Beginner Guitarist
 

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! :D

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.

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

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.

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

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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.

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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!

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.

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

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.


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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.

Thanks for the replys, at least I know a little bit more. :)

Yeah, hopefully when I go next week my brother will come with me, he has been playing for a few years and should be able to guide me. Also I take it the people at the shop will be able to help me choose something as well?

I'm not wanting to get a really cheap guitar, something thats not too expensive (under £200) and is half decent and last a few years, until I want to buy a better quality model.

In terms of an amp, my brother has one of those so I'll probably just be able to plug my guitar in and use that.

it really depends on the place. if it's a chain store then odds are the clerks collect a commission for each sale and while they won't necessarily try to steer you wrong they won't necessarily go for the best deal ($$$) for you.

if it's a 'mom and pop' kind of store they're generally more inclined in fostering long term customer relationships and would offer better guidance based on the idea that you'll become a loyal lifelong customer.


as for the Epiphones and the back and forth going on in this thread - they're not as horrible as they're made out by some of the comments, but their connection to Gibson is as superficial as its been made to seem.

i played an Epi Sepcial II for years and the only thing wrong with it was loose tuning pegs. it was an issue i didn't mind dealing with as it was my 5th guitar and knew how to handle it (i just wanted a black beater). had it been my first guitar i would have gotten incredibly frustrated at the tuning situation. this was also 10 years ago so i'm hoping they've improved the quality a bit, won't hurt to double check the pegs though if you do end up checking one out.