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Posted: 7/20/2024 7:07:25 AM EDT
My son just turned 15, and has been playing acoustic for a few years with lessons some years back. He’s come back to playing more consistently after a break with sports and other distractions. We’ve been kicking tires at Guitar Center and local pawn shops for his first electric. He plays rock. His budget is $500-800, as I remind him that an amp and other accessories will be needed. I’ll throw in a few hundred to help him find something he loves. I’ve steered him towards two models, the Epiphone Les Paul Adam Jones edition is on sale for $850 down from $1299, and the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino (love that the brooding rockers of the 90s have “sold out”lol) is normally that same $850ish price. I don’t trust online reviews, but have seen good things about both.
Anyone here got experience? Any other recommendations we should look at in this range? Thanks. |
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[#1]
Have him try out both Fender Telecaster or a Stratocaster and a Gibson, used. SG or Les Paul. Squires and Epiphones are good alternatives, but for $800.00, you should be able to find one of the others, the neck scale, (distance between frets) and radius of the fretboard is different. Also, for Gibson, there are slim taper necks and 50's style. I've been playing for 50 years and found I prefer a fat neck. Good luck!
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[#2]
So hard to advise. The good news is you are in the right price range to get a very playable guitar. Which one depends a lot on what he WANTS. What are his guitar heroes and what style of music.
One thing I would advise is don't go overboard on the guitar at the expense of the amp. Even a great guitar sounds like ass through a crappy amp. No he doesn't need a classic tube amp but something that will provide "the sound" he is seeking is important or he will be unhappy. I know for myself I could find great used stuff but if you aren't familiar with how to check out the used stuff it is harder. Here are a few items (if in good shape) I found in the used bin at GC online. Might not be his cup of tea but an idea of what your finances can buy. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Fender/Player-Series-Stratocaster-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar-119744897.gc https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Fender/Mustang-LT50-50W-1x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp-120116887.gc |
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[#3]
Good low priced practice amp.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016JDJ8TA?tag=arfcom00-20 For the money it's unbeatable, an extension 12" speaker really wakes it up. |
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[Last Edit: Sleazy-E]
[#4]
Thanks for the replies. I will have him pay particular attention to neck size. Regarding the amp, my only must have is a headphone jack.
ETA He likes rock: Metallica, Zeppelin, Van Halen, even some Pantera. |
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[#5]
Take him to Guitar Center or some sort and try out different models and practice amps. When he finds something he's comfortable with then go to a pawn shop or Reverb and get the same thing for half as much. Playing isn't just playing it's also learning how to fix, tune and tweak. Get him a decent soldering iron while you're at it. |
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[#6]
Hands down dollar for dollar the best bang for the buck is the PRS SE lineup. Marketplace is flooded with used ones that are in flawless condition for well under his budget, and that leave room for a nice amp. For that I would suggest the positive grip spark40. He can get any tone he wants without having to learn even more gear. Once he grows he can upgrade and add other gear as wanted/needed.
Another option for a guitar is Firefly. These things are legit guitars and extremely reasonable. I have the Madcat tele style model and the only thing I had to do was tweak the truss rod a bit, replace the strings and scuff the gloss off the back of the neck to make it play nearly as good as my American Pro II Fender which cost 9X as much. Firefly guitar store |
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[#7]
Originally Posted By Goostoff: Hands down dollar for dollar the best bang for the buck is the PRS SE lineup. Marketplace is flooded with used ones that are in flawless condition for well under his budget, and that leave room for a nice amp. For that I would suggest the positive grip spark40. He can get any tone he wants without having to learn even more gear. Once he grows he can upgrade and add other gear as wanted/needed. Another option for a guitar is Firefly. These things are legit guitars and extremely reasonable. I have the Madcat tele style model and the only thing I had to do was tweak the truss rod a bit, replace the strings and scuff the gloss off the back of the neck to make it play nearly as good as my American Pro II Fender which cost 9X as much. Firefly guitar store https://images2.imgbox.com/1d/f8/7RAl1hTY_o.jpg View Quote I thought about mentioning PRS SE but thought it was over his price point. Checking Reverb it appears used SEs can be found for less than $700. |
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[#8]
Number one is buy once, cry once. Even if he has to save up a little money for a few more months, get something name brand at least. Avoid these oddball Chicom brands because if he sells it to trade up he will lose money with some no name trash. Focus on the entry level of more well-known brands.
