Buying an Electric Guitar

[relic]

Hi, I'm looking at buying an electric guitar and was wondering what to look for. I've been playing on an acoustic for a few months, but to play what I want to play, and electric guitar is the way to go.

I've been told, whatever feels right. But some general do's and don'ts would be nice. Perhaps brands which are better than others, as well as funky additions which might be good (whammy bar?)

Oh, and while on the subject, any tips on buying amps/speakers?

Thanks

[redarrow]

I would pick up a $350 sage-green strat from fender and a 15W marshall combo amp for ~$100. throw in some picks and a distortion pedal, youre fuckin ready to rock.

oh, www.musiciansfriend.com

edit: dont forget a few instrument cables and a strap.

edit 2: consider the standard les paul from epiphone. also the telecaster is another option.
but I would go with the sage green strat

[orphen]

www.zzound.com has great prices. umm i started with an ESP. dunno, depends what sound you like. ESP is more metal (Metallica's exclusive brand) while other brand i'm not sure. you can get a decent ESP through zzound with maybe 400 dollars. make sure you get a good amp too. a good guitar without a good amp sounds like crap. but i'm saying this all based on the assumption that you will keep playing. if you are just trying out and are not sure, just get a crappy/usable/used set than go for a decent one.

[apeman]

definitely try Les Paul copies (e.g. Epiphone) and Strat types before deciding ... the world seems to split into people who prefer one or the other ...

[platypus]

Originally posted by apeman
... the world seems to split into people who prefer one or the other ...

And those of us who couldn't decide, so have both.


My first electric was a black Ibanez Roadstar (Strat copy).
Inexpensive, soundly built, no buzzing frets, stayed in tune.
Looked real cool after I replaced the pick guard with a black and
white checked one (a la Rick Nielson of Cheap Trick - hey it was
the early 80's).

[stonegrody]

You could always go for a used guitar. I see a lot of good deals on Ebay from time to time. Fender is a good brand to start with. Even their low end guitars are not too bad. Just keep in mind that you may want to upgrade later on when you start playing more so consider that when deciding how much to spend. The same goes with amps. A small practice amp would be cool to start with. If you plan on joining a band or something, make sure you get something with enough power to be heard. It just depends on what your goals are. If you just want to practice at home, then a small crate 15W amp would be cool. If you want to perform or jam with other people, get something with more power so you can be heard.

[Stompy]

I picked up an Ibanez RG220B about a month ago. Very good guitar! It has a lot of great reviews on harmony-central.

It was $300 at Guitar Center, marked down from $599 I believe.

[Smimpinj]

Avoid Squiers like the plague, that is the guitar I went with and I hate it. I'm saving up for a nice PRS if your at a store and they deal with them give 'em a spin. I love the sound and feel of them.

[K-Wise]

I want Neils Guitar





I dunno what kind it is but I love the look of it. I prolly shouldn't get it though. I love the sound of David Gilmour.....he uses a Strat I believe.

Asta!!

[platypus]

Neil's guitar appears to be his '56 Gibson Les Paul that he named 'Old Black'.

Gilmour almost always plays a Fender Strat. He's the reason why my first was a Strat copy.

[OFKU0]

Originally posted by platypus
Neil's guitar appears to be his '56 Gibson Les Paul that he named 'Old Black'.

Yeah, great guitar. Only a few hundred of the Black Beauty's were made. Rare guitar. Jimmy Page had one stolen in Winnipeg during Zeppelins 1st or 2nd tour.

Yamaha makes some nice guitars for the money. My advice would be to buy something you can afford and if you progress, upgrade with quality instruments. Get good cables or else you will live to regret it. Also go to a quality music store where people who are musicians can offer the best advise. Mom and pop stores don't give a shit as long as you buy something and usually it is way overpriced.

Try an amp (for you I would go with a combo amp, amp and speaker in one rather than seperate head and speaker) that produces the tones you like with whatever combination of pedals, if any, you are likely to use. Find a guitar that works well to your liking with the tones you get.

