It is new which was about the only reason I brought it up. That and it's a long crack. I had pretty much decided that even if they told me to pound sand I was going to keep it. It's just not noticeable if you don't look for it and everything else is damned near perfect.

maroon barchetta said:

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I would keep it without a thought more about it, but that's me.

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^^^ This

A guitar isn't really a guitar until it get's that first ding/scratch/beer splatter anyways

I like my Ibanez way more than my PRS. Their "Edge" floating tremolo doesn't get out of tune; it's almost unbelievable (you can rest your palm on the low-profile bridge & it doesn't move, feels like a fixed bridge). You can hold the guitar by only the Whammy bar & shake it too. Floyd Rose? I barely breathe on it & it goes out of tune.

The Ibanez RG Genesis series is their 80's metal era design (which I have), if speed matters. I will eventually get a Les Paul, Strat, Tele, etc. to have collection. And maybe the Alex Lifeson one, being a Rush fan.

Thanks for the tips. I had not heard that the Les Paul is not as comfortable as a Strat.

What about 22 fret vs. 24 fret? Are the extra two frets too small to be comfortable? Are they that helpful if they are comfortable?

As a beginner you are never going to use the 23rd and 24th fret. As an accomplished player you will barely ever use them, unless all you play are metal solos, and even then you won't touch them often.

maroon barchetta said:

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Thanks for the tips. I had not heard that the Les Paul is not as comfortable as a Strat.

What about 22 fret vs. 24 fret? Are the extra two frets too small to be comfortable? Are they that helpful if they are comfortable?

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That's an arguable point, but I would say generally true (re: Strat vs. LP). On the frets, I would say 95% of players never play the 23rd or 24th frets, most songs just don't get that high because most guitars have 21 or 22 frets. Personally, I've only owned 1 guitar (Steve Vai Jem) that had 24, and I rarely played those, very rarely. I wouldn't recommend worrying about the number of frets, 22 is the most you would use for 99% of songs (or more).

maroon barchetta said:

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Thanks for the tips. I had not heard that the Les Paul is not as comfortable as a Strat.

What about 22 fret vs. 24 fret? Are the extra two frets too small to be comfortable?Yes Are they that helpful if they are comfortable?No

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I have a G&L ASAT swamp ash, it's a chunk of wood, I also have a Jackson that is very light, my explorer is actually my fave (never owned or played a GLP)

I would suggest going to GC (GuiTarget) and playing several electrics and find one that fits your hand. I played bass professionally for years and I played Ibanez 505 basses, which are relatively inexpensive, because the sound and playability is what I wanted. I can't stand Fender P and J basses, not due to anything with the product itself just doesn't feel good in my hands.

All very helpful replies. Thank you.

Agreed that the 24th fret is rarely used. If it will be, depending on the guitar's "neck joint" where the neck attaches to the body -- reaching it could be difficult if it's bulky. Sometimes the 24th is just used when tapping with the right hand.

There is something that just seems right about having a full two octaves per string (without bending). But, I hardly ever play up there.

Something else to keep in mind is neck pickup positioning on guitars with more frets. Best example that comes to mind is PRS Custom 22 vs 24. If you look at the 24, the neck pickup is pushed closer to the bridge to make room for the extra fretboard. This results in a slightly less neck-sounding neck pickup, if that makes any sense.

That fretboard is absolutely beautiful. I am a fretboard snob, and that one is top notch.

i feel like nigel tufnel would've had a 24 fret guitar.

"this one goes to 24"

maroon barchetta said:

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Thanks for the tips. I had not heard that the Les Paul is not as comfortable as a Strat.

What about 22 fret vs. 24 fret? Are the extra two frets too small to be comfortable? Are they that helpful if they are comfortable?

---

Okay... all of this is obviously my opinion and subject to my personal biases.

22 frets is all you need. 24 frets is needless for most people, much like a 5-string bass for a beginner at bass. It also feels very weird, to me. As a beginner, start with 22 frets.

As for what you should spend, that is completely subjective and based on your means. I personally believe you should buy a used guitar and get something good.

You should look at EVERYTHING when purchasing a guitar, no matter the level player you are. A guitar should sound good, play well, and look good (and these are all subjective traits). If you have a guitar that accomplishes all 3, then you are more likely to play it and enjoy it. I don't care if you're a beginner or an expert.

When considering tone, you aren't going to have the experience to know all the little things you want. No need to understand wiring types, differences in pickup output, differences in tonewoods, etc. That's why you should start with: Who are you trying to emulate? Who do you like listening to? From there, we could provide some great recommendations on guitars to look at.

