Recommendations for a new guitar to add to my Epiphones (up to £400 or $500)

[steak&chips]

Hi everyone.

I‘m a newbie to the forum and the proud owner of a Casino and a J200 (made in China & Indonesia respectively). Two guitars I adore. As I own a couple of Epiphones I thought I would come to this forum to seek out recommendations for a third guitar to add to my awesome duo. I’m considering either sticking with Epiphone and seeking out a cherry red Coronet (I’m drawn by how cool they look mainly and I am yet to try one out) or alternatively looking for something a bit different. If opting for a different make, I’d like to get something that gives a similar tone to a Telecaster. Obviously a Fender Telecaster would achieve that aim, but I am looking to stick to a budget of roughly £400 (or $500 USD) give or take a little, so it rules that out.

What would you suggest that would be at least as good a quality as my Casino & J200? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

steak&chips

 

[soulman969]

A Squier Classic Vibe Tele would be within your budget and they truly are very nice guitars. Well built, very playable, and a cinch to modify or upgrade. I've played Teles forever and owned several CVs. They are high on the value scale. I currently own two Classic Vibe basses I get constant compliments on as well.

In the Epiphone line I'd suggest a LP Special P90 or a LP Junior with a single bridge P90. Or go with the Epi orginals like the Coronet or a Wilshire. One from this list is likely to be my next purchase. Paruwi just bought a Wilshire. You might ask him about his and Mr Jean B. Good is a huge LP Special and Junior fan.

 

[steak&chips]

Thanks Soulman. I’ll take a good look at the Classic Vibes when I next get the chance to head browse in a store. When it comes to Teles and Strats, I’m never too sure where to place myself with regards to various manufacturers on price and quality, in the way I can with Epi.

Back on the Epis again, do you (or anyone) have a view on how the tone of a Coronet/Wilshire varies versus an LP? Or are they rather similar in many ways? I’ve only listened to them through hearing the Arctic Monkeys and the Libertines, but never had the chance to hear one properly in person.

 

[3bolt79]

Well, I just got a near mint Squier Classic Vibe Tele for $150.00 with a Roadrunner case. It is everything I wanted in a Tele.

I’ve had an American Special Tele and an MIJ Tele Custom, and the Squier blows them away.

I think I may have got lucky though. Mine is a 2018 model with an ash body and Tone Rider pickups. It is MIC. The new Indonesian ones in the same finish are pine.

Here’s a pic.

 

[soulman969]

Thanks Soulman. I’ll take a good look at the Classic Vibes when I next get the chance to head browse in a store. When it comes to Teles and Strats, I’m never too sure where to place myself with regards to various manufacturers on price and quality, in the way I can with Epi.

Back on the Epis again, do you (or anyone) have a view on how the tone of a Coronet/Wilshire varies versus an LP? Or are they rather similar in many ways? I’ve only listened to them through hearing the Arctic Monkeys and the Libertines, but never had the chance to hear one properly in person.

I don't know much about availability in your neck of the woods but Squier Classic Vibes pop up fairly often in local classifieds. They are the top of the line Squier Series and very comparable to those made in Mexico but for hundreds of dollars less. Used they sell for around $300-$350. New I believe they're around $450 before any discount.

The thing about Teles is they're such a simple guitar to build it's tough to make a bad one. Even those selling for $100 tend to be playable instruments but their pickups, electronics, and hardware are the cheapest imaginable. That's not so with Classic Vibes although those can easily be upgraded to a nearly US made level. I've done it.

A Wilshire or Coronet with P90s may sound similar to an LP Special or LP Junior with those same pickups but they have very different body styles which will also impact tonality to a certain degree. They will not sound as much like a traditional mahogany/maple cap LP with P90s due to the lack of similarity in body styles but should be lighter in weight.

 

[steak&chips]

Yeah Squire, and by extension Classic Vibes, are pretty ubiquitous in my local guitar stores. That’s interesting about the Coronet & Wilshire, which is kinda making me think that branching out away from Epi, in order to add a sound to my collection that is noticeably different is really more important, even though a trio of an Epi Casino, J200 and a Coronet would look pretty awesome together!

@3bolt79 thats a pretty cool looking Tele. You guys are putting a very persuasive case for one at the min!!

 

[soulman969]

There's no doubt that a Tele will sound different than a Coronet or a Wilshire but much like a guitar with P90s Teles tend to be very versatile as well. Players have used them for everything from country twang to jazzy jazz and all in between. Jimmy Page recorded the first Led Zepplin album with a Tele for much of it so they can rock too.

