What are good quality guitar brands? (electric)?

Question

My basement recently flooded, and so I've lost 3 guitars due to all of the moisture and warping in the necks, and am now looking to replace them.

I previously had 2 electric guitars, an amateur slammer guitar which was my beginning guitar, and an Ibanex RG370DX. Though I enjoyed the Ibanez, i had many issues from the time i bought it until now with the pickups, which makes me weary of buying another Ibanez.

I've been mainly looking into Epiphones, Fenders, Gibsons and ESPs and was looking for some first hand experience as I've heard that when it comes down to it - some of these brands are purely over rated. I may also consider another Ibanez as i did enjoy it, but am looking to find out if my problems with it were just a fluke, or if other people have had similar problems.

Thanks in advance ^_^

Answer 1

my opinion is... when u buy a guitar.. brand is not the important thing... u have to select the woods, test the sounds, vibration etc... the tone is on u urself... as for me.. i'm using a made in china guitar.. SX ... but i changed the pick-ups,do some intonation... & the result is good.. i've recorded my songs using that guitar & many of my friends thought i'm using a branded guitar...

Answer 2

Ok,  necks can be straightened and since they are probably bolt on, can be replaced.  ESP makes a good guitar, but are WAY over priced.   Epiphone is decent, but dont believe the salesman that tells you its the same as a Gibson.  Gibson owns Epiphone, they dont make them.  Gibson and Fender are top of the line and worth the bucks, but its a lot of bucks.  If you aren't playing  for a living you dont need a 2-3 or 4000.00 guitar.    I was never a fan of Ibanez so I dont know anything about them.  I would say... if youre spending $500 or less check out Epiphones,  500-750.00  I say Jacksons Dk series.  Those are the best for the buck,,  a $700.00 Jackson DK will hold its own against many $1200.00 guitars.    You have to play them and see which one feels the best.,  Dont just buy an expensive guitar because of the name.   if you  pick up a 100.00 squire strat and it feels right, buy it..  

Happy hunting.

Answer 3

Fenders are not over rated at all. They have great value and great tone. It really depends what you like to play. I say fenders are better for blues and gibsons are better for rock/metal.

Answer 4

I have an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Neck. Wonderful guitar but like all Les Paul's it's really heavy :/ I don't own one but I've played my friend's Gibson SG it's got a really good tone but pricy. I don't know your price range but my Les Paul was 600 from www.musiciansfriend.com if you're thing about the SG don't get the Epiphone version. THey don't perform nearly as well as a Gibson.

Answer 5

Fender Mexican Strat - get one brand new for about £300 - you cant go wrong either brilliant tone

unless you want humbuckers then you should look for a Les Paul Gibson if you have the money Epiphone if you are strapped for cash

Answer 6

Fenders are the best for the money, and schecters are great too.  Ibanez makes great quality as well, but not as good as fender or schecter.  I can tell you as an insider that epiphone, gibson, and ESP all mark up their prices as a bunch while schecter and fender dont, i've been sponsored by schecter and am currently endorsed by fender and i can tell you that they dont overcharge.  I know endorsees of epiphone, gibson, esp and pretty much al lthe major brands and can tell you that they mark up their prices like h**l.  As for quality, i highly recomend fender and schecter, although Ibanez makes agreat bang for the buck as well, their electronics are not as good as fenders and their wood is not as good as fender or schecters.  Also, schecter guitars pretty much come from the factory perfectly set up as do fenders, while ibanez is a hit or miss siutation.  Ibanez also uses cheap *** pickups that are made in asia.  One thing to keep in mind is that ibanez is an asian company despite the name.  Schecter is an american company based in asia, but all the guitars are assembled here.

btw, gibsons are good guitars, theyre just overpriced.  ESP's are S****y guitars and theyre overpriced.  Kirk Hammet only takes ESP because not only do they give him free guitars, they pay him.  He doesnt actually record with his signature model, he just plays it live.  Epiphones are decent, but prices are marked up because of the gibson resemblance.

email me for any questions.