Things to look for and avoid in a cheap electric guitar

[Mornats]

Hi folks,

So, obviously I'm a bass player but I'm branching out a little into playing the 6 string electric a bit. I do this mainly for recording stuff where I can almost blunder my way through playing and with judicious use of distortion, reverb and luck I can get it sounding ok! I'm actually learning a bit and getting better each time I record more guitar work so I'm thinking a nice little treat is in order to reward my perseverance.

I'm currently using the most entry level Ibanez Gio - a GRG70DX which in all honesty is quite a decent guitar. I think Ibanez have done themselves proud with this cheap little thing. However, I'd like something a little different so I'm thinking of a few options.

I'm looking at the Epiphone Les Pauls and also at the hollow body jazz style guitars from the likes of Gretsch (if only they were cheaper), Hagstrom and Farida. I will of course pop down to my local, friendly guitar shop and ask the guys very nicely if they'll play a few of them for me so I can judge whether they sound different enough to my Ibanez to be worth buying. Budget is around £200 or under. Any more and I'd have to justify spending that amount of cash on bass gear or software.

So, I'm trying to find out what I need to look for in the sub £200 price range when it comes to guitars. If I was buying a bass I'd start looking at the Squire VM P and J basses as they're brilliant and well underpriced for what they are. So I'm after the guitar equivalent to one of these really. I'm not a snob on brands but I do like guitars to look nice! I love the look of the Gretsch hollow bodies and the Les Paul shape (but only in black).

This is currently top of my list (Epiphone Les Paul Special II for £120): [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-special-ii-electric-guitar-ebony--37103"]http://www.dv247.com...ar-ebony--37103[/url] but it seems just a little too cheap. But if it's a sound guitar and is different enough to my Ibanez then I'd grab one.

These look really nice too (I loved the sound of Miles Kane's band's Gretsch's when I saw them live): [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/gretsch-g5415-special-jet-electric-guitar-black--89601"]http://www.dv247.com...ar-black--89601[/url]

A hollow body may be a really nice one to have to get that jangly sound from chords. I'm stalking one of these on Ebay at the moment: [url="http://www.dawsons.co.uk/farida-sa16mp-black"]http://www.dawsons.c...da-sa16mp-black[/url]

<looks up> Sorry for the long post! Any and all advice is appreciated (oh, and I'm happy to look second hand for anything too). Cheers!

Edited July 2, 2012 by Mornats

[gjones]

Squier VM customer telecasters, which have two P90s in place of the usual single coils, sound great with an average secondhand price of about £140. I know some very good guitarists who own one. They come in black and butterscotch.

Here's a review.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiwWeobS2xo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiwWeobS2xo[/url]

[mike257]

The Epi Special II was my first guitar - its not bad as a starter instrument but I'd suggest stumping up a few extra quid for a used Squier Classic Vibe or Vintage Mod series. There's enough different models in those ranges that you should be able to find something you like, and they seem to be universally praised as being better than they ought to be for the price.

I still have my old Epi, covered in stickers and with knackered electrics. It's another 'project' that I need to get round to, I'll make it awesome one of these days

[Lozz196]

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1341229227' post='1715346']
Squier VM customer telecasters, which have two P90s in place of the usual single coils, sound great with an average secondhand price of about £140. I know some very good guitarists who own one. They come in black and butterscotch.

Here's a review.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiwWeobS2xo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiwWeobS2xo[/url]
[/quote]

Yes, these get great reviews. Many people who have these state they bought them as backup guitars, but find they prefer them to their original go-to axe.

[skankdelvar]

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1341227506' post='1715311']
A hollow body may be a really nice one to have to get that jangly sound from chords. [/quote]

If you're after jangly, then not all hollow bodies are the same. If anything, it's down to the pickups, so (depending on one means by jangly) I'd be looking at single-coils - any of the Fender varieties or P90's.

One possibility - Danelectro reissues. They come in new around £230-250, less s/h depending on age. Hollow body, twang and jangle out the ying-yang but can also snarl like a mother. I love mine.

[Mornats]

Shame they're fugly! They do sound pretty good but in all honesty, I'd not be motivated to pick up one of those. I know, I know, it's all about the sound rather than the looks but I do like a nice instrument that just begs you to pick it up. I'm shallow, what can I say?

