Buying my first electric guitar Advice and Opinions wanted.

[Bagdad]

Hello this is my very first post on this forum, im not sure if i posted it in the wrong section. Im going to buy my first electric guitar by the end of this month.

I have absolutley zero knowledge about guitars, but i like the looks of a Les Paul (and what ive heard from youtube) I cant afford a Gibson so i tought Epiphone would work? Even tho my budget is noway near massive.

Here is where i would apriciate any help, if theres any certain models to stay away from? Special year produced to look for? "Best bang for the buck"? Any other helpful tips and opinions would help me tons!

Im also interested if you know about any great deals, Im from Sweden so most stores outside europe would be expensive with all the added fee's. But ive heard about thomann.de

Sorry for the wall of text, and thanks in advance.

 

[paruwi]

Hi

and welcome here

IMO at the moment there is no better 'bang for the buck' then the

Epi LP Tribute plus model

Les Paul Tribute & Anniversary Models - The Unofficial Epiphone Wiki

(good Gibson pups, good eletronics and comes with hardcase)

Its 500Euro over here, AFAIK its 500-600 USD

cheaper Epi Standards or Studios are not bad, though

 

[IanMak3103]

Hi

and welcome here

IMO at the moment there is no better 'bang for the buck' then the

Epi LP Tribute plus model

Les Paul Tribute & Anniversary Models - The Unofficial Epiphone Wiki

(good Gibson pups, good eletronics and comes with hardcase)

Its 500Euro over here, AFAIK its 500-600 USD

cheaper Epi Standards or Studios are not bad, though

+1 on that! Epi LP Tribute & Tribute+ are the best model has to offered in recent years!
I've got a Tribute as well, and loving her vry much!!

 

[msvsdoj]

Advice and opinion...go into a music store, find a decent amp and grab a chair. Play as many guitars as you like (even if you dont play well, you will hear differences) and see what feels good to your hands, eyes, and ears. Yours are the only ones that matter. As long as you feel drawn to the case or stand every time you see it to walk up and play it, that's all that matters.

If you can't play it first because no stores are near you, YouTube the hell out of it and read as many reviews as you can from sites like this one, Amazon, GuitarCenter, MusiciansFriend, SamAsh, Zzounds, Sweetwater, and UltimateGuitar.com from real owners. The Tribute Plus is a good selection but surely there are others you would love as well.

Welcome here; I look forward to hearing what you end up with! Good luck!

 

[SJM]

Welcome to MLP Bagdad. Buy a Tribute Plus, and I would be surprised if after you've played it for a while, you still wanted a Gibson. My Tribute Plus is just as solid and sweet sounding as any Git I've ever played. I almost wish I could justify buying another.

 

[IanMak3103]

Welcome to MLP Bagdad. Buy a Tribute Plus, and I would be surprised if after you've played it for a while, you still wanted a Gibson. My Tribute Plus is just as solid and sweet sounding as any Git I've ever played. I almost wish I could justify buying another.

I certainly need a DAMN GOOD justification to buy another Tribute+ on top of my current Tribute!!!

My Girl will KILL me!!

 

[Fuelish]

My Tribute Plus is just as solid and sweet sounding as any Git I've ever played. I almost wish I could justify buying another.

That sounds like the justification you need right there
Mrs Fuelish seems to feel that I need no more guitars (have an acoustic, a singlecoil BMG and the 'buckered Epi LP). Technically, she's right..... but those Tribute Pluses sureare nice, though...

 

[Bagdad]

Thanks alot for all your replies, really apriciate it!

Would you say that the Tribute Plus is worth 150-200$ more (depending on color) then the Standard Plus?

Also if anyone has any experience with the Nighthawk Custom Reissue, Is it worth the same $ as the Standard Plus?

/Bagdad

 

[paruwi]

Thanks alot for all your replies, really apriciate it!

Would you say that the Tribute Plus is worth 150-200$ more (depending on color) then the Standard Plus?

Also if anyone has any experience with the Nighthawk Custom Reissue, Is it worth the same $ as the Standard Plus?

/Bagdad

Yes, think of the already done upgrades and case....

and

Yes, the Nighthawk is not comparable to an LP - more versatile, more 'fenderish' - just a nice guitar

 

[Senada]

My very first guitar was a cheap Hondo strat copy that I traded my big brother a couple of Xbox games for. I then moved to an Epi LP Studio. After upgrading the pickups in the LP with some GFS retrotrons and playing it for a couple of years, I realized that this guitar was not going to nail the tones I was looking for.

Earlier this year I purchased an Epi Nighthawk Custom Reissue after GAS'ing for one for the last couple years. I bought it over the internet based entirely upon looks, the neck shape, and the idea of 9 different possible pickup combinations.

I havn't looked back since.

Granted, it's not the guitar for you if you want an EXACT copy of a LP's tone, a Strat's tone, or a Tele's tone....but if you like all three and are looking for the ability to easily blend said tones (with a considerable bit of SG-ness thrown it,) this thing is the beast for the job. IMO it's the best $400 I've ever spent.

Granted, most of your tone comes from your amp, but this guitar does sing in a way all its own. The string-through construction gives it LOADS more sustain than my old LP, and there's just something about the slanted bridge pickup that gives me exactly the sound I've been searching for. Not to mention the neck fits my hand like a glove.

