Guitarists- Need help

[Fusions_Minion]

First off, i've never played the guitar before. I've been wanting to purchase one for years now and finally have some spare cash. I'm looking to spend about 300 bucks for an electric guitar and amp. Any suggestions on a good beginner setup and where to purchase from?

[Abelman]

1. I suggest

An epiphone starter pack, available at most guitar stores. It's a decent cheap guitar and a suitable amp for around 200. A lot of local guitar stores can help you out, too. Just don't get those cheapo starter packs at department stores - the brand with the 30 dollar acoustic guitar.

[Robeson]

2. I would suggest going to a local guitar store or musical...

...instrument store. They will have lots of choices in what your're looking for, and just tell them what you want and what your price range is. Also, you'll want to get things like a guitar tuner, which you can plug your guitar into, so figure that into your price.

[ralps]

3. Other Possibilities

Ibanez and Fender (Under their Squier Brand) also make good starter packs in this price range.
Munch
(using ralps sig as a guest)

[nine23]

4. Three very brief tips:

Buy used. Check out your local pawn shops. There is absolutely no reason a beginner needs a new kit. (The same applies for a new driver. No need for a $25,000 Civic just because you decided you now want to drive.)

Make sure it "feels good" in your hands. Can't explain this one any further; if you know just one or two chords, you'll know it when you feel it. (A guitar that doesn't feel right, or is uncomfortable to play, is a huge disincentive when first learning.)

Consider a portable "headphone amp" at first, and if you're getting good, get a real amp later. These are the size of an mp3 player; they have lots of different settings, and you can scream like Hendrix under the 'phones without pissing off family, friends, and neighbors.


Rawk on, Jimi!!!

[Robeson]

6. Good call on the used instrument route.

[Abelman]

18. Very good call.

I never remember the quality of a good used instrument. Instruments rarely get thrown away, especially guitars in my experience. So it's never too hard to find a good used one if someone else is buying a new one.

[Whoa_Nelly]

21. Other tip

Have someone who knows guitars go with you when you go looking. Sometimes used guitars have neck or bridge probs. Helps to have someone along who can assess the gitbox to make sure it's playable.

[indigobusiness]

22. Which portable amp would you recommend?

I've been thinking about getting one.

[jmowreader]

28. The Legendary Pignose is the classic practice amp

http://www.pignose.com

It's little, it can run on batteries if you want, it's got a 3-watt amp driving an 8-watt speaker so it's nearly bulletproof, it costs $109 so just about anyone can afford one, and as for the case...I have a set of semi-trailer wheelchocks that aren't built as well.

[indigobusiness]

29. That was what I had my eye on.

I kick myself for not having one already.

Thanks.

[frazzledmom]

5. Well here's what I would do

I'm posting this on my wifes login.. kids are on my PC.
Take whatever money you have to spend and go to a small used guitar shop. Avoid places like Guitar Center, Pro Sound, other large music stores, they are like Wal-Mart, they could give a shit about you they just want your money. In a mom and pop shop you'll will most likely be helped by a musician working a day job and jamming at night. tell them exactly what you said here and they will set you up with the best they have that you can afford. Don't be afraid to get used gear, try to stick to a midrange guitar made by a known company. Fender Squire and Gibson Epiphone come right to mind. They are basically cheaper models of the Les Paul and Stratocaster. As far as amps are concerned you aren't going to get much on your budget, have the guy in the store demo a couple options for you(don't be afraid to ask, if there is one thing a guitar player likes it's to show off his chops. Don't fall for something with alot of effects and other crap built in, for starting out all you need is an axe and a way to hear it. Remember if you can make a medicore guitar and bad amp sound good then when you upgrade and add some effects you'll sound awesome. Also there is a piece of software that can help you immensly, it's called Guitar Studio, it has scales, chords, built in tuners, and lots of helpful hints. Since you are on a tight budget I can probably help you out with the software if you need, drop me an e-mail at [e-mail] soon, I leave town Monday for 2 weeks... Good luck, there is no greater feeling in the world than jamming... ***edit*** well except for sex and in that realm the guitar is a means to an end... hehe

[Tsiyu]

7. What kind of playing?

If you are aiming toward electric, try to find a Japanese Strat and practice amp from a private buyer. People sell guitars cheaply when they lose interest/jobs.

A nice Alvarez or Taylor Acoustic /Electric is good if you want to play unplugged sometimes.

[nine23]

8. Another good call from buddyhollysghost:

"People sell guitars cheaply when they lose interest/jobs."

I believe this is called "seller motivated". You could really luck out taking this route.

