Which Guitar? Epiphone Les Paul Standard, Fender Strat, or gibson melody maker??

Question:I can't try any of them unfortunately. Never played guitar before. Hoping to self teach. I want the best sound and feel. What is your favorite (put the in order please)

:D

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I can't try any of them unfortunately. Never played guitar before. Hoping to self teach. I want the best sound and feel. What is your favorite (put the in order please)

:D

Don't consider a Melody Maker - it was only made as a budget guitar, and now they're bringing it back as a "classic" - it's worthless.
Both a Strat or an Epiphone LP are good quality guitars - it depends on what style you want to play. If you're going into heavy, overdriven rock, then go with the LP b/c it has humbuckers for overdrive and sustain. For blues or "classic" rock, a Strat is good. These are just basic descriptions - if you like the Strat style you can get an HSS version (same price) that has one humbucker and 2 single coil pick-ups - so it's very versitile. Another consideration is the LP is very heavy - you really feel it after a few hours.

Of these three, I would rather own a Fender Strat, but I'd never buy a guitar I haven't had a chance to play.

I don't like how Melody Makers sound or look, and if I wanted to own a Les Paul (which I don't particularly) I'd sooner save up for a Gibson.

Sure, the recommendations of the guitar owners are great, but you'll be much more pleased with your purchase if you actually try out the guitars before you buy them, to see what one really works for you. i know plenty of people who ahve spent hours in music stores hunting down the perfect instrument, and although some of them weren't pleased with the price of the insturment they liked, they have never regretted their purchase. I also know people who ahve just bought an insturment on impulse, and kind of wish they had have waited to see what else out there would have been better suited to their taste.

If you have the money to dish out then by all means get the LP Standard. In terms of a good overall tone that you don't need to tweak much that is the best choice. For the price most LP Standards go you get quality. I agree with the people above me saying that they're heavier than most guitars so its not exactly beginner friendly but if you're willing to learn it'll be great in the long run.

The Strat is more starter friendly and a majority of people I know have picked it as their first guitar. It has a good punchy tone that's lovable no matter what. The Strat can more or less go anywhere in genre. LP's are more guided towards hard rock.

As for the melody maker, its more of a relic than anything. They do have a nice feel in my opinion though. My friend recently got one for his birthday. One humbucker and it feels very "natural" to say the least.

Most important thing is for you to ask yourself what you want in the future and what'll last for the best.

1-I have an old 1963 Les Paul and has a super fat sound good for heavy rock.
2-Now , I also own a Jackson which screams the notes out , harmonics and what note and is very good for sweeps and arpeggios. It has active electronics.
3-My Fender is also good for sweeps but doesn't have the high pitch whinning of the Jackson nor the action.
4-Les Paul Standard is so so.
BEST BUY.....Go for the Epiphone Les Paul Custom. Now, you are making a good choice. As for the Gbson melody maker, give it to your brother and don't waste money on this. I repaired all of these makes and play with them all the time.