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comparing 2 guitars ? and question.; prs se, esp ltd viper 100
Topic Started: Aug 20 2008, 10:27 PM (100 Views)
1weasel	Aug 20 2008, 10:27 PM Post #1
Newbie Posts: 11 Group: Members Member #8,755 Joined: August 20, 2008	hello, joined up to ask a few questions, firstly the stupid question, is buying a guitar from the internet ok , i mean reputable sites im not talkign fear of fakes dont really know wat i mean,? will they be set up ok and all that, i think? and also can anyone say which guitar would be more suitable for me after a bit of background, i have been playing a while comfortable with open chords, i can play songs . comforatable with playing small riff things or whatever they are. that is comfortable not immense and not too complicated or fast. as for styles i would like to play all kinds of music really. i would say ive been playing 5 years lol, but that makes me sound bad, owned an instrument for 5 year but i have not really played it due to malfunctions.just started again really for about a month. the esp is £300 in the shop, cheaper online. prs £450 in the shop, much cheaper online, like £350 or something. Of course i can always ask about reducing price and that. sorry to be cheeky and to probably have the worst post going(grammar and shit), but im tired as, and i just want to go to sleep and i dont want to buy the wrong guitar for too much money know what i mean? breaking it down, it comes down to paying around 269 !PLUS! delivery for esp, or £356 for the prs , wich i think is probly a better guitar. i was lookign for an sg shape which the esp is but not an exact replica, that is also a factor thats making this a hard decision. .ill probly stick around looking at some of the tuts/lessons watever, buzzin. sorry for this essay of a post lol, its a bit cheeky, im goin to sleep. Cheers Weasel edit - i wrote with delivery but meant plus, as in with delivery to be added on but it sounded as if the price included delivery.whoops. Edited by 1weasel, Aug 20 2008, 10:29 PM.
monwobobbo	Aug 20 2008, 10:39 PM Post #2
Top Contributor Posts: 421 Group: Members Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	buying off the internet can be a bit of a crap shoot. sometimes the guitar will be fine others not. its always best to play a guitar before buying to see if it suits you. some places will set up a guitar before they send it, just inquire. unfortunately after bouncing around in a truck it may neet another set up anyway. never buy a guitar just based on looks that has nothing to do with how well it sounds or plays. do your homework and check for reviews online or in guitar mags to help you decide. and of course you can ask us just be specific with the make and model. we can only give opinions and you are the only one that can make the right choice for you.
	and now for something completely different
phill1883	Aug 20 2008, 10:41 PM Post #3
Member Posts: 35 Group: Members Member #8,740 Joined: August 15, 2008	Hi, Personally I would go armed with the info you have researched off of the net to your shop and get them to bring down the price...you wont get the same as the supercheap online price, but you get to support your local shop and you will probably get an extra or 2 if you haggle like a free setup, strap etc. If given the choice between a mid level PRS or ESP I would personally go for the PRS...it isnt exactly the look that you are after, but in my experience the PRS SE's are fantastic guitars for the price. Alternitavely, look for a second hand guitar on ebay...for £400 you might be able to get a real SG if your lucky or a better ESP, just make sure you get a guitar from the UK, and try to pick it up in person so you can see that it is the real deal before parting with cash. Did that answer your question?? I got carried away Edited by phill1883, Aug 20 2008, 10:42 PM.
monwobobbo	Aug 20 2008, 11:42 PM Post #4
Top Contributor Posts: 421 Group: Members Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	phill183 has a good point about supporting a local shop. i'm good friends with several shops in my area (i'm pretty lucky as we have one of the worlds best guitar stores here-"The House of Guitars") you will get better deals and they may hold things for you after they get to know you. also used is a good idea but i would definitely want to see and play a used axe just to make sure all is good. one more thing make sure you have enough for a decent amp as well. no point in spending big money on a guitar and then playing thru a total crap amp. oh and you don't need to spend a fortune to get a decent guitar for your level of playing. for the L269 you mentioned (about $550 here in the states ) there are plenty of good choices that will work fine.
	and now for something completely different
1weasel	Aug 21 2008, 11:11 AM Post #5
Newbie Posts: 11 Group: Members Member #8,755 Joined: August 20, 2008	thanks. i can understand that i shouldn't buy a guitar based solely on looks, but it should definately be a point to consider, or not? i mean its no good having a guitar that you can't stand the sight of. As for playing guitars before buying them i tried to play the prs and i was shaking like a shitting dog, too nervous lol. Phill I suppose you did answer my question lol, go for the PRS is what your saying. I spoke to a member of the staff over the phone and he said the guitar was already at website price, meaning he didn't think they could drop it any more and said that most websites are cheap just so that people can actually be persuaded to buy from the net and that there is always a human element to setting up a guitar (didn't know what he was talking about, Bull Dust i think). Have you seen the epiphone propchecy sg? this is the guitar i would really like but apparently epiphone and gibson are having problems, and some websites have removed it from their site or just dont have it in stock. i would just like to mention my amp i have a VOX escort 30,like a model from the 70s, not the battery powered one though. Everyone seems disappointed that it isn't an AC 30 and that it isn't Valve lol, i got it for free though so i am not complaining. Plus i dont use an amp that often, i have a line 6 tone port GX (the cheapest one) so i just stick it through the computer. probably left something out lol, im still not sure what to do but there is no rush at all i can take as long as i want to decide. Cheers fellows<-- (Fellas) weasel. Edited by 1weasel, Aug 21 2008, 11:12 AM.