I'll have a good browse through their range though. Being Squire/Fender they'll have a million different versions so there may well be one that I like... (ooh, actually this looks interesting: [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/squier-vintage-modified-telecaster-thinline-guitar-shoreline-gold-rosewood--44428"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/squier-vintage-modified-telecaster-thinline-guitar-shoreline-gold-rosewood--44428[/url])

[Mornats]

I meant the Squire in the vid wasf ugly, not the Danelectro - you got your post in just as I got mine in. Now they're guitars that I like the look of. The one in that pic is a beaut. There's something very different about them. And as a bonus, the small independent music shop in the town I live in outside of Bristol happens to have a few of those in stock.

[Ancient Mariner]

The Les Paul will sound little different from your Ibby IMO, and is probably a lower quality guitar, or at least on the same level.

If you could acquire a Farida semi like you linked to then that would give you a greater range of tonal options, which is what I think you're after.

You mentioned jangle, but also talked about using distortion & reverb. The more distortion you add the less important (and noticeable) different guitars become. Strats and Teles will do jangle effectively, as will Danelectros (V easy to play too) which would be worth a look.

Also look out for a Godin Radiator - like a cross between a Les Paul and a Tele, but with fat, sparkly pickups.

*edit*

Just seen Skank mentioned Dano too. The one complaint with them is that they can be a bit too thin and bright, but that need not be a problem.

Edited July 2, 2012 by Ancient Mariner

[skankdelvar]

[quote name='Ancient Mariner' timestamp='1341232958' post='1715408']
The one complaint with them is that they can be a bit too thin and bright, but that need not be a problem.
[/quote]

Ideally get an example with 2 vols / 2 tones, roll a smidge of treble off the bridge pup. Best of all - IMO, YMMV - find one of the Korean re-issues from about 15 years ago. 4 pots, wooden bridge saddle and 'cooler' pickups. OTOH, the new reissues have 'hotter' wound pickups so not quite as trebly.

Thing I love is that Dans are wired differently to most guitars, so the middle position is [i]huge[/i]. That. some creamy distortion and a long delay - be still, my aching gusset.
[color=#ffffff].[/color]

Edited July 2, 2012 by skankdelvar

[Mornats]

Well jangly is what I'm after (without dist and reverb of course) so I think a Danelectro is at the top of my list now. I had a quick google of the Godins and they look different, if a little fruity so I'll keep an eye out for those too. One advantage that I thought the hollow bodies would give is that I could play it acoustically and have it sound ok but that's just a guess. I'm not sure if they would sound ok without an amp (I'm thinking of just noodling around on one in the house to practice guitar skills without plugging it in). It's not a big requirement though, just a nice to have.

Thanks for all your rather prompt comments and suggestions folks. To sum up, a Les Paul is off the list if it's not giving me anything other than a different look to the guitar. Danelectros seem to be jumping out as being what I'm after and I'll have to listen to a hollow body being played before making a judgement. You guys rock, cheers!

[skankdelvar]

A Dan will be slightly louder than an unplugged solid-body but not as loud as a proper old-school full-depth f-hole archtop.

Many of these shallow-depth 'hollow-bodies' have a centre block that runs from the neck-joint to the strap end-pin; this restricts the top's vibration somewhat and reduces the 'acoustic' volume. Best to have an unplugged noodle in the shop before you plug in.

[Dave Vader]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1341232543' post='1715398']
If you're after jangly, then not all hollow bodies are the same. If anything, it's down to the pickups, so (depending on one means by jangly) I'd be looking at single-coils - any of the Fender varieties or P90's.

One possibility - Danelectro reissues. They come in new around £230-250, less s/h depending on age. Hollow body, twang and jangle out the ying-yang but can also snarl like a mother. I love mine.


[/quote]

Just looked on thomann, they are going for about 150 brand new on there at the minute, bit difficult to not buy one myself....

[Mornats]

But then I'd have to throw an Ashdown VS-112 cab on top of it to get the free postage and that'll be over £300!

[noelk27]

What's your definition of "jangly"? For me, I'd be thinking something Strat style set between bridge and centre pickups, not something 335 style (particularly not one with 'buckers). You could look at wiring coil taps for the 'buckers in your Gio. If you're seriously wanting something hollow bodied, try to get something without centre blocks and built with maple. Not science, but the more chamber you've got, the lighter the woods, the thinner sounding the pickups, the janglier it gets.

