I don't know about buying new guitars...I keep finding jems in the used market.

I've bought both my Epiphone Les Paul Limited Editions second (or third or fourth) hand, and have had nothing but good results (granted I did swap out the tuning machines & pickups) from them.

If you want a new guitar, I purchased (1) new guitar - an Epiphone Noel Gallagher Union Jack Supernova. The set up was good, and everthing worked, though the first thing I did after I walked out of the store was take it to the shop for a set up - which is something I reccommend with each newly acquired guitar....new or used).

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"Choices always were a problem for you. What you need is someone strong to guide you." Opiate, Tool

Greyskull's Rig