anyone know anything about regular guitars?

todd_freeride · #1 12-29-2006, 04:26 PM

hey everyone. I'm haveing a little trouble deciding what to get. my dad gave me his epiphone standard les paul (he says its worth like $600.00) and he also gave me his epiphone galaxy 25 all tube amp. so his guitar and amp for my 1974 bassman ten amplifier.

now, I really want to play jazz. I love the way that jazz guitar sounds. I also like to play a little rock. currently I have a fender "starcaster" its bacically a squier strat.

I ran across a MIM telecaster yesterday, and I played it and loved it. it was set up right had great sustain..loved it. but I'm wondering is this really going to be all that good for jazz ?

I know supposidly the les paul is a jazz machine. but it plays like a total peice of junk. it buzzes uncontrollably and is the most uncomferatable instrument I've ever played. its not like a set up error, because I know how to set up my instruments. but it just wont stop buzzing. my starcaster sounds a hell of a lot better than the 600 dollar epiphone.

I'm just wondering what to so. I've kind of got 4 options.

keep the starcaster, sell the ephiphone (have money to buy a MIM tele/strat)
keep the les paul, sell the starcaster/amp.
sell the les paul/amp keep the star.
sell all and buy a MIM tele or strat.

I just dont know wich to sell. am I going to be kicking myself for selling the lespaul ? and buying a MIM ? I just cant stand the les paul, I hate the way it plays/feels its unbalanced and low. but at the same time, it sounds like my star for jazz. I'm not a huge guitar player and I doubt I'll ever be any good. I'm a bass player and to me, the guitar is just something to mes around with.

sorry that was so long just what should I do ? .

BassoP · #2 12-29-2006, 04:30 PM

THere have been guys who played a tele for jazz, but not a ton. I would take the epi for a set up, see if the frets need dressing or something.

Beyond that, MIM Teles and strats are a pretty good deal. Pick through and find the best one, they are all over the map quality wise.

If you want to do jazz and rock, you might look for an ES335 type. I've got a heritage which is swell, but sounds like it might be out of your range right now. But maybe an epi Dot or something might work for you

todd_freeride · #3 12-29-2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassoP

THere have been guys who played a tele for jazz, but not a ton. I would take the epi for a set up, see if the frets need dressing or something.

Beyond that, MIM Teles and strats are a pretty good deal. Pick through and find the best one, they are all over the map quality wise.

If you want to do jazz and rock, you might look for an ES335 type. I've got a heritage which is swell, but sounds like it might be out of your range right now. But maybe an epi Dot or something might work for you

I did notice that about the MIM's yesterday. my MIM jazz bass took me forever to make it sound right, but now its golden. yesterday I picked up a red MIM tele, it sounded so terrible, then I picked up the blue MIM tele next to it, it played better than most american ones I'd played. same with their basses. picked up a MIM 5 string, played terribly, the B was really sloppy. the black one next to it played like a dream.

their quality also isnt too consistent in just fender in general. yesterday I picked up an american j that was being sold for $799.99 it played like crap, the the deluxe fender MIM played like an american. so inconsistent.

BassoP · #4 12-29-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd_freeride

I did notice that about the MIM's yesterday. my MIM jazz bass took me forever to make it sound right, but now its golden. yesterday I picked up a red MIM tele, it sounded so terrible, then I picked up the blue MIM tele next to it, it played better than most american ones I'd played. same with their basses. picked up a MIM 5 string, played terribly, the B was really sloppy. the black one next to it played like a dream.

their quality also isnt too consistent in just fender in general. yesterday I picked up an american j that was being sold for $799.99 it played like crap, the the deluxe fender MIM played like an american. so inconsistent.

Yeah, all my "fenders" are warmoth. The bang for the buck is higher and they have all been top quality. I've played a bunch of MIA J basses in the last week and out of about a dozen, only one had a good feel and tone, and it was an ugly color

But once in a while you hit a magic one.

RavCat · #5 12-29-2006, 05:31 PM

See if you can find a Tele with a humbucker at the neck - they have a great jazz tone. With coil split, they're very versatile - I love mine to bits.

BurningSkies · #6 12-29-2006, 05:39 PM

A tele with a good neck pickup with some roll off can sound every bit as jazzy as a Les Paul or moreso. I love telecasters, because they 'speak to me' no matter if it's the cutting bridge tone or the fat warm neck pickup. As a note of caution, not all teles have great pickups...My choice is Seymour Duncan Broadcaster in the bridge and a DiMarzio Twang King in the neck.

**Blackbird** · #7 12-29-2006, 06:44 PM

First of all, there's no way you're going to get $600 for that epi. At any rate, you might run the idea of selling it by him first.

I realize the guitar doesn't sound good (mind the language, kiddo, or I'll kibosh your thread), so maybe you should have it checked out.

todd_freeride · #8 12-29-2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbird

First of all, there's no way you're going to get $600 for that epi. At any rate, you might run the idea of selling it by him first.

I realize the guitar doesn't sound good (mind the language, kiddo, or I'll kibosh your thread), so maybe you should have it checked out.

sorry, I thought I had edited the profanities with symbols like ! or #

I know I wouldent get $600.00 just thats what they supposidly go for new. so my guess is maybe $350.00 ?

CROZ · #9 12-29-2006, 07:58 PM

I'd take it to a pro and have it looked at, once you get it dialed in it will sound great. Les pauls are kinda uncomfortable compared to a strat but that big chunk of rich mahogany is there for a reason, it's up to you to decide if it's worth it or not.

xifr · #10 12-30-2006, 02:56 AM

If you want a kinda standard jazz sound, go for any hollowbody guitar.

To get a jazz tone with your LP, go on the neck pickup, and roll down the tone knob until you get the sound you want. Set the EQ on your amp pretty flat. A bit of extra mids helps cutting through, but keep the treble and bass on 5.