That is the challenge Coen and Milo take on this week. They will dive into the shop with a budget of 2,000 euros and go in search of the most versatile electric guitar that they can go either way with.
Coen’s Choice: Gibson SG Standard 61 Stop Bar Vintage Cherry
Price: 1.799 euro
Coen is obviously looking for a guitar you can play anything on, one of those you see a lot in cover bands and chooses ... this one Gibson SG. Huh, surprising, because this model has mostly captured the hearts of players who are in the more rugged corner, such as Angus Young of AC/DC. Eric Clapton in his rougher years with Cream? Also played on an SG. This slightly lighter, slightly faster and slightly stouter sister of the Gibson Les Paul you see more and more in “pop” these days, fortunately. Because despite its image, a Mellow Fellow can also conjure a great clean sound out of it courtesy of that lovely neck humbucker. Actually, SGs are a bit of misunderstood muscle with a very sweet, soft character. And last but not least: those looks! Sweet like cherry pie!
Milo’s Choice: Rivolta Combinata XVII Toro Black
Price: 1.499 euro
What, a! Guitar! Take a look: P90 elements, a great Duesenberg with tremolo, a mahogany 'chambered' body, bold inlay in the neck, a unique shape in a tight black suit, with some extra'bling' here and there. A guitar like a tuxedo, designed by Dennis Fano. But this one is affordable. Sounds great clean, gets crunchy when you dig in and when you turn up the amp, it has enough dirt to make your hair grow immediately.
Runners up
Coen an Milo had a hard time choosing just one guitar, because there is so much more to drool on. That's why we list the five that just didn't make it.
Ibanez AZ2204B Black Prestige
Price: 1.939
The result of the sum: versatile + electric + guitar = mostly Stratocaster! Because they easily color along with the music due to the wide choice of elements. Funk, Punk, Rock, Pop: it's all possible, but some guitarists suffer from the A.B.E.S-Syndrome: Everything But One Strat. Just because almost everyone plays them. And Strats are sometimes a bit too 'thin' for the heavier work. A 'Superstrat' with a humbucker in the bridge solves that problem. Take this one from Ibanez, with crisp single coils for precise work, with the added bonus of a downright nasty Seymour Duncan as a sledgehammer. Thanks to some clever switches, you also get just about everything in between. Perfect, rock solid, tools.
Stanford Crossroad T30 Antique Vintage Sunburst
Price: 1.099
Well within budget and both Milo and Coen owned this guitar for a long time. Made in the Czech Republic and that means a lot of guitar for your money. Sounds like a bell, thanks to the hollow-body which makes it ideal for jazz and blues. Loses some points on versatility and therefore just did not make it. But if you are looking for a warm, full sound in a featherweight, almost acoustic jacket, this could be a great match.
Eastman SB59 Goldburst
Price: 1.799 euro
Eastman does it again and again with pretty much all the guitars they make. And this one is no exception, because for a fraction of the price you buy quality that in some areas even surpasses the original. This SB59 is a clear nod to the Les Pauls, with a mahogany body, flamed maple top, nitro lacquer for a more open sound and great Seymour Duncan elements. Also available in a Sunburst.
Fender American Original 60s Telecaster Thinline Sunburst MN
Price: 1.999 euro
The dream of many guitarists: a real USA MADE Fender Like this Thinline, which is clearly based on the Classic Telecaster but with a nice F in the body. That makes them slightly lighter, more resonant and rounds of some of the sharp edges of the sound. We really enjoy seeing Fender succeed in combining a very rich history with subtle and clever innovation time and time again.
Harmony Jupiter Pearl White
Price: 1.599 euro
From So-Much-Fun-Guitar Division: the Harmony Jupiter. Harmony was once a big brand in the United States, fell into oblivion, but is now alive and well again with an exciting line of electric guitars. Gold Foil pick ups give them a very unique character. Combine that with fancy looks and fantastic playability and for many guitarists this is an instrument with which they will survive for a long time on a desert island. Travels in a great Mono Bag.
Are you looking for the best acoustic guitar for less than 2,000 euros? You can find more about that here.
