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Posted by: Pavlov Nov 7 2008, 04:20 PM

As some of you know, I only very recently started playing the guitar. The guitar I have now is a Squier Standard (Special edition, Black & Chrome), however, since I'm a rather short person and have short arms, I'm having some difficulty when an entire song's notes are on the lower, first couple of frets.

So I was wondering, what guitar would you recommend me? I have about a 5-600 euro budget (max, also wouldn't mind spending 400), but I'd like to have a guitar with a rather short neck. I was thinking about the fender Mustang or Jag-stang - while I heard it's quality is subpar, I like the looks and wouldn't mind modding it as I get better.

I also really like the Firebird models and, to a lesser extend, the Gibson SG. I have no idea about their neck length, however.

So I was wondering, could you perhaps recommend me a guitar? Other models are okay too. Some of you may raise an eyebrow over what I'm going to say next, but I'm real big on eye-candy too. One of the (many!) reasons I started playing the guitar, was because I want to justify starting a collection.

Thanks!

Posted by: Chokehold Nov 7 2008, 04:22 PM

I don't know much, but i love my SG

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 7 2008, 05:46 PM

Also, I know people look down on folk who buy stuff that's 'out of their league', but I'd like something that plays fantastic and will be great for at least a year or two, three to come.

Posted by: Jesse Nov 7 2008, 05:56 PM

Epiphone g-400. Ive had it for.. 3 years ? And Ive gigged with it... practiced alot and stuff. It's a great guitar!!!!!!!!!! Plus higher frets are easily reached!

Posted by: jdriver Nov 7 2008, 06:12 PM

Forget what other people think, get the best guitar you can get. You don't have to prove yourself or "work your way up" to something good. Get something that satisfies the needs you anticipate, not just what you need right now.

Posted by: Ramiro Delforte Nov 7 2008, 06:54 PM

Jackson have some models where the distance of the frets are very short and the frets also are very flat....

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 7 2008, 07:03 PM

But I was under the impression that Jackson models were mostly built for metal-ish genres?

I actually think I prefer Fenders, Gibsons, Epiphones and the other more mainstream guitar brands. Not that I doubt the quality of the other guitars, but it seems that where I live - in the Netherlands - those are much more wildly available and will make reselling less of a problem.

Posted by: ChrisVdS Nov 7 2008, 07:04 PM

Jdriver is right try what seems best to you to learn to play and can serve a little longer for 400 euros you can choose from a decent range of guitars Ibanez has got some nice guitars for even less then 400 euros the SA 120 it's around 285 i think.
It might be the best to go to a music store and explain what you look in a guitar to the guy that sells them he or she will probably will get you a good deal

Posted by: Fran Nov 7 2008, 08:12 PM

Gibson and Epiphones are a bit shorter than fenders. With your budget I'd recommend either a Epiphone SG or Les Paul, the G-400 plays quite good for the price, and you can always change the pups in the future.

Posted by: Smikey2006 Nov 7 2008, 08:14 PM

Im going to give my usual speech and recommend schecter guitars check out their site. www.schecterguitars.com they are a joy to play and even nicer to look at your looking for eye candy then here it is!

Posted by: fatb0t Nov 7 2008, 08:14 PM

Being short really shouldn't effect your guitar playing... I dunno if a new guitar would solve that problem but it would be nice to upgrade from the squire that's for sure..

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 7 2008, 09:35 PM

Wow! There are some really cool looking guitars there - thanks! I'll look into them, definitely.

Really loved the look of these;

http://media.schecterguitars.com/imgs/ultraIII_vwr.jpg

http://media.schecterguitars.com/imgs/hollywood_classic_stb.jpg



To those recommending the Epiphone SG - wouldn't it be a better idea to get the cheapest real SG? I've seen them go for 5-600 euro.

This one, for example.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Faded-SG-Special-Electric-Guitar?sku=517222

I'd really love to own a (second hand?) Jag Stang or Mustang. If they were more widely available here, I'd have never even had to open this thread. They're amazing for being part of a collection alone. But since the chance of one becoming available in the Netherlands is near-nil, I opened this topic for some ideas. So far, I'm really glad I did. Noticing some guitars I never noticed!

Posted by: Fran Nov 7 2008, 09:42 PM

Yeah, definitely, the SG special/faded is a nice guitar for the price, but it was a bit more expensive than your initial budget. Go for it if you can!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 7 2008, 10:37 PM

Epiphone SG model is what I would recommend mate, that guitar is very cool, and you can replace the pickups after a while, get some modern dimarzio ones and it will sing

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 9 2008, 01:56 PM

I still haven't made a definitive decision, but I appreciate all the tips you guys gave me. I'm thinking about saving up and getting the real Gibson SG or hope I find a mustang/jagstang second hand somewhere. But I guess my Squier will do just fine for the next couple of months - gives me some time to save up.

In any case, thanks guys!