[uncle psychosis]

I have a Danelectro U2 56 and its brilliant. I'd post a picture but I can't because I'm at work.

The Squier VMs are very good in 6 string version too. There is another brand called Vintage who make some pretty nice stuff too---I'd probably go with them over a cheap Epiphone. Having said that, some Epis are very nice guitars too.

[Mornats]

I saw Miles Kane support Kasabian last year and they were playing what looked like semi hollow Gretsch's. That's the sound that I really liked and is also what I mean when I say jangly. I've been reading up on the Danelectros and think they'll give me a much different sound to my Ibby. Plus they're cheap as chips and look funky.

[LukeFRC]

to be honest keep your eyes on secondhand around you, gumtree and the like. £200 could get you something extra special secondhand, esp if you are lucky!
That said I found my guitar in my aunt's bin!

[Ancient Mariner]

This was my Godin.



And this is a Dynelectron - Italian copy of a Danelectro Guitarlin with 35 fret neck. Bought this used and owned it 34 years

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/AncientMariner/Dynelectron-1.jpg[/IMG]

Edited July 3, 2012 by Ancient Mariner

[Mornats]

That's sparkly! Ok, so I'm stuck between the black Danelectro 56 and the white one (same model). The white is only £140 from Thomann whilst the black on is £175 or so (the £140 black one is a slightly different model with a "proper" bridge). I'm not ever likely to play it on stage though so the £35 saving would win out I guess.

[Ancient Mariner]

The wooden bridge is OK (mine has one) but it will be enormously easier to intonate a more conventional design.

Given the various choices I'd pick either this one (as a money saving option with wild looks (and I LIKE the looks): [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/danelectro_wild_thing_bk.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ld_thing_bk.htm[/url]

Or this one if you had an urge to emulate Pagey: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/danelectro_59_reissue_double_cutaway_bk.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._cutaway_bk.htm[/url]

At these prices I almost wish I hadn't just arranged for a project guitar that will cost me more when it's finished than the wild thing. I'd love a Dano that I could play out with (the one in that picture has been played to death - my main guitar from 78-90 and really worked hard).

Edited July 4, 2012 by Ancient Mariner

[Jono Bolton]

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1341232543' post='1715398'] If you're after jangly, then not all hollow bodies are the same. If anything, it's down to the pickups, so (depending on one means by jangly) I'd be looking at single-coils - any of the Fender varieties or P90's. One possibility - Danelectro reissues. They come in new around £230-250, less s/h depending on age. Hollow body, twang and jangle out the ying-yang but can also snarl like a mother. I love mine. [/quote] A Danelectro U2 in Salmon Pink was my first guitar, bought for £60 when I was about 14, so roughly 2000/2001. I sold it to help fund a Candy Apple Red Squier Standard Stratocaster with a maple neck. The Dano was great and sounded brilliant, I wish I still had it I was actually looking just a couple of days ago at getting another U2, but I see that the most recent ones have been slightly redesigned with a new scratchplate and bridge, and a slightly different headstock shape too, I think if I were to get a new one I'd have to go for one of the "original reissues", if only for nostalgia's sake!

Edited July 6, 2012 by Jono Bolton

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

I was crashing over a friends house last year.
I'm terrible at guitar, but his daughter had a brilliant hello kitty axe. The action and feel was very good

[Mornats]

I've seen a Spongebob Squarepants guitar set. Meant to be quite decent apparently.

Ok, so I'm looking at getting the white Dano 56 or the 59. Everyone seems to love them and they're cheap as chips. I did pop into PMT in Bristol but they didn't have any in stock. The guys were brilliant though, I told them what I was after sound-wise and they hunted around for some guitars that would suit and they were even more than happy to play them for me so I could hear how they sound when played properly. I was almost convinced by a Wilson Bros. Ventures guitar but there's something about the look of the Danos that really appeals.

[Ancient Mariner]

Dano picture thread: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2893137-On-a-Danelectro-kick-post-some-pics-of-your-Danos-here.

[Mornats]

Right, I'm off to a mate's house for a bit of a jam over the weekend and he's a guitar nut and has around 17 of them (he builds them, well assembles them, not builds them as a hobby) so I'll try a few of his and chat to him about them. Unless I'm totally barking up the wrong tree with what I want then I'll order myself a white Dano, either a 56 or 59. Other than looks a little bit of price difference, are there any other major differences between them?