Electric Guitar Purchase Looming
 

I've been playing acoustic 6 string for about 5-6 years now and I am drooling to get an electric.

I have no idea where to begin. I do know the sound I want to achieve but am clueless how to get there. The sound is pretty close to this song:

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What do I need besides an axe and amp? Humbuckers, pickups, hiccups, humpickers? Teach me, planet.

I am sure someone will come along that knows more than me, but let's start with....

What's your budget?

500-800 would be nice.

Lots and lots of avenues to go here, it's really up to you. It's always a good idea to go to a shop and try a few out so that you know what to expect, maybe ask the dudes there for some advice. IMO I suggest finding a favorite guitarist and getting a knock off version of what they play (Epiphone anyone?). I'm partial to getting something classy like a 50s telecaster remake off a medium sized clean tube amp and then stringing your effects pedals onto it, but that's just me EDIT: err yeah this would be way over your budget though. I used to have an Epiphone Dot with Seymour Duncan Jazz+Distoration + Tromolo arc/bar thing plugged into a solid state Randall half-stack. Assorted BOSS pedals vibrato, flanger, digital delay and a Proco RAT2 (I was really into Blur). Then I sold it all and bought a banjo..

i wouldn't get single coil pick ups *most teles come stock with them*.. i suggest humbucker pickups or you can get a humbucker pedal and keep a single coil. Prob Orange Amp + fuzz pedal + tube screamer + Blues Delay

i play indie/alt/groovy/rock *lol*

i have a simple set up. Polytune *great tuner* Boss Delay + Line6 DL4 delay + MXR Analog Delay *atmospheric* hooked into a VOX 15ac1. Classic Vibe Tele sun burst

Neck shape matters. When I first started playing, I liked Ibanez, but after I got an Ibanez with a wizard neck, I started cramping in my left hand. Reason? My hand size. I'm 6'2", and my hands fit better on an old style Gibson "C" neck (50's style Les Paul) than the thinner necks of the newer Ibanez guitars. Find a neck shape first. Then question feel - do you like maple, rosewood or ebony on the fretboard? Then examine your fret options. Do you want speed bumps that give you incredible feel on your vibrato, or do you want a fretless wonder like an SG where you can play faster?

The following are important when purchasing a guitar

• Action - The distance between the fret and string. This is important to avoid calluses and, thus, a hatred towards your guitar
• Neck thickness - It's thought that a thinner neck is designed for the faster player. This isn't always the case since Joe Satriani sports the fattest neck in the free world. finding a comfort zone is not often easy
• Neck finish - Sanded necks are often easier to maneuver than their lacquered counterparts. Again, this is a matter of preference
• Whammy or no Whammy?- Whammy bars are teh gheh and will ruin most guitars tuning based on any slack in the headstock. People who are teh ghey like them though.

The bottom line is that you're looking for comfort for playing. Your next question will certainly be about effects.
If you want to sound like that band, you're going to require a 2 to 3 hundred dollar effect pedal.

You think Guitar center is a good place to get my guitar intonated.. i've played guitar a long time but just NOW interested in really being serious about maintaining an axe that fits me instead of settling.


also wanna note.. string gauge plays a role

Adjusting a guitar's intonation can easily be learned on line. No need to pay 20 bucks for something you can do for free.

You're right about the string gauge. A lighter gauge allows for easier bending, while a heavier gauge tends to provide a ballsier sound.

There are Hybrid versions as well. I'd start with a light gauge (9).
http://www.two-five.net/kagoshima/im...20ball%203.jpg

I probably shouldn't be making suggestions since I've been playing since I was 12, (25+ years), and my guitar is more "tricked out" than a Chiefs fan's Camaro. :)

I googled Oceansize
they use SGs and Les Pauls

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pages/gibson-sg

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pages/les-paul

High end Epiphones have always treated me right

Checked out the pawn shops, or Craigs list? You might find a really nice guitar there from someone needing cash. I sold my Gibson Les Paul Jr and Ibanez Custom when I switched to Bass guitar (G & L). Still have my acoustics though...Martin and Laprinzi. Good luck on your hunt.

depending on what your'e looking for, I have some extra guitars laying around.

I have a Kramer with a Floyd Rose that I never play (if you're into that sort of tremelo/playing). it's mint.

hit me up if you're interested and I can get a pic; and I'd let it go for a CPer for a good discount (>$250)/ to a good home.

I have a Gibson les Paul smartwood series guitar that I've been looking to sell.

As previously mentioned, Epiphone makes an excellent beginners electric, my Ep SG is one of my all time favorites, its so easy to play and sounds great right out of the box.

For most rocks sounds, stick with humbuckers.

If you just have to have a whammy bar, make damn sure its a Floyd Rose style with locking nuts, or you'll only spend all of your time retuning... but to get started with electric, skip it altogether IMO.

As mentioned, Randall makes an excellent amp, I also had a half stack that I loved... but if you dont wanna spend that much, Crate makes a slew of smaller practice amps that are perfect for distorted rock styles. They have the best off the shelf distortion out there IMO and even the smallest ones are very loud, and as stated, can give you a wide variety of distorted tones without the need for aftermarket effects.

To get started with effects for not much dough, stick with the BOSS pedals... delay, compressor and overdrive were my three favorites.