help in choosing electric guitar

[astroboy23]

hi i'm a beginner to electric guitar. currently i'm using just a cheap beginner electric guitar budled with amps that i got from eBay.

Now I want to purchase new guitar ranging from $250 to $350 max

i'm considering epiphone les paul 100 or les paul special 2.
cause there's discount for this guitar in my area.

any recommendation for me or anyone have used this epihpone?
http://www.skymusic.com.au/Epiphone-Les-Paul-100.html

or

http://www.skymusic.com.au/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Special-II.html


i'm using it to play in church and just play pop song for hobby.

thanks

 

[Wayne Alexander]

Don't buy a new guitar. You get much better value buying used.

 

[EADGBE]

Are there any music stores near where you live?

 

[Pietro]

For that price, you might find a used Made in Mexico Tele which I think would be an outstanding first electric guitar.

If you MUST have a Les Paul style guitar, Epiphones are fine instruments. Good luck, and welcome!

 

[fossilfuel]

I agree to buy used, if possible.

More guitar for the money, usually.

 

[Hawking]

If you want to buy new check out squier classic vibes

 

[tele118]

I heard epiphones are good, but you could probably get an MIM strat or tele for around that price 'used'. Look around on sites like ebay.

 

[mmaatt25]

Any of the Yamaha Pacifica range, they're well built guitars and play well. Beware of cheap guitars, many a learner has walked away because of an unplayable cheap guitar.

 

[cubistguitar]

I will also vote for Fender made in Mexico products, as good as many pro guitars, the Squier overseas stuff is pretty good, esp if someone could go with you to pick out a winner.

 

[pbmw]

Check out Agile
+1 on the MIM Tele's and Strats.
Epi's are great but I think Agile beats them.
Depends on what style you are playing too...

 

[semi-hollowbody]

used epiphone les paul standard craigslist or guitar center

 

[dwk302]

My first guitar was an epiphone LP. I still have it after 15 years, and it still sounds and plays beautifully. Highly recommended. I have an LP and a Strat and I always reach for the LP first. TPG definitely has a Fender bias. Ultimately, you need to decide which guitar is going to inspire you to play more.

 

[AParrotLooksAt4O]

used epiphone les paul standard craigslist or guitar center

This. An Epi standard is a great beginner/intermediate guitar and loves upgrades if you ever get the itch.

 

[dspellman]

hi i'm a beginner to electric guitar. currently i'm using just a cheap beginner electric guitar budled with amps that i got from eBay.

Pick the shiny one.

 

[monty]

Hit the stores and try as many as you can. Agree with the others though, Epi's and mim's are fine guitars.

 

[tele118]

TPG definitely has a Fender bias. Ultimately, you need to decide which guitar is going to inspire you to play more.

-Completely disagree with the first part. Agree with the second.

In the guitar emporium, the have some Epiphones listed in your price range. Here's a a good deal and it comes with a bigsby.
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/1147596&highlight=epiphone

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/1144511&highlight=epiphone

 

[barryg_nyc]

For newbies, in particular, buying a used guitar, sight unseen, via eBay can be a scary process.

Is there a Guitar Center near you? If so, I'd go there and play as many guitars (new and used) that are in your price range. You should be able to find new Squier Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified, Epiphone and other guitars in that price range.
Then, see what they have used. For around $300 used you can find some of the MIM Fender Teles or Strats and some higher-end Epiphones. You'll also see some PRS used guitars in that price - the SE Custom or a Santana. I'd check out Schecter as well. All of these are well-made guitars.

The other benefit to Guitar Center is that if you search their website for used gear, anything you buy comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. So, you remove all the risk that comes with eBay. You can order a used guitar from any GC store and have it shipped to you. Then, if you don't like it, you can return it to any GC store or ship it back. So, there's tons of great used gear in your price range. The other benefit to used is it won't lose as much value if you decide to flip it in a year or two and get something different

But first, go play a dozen or two and find out what you like - in terms of neck feel, pickups, etc.

 

[EADGBE]

Beware of cheap guitars, many a learner has walked away because of an unplayable cheap guitar.

This is a good point.

 

[speedemon]

Leave room in your budget to have a professional guitar repairman prepare the guitar for playing after you buy it.

A new guitar can be returned if it has serious problems. I would not buy a used one unless you have an experienced guitar player help you find one.

If you want a Les Paul style, the Epiphone is a decent choice, but an Agile or SX may be a better value for the money.

You can easily save money buying a used amplifier, or get a better one within your budget. What amplifier you have is not super important in the beginning.

good luck and safe journey!

 

[astroboy23]

i don't even know the advantage or sound of les gibson, i chose that because it sounds cool. LOL

can you guys give me a link example for each guitar that you guys suggested, cause if you say by type, I don't really understand. super noob to elec. guitar.

i will still use my old amp from the bundled guitar, and im getting pod hd300 for my pedals after i buy my new guitar. (wanted to get hd500, but too expensive for me)

so from the the reply:
I can see some people suggest:
- fender tele (made in mexico)
- squier classic vibes
- agile
-epiphone

please give me the exact link of the model, cause there are so many selections.

thank you for your help