I prefer Les Pauls for several reasons but one of the main reasons is the location of the toggle switch. On Strats, PRS and copies thereof, the toggle switch is located downward from the strings on the guitar so when I get agressive I always hit the damn toggle switch to another setting. Poor placement for my needs and thats why I don't play them.

Also ask if the store you go to, if you buy everything at one, to cut a deal and give you a free setup. Usually a setup is about 40-50 bucks. A setup entails lowering or raising the strings to your liking, adjusting the saddles, making sure there is no fretbuzz etc,...and do your homework before you get involved. People in music shops will bend over backward to help but be prepared to ask questions about the products you are interested in. These people aren't mind readers and are usual very busy. It will also help in building a good repetoire with the store over time. I've been going to the same store for over 20 years and as a result, can get stuff over the phone quickly because they know me which is good. Some people have to wait for custom orders just because the store doesn't know them. Good luck.

[YaWhateva]

Do what I am doing, buy this guitar:


Its an ebony Gibsin Les Paul Studio guitar. It's only $1200 with the hardshell case at Guitar Center or Grandma's Music. You cannot go wrong with a Les Paul.

[sailor]

The two standards are the Les Paul and the Strat. Check out both. Play them (both play very differently--primarily because of different neck shapes) and listen to them (both sound very different). I personally prefer the way Les Pauls play and sound, but you could be completely different.

[jakewesier]

here are some things to consider.

1. Price range.
2. Style of Music.
3. Don't forget about your amp. Regardless of how good your guitar is, a shit amp will make you unhappy.

Here are my suggestions as someone who teaches guitar and gets ppl asking me all the time what to do about new instruments. I suggest you save up a good amount of cash. Say have around 1200 bucks. This is if you are serious about it. Then go out and spend about 60% of that on a Guitar, 40% on the amp.

Effects wise and accessories here's what to consider.

Don't by a distortion ped right away, instead get an amp that has a dirt channel on it with a foot switch. Pevey makes passable transtube amps that give good reverb and overdrive sounds.

Don't get a wammy bar. For those who are unfamiliar with how to use them you'll end up damaging your guitar and hardly ever have it in tune.

As for guitars... Most Ephi Les Pauls are generally crap. You have to be very careful when buying Epi's. The higher end ones are excellent guitars, but the lower end guitars are trash, the necks are weak and easy to damage (which is a Les Paul issue in general). I would suggest going with a Strat. Get an American one, don't get a Mexican Strat or Korean. They are durable and will give you lots of playing time as well as sound great. You should be able to get a good solid Strat for under a grand american fairly easily.

Don't always think buying new is the best way to go. Often times older guitars have a better tone to them as the wood is set and worn in. Most times used guitars are cheaper, of course sometimes you will run into the odd rarity out there that can cost you an arm and a leg.

Don't forget a strap, tuner and metronom (sp?)

You have to shop around, go to every music store in your area and try out every guitar that appeals to you. Ask the staff for there suggestions and always never be afraid to ask if that's the best offer they can give you. Guitars are marked up pretty high and sales people will lower the price for you, especially if you've gone to there competition and gotten quotes for the same axe.

Oh, here's my baby.

[squirt]

well I started with a Fender Standard Strat....I would suggest starting with a starters pack.....Squier, Ibanez and many others have these avaliable.....it would give you eveything to get started at a reasonable price.....something to avoid is a Floyd Rose Tremelo.....these are basically oversized whammy bars that have screws that lock at the top of the neck......they are very annoying and frustrating even for experienced musicians.....brands like Jackson and Ibanez use these frequently....they are mostly on what would be considered metal type guitars...they are used for long and wide whamy sweeps and are made to keep the strings in tune.....also be sure to get a tuner.

[Arroe]

i play a prototype american fender strat. It's bad ass looking, maple neck, sunburst body, and a gold metal pickguard (i haven't seen one like it). b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. I started on an '81 gibson les paul but got my fender a few months ago. I personally prefer the fender but the gibson was great too. the les paul was REALLY heavy though.

