BLUELOU74 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Hello, I'm new here. So I've been playing the harp for about 10 years now and have always wanted to learn the guitar. Im honestly torn between which one to start with since I love BB King, John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush and many others who have played Gibson and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clapton and many others who have played strats.. I found a Epiphone Les Paul Special II Players Pack with Epiphone's Studio 10 amplifier, and all the accessories you need to get started playing guitar. This is a powerful sounding guitar with the feel you only get from a Les Paul. The excellent Special II is built with an Alder/Mahogany body, 2 open-coil humbucking pickups, a Mahogany neck with a Rosewood fretboard, and chrome hardware. The Studio 10 amp has a 3-band EQ and gain controls, and a handy built-in prop stand. Includes Les Paul Special II electric guitar, Studio 10 amplifier, Gig bag, Pitchpipe, Strap, Picks, Instrument cable, Instructional video/book for $169 with free shipping. The Squier Affinity Strat Special pack includes, Fender Frontman Amp 15G Guitar Amplifier, Stereo Headphones, Instructional DVD, Chromatic Tuner, Gig Bag, Cable, Guitar Strap, Pick Sampler for $229.99 with free shipping or Affinity Fat Strat HSS Electric Guitar Package with G-DEC This set features a Squier Affinity Strat HSS guitar with a humbucking bridge pickup; plug it right into the included 15-watt G-DEC Junior amp with loads of amp types, effects, backing loops, auxiliary input, headphone jack and many other Accessories include a guitar strap, gig bag, guitar cable and pick sampler for $349.99 with free shipping. Any suggestions, opinions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 For starters, the Epi is better..........You might want to shop used......Shop the "Player Packs" online.....Start looking at everything available online at Musician's Friend, Sweetwater, etc etc.........Get a feel for what's available, and for all the "coupon" deals that come and go........ What's your budget, and what do you wanna do with your equipment ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epi Rocks Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Hello, I'm new here. So I've been playing the harp for about 10 years now and have always wanted to learn the guitar. Im honestly torn between which one to start with since I love BB King, John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush and many others who have played Gibson and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clapton and many others who have played strats.. I found a Epiphone Les Paul Special II Players Pack with Epiphone's Studio 10 amplifier, and all the accessories you need to get started playing guitar. This is a powerful sounding guitar with the feel you only get from a Les Paul. The excellent Special II is built with an Alder/Mahogany body, 2 open-coil humbucking pickups, a Mahogany neck with a Rosewood fretboard, and chrome hardware. The Studio 10 amp has a 3-band EQ and gain controls, and a handy built-in prop stand. Includes Les Paul Special II electric guitar, Studio 10 amplifier, Gig bag, Pitchpipe, Strap, Picks, Instrument cable, Instructional video/book for $169 with free shipping. The Squier Affinity Strat Special pack includes, Fender Frontman Amp 15G Guitar Amplifier, Stereo Headphones, Instructional DVD, Chromatic Tuner, Gig Bag, Cable, Guitar Strap, Pick Sampler for $229.99 with free shipping or Affinity Fat Strat HSS Electric Guitar Package with G-DEC This set features a Squier Affinity Strat HSS guitar with a humbucking bridge pickup; plug it right into the included 15-watt G-DEC Junior amp with loads of amp types, effects, backing loops, auxiliary input, headphone jack and many other Accessories include a guitar strap, gig bag, guitar cable and pick sampler for $349.99 with free shipping. Any suggestions, opinions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Welcome to the forum dude. Hope ya like it 'ere. Try both sets and then decide which one is for you. Consider what style of guitar music you will be playing, Which guitar tone you prefer, which amp and guitar combination you prefer and, ABOVE ALL ELSE, pick the instrument that feels the most comfortable for you to play. Rememeber, you're the one who is paying for it and also the one who'll be spending endless hours learning and enjoying it. I let the style of music I'm playing at the time dictate which guitar I will use. I've got a few. Whether it be rock, blues, dance/pop,etc.. Each guitar serves a different purpose. I love all my babies. Good luck with your choice mate. When you get it, don't forget to post some pictures up for all to see. They love guitar porn on this site. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUELOU74 Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Thanks for the replies. I'm only interested in playing blues so whatever guitar, amp and accessories that are best for that is all I want. Since I don't know how to play, I can't really form an opinion on anything other than the way it looks. What about used ? Is there anything I should watch out for when I'm looking at used stuff ? Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I can't really form an opinion on anything other than the way it looks. Look at what the musicians you admire and wish to emulate are playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUELOU74 Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Yeah I know, I love BB King, Otis Rush, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and others that played Gibson which makes me think Epiphone since I can't afford a Gibson. I also love Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Claptons blues and others that have played strats... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Yeah I know, I love BB King, Otis Rush, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and others that played Gibson which makes me think Epiphone since I can't afford a Gibson. I also love Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Claptons blues and others that have played strats... Get a fat Strat in a HSS or HSH configuration, very vesatile guitars, Yamaha makes many budget models under their Pacifica line. H = Humbucker and S = Single Coil. A little further up the scale, but still pretty well priced is the Epi Nighthawk, it is also an extremely versatile instrument. Both options will have Humbuckers and Single Coils on the guitar, kind of a crossover between Fender and Gibson tones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trewblue Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 All very good advise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KVL Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Have you ever played guitar? If not, Bring a friend/family member who you trust and knows about guitar with you. Trying one out alone may be of little good because you wont know what to look for. I wish I did this. I bought my first guitar 'cause it was "cool". I started taking lessons and my hands would hurt while playing. I thought that maybe the shape and profile of the neck was a bad match for my sized hand. My teacher said it's normal, because those muscles weren't used to making those shapes, and it was common discomfort of trying to finger a chord shape for the first few times. I didn't listen, and went out and I bought something else. It's a beautiful instrument, plays well, etc. It's a stunning piece of 6-stringed art. My hands felt better after lo0ng practice sessions, so I was happy. Looking back, I dont know if it was the different neck or my hands got used to the positions I was asking of them, or a bit of both. Now I've got my Epi, and I haven't touched the other ones because the Epi neck feels way better. Had I known better, I wouldn't have bought the other guitar, but live & learn. The point is, if you dont know, bring someone who does that you trust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocknRollFun Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 For what it's worth, I practiced on a Fender Strat [~1996, Made in Mexico, nice guitar] for about a month before buying my own guitar. I went with the Epi Special II Plus Top [see avatar :)]. I like the way the Epi feels better. I'm a chick, so I don't have giant hands but they aren't petite and my fingers aren't short, so fingering chord shapes isn't as hard for me as it is for some people. However, the neck of the Special II seems easier to work with... and I just like the feel better. Don't underestimate that "intangible" part! But definitely get something cheap to start out with so that you can figure out that stuff. I am very happy with my Special II. I will probably upgrade it to better parts before I go out and buy another model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueman335 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 For starters, the Epi is better..........You might want to shop used. +1. Go with Epi. I'm a blues player and have a bunch of Epi's. Let me tell you, I've seen many local and national blues bands live, and if I had a doller for every tinny-sounding Strat I've had to listen to... Look online for a deal on a used one or in pawn shops. You can find nice Les Pauls, 335's, and SG's for half price, or less. Some of the deals on Epi's I've gotten: Dot Deluxe for $215, 1961 SG Special (with P-90's) for $230, and a Les Paul Std+ with Duncan '59's and HSC for $250. There are bargains out there, just look. Make sure the guitar doesn't have any issues (damage to the wood, twisted neck, worn out frets) so you don't end up sinking a bunch of money into it. Ask questions, look at pics. Look for a deal on a used amp too. You'll get a lot more for your money buying used. Just make sure they've been well-maintained and are in good condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 tube amp... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Hello and welcome to the forum.Personally for blues I prefer the Strat,the Epi starter packs are quite good but Fender has the edge.I`d choose to go the S-S-S configuration of the pickups as opposed to H-S-S etc.There`s nothing like the single coil format to get the suitable quack from a Strat.You could also check out pawn shops and Craigs list,kijiji etc. but take along a knowledgeable person with you and you may get a great used guitar and amp for way less than the entry price of a starter pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilm3 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I'm highly partisan, but - Epi Casino! Gary Clark, Jr. likes them just fine! That and a small tube amp, you're good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipwich Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I'm surprised that none of you mentioned an Epi Dot since he likes BB and JLH, and since it can cover a lot of different types of music. That would be my recomendation, get the Dot, save a little while longer and put the same amount into an amp. I wish that I would have started with one. Strat would be second choice, although mine has been collecting dust lately with all of these humbuckers around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUELOU74 Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 How bout a Epi Lucille used for $450 ?? I WISH I had enough for that one ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrw1960 Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I love blues pickin' too. I went through 5 different guitars until I found what I wanted at a budget.I have the Dean Palomino(My Avatar), and One of my most go-to gits(you won't believe this) is my Squier HSS Standard Strat. I did, however upgrade the electronics. It has Fralin Blues Special singles at Neck and Mid, and I just recently swapped the bridge Bucker to a GFS Mean 90'-(H'bucker sized P-90). Its amazing. I get the chime and bell tones from the singles and nice fat tone from the P-90. I bought the Squier for $130.00 4 yrs ago and the upgrades about $250. Was worth it. Check out the Squier Strats at a local music store if they carry them. I would stay away from the Bullet or Affinity series. The Standards are nice, but the middle pup was too muddy for me. Strats and Blues work together. If you decide on Epi maybe a DOT. My 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clanky44 Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I'm highly partisan, but - Epi Casino! Gary Clark, Jr. likes them just fine! That and a small tube amp, you're good to go. +1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ5koSEtN7s&feature=relmfu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueman335 Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I'm surprised that none of you mentioned an Epi Dot since he likes BB and JLH, and since it can cover a lot of different types of music. That would be my recomendation, get the Dot, save a little while longer and put the same amount into an amp. I wish that I would have started with one. Strat would be second choice, although mine has been collecting dust lately with all of these humbuckers around. Good advice. 335's are made for blues. Been so many great blues guiarists that have used them over the years. Last fall I bought a used Dot, natural finish with a mahogany neck, for $250. Mint condition. I put a pair of Duncan Seth's into it. Wow. It'll compete with a Gibson 335 for tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldhippie Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Hi mate and welcome to the forum!! I think you should go out and hold some different brands and types in you hand and play around with them.. Then decide what is best for you. Depending on your money you can have a look to the Epi Dot. I like this one very much. If you can afford more look for the lucilles or wildkats. BtW...you will find lots of Beginner-Sets used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KVL Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 +1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ5koSEtN7s&feature=relmfu WOW... That was an awesome clip... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aethyr Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Well I tried to avoid this thread because I'm a bit of an Epiphone devotee myself but... I know in theory a Fat Strat would sound nice as an idea to a newbie - it looks like it's a good compromise, a middle ground, but... no. I'm sorry, but I've never seen or played a Squire/Fender instrument that matches up to a similarly priced Epi/Gibby. Of course, it's all subjective, but when a 1.5k euro American Fender Strat fails to please me more than a 200 euro Epi LP-100 does, I just lose interest in the company altogether. I don't want to pile sh*t on a company, but to me, Gibby (and family) make better guitars, simple as that. If possible, go and try many instruments out. And try and see if you can chuck in the extra cash to get something other than a starter pack. The Dot is pretty cheap iirc, and it's both a great and a stunningly beautiful guitar. It would help if you gave a budget... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUELOU74 Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 I'm thinking $300 - $400. But after trying out and listening to a Epi Sheraton II at the local guitar shop.. I'm pretty set on that look and that sound. I might just save up for a Epi Lucille or find one used since I want to mainly learn how to play BB King, John Lee Hooker and Stevie Ray Vaughan songs. And with the varitone I can come a little close to SRV'S sound and right on with BB King and JLH songs. I gotta say I like the look of the Casino and still want to hear the difference from the humbuckers in Lucille and Sheraton II compared to the P 90's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epi Rocks Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I'm thinking $300 - $400. But after trying out and listening to a Epi Sheraton II at the local guitar shop.. I'm pretty set on that look and that sound. I might just save up for a Epi Lucille or find one used since I want to mainly learn how to play BB King, John Lee Hooker and Stevie Ray Vaughan songs. And with the varitone I can come a little close to SRV'S sound and right on with BB King and JLH songs. I gotta say I like the look of the Casino and still want to hear the difference from the humbuckers in Lucille and Sheraton II compared to the P 90's. Go onnnn! Get the Lucille. You know that's what your heart desires. You'll feel sooooooo goooood with her on your lap!! Go for it dude. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wardog Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 WOW... That was an awesome clip... Thanks for the clip just downloaded his ep. Can't wait to hear more of his stuff!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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