HELP PLEASE!!!

Okay, I finally have a budget to spend on some good gear. I have about $1,500 to spend.

Now my band plays a lot of blues/folk/jazz/rock. I need a new guitar and some good pedals. I have a madison half stack amp.

My question is, what guitar should I use, I like jazzy blues guitars, kinda like the one Greg Howe uses, so what guitar is that?

probably go with a fender

Just to be sure, definately is a good but reasonabley priced electric you're looking for, right? Fenders are good for these styles I think. But unfortuneately I don't honestly know squat about electrics! But Fenders sound good and seem to last a while. They must be affordable too for my school to even be able to have them.

Fender Strat, Gibson Archtop, or Gibson LP

I would say your best bet is to buy an overdrive pedal and a delay pedal. These two would probably help most of your pedal needs. Since you will be performing, look into a tuning pedal as well.

Since you have quite a bit of a budget, I'd look at the guitars in the $700-$1000 range, and hold on to the rest of the money: either put them into pedals or hold it for transport costs.

Tribute by G&L S-500 'superstrat'
It looks like a Strat but (in my opinion) plays better, plus it gives you the option of engaging neck&Bridge or all 3 p/ups to-gether. Thats something a standard strat can't do! Cost you about $900 new.

http://www.glguitars.com/tribute/instruments/S-500/index.asp

That one's identical to mine. It plays as good as it looks and it sounds incredible!

Check out Allen Holtsworth signature Carvin guitar. My dad plays in a Jazz band as well and loves his Carvin...I kinda do to, I used to steal it from him from time to time.

well Gibson lp's have a lot of crunch in them, which is great for rock and blues, and with a flick of a switch (treble/rhythm) it has an awesome jazz tone and sound. at least mine does. the only problem is that if your willing to go for a lp, your lookin to drop at least a grand and a half. but if you want to save some money for some pedals, id say strat too. you have to be careful with what guitar you buy too, folk, blues and jazz are the most demanding music styles for tone.

For that kind of genre mix I'd always reccommend a "Westone Rainbow II". They're beautiful to play on. Depends on the style you want to emphesize more on though, I would also recommend an Ibanez AF75 if you want more Jazz.

PRS would be a good company to consider.

I would check out an American (Deluxe, maybe) Stratocaster. You've got the money and it's always nice to have a, well, nice guitar.

Yes,thinking about it $1500 would get you a genuine (U.S Built) G&L S-5oo from Leo's own workshop. Having said that, the Tribute is such a well built copy I doubt you'd find much difference for the extra cash.

http://www.glguitars.com/

I got a Launa LE924 and a memory man pedal with a boss acoustic sim a c1-super chorus, and a boss tubescreamer. All great pedals and I love the tone I get now...so jazzy!

I've always wanted that guitar!! You lucky devil!!