ok guitar people...good beginner x-mas present?

[backwoodsbob]

looking for a decent beginner guitar for a present.

This worth a damn?

http://www.dealtree.net/cart/select_item.cfm?cont=122381&view.htm

[Tikki]

1. I don't see why not....

SG is fine. You don't say who this gift is for..

An adult, child, you???

It's about the amp, too..

Tikki

[peruban]

2. Not a bad one.

But all guitars have a different playing feel to them. Gibsons are known for their thicker neck and it requires more pressure from the fingers to bend notes, at least for a beginner. If it's a good starter electric guitar you want try a Fender Stratocaster or a Squire. Squires are pretty much the same as the stratocaster but their made in Mexico with less hands on craftsmanship that you would find in U.S. made guitars.

If you really want my opinion, get him a moderately priced acoustic guitar and some chord and scale lesson guides. He can always upgrade to the electric next Christmas.

[harmonicon]

3. hard to say from just seeing something like that

I'd definitely want to see more pictures for starters, but really I think it's best to play something before buying. Reading the stats on that one, personally I wouldn't get it, but I'm a bit of a guitar snob (though the one guitar that I own, I bought used for $350).

I know that a good first guitar is a mexican made Fender. They're about $400, which is of course more money, but I think they're decent for the money:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Standard-Telecaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=516035

[old mark]

4. It has a bolt on neck - I wouldn't buy it, but if it is for a real

beginner, it's a possibility. (Real SG's have a set - glued - neck.)
I bought 2 pretty inexpensive electric guitars over the last 2 years, but they are very good quality and I'd have no problem playing a real job with them if I still did that.

Look through the used guitars at Daddy's Junky Music, a chain, that you can find through Google. They have great deals on used stuff, and they are very good to deal with on the phone. I bought my Mexican Fender Stratocaster from them and it is a great guitar.

Also look at new guitars from Jay Turser - Google again. They are made in China, and they are first rate. I bought one online this summer, their version ofthe SG Special. I have owned several real Gibson Les
Pauls and this guitar is in that league, at 1/10th the price.

Get a decent instrument, even for a first guitar.

mark