What is the most versatile guitar?

[REtroJECT]

I'm looking to find an electric guitar with the perfect balance...a great clean sound, but with a nice fat crunch to it when you turn up the distortion. I have a Fender American 52 vintage Telecaster reissue...an incredible guitar. It sounds beautiful out of a Vox AC-30. I have an Epiphone SG with a Seymour Duncan distortion humbucker and a Dimarzio super distortion humbucker. Great punk sounds.

What guitar out there can give you both (approximately). I've played numerous Les Pauls...great crunch, sustains for days, but the clean sound kind of sucks (and I've tried many amps). I've heard people rave about PRS. And Strats. I need something versatile.

DISCLAIMER: I KNOW that the amp is extremely important. Let's just assume I have that taken care of. What guitar can provide me with some beautiful clean sounds while still being able to rock out (not metal, though...I don't need an Ibanez)?

[elwoodblues]

3 words: Paul Reed Smith

I have two: a standard with all the options of a custom except the paint, the tremolo, solid body, etc. The other is an artist edition with solid body, maple quilted top. Both have Dragon II pickups and they both scream if you want them to. They both are very clear in the clean department, especially the maple top. The solid body gives you the sustain and the controls allow you to access the rest of the tones. The tremelo arm will make you lose a little sustain.

The PRS is a very versatile guitar. I can dial in many different tones with mine on a variety of amps. If you have the amp taken care of, you will be set.. I have little knowledge of them without the Dragon II pickups though, so play on as many as you can. If you can, take your amp with you cus that is what you are most accustomed to and what you will be using the guitar with in the end. Good Luck

[badperson]

I also have one of those '52 reissue tele's and love it; the only thing is that the front pickup is so dark, unusable by itself. However, it helps create the awesome, fat, huge sound I get when I have both pickups switched on...

Anyway, if you are of the jazz persuasion (like me, I have an L4, awesome, not versatile) I would consider a Gibson ES 335. They're a fair amount of $$, but well worth it.

[homerg]

I have owned Les Pauls, SGs, Strats, and Teles, but when I'm getting ready to go to a gig and want to cary just one guitar, it's always the Stratocaster. It can go from 0 to 60 in no time. The Les Pauls turn to mud when you turn the volume down on them, so do the SGs. The Telecaster are OK but lack a little definition when trying to cut through a loud band.
I have a 72' Strat and I have a 59' reissue that I installed Gold Lace Censors on. I could do a whole gig with either one, but not with just a LP, an SG, or a Tele.

[KaiXXX]

PRS

[Roy Howell]

My first 'adult' guitar was a cherry red Gibson ES-335, and they are fine guitars. They generally have a slightly shorter sustain, which can be good for personality. Good clean sounds, and can of course be overdriven for hard stuff.
I had my main guitar built to be a cross between a Les Paul and a Strat, in that it has a Strat pickup formation, but with one Humbuckin pickup(2-coil), all EMG's.

But, for what you say you want in one guitar, I would absolutely go with a good Stratocaster. Incredible clean sounds, but can also chug with the best of em.

~RH

[H-man]

I have to agree with the Strat. I started out on an Ibanez when I was younger and the day I got my Strat I was like "I should have gotten this guitar from day one." I put a seymour duncan hot rail in the bridge, little 59's in the mid and neck, and the guitar wails. It really made my Marshall amp come alive even more. I use my Les Paul with my Strat and I would go strat all the way. Plus you can beat a Strat to hell and it will keep on going. images/icons/wink.gif

[REtroJECT]

That confirms what I've been thinking. I've heard great things about PRS (man, they're expensive though). I'm also a Fender man. Love my Tele...would love a good American strat.

I've been playing Les Paul's for a month, and it would be great to own one...but they sound muddy when clean, and they don't stay in tune for crap (at least the ones that I've played). I just want one because it is a Les Paul...but I don't think that's reason enough to drop at least $1600. I'll have to look more closely into PRS and a Strat.

[Wade]

I absolutely love my strat. I got it brand new back in 96. It's just the American Standard model, but I have enjoyed playing it since the day I brought it home. The shape of the body is comfortable to play standing up or sitting down (unlike the gibson explorer images/icons/grin.gif ). The neck is not so fat that your hands get tired and the sound is awesome. I have a set of EMG's that should be arriving here shortly, and I can't wait to install them.

[Bassguitar]

I have several Les Pauls and one Custom shop Nocaster Tele (and several basses too...oh well.) If I had to choice one six string, it would probably be the Telecaster. It get cover such a wide breadth of tones with just two single coils, a decent fender tube amp, and some pedals in front. I love it. That said, I play the Les Pauls most of the time, because I prefer their tone and feel these days.

