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#1935960 - 05/02/08 11:28 AM

Beginner's LP look-alike suggestions.

Mark B
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Registered: 03/24/08
Posts: 4
Loc: Oxford, UK

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Hi
I have been playing for a few months now, just chords and simple tunes and stuff. I am using this really old (and not very good) acoustic which was a free gift, and I realised that I should probably get something a bit better. I like the look and sound of the Gibson les paul (though I realsie that a look-a-like will not be anywhere near as good.) My price range is anything up about £150 - I would like to spend more but otherwise I'll never have enough money! I have seen various possibilities:

http://www.normans.co.uk/Items/l350-vs?s...0Violin%20burst - It's 160 quid down to 70 but I don't know much about the brand. I would have a lot of money left for an amp + other equipment though.

http://www.guitarbitz.com/475.htm - It's a bit over my budget but manageable. Again, i dont know much about the brand.

http://www.windjammermusic.co.uk/ - A lot of people have said to me to try out in a shop before you buy. This is the only guitar shop nearby. Anything decent in there?

And finally, you can pick up an Epiphone on eBay for nearly within my price range, nearly new - mostly Les Paul standards.

Any advice on what to get?
Or have you got any other suggestions?

Thanks

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#1935965 - 05/02/08 11:35 AM

Re: Beginner's LP look-alike suggestions. [Re: Mark B]

RobRose
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Registered: 02/16/08
Posts: 180
Loc: Ottawa, ON

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My advice is to wait just a little until you can up your range enough to get into the next "class" of guitars where you can get an Epiphone Les Paul, or a Hagstrom Swede which are MUCH better guitars to learn on and play. They're not that much more expensive but the difference in quality is immense...

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#1936090 - 05/02/08 03:38 PM

Re: Beginner's LP look-alike suggestions. [Re: RobRose]

Kramer Ferrington III.
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Registered: 05/12/05
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Loc: Wellington, NZ

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I second Rob's opinion. Although I'm not familiar with Staggs and Vintages, the reviews I've read in imported Brit mags imply that they're goodish beginners guitars. The tone of the reviews tends to be, in as many words, "At this price, you can't complain!"

The Epi on the other hand is considered more of a beginners to intermediate guitar. I think you'll probably get more mileage and resale value from the Epi.

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#1936094 - 05/02/08 03:46 PM

Re: Beginner's LP look-alike suggestions. [Re: RobRose]

GeoffB
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Registered: 11/05/04
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Loc: UK East Midlands via Scotland

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I'd strongly suggest you save up just a bit more and look at the 'Vintage Icon' guitars by Trevor Wilkinson.

Recently I picked up & played a 'Vintage Lemon Drop', which is a repro of Peter Green's famous guitar.

At £220ish it isn't the most expensive, nor the cheapest I've ever picked up, but I was blown away by its action and sound. It was easily the nicest playing guitar I've held for a long time and it certainly did sound like Peter Green's guitar (although my playing didn't!!).

I don't know where you are, but from the ads you have up here you might be in the Midlands? If you are, get up to Sheehan's in Leicester - they've just moved to smashing new premises, and try the Vintage LemonDrop there. The guitars in Sheehans are usually pretty well set up.

Geoff

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#1936194 - 05/02/08 07:56 PM

Re: Beginner's LP look-alike suggestions. [Re: GeoffB]

rw2003
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Registered: 11/06/05
Posts: 943
Loc: NY

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That Vintage Electric series of guitars looks real interesting!

Here's a link to an online store that shows the entire product line...
http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric.html

This stuff looks like those high-priced "aged" guitars from Fender and Gibson's custom shops but for a fraction of their cost.

That lemondrop does look great... although the it may be out of your price range.

Scroll down that list and check out the Vintage®VR100Series - these are Les Paul Jr style guitars. Prices closer to 200 GBP.

The most important thing is to get into a store and play a number of different guitars to determine what feels good to you.

Sure Gibson Les Pauls are cool but there are many different variations - each with its own unique feel. For instance, a Les Paul Standard vs the Custom.

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#1936416 - 05/03/08 10:09 AM

Re: Beginner's LP look-alike suggestions. [Re: rw2003]

Greg B.
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Registered: 12/28/04
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Loc: Tulsa Oklahoma

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Those look really cool.

I really like that Lemon Drop!! ALOT!!! I wonder if those are available over here? I like to try one out.

Take a look at Reverend guitars. They are a tremendous value. I'm not sure how close you are to Liverpool, but you won't be disappointed by these.
http://roselanemusic.com/epages/eshop111...itars%22/RevSet

Good luck in your quest.

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