I've owned a fair number of Teles over the years and built a few from parts. If there's anything I can help with or suggest let me know.

 

[Paruwi]

Obviously a Fender Telecaster would achieve that aim, but I am looking to stick to a budget of roughly £400 (or $500 USD) give or take a little, so it rules that out.

I guess you're in the UK
take a look at the Boundary Tele-shaped Iliad models from Fujigen,
they should be in your price-range (as used ones) and are hard to beat....

 

[Space1999]

An Epiphone SG with P-90’s would be an excellent choice. As well an Epiphone Traditional I-IV can be had with a case in your price range and they sound awesome as well.

Those two would compliment your collection instead of more of the same IMHO

Pat

 

[3bolt79]

Yeah Squire, and by extension Classic Vibes, are pretty ubiquitous in my local guitar stores. That’s interesting about the Coronet & Wilshire, which is kinda making me think that branching out away from Epi, in order to add a sound to my collection that is noticeably different is really more important, even though a trio of an Epi Casino, J200 and a Coronet would look pretty awesome together!

@3bolt79 thats a pretty cool looking Tele. You guys are putting a very persuasive case for one at the min!!

Or perhaps try a Gretsch Streamliner. Most models are under $500 by a penny.

 

[3bolt79]

@steak&chips , if you are in the UK, shouldn’t it be “Fish-n-Chips”?

 

[Diamond Dave]

Something with single coils.

 

[steak&chips]

Some really interesting recommendations there, thanks. Those solid body Gretsch streamliners look a bit tasty, so I’ll probably have a go at trying one out.

@3bolt79 the appropriate name would be “cod’n’chips twice with mushy peas and scraps”! Although it’s not as tasty as a proper steak & chips with a peppercorn sauce!

 

[Noodling Guitars]

So

Hi everyone.

I‘m a newbie to the forum and the proud owner of a Casino and a J200 (made in China & Indonesia respectively). Two guitars I adore. As I own a couple of Epiphones I thought I would come to this forum to seek out recommendations for a third guitar to add to my awesome duo. I’m considering either sticking with Epiphone and seeking out a cherry red Coronet (I’m drawn by how cool they look mainly and I am yet to try one out) or alternatively looking for something a bit different. If opting for a different make, I’d like to get something that gives a similar tone to a Telecaster. Obviously a Fender Telecaster would achieve that aim, but I am looking to stick to a budget of roughly £400 (or $500 USD) give or take a little, so it rules that out.

What would you suggest that would be at least as good a quality as my Casino & J200? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

steak&chips

Sounds like you need a Les Paul!!!!

 

[soulman969]

@steak&chips , if you are in the UK, shouldn’t it be “Fish-n-Chips”?

You can get that too or how 'bout a surf and turf Steak & Fish 'n Chips?

 

[steak&chips]

So

Sounds like you need a Les Paul!!!!

Ha! I'll probably revert to type and go for one. I do miss my old Les Paul!

Got talking to a colleague about Ibanez strats earlier who was talking me in to one, and they seem excellent value for money for the price. They've got an AZES as it happens. Depends how they sound, but with three single coil pickups and a tremolo arm, to the lay person it probably wouldnt be perceptible. My itch to get another guitar is very strong at the min !

 

[3bolt79]

Ha! I'll probably revert to type and go for one. I do miss my old Les Paul!

Got talking to a colleague about Ibanez strats earlier who was talking me in to one, and they seem excellent value for money for the price. They've got an AZES as it happens. Depends how they sound, but with three single coil pickups and a tremolo arm, to the lay person it probably wouldnt be perceptible. My itch to get another guitar is very strong at the min !

I had two AZES 31 guitars. They are great. You can run the middle and bridge together in series for a humbucker sound.

 

[Equalphone]

You've got P90's... I'd be thinking of an SG with humbuckers.

 

[3bolt79]

Here’s something completely different. These are $499, but I got mine for $450.

 

[3bolt79]

Ha! I'll probably revert to type and go for one. I do miss my old Les Paul!

Got talking to a colleague about Ibanez strats earlier who was talking me in to one, and they seem excellent value for money for the price. They've got an AZES as it happens. Depends how they sound, but with three single coil pickups and a tremolo arm, to the lay person it probably wouldnt be perceptible. My itch to get another guitar is very strong at the min !

The AZES 31, with the 3 single coils is available as a Hardtail only. The one with th Humbucker in the bridge, the AZES 40, is Trem only, but the bar fitment was so loose that I decked the trem and never used the bar.