ELECTRIC GUITAR. PLEASE HELP. pros and cons of these 3???

crozier247 · #1 07-30-2011, 11:01 PM

Alright, my friend is looking to get another electric guitar. He plays a fender 48th street custom strat which is pretty much a MIM fat strat with Tex Mex pickups. It sounds nice, but he is looking to get a second guitar.

He definatley wants something with a humbucker, he plays mostly distorted and he doesn't mind his cleans being a little dirty because he rarley uses clean settings.

His three choices that he is considering are:

Gibson Les Paul

Fender Mustang

Fender Jaguar

For the Jaguar and the Stang he wants the humbucker model, and his budget is around 800.

I am trying to help him pick out this guitar.

I want to know the pros and cons of these three different guitars as far as the sound of them distorted, the playability and the overall comfort and feel of them. Including the neck.
He is a big Nirvana fan but he isn't one of those people who try to emulate Kurt's tone but the Jag and mustang catch his eye.

We are going to play all 3 guitars in person, but I know the Jag and mustang are a little less common especially in the humbucker models.

I told him he could get a squire jag or mustang and replace the pickups and necks and etc. he said maybe but probably not. Thanks for reading!

looks aren't a huge deal but he wouldn't play anything HORRID looking

Tanner5382 · #2 07-30-2011, 11:27 PM

Concerning the Les Paul, I hope he isn't trying to get a new Standard with that budget. He could possibly find a used one for that, but 800 bucks would more in the Studio or possibly Classic range. Personally, I would go for some sort of Les Pau over a Jaguar or Mustang. I generally like the sound of Gibson distorted more than Fenders. A lot of Les Pauls have fat necks. I know this doesn't help you much, but playability is totally subjective to the player. He'll really need to try them out for himsef.

crozier247 · #3 07-30-2011, 11:48 PM

He is looking to get either a used or studio. Are the LP studios any good? and are modern day Gibsons as bad as people make them sound? I've heard people talk about how bad the necks are as far as breaking

crozier247 · #4 07-31-2011, 12:11 AM

Oh and also, for anyone suggesting that he just gets a Jagstang that is not an option

air_leech · #5 07-31-2011, 12:29 AM

+1 for the LP. they have a beautiful tone when used in front of a driven tube amp.
I think the neck breakage issues on Gibsons has nothing to do with a specific era, the design itself is a bit problematic in that regard and I believe they don't break themselves - they don't survive fall downs as well as other brands (someone add a volute to the headstock for god's sake). the solution: keep your Gibby from falling down. pretty simple.

crozier247 · #6 07-31-2011, 12:33 AM

Do they sound nice coming out of a non tube amp?

Hawaii Islander · #7 07-31-2011, 01:24 AM

I like the LP and I used to own this one:

Sounded great through a tube amp or non-tube amp. The blue amp in the pic was a VOX modeling amp.

This model is in your friend's price range (new)
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Electric Guitar with Gig Bag at AmericanMusical.com

crozier247 · #8 07-31-2011, 01:46 AM

Beautiful finish!

Hawaii Islander · #9 07-31-2011, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crozier247

Beautiful finish!

Thanks!

ReginaldPLinux · #10 07-31-2011, 03:11 AM

That's a nice top.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crozier247

He is looking to get either a used or studio. Are the LP studios any good? and are modern day Gibsons as bad as people make them sound? I've heard people talk about how bad the necks are as far as breaking

Quality control on the current Gibsons is very poor. Usually nothing that can't be fixed. I don't know how the prices are where you live, but a Gibsons will generally set you back a lot more than a Fender.

Icey101 · #11 07-31-2011, 03:40 AM

i dont like the studio, i would rather the SG....save up for the standard LP

derelicte · #12 07-31-2011, 03:43 AM

save up for an SG.

wunslooth · #13 07-31-2011, 04:01 AM

Pros of fender style, he already knows the feel, but a mustang, or Jag, YIKES!! If he must get another Fender style, Tele is hela beta!!! a bridge that doesn't move! awsome,
you can get teles with humbuckers. But thats not an option so I'll shut up.

pros of LP, I like them cause they have a set bridge, more neck angle.. I don't use trems, but I would think if he had a guitar with a trem Strat then Getting an LP would be a wise investment that can be upgraded and have a more wellrounded guitar collection.

jay loren · #14 07-31-2011, 07:06 AM

Have him try out a Les Paul Special with p90 pickups. They scream!

crozier247 · #15 07-31-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wunslooth

Pros of fender style, he already knows the feel, but a mustang, or Jag, YIKES!! If he must get another Fender style, Tele is hela beta!!! a bridge that doesn't move! awsome,
you can get teles with humbuckers. But thats not an option so I'll shut up.

pros of LP, I like them cause they have a set bridge, more neck angle.. I don't use trems, but I would think if he had a guitar with a trem Strat then Getting an LP would be a wise investment that can be upgraded and have a more wellrounded guitar collection.

Hey man your criticism, comments, and suggestions are welcome here no need to apologize! What would you say is so "yikes" about a mustang or jag?

PaulMacCnj · #16 07-31-2011, 12:10 PM

That quilted Maple top on the LP is beautiful! That's the first time that I've seen one that way. NICE!!!

CnB77 · #17 07-31-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crozier247

Hey man your criticism, comments, and suggestions are welcome here no need to apologize! What would you say is so "yikes" about a mustang or jag?

Short scale is a bit weird, and the Jag has the worst bridge I've ever experienced. They also make sounds that aren't necessarily pleasing in most situations. They fill a niche, but aren't as versatile as a Strat or Tele. I'd get a Telemaster for good sound/bridge and offset body shape.

crozier247 · #18 07-31-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CnB77

Short scale is a bit weird, and the Jag has the worst bridge I've ever experienced. They also make sounds that aren't necessarily pleasing in most situations. They fill a niche, but aren't as versatile as a Strat or Tele. I'd get a Telemaster for good sound/bridge and offset body shape.

What niche would this be? He isn't looking for much as far as a clean tone, and he already has a Strat the neck and middle pickup are pretty nice and the humbucker is LOUD!

Hawaii Islander · #19 07-31-2011, 03:14 PM

I've own two Gibsons in recent years a Les Paul

and an SG Standard

Both guitars were amazing soundwise and in build quality. No QC issues at all.

I also owned Fender guitars. An original 1975 Strat and more recently this American Strat

I like both brands, but for a fuller more agressive tone, the Gibson LP will get you there better than most Fender guitars, IMHO.

Let us know what your friend ends up getting.

air_leech · #20 08-01-2011, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crozier247

Do they sound nice coming out of a non tube amp?

it may sound nice but IMO the best solid state guitar amp doesn't hold a candle to an entry level tube amp (we are speaking guitars of course, not bass).

there are a lot options for cheap low power tube combos nowadays.
Marshall Class 5, Fender Blues Jr., Crate V8, Epiphone Valve Jr., Vox Night Train and a host of others.

I've got a Blue Jr. III and it's a very nice amp for home use and recordings.
I guess it would sound nice mic'd to a console in a live setting.