Need an electric gtr for the studio. Ideas?

[metanoiastudios]

Hey guys,

I am looking to purchase a guitar to have at the studio, and also to learn guitar myself when there is some spare time. My budget definitely CANNOT exceed 1k. I personally love the way Telecasters look (and sound), but don't love the price tag associated with these guitars as much. Are there ANY Tele clones for under 1k that sound somewhat similar, or are just as versatile? I've been reading a lot about these Squier Classic Vibe Tele's, but the name Squier is often associated with donkey turd, so that makes me a little uneasy.

Aside from Tele clones, what guitar(s) do you own in your studio? which one do you find to be the most versatile to play a variety of different genres? I'm sure this is gonna spark a bunch of different answers, and that's fine. I personally don't play guitar, so obviously I have no idea what to look for in a guitar for studio use. Obviously versatility and low noise come to mind.

Thanks!

[mjau]

Hard to recommend one guitar that will cover all the bases, but this tele sounds great and can cover a lot of ground.
FWIW, I picked up a Squier classic vibe J-Bass, and it freaking rocks! Even the build quality feels tight. One neck adjustment was all it took to get it in playable shape.

[mrclean]

I highly recommend the 72 Custom Telecaster:

http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0137502306

I bought mine about 5 years ago - great feel and a variety of sounds.

You can get them for about 700 bucks these days...

[Jeff White]

That Tele is great. I'd also recommend a Highway 1 Tele (American made). Mine is my main guitar most of the time. Also, Reverend's Korean-made guitars are wonderful. I own a Buckshot and love the thing.

Jeff

[Recycled_Brains]

If you want a Tele, just get a Tele. You should be able to find a used American Standard for under 1k pretty easily.

That, or just save a little longer. They're only $1100 new.

If you buy a clone or Squier simply for the sake of saving $100, you'll probably regret it later. Squier's value depreciates the second you walk out of the guitar shop too. I noticed a pretty big difference btwn. a MIM Tele and an Am. Std., so I can imagine the difference btwn. a Squier and Am. Std. being even more extreme.

Aside from Tele clones, what guitar(s) do you own in your studio? which one do you find to be the most versatile to play a variety of different genres? I'm sure this is gonna spark a bunch of different answers, and that's fine. I personally don't play guitar, so obviously I have no idea what to look for in a guitar for studio use. Obviously versatility and low noise come to mind.

The only electric that I really use is a 1982 Gibson SG. It fucking rules. Versitile? Yup. That's why I rarely bother plugging in anything else. I do everything from deathmetal to rock to blues to jazz with mine. Paid $800 for it 12 or so years ago.

New ones are questionable. I have yet to find a current prod. model that sounds and feels as good as mine. I'm sure they're out there though. If you can find a nice used SG, that'd be my 1st choice.

My GF has a Tele + Danelectro, so I can use those if needed.

Re: low noise... if you get a Tele, shield the PU and control cavities. Makes a big difference.

[Front End Audio]

I would just get a couple cheap Japanese guitars and maybe a nice American guitar. I enjoy the sounds you get out of these types of guitars and it seems that they often times play really well and are built very well sometimes not, but for the price of most of these it is worth a look!
http://cgi.ebay.com/HOPF-SATURN-63-TEIS ... 439e4622b2
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/Teisco-Norma-guitar ... 2eac038bd8
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/SILVERTONE-TEISCO-E ... 414e3b4804
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-Teisco-Silv ... 2eac09c62b
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/1950s-Regal-Archtop ... 414e4e60fd
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Memphis-Ele ... 2a05d8c178
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-BURGANDY-56-U2 ... 2a05edc05d


Cheers,
Nicholas

[comfortstarr]

I recently saw someone playing an SG in a very surprising context (well, not too surprising as I can't remember the details, I just remember being surprised).

What about a G&L Tribute ASAT? Those are relatively cheap and are awesome. They're basically Teles in a variety of configurations. I want the new one that's double HBs.

[cgarges]

Of the guitars here, which are regularly available, the gold=top Les Paul and the Rickenbackers get the most use. Behind that, probably the '74 Tele and the Yamaha.

When buying guitars for studio use, I look at what people are bringing in regularly and try to avoid that stuff. I think about those sessions where someone says, "Man, it would be cool to have a '(blank)' for this sound," and make note of it.

