Fundamental, simple electric guitar choices?

Insightful stuff.

 

The link I posted above will allow you to order from Thomann/HB. Go there.

 

Harley Benton is the "house brand" for Thomann, they are the exclusive source.
Kinda like Rogue, Laguna, etc...
Thomann is the only source for them. Their lines are basically identical to the "Vintage" product line... their Les Paul style guitars have the same headstock shape.

Thomann is a good dealer, they are like the EU's version of Sweetwater. Their pricing is very good, but they do hit US customers with a flat shipping rate, so a pack of strings might cost you $35, OTOH, Amazon wanted $300 for a Digitech Trio+, add-on footpedal, and power supply.
I bought from Thomann and got the same bundle AND a "Spaceship 60" pedalboard, with shipping, for the same $300.

My Harley Benton P90 Gold Top was like $180 shipped.
And it's a $180 guitar. It plays OK, but it has some cosmetic issues... just not the build quality of my Les Paul (nor would I expect it to be), nor the build quality of my 2020 Epiphone LP Custom (again, nor would I expect it to be).
They are what they are... they are decent, affordable, playable student guitars.

 

https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_sc_junior_vintage_sunburst.htm
https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_sc_junior_ltd_ssp.htm
https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_sc_junior_black.htm

$200 plus shipping.
$375 for those on Reverb is a ripoff.

 

Another candidate - Fender flavored this time - might be a Squier Esquire.
(I guess they really ought to call it an Esquier...)

To vary the sound with a single pickup guitar, you're compelled to use your playing technique in ways you might not have explored otherwise. Ironically, the lack of options can be broadening to one's outlook and style.

It's been said that limitations often can give a boost to creativity. I think this is particularly true in music: for writing & production as well as for tone & playing style.

I love versatile guitars and really miss the neck pickup when there isn't one.

But a single pickup axe makes you aware of possibilities that sometimes get overlooked.

 

A man's got to do what a man's got to do.

 

ROFL.

 

Basic has been back "in" since Grunge and Billy Joe.
Guitars that you couldn't give away in 1985 are now selling for near retail.

 

The cheapest Epi Jr are often offered used for more than the original retail.

 

I should have bought more than 1 then.

 

I actually immediately thought of my Reverend Sensei Jr.



One P90 pickup, but with volume, tone, and bass contour knobs, it's insanely versatile. With everything on 10, it absolutely gets that "Let me pound this tiny nail with a sledgehammer" tone that you're referring to. Sort of an angry humbucker. Roll off the bass contour just a touch and it gets back into what I'm used to with P90s - reminds me a lot of the P90s on the Modern Player Thinline Tele I once had. Keep rolling off the bass contour and it gets back into sparkly single coil territory.

Then the tone knob serves to "place" the pickup. If I roll it back about halfway, it definitely feels more like a neck pickup. Any further and it gets very dark as you'd expect.

I actually really like it with slide.

To the OP, you might also be looking at an Esquire Tele. I started down the road that eventually led to the Sensei Jr by challenging myself to go through an entire show with just my Telecaster on the bridge pickup, no effects. It was a lot of fun, and it really helped me to appreciate the versatility of the Tele.

 

Great looking guitar and I am sure it is versatile. But that versatility is coming from from sophisticated tech. Which is not what Jrs and Melody makers were about.

 

Danelectro!!

 

I don't know that I'd call two tone pots instead of one "sophisticated," but your point is definitely taken.

That said, I'll see your assertion and raise you this:

 

I have one (YELLOW)! I caught it on sale...it was $131 including tax, with free shipping (MF). A fun guitar.

 

I've been eyeing this one myself...Prestige Troubadour RS

 

Head on over to Guitar Fetish!

https://www.guitarfetish.com/Xaviere-Electric-Guitars_c_116.html

https://www.guitarfetish.com/Slick-Guitars_c_496.html