First, if you're after a clean, bluesy sound, without a lot of sustain, you'll want to go with single-coil pickups and a maple fingerboard - like a stratocaster or telecaster. If you're into a heavier sound with a lot of sustain, you want to go with humbucking pickups, like a les paul. Some guitars offer both types of pickups if you want both sounds. Also, do you want a tremolo (whammy bar?). All strats come with them. Fender and Gibson of course are great names to go with (even Fender's Mexican made guitars play great). It will be tough to find a Gibson in that price range brand new. You may want to consider Washburn - they make some decent quality guitars at really affordable prices and all their guitars have a lifetime warranty. They are more geared toward heavy sounding guitars. Epiphone is also a name to consider in that price range - Gibson is their parent company. Ibanez also makes versatile sounding guitars. If you're looking for a brand new guitar, check out www.music123.com or call 888-590-9700. I'll be glad to assist you further. Regards, Ro.
Re: Good guitar for around $400-$500?
First, if you're after a clean, bluesy sound, without a lot of sustain, you'll want to go with single-coil pickups and a maple fingerboard - like a stratocaster or telecaster. If you're into a heavier sound with a lot of sustain, you want to go with humbucking pickups, like a les paul. Some guitars offer both types of pickups if you want both sounds. Also, do you want a tremolo (whammy bar?). All strats come with them. Fender and Gibson of course are great names to go with (even Fender's Mexican made guitars play great). It will be tough to find a Gibson in that price range brand new. You may want to consider Washburn - they make some decent quality guitars at really affordable prices and all their guitars have a lifetime warranty. They are more geared toward heavy sounding guitars. Epiphone is also a name to consider in that price range - Gibson is their parent company. Ibanez also makes versatile sounding guitars. If you're looking for a brand new guitar, check out www.music123.com or call 888-590-9700. I'll be glad to assist you further. Regards, Ro.