I just bought an Ibanez AS50. The reason I bought it is that the Yamaha (which is also a 335 copy) may become unavilable to us in the near future and it gets a lot of use. This particular AS50 is a GREAT guitar that sounds terrific and plays comfortably. I've recorded it a bunch over the years. I know its history and I thought it would be a nice replacement for the Yamaha, which as I mentioned, gets a lot of use. Those are the kinds of things I think about when making those decisions.

Other things I consider are "wow factor" (are potential clients going to be excited by seeing something specific at the studio?) and future value. If it's an instrument that's going to appreciate (like my '77 P-Bass), then it's an easier decision. Occasionally, there are great deals to be had on inexpensive stuff (the Brownsville 12-string, which is also a great instrument, won out over spending the bread on a Rick), and those guitars can be really useful, but I'll often be willing to drop a little more cash on something truly great if I can swing it and if the name will make a difference in the business it might bring in or if there's a general value it will add to the studio.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

[wren]

What about a G&L Tribute ASAT? Those are relatively cheap and are awesome. They're basically Teles in a variety of configurations. I want the new one that's double HBs.

+1 to this.

You might want to look into Reverend guitars; they've got a bunch of different models, most (if not all) of which are priced at just under $1k. They're great guitars; very versatile, and they feel great.

And if you're not afraid of buying used, you might want to see if you can find a nice used '80s MIJ Squier or an old higher-end Yamaha Pacifica. The MIJ Squiers are fantastic, and the older Yamahas are really nice guitars as well.

And finally: Peavey T-60s are incredibly nice for the price, and they're ridiculously flexible.

[JGriffin]

And finally: Peavey T-60s are incredibly nice for the price, and they're ridiculously flexible.

yeah, the Peavey T series guitars and basses are ugly as sin but play well and sound good.

[sears]

For overdubbing I like the Strat better than the Tele. For some reason the tele "leads" and the strat "follows," easily fitting right into the pocket behind the drums.

Look at 80s or 90s Fernandes clones, with the logo filled in with gold, if you're thinking bargain Fender.

[kayagum]

Another +1 for the G&L ASAT Tribute.

Tonally it's extremely versatile- even the tone pot is useful.

[KennyLusk]

there's a lot of serious and well deserved love for the G&L ASAT and for $1k you can definitely score a real one used. Google for them. But I agree that the Tribute's are nice too. Check this semi-hollow body here:

http://www.guitaradoptions.com/g-l-trib ... maple.html

I also like the Peavey T-60 and have immense respect for all of the guitars and basses that came out of the Matsumoku factory in the late 70's - early 80's. Look specifically for quality Vantage and Westone's as well as the Epiphone Genesis. Big time mojo that'll truly knock yer socks off, even through modern hybrid amps...let me rephrase that...especially through modern hybrid amps. There's just something spectacular about the impedence relationship that rocks in a meatier way than they do with vintage all-tube amps. Make sure the pickups are original and all original hardware. The hardware is solid, the pickups are american made, many by Gibson and more specifically designed by Bill Lawrence. Don't overlook the Vantage basses man. Authentic P-bass tones and quality.

[kslight]

Surprised nobody said this...try Rondomusic.com... I have bought many Agile guitars (this is their higher end brand) without disappointment. I don't recommend the SX brand...but usually the Agiles are just a good tech setup away from being a great player axe. Electronics are usually okay, with the money you save over an American guitar you can afford to upgrade if you need to, but I never have felt it necessary. For the money maybe get a couple guitars, or one guitar and a good amp (in my experience, a good amp will make any guitar sound good, and a junk amp will make everything sound like junk). And if you buy an Agile from Rondo and aren't happy with it, Kurt will take it back. I have never had to though.

Korean guitars certainly don't hold the value of an American, but if you want a guitar that you don't have to cringe everytime a less than gentle client picks it up or worry about theft, Agile is a good bang for buck brand.

[ashcat_lt]

There are plenty of perfectly playable Squiers out there. Not sure I'd buy one without handling it first, just in case something snuck past QA, but...

My vote is for some sort of 3 pickup tele, preferably a thinline (semi-hollow) design. Replace the pickups with single-sized-HBs and we'll help you rewire it to give you just about any sound you'd ever hope for.