 490R/498T pickups later and put them on the Epiphone ... you'll definitely save some $$$ buying the Epiphone as compared to the Gibson (around $800) and being a lefty you can tack on another $50-$100

"Rhythm drives the Rock-n-Roll train"

Gibson Les Paul/PRS Custom/Ovation Celebrity Koa
Line6 SpiderIII 75
  • Registered: 2008-11-16
  • Posts: 1

Re: Need Some Guitar Advice

for classic rock, you may want to consider buying an epiphone sg-400.
i got one on musiciansfriend.com for 300 bucks.
the retail price for this guitar is $1000
...you may have trouble finding a lefty though.

ive had the guitar for 2 years now, and i havn't had a problem