[François Charron]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I've started playing the guitar as a hobby about 20 years ago, when I was a teenager, but it didn't last very long. I'm now 33 and am trying to get back at it with a new guitar, which is how I found this forum!

 

[BGood]

Salut François. Welcome and we have to see that new guitar

 

[François Charron]

Well, I don't have it yet. I'm still undecided. I know I want a Les Paul style guitar, but while searching the web I found Gretsch guitars which please my eyes and ears very much.

Trying to get the best bang for my buck at around 500$. I've been looking at Epiphones (not sure which of their Les Paul is the best quality for the price) and Gretsch Electromatic Jet Club, Pro Jet and Streamliners (the semi-hollow ones). Problem is, it is very hard around here to try a Gretsch guitar hands-on. It seems that most stores that carry them don't have any in stock.

 

[marcos]

Welcome Francois. Hope you enjoy yourself here on this great forum. I am sure that Steves Music in Montreal has the Gretsch line. Probably Long and MacQuade too.

 

[François Charron]

Thanks, I already inquired to L&M stores near me via email. I will probably do the same with Steve's.

 

[BGood]

A sure bet in the Epi LP range is the blingless Studio.
If you have a chance to try a PRS SE, they are in the LP shape area, but with a great build quality.

Kijiji Canada

I have one just like this one and LOVE it : Guitare électrique PRS SE Soapbar Vintage cherry #F015100 | guitars | Québec | Kijiji
This one missing the truss rod cover, you might get to haggle a little on that. It is a good price as is anyway. You have to like fat (thick) necks for this one though, I do.

 

[amagras]

Welcome François, as BGood suggested, the used market can really help when on a budget.
Enjoy the forum and keep us posted

 

[sulphur]

Welcome to the forum Francois!

 

[François Charron]

Thank you all for the tips and the warm welcome! I will do some in-store trials tomorrow. I also learned that L&M in my area rents guitars by the week. Seems like a good way to tryout candidates before buying.

 

[Pierrafeux]

Bienvenue sur le forum François et surtout ne te gêne pas pour nous faire découvrir tes achats.....

 

[13493]

Bonjour! Bienvenue!

 

[cboutilier]

Welcome! There's no harm in a good Epiphone. Their quality is good, and consiStent

 

[François Charron]

Thank you both! Since my last post, I've had the chance to try an Epiphone Les Paul Standard (which I admit sounded very good), and two models of Gretsch Streamliners: the G2622 and G2655 (same model as G2622, but smaller), with and without Bigsby. I finally decided to pull the trigger and buy the G2655 without Bigsby (it felt cool, but not worth the extra cost for my taste) and me and my wife love it! It is so much lighter than any other electric guitar I played. I love the dark olive green color and the way it sounds (as much as I can enjoy it with my very limited talent ). The color did not come out very accurately in the picture, but it's the best one I have at the moment:

 

[mawmow]

Hu-hum!
What about the acoustic hidden behind the nice Gretsch ? ;-)

 

[greco]

Congrats!

Beautiful colour.

ENJOY!!

BTW...When you write that your wife likes the guitar...do you mean that she plays guitar also?

Cheers

Dave

 

[François Charron]

Hu-hum!
What about the acoustic hidden behind the nice Gretsch ? ;-)

Haha, good observation! It is a cheap Cort guitar that we paid something like 150 CAD$ new, but the darn thing is so easy to play

 

[François Charron]

Congrats!

Beautiful colour.

ENJOY!!

BTW...When you write that your wife likes the guitar...do you mean that she plays guitar also?

Cheers

Dave

Thank you! Yes we both play at a very beginner level.