When and if to Upgrade!

[trackman]

Greetings,

My question for the day is this:

When do you know or when should you upgrade to a more "quality" guitar? I have an Epiphone SG Special ($150.00). It's the very basic model and a beginner's dream but know I am getting to the point where I am noticing differences in tones of various guitars. Is it worth  me buying a new guitar now or does it make a diffeence on how my playing will sound on an axe with a better "rep"? Also, what next step guitars do you guys recommend?

[antani]

it would be best to upgrade now, Also considering what are you trying to do on it are you just the type that just fiddles with it now and then or you meaning business like maybe recording or playing in front of people down the road because if your serious it time for a new ax also you don't have to spend alot of money to get a great sounding guitar hope this helps            i'll holla

[katstrat]

 I would go ahead and upgrade.Are you looking for a certain kind of guitar? If so,I'd recomend a Fender MIM Telecaster,if you like the tone.Tele's are a different breed and may not be to your liking.The MIM line,or Made In Mexico,are decent guitars and will not break your wallet.You might just want to set yourself a budget and play a few guitars you like in your range.

[trackman]

I am already playing at church. Basic rhythms while another guitarist plays lead. I'm looking for somthing that will give me a great clean rhythm sound and will grow with me for a few years. I am very serious about playing, getting about an hour of practice a night, choir rehearsals three times a week and service on Sundays. 

I was looking at a Epiphone Les Paul as a next guitar. Not the high end stuff, around $300-$500.

[RedsFan75]

Trackman,

Les Pauls are great for rythmn, as well as great lead. I love the sustain, and drive, throw a little overdrive in, and you've got that classic sound Les Pauls are famous for. If you're not too much into nameplates, just looking for a quality axe, check out the Agile line, or Tokai line of Les Paul copies. In that price range $300-$500 you get a very good quallity copy, that would be equilivant of a higher end Epiphone.

It's been reported that the Epiphone quality has really gone down hill the last few years, and these guitars will give you a better guitar for the price. I'm repeating what I've heard others say, so I'm not too sure of the validty, but my understanding is that when Epiphone production was moved to China that the factories in Korea and Japan that had made the Epi's started to sell their product under the Agile, SX Tokai, Jay Turser, Samick, and many other names.  I've played a Samick LP copy and it was very nice. I own a Jay Turser 335 copy, and have a friend who's owns a Samick.

I've not played the Tokai but someone who's opinion I value says that the Tokai sounds, plays, and feels more like a Gibson than anything he's ever played. Has the same wieght and balance, tone and playability. He said it feels more like a Gibson Les Paul than his Epiphone Les Paul. A reputable distributer http://www.jsdguitarshack.com

You can get Agile's from Rondo music. Rondo has a excellent reputation of customer service and if you get one that has a problem has been known to exchange the instrument quickly. There is a nice gold-top Al-300 with P-90 pickups there for $369.95. The 3000 is one of their top of the line examples. The biggest gripe I've heard on the Agiles is their weight.
http://www.rondomusic.net/index.html

Ordering over the net for a guitar can be challenging, because it's always better to play before you buy, but if you look around you and are willing to take a few risks, you can find decent options in that price range.

[funkStrat_97]

If you like your current SG, you may want to explore some of the "higher end" Epiphone models.  The Les Paul is a great guitar, and you may want to look at the new Epi Les Paul Plus.  There are high end Epiphones in thier Elitist line and these are very close or equal to real Gibsons.  Of course, you can't go wrong with a Fender Strat (or Tele) and the MIM Standard line is a great place to start.  In fact, the current Standard series has been upgraded with medium-jumbo frets ( ) and for a little more money, you can go with the MIM Deluxe series.  These are truly fantastic bargins.  They have better electronics compared to the Standard series and you may decide that these may need any further upgrading.

[trackman]

The one thing that concerned me about the single coil Fenders is the noise that you get. Is this a problem for long or do you get better and cleaner because of the noise?

[HARRYLWEMPLE]

It's economics, set a buget and stay within it and go ahead upgrade now. I would suggest you look at the Yamaha 620 at 499.00.

[funkStrat_97]

The one thing that concerned me about the single coil Fenders is the noise that you get. Is this a problem for long or do you get better and cleaner because of the noise?

