Electric guitar beginner set up
 

Im not sure why but all the sudden I have a wild hair to try to learn to play the guitar. I was wondering if anyone has any advise to throw out there as far as a good beginner set up? I have been looking at a Fender squire bullet package and also a
Ibanez GRX40. Both seem to be right around the same price ($250.00 with a practice amp, gig bag, tuner, ect) but I dont anything about them... which is better or are they both crap??

Do not get a Squier Strat. The cheap ass pickups squeal like a stuck pig. I recommend a Samick guitar in the $300 - $400 range and a small Crate amp for a beginning player.

Agreed not a squier strat....a bit too country. Go with the Ibanez...much more rock n roll.

strats are not too country. Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, SRV, Mcready, Yngwie....


i got a yamaha (it's NOT a pacifica) package and i still like it. It's MUCH better than the suqier/pacifica deals. I think my model is EG303 (it's donwstairs and i dont want to go check) very nice, i find it plays better and sounds better than the squires/pacificas and needs less maintenance.

I was also thinkin about picking up a guitar - an Ibanez RG Deluxe (RG220BBK to be exact) along with a Marshall MG50DFX amp (50 watt, built in effects - delay, reverb, chorus, flange).

How are the RG's? Any good?

Squire is making their tele packages so much better these days. Start off with a cheap squire tele and maybe a ten or fifteen watt marshall. Make sure you get two good patch chords though!

RG's have a problem with springs popping and slipping inside and dropping everything down to the point that your strings are laying on the pickups. I was told by a guitar repair specialist to not get an RG series.

Thats not a problem of any RG i've ever seen or played, and even if it was, it would then be a problem of ALL guitars with a Floyd Rose tremolo.

if you want to learn the guitar cheap those squire packages are only like 250 bucks and come with guitar extra strings 15 watt amp, tuner. its not bad for begining, just not the greatest thing i nthe world, if you decide you dont want to play anymore youve saved over a hundred dollars on not going for a set up that would cost a ton more.

Thats a good point about saving cash if you dont keep playing by buying the starter pack. One thing to keep in mind when buying a guitar at that price is it would probably be a good idea to get something with a hardtail bridge.

Look at your local stores for used stuff and have someone you know, that plays, check the guitars out..... then try and talk down the price.. you might be able to get something really nice for cheap.

oh yeah harmony-central.com is a pretty good resource, the reviews are helpful and you could probably ask the electric guitar forum for recommendations.

Yeah, I've been reading tons of reviews on this from harmony-central.com and a few other places and the RG220B (the model I listed above) is actually, from what I can tell, pretty good.

Are there any other reputable places I can get good reviews on guitars/amps?

Another question for those who know how to play, how did you go about learning? Did you hire a teacher, or did you get a book, or just try learning songs from bands you liked? I've been wanting to learn for a while but haven't gotten the motivation yet, perhaps this summer will finally be the time.

I think I changed my mind on the amp... these Line 6 look pretty good. Cheaper than the Marshall MG50DFX and reviews are better for it.

Musician's Friend Link

Harmony Central reviews

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..although... I'm still undecided :) Bah!

Stompy:

Ampwise, are you just starting to learn? If so...A digital/solid state amp(mg series or spider etc.) would be fine, but if your really serious about guitar, pick yourself up a tube amp. You can get a great tube combo for the price of most of the solid state amps, and the sound is 100 times better. If your interested i can explain further...

Guitarwise, the rg is a fine series. I'm an american strat man myself, but the ibanez does carry a fine guitar. As does jackson, almost identical guitars. And to the person who mentioned the springs...thats a dire misconception. Thats like have one rotten apple and shunning all apples to damnation. Chances are, the floyd rose wasn't set up properly and thus the springs did a little dance on the ax.


grant.

even better, you have a computer, it has a soundcard. Plug the guitar into the line-in port, and spend the amp money on a better guitar ;)

Check out the vox valvtronix 30 watt combo AD30VT, theyre pretty similar to the line 6 spider and about 100US cheaper. I think a modeller like a line6, a valvtronix, or maybe a tech 21, is a pretty good idea for a practice amp, it will give you lots of sound options so you won't get bored with the amp quickly.

I wouldn't worry about the tube vs. solid state thing just yet. Personally I think that most tube amps are impractical for practice anyway, but they rock hard in a band setting... or if you don't have neighbors near you.

What about methods of practice and getting better?

I'm talking accuracy, learning the notes, training your ear, etc.. I heard scales are a pretty good way to get started, and I'm trying to find some good sites that have info on it, but most seem to be these "learn to play guitar in 30 days!"

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Actually, this has been asked before. A good thread that I found useful is here

try www.wholenote.com REALLY nice site, has free lessons for beginner thru advanced in all styles of playing.

Start cheap, I would ebay it but if you prefer new that works. Play for a lil bit and see how it goes, if you seem to enjoy it invest in a decent guitar. Just dont overspend on the stuff your going to learn the basics on. Squier's really not a bad option for a beginner but I'm sure there are better options for a similar price.