best electric guitar for a fingerpicker?

[Kelly7]

Whats the most versatile guitar money can buy for about £400. By versatile I mean suitable for various styles of playing. I want to get an electric guitar so that I can play those blues over them backing tracks...maybe some heavy rock, yet Im a finger picker (never used a pick) with a classical/acoustic background. I cant get the bends and fast play that I want with an acoustic but most electric guitars seem to be optimized for pick playing. Im tempted just to gamble on a standard strat and see how I get on but does anyone have any suggestions for the best electric guitar for a hobbyist fingerpicking blues rock wannabe?

Cheers

[The Shredder89]

Originally Posted by Kelly7

Whats the most versatile guitar money can buy for about £400. By versatile I mean suitable for various styles of playing. I want to get an electric guitar so that I can play those blues over them backing tracks...maybe some heavy rock, yet Im a finger picker (never used a pick) with a classical/acoustic background. I cant get the bends and fast play that I want with an acoustic but most electric guitars seem to be optimized for pick playing. Im tempted just to gamble on a standard strat and see how I get on but does anyone have any suggestions for the best electric guitar for a hobbyist fingerpicking blues rock wannabe?

Cheers

Just a heads up to you, if you are really willing to wait and save up your money, see if you can't get your hands on an Ernie Ball John Petrucci Model with the Piezo. I dont know anything technical about it, but, I know that the "Piezo" can simulate acoustic tone very accurately. Also, Im pretty sure that telecasters are versatile guitars and within your price range .

[Lorenz]

Originally Posted by The Shredder89

Also, Im pretty sure that telecasters are versatile guitars and within your price range .

yeah, i was gonna say tele too

[Pawel]

Lol, so was I. Telecasters are great for that, but I've seen some good fingerpickers on Stratocasters as well. I've also played some guitars from the Ibanez Artcore series. They are beautiful guitars, work great for jazz and blues but can really work with any style. I played one of the cheaper models and the sound quality was amazing, really smooth.

[Kelly7]

Sorry I meant to say standard tele not a standard strat. I know we should go for sound and play quality rather than looks but, and Im not sure why, they seem very unattractive looking guitars to me. Sound great of course. I dont like the head shape much or the straight scratch plate and control panel plates. The fact they get endless 10 star reviews leaves me thinking Im just being fussy.

Anyway, my main question: Is there any significant difference between a telecaster with an ash body or an alder body besides the price. I can get a new lite ash for less than £300 yet an alder body is over £400 and beyond. Any pointers what Im looking for here there are so many types. Whatever I go for will be something I'll be using for several years so want to get this right.

Cheers.