What electric guitar - up to £1500

[maturin23]

Hello all.
I've just had a request from my best pal's wife to help choose a guitar for his 40th birthday present.

She's happy to spend up to 1500 quid.

It'll be his first decent guitar - he's a blues/rock/funk fan.
He's currently got one of my early 80s JV Strats on long term loan which he adores so my default plan is to buy a tidy one of those.
Having said that the potential budget goes some way beyond the price of even a perfect JV so am keen to get some suggestions.

I think it needs to be a Strat-type but he's not a badge snob.
I think 2nd hand is fine too.

Any thoughts?

Cheers
Ian

[Tom_C76]

You're into second hand Artist series strats at that price. I love my Clapton Blackie, but it's slightly off being a typical Strat, I've played a friend's John Meyer Strat, and whilst they're rarer it is a lovely guitar. Either of those would probably delight, you'd get a Blackie new for the budget too, which might make a better gift IMHO.

[Bebee]

£1500? I'd be looking here:

http://www.fender.com/en-GB/custom-shop/

Strat is the right guitar.

[KemP]

Id go second hand and something from the Fender Custom Shop. You have lots of choice at that price for a Strat.

[singlecoil]

Is this going to be a surprise present? If so, it's fraught. Better to buy brand new from somewhere that has a huge selection on the written understanding that the recipient can come in and exchange it for the one he really wanted. Guitar choice is hugely personal.

[oddball1973]

singlecoil above isn't wrong- maybe throw a half dozen possibles in the mix and let him steer you a bit so you don't get it hoplessly wrong.

These might be worth a look - they have a fantastic reputation and are maybe a little more versatile than a regular Strat

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/levinson-blade-rh4-eg-clas...

[BorkFactor]

My mate has an American Deluxe Strat and it is lovely:

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_det...

(They come with 3 single coils as well, but that gives you more versatility IMO)

The Eric Clapton Strat is a beast:

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_det...

Or scrape together another £132 and go for an American Vintage 56 Reissue?

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_det...

You could also look into a second hand LSL if you can find one?

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_det...

What a lovely predicament to be in

[Mad March Taffy]

Along the same lines - couple of other thoughts:

Suhr

http://www.suhr.com/guitars/

Or


Tom Anderson

http://www.andersonguitars.com/product_information...

Modern takes on the Strat and fine guitars

[singlecoil]

Surely the problem here is not to be able to come up with good ways to spend £1500 on a guitar (a lot more than is necessary in my opinion) but to find out what he wants. For instance, a Daphne Blue Strat would suit me very well, but I would hate the same guitar in Surf Green.

[W124]

This is wise advice. Get one as close to the one he likes as you can. If you are in London. speak to Graham at Guitar Classics in Battersea. He's an honest bloke.

[BaronVonV8]

Why not take him down Denmark Street under the pretence of looking for something for yourself. See what he picks up/lusts after. Like others have said, pretty sure it's gonna be a Strat, but you don't wanna get the guy a surf green one if he likes a nice sunburst finish. Also, necks, gloss or satin finish? Maple or Rosewood. It's almost worth telling him the plan so he gets the guitar he wants and will love forever. I'm sure he can practice acting surprised Are Fender doing any decent 60th anniversary models?

[dojo]

Could look at a G&L
Bit tricky in this situation but I'd head down the Warmoth route.
The 72 teles are cool and can switch between a nice thick blues tone and a scratchy chicken pickin funk tone effortlessly.
Also don't be afraid to look at some of the late 80s/early 90s Japanese copies...

[Penguinracer]

G&L - Leo's ultimate evolution of the bolt-on electric, especially those using MFD & Z-Coil pick-ups.

Here's the G&L Guitar Generator so that you can spec & order your own custom instrument:

http://americanguitarboutique.net/Guitar_index.htm...

[maturin23]

Thanks guys - some great suggestions.

I do have a good idea what he'd like.

Strat with single coils and a maple fingerboard.
Vintage/second hand rather than brand new.

He has visited Guitar Classics - some lovely instruments there.

I think he'd actually be completely thrilled by a Squier JV or a 90s Standard US but his wife's suggested budget opened up some more options.

I'm still not convinced he needs to be spending quite so much for a first guitar.

[maturin23]

I'm also tempted to agree that this kind of choice is almost too personal to make on someone's behalf however well you know that person.

[Kinky]

What about a decent amp too?

[maxxy5]

I recently bought an american deluxe strat, it's a very nice object, I would recommend if going for a new guitar and it's under budget. Some people don't like the noiseless pickups but I do and you can always change them. I also tried a clapton strat which was great but a little unusual, not a classic strat and I wouldn't recommend one without trying it.

Edited by maxxy5 on Sunday 2nd November 19:37

Edited by maxxy5 on Sunday 2nd November 19:39

[Bebee]

Kinky said:

What about a decent amp too?

Got to be a Jazz! Awesome.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171525597140?ssPageName=...

[Steffan]

Personally I would look at the Gibson 335 Models because I like the sound and playing ease that they provide. But this is very much a personal,choice and I can understand the appreciation of the Strat fans. Nice choice to have to make and good luck with the final choice.

[davidd]

You need to get him into a shop to try some. He may really like your 80's strat, but maybe if you have given him a les paul, or a Rickenbacker or something else then he would really like that.

I know on the rare occasion where I have bought a new guitar I have tried many (even of the same model) before finally finding one I just seemed to like that bit more.

If you buy him something then I'm sure it will be great and he will be thrilled. However I'm sure that if his wife gives him £1500 in cash on the day, drives the pair of you to Denmark St or Guitar Guitar or somewhere, with strict instructions not to come home until he has spent it on a guitar then he will end up with something he really, really wants.