If I had to describe the feel and sound of the guitar I would say it's like someone took a LP, a Strat, a Tele, and an SG and forced them all to copulate in one massive splintery orgy of goodness with the intention of producing offspring. (not to imply the Nighthawk gives me splinters, the finish is amazing xD)

As previously stated, it's not for everyone, but it is an amazing guitar for the money.

The only negative I can think of is the fact that it is a bit neck-heavy, which can make playing standing up a chore sometimes. I've heard that a suede strap negates this issue though, and am saving up for one.

If you dig the looks, are looking for a wide variety of tonal options to really find your own sound, and can afford a suede strap, the Nighthawk is an amazing value IMHO.

 

[Bagdad]

Thanks alot for your replies guys! Makes it even harder haha
But if i went for the Les Paul Standard instead of the Tribute, would it be possible to upgrade my Standard to a Tribue?
Or is the wood alot better in the Tribute? Im asking this because im on a tight budget and i wouldnt mind upgrading the guitar in the future aslong as the "base" is quality, if you get my point.

Im also wondering if a Nighthawk would be a better option then as a first guitar considering i cant afford to buy more then one, and i like alot of different guitarists e.g Clapton, Frusciante, Page, Slash and so on. Alot of mixture in the genres.

Once again I would like to thank you guys for the time and effort you put into helping me, really apriciate it!

 

[paruwi]

Thanks alot for your replies guys! Makes it even harder haha
But if i went for the Les Paul Standard instead of the Tribute, would it be possible to upgrade my Standard to a Tribue?
Or is the wood alot better in the Tribute? Im asking this because im on a tight budget and i wouldnt mind upgrading the guitar in the future aslong as the "base" is quality, if you get my point.

Im also wondering if a Nighthawk would be a better option then as a first guitar considering i cant afford to buy more then one, and i like alot of different guitarists e.g Clapton, Frusciante, Page, Slash and so on. Alot of mixture in the genres.

Once again I would like to thank you guys for the time and effort you put into helping me, really apriciate it!

If you add the $$ for Gibson pickups and a hardcase you won't be cheaper then a tribute-plus.......

 

[Bagdad]

I understand that it might not be cheaper but see it more like a payment plan, its always more expensive then paying upfront.

Just wondering if the guitar would be just as good with some upgrades later on when ill get more $$. Or if the tribute still would be a better guitar even with upgrades put in the standard.

 

[g8tr]

I have a tribute and a tribute+, among others. I kept gasing for a Gibby, so I bought one from MF. I sent it back 2 days later. My tributes play with a Gibby any day.

 

[Firedrake]

To answer your question, I bought my epi standard thinking exactly the same way as you. The base is the same, so if you do all the upgrades gradually as funds become available to you (starting with wiring/pots/caps/switch in my opinion), you will eventually have a guitar of the Tribute level. On a personal note, the Epi Standard is still quite a lot of guitar for the money. I got mine new for 350 euros from Thomann to give you a reference point.

 

[notjoeaverage]

Upgrading the standard to a Tribute Plus Level will be much more expensive than spending an extra 150 to get a Tribute Plus now, if you were to buy the 57 Classic and Classic+ retail for 4 wire is approx 350 US, if the Standard doesn't come with a case another 90 US, Switchcraft and Mallory pots to get coil tap 100 US.

It could end up costing you an extra 540 US to get what is already included in a Tribute Plus for 600 US. It's a no brainer for me, that's why I bought one. I didn't have the whole 667 with tax so I put it on layaway and paid a deposit for it to get shipped and paid the rest over 8 weeks while I waited for it to show up. I own 2 Gibsons and another Epi, but dollar for dollar this is the best electric guitar I own.

If you can't do layaway it's more than worth it to save for a couple more paychecks insteads of settling for something less.

If I was starting out all over again and picking my first electric with everything I know now, even if I had 2500 to get a Gibson LP Standard, I would rather get the Tribute plus and a good low watt tube amp 5watts or less and a 2x12 cabinet with some good Celestion speakers, a G12H 30W and a Greenback G12M 25W or a Blue 15W.

The best thing to remember as was already stated, you have to like how it looks, you need to be drawn to it to pick it up. You need to like how it feels in your hands, you'll spend at least an hour a day holding it. You need to like how it sounds unplugged, if it sounds good strumming open chords it's a keeper, a really good amp can make a not so good to just OK guitar sound half decent to good. A really bad amp can make a great guitar sound good to not so good.

Try every one you lioke the looks of you can get your hands on and if you can't make sure you get the stores return policy in writing if you have to order one.

Good luck and we look forward to pics sometime soon.

 

[Bagdad]

Thanks once again for all your opinions guys! Ive looked for the tribute plus but it seems to be sold out at Thomann Cyberstore

Does someone perhaps know about a similar store? with similar prices preferable in europe for cheaper shipping and VAT costs.

 

[paruwi]

Thanks once again for all your opinions guys! Ive looked for the tribute plus but it seems to be sold out at Thomann Cyberstore

Does someone perhaps know about a similar store? with similar prices preferable in europe for cheaper shipping and VAT costs.

Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Plus Outfit FC

 

[Bagdad]

Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Plus Outfit FC

Thanks alot! Sadly they didnt have Vintage Sunburst tho. But Faded Cherry looks nice aswell!

 

[Comanche]

Go to the music store and play a bunch. Its kind if like playing with puppies or kittens when your trying to pick one. You will know when you have the right one, it will give you that take me home look.