If you think the clean LP tone is poor, you may not have the right amp tone. Ever listen to Johnny A? He plays an LP clean and sounds great. FWIW, I prefer a tele clean over an LP most of the time. I've owned PRSs--can't stand their feel--and it always comes back to a Tele and an historic LP.
Good luck!

[crs117]

Perhaps i am the only person that plays/owns one of these bad boys, but the most versatile guitar i have ever played would be my parker fly. Its a delux with 2 single coils (most have 2 humbuckers). This guitar can do almost anything. Plus it has the best action, and fastest neck of any electric i have ever played. It only weighs like 3-5 lb's so its really light, especially for longer gigs.

Also interms of versatility, it has a fishman powerbridge in it which acts like a nice acoustic (i do use a good acoustic pre-amp in front, but in conjunction its hard to tell where the acoustic guitar player on stage is). I have an american standard strat, and have played many and almost purchased both a les paul and a prs, but after placing my hands on the fly, even if just for feel i couldnt let go. The tremelo system on it is incredible as well, and its almost impossible to detune the thing, even with massive tremelo dive bombs.

i would recommend playing one. Most people either love them, or totally hate them. They are slightly bright in comparison to a strat, but once you configure your amps settings for the brighter/cleaner pickups these things rock. Great for blues, great for rock, great for metal, even great for some funk.

Christian

[staylor]

My all around guitar would be a Strat-o-Tele.

I would suggest using a tele and put a strat pickup in the middle to give you the #2 and #4 position tones of the Strat. Basically its a Tele with a Texas Special or sorts Strat pickup in the middle position and five-way switch. In my opinion this gives you the best of both guitars. Fenders version of this is the Hot Rodded American Nashville B-Bender Tele. I have a '90 strat and '71 tele, but if your asking for one all around thats what I would suggest.

[Lawrence Arps]

Hi team
I'm sorry but we seem to be missing tne point. Although woods and construction play a definate role in guitar tones, the path to a "one trick pony" lies in pickup and switching configuration.

The classic "hum-sing-sing" provides the bridge humbucker and excellent position 4 and 5 sounds. Position 2 is a compromise (because of the humbucker) but still works well. The Vai appoach gives a neck humbucker if you need jazzier tones, and a slightly better position 2.

I have a strat sytle guitar with the bartolini set-up and I can use it all night in a mixed style band. Ok I agree this will always be a compromise and while recoding I use other instruments to "nail" the tones. A great resource for wiring diagrammes is at Stewmac.com.

[Greg M]

Guitar selection can be a very personal thing. When I bought my second Les Paul (a long time ago) , I played at least 40 of them before I found one that felt and sounded like what I wanted. What you want to use it for also makes a big difference. Gigging, studio, collecting, etc..

If you want something that will sound very good, not cost a lot of money, play well, and won't break your heart the first time you ding it, then consider a Mexican made Strat with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickup in the bridge position. Have the guitar set up professionally if you don't know how to do it yourself because none come from the factory with a good setup (again, a very personal thing). Also consider a coil tap switch on the Hot Rails pickup so you can use it as either a humbucker or single coil.

This is exactly what my son has and I think his total cost was about $425. Hardware is not the best but is standard Fender hardware.

Good luck in your quest for the perfect guitar. Most guitar players (including me) have several guitars because they can't find the perfect one.

Greg

[accameron]

For the past 10 years, I have used my Ibanez rg-570, and I thought that there was nothing that I could not do. Lots of different tone combinations. However, tuning it is a bitch, basically the only problem. I then got a single humbucker, neck-thru Jackson with all of the paint sanded off, that is just for fun. A few weeks ago, however, I got the end all best guitar ever... a used Mexican 70's reissue Strat! When I started playing guitar at the age of 13, I had in mind my dream guitar that I would one day like to have, and basically this is it. It has the FAT HEADSTOCK (!!!!!!), pretty rare in my book, and a beautiful sunburst. Plus, the combination of the 5 way pickups and the 2 tone knobs make this almost unstoppable. It is solid as a rock, and always stays in tune. Apparently it might sound better with better pickups, but I can't ask for any more (although I would like to one day own a transparent gold Music Man Axis Super Sport with a classic bridge, then my guitar collection would be complete).

