Lets look at our guitars thread

[Stan the Bat]

Is the LP in the background a 60's tribute ?

[OldSkoolRS]

Yes it is Stan. It’s a 2011 model I bought used last year in perfect condition, from a guy who wanted to get Custom shop ‘54 Gold Top to replace it with.

[Patch1875]

Bit of a thread hijack but after 30 years of not picking up a guitar I’m fancying a giving it ago again.

Looking at starter guitars and probably heart over head being a Guns n Roses fan I’m looking at one of these.

It does get pretty good reviews but any thoughts?
https://www.reddogmusic.co.uk/catalog/product/0120...

[Ekona]

Is that not the one with the thinner body, instead of the regular thickness one? That’s the only thing that would put me off really, as otherwise it’s as good as anything in that price range.

[Stan the Bat]

OldSkoolRS said:

Yes it is Stan. It’s a 2011 model I bought used last year in perfect condition, from a guy who wanted to get Custom shop ‘54 Gold Top to replace it with.

So he spent a lot more then to say the least.

[Chicken Chaser]

Patch1875 said:

Bit of a thread hijack but after 30 years of not picking up a guitar I’m fancying a giving it ago again.

Looking at starter guitars and probably heart over head being a Guns n Roses fan I’m looking at one of these.

It does get pretty good reviews but any thoughts?
https://www.reddogmusic.co.uk/catalog/product/0120...

I'd look at the Epiphone plus top pro. They're a good guitar with a nice finish and there's a lot of hardly used ones about for similar money to that one.

[smn159]

Chicken Chaser said:

I'd look at the Epiphone plus top pro. They're a good guitar with a nice finish and there's a lot of hardly used ones about for similar money to that one.

Buy the best that you can afford and get it set up properly, even as a learner. A nice guitar which feels 'right' in your hands will make you want to play it in a way that a cheap guitar won't.

[6th Gear]

Patch1875 said:

Bit of a thread hijack but after 30 years of not picking up a guitar I’m fancying a giving it ago again.

Looking at starter guitars and probably heart over head being a Guns n Roses fan I’m looking at one of these.

It does get pretty good reviews but any thoughts?
https://www.reddogmusic.co.uk/catalog/product/0120...

How about this?

https://reverb.com/item/11225540-epiphone-les-paul...

[Dave2P]

Patch1875 said:

Bit of a thread hijack but after 30 years of not picking up a guitar I’m fancying a giving it ago again.

Looking at starter guitars and probably heart over head being a Guns n Roses fan I’m looking at one of these.

Sounds like you're where I was about 3 years ago... since when I've had a bit of a thing for Epiphone Les Pauls... currently have 4 in the house and have played half a dozen others to learn what the different constructions and electrics give you.

The budget Epis are fine for the (low) price, but if you're chasing a Les Paul tone, IMHO, you probably want to start with the Standard - for the set neck - and work up. The higher end models are really rather good; particularly the "Pro", "Custom" and "Tribute" models.

Check Anderton's "How to sound like Slash without busting the bank" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMqOtADu204 (Tribute Plus!)

There are some real bargains to be had on Ebay or Gumtree; a lot of people buy nice guitars with the best intentions but either don't have the time, or just give up. Some are bought for teenagers only to languish unused in corners before Dad gets fed up and sells them...

Some of the signature editions (e.g. Joe Bonamassa) and models like the Tribute Plus and 1959 anniversary, have long tenon neck joints (sustaiiiinnnn man) AND come loaded with actual Gibson USA pickups, and often the same high quality switches, pots and caps as their more expensive brethren. These can turn up on eBay for little more than the new price of the pickups alone; people often don't really know what they're selling.

If those are pushing your budget then, as suggested, the Plus Top Pro is a very good bet; it has a set neck (although not long-tenon) and coil-tapped Probucker pickups (which are great pups IMHO). Comes in a range of finishes, some of which are stunning; I'd add to the earlier comment about a well set-up guitar and say that a well set-up guitar that sounds good and looks good too won't want to leave your hands...

If you buy wisely (pick an auction ending mid-week, and don't buy without a hard case) and you don't bond with a guitar, you should be able to get back what you paid for it (plus a little more if you take care when selling).

TL;DR - do a little more research and get a secondhand, high-end Epi!

And just to get this back on topic, here's my current favourite...


1959 50th anniversary Standard, long-tenon neck, Gibson Burstbuckers

[Chicken Chaser]

I actually have the Tribute Plus. I played it alongside a Gibson LP studio and thought the Epi sounded better. It really is a great guitar for the money.

[jamesson]

Another vote for Epiphone here. I have two Les Pauls - one Studio, one Standard. Both are excellent. I concur also on getting it set up properly. It'll make a big difference to both your playing and your desire to play it regularly.

As others have said, buy a second hand one on eBay or Gumtree. There are some proper bargains out there.

Good luck and happy playing!

[andy-xr]

Patch1875 said:

Bit of a thread hijack but after 30 years of not picking up a guitar I’m fancying a giving it ago again.

Looking at starter guitars and probably heart over head being a Guns n Roses fan I’m looking at one of these.

It does get pretty good reviews but any thoughts?
https://www.reddogmusic.co.uk/catalog/product/0120...

I've played four of them in a shop and I enjoyed looking at them more.

There is a Gibson line of less expensive Tribute guitars and some of the mid-higher end Epiphone standards would also be worth playing back to back against what you're looking at.

You'd likely also want to keep an eye out on Seymour Duncan Alnico II's on eBay or set of Burstbuckers. And a Silver Jubilee

[Don1]

As much as I dislike Andertons (terrible customer service around a guitar with an 8 in the fretboard), they do good videos.

Some of these videos have been blindfold tests of similar guitars - Gibson Vs Epiphone, Fender Vs Squire (etc). Well worth a few minutes of your time.

[GR_TVR]

I recently started playing again after a brief stint in my teens.
Got an Epiphone LP Custom Pro in Alpine White - I love it!
Couple of experienced guitar playing friends have given it a go and were really impressed, so think I've made a good choice!

[Patch1875]

Thanks for all the advise going to try to pop into a shop this week to have a look and get a bit of advise.

Also scanning eBay and gumtree to see what’s out there.

[OldSkoolRS]

Can't beat actually having a try of guitars (and associated gear) as there's only so much you can find out on the web. I have an Epiphone Les Paul and a friend has a PRS. I've played his PRS, but it feels very different to my Epiphone (and my Gibson Studio too), so you might favour one over the other once you get your hands on them.

I've found Gumtree very useful: I bought an 'as new' Telecaster for half price, with a load of extras thrown in a few years ago, sold a Les Paul Studio as I couldn't get on with the thick neck it had. Bought another Les Paul Studio with a thinner neck and today sold a Fender Blues Junior amp. I'm in selling mode, so just have to try no to look at the 'for sale' adverts now.

[davidd]

Going back to Epiphones, if you want a really well sorted one talk to Clive at http://www.unsungheroguitars.com/

[sw67]

I have wanted a telecaster for 30 years but other guitars always got in the way. That changed today

Dax and co telecaster serial no #1

[Stan the Bat]

sw67 said:

I have wanted a telecaster for 30 years but other guitars always got in the way. That changed today

Dax and co telecaster serial no #1

Nice-ish, not sure about the scratchplate.

[gazza285]

Stan the Bat said:

sw67 said:

I have wanted a telecaster for 30 years but other guitars always got in the way. That changed today

Dax and co telecaster serial no #1

Nice-ish, not sure about the scratchplate.

I’m sure about the scratchplate, I don’t like it. Rest looks ok though.