Posted on 12/17/2001 10:12:56 AM PST by Nita Nupress
Certainly preferable to the oriental ones.
After looking at all the Strat copies, I went with the Pacifica.
It didn't really cost much more, but was a much nicer neck and action.
Thank you!
Dont worry I predict this thread will be running for some time to come...Now if you had some $$$ to spend, Im rather fond of PRS guitars.
A solid-body Gretsch or any kind of an Ibanez isn't worth much, in my opinion. Hollow-bodied Gretschs are awesome, naturally, but you're not going to gain anything quality-wise from fixing up an old solid body.I completely agree with Eddeche and OWK: get thy son a MexiTele. Five years ago I was looking for a cheap electirc solution after ditching my Gibson ES-335, my US-built Fender Strat, and my Rickenbacker Lennon model (the black and white teardrop one), and I came across a MexiTele that truth be told, blew away every single guitar I've ever owned except the US-built Strat. I cannot say enough good things about this axe: phenomenally distinct sound, an action as smooth as buttah, durable as all-hell, looks great, and cost me less than 3 bills.
Let him play the Gretsch when he is older and will not break/lose it.
the Fender Stratocaster is a good guitar for everything from country to jazz to metal to rock and roll. Although if he is into metal or really heavy rock, sooner or later he is going to want to rock out on your Gretsch!
good luck!
He can actually get quite a little setup with that kind of money these days. Check out Musician's Friend to see what I mean. As several others have mentioned, the Fender Squires made in Mexico are good guitars at modest price points. He should be able to get a guitar, amp, gig bag, and nice cord for $400ish.
Hope this helps.
MM
On the other hand, he'll want a new one as soon as he joins a band. The thing is, depending on the guitar and amp combo will give you a different sound. I bought a Marshall amp and Gibson Les Paul Studio guitar about 6 months ago and it set me back about $1500, but it was the sound I wanted (Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC - heavy metal sound). I also had a Strat/Fender amp (Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Ray Vaughn - blues/rock sound) or you can go with Ibanez and a Crate amp and get the new rock sound.
And don't forget, you can buy some cool electronic sound modules that will radically change the sound for pretty cheap (although it sounds kind of cheap sometimes, too) but that might be a good compromise... Cheaper gear and an electronic sound module, or some pedals.
As for the GRETSCH...sigh.
Get that *fixed* & keep it for yourself, for Heaven's sake.
The "Ibanez" is a poor man's Gibson.
Kind of like a Sigma is the Japanese made, Martin.
If the kid's comittment & talent are equal to either an Ibenez or Sigma?
You'd probably buy him something better; after he proved that to your ears?
...guitars are like horsepower; how much $$ do ya want to spend?
If your kid has more sense than I did, you should look into used guitars by Jackson or Ibanez from around 1990.
They used to be really big at the time, but they've gone out of flavor, so the market for used ones is pretty good. They have a real ballsy tone, are quite easy to play, and most come with a locking nut and a Floyd Rose-liscensed bridge which makes it almost impossible to go out of tune.
Your part of the country should have tons of quality used gear - happy hunting!
1) Epiphone makes a nice line of affordable Gibson knock-offs. Good value for the money, and very playable. Lots of models to choose from.
2) Fender makes a line of lower priced (foreign made) guitars under the Squirer name. Can get strat and tele styles. Overall quality is not great (i.e., wood, pick-ups, hardware) but they play well and are good enough for a couple of years. Some bands use them as back-up axes.
For what its worth, most kids tend to prefer picking out their own instrument rather than using a "hand me down". This was true with my kids even though my gear was high end.
One of the most versatile amps on the market is the Fender Princeton Reverb. Check it out. Also take a look at Crate--excellent value for the money.
Good luck.
His grandfather has helped out too. He was kind enough to let him use a couple of the guitars in his collection, so he has gotten a better idea of the different qualities of guitars. He now has a Guild, a Martin, an Epiphone, and one I can't think of.
Have him check into a Carvin, they are reasonably priced, and seem to have good customer service. My son was set on one, but his grandpa being an older hippie discouraged him because they weren't proven. After further handwringing and arguing the finer points of Carvin's and other brands, my son still really likes the Carvin. He ended up buying Carvin amps. He didn't buy a Carvin guitar, but his buddy has one and he loves it. They are strictly mail order.
Have him check around the internet to see what he should pay for a new or used one. E-Bay also seems to be a great place for used guitars.
The biggest thing I would say is for him to try to take his time and wait for the instrument that feels right to him.
BTW- even if he doesn't have an amp, he will probably play it all around the house attached to his hip unplugged. It saves the hearing for a while at least when there isn't an amp in the house.
Take the Ibanez to a luthier and have 'em get it in good working order (just ask around; most GOOD music shops have a decent guitar tech around; doesn't really have to be a full-blown luthier; even our local Mars Music has one killer tech........); get a good "set up" done on it, new strings, etc. Then, give it to him along with a smaller amp; I'd look at a 1-12, probably the Line 6 Spider. Cool little modeling amp, single 12, hotter'n s**t. I have a POD, and I vouch for Line 6's modeling capabilities. Great little practice / studio / stage monitoring amp. Cool tones. That, plus your beloved Ibanez (YOU get first right of refusal if he ever decides to sell it..............make him swear to that :) ) would make a terrific "starter" to intermediate player setup.
Keep the Gretsch. 'Nuff said on that.
If you want to kick this around even more, give a shout.
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