[jeffinmarin]

PRS? I don't think so. Nice finish,BUT look at that 1940's technology bridge.El-chepo... I have never played a guitar with more usable features than my Parker Fly.Hey, some people still think that you "need" a 25 lb. gibson for some reason.Why?

[STUDIO-DE-ARIEL]

Spec out the flying v with the 500t Seriously I checked the spectrum analizer on mine 105 db sig to noise (thats 7 db better than the digi) and if you want anything it is there. screaming lead sustain clean sound verry much overlooked in fact. It was used on the Argus album by wishbone ash. Consider it a secret weapon easy to get at things above fret 12.

SDA BAE USA

[daryl bowden]

Originally posted by rstewart:
Check out this site.
http://www.edromanguitars.com/

PRS are over rated.
That is just my view.


Support US Made guitars
Peace
Bob<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">That's funny you should post this link. ED ROMAN IS AN IDIOT. He will tell you whatever he needs to tell you in order to sell you an overpriced guitar. I know many people who have had run-ins with this jerk. If you believe any of the propaganda on that website, than you my friend have been taken.

[daryl bowden]

Oh, and by the way, I don't know if a PRS is the most versatile guitar (I KNOW a strat isn't), but I think they are the most consistent in my experience. The Parker Fly is very versatile because of the piezo and regular p/u's and they sound great, but ever since I bought my first PRS, I have never looked back. Of course this is all very subjective and should be taken with a grain of salt.

[English Jim]

I have over a dozen decent electrics (2 Les Pauls, 2 Strats, a Tele, a 175D, a 335, Ricky blah blah woof woof) and I never play any of them live since I got my Tom Anderson Cobra. The Anderson is very nicely made and you can get just about any sound you want out of it. I do use other guitars in the studio but more to give my playing a little different feel rather than I really need the sound. The cobra has 2 humbuckers and a 5 postion selector switch. They make other configurations with all kinds of switches buttons etc...way too complicated for me. I never forgave Vox for adding that darn treble boost to the AC30. Whats wrong with just a "Tone" knob?

[rstewart]

Hi

(That's funny you should post this link. ED ROMAN IS AN IDIOT. He will tell you whatever he needs to tell you in order to sell you an overpriced guitar. I know many people who have had run-ins with this jerk. If you believe any of the propaganda on that website, than you my friend have been taken.)

I know nothing about Ed Roman and what kind of person he might be and i Don't belive anything of his propaganda on that website either.I thought it was a cool site for looking at some guitar's...that's all.
images/icons/cool.gif

Bob

[rstewart]

Hi guy's
Sorry about typo's. It been a looong day.

images/icons/smile.gif Bob

[JohnnyYen]

If you like Tele's maybe you could try a Gibson/Tele combination, a Fender you like but not worth too much, add a humbucker of whatever sort you fancy. Or a P90 - I have a Tele copy that's real nice and I threw in a soapbar from an old SG that finally disintegrated. I have a standard switch but you might try the five-way.
John

[Lawrence Arps]

hey Jeff
While I too think that the Fly is a great axe, the one piece bridge/tailpeice usd on some PRSshould be seen in light of a specifc design for a specific string gauge and scale length. The point is that it is ONE PEICE therefore (maybe) transmits tone better that the more complex designs.
Horses for courses.

Personally I like modern Scientific design princples like the Fly and the Steinbergers (NOT the musicyo ones) but I appreciate simplicity and tradition as well.
just my 2c

[jeffinmarin]

YO Lawrence. That was well put. Thanx for your responce.

[APAULOS]

I've had a Tom Anderson, a 335, plenty of strats, a les paul standard, and some hollow bodies and acoustics. I would definately check out a 'Fat Strat' and an Ernie Ball. Very versatile and you get a lot for your money. Tom Andersons are killer but you WILL pay for it.
I'm in the market for a nice bass right now and I was so floored by a 5 string stingray that I played last week that I'm probably going to get it and an ernie ball guitar. Hopefully I'll get some sort of package deal images/icons/grin.gif Remember that guitar shops get a 50% and 5% or 50% and 10% mark on most guitars so PLEASE RUN THE GAME on your local retailer. images/icons/wink.gif

[rstewart]

Check out this site.
http://www.edromanguitars.com/

PRS are over rated.
That is just my view.


Support US Made guitars
Peace
Bob

[Phil O'Keefe]

I've got several guitars:

1962 Fiesta Red Strat
Customized Tele Special
Epiphone Casino
Epiphone Les Paul Standard - Special Edition
Danelectro DC-12 12 string electric
Rickenbacker 610
Taylor 510 Acoustic
Ibanez SR400 Bass

Why? Because no single guitar can "do it all" IMO.

