Fluxy

Hey,

As I mentioned in my intro thread I am hoping to get a guitar for my Christmas, which is a pretty good present!

I'm just wondering if any guitar players would be able to recommend a suitable model/make of Electric guitar for a first time player as I'm heading out next weekend to go and pick it.

Also, is there any good sites/books I could look at/buy to help me learn the basics?

Thanks!

zeppy111

Hey man!

It is really cool that you are enthusiastic to learn.

What I did when I first started playing (About 5 months ago, was just buy a simple, run of the mill guitar that came with all the stuff you need, i.e. plectrum, amp, simple instructions... I think it was a good way to go as it gave me all the tools I needed to get into guitar yet not spending a helluva lot of money on an item that I possibly would get over in a few months.

Hope this can help a bit.

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bandteacher1

Check out musiciansfriend.com. They normally have great deals on guitar packages, which may be useful, and they normally have literature on the subject.

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Clear View Regional High School
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mr dave

there are really only 2 things that matter in your first guitar.

1 - does it stay in tune?

this is a make or break deal. if it doesn't stay in tune you'll get frustrated quickly and lose interest in practicing and learning. if you've never played before it might help to have a friend that does tag along while you're shopping to cover technical details like this.

2 - does it make you feel cool when you hold it?

seriously, this matters. if it doesn't make you feel cool then you'll be less likely to keep picking it up, even if it's technically a 'better' model of anything.

ultimately your first guitar should be something that will have sentimental value to you but virtually none to anyone else. it's not meant to last forever, just long enough to get you able to figure out what kind of sound you really want.

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FadedMyxomatosis

Buy Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar | Solid Body Electric Guitars | Musician's Friend

Buy Epiphone SG-Special Electric Guitar | Solid Body Electric Guitars | Musician's Friend

Buy Epiphone Explorer-GT Electric Guitar | Solid Body Electric Guitars | Musician's Friend

Buy Squier by Fender Affinity Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar | Solid Body Electric Guitars | Musician's Friend


Personally I'd go with the Les Paul or SG, but that's just me. They're all good guitars with decent pickups. Try them out at the guitar store and see which one feels best to you, and go with that one. Have them replace the strings or do it yourself, as the stock strings usually suck. Ernie Ball strings are an excellent choice! Make sure the guitar you buy looks nice to you. As was said by Mr Dave, you want a guitar that appeals to you- not the cheapest one.

Now, amps. I'd go with a Marshall.

Buy Marshall MG4 Series MG10 10W 1x6.5 Guitar Combo Amp (Black) | Solid State Combo Amps | Musician's Friend


Thats perfectly loud. My guess is that you wont be playing gigs for a while, and so that amplifier would be perfectly loud.



Hope it all goes well, do tell what you ended up choosing- good luck!

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Last.fm

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GuitarBizarre

I've played les paul specials and SG specials before. They're AWFUL guitars and I would avoid them if at all possible.

The Squier strats are pound for pound one of the best starter deals available right now. I would reccomend you get a Fat Strat, not a normal one though, since it'll be a much more versatile guitar. Something like this.

Buy Squier by Fender Affinity Series Fat Strat Electric Guitar | Solid Body Electric Guitars | Musician's Friend

As for the amp, all beginner amps sound like total crap, sorry, but its a fact. Just go down to the shop and choose the one that sounds best to you, and don't expect too much.

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bandteacher1

I agree with you there. In my opinion, they are better served as fire wood. At least then, they'd be useful.

__________________
Dr. Lea Moudlian
Director of Music
Clear View Regional High School
Home of the Firebird Marching Band
cvrhsmusic@yahoo.com

FadedMyxomatosis

Yeah, that gives him alot of information. Care to explain why?

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Last.fm

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mr dave

because the Special models are usually made very cheaply. the tuning pegs are usually crap and the neck is usually a little on the loose side.

if you're on a budget they'll work fine. if you want a cheap beater that won't ever die and don't mind replacing the tuning pegs yourself, it's fantastic (i've had one for 10 years). it was super frustrating to have to tune up every 30 minutes or so when i knew what i was doing, i can't imagine putting up with that when i was trying to learn.

the higher end Epiphone SGs and LPs (the ones around $800) are significantly better quality and worthy of the implied quality of being associated to the Gibson brand.

while they might look nice, there are more options at the beginner level (sub $300) than you can shake a stick at, so why start looking with something that has a shoddy reputation?

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Caleb48kb

if you want something cheap, and i mean CHEAP. Buy a rogue starter kit. They are made by musiciansfriend, and I have never received an instrument made by them that sounds worse than double, if not triple their price.


Buy Rogue Rocketeer HSS Electric Guitar Value Pack | Value Package Electric Guitars | Electric Guitar Value Packages | Musician's Friend


Its not a name brand, but it is a great guitar for a low price. This guitar will take you where you want to go.