Help choosing a guitar

[Keepitclean]

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could get a hand with something.

I've been playing guitar for a few years now, I've never really taken the guitar part of guitar playing too seriously. I'll play pretty much anything and I would describe my skill level as intermediate.
I currently own a chinese strat copy. I love it to bits but I really have outgrown it.

At the end of the day it's going to come down to what feels best. But since I've noticed that there is quite a following of guitars on The Escapist and I was wondering if anyone could suggest some makes and models to look at.

My budget is around $500AUD.

EDIT: After much research I have noticed that you really need to spend near $800 to get what I want so I guess that is what I will do. I am orginizing some bulk buying with some of my mates. This has lead a local guitar shop to offer me a PRS Custom 24 SE for $900 sice it's my birthday soon I'll ask for some help buying it from family members.

 

[DukeBishop]

What kind of music do you like? It matters cuz you wouldnt play... lets say country on a Jackson guitar

 

[Keepitclean]

What kind of music do you like? It matters cuz you wouldnt play... lets say country on a Jackson guitar

I like to play Classic rock like Guns n' Roses, AC/DC and the like. I will play stuff like Rise Against and Blink 182 but it's too easy most of the time.

EDIT: And mainstreamish metal.

 

[sephiroth1991]

I suggest going to music store and haveing a go on some of them and you can decide which one sounds better.

 

[BonsaiK]

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could get a hand with something.

I've been playing guitar for a few years now, I've never really taken the guitar part of guitar playing too seriously. I'll play pretty much anything and I would describe my skill level as intermediate.
I currently own a chinese strat copy. I love it to bits but I really have outgrown it.

At the end of the day it's going to come down to what feels best. But since I've noticed that there is quite a following of guitars on The Escapist and I was wondering if anyone could suggest some makes and models to look at.

My budget is around $500AUD.

For $500AU you won't be buying a Gibson or Fender but you can get something like an Epiphone G400 SG or Epiphone Les Paul Studio (or Flying V/Explorer if you're into that sort of thing) if you shop around, they're both solid choices for the sort of music you like with decent quality parts and workmanship for the money. Different feel to the Squier though so try before you buy. If you hate the Epi feel and want something with a longer thinner neck like the Squier then maybe try some of the cheaper Ibanez, Jackson guitars etc.

 

[Enemy Of The State]

What kind of music do you like? It matters cuz you wouldnt play... lets say country on a Jackson guitar

I like to play Classic rock like Guns n' Roses, AC/DC and the like. I will play stuff like Rise Against and Blink 182 but it's too easy most of the time.

EDIT: And mainstreamish metal.

Look at Ibanez, specifically the RG series.

 

[Keepitclean]

What kind of music do you like? It matters cuz you wouldnt play... lets say country on a Jackson guitar

I like to play Classic rock like Guns n' Roses, AC/DC and the like. I will play stuff like Rise Against and Blink 182 but it's too easy most of the time.

EDIT: And mainstreamish metal.

Look at Ibanez, specifically the RG series.

I have looked at them before (very breifly) I could afford one and I must say I liked it. I have read that some of the cheaper models of the RG range have crappy electrics and average pick ups. Do you have any idea is that holds any truth?

 

[davethemongoose]

I would say that Epiphone do an excellent range considering the type of music you play and they can be relatively cheap. Les Paul or SG make look pretty cool. Or if you can afford to splash out a bit more, go for Gibson. Both of these tend to be used for a lot of styles.

 

[open trap]

Flying v's are soooooo cool.

 

[Nightfalke]

There are always good deals for used guitars everywhere. I would try and find a style/brand you like to play on, and see if you can find a used one for cheaper.

 

[Phoenix09215]

My budget is around $500AUD.

Well for that your best bet (if your into the classic rock and the metal) is either a Ibanez or an Epiphone? I have an Ibanez that cost 450 English Pounds and its very reliable and its great for the ACDC

But yeah if your going Epiphone i would go for an Imitation SG maby?

 

[DukeBishop]

Flying v's are soooooo cool.

Agreed. All in favour say aye.

 

[Keepitclean]

Flying v's are soooooo cool.

Agreed. All in favour say aye.

The yellow one second from the right?

 

[senataur]

I've been wrestling with the same decision recently. Still haven't made up my mind.

Looking 2nd hand is a good recommendation. There is a big difference between a $500 and $1000 guitar. Save up a bit more if it is an option.

Check some of these out. http://guitarfactory.com.au/electricguitars_ibanez.php

Think I'm headed in this direction myself...if I ever make up my mind.
http://guitarfactory.com.au/detail.php?recordID=1412
http://guitarfactory.com.au/detail.php?recordID=1413

 

[DukeBishop]

Flying v's are soooooo cool.

Agreed. All in favour say aye.

The yellow one second from the right?

I was thinking of the randy rhoads model

 

[open trap]

Flying v's are soooooo cool.

Agreed. All in favour say aye.

The yellow one second from the right?

Try the last one,middle one, and second one from the left.

 

[Icehearted]

lol
When did Guns & Roses become 'classic rock'?.

/feelsoldnow :x

 

[TheComedown]

Flying v's are soooooo cool.

Give me a fire bird over a V any day. Any way any V you'd pick up for 500 Australian probably isn't worth picking up, if you get a V you gotta go to the top.

 

[EscapeGoat_v1legacy]

snip

Make I take the time to recommend you towards Michael Kelly Guitars [http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/] seeing as they're fantastic guitars made by a somewhat lesser-known brand and are perfect for hard rock and mainstream metal, seeing as that's what I play as well.

In particular, I'd point towards the Patriot [http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://s4.hubimg.com/u/2851959_f260.jpg&imgrefurl=http://hubpages.com/hub/Michael-Kelly-Guitars-Reviews-Patriot-Custom&usg=__st-QIJOQaPVA60zuT9XhHeLIPIE=&h=347&w=260&sz=11&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=gyPFXG5Afk1XcM:&tbnh=221&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmichael%2Bkelly%2Bguitars%2Bpatriot%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D4cZ%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GBfficial%26biw%3D1264%26bih%3D605%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=951&vpy=182&dur=3589&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=99&ty=182&ei=sclzTMGcAcTFswavrKnQCA&oei=sclzTMGcAcTFswavrKnQCA&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0] by them - I own one and its one of the nicest guitars I have; it's smooth to play, beautiful action and the Patriot Custom is equipped with a pair of chunky humbuckers. I guess the only issue is that mine cost me 350 quid, and Google tells me that's equal to around 600 Australian dollars.

Other than that, I guess an Epiphone guitar, or perhaps an American Strat or Telecaster.

 

[senataur]

I was thinking of the randy rhoads model

Yeah I've seen them heavily discounted, I was thinking the same myself.

http://www.mallmusic.com.au/pages/mod.php?mod=cart&op=details&viewitem=GM7705
Pretty sure I saw models like this going for $799ish, cant for the life of me find it now.

Other Deans like the Dimebag Razorback range I also see discounted heavily. Not sure what to think of them though tbh. http://www.musiciansuniverse.com.au/d1344-8/dean-razorback-10k-commemorative/