If I had to pick ONLY one, it would be the Strat.

BUT! Don't sell your Tele short! You can get a lot of different tones out of those guitars. Punk, blues, rock, country - the "plank" can easily do them all. Heck, there's even been a few jazzers who have used them over the years.. Mike Stern comes to mind...

The real "sleeper" in my guitar "stack" is the Ric. Yeah, you say "Rickenbacker" and everyone thinks of the Byrds... and yeah, it can "do" that jangle thing on the clean stuff - but you would not BELIEVE the "crunch" tones this thing can pull off. It's surprised more than a few hard rock players over the years.

The PRS stuff is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I wish I could like them, but in spite of the looks, I just can't. You get two neck choices (unless things have changed in the past couple of years or so): Wide/Flat or Wide/Fat. I'm 5'8" with fairly small hands, and neither of these fits my hands comfortably.

[jeffinmarin]

As I like to say, That old wife's tale is NOT true. I have small hands.

[Keith Lowdon]

If you like the Tele, keep using it. A friend has a 60's Tele and dropped a humbucker in it. He still has the clean Tele sound but can get the dirt when he wants it. A great guitar.

[lochgarman1798]

Come on Guys! It's 'gotta be an American guitar!

Fender Tele/Strat Jaguar/Jazzmaster ect;
Gibson 335/355 SG etc;
Rickenbacker 330/360(some solid bodys sound good as well!)
Gretsch semi's Looks/sounds cool but very expensive!

Please don't make me play a Japanese/Far East guitar! Just not Rock 'n'Roll.

From a European perspective.....

Cheers! John Kiernan
London N19
Arsenal FC The Double League Champions FA Cup Winners 2002

[alonzoslefthand]

what do you mean by versatile.

as any guitar player will tell you, you must own numerous guitars - no matter how versatile your origional instrument is.

you gotta have a strat, a les paul, a semi hollow body, definitly an acoustic, a PRS, see what i mean....

images/icons/smile.gif images/icons/smile.gif images/icons/smile.gif

[Datus]

You should check out Parker. We have a P-38, retail new for about $600. Awesome Guitar, Has a buit in Piezo bridge, combine that with the electric pickups and you can get some amazing cleans, not to mention the humbukers at the bridge give you a great distortion. Not Ibanez at all.
These are amazing guitars you should really check them out
http://www.parkerguitars.com

[The Caine]

Originally posted by jeffinmarin:
PRS? I don't think so. Nice finish,BUT look at that 1940's technology bridge.El-chepo... I have never played a guitar with more usable features than my Parker Fly.Hey, some people still think that you "need" a 25 lb. gibson for some reason.Why?<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Are you kidding me? My god man there is something missing in your sonic perceptors. The reason people still play thoses 25 pounders is because they are meatiest sounding guitars in the history of the guitar. The reason My Les is my premium guitar is because when ever i pick it up i wanna make music period. More sustain than your average bowl of muesli. All that timber is there to reverberate and sing. You think thats not true then run velvet bricks in your ibanez and compare. If you cant hear that a Les Paul kicks u in the ass when its played right then you arent listening. The reason I also have a 57 strat is because when i want that tone there is no substitute. I reality nothing will ever sound like either of these guitars except these guitars and i if you are basing you selection purely on playability then you are sacrifing tone for ease of use. alot of people pick up my Gibson ( 20th anniversay 1970 custom) with 11 gauge strings played straight through my boogie with only a noise suppressor and some stomp boxes, ( boss wah, rotovibe, digital delay), and cant play it. The strings are too heavy and i use too much mid to hide behind, why dont i just play an ibanez through a rack of effects, its so much easier? Because ive been full circle since my days of youth and what i found out is that nothing ever comes close to real thing and if you cant play it then you dont know how to play guitar properly and instead of changing your guitar you should put some serious practice in. If Stevie Ray Vaughan could play his beat up strat with 13 gauge stings staright through his amp and wail like there's no tomorrow then whats your excuse?
BTW If i was to buy a new guitar that offered versatility but didnt sacrifice tone then it would def be a PRS. They are built with vintage tone in mind as well as playabilty and new sounds the only real versatile guitar in terms of sweet cleans and great dirty sounds. Not versatile just because whilst playing lightning fast sweeps the bearest touch of the strings will yield results, that not my idea of versatility.

[STUDIO-DE-ARIEL]

SRV 13 Guage hmm fancy fingerwork images/icons/shocked.gif