While single coil pick-ups do hum, they are not excessively noisey under normal circumstances.  In my expriecne, single coil hum is generally not a problem as the noise level is quite low.  The exception would be if using a lot of distortion or standing close to a televison set, computer screen, or near your guitar amp's transformer.  But there are ways to circumvent this.  One is to make sure that  your guitar is properly shielded and grounded.  Proper shielding can all but eliminte hum except in the most extreme circumstances.  But a good shield will result in notciably less noise.  If you have a bigger budget, then you may want to consider some sort of "noiseless" single coil design such as Lace Holy Grails, Fender SCN's, or if you have the money go for a set of Kinmans.  These are some examples of noiseless designs that retain a single coil character.  FWIW, I've heard that Kinmans are the most authentic sounding noise cancelling Strat pick-ups.

[trackman]

So would it be better to just upgrade my pickups? Remember, I paid $150 for it new. I'm really looking for something that will give me a great rhythm tone.

[jlynnb1]

personally i prefer a strat style guitar for church music......preferably one with a humbucker and tow single coils. nothing beats the sound of a guitar with single coils with the selector switch at 2 or 4.....plus they sound great for bluesy stuff. then the humbucker is always there when you need more power. this is the guitar I just bought, and even though i'm putting better pickups and locking tuners on it......it sounds great right now.

[funkStrat_97]

personally i prefer a strat style guitar for church music......preferably one with a humbucker and tow single coils. nothing beats the sound of a guitar with single coils with the selector switch at 2 or 4.....plus they sound great for bluesy stuff. then the humbucker is always there when you need more power. this is the guitar I just bought, and even though i'm putting better pickups and locking tuners on it......it sounds great right now.

Another alternatitive would be to wire your Strat so that you can get the pick-ups together in series.  This option gives increased output with a strong midrand...talk about power.  Here is a link to a series/parallel mod:  http://electron.tailfeatherz.com/c21.html

Another cool mod is to instal Deaf Eddie's Fat-O-Caster switch.  Adds a ton of versatility to any Strat:

http://deaf-eddie.net/buyit.html

I have a series blender on my American Standard Strat and that think can rock with the best of them.  Looks and sounds like a typical Strat until I blend the middle and bride or middle and neck in series.  I especially like it for high gain sounds and works pretty good for some faux jazz guitar tones as well.

[trackman]

 ;DOK! I think that I am being swayed to go buy a Strat! I am really a Les Paul guy but from what I hear about strats (and even Squiers), I think that'll be my choice.

[funkStrat_97]

Onec you go Strat, you'll never go back.  There are so many options when it comes to Strats that there is something for everyone.  At one time when you mentioned a Strat, you knew exactly what that meant: 3-single coil pick-ups, synchronized tremelo, small frets, etc...now you can get all different kinds of woods, humbuckers, noiseless single coils, locking tremelos, no pick guard, and even an acoustic-electric (Acoustasonic Strat).  Go over to www.fender.com and you'll see what I mean.  There are Strats in all price ranges too ranging from $99.00 Squier Afinity's to Custom Shop models well into the thousand dollar range.

[katstrat]

;DOK! I think that I am being swayed to go buy a Strat! I am really a Les Paul guy but from what I hear about strats (and even Squiers), I think that'll be my choice.

Not to take anything away from Les Pauls,but Strats and Teles are more verisitile IMHO. They can sound heavy when they need to be,then at the flick of a switch,they can sound sharp and thin. Again,I have nothing against Les Pauls,I just think you should get the best guitar for the buck.A good MIM Stratocaster is a good way to go,and since you like the humbucker,why not try a Fat Strat? That way you get the single coils and a Humbucker when you feel like need it.

[ibanezman]

Get an Ibanez...u know u want to....ibanez, ibanez.....

[Razzman]

;DOK! I think that I am being swayed to go buy a Strat! I am really a Les Paul guy but from what I hear about strats (and even Squiers), I think that'll be my choice.

  Don't buy it untill you try it!  i OWN 2 STRATS ,1 57 REISSUE AND A ERIC CLAPTON SIG, But  THE GUITARS i PLAY ARE  #1 prs or #2 les paul. Also Dillion makes an great prs nockoff, solid mohogany , maple cap. set neck. 450. to 500.00 or cheaper if used. Check ebay. Anyways I never play a strat at church.