[Tsiyu]

12. Thanks for the compliment!

Unfortunately for budding musicians who have lost their day jobs, it's a buyer's market.

Written by one who once sold a $1200 guitar for $200 in a moment of extreme desperation. :cry:

[brentspeak]

15. I sold a red 1972 Gibson SG for $450

to a local music store about five years ago.

Today, I see them on sale for like $2000. (Well, mine did have a crack in the neck).

[Make7]

9. People are giving some good advice here.

I whole heartedly agree on the used equipment route. And going to a local music store, not a chain. They want repeat business and will help you out in hopes of seeing you for many years to come.

I would add that you should take someone knowledgable about guitars with you when you shop to help you out - they'll know what to look for and what to avoid. You must know someone that plays guitar, or someone that knows someone. You could even find a good deal from a private seller or pawn shop, but I wouldn't try either without dragging a guitar player along.

Good luck,
Make7

[andino]

10. Go to Sams Club

They had a Yamaha with a small starter amp for like $240ish.

[brentspeak]

13. Not that Wal-Mart club!

He can get the same thing for the same price at Costco.

[Ron Green]

11. Have you considered an acoustic for your first guitar?

Maybe one with a built-in pickup that you could connect to a good amp after you decide you want to keep playing. Learning chords in all positions might be clearer on an acoustic's neck, and you could play anywhere, without plugging in.

[brentspeak]

14. Get a Squire Telecaster or Stratocaster

They are very good replicas of actual Fender Teles and Strats, and they usually sell for around $120-150, sometimes $99 during sales.

For an amp, a Crate MX-10 is a sturdy $50-$60 item.

[PittPoliSci]

17. that's what i'd recommend too.

[eoberhauser]

23. You can get a "Strat Pack"

That comes with an amp.

Erin

[CountDmoney]

16. I would suggest Not getting a starter kit,

get the best guitar you can for the money and get the most basic amp, and save up for something better later on. I agree that the fender squier's for like $200 are a good buy. If you can find a new or used MEXICAN made strat for that money, that would be the way to go. Ole!!!

[Fusions_Minion]

19. Let me say..

Thank you to everyone for the ton of great advice, just what I was looking for. I've read what everyone had to say, and after doing a bit of my own research, this is the model I decided on. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=electric/search/detail/base_pid/519404/

I am going to go to a few local stores now. If I don't find anything, I will probably go with the GAX 70, unless someone here has any reason why i shouldn't purchase this model....?

[Astrochimp]

20. Also buy one of the $20 tuners like this-

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=electric/search?c=4385

It will make your live much better!

Used the Pevey Backstage 30 is a great starter/practice amp- (if still around). I know 4 pro or X-pro's that started on them, three of us on the same one!

David

[indigobusiness]

24. One word. Pawnshop

Older guitars are better.

Find a quality, older guitar with a good case. A good Gibson can be had for <500 if you look around.

You might consider an acoustic with a transducer or a pick-up so you can plug it in on occasion.

[Fiendish Thingy]

25. Tele and Vox!

a Squier Strat or Tele starter pack will fit your budget, but if you're looking for a little more quality in your guitar and amp I'd recommend:
a Used Mexican Strat or Telecaster- $200-250
a Vox Pathfinder practice amp= $100-150 (new)

The mexican fenders can vary in quality from guitar to guitar, but if you find the right one, they're sweet guitars (I have a Tele that I love)
The Vox Pathfinder is the best little practice amp I've played heard, including Peavey's, Fenders, Marshalls. The Vox does Jangly clean tones and crunchy tones equally well, and It's got a cool 60's retro look. The Vox also has an output to plug into a larger speaker cabinet- I've heard of guys driving a 4x12 cab with a Pathfinder!

My second choice for a budget practice amp would be a used Fender Champ- it's an all tube amp, and sometimes you can find them for around $100

[Pepperbelly]

26. Something else very cool and cheap that Vox makes ...

the Brian May amp. $150 bucks and it has circuits to make that SOUND Brian May does, you know, the device the drummer or bass player invented ... the "Deacy"...

The uses for this thing are staggering, from headphone practice to direct multi-tracking to driving a larger amp.

http://www.guitartrader.com/itempg.icl?orderidentifier=ID1101511906250E246216623061&secid=1019&subsecid=1066&catid=1039&dirpage=dir3&itmid=37707&eflag=0&curitempos=1&numitems=4

[Pepperbelly]

27. $200 for this and these are not bad at all ...

http://www.guitartrader.com/itempg.icl?orderidentifier=ID1101511906250E246216623061&secid=1020&subsecid=1161&catid=0&dirpage=dir2&itmid=31822&eflag=0&curitempos=20&numitems=34