What Guitar To Buy?

[Randomblonde]

Gibson. Always Gibson. Or Epiphones, but they tend not to last long.

[FuNkY CaPrIcOrN]

Originally posted by Rat Faced@15 June 2004 - 13:28
I think FC was selling his...

I just now seen this.If there was one instrument I have always wanted to learn it was a banjo.....will admit.

I am sure I have said this before on here.Guess you have to be from Kentucky.Or just love some good Music.

[Afronaut]

Originally posted by Randomblonde@16 June 2004 - 10:01
Gibson. Always Gibson. Or Epiphones, but they tend not to last long.

How many Epiphones have you used ?

Hehe, i quite dont get it.

Usually guitars get better as they get older.

If you mean they dont last "the playing", maybe one should learn to play with care then.
Breaking guitars is a moronic, too many youngster dont have guitars and some
idiot breaks some for visual effect, just too lame.

But yeah, Epiphone Explorer (korina) is something i would get if i was
for that kind of stuff, or better yet, if i was into that Metallica type of sould,
i'd get ESP EX351, it has the EMG Active Mics so for some boost, and it is not so expensive as
those Hetfiel or Hammet models.

I dont think i'll ever buy Gibson though, they are not bad guitars,
just too expensive and i have pretty much used all the cash i will for guitars.

If there is a band that you like the guitar sound, check what gear they use,
buy a guitar with similar woods and mics, you'll get closer to the sound.
It dont have to be exact same shape thought. Wood, Mics and Amp is
the thing to check.

[B.Helto]

I have few Gibsons (a 1968 ES-300 and a LP Lr.), but I wouldn't buy one today. They're terribly overpriced and lately are being marketed towards rich middle-age people (kinda like the Harley-Davidson of guitars).

Epiphones are good guitars (I have an Epi SG and an acoustic) though you may need to upgrade the pickups later on (lots of aftermarket choices).

If I had to start over again from scratch - and had a limited budget - I would probably go with a Squier Tele. They look, play and sound amazing, very close to their high-end counterparts. Check one out if you get the chance.

But that's just my opinion.





^^^^^^

[benxuk]

Thankya' so you'd recommend a Squier Tele over Yam' Pacifica?

Perhaps you people could provide a sound bite for me?

"Smoke on the water" I expect everybody can play that...

[musicmaster]

I hope this helps finding/buying a new guitar as a beginner.

Also if you are an accomplished guitarist as well, you should know these things when looking for an instrument.

These are just a few pointers to help you off to a good start. These are obviously for acoustic guitars as you didnt mention whether you wanted electri or acoustic. If you do want electric, you can bypass the next paragraph and continue.

One of the first things you want to know about the guitar you are considering is whether it has a solid-top or a laminated-top. (The "top" is the face of the guitar, the surface that has the soundhole in it.) Solid-tops are the only choice for the best guitars, but a laminated-top can be sufficient for beginners. If you do buy a laminated-top guitar, you shouldn't pay much over $150 for it, since adequate used solid-tops can be found for $200-$300, and good new solid-tops start at around $300.

Try to get help from an experienced guitarist, maybe a friend or your teacher. Bring someone with you if possible who has years of experience with guitars.

An experienced guitarist will be able to check the guitar for:

1. Playability: making sure the strings are the right distance from the fingerboard, the neck is not warped, the frets are ok, and the guitar is balanced.

2. Intonation: that it plays in tune.

3. Tone: that it makes a fairly normal sound.

4: Structural integrity: that it's not coming apart at the seams!

Finally, get a case for the guitar. Hardshell cases start at around $100. Softshell cases (cardboard) are less expensive, but provide little more than scratch-protection. If you get a solid-top guitar, get a hardshell case.


As for electrics, you can buy a number of different makes and models. I am in California and we have Guitar Center and Sam Ash here.... so they always have large selections and great deals. You can always go on Ebay as well... but that is not really recommended unless you dont care what you buy. Play a number of guitars in different amps in the store, and take notes as to what sound you like with each guitar in each amp. That is the best way to choose. You usuually can find a decent beginner guitar for around $150.00 US... but the more money usually spent, the better the quality.... USUALLY!!!

Good luck!!

By the way..... Take Slinger's advice as well. He is a fretboard master

[B.Helto]

Originally posted by benxuk@16 June 2004 - 13:34
...so you'd recommend a Squier Tele over Yam' Pacifica?

I prefer Fenders - they have that "classic" sound - but you may be looking for a more modern sound. Yamahas are very popular, just not my bag.

I recommend checking out a lot of both. Find your nearest GC or Sam Ash store (or better yet - a locally owned guitar shop) and spend some time checking everything out (my favorite waste of time BTW).

If you feel funny about playing due to lack of chops (you said you were just starting) just have a listen to what other people are playing. It will give you a realistic idea of what to expect from different guitar types.

Also, to echo Slinger's advise: do a little investigation into what your favorite guitarists are playing (hollow or solid body, humbucker or single coil pickups etc.). Your ideal guitar will find you.

[RGX]

I have an Epiphone Les Paul Standard (about to get it fitted with Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro II humbuckers) as my main guitar and its very nice indeed, bit pricey for a complete beginners guitar though.


All suggestions made so far have been great.

[Afronaut]

Originally posted by benxuk@16 June 2004 - 20:34
Thankya' so you'd recommend a Squier Tele over Yam' Pacifica?

Perhaps you people could provide a sound bite for me?

"Smoke on the water" I expect everybody can play that...

I got my own music shared at SoulSeek.

Im willing to share my own made music and teh live videos and whatnot over there.

I dont use Kazaa Lite etc no more, or IRC, or else