be gentle...

[dobro]

Now let's say, just for the sake of argument, that a person who had played acoustic guitar all their life wanted to get his or her hands on an electric guitar, but knew nothing about electric guitars. And let's say, further to the argument, that that person knew a bunch of people who had been buying and playing electric guitars since they were 14. 12, some of them. Now, what advice do you suppose those experienced electric-guitar-buying-and-playing people would give the newbie?

I ask, merely for information, you understand...

 

[VOXVENDOR]

Ok. Im going to go out on a limb here..

My guess would be........ They are saying "Stick with acoustic".....?

 

[VOXVENDOR]

Or..

Mexican Stratocaster? (my personal favorite)

 

[dobro]

Mostly Indonesian strats out here, I think...

 

[eyeslikefire]

How much moola ($) is this "person" willing to spend Dob?

 

[Dunder XIII]

That person might perhaps tend towards countryish style of music? If so, or not, he should try a Telecaster. Simple very effective design. Will accompany that acoustic sound in delightful ways!

 

[dobro]

Brands are one thing. I wouldn't know a Telecaster from a Strat if I didn't read the label. But what do you look for in an electric guitar besides a straight neck, a good feel and good intonation? I don't even know what to listen for, other than a sound I like.

Five or six hundred dollars maybe.

 

[eyeslikefire]

Shit Dob, you just described what I look for in a new instrument.
Good feel, good neck, good intonation and the sound I want.
If you find a guitar that has all those plus be visually appealing,
then sir,.. you have got your instrument.

I'll agree with the V-man, Mexi Strats are excellent.

 

[hixmix]

I don't know what 5-6 hundred will buy in Singapore.

Is the guitar for you? If so, I suggest you go out and try a bunch of different electric guitars, make some notes and questions about what you've found, and then post the notes here.

That should get the ball rolling and we might all learn something that way.

 

[Kramer]

Your avatar is scaring me VOX.

 

[Lopp]

I'd say hit the shop and play a bunch. First play 'em dry, just to see how they feel. Then plug in and test the tone.

I'd also ask that person what they were looking for. E.g., what style of music and influences.

$5-600 should get that person a nice axe.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Look for the same things you would look for in an acoustic. Good build quality, solid feel, great sound. The sound of an electric will vary just as much as an acoustic. Look for a nice rich tone with good sustain and a neck that feels comfortable.

 

[foo]

First things first:
The electric guitar requires a lot less effort to play. Generally, it will have lighter strings (e.g. a 10 on top not a 13).
The trade-off for that ease of playing is it will be much less forgiving than your acoustic. Every nuance, every touch will be there for all to hear.

If you're looking for a general purpose instrument, a Stratocaster is probably the best way to go. It can perform extremely well in most popular genres - Rock, Country, Pop, Blues, etc are all easily within it's sonic range with the right amplification.

IF you have more specific needs, post them here and we'll certainly be happy to confuse you more.



As for the origin of the instrument - get the best guitar you can afford. The ideal situation is a guitar that you will never be too good to play and be satisfied with it's sound.
So if you can afford that all-original Ocean Turquoise 1957 that sounds like Knopfler's and Stevie Ray's, get it!



Try and buy used - they're just a better value.

foo

 

[A Reel Person]

Plug it in, turn it up, and let it rip!

Dig the knobs and switches!

11 is louder than 10!

 

[Bass Master "K"]

To answer your question, your friends who have been playing since they were 12 and 14 will probably tell you to buy what they have. This may or may not be any help at all...

I would rather poke my eyes out with a cracked guitar pick than take a mexi strat over a used American strat... just my opinion but I have picky ears and a longing for quality over a shiny new instrument that no one else has played.

In the 500$ range...you have lots of options. But I will admit I am biased to Fender so I would go used american strat.

If you were a close friend of mine I would tell you to head to the biggest music store in your area and try out as many different models in your pricerange as you can. Be a pain in the ass for them, who cares...ask to plug in everything under $500 that they have. They should be happy to have you there.

Good luck!

 

[blipndub]

and don't be afraid to try something different or a company that's a little under the rader like...www.nashguitars.com or even just a lesser known brand than Fender/Gibson, like Hamer, Dean or Ibanez and even peavey (I LOVE my 199. pv tele copy)

 

[guhlenn]

a vote for Hamer... although that would mean gettin the korea model and that means replacin pickups... live is hard...

but really, you need to decide first whether you like fender or gibson... fender being the single coil -maple guitar with the thinner clearer treblly sound and gibson being the mahogany-humbucker heavy and dark yet you lose some definition sound...

No it isn't easy... LOL

Guhlenn

 

[joro]

Considering you have played an acoustic exclusively.....

I would suggest a semi hollow body guit.....

I own an epi Sheraton....the Casino is comparable....mo money though....
you can get quite a range of sound from semis......

sort of the middle of the road inbetween the acoustic and electric worlds.....

just a thought.......

Take it easy,
Joe

 

[64Firebird]

I agree with joro. You might like something with a wider neck that would be better for finger picking.

If you do want to go for the full on solid body, one of the things I look for in a Strat type guitar is lightness. I don't think the heavy ones sound as good.

 

[dobro]

Good thread. I enjoyed it. Which is just as well, since I'll be re-reading it a few times in the next couple of weeks.

(Walks away muttering... Mexican Strat... what are the chances of a Mexican Strat in Singapore? Probably about the same as finding a Mexican here...)