[grumpyolddude]

Try to find a local retailer for these:
http://www.samickguitar.com/


They play very nicely and are value priced.

[relic]

thanks guys.. lots of awesome info.

there's a local music store which has had a good rep from a couple of friends. they sell used instruments, but they're always in good condition. I think I'll drop by there just to check out the selection.

[YaWhateva]

Originally posted by Arroe
i play a prototype american fender strat. It's bad ass looking, maple neck, sunburst body, and a gold metal pickguard (i haven't seen one like it). b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. I started on an '81 gibson les paul but got my fender a few months ago. I personally prefer the fender but the gibson was great too. the les paul was REALLY heavy though.

I have noticed that higher quality guitars are heavier......

[jakewesier]

the weight has to do with the sustain and tone in general. It's all about the fact that good guitar sounds are in a large part thanks to the vibrations that go through a dense piece of wood. Hence why Les Pauls sound so great, they're all heavy ass guitars.

[OFKU0]

Originally posted by jakewesier
the weight has to do with the sustain and tone in general. It's all about the fact that good guitar sounds are in a large part thanks to the vibrations that go through a dense piece of wood. Hence why Les Pauls sound so great, they're all heavy ass guitars.

The coating or sealing process has a lot to do with it to. Take a Les Paul neck with a gloss finish and strip it for a satin finish and the tone will change. Learned my lesson.

[squirt]

It all depends on what you like.....I love strats and les pauls but they are really different.....switching from one to the other is almost hell sometimes at first.
The only thing to watch out for with any type of gibson or epiphone is the headstock....the way they are angled makes them really weak at the joint and one fall could be really serious.
The necks also affect the tone. Strats are almost always bot on but les pauls are either set/glued neck or neck through which aids in tone and sustian as well.

[afirocks]

i personally think that modern strats are crap. i dont want to hear about everyone else complaining that their heros played them, because that is not my point. they are crappy guitars. i have an ibanez bass, and am very happy with it. also, dont go for the very under powered amp. i would highly recomend at least 30 watts, because in order to hear sound the volume knob is turned up tooo high. get something that isnt straining to be heard in a quiet room.

[relic]

Hey guys. So I want looking, I think I'm going to get an Ibanez G10.
Great feel, great price, and everyone says it's got great sound and can last beyond my "first" guitar.

[merkerguitars]

Originally Posted by Smimpinj

Avoid Squiers like the plague, that is the guitar I went with and I hate it. I'm saving up for a nice PRS if your at a store and they deal with them give 'em a spin. I love the sound and feel of them.

LOL I have an old early 90's squire that I hotrodded (did some mods to the bridge, put better tuners on it and roller string trees, filed the fret and tweaked the action on it) My dads friends that is a professional blues player absolutely loved what I did to it

Originally Posted by afirocks

i personally think that modern strats are crap. i dont want to hear about everyone else complaining that their heros played them, because that is not my point. they are crappy guitars.

Well all the heroes play vintage old school strats, the same guy I have told talked about above buys his guitars from a certain music store in which Eric Clapton buys his guitars from....they spend quite a bit on money for guitars..and for what you spend on guitars you get what you pay for.

[prufrock0734]

Originally Posted by YaWhateva

I have noticed that higher quality guitars are heavier......

Mu rickenbacker weighs next to nothing, but it sounds fantastic and actually is durable as hell.

not a great starter guitar, though. My first electric was an epi dot (semihollow body) I loved it and I still use it from time to time. Mexican strats are also good for starters (you can always upgrade without feeling guilty if you're only paying ~$250 for an axe.

Also, there's a brand called Cort out there somewhere. They look great and sound pretty nice for the price.

[Vlemk]

Weight has not much to do with it, IMO. Les Pauls are too dang heavy. The nicest playing guitar I ever tried was a SG, but I like Yamahas the best.