Choosing a guitar to get for my birthday

  • Thread starter Thread starter fletch88
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hmm maybe i should go and play a few in the guitar shop in my town first, to see which i like, although its just i never considered this first because i presumed as the epiphone is a les paul it would be generally an awesome guitar lol and btw some people are saying it like i am getting a guitar for a beginner, i have been playing a while now and am pretty good lol so im not a beginner, so i don't really wanna go for a cheap strat as I had that before, and it just felt realllllly tacky and weirrd to play lol
 
Well, if you're gonna go Green Day

I believe 'American Idiot' was supposedly a primarily P-90 sound, so that would probably be a good place to start. The Epi Jr is probably about the equivalent of a Squire in terms of build quality (unless your Squier is an 'Affinity', which are decidedly more cheaply made). That being said, if you can find one of the Juniors with a P-90, I think you might like it. It just seems like a very punk guitar, as well as a rocker. Just my opinion.

If your use to a strat-type, an LP-type (not LP Jr.) is going to be considerably heavier, so you may or may not like that feel.

I always suggest you go and play some different guitars UNPLUGGED first to find one that feels good. You'll know it when you find it. Maybe it'll be too much money, so then you'll have to set about finding one that feels 'good enough'. THEN worry about how it sounds. You can do a lot with swapping out pickups, pedals, amps, modelers, etc. to modify the sound. What you can't do is make a guitar feel good that doesn't.

I can tell you to avoid being swayed by what the bands you like play, but it won't do any good. You won't really listen anymore than I did, or do now. If Hendrix was playing a Strat, and Clapton had an SG, I sure as hell didn't want some old Gretsch. Bleh!

It's funny, a younger guy I know says when he plays a Les Paul, he feels like he's playing an antique. He hates 'em. But he's from the PRS generation, so don't listen to us, go pick out what you like. And bang out something new and different and bring it back here and play it for us.

Have fun.
 
Awesome advice thanks ! :D

When i have it i'l have to do some recordings for you guys to show you what it sounds like :)
 
Why is that odd?

I mean, considering that's the era Punk harks back to.
 
Mark7 said:
Why is that odd?

I mean, considering that's the era Punk harks back to.

well the sex pistols were from 77 lol and the 56 junior is 20 years apart from them lol
 
So?

It was also unfashionable in '77.

And what does "unfashionable" do to the resale value of an object?
 
The thing I don't care for on the Les Paul Jr.-whether its a Gibon or an Epi-is that bridge/tailpiece that has no adjustable saddles! I think intonation would be a problem with it, if not now, sometime in the future.
I would find something with a adjustable bridge, though if you still want the Jr. you could get a Badass bridge that will mount to the old bridge/tailpiece and offer adjustable pieces. I would say its better to avoid the non adjustable one in the first place, just my 2 cents I guess!
 
I'm with you on the saddles

but it's punk. Who cares about intonation? :D

BTW, punk is about attitiude. That attitude being, if it's fashionable now, we're against it. The Sex Pistols weren't into using or doing what was fashionable at the time. That's what they were rebelling against, theoretically.

So, in reality, if it's fashionable to go and get whatever Billy Joe plays, then by definition, true punk would do just the opposite.

If however, you just like Green Day and their style and sound, then by all means.

BTW, I believe I already said I thought you'd like a Jr with a P-90, and I stand by that, not because I think they're great (which I do) but because I think you'd like it. But only you can be the judge. And they're inexpensive, so more cash for other toys.

Ah, to be young again. Have fun. Sounds like you will.
 
btw are these les paul juniors actually any good for playing things that are not punk, i mean other styles such as hard rock, metal, classic rock, indie and others? or are they primarily for punk
 
fletch88 said:
btw are these les paul juniors actually any good for playing things that are not punk, i mean other styles such as hard rock, metal, classic rock, indie and others? or are they primarily for punk

An LP Jr is a good all-around guitar for those who like the humbucker sound; I'd love to have one. IMO, there's not a guitar made that is only good for a single genre of music, excepting considerations of fashion. You probably wouldn't see one of those B.C. Rich all pointy looking monstrosities in a country band. ;^)
 
You should see if you can pick up a Gordon Smiith GS1 cheap. It's like a Les Paul Jr but with the added bonus of a coil splitter. So it's got two sounds as opposed to the LP Jr's one.
 
my budget went up so im considering a les paul standard epiphone now :rolleyes: but still thinking about it lol gonna check that other guitar you mentioned out too
 
I think that the Epi LP Std is a very good choice. I think you will be happy with it. There are a zillion guitars on the market and you will get that many opinions. BTW my guitar is the best because it is my guitar.

DocRCH
 
I just got a Fender Lite Ash Tele, should be available around $550, sounds amazing, with it's Duncans, and looks awesome, with birdseye and ash. A surprising variety of sounds, not for nothing are Tele's noted as Swiss Army Guitars. I threw on a set of compensated saddles, a machined jack cup, and a Switchcraft jack from Stew-Mac. Spiffy, in tune, solid. Don't mail-order, go to a store, and pick a nice one, Fender has been showing some inconsistency.

For LP types, look at guitarfetish.com. I got one of the 335-types, and it's a very nice guitar, regardless of price. The LP-types probably rock, too. For cheaper, and probably still meeting or exceeding Epi specs, try rondomusic.com.
 
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