The Instrument Recommendation thread

[mr dave]

Originally Posted by A Small Fluffy Animal

Alright, here's a question: I'm looking for an electric guitar on a $1,000 - $2,000 budget. I want one that is either baritone or semi-hollow with a really good sound (duh), a pretty finish (either red or a natural color), and nice sustain. Any suggestions?

Fender used to sell a swanky looking Baritone Jaguar, it's been discontinued since 2006 but I saw one of the guys from Tortoise using one and it was awesome. Can't really comment on a semi-hollow.

Originally Posted by Alex_09797

Hey I've finally decided to pick up electric guitar which has been a dream if mine sense middle school and I need opinions on what my first guitar should be take note that I'm new and am trying to lean to rock and metal no better advice then from someone who knows his stuff much appreciated mate

Honestly, it doesn't matter. Here are the main criteria you need to consider for your first guitar:

1 - Straight neck - Just hold the guitar flat up to eye level so the strap peg at the bottom of the body is around the tip of your nose and eyeball the surface of the neck. As long as you can see straight down to the nut without curvature you're set.

2 - It has to stay in tune - This is kind of hard to check if you don't already know how to play a little. Check to make sure the tuning pegs are solid and there's no wiggle or looseness in the mechanism.

3 - It has to look cool - This seems superficial but for your first instrument the core purpose is learning to play the instrument. If you don't think it's cool when you look at it, you're not going to feel cool when you pick it up, and you're less likely to practice and develop an ability to play.

If you've got a friend who can already play then definitely bring them along when you shop for your first guitar, they can help troubleshoot the first 2 points, #3 is all you. Also, don't spend more than $200-$300 on your first guitar either, give yourself a year to learn the instrument and figure out what sounds and tones you like most so that you can upgrade to a better instrument that will satisfy your playing style the most.

One last thing. DO NOT buy a beginner / learner guitar with a whammy bar. It will cause so many hassles with tuning and action. Just NO! NO NO NO!