Posted by: berko Nov 9 2008, 02:16 PM

That's really wise, Pavlov, take your time, test those guitars, meditate on it, test them again, try different techniques on them, different tones, look how they suit you etc. etc. u know what I mean.

It's really a ritual to buy a new and especially decent guitar, that's for sure...

otherwise I don't think a shorter scale guitar would do that much help. The "feel" of a guitar consists of many things: body, thickness of neck, weight, action and the height of bridge - so how it feels like in your hand. Other than only looking at the scale and other configuration datas, you should test them live - especially when investing a lot of money.

Personally i would advise Epiphones (either SG or Lp) or Schecters. If schecters are not that much available where you live, than head for ibanez.

cheers

Posted by: Power_Arctica Nov 9 2008, 02:21 PM

Hi mate! Try the Washburn N Series, I got the Washburn N2. Washburn made the guitar under Nuno Bettencourts specifications. Nuno is a short guy so the guitar seems to be smaller than the others, the same happens with the neck.
Its a very light guitar, the neck is thin and fast, easy to play. You should try it!

Posted by: audiopaal Nov 9 2008, 03:35 PM

You should ccheck out Agile from Rondo music

You get awesome guitars for the prize, and yes they're cheap
I've tried a few, sounded and felt great!!!

http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar-ss8.html

That's page 8 from they're online shop, Agile guitars are featured on page 8, 9 and 10

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 14 2008, 11:07 AM

Sorry for reviving this topic, but I've narrowed my choices down to a few guitars that I'd really love to save up for,

Namely, the

Fender Mustang
Gibson SG Faded
Epiphone Zakk Wylde Les Paul

I realise two of them defy from the standard a bit, but I'd really like your opinion on these guitars. The 2008 issue of the Mustang is supposed to sound really good compared to its earlier editions. The Gibson SG Faded, while I know Gibson SGs are amazing, I do not know much about. And the Epiphone Les Paul is supposed to sound like... an Epiphone Les Paul.

But still, do any of you know how these guitars 'rank up'? Two things I'm looking for is relative versatility and ease of play.

Thanks!

Posted by: MickeM Nov 14 2008, 11:21 AM

Focusing on the reach, LP and SG both have tilted necks which makes the reach to the lower frets even shorter.

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 14 2008, 11:24 AM

Which is a good thing for me, right? Sounds fantastic.

I also know that the Mustang has a shorter-than-normal neck. But the Gibson/Epi models have an even bigger advantage in that regard?

Posted by: MickeM Nov 14 2008, 11:45 AM

My guess is that you'll have a closer reach on the lower frets with LP or SG, Mustand has a shorter scale than Gibson (24" vs 24,75") but that doesn' tell anything about the reach, just the measure from the nut to the bridge. Where, at which fret, the strap locker sits could in fact have a bigger impact on the reach where as it could position the guitar a little to the right or to the left.

Still, you should try out the Mustand vs Gibson to find which is more comfortable for you. This ^ is only qualified guesses until someone states the facts.

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 22 2008, 07:47 PM

Hi!

After a week or so of indecision, this is my new 'axe'. I believe I can proudly call it that way.



<- Not mine, but the same looks.

It's a Gibson Les Paul Studio in worn brown. It was a bit of a hard decision, as I tried almost every guitar in the shop and ended up with two models - a Fender Highway One strat in sunburst, and this one. The highway one had a beautiful tone whereas this one is sort of 'rough'. I thought both had its charms. Both were equally playable. The highway one had a fantastic fast neck with strings you could easily push, but this neck seemed to be a bit shorter and friendlier for those barre chords.

I had however, promised myself that I'd not leave the shop with a standard sunburst strat - exactly what the fender was. Its amazing quality surprised me, however, but ultimately when both guitars were tied to me, I went for looks. And seeing as this was the very last of these Gibsons in that shop I had made up my mind. After all, I can always get another sunburst strat, but I felt that if this one escaped me I'd never be able to get it.

I got it for 800 euros, including the hardcase. Again, I'd like to thank each and every one of you for the advice.

The only problem I seem to have is fret buzzing on the lower (6th) e string. Highly annoying, not noticable through the amp.

Posted by: berko Nov 22 2008, 08:27 PM

I can see that it's none of the guitars you have listed earlier, but this axe is incredible anyway!!!

Wise choice, may it serve you well!!

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 22 2008, 08:29 PM

Thanks!

Yeah, I didn't expect to walk away with a Les Paul that wasn't Zakk Wylde. Still, this one looks a bit more 'mature' and I thought, for potential resale value in the (very far, hopefully), it'd be wise to buy a Gibson.

I'm still on the lookout for a Mustang or Jag-stang to own, but that's mostly for collecting. This is just such a great instrument!

Posted by: Fran Nov 22 2008, 10:20 PM

Cool axe, I wish you thousands of happy playing hours with it