Guitar purchase advice

[TNblueshawk]

So there is a guy at work who wants to get back into playing. I know him a bit but not a lot. He says he wants an Epiphone hollowbody. He is looking in the $300-400 price range to start out. Going to Guitar Center....of course.

Any suggestions? I'm really not plugged into the guitar market so much to give him great advice.

I did ask if he was going to upgrade or mod it and he said it's possible but reading the tone of his voice I doubt it.

Thoughts?

[culturejam]

The Epiphone Dot  or Dot Studio fit the bill in terms of guitar type, brand, availability at GC, and price. Those are pretty nice all around.

[TNblueshawk]

Thanks Forrest. Good idea that I'll pass on.

[G.G.]

the guitar I got from Sweetwater was set up much better than the one I bought from GC, so if the prices are similar that might be something to consider.

[Luke51411]

I picked up and Epi Casino off of Craigslist years ago for $250 and have since sold it but I miss that guitar sometimes. My input is probably not much help but there is my $.02

[GermanCdn]

I've had a few Dots and a Casino, both very solid purchases, and can be had in the price range.  The new(er) Dots have quick disconnects on the pickups, so if you want to swap them, you don't have to pull the entire wiring harnesses in order replace the pups, just gently tug the wires out of the F-hole, unclip them, cut the clips off at the Y of the leads, and solder them on to the new pickups.

The Ibanez hollow bodies are also a good choice in the same price range.  Hamer Echotone is a good choice as well if you can find it.

[pickdropper]

I've had a few Dots and a Casino, both very solid purchases, and can be had in the price range.  The new(er) Dots have quick disconnects on the pickups, so if you want to swap them, you don't have to pull the entire wiring harnesses in order replace the pups, just gently tug the wires out of the F-hole, unclip them, cut the clips off at the Y of the leads, and solder them on to the new pickups.

The Ibanez hollow bodies are also a good choice in the same price range.  Hamer Echotone is a good choice as well if you can find it.

I prefer the Ibanez hollowbodies as well.  I had an Artstar 120 that I probably shouldn't have sold as it had some of the best stock pickups I've heard in a guitar, regardless of price.

The hardware in general was very nice.  My only complaint was that it had a thin shredder type neck, but I think the new ones are thicker.  Ideally, he should try the Epiphones and the Ibanez hollowbodies and see which he prefers.  As GermanCDN mentioned, the MIK Hamer ones are nice too and can often be found really cheap.

[TNblueshawk]

Thanks fellers. I'm passing on the info as I go.

Anyone familiar with an Epi Wildkat? He seems to have his eye on that.

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Wildkat.aspx

[pickdropper]

Thanks fellers. I'm passing on the info as I go.

Anyone familiar with an Epi Wildkat? He seems to have his eye on that.

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/Wildkat.aspx

Not familiar, but it does look cool.  That draws me more than their standard Dot.

[GermanCdn]

I've always wanted a Wildkat, but everyone I've tried has been abnormally dead sounding.  Could be that I've just had a string of bad luck.

I had the Kramer version of the Wildkat back in the musicyo days (same factory, same body size, double cut and diamond holes instead of single cut and f-holes, and Epi humbuggies), it was decent.  Problem with it was the finish cracked all over the place (only guitar I've ever owned that was close to that bad is my Fotoflame, and they are notoriously bad for cracking).

[TNblueshawk]

His interest is peaked looking at the Ibanez apparently.

[billstein]

the guitar I got from Sweetwater was set up much better than the one I bought from GC, so if the prices are similar that might be something to consider.

+1 on purchasing from Sweetwater. I just bought a Squire Custom Vibe 50 Strat from them and it was set up beautifully. Plus the customer service was impeccable. I received a call from the salesman who was handling the transaction who wanted to know if I had any questions before the guitar arrived. I was given his phone number and email address and was encouraged to contact him with any questions or problems I had after the guitar arrived. Very impressive.
Compare that to my latest GC purchase. I bought a EHX Pitchfork that had to be delivered from another store. The shipping took longer than they said it would. It arrived without the box, instruction manual and AC adapter that came with the pedal. I have a feeling it was a return. I left with a bad taste in my mouth to say the least.

Rant over. Forget you heard this.
AND the thread is back on track.

[jball85]

Eastman guitars, although he needs more money. The newish Epiphone Les Paul Florentine's are pretty nice, though they are a little higher in price than $400. Something along the lines of a Sheraton or Dot.

+1 Sweetwater Customer Service

[pryde]

If there is a used one available have him check out a Schecter Corsair. No really these are fantastic semi-hollow body guitars! Build in Korea and excellent quality. New they go for ~$600 but used could be a great deal. The pic isn't mine but just for reference. I have set a few up and a friend has one.

They also come in a Bigsby option as well   

[blearyeyes]

I've always wanted a Wildkat, but everyone I've tried has been abnormally dead sounding.  Could be that I've just had a string of bad luck.

Maybe they are laminated..
I like the way they look.

A While back I went to Guitar Center (please go out of business gc) and tried all the Epiphones but most had dead strings or sounded like poop except the more expensive ones. But nothing wowed me. If anyone has one and is happy with it please post because I would really like one... Should try the Ibanez I guess...