If I wanted one electric guitar

[joelhunn]

Thanks for all of the advice. Found a used Baja Tele for a good price and have a loaner vht tube amp while I figure out that part of the equation. Now to learn what all this thing can do....

[DukeX]

Congrats on the Tele! I hear those VHT tube amps are very good. You're going to have a lot of fun!

[LouieAtienza]

This looks pretty cool...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-ogy6kRBE0

[jwguitar]

I would check out semi-hollows such as ES-335 models. I particularly like the Epiphone Elite line. That is if you can find one. Every now and then they come up on the used market and they are really awesome guitars. They are made in Japan in the Terada factory. They other semi hollow I own which actually comes from the same factory is a brand called VG. The model is a VG-3035. Really awesome sounding instruments.

[jwguitar]

Originally Posted by vindibona1

While that Eastman looks like it can do the job for what you've described, for me, the best all-around guitar is a a 335 style guitar. IMO the best bang for the buck is the Epiphone version of the Gibson 335. Jazz? No problem. Rock? No problem.

You can pick up a new Epi 335 pro for about $350 (when on sale). Then I suggest you spend a few dollars to make sure the frets are dead level and the setup is perfect. I have an Epi Dot (the lowest model) and it may be my favorite go-to guitar even though I have 4 Strats, 2 Les Pauls and a Tele. There are several different models ranging from $300-1000.

JMO

I agree Epiphone makes a great 335 guitar. I actually have the Japanese Epiphone Elite model which goes for a bit more if you can find one. Like you said they can do it all!

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by jwguitar

I agree Epiphone makes a great 335 guitar. I actually have the Japanese Epiphone Elite model which goes for a bit more if you can find one...

If things continue on their present path, those MIJ Elite/Elitist Epis may be wearing the Gibson label in the not-too-distant future...

[ataylor]

Originally Posted by joelhunn

Thanks for all of the advice. Found a used Baja Tele for a good price and have a loaner vht tube amp while I figure out that part of the equation. Now to learn what all this thing can do....

Good call! Was about to suggest that very guitar. I own one myself and love it. It’s really all the electric guitar I’ll ever need and I rarely get out my Epiphone Casino anymore even though it’s a really cool guitar as well.

I like how a Tele sounds through a Vox, I was lucky enough to grab a Pathfinder 15R back when they still made them and it’s been a fantastic little amp. Closest thing I’ve played to that recently in price and tone is the AC10.

[jwguitar]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

If things continue on their present path, those MIJ Elite/Elitist Epis may be wearing the Gibson label in the not-too-distant future...

I don't think Gibson would go over to Japan. They might, but it wouldn't make financial sense since most Japanese guitars are at a very high pricepoint at the level of many American made guitars. I could actually see those Japan made Epiphones becoming worth quite a bit.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by jwguitar

I don't think Gibson would go over to Japan. They might, but it wouldn't make financial sense since most Japanese guitars are at a very high pricepoint, at the level of many American made guitars. I could actually see those Japan made Epiphones becoming worth quite a bit.

Those MIJ Epis are already worth quite a bit - one of the mid-90's '38 Emperor reissues recently sold for $4500 (about what you'd pay for a new Campellone Standard) - and anyone who isn't either desperate or crazy won't be parting with theirs any time soon. As far as Japanese production being at the level of American-made guitars, Gretsch - arguably their #1 competitor in the hollowbody/semi-hollow arena during the '60s - has been doing it for the last 25+ years; given that their quality matches or exceeds anything that came out of the Brooklyn plant back in the day - I'm an ex-Brooklyn boy, Gretsch owner since 1964, and played probably a few hundred originals in my lifetime so I speak from personal experience here - and the market doesn't seem to have any issues paying the asking prices, IMO such a move could put to rest much of the current controversy about spotty QC under Henry J.'s leadership. While I would like to see Gibson remain under domestic ownership/production, I've also become somewhat more pragmatic with time; a line of Gibson-branded MIJ electric instruments priced to compete with the Gretsch Professional Series would do quite well in the market IMO, Similarly, if companies like Loar and Eastman can produce hand-carved archtops at Working Joe/Jane prices, there's no reason Gibson can't address the current revival of interest by offering MIC renditions of their classic Big Band-era comp boxes - Loar already has the 16" L-5/L-10/L-50 covered, lacking only the Gibson brand, and Eastman/Yunzhi should have no difficulty adapting their upmarket models to Advanced L-7/L-5 or Super 400 trim...