I've always dabbled in guitar a bit growing up, but have never owned one.  Luckily, that is going to change this Christmas (thanks Mommy and Daddy)

I am pretty incompetent when it comes to guitar specs and the like, so I don't even really know where to start. My price range is somewhere between $700-1,100.  I'll be using it mostly for recording purposes but would also like to rock out live and melt some faces  :smoke:

So any advice is welcome.... solid body? hollow body? certain brands? really anything helps!

It's all about what feels and sounds good to you man. Go spend some time at a store and play a bunch of guitars.You'll find something that you gravitate to. Just narrow it down to a few, do some research, talk to friends about those specific ones and you'll end up with somethin you love for that price.

From the facemelt comment I assume you are going electric rather than acoustic?

I'm a Fender guy.
I'd recommend an American Tele or Strat.

Quote from: G. Augusto on December 17, 2010, 05:25:36 PM
I'm a Fender guy.
I'd recommend an American Tele or Strat.

I too have a Strat and enjoy it.


Been considering a hollow-body next though....

I'm not a guitar guy, but my old roomate has a hollow-body and he absolutely loves it.  I prefer that sound myself.

But like JPhishman said, go play some stuff...and you know this....maaaan.

Quote from: JPhishman on December 17, 2010, 05:22:31 PM
It's all about what feels and sounds good to you man. Go spend some time at a store and play a bunch of guitars.You'll find something that you gravitate to. Just narrow it down to a few, do some research, talk to friends about those specific ones and you'll end up with somethin you love for that price.

From the facemelt comment I assume you are going electric rather than acoustic?

Right.  I'm going this weekend to check some out, just figured I'd start asking around because I really have no basis where to start... and definitely electric :rawk:!

Quote from: G. Augusto on December 17, 2010, 05:25:36 PM
I'm a Fender guy.
I'd recommend an American Tele or Strat.

Werd.
I've had multiple people recommend a Strat.

just make sure you get a green one with a wammy pedal. :-P

Well......

If you want sustain, go for a dense body, set-neck guitar with buckers.....

if you want the glassy clean tone.....go with a strat, or anything with single coils....

country rage....Tele......don't get a solid-body though, go for a thinline.....beautiful tone.....especially if you can score one with the Wide Range Fender pickups.....

If you want all of the above, get a softer body with a harder neck/fingerboard combo.....then make shure you got those humbuckers coil tapped! you'll end up with a monster like my black beauty....

I still rock out the Tele when I'm goin for that country/71-72 Jerry tone.....

One thing to ask yourself- Do you want a 21, 22, or a baritone 24 fret instrument? it makes a difference......scale size has an effect on the ammount of twang a guitar will have....also on the ease of play.....

Personally, I like the combo of a short-scale baritone......having 2 full octaves to run around on is nice.

Thanks Marmar.

Quote from: G. Augusto on December 17, 2010, 05:25:36 PM
I'm a Fender guy.
I'd recommend an American Tele or Strat.

this. 

Quote from: Marmar on December 17, 2010, 07:31:20 PM
One thing to ask yourself- Do you want a 21, 22, or a baritone 24 fret instrument? it makes a difference......scale size has an effect on the ammount of twang a guitar will have....also on the ease of play.....

this, full scale is way to go i.e. 24 frets.

I'd also recommend a Langedoc custom. :wink:

I support fender.  but i've owned many different guitars, and somehow went back to fender on my most recent electric.  The fat strat with humbuckers are nice, but mine now has Seymor duncans and it sounds really good.

I would spend lunch break at the guitar store playing a bunch of different guitars, and the feel is really what made me buy the fender....

i recommend a custom made languedoc with a inlay on the head.

Can't go wrong with a Strat...They are just so versatile....In your $ range, you can afford a USA made one and I would go for that if possible, not only will and American Strat hold it's value, but it will likely appreciate...That said, the Mexican and Korean Strats are a great value and would serve you well for a bit less money.  Heath has one, it is pretty dope....The USA made ones are the joint though and worth the $ if you can stretch it...You will always be able to sell it for what you got it for, not so much with the imports, but they are still nice guitars.....Les Pauls are nice but they are way overpriced at this point and the Strat is more versatile...If you want more crunch, you can always put a humbucker in the Strat, or buy one with a humbucker....I have probably owned 15 Strats in my life (two currently) and they are just the shit.....Best place to get one at a great deal is a guitar show, but if you buy a new one, you'll be set too....I'd try a few and get which one feels best...And buying new (since you are somewhat of a novice) you know you won't be getting a jacked up one....If you buy a used one, stay away from anything early 80's....If you see a used one that you're interested in, feel free to send me the specs and I'll check it out for you, I have bought and sold a ton of used guitars...above all, have fun!!!   Fender FTW!

And Telecasters are nice too, but you'll get a greater variety of sounds (including Tele tones) out of a Strat and I find Strats more comfortable to play as well....

I agree with all of the comments on the Strats, that's what I used growing up as my dad had one.  But I find I gravitate towards the hollow bodies now.  Gretsch makes beautiful guitars in that price range.