which guitar to get?

Question

I have played acoustic for quite some time now, and would like to start playing electric. I've always liked the Fender guitars but my friend recommended me a Les Paul. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Les-Paul-Vintage-Mahogany-Electric-Guitar?sku=517536
Should I buy this? I'm on a budget, so I'll need to buy a decent amp with this and want to try to spend less than 1200.

Answer 1

If you're on a budget and you say you like Fender guitars then I highly recommend going with a Stratocaster over the Les Paul. Gibsons are definately great guitars, but they cost twice as much as a Strat. If this is your first guitar, just go with the Strat - get yourself a high quality amp, and see how things go. If you really enjoy playing electric guitar then you can buy the Les Paul a little later (when you have $1000+ to spend on just a guitar).

I have a Fat Strat and I love it (although it's from the custom shop and cost just as much as a Gibson.... but that's not important, Fat Strats are awsome guitars regardless).... Still, my favorite guitar of all time is a Gibson.... someday I'll be able to afford one.

Epiphones are total garbage compared to a Gibson or a Fender. If you are looking for a good guitar that'll leave you enough money to get a nice amp then you should go with a Fender IMO.

Answer 2

This depends on what you want it to sound like. If you want SRV, Hendrix, or Clapton (or most country), go with a Fender Strat. If you want more of a Metallica sound go with the Les Paul. I have both a high-end Fender Strat and a Gibson SG Supreme. They both have very good clean and dirty sounds. But they are very different guitars. I play the SG more, but probably because it is newer. When you get the amp, go for something with tubes - even if you can only afford 15 watts to stay within your budget. It makes a world of difference. Check the link below for a cheap tube amp that rocks. I would take that amp over any 100 watt solid state amp.

Answer 3

Strat is more versatile and cheaper. Plus the Les Paul is ridiculously heavy and awkward to play if you are just practicing in your room. I would try to get the American Strat and skimp on the amp...any amp above practice quality (even used) should fine. About 10 years ago, I picked up an American strat and a used Fender Princeton Chorus amp...they have held up great over the years. If you get your strat "set-up" by a professional every other year, it will keep playing great for the rest of your life.

Answer 4

Try it out and don't leap for the LP just yet, It rocks but Gibson's sub company Epiphone makes Les Knockoffs for a budget and there are alternatives just in case you don't end up wanting to play it alot. A Strato is nice if its a fender with a clasic head. The guitar and amp combo makes a diference as well. Consider Used, and a set of of new strings to break in.

Answer 5

That guitar is the one that I use. I went with Gibson because I find them easier to play. One thing that I think the stratocaster has that the Les Paul does not is the tremolo arm. My first guitar had one, and I enjoyed using it to make some cool sounds. But I find that the gibson has a higher playability, that's just my opinion.

Answer 6

hey, i've got a bronze by b.c. rich, cheap guitar and good quality sound. i got a package that came with the amp. i also have a fender but it doesn't have as good of sound.