What Kind of Guitar

[skyking1976]

Re: Bump...

Anyone know anything about Johnson electric guitars? What about New York Pro?

I'm searching eBay for a somewhat cheap electric to fool around with and these seem to have what I'm looking for.

How much $$ do you want to spend?

 

[Northern Lights]

Well, the guitar is for me. I already have an acoustic, but am looking to spice things up a little. As far as price, I would like to get something under $300. I know that you get what you pay for, so I'm a little leary of the $100-$150 models. However if it is not a piece of crap I would still be interested in that price range.

 

[flx757]

Well, the guitar is for me. I already have an acoustic, but am looking to spice things up a little. As far as price, I would like to get something under $300. I know that you get what you pay for, so I'm a little leary of the $100-$150 models. However if it is not a piece of crap I would still be interested in that price range.

What you will find in that price range is a piece of crap...but if you are satisfied with it...then by all means, go for it. However...if you want to spend about $700-$800 for a Custom guitar from Carvin (or around $400-$500 for a decent one on eBay) you will be getting an instrument worth easily double that in any music store, and one that will last a lifetime. I guess it depends on what your ultimate goal is. To buy a new (and better) guitar every couple of years, or to buy a quality instrument now...and have it forever.

Read this thread for more info on why you should buy a Carvin.

 

[guitarflyer]

freqflyer,
if you're still looking for a guitar (it's been a while since your original post), one suggestion that I was surprised not to see was RENTING a guitar. Most music stores, especially smaller ones that provide music lessons & band instruments for local school programs, will rent guitars & amps. At the store where I used to teach in CA, we rented literally HUNDREDS of guitars (elec & acoustic).

It's a good way to get the student started right away, and not make a huge financial commitment. You can rent exactly what the student wants (usually a cool, strat copy & a loud amp!), and you won't be stuck with the equipment if the student decides he/she is not so into it

Good advice on the headphones, by the way....

 

[Tripower455]

Anyone know anything about Johnson electric guitars?

I needed a bass to use on some home recordings, and my local shop carries Johnson. I picked up their P Bass knockoff, and overall, I'm pretty impressed, since it was half the price of a mexican Fender P Bass. I'd say that it's about the same level of quality of Squier, which is to say it's OK for the money.

My guitar teacher let me try out a Samick Les Paul knockoff today at my lesson, and it was very nice, nicer than my Epiphone Les Paul. Not a Gibson, but not too bad either.

Personally, if you like Strats, the best bang for the buck are the Mexican Fenders. For set necks, the Gibson "faded" series (especially the SG) are awesome. One of these day's I'll get one of the SG Specials for a nice knockaround SG.

My next one will be an R-7 or R-8 Les Paul.......

 

[Jmmccutc]

I've been playing now for aobut 8 years, i started on a washburn electric... best investment i ever made,at $150 it was cheap at the time, and i love the guitar...i have upgraded the pickups and it plays like a dream...i now have 7 guitars, and i still love to play that one whenever i get a chance...

 

[Northern Lights]

1972 Fender Strat?

Bump again....

I think that I may have found an electric to buy, but was wondering what you experts think of it.

I got my hair cut last night and most of the stylists had pictures of their kids displayed, but one guy had a photo of his guitar collection.

After talking for a while he offered to sell me his 1972 Fender Stratocaster for $500. He said it plays great and all and is one of his favorites, but he has 8 guitars and could handle parting with this one.

Looking on ebay I saw some of the 70's Strats going for well over $1000.

 

[Swass]

Take it to a guitar store and have someone in the know verify if it is a 70's strat. If it is, your a lucky dude. If it's not and it looks good, hell, your still a lucky dude if it's American made. Buy it. Or let me.

 

[brew3departure]

Sounds like a good deal

That sounds like a good deal - ditto on verifying it, though.

Was it the early 80's that Fender was "taken over" by CBS? College was the last time I really followed all this stuff.

Good advice here - depends on how big your son's hands are, too - if he's a mammoth kid, he won't have a problem with an acoustic. If he still has some growing to do, an electric might be a better deal only because the neck isn't quite as wide...

There was a relatively cheap mod going around the net years ago to turn your normal, old walkman into a headphone amp - not sure if it worked, but it might be worth searching out - an inexpensive way to at least get started while looking for an amp.

My crowning achievement, though, was being able to play "Behind Blue Eyes" -- needless to say, I'm more of a bass player!

-brew3

 

[Tripower455]

My crowning achievement, though, was being able to play "Behind Blue Eyes" -- needless to say, I'm more of a bass player!

Another Who fan!

I am slowly working my way through "A Quick One While He's Away"......

I've got Baba, I can't Explain and Won't Get fooled Again down pretty well.

 

[Northern Lights]

I got it!

I bought the '72 Strat today. It is ugly (light yellow transitioning to pea green), but it plays great. Turns out that the seller is in a band with a fellow pilot that I know.

I've already had somone offer me $100 more than what I paid for it.

Thanks for everyone's input.

--N.L.--