Need to buy a guitar....

I have to agree with several posters here: NEVER buy a guitar unseen. They're all different, especially a lot of the budget-end korean and mexican made guitars.


(oh -- btw - all you posters recommending Martins, Taylors, Tacomas and Alvarez guitars - did you catch that he's shopping for an ELECTRIC guitar? )

So - what styles of music does he play and or listen too? This is a really important thing to consider - I'd look around at his favourite musicians guitar tones and go for the general style/configuration that he's into listening to.

It really is a good time for cheap guitars these days, but beware of a few things. For one, DO NOT even be tempted to touch one of those Epiphones or "Gibsons" that you see at Costco, Walmart or Target - they really do suck! If you go to a major guitar franchise like Guitar Center, make sure you try out at least 2 of the exact same guitar. Especially on budget guitars, you'll notice differences in tone and fit/finish errors.

Mexi Fenders can be really nice indeed - I have a MIM Fender Nashville Power Tele that I really do like. Compared to my American '62 Custom reissue, it's surprisingly well built for 1/3 the cost. Beware the fender "Squire" models in general though - I've heard bad things and I've heard good things, but only from people who rebuild them from the ground up.

A couple of off-name brands that might surprise you with their quality these days - Godin, Yamaha and Schecter


Hope this helps!

Dave
(P.S. FWIW, I have somewhere over a dozen guitars now and 6 amps. For a hobby I do a little tinkering and repairs on vintage guitars for a collector friend of mine. Feel free to ask any questions you might have)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(samkusnetz @ Jun 16 2006, 07:11 PM) [snapback]272460[/snapback]</div>

er... I would NOT call modern Gibson and Gretsch guitars unquestionably high quality, or even high quality. Most Gretsches are made in Korea now, with the Japanese models harder and harder to find. I've played a 1958 Gretsch Tennesean though, and MAN, that's a nice guitar! However, take a really close look at any Grtsch you see in Guitar center and find me one that doesn't have busted switches or delamination going on...

While I love my parker Nitefly, I have to say it's had it's share of quality problems in the past 10 years. I had the original neck replaced after 5 years as it deformed itself. I just had a fret unglue itself last month and have to send it back to Boston *again*!

I completely concur with your sentiments on Peavey and Squire, but I wouldn't put Yamaha in the same boat. It's too bad this model isn't available in the US, but pound for pound, dollar for dollar, these Yamaha's EAT Les Pauls:
http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe...2000/index.html
In general though, in every instrument Yamaha makes, they run the gamut from bottom of the line to top. With a Yamaha guitar, you always get what you pay for.

(I have a 1976 model )

Now PRS! THAT's a well made guitar!

Cheers!
Dave

 

Another thing to think about is the scale length of the neck which I find is a big difference between most Gibsons and Fenders. Gibsons usually have a 24.75" scale length neck while Fenders typically have a 25.5" scale length. I have monster hands so I prefer Fenders over Gibsons unless it's a Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. Have your son try both out and find the one that feels more comfortable. I have a '93 USA Tele, a '92 Washburn 12-string acoustic, and a '96 Taylor 610 and love them all. Everyone has their preferences but I look at it like dating - you'll know when you've found the right one

 

I can't speak for electrics, but when I bought my classical I went to a guitar store. They had some like new used guitars. I bought one paid half of what it cost new. I'd highly recommend going to a few local guitar stores to see what they had and what deals they'll make.

When you decide, bring cash. Sometimes you can cut an even better deal using cash rather than credit card or even check.

( I ended up with a Takamine Hirade.)