Epiphone Les Paul vs Fender squier

[Thorhead]

Hello.

 

I talked my friend out of buying a very crappy 80 buck guitar... Now the choices are at least a bit better. This is probably just for learning stuff etc. But at least if it keeps itself in tune, thats a start

 

Anyway I am keys player myself mainly, dont really know which of those guitars is better at all.

 

So which is better for beginner?

 

Sorry for very bad text, I am in a hurry. Thanks a lot for answers.

[stewiesguitar]

used fender standard

[stormin1155]

Apples or oranges?

[guitarman3001]

imo, the squier CV line blows the epis away.

 

The rest of the squiers....meh...not so much.

 

but like stormin said, apples and oranges. Do you want a LP or LP-style guitar or do you want a strat or tele?

[PanaDP]

 

imo, the squier CV line blows the epis away.

 

 

Definitely this. I'm not a fan of epis until you get to their high-mid or top of the line stuff, which isn't really working on a budget any more.

[Yogi_Sizzle]

It really depends on how much he is willing to spend, and what kind of sound he is after. A Les Paul type guitar is not going to sound like a Strat or tele and vice versa. He needs to go to the store and play a couple of examples of each. Also there are varying levels of Squiers and Epiphones. Modern Squiers range from about $120- $350 and epiphones range from about 200 or so up to 900. There are also vintage examples of each that are much different from the modern examples. There are USA made Epiphones and Squiers and Japanese ones too which generally are of better quality than most modern examples, and will cost more too, but these are in the used market. IMO a top of the line Squier is closer to what a Fender is than an Epiphone is to a Gibson.

 

The Squier Classic Vibes have 2-3 pc alder bodies with no veneer ( a mexican standard strat is veneered, so is possibly made of more pieces). They also have Alnico 3/5 pickups that are pretty good compared to the Ceramics in the MIM. The Ceramics aren't bad pickups, but IMO vintage strat tone = alnicos. Also the CVs have a tinted, amber gloss maple necks or rosewood fret boards, that play as smooth as butter. They have the same vintage style tuners as the more expensive MIM Classic Series. These are really nice guitars if you are set on buying new, but if you look around used for a while you can score really nice deals. My local shop has used American Standards for around 650. I just got a Guitar made of Custom shop parts for 889.

 

Epiphones are pretty decent guitars as well, but I would stay away from the lower priced offerings ( Special and LP-100). For a few bucks more you can get into a traditional LP with a Set neck and the other standard features like inlays and binding. Epis like Squiers can be real hit or miss, so I recommend you play a bunch before you decide. Their Hollow bodies, like the Dot, Sheraton, casino, riviera, and Lucille, seem to be a bit better than their solid body offerings. Also when you get into high end Epi territory you can easily afford a used Gibson Studio, or better yet a used Vintage MIJ Les Paul, like a tokai, burny, Greco, etc.. You may have to order those sight unseen as they are not as common as Epis, but you more than likely may be pleased.

 

Overall I would do a lot of research into what your friend likes and what tones he is chasing after. Their is a lot of good information out there. I would recommend checking out Mylespaul.com, strat-talk.com, and Tdpri.com for more info as well.