I've been learning guitar for a while, or at least stopping and starting learning it for a while and I'm at the stage where I wanna start transcribing\writing songs and stuff but it's hard cause my guitar just sounds like shit. Often frets are out of tune when the open string is in tune, stuff like that. Melodies just don't sound like the ones I'm copying. In short I wanna a new guitar, I don't wanna pick up another practise guitar, I want something I could really fall in love with and shit. I figure for my first real guitar I should get something for the classic, blues\roots 60\70's guitar. Something that'll sound cool for Faces, GNR, Led Zep, Stones etc. sort of stuff. Any suggestions? The only ones that come to my mind are an SG, Les Paul, Strat... But that's just based on what I've heard about the place, I couldn't hear one and indentify it you know? Yeah any ideas? It would be much appreciated.

I don't know your budget, but for the style you mention, a Les Paul would be wonderful. The real Gibson ones are expensive as hell and an LP is not as sonically versatile as some other models, so it's an investement that requires some thought. You could consider getting an epiphone LP. Not as good as the real thing, but definitely something you can gig with. If you have a tighter budget, Hohner make nice Les paul copies for the price.

Anyway, take some time to try every friggin' guitar in every store in your area and see which one keeps you awake at night, just lusting after it.

And then some warnings:
1) the ot of tune problem you mention sounds like your bridge saddles or truss rod need adjustment. Anyone with some experience might sort it in under half an hour.
2) If your sound sucks: a very cheap guitar and amp can sound nice in the right hands and with the right settings. I've also hear people get very wimpy tones from great gear. It's all in the hands!

What guitar do you have now? I agree with EuroCinema - it sounds from what you've said that the intonation needs adjustment. Worst case, your frets will need replacement or dressing, but that would depend on the age of the guitar above all. Your guitar's neck might also be warped a little. All of these problems could be solved with the attention of an experienced tech.

Again, agreeing with EuroCinema, some kind of Les Paul copy sounds like it would fit your bill - it's really down to your budget what kind of LP you get.

If it were me however, I'd look elsewhere - I've never played a Les Paul that I liked, not even the top-end Gibson ones. That's not from a sound point of view, just on the general feel of them.

I recommend a PRS SE instead - they'll offer you more versatility, a nicer playing experience (IMO) and with workmanship equal to, if not better, than any other guitar in its class.

The new custom SE is sexual:



http://www.prsguitars.com...ndard.html

check 'em out

I feel you about wanting an instrument to fall in love with (that way, you'll play it more and give it a cute name like Lucille)

Howver, many of the things you mention sound like you just need the guitar set up correctly (neck adjusted, saddles adjusted for intonation, new strings, etc). You could drop $30 with your local guitar shop to do this for you first to see if it doesn't make a huge difference on the intonation and playability of the guitar. That'll save you big dollars if you're really thinkg about a strat/les paul/sg/prs.

(what rowdy said) - so, you've got a few people thinking intonation issues, give it a thought and save the $$$ for a sweet new modeling amp!!

Thanks guys I'll definetly take taht Guitar and get it looked at. And my buddy actually recommended the PRS SE as a guitar he would like to own. I'll go try one out. I really appreciate the advice, thanks.

You can't go wrong with a PRS, I reckon.

For the music you're talking about, sounds like a Les Paul would be the gold standard. Strats are great (I play one) but they're not really right for that crunchy sound. It's cleaner & smoother (think Clapton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie ray)

Of course it depends ho much you can spend. Les Pauls & PRS go for thousands. An SG is about $1100.

Epiphone makes pretty nice copies of Gibson guitars. I have an Epiphone SG copy, and it's really nice, though it's not well balanced. But I've played many Epiphones, and they're really decent guitars.

Of course, they're not the very best!

But personally I think the amp is more important. Get a decent guitar--$300-400, and a good tube amp, and you're good to go.

Just curious, isn't the effects processor very important in the "sound" also? I just can't wrap my head around the nuance's of the guitar's raw sound. U never see anypne playing an electric guitar without an effects processor.

At least I don't.