On build quality, you need to get something that is easy to play. The most important piece of this is the neck. This is where price generally reflects build quality (yes, not 100% of the time, but that is the norm). PRS does have great necks. You also want a guitar with leveled frets, not protruding frets, properly cut nut, etc. When you purchase in the $100-$600 range, you will definitely find a lot of guitars that don't do all of this properly, because it takes time to do so. If you spend over $1,000 for a guitar, then you should expect all of this to be proper.

Even after finding this, a proper setup by a guitar tech is an absolute must. He will adjust everything for proper string height, intonation, and neck contour, as well as polish the fretboard and frets.

Lastly, you've got to like the way your guitar looks. If you love the look of your guitar, you are just more likely to want to pick it up and play it.

As mentioned earlier, your amp is one of the most important pieces to your tone. I crappy amp will make a great guitar sound like trash, imo. When it comes to entry level amps, I am not the best person to give advice. I am a tone snob and think solid state amps and modeling amps are crap. For me, it's all valve or nothing. I don't want an amp I can sit down and set to mimic (poorly) every sound on earth. I need an amp that sounds good and provides great dynamics in its response. My goal is to learn to play electric guitar, not play a simple lick a thousand times, trying out different amp styles, tremolos, and choruses.

Again, I completely admit this is my personal snobby opinion.

If I had a kid, and he/she wanted to learn how to play the guitar, I would buy them a used American Standard/Professional Fender Strat. I would probably buy an HSS strat, which has a humbucker in the bridge position. For an amp, I would buy a used Fender Blues Jr. or Fender Bassbreaker

Either of these instruments could be resold to someone else if they decided they didn't want to continue to learn

I would buy something like the following, for $1,250 + tax and shipping. That is a fantastic beginner setup.

Fender American Standard: https://reverb.com/item/48281116-fender-american-standard-stratocaster-2008-2016?bk=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJqdGkiOiIzNjllNDlmYi00OTA1LTRlOWQtYjU0ZS1kNTYxODQ3NWNiMTEiLCJpYXQiOjE2NDIyMDM0NzQsInVzZXJfaWQiOiIzODY0NDU5Iiwic2Vzc2lvbl9pZCI6IjI4MTEwNWJkLTRmNmItNDY1OS1hZDQyLTQzNDVhOTg2NGM1ZSIsImNvb2tpZV9pZCI6IjVmYzZlM2NkLTNkYzUtNGM0MC04ZDljLTQ1Mzc5MDg0N2I3NyIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQiOiI0ODI4MTExNiIsInNvdXJjZSI6Ik5PTkUifQ.pPWqN_shaf4q7JrNULa1nKgynIGcYID0t7KdHmzoC18

Fender Bassbreaker 15: https://reverb.com/item/48867983-fender-bassbreaker-15-15-watt-1x12-guitar-combo?bk=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJqdGkiOiI0OWY5MjkzMS00NDM2LTQwZDUtODc4MS03NDA5MGMzZTFmNjkiLCJpYXQiOjE2NDIyMDM1NTAsInVzZXJfaWQiOiIzODY0NDU5Iiwic2Vzc2lvbl9pZCI6IjAxMzUzODE5LWQ3NWEtNGI4NS1iZTVjLTY4NGJmNzAwYTNiYSIsImNvb2tpZV9pZCI6IjVmYzZlM2NkLTNkYzUtNGM0MC04ZDljLTQ1Mzc5MDg0N2I3NyIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQiOiI0ODg2Nzk4MyIsInNvdXJjZSI6Ik5PTkUifQ.x0c6I1OZeLKc36aqiIT0dCDG2xATRXH0FrcJ6yrt6Y8

EDIT: I did want to re-iterate. It depends on means. If you cannot afford $1,250, then obviously don't pay that. You need to start with the sound you want and the budget you have. Then everyone here can give some great advice on where to go.

You know I like Rush. Alex has a lot of different sounds and tones.

The Epiphone Alex Lifeson Axcess Les Paul is really cool and has a lot of features and is beautiful and under $1000. And sold out. And had a number of QC issues reported with the Floyd.

Eric Johnson. I would love to just buy a Virginia Strat and be done with it. But they are $2000+!!!

Too many others to mention!

Let me ponder some more. Dinner calls.

Yeah, I know you like that dark rosewood and this is dark and uniform.

DallasTeleAg said:

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maroon barchetta said:

---

Thanks for the tips. I had not heard that the Les Paul is not as comfortable as a Strat.

What about 22 fret vs. 24 fret? Are the extra two frets too small to be comfortable? Are they that helpful if they are comfortable?

---

Okay... all of this is obviously my opinion and subject to my personal biases.

22 frets is all you need. 24 frets is needless for most people, much like a 5-string bass for a beginner at bass. It also feels very weird, to me. As a beginner, start with 22 frets.

As for what you should spend, that is completely subjective and based on your means. I personally believe you should buy a used guitar and get something good.

