Help Me Decide on an Electric Guitar

yk300 on 06/05/2022 - 19:32
Last edited 06/05/2022 - 19:33

I decided to venture into the electric guitar world. I am a long-time acoustic player who is looking to increase my musical repertoire. I know nothing about electric guitar, amps, etc and would appreciate the wisdom of the OzB community.

Some more context:

  • would like to have the option of exploring styles like progressive rock or similar.
  • would like to have the option of doing techniques like dive bombs.
  • would rather not start collecting guitars (who can stop at 1 electric guitar, right?!)
  • looking to keep long-term. so not selling unless forced to and I don't want a 'toy' guitar

After some research, I am considering these 2 atm:

  1. EVH wolfgang electric guitar (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/WolfSpcSSG--evh-wolf…)
    I have not tried it yet but tried a guitar with HH configuration (i think it was the ibanez gem jr). The HH configuration sure makes a difference in the sound.
    I am a bit conflicted with the Floyd Rose. I like having the option but not sure if it is worth it considering the set-up required and possible constant tuning of the guitar for 1 technique.

  2. Fender american performer (https://www.loganspianos.com.au/products/fender-american-per…)
    From my understanding, a very classic guitar. The HSS configuration seems accepted as a good all-rounder for many styles. I tried a few (cheaper) strats in a music store. They sounded alright but nothing really stood out. I am a little unsure how these will perform with more distorted sounds.

Anything that I am missing? happy to hear other suggestions too.

Entertainment

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2022 - 19:48

    https://veritasguitars.com/

  • freefall101 on 06/05/2022 - 20:30

    IMO for something like prog rock, the amp/pedals are going to matter more than the guitar. Pick up any SG/Strat/whatever you like playing and you'll be able to get the sound you want out of it.

    And again personal, I don't like the sound of guitars with a floyd rose, definitely make sure you give it a good play before committing. It's something I'd want another guitar for if I ever took it up.

    I got rid of most of my guitars years ago and kept the most unique one I had. I regret it, I wish I kept the Epiphone Les Paul, it simply did everything well. I should get another one one of these days.

  • Muzeeb on 06/05/2022 - 20:47

    Amp - positive grid spark - no pedals required and can achieve any amp sound you want (nearly)

    Guitar - whatever body/neck combination feels nice for you. Go to a shop and try a variety. HH configuration is versatile especially if they have a coil split option. Some damn good value second hand electric guitars on gumtree and FBM. Plenty of people selling hardly used guitars to dwindle their collection. This is how I buy them. Watch youtube videos on setups specific to your model and you are laughing. Have fun.

  • inexpensive tastes on 06/05/2022 - 21:04

    Have you checked what guitarists in your favourite bands play? They're probably going to be a bit expensive but it might give you some direction.

    As hinted above, if you get a floyd rose as your first electric you'll probably gain a new appreciation of the simplicity and robustness of fix bridge guitars. Probably better to avoid unless you want to buy both fixed and floyd (in that order). Not sure the fun of dive bombs and other floyd rose techniques make up for being able to pick up your guitar at any time knowing it will barely need to be tuned and you can tune it to fit any song you want to play.

    Also if you're keen on prog rock, wouldn't you want dual humbuckers (in your fixed bridge choice)?

    Recommend Pete Thorn on youtube, always makes you want to go play after watching his vids.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2022 - 21:23

    Yeah, I'd be looking at Fender made stuff (Fender, Charvel, EVH) in that price range, so I think you have the right idea. That or a Japanese made Ibanez (RG565, RG550) if you wanted a Floyd Rose… but I'd avoid one for your first like they said already.

  • highon2str on 06/05/2022 - 23:44

    About 2 years ago I also wanted to finally learn to play the electric. I could casually play a few chords on the acoustic but thought I was up for the challenge one day and decided I would pick up an electric to learn Metallica's MOP (and other assorted metal songs)… Started off with a $200ish jb hi fi kit guitar and amp, junked the amp for a 2nd hand VOX DA5, then eventually when I got serious enough and frustrated enough I picked up a positive grid spark amp and an Ibanez RG320 with the HH config and dive-bomb proof trem system. Almost 2 years later I'm into kirk's solo and I'm loving it. Such a disgustingly difficult song to play, but to be able to play something that resembles the legendary song that I grew up listening to, keeps me going. :)

    https://www.mannys.com.au/ibanez-rg320exz-electric-guitar-bl…
    I was sold after watching this YT review 😆🤘 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzS3ZFMtOPM

    • Gustavo Fring on 07/05/2022 - 00:25

      Aaah Yes, Master of Puppets… for when you feel like down picking 8th notes at 212 bpm for like almost 9 minutes with only one short break for the solo.

      • highon2str on 07/05/2022 - 16:26

        Bahahaha… I still struggle with the main riff, even though I have pretty long fingers.

  • Gustavo Fring on 07/05/2022 - 00:19

    As much as you'd be eager to do divebombs, I do not recommend having a guitar with a Floyd Rose as there's a good chance you will be hindered by the setup and tuning it, especially if you to learn songs with drop-tuning. Either way, if you're on the new-guitar route, consider Port Mac Guitars as they offer a free PLEK setup for every guitar you buy and have a cool return policy.

    Personally I started on a terrible Plywood Strat-copy and for an amp I used VST plugins. Currently I play an Ibanez RG and Schecter blackjack 7 string that I both got second-hand. Still don't own a real-amp though as I just play through Neural DSP Gojira and Cory Wong plugins as they sound great.

    If you'd like to go down the used-guitar path, I recommend the Ibanez RG as there's quite a bunch on fb marketplace.

    There's also this company called Artist Guitars that offer super bang for buck "entry-level" guitars. Seriously looking at one of these as the specs are ridiculously good for the price. They also have a quite generous return policy that I've used before. Otherwise, any of the squier (especially the classic vibes) or yamaha pacificas I recommend as they're build quality have gotten seriously good.

  • nuttapillar on 07/05/2022 - 09:10

    I misread that as Help me decide on an Electric Chair.

  • TightBungholio on 07/05/2022 - 10:06

    I reckon strats are bad for a lot of rock don’t get me wrong overall amazing but the single coils are too noisy for a lot of gain I’d suggest an ibanez with humbuckers

  • yk300 on 07/05/2022 - 13:14

    thanks for the feedback gang - lots of great points and suggestions

  • Forfiet on 07/05/2022 - 14:15

    This was a boss deal years ago: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/153771

    Still have the guitar somewhere :P

  • askme69 on 07/05/2022 - 14:57
    -1

    Musos Corner just had the Stupid 4 May sale. Ridiculous prices.

  • johnnygolden on 07/05/2022 - 19:19

    The HSS pickup combination is very versatile, especially if the humbucker can be split.

    A less expensive and excellent alternative to the Fender would be a Yamaha Pacifica.

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