Electric Shopping - Under $600 Recs?

I'm an acoustic rhythmn player, own a martin and a Dean Exotica (really nice for how cheap it was).

I'm wondering for you that play electric what would be a good first electric to transition to? I'm hoping to improve my lead skills, and don't want to do it on the acoustic.

I had an asian Strat a while back, which I liked, but I really like the looks of some of the Deans in this price range.

Any other recommendations?

Personally, I think Ibanez puts out some of the best guitars around that price range. I hear that the cheaper ones are actually made by Samick, but I think around that price range, they are, indeed, genuine Ibanez guitars.

Great info, definitley stuff to look for.

As far as sound/tone goes, I should have said that it would be nice to be able to get a pretty clean sound from the guitar so as not to have to use both the acoustic and the electric in the same 20 minute set (worship team). I don't think I need a peizo pickup on my electric or anything, but it would be nice to be able to get a decent sound playing open chords without a lot of dirt.

I like the sound of Jimmy Page, BB King, SRV, and although not a lot of heavy guitar, I like REM a lot.

I'm heading down to Vegas for the weekend, playing to stop by Ed Roman's, so maybe I can play around a bit.

Other suggestions are welcomed, thanks!

Ed Roman's isn't too friendly when it comes time to 'play around a bit'... You'd be better off at Sam Ash or Guitar Center - especially in the price range you mention. Ed Roman's has $300 and under or $1000 and more - strange, I know, but no real mid-range guitars.

ding ding ding! ibanez = best cheap electric guitars. the hollowbodies in particular.

Yeah, like the previous poster said: Ed Roman has a very hard line not letting anyone touch a guitar unless they've already bought it, and he's not at all shy about that policy. Don't expect to play the guitars.

His reasoning is that he's super picky about the guitars he accepts from the manufacturers, and letting walk-ins play them only compromises his being able to deliver an absolutely perfect guitar to the person who lays the cash down first.

Depending on which side of this issue you find yourself on, he's either a saint or an asshole.

I would get :

1st Used Gibson Les Paul Studio

2nd Used US Made Telecaster or Strat

3 New Mexican Telcaster or Strat

4 Used 70's Ibanez Artist

5 New Ibanez Artist

Yeah, when I'm paying $129 for an OLP, I expect perfection! That was what really pissed me off. Fine, don't let me touch the $3000 Warrior or J. Frog guitar without a fat pimp-roll or credit check, but a damn OLP or Samick that is under $150???

As I mentioned in a separate post I started a while back after my 1st (and only!) visit there, I would *never* buy a guitar from this guy. I just don't like the attitude...

For $349.00 you can get a CARVIN Bolt Kit. They are pre-wired and need only finish sanding on the body. You can assemble one in your kitchen with a screwdriver. I don't paint my guitars, I use Homer Formby's Tung Oil. It allows the wood to breath and makes for a much warmer tone. I have played many Bolt's and they rank with any Strat style axe in the $800-$1000 range. Or you can purchase one finished. Currently they are on sale for $549.00. There are no Strat style guitars that can compete with one of these with-in $300. I know a lot of people are down on Carvin because you can't trot down to your local shop and play one, but rest assured they are top notch. I have been a devoted Carvin fan since the early 70's and own ton's of their stuff. Luckily I live with in a reasonable driving distance of the Hollywood factory store and make the trip when ever I want something. I have never been disappointed by anything they make. Check them out at:
www.carvin.com

Good luck, Hank

Ditto to what HankL said.

Also I'd add that you can get a great used carvin neckthrough for under $600 shipped. A lot of people have a strange dislike for carvins, but they are a great bargain for what you get for the $$.

The Les Paul studio that was recommended would be good too, but I think they will be pretty hard to find under $600 - the used ones I'm seeing are about $800.

What is the neck like? I really like late 80's Ibanez Wizard necks and everything else feels 'fat' to me I've often thought about a bolt-kit, but since I've not had a chance to handle any Carvin other than the old V220 (I think that's the model - Chaquico played one in Starship) which had a neck like an oar!