phill1883	Aug 21 2008, 11:37 AM Post #6
Member Posts: 35 Group: Members Member #8,740 Joined: August 15, 2008	Aww I remember the days that I was nervous to try out gear...they always set you up right in the middle of the shop so everyone can see you play...remember the important things when trying a guitar are the feel of the neck, how each pickup combination sounds (and whether the pickup switch is noisy), do the knobs make a lot of difference, how does it sound clean and distorted. If anyone judges your playing when you are testing something out, sod em, they are idiots. Definately check out Epiphone, some of their stuff is good, also try washburn...my other guitarist uses an Idol, it cost about £500 and it is the dogs ding dongs...not to the standard of my Ibanez or les paul but for the price it is spot on. Dont be put off by the shop keeper telling you that their prices are already at their lowest they always say that...ill give you 2 examples. When I tried my Ibanez it was marked up at £1200, I was told that there has been a lot of interest in the guitar and that he thinks his boss should have put it up for more...I knew I could get it from Gak for £980 so I tried it, talked to him about then told him that my max budget was £1000, after a bit of umming and ahhing he went to see his boss who said if I take it right now I can have it for £1050, I also got an additional soft case and set up out of them. Similarly, last week I bought an Engl screamer head it was in the shop for £680 and he pulled out the same old trick as your guy and said "this is the internet price" after playing it i did my normal routine and siad I really cant afford more than £580 and played it as though I was going to walk away disappointed and the bloke brought the price down by £60...the trick is to do your homework...be realistic (if you tell them you are only prepared to pay 50% of the guitars value they will not be interested) and more than anything else be respectful..if they like you they are much more likely to want to help you. I should be a personal shopper!
monwobobbo	Aug 21 2008, 10:10 PM Post #7
Top Contributor Posts: 421 Group: Members Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	good advice from phil 1883 but it will genreally only work in person and if the place has dealt with you more than once. i go to new places maybe buy a couple of cheap things and talk to the people. after they get to know you and realize that you do spend then you can deal with them. you really can often get them to lower used equipment even more than new. since the economy is shit they want to sell so its a buyers market (within reason of course) the epiphone has gotten decent reviews and i tried one out a couple of weeks back. sounded good but needed to be set up better. even after playing for 25 plus years i hate playing in the music store. it always seems like there is some hot shot that blazes away and makes me wonder WTF. learn a few good licks and play those. as long as you don't sound terrible then you should be fine. i often give advice to newer players after hearing them which seems to help them not be so self conscious. oh... and as far as looks sure you should like the way a guitar looks not really my point. i'd rather have a guitar with a couple of dings or scratches that sounded great than a perfect one that was just ok sounding. i find that alot of beginners (and some more advanced players that should know better) just look at how cool a guitar is and don't give a second thought as to how it plays or sounds. sometimes no matter how much you like the look or even the sound of a guitar it may jjust not be a good fit for you. as much as i love the sound of a good les paul i just can't play them for some reason. they don't feel right so i don't play them. do your best to figure out what works best for you. Edited by monwobobbo, Aug 22 2008, 12:08 AM.
	and now for something completely different
1weasel	Aug 22 2008, 11:56 AM Post #8
Newbie Posts: 11 Group: Members Member #8,755 Joined: August 20, 2008	I'll make this reply quick goin for my Lunch, lol. I hear what you sayin, i dont mind dings scratches or nothing like that. The sound is the reason i am after a new guitar the one im currently playing is basically a plank of wood, it makes a plink sound and sounds digital. i really only wanted a cheaper upgrade that would help me progress faster, so i opted for a second hand epiphon tony iommi sg, probly not a good choice but i got it for 250£ with a small amp thing and a korg ax10 i think. ill flog both of them though. as for the guitar feeling right for me i might be wrong or silly, but as SG necks are supposed to be thinner i thought it would be a good choice because i have tiny hands lol, i was watching soemthing on the telly yesterday led zepplin and i noticed jimmy pages hands hes like a monster lol. thanks for the advice, not sure if heeded it lol, but im off for some bait now. Cya.
monwobobbo	Aug 22 2008, 05:47 PM Post #9
Top Contributor Posts: 421 Group: Members Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	as long as you are happy with your new axe then thats all that matters. i haven't tried the TI model epi yet but have heard that its decent. my fingers aren't that long either so no Al Dimiola crazy stretched jazz chords for me.
	and now for something completely different

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