Originally posted by RattleandHum1988Yea, I'm going to get an epiphone explorer eventually. Right now I have a strat, great beginner guitar, but replace the stock pickups (if your getting a mexican made strat, or "standard" as some call it). I have 70's pickups in mine. I also have an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Cream guitar. Next I want to get a hollowbody, either a riviera or a dot, I'd go for a Gretsch but they're waaaaaaaaaay to expensive. But after that, I'm getting an explorer.
You can get an Epiphone Casino for about $550.00 (That is the make and model Edge used for "All Because Of You" during the Vertigo tour). The single coil P-90 pickups sound great.
As for Gretsch, they are expensive. BUT... one could get a Gretsch "ElectroMatic" series. So for $550-650 + about another $240-270 for TV Jones pickups. (TV Jones are special order on some top of the line Gretsch guitars and are great pickups.) One could have a budget Gretsch ElectroMatic series guitar W/TV Jones pickups that now would have far batter tone and for around $700-$900-ish instead of $2000-$3500. Not bad.
Example: Gretsch 5120 Electromatic = $600
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Guitars-G5120-Electromatic-Hollow-Body-with-DualCoil-Pickups?sku=513282
It's Gretsch older brother 6120 Chet Atkins = $2200
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Guitars-G6120-Chet-Atkins-Hollow-Body-Electric-Guitar?sku=512985&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=44655270
and with TV Jones pickups = closer to $3000
The Gretsch Electromatic series has DuoJet and Silver Jet models for $400-$550. Again, far cheaper than it's pedigree Gretsch brother and with a set of TV Jones pickups... Another great Gretsch guitar for under $1000 instead of OVER $2000.
http://www.tvjones.com/dyk/5120a.htm
and
http://www.tvjones.com/pickups/tv_classic.htm
Something to think about. And something that can get you a great sound at a far better price than a $2000+ Gretsch