After 35 years of teaching music and 42 years of playing guitars professionally, it's not surprising that thousands of musicians and students have asked me about the desirability and availability of music gear. People always want to know what I think is the "best" guitar (or banjo, mando, bass). In fact, the question should be: What is the best instrument for my level of expertise that I can afford? While the answer varies from person to person and a new product appears almost weekly, there are always products that stand out for each playing level and pocketbook. After literally decades of students bringing in substandard gear, I've learned what to avoid as well as what to recommend. The following is a compilation of electric guitars, any one of which I would want my next student to come to class with. All of this equipment can be purchased over the internet or at major music stores. (musiciansfriend.com, samashmusic.com, americanmusical.com, guitarcenter.com and many more!) I've done business with these stores for many years and I highly recommend all of them.

SOLID BODY ELECTRICS

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BEGINNER: Yamaha PAC012 @ $149
This guitar is a bolt neck Strat copy (double cutaway, two single coil, one humbucking pick-up) style instrument. For $149, you get a guitar that has an acceptable action (plays easily), sounds decent and is comfortable for any size or age player to hold for long periods of time. This is the guitar that Mom or Dad can invest in to see if their child really wants to play guitar.
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INTERMEDIATE: (bolt neck) Fernandes Retrorocket X @ $250
This instrument has it all for a Strat type guitar. It sports two single coil pick-ups and one screaming humbucker in the bridge! It's got a tremolo for dive bomb effects and a consistently great neck. It even has a great looking faux quilt maple top in your choice of red, blue or classic black. I have owned four (yes, four!) of these guitars but my students keep buying them from me. This is the perfect step-up instrument from a beginning electric or acoustic.
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INTERMEDIATE: (set neck) Epiphone Les Paul Goth Studio @ $299
This is a lean, mean, take no prisoners axe that is surprisingly handsome. This instrument has all the great features of the more expensive Epi Les Paul's, but at a much more attractive price. The neck is consistently slim and fast. The humbuckers adequate and the guitar stays in tune extremely well. This is a great guitar for an upgrading intermediate or pro on a budget! (AUTHOR'S NOTE: DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT CONSIDER ANY BOLT NECK EPIPHONE. THERE ARE MUCH BETTER BOLT NECK GUITARS TO BE HAD IN THIS PRICE RANGE!)
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ADVANCED: (bolt neck) Fender HSS Standard Strat @ $399
While the Standard Strat is not American made (Mexico), I consider it to be the best buy in the line. Fender makes guitars in at least 5 different countries with varying results. This Mexican Strat is produced 40 miles from the Fender California Plant and all quality issues are handled there as well. This instrument is the sleeper hit of the Fender line! It has 2 single coil pick-ups, one humbucker screamer in the bridge position and a classic Fender tremolo bridge for vibrato effects. Great tuners and neck round out this marvelous guitar. Truly worthy of the Heartland Gear Value Award!
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ADVANCED: (set neck) Gibson Faded SG Special @ $699.99
This is an American-made Gibson guitar with 2 humbucking pick-ups and a set neck for under $1000!! Gibson actually makes several instruments in this price range, but this is the best deal by far! The fit, finish and feel of this guitar is consistently outstanding. I've had several students invest in this model and all have been completely satisfied!
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ADVANCED: (special) Michael Kelly Hex Deluxe @ $669.99
I just had to include this TOP OF THE LINE beauty! This is a shredder's dream come true. It has a set/through neck, 2 EMG active pick-ups, a Floyd Rose tremolo, gorgeous inlays, a dazzling flame maple top and the list goes on and on! This is truly a great guitar at a great price!
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