You should look at EVERYTHING when purchasing a guitar, no matter the level player you are. A guitar should sound good, play well, and look good (and these are all subjective traits). If you have a guitar that accomplishes all 3, then you are more likely to play it and enjoy it. I don't care if you're a beginner or an expert.

When considering tone, you aren't going to have the experience to know all the little things you want. No need to understand wiring types, differences in pickup output, differences in tonewoods, etc. That's why you should start with: Who are you trying to emulate? Who do you like listening to? From there, we could provide some great recommendations on guitars to look at.

On build quality, you need to get something that is easy to play. The most important piece of this is the neck. This is where price generally reflects build quality (yes, not 100% of the time, but that is the norm). PRS does have great necks. You also want a guitar with leveled frets, not protruding frets, properly cut nut, etc. When you purchase in the $100-$600 range, you will definitely find a lot of guitars that don't do all of this properly, because it takes time to do so. If you spend over $1,000 for a guitar, then you should expect all of this to be proper.

Even after finding this, a proper setup by a guitar tech is an absolute must. He will adjust everything for proper string height, intonation, and neck contour, as well as polish the fretboard and frets.

Lastly, you've got to like the way your guitar looks. If you love the look of your guitar, you are just more likely to want to pick it up and play it.

As mentioned earlier, your amp is one of the most important pieces to your tone. I crappy amp will make a great guitar sound like trash, imo. When it comes to entry level amps, I am not the best person to give advice. I am a tone snob and think solid state amps and modeling amps are crap. For me, it's all valve or nothing. I don't want an amp I can sit down and set to mimic (poorly) every sound on earth. I need an amp that sounds good and provides great dynamics in its response. My goal is to learn to play electric guitar, not play a simple lick a thousand times, trying out different amp styles, tremolos, and choruses.

Again, I completely admit this is my personal snobby opinion.

If I had a kid, and he/she wanted to learn how to play the guitar, I would buy them a used American Standard/Professional Fender Strat. I would probably buy an HSS strat, which has a humbucker in the bridge position. For an amp, I would buy a used Fender Blues Jr. or Fender Bassbreaker

Either of these instruments could be resold to someone else if they decided they didn't want to continue to learn

I would buy something like the following, for $1,250 + tax and shipping. That is a fantastic beginner setup.

Fender American Standard: https://reverb.com/item/48281116-fender-american-standard-stratocaster-2008-2016?bk=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJqdGkiOiIzNjllNDlmYi00OTA1LTRlOWQtYjU0ZS1kNTYxODQ3NWNiMTEiLCJpYXQiOjE2NDIyMDM0NzQsInVzZXJfaWQiOiIzODY0NDU5Iiwic2Vzc2lvbl9pZCI6IjI4MTEwNWJkLTRmNmItNDY1OS1hZDQyLTQzNDVhOTg2NGM1ZSIsImNvb2tpZV9pZCI6IjVmYzZlM2NkLTNkYzUtNGM0MC04ZDljLTQ1Mzc5MDg0N2I3NyIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQiOiI0ODI4MTExNiIsInNvdXJjZSI6Ik5PTkUifQ.pPWqN_shaf4q7JrNULa1nKgynIGcYID0t7KdHmzoC18

Fender Bassbreaker 15: https://reverb.com/item/48867983-fender-bassbreaker-15-15-watt-1x12-guitar-combo?bk=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJqdGkiOiI0OWY5MjkzMS00NDM2LTQwZDUtODc4MS03NDA5MGMzZTFmNjkiLCJpYXQiOjE2NDIyMDM1NTAsInVzZXJfaWQiOiIzODY0NDU5Iiwic2Vzc2lvbl9pZCI6IjAxMzUzODE5LWQ3NWEtNGI4NS1iZTVjLTY4NGJmNzAwYTNiYSIsImNvb2tpZV9pZCI6IjVmYzZlM2NkLTNkYzUtNGM0MC04ZDljLTQ1Mzc5MDg0N2I3NyIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQiOiI0ODg2Nzk4MyIsInNvdXJjZSI6Ik5PTkUifQ.x0c6I1OZeLKc36aqiIT0dCDG2xATRXH0FrcJ6yrt6Y8

EDIT: I did want to re-iterate. It depends on means. If you cannot afford $1,250, then obviously don't pay that. You need to start with the sound you want and the budget you have. Then everyone here can give some great advice on where to go.

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That guitar has dropped to $950+shipping. I've not held a Strat like that and don't know how the neck feels to my hand. I must remedy that forthwith.

That seems like a pretty good deal, yes?

It's where it probably should be. Idk... you can generally find one at that price without as many dings. I do wonder about a guitar with a Poly finish like that having so many dings and dents. If it was nitro, then maybe. I would probably offer around $850 with that checking. However, I do know guitars have gone up a little in the last year or so, and I haven't been following American standard strats to get an idea of the the current best price range.

An American Standard like that would have a modern C shape with a satin finish. Nice and slim for a new player. Granted... there's always a bit of a gamble when buying without playing.

That's not the first Standard I have seen in that price range. It will take checking Reverb every day to find one, but it's worth it. An American Standard strat is a fantastic guitar. Very comfortable to hold and play. If you want to play Rush stuff, you may want to hold out for an HSS strat. You can always use a stacked humbucker like the dimarzio that guy has in his bridge, but i actually have no experience with them, so couldn't say what they are like.

Here's a newer one with no dings and dents for $150 more. You may be able to talk him down to $1,000; who knows: https://reverb.com/item/36571167-fender-american-stratocaster-hss-sunburst

Granted, I'm more of a strat guy, so that's where my head goes. I know many others on this thread are PRS guys. Nothing wrong with either. Again, I'm admittedly a snob, so I like to have American made guitars. That is why the PRS I bought was the CE model. There are plenty of great guitars made over seas, but i'm an elitist! =)

If you want to go the PRS route in that general price range, I'd recommend looking at an older CE22 or CE24. The new ones have foreign bridges and tuners with a shallower top carve, but the older ones are all American made and have the same top carve as the current core PRS guitars.

This one's a solid price, but they've replaced the pickups with SD. Probably would have been PRS Dragon II pickups originally.

https://reverb.com/item/47091946-1998-paul-reed-smith-prs-ce-22-turquoise?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=47091946

If you keep an eye out, you can find them a little cheaper.

Warning:

Quote:

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It will take checking Reverb every day

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This can be hell on your wallet.

The hell you say!

That'll be the longest four hours ever.

Just tried this one out to see what an American Strat neck feels like. It was pretty good!

Also played a flat necked ugly bright yellow Jackson with pink humbuckers. And the back of the neck has that unfinished feel.

The Jackson felt really good and had great low action. I would have to join Steel Panther if I bought it though.

Don't let things like the action persuade you. That can all be adjusted late. Hell, if you are considering one, have the store adjust the action for you before you buy it.

An American Pro Strat is a great instrument. Now, in the Olympic White, I prefer the slightly minty white pickguard, but that's just personal preference. I just have always found Fender to have some of the better quality control at the price range.

I will say, the PRS S2 I ended up selling had a freaking amazing neck and fretboard. I was extremely surprised by the quality of the fretboard and care in fretwork and rolled board.

When it comes to the Fender line, I've not been impressed wit the rosewood they use in their sub $2,000 guitars. That's why I prefer a maple board in that price range. My main strat was a part of the Dave's Guitar Shop limited edition run, and it has a freaking amazingly dark rosewood fretboard.

DallasTeleAg said:

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Don't let things like the action persuade you. That can all be adjusted late. Hell, if you are considering one, have the store adjust the action for you before you buy it.

An American Pro Strat is a great instrument. Now, in the Olympic White, I prefer the slightly minty white pickguard, but that's just personal preference. I just have always found Fender to have some of the better quality control at the price range.

I will say, the PRS S2 I ended up selling had a freaking amazing neck and fretboard. I was extremely surprised by the quality of the fretboard and care in fretwork and rolled board.

When it comes to the Fender line, I've not been impressed wit the rosewood they use in their sub $2,000 guitars. That's why I prefer a maple board in that price range. My main strat was a part of the Dave's Guitar Shop limited edition run, and it has a freaking amazingly dark rosewood fretboard.

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I was not particular about the color. I just wanted to try the neck on a model higher than a Player Strat. Told the sales kid to use his best judgement on which one he grabbed for me since he had to get the tall ladder to get it down.

This was listed at $1700.

I showed the young salesman the Strat you posted from Reverb yesterday and I think his Spidey sense went off or something. He wants to sell me a guitar but stopped short of telling me to buy that one from Reverb, blemishes and all.

That's not an anomaly. This is why I'm pretty much done buying new guitars. Used guitars are SO much better of an investment.

Why is my guitar picture being flagged? WTH, texags?

DallasTeleAg said:

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Why is my guitar picture being flagged? WTH, texags?

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The guitar has boobs?

maroon barchetta said:

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DallasTeleAg said:

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Why is my guitar picture being flagged? WTH, texags?

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The guitar has boobs?

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I guess she's too sexy for TexAgs.

That sounds like a badass guitar that's checked a lot of boxes for what you wanted. Hopefully a luthier can get the frets sorted.

These AWS services are weird about what they flag.

It's the curves. Staff hates curves.

Staff only allows the Steinberger bass.

DallasTeleAg said:

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Why is my guitar picture being flagged? WTH, texags?

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Natural = naked?