Number two is have him sit down and play a bunch of stuff *not plugged in* as well as plugged in. Let him take a flight of fancy and pull some more expensive stuff off the wall so he gets a feel for the differences. Don't discount used gear and you can find really good prices locally with private sales sometimes when someone is thinning out a collection or similar situation. Figure you can find a used Boss Katana amplifier for $200-250 probably on the local FB marketplace or CL, or Guitar Center online or don't discount Music Go Round for used. So maybe take your expected contribution and try to find him one of these amps instead of contributing towards the guitar. Bottom line is take more time until he finds something where he just lights up and really enjoys it. To be blunt, most guitar preference is about what speaks to the individual rather than what is "better" or "worse." But trash is trash. |
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[#9]
I have an Epiphone Les Paul 60s Standard. My guitarist is a Gibson man for 3 decades... has 2 Les Pauls, a Standard and a Custom. He's played my Epiphone and was very surprised. His words "there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!" The current Epiphone offerings are very good.
I'm really a bass player so I don't know a lot about other 6 string offerings. |
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[Last Edit: DM1975]
[#10]
Originally Posted By jimmybcool: I thought about mentioning PRS SE but thought it was over his price point. Checking Reverb it appears used SEs can be found for less than $700. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By jimmybcool: Originally Posted By Goostoff: Hands down dollar for dollar the best bang for the buck is the PRS SE lineup. Marketplace is flooded with used ones that are in flawless condition for well under his budget, and that leave room for a nice amp. For that I would suggest the positive grip spark40. He can get any tone he wants without having to learn even more gear. Once he grows he can upgrade and add other gear as wanted/needed. Another option for a guitar is Firefly. These things are legit guitars and extremely reasonable. I have the Madcat tele style model and the only thing I had to do was tweak the truss rod a bit, replace the strings and scuff the gloss off the back of the neck to make it play nearly as good as my American Pro II Fender which cost 9X as much. Firefly guitar store https://images2.imgbox.com/1d/f8/7RAl1hTY_o.jpg I thought about mentioning PRS SE but thought it was over his price point. Checking Reverb it appears used SEs can be found for less than $700. I’ll second the PRS SE. buy used. They are amazingly cheap now on the used market and wonderful guitars. The bottom line however, does it work for him? Does it fit him? The type of guitar you get can sometimes be a huge motivator in learning, also a detractor if it is something crappy or hard to play. As for an amp with a headphone jack, might wanna look into something like the Fender Mustang Micro and a decent set of headphones. I use mine a lot and you can bluetooth in audio like backing tracks and that really makes a huge difference. Often practicing without backing you can lose context, plus playing the scales over a backing track will help develop his ear and kinda make things click into place quicker for him. I would avoid most of the cheaper chinese junk on the market like from Amazon. Also you might want to take the guitar to a local shop that you can trust and have it set up properly. A bad setup will make any guitar play and feel like crap regardless of who made it. |
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[Last Edit: DADGAD]
[#11]
Originally Posted By Sleazy-E: Thanks for the replies. I will have him pay particular attention to neck size. Regarding the amp, my only must have is a headphone jack. ETA He likes rock: Metallica, Zeppelin, Van Halen, even some Pantera. View Quote $250 Boss Katana for an amp. There are others that would fit the bill as well, but the katana hits on so many features (tons of very very good features, none great. Perfect for at home and small gigs. Larger gigs, maybe) $50-100 for a professional setup, including intonation, action height and fret polishing. Many guitars are awesome but have sharp or protruding fret ends that once resolved, will never be an issue again. |
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[#12]
Originally Posted By RickFinsta: Number one is buy once, cry once. Even if he has to save up a little money for a few more months, get something name brand at least. Avoid these oddball Chicom brands because if he sells it to trade up he will lose money with some no name trash. Focus on the entry level of more well-known brands. Number two is have him sit down and play a bunch of stuff *not plugged in* as well as plugged in. Let him take a flight of fancy and pull some more expensive stuff off the wall so he gets a feel for the differences. Don't discount used gear and you can find really good prices locally with private sales sometimes when someone is thinning out a collection or similar situation. Figure you can find a used Boss Katana amplifier for $200-250 probably on the local FB marketplace or CL, or Guitar Center online or don't discount Music Go Round for used. So maybe take your expected contribution and try to find him one of these amps instead of contributing towards the guitar. Bottom line is take more time until he finds something where he just lights up and really enjoys it. To be blunt, most guitar preference is about what speaks to the individual rather than what is "better" or "worse." But trash is trash. View Quote Mid range guitars (especially with a solid setup) can be absolutely awesome and can help him find what he likes and what he doesn't. If he truly takes to it, there will be no one single perfect guitar. There will be many. Then there will be more. And then still more. Breaking the bank on one guitar as a starter is not the way to go in my opinion. |
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[#13]
Originally Posted By DADGAD: I would say that "buy once, cry once" can imply buying the best there is the first time and never having to do it again. I would say definitely step up past the ChiCom shit, but I would not advise buying a premium guitar as a first purchase. Mid range guitars (especially with a solid setup) can be absolutely awesome and can help him find what he likes and what he doesn't. If he truly takes to it, there will be no one single perfect guitar. There will be many. Then there will be more. And then still more. Breaking the bank on one guitar as a starter is not the way to go in my opinion. View Quote I am simply trying to say it is always better to save up a little more money and get something that suits the job better if you can, whether that is $1k instead of $800, or $4k instead of $3k. If I could grab 20 year old me my the neck and shake him until he'd listen, I'd try to get him to understand that lesson before he had a whole pile of car, guitar, and gun gear that he won't even give away because he doesn't want someone else to have the same headache he did. That's why I say he should play on some stuff that is clearly outside his price range. He may be able to figure out what he really likes about those and then use that to find a less expensive guitar that gives him similar vibes. |
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[#14]
Originally Posted By RickFinsta: I am simply trying to say it is always better to save up a little more money and get something that suits the job better if you can, whether that is $1k instead of $800, or $4k instead of $3k. If I could grab 20 year old me my the neck and shake him until he'd listen, I'd try to get him to understand that lesson before he had a whole pile of car, guitar, and gun gear that he won't even give away because he doesn't want someone else to have the same headache he did. That's why I say he should play on some stuff that is clearly outside his price range. He may be able to figure out what he really likes about those and then use that to find a less expensive guitar that gives him similar vibes. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By RickFinsta: Originally Posted By DADGAD: I would say that "buy once, cry once" can imply buying the best there is the first time and never having to do it again. I would say definitely step up past the ChiCom shit, but I would not advise buying a premium guitar as a first purchase. Mid range guitars (especially with a solid setup) can be absolutely awesome and can help him find what he likes and what he doesn't. If he truly takes to it, there will be no one single perfect guitar. There will be many. Then there will be more. And then still more. Breaking the bank on one guitar as a starter is not the way to go in my opinion. I am simply trying to say it is always better to save up a little more money and get something that suits the job better if you can, whether that is $1k instead of $800, or $4k instead of $3k. If I could grab 20 year old me my the neck and shake him until he'd listen, I'd try to get him to understand that lesson before he had a whole pile of car, guitar, and gun gear that he won't even give away because he doesn't want someone else to have the same headache he did. That's why I say he should play on some stuff that is clearly outside his price range. He may be able to figure out what he really likes about those and then use that to find a less expensive guitar that gives him similar vibes. It's like your describing me I think? I'm certain better advice has been given so I'm just going to link a recent price drop (have one on the way myself) Charvel LE Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH FR E Ash Electric Guitar (Green Glow) $549 +tax and Always a good assortment of used PRS SE models here. That said I was playing my $200 dollar stock squier 60's strat the last 2 days and liking it. I've accumulated a pile of budget stuff, but I'm still finding something to like about all of them, ymmv. |
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[#15]
Originally Posted By Kazual: It's like your describing me I think? I'm certain better advice has been given so I'm just going to link a recent price drop (have one on the way myself) Charvel LE Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH FR E Ash Electric Guitar (Green Glow) $549 +tax and Always a good assortment of used PRS SE models here. That said I was playing my $200 dollar stock squier 60's strat the last 2 days and liking it. I've accumulated a pile of budget stuff, but I'm still finding something to like about all of them, ymmv. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Kazual: Originally Posted By RickFinsta: Originally Posted By DADGAD: I would say that "buy once, cry once" can imply buying the best there is the first time and never having to do it again. I would say definitely step up past the ChiCom shit, but I would not advise buying a premium guitar as a first purchase. Mid range guitars (especially with a solid setup) can be absolutely awesome and can help him find what he likes and what he doesn't. If he truly takes to it, there will be no one single perfect guitar. There will be many. Then there will be more. And then still more. Breaking the bank on one guitar as a starter is not the way to go in my opinion. I am simply trying to say it is always better to save up a little more money and get something that suits the job better if you can, whether that is $1k instead of $800, or $4k instead of $3k. If I could grab 20 year old me my the neck and shake him until he'd listen, I'd try to get him to understand that lesson before he had a whole pile of car, guitar, and gun gear that he won't even give away because he doesn't want someone else to have the same headache he did. That's why I say he should play on some stuff that is clearly outside his price range. He may be able to figure out what he really likes about those and then use that to find a less expensive guitar that gives him similar vibes. It's like your describing me I think? I'm certain better advice has been given so I'm just going to link a recent price drop (have one on the way myself) Charvel LE Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH FR E Ash Electric Guitar (Green Glow) $549 +tax and Always a good assortment of used PRS SE models here. That said I was playing my $200 dollar stock squier 60's strat the last 2 days and liking it. I've accumulated a pile of budget stuff, but I'm still finding something to like about all of them, ymmv. There are many many great guitars in the sub $1k range in my opinion. I have guitars at just about every price point and affordable just does not always equate bad. You might need to be a little more choosy at those levels but there are many great guitars that are not expensive. I’m like you, I can pull out a sub $1k guitar out of my collection and just love every minute of playing it. |
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[#16]
Originally Posted By Sleazy-E: Thanks for the replies. I will have him pay particular attention to neck size. Regarding the amp, my only must have is a headphone jack. ETA He likes rock: Metallica, Zeppelin, Van Halen, even some Pantera. View Quote That Adam Jones Epi LP would be pretty good for his music interests. I'm far from a Gibson/epiphone fan boy but those are supposed to be really well made, good cool factor, and the bridge pickup is a lot of value added (I think they have the SD Distortion or some approximation of it). |
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[#17]
Originally Posted By Kazual: It's like your describing me I think? I'm certain better advice has been given so I'm just going to link a recent price drop (have one on the way myself) Charvel LE Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH FR E Ash Electric Guitar (Green Glow) $549 +tax and Always a good assortment of used PRS SE models here. That said I was playing my $200 dollar stock squier 60's strat the last 2 days and liking it. I've accumulated a pile of budget stuff, but I'm still finding something to like about all of them, ymmv. View Quote Holy crap. Daves has tons of low cost stuff. WHY WHY WHY did you have to post this. |
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[#18]
I'd recommend a look at Ibanez guitars, they have some original designs and also clones of the big name guitars (Gibson, Fender,etc) that will be nice for yore price point. Also, don't neglect Pawn Shops for used deals.
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[Last Edit: Kazual]
[#19]
Originally Posted By jimmybcool: Holy crap. Daves has tons of low cost stuff. WHY WHY WHY did you have to post this. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By jimmybcool: Originally Posted By Kazual: It's like your describing me I think? I'm certain better advice has been given so I'm just going to link a recent price drop (have one on the way myself) Charvel LE Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH FR E Ash Electric Guitar (Green Glow) $549 +tax and Always a good assortment of used PRS SE models here. That said I was playing my $200 dollar stock squier 60's strat the last 2 days and liking it. I've accumulated a pile of budget stuff, but I'm still finding something to like about all of them, ymmv. Holy crap. Daves has tons of low cost stuff. WHY WHY WHY did you have to post this. Just trying to be helpful Somewhere along the way of my last few years of GAS issues I discovered Dave's on a post somewhere and check it somewhat frequently, mostly for SE 594's. I've yet to add a PRS to my pile of goodies and was considering one there yesterday when another price cut on the zombie green Charvel thing got my $$$ instead. Let me know if you find something you can't pass up. Oh, and it appears the used page is updated frequently, if not daily. |
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[#20]
The good news is that there are a metric shitload of awesome options in that price range. For used you can do a whole setup for $5-700 and get really great stuff.
I'm a fan of the newer epiphone Les pauls. The 1959 Les Pauls are outstanding but the studios are a great bang for the buck. The PRS are awesome as well. |
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[#21]
Used American standard strat. If too expensive then a Mexican one. He’ll be a better player if he starts on Fenders, longer neck scale. When I play my strats and teles a lot, especially with heavier gauge strings, playing my Gibson feels like a kids guitar.
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[#22]
The PRS SE line is in the $700-800 range.
I have a friend who played on those for years and he can play like no body's business, a funk and blue player. |
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[#23]
Originally Posted By JohnnyLoco: Used American standard strat. If too expensive then a Mexican one. He’ll be a better player if he starts on Fenders, longer neck scale. When I play my strats and teles a lot, especially with heavier gauge strings, playing my Gibson feels like a kids guitar. View Quote Funny, I feel the opposite. I love my Teles and Strats but I always gravitate back to a Les Paul, and I have huge hands but that scale length isn’t much of an issue for me. That’s why it’s important to try them out and see what suits you the best. Also, they might not be in this price range and hard to find but Gibson has made Les Paul’s in a 25.5” scale length several times over the years. |
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[Last Edit: Sleazy-E]
[#24]
Hey All, thanks for the replies. I kinda knew we’d be all over the board with input here but the resounding advice to go and play them is probably the best advice. After our 3rd straight day visiting two guitar centers and playing quite a few, we scooped up the Adam Jones Les Paul on sale. He’s in love with it. Went with the Fender Mustang LT 25 amp. It’s really a cool piece of gear for the price and we just started scratching the surface with it.
" /> Cheers. |
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[Last Edit: Bladeswitcher]
[#25]
ETA: Never mind, I see you bought stuff and Junior is set up . . .
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In a truly free country, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms would be the name of a convenience store, not a federal agency
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[#26]
Originally Posted By Kazual: Just trying to be helpful Somewhere along the way of my last few years of GAS issues I discovered Dave's on a post somewhere and check it somewhat frequently, mostly for SE 594's. I've yet to add a PRS to my pile of goodies and was considering one there yesterday when another price cut on the zombie green Charvel thing got my $$$ instead. Let me know if you find something you can't pass up. Oh, and it appears the used page is updated frequently, if not daily. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Kazual: Originally Posted By jimmybcool: Originally Posted By Kazual: It's like your describing me I think? I'm certain better advice has been given so I'm just going to link a recent price drop (have one on the way myself) Charvel LE Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH FR E Ash Electric Guitar (Green Glow) $549 +tax and Always a good assortment of used PRS SE models here. That said I was playing my $200 dollar stock squier 60's strat the last 2 days and liking it. I've accumulated a pile of budget stuff, but I'm still finding something to like about all of them, ymmv. Holy crap. Daves has tons of low cost stuff. WHY WHY WHY did you have to post this. Just trying to be helpful Somewhere along the way of my last few years of GAS issues I discovered Dave's on a post somewhere and check it somewhat frequently, mostly for SE 594's. I've yet to add a PRS to my pile of goodies and was considering one there yesterday when another price cut on the zombie green Charvel thing got my $$$ instead. Let me know if you find something you can't pass up. Oh, and it appears the used page is updated frequently, if not daily. I used to live in the parking lot of Dave's, literally. MY college house was just across the alley. Dave sold me my Mark IV and gave me a great deal on a Heritage 530. He is a really, really good guy. Reverb is run by shitbirds so I suggest these other places any day over them. |
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[#27]
Glad we could help, OP.
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[#28]
Great choice, especially in how y’all went about it! That should be able to keep him going for a long time.
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[#29]
Nice guitar. Congrats
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[#30]
Awesome! Congrats!
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[Last Edit: Czechers]
[#31]
Edit- saw already bought. Looks like a good choice. I love the Adam Jones Les Pauls and also have tried that amp you bought. I thought they had really good modeling and nice UI.
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[#32]
Get a Boss Katana 50 for the Amp. Play a lot of guitars in the store and see what he bonds with.
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[#33]
Originally Posted By Sleazy-E: Hey All, thanks for the replies. I kinda knew we’d be all over the board with input here but the resounding advice to go and play them is probably the best advice. After our 3rd straight day visiting two guitar centers and playing quite a few, we scooped up the Adam Jones Les Paul on sale. He’s in love with it. Went with the Fender Mustang LT 25 amp. It’s really a cool piece of gear for the price and we just started scratching the surface with it. https://i.postimg.cc/6qy0Bktv/IMG-0235.jpg" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/6qy0Bktv/IMG-0235.jpg Cheers. View Quote You can go a long way with that gear. Good call. |
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[#34]
If he loves it and he plays it then it was the exact right choice.
If he really loves playing, he may decide to go in different direction or to have a variety at some point, but whatever puts a smile on his face and keeps him playing is awesome. |
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[#35]
Epiphone makes some real nice guitars. Nice work dad.
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