A guitar for a bassist

[psi]

So I sold off some gear which of course means I need some new gear to replace it. However I'm not GAS'ing for any bass equipment at the moment (strange) and have been thinking about trying out an electric guitar. The problem is I don't know where to start looking, and I don't belong to any "talkguitar" type communities. So I figured I'd ask the talkbass crowd.

Last time I was at GC, I tried out a few guitars but I didn't really get anywhere -- partly because I was distracted by the cess pool of never-ending soloists in the guitar section... partly because I didn't know what to compare.

What I do know: I don't like my friend's Strat. I definitely prefer small frets over the jumbos. I don't plan on shredding or power chording all day. (It's no wonder why the bass attracted me in the first place.) I'm more interested in experimentation, clean tone arpeggios a la` Fripp or Belew, tapping, looping, et c.

Any tips or recommendations on guitar selection are much appreciated. Thanks!

[jollygiantchris]

Get an Agile off of rondo.

www.rondomusic.com

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

I'm fond of Jackson guitars, personally... but that depends on the tone you want. Crisp clean sounds can be obtained easily with them, as well as some massive crunch for metal. They can get a wide tonal variety.

There is always the option of epiphone/gibson as well. Not sure if they have what you consider jumbo frets. But probably a better option for classic sound than a jackson.

Maybe a washburn or a peavey?

[lunarpollen]

Try out some of the cheaper Gretsch Electromatic stuff. They are beautiful guitars and sound incredible for a budget line. And if you ever want to upgrade, you can just buy pickups directly from TV Jones and have your guitar tech swap them in for you.

[IvanMike]

not all strats have jumbo frets. so you may want to try more.

big question is what's your price point?

[DogBone]

Originally Posted by psi

So I sold off some gear which of course means I need some new gear to replace it. However I'm not GAS'ing for any bass equipment at the moment (strange) and have been thinking about trying out an electric guitar. The problem is I don't know where to start looking, and I don't belong to any "talkguitar" type communities. So I figured I'd ask the talkbass crowd.

Last time I was at GC, I tried out a few guitars but I didn't really get anywhere -- partly because I was distracted by the cess pool of never-ending soloists in the guitar section... partly because I didn't know what to compare.

What I do know: I don't like my friend's Strat. I definitely prefer small frets over the jumbos. I don't plan on shredding or power chording all day. (It's no wonder why the bass attracted me in the first place.) I'm more interested in experimentation, clean tone arpeggios a la` Fripp or Belew, tapping, looping, et c.

Any tips or recommendations on guitar selection are much appreciated. Thanks!

What exactly didn't you like about the Strat? The feel, sound, something else? Just asking b/c Stratocasters can vary tremendously across years, price points, etc.

The Fender Strat, Fender Telecaster, and Gibson Les Paul are pretty much the standards, so try several examples of those to get a feel for what you like and don't like. I'm talking both playability and how they sound. Then at least you'll have a common frame of reference for the rest of the wide world of guitars.

I found a cheap DeArmond at a pawnshop that plays like a dream, and my teenage son plays a six string so I have access to his Les Paul every now and then. But if/when I buy another guitar for myself it will probably be a Telecaster or a Strat, or at least something with single coils.

I can't help to suggest you at least spend some time with various Telecasters, since you mentioned clean arpeggios. Few things do "clean" as well as a shimmering Tele, and they can hold their own in jazz settings as well.

Good luck.

[thejrace]

i've had great experiences with ibanez guitars for the price. Lps are pretty sweet as well. I have an 84 lp studio, one fine piece of craftsmanship.

[Godbody]

Originally Posted by jollygiantchris

Get an Agile off of rondo.

www.rondomusic.com

This.

As far as what type of guitar you're drawn to, I've always tended toward semihollows, like jazz boxes. I played an Epiphone Sheraton at a garage sale this weekend, and I desperately wanted it; it had a nice, wide neck so my fingers didn't feel cramped, and it had a very earthy rumble to it that seemed familiar. I prefer to do all my rhythm work on semihollows.

Rondo has some really great looking semi-hollows these days, but whatever you decide you want, I bet they have it. Their guitar selection is monstrous compared to the relatively few basses, and they're very good about listing the pertinent details.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

Try out some of the cheaper Gretsch Electromatic stuff. They are beautiful guitars and sound incredible for a budget line. And if you ever want to upgrade, you can just buy pickups directly from TV Jones and have your guitar tech swap them in for you.

I second this motion. I have the Gretsch Electromatic Jr. Jet G2202, and it's a wonderful short scale bass. I've owned a number of short scale basses, and the quality and sound of this one blow away most of the rest. The pickup is one of the hottest I've played, and the bass is well finished and assembled.

Here's a Gretsch catalog shot:

[Stumbo]

Gibson Les Paul.

Here's a TB link you may want to check out: Best guitar forums

[Jimmy Bones]

I have a Schecter Omen 6. It's simple, one volume and one tone pot, a three way switch. Two Schecter Diamond humbucking pickups (which are incredibly good sounding, I think they based them on some Duncan stuff. Nice finish, string through body. Fast neck, fun to play.

No real bells and whistles, but I got it for around $100 used at an overpriced guitar store. I am very pleased with it. Mine is the Walnut Satin finish, though it's a little more purple than the pic below, more wine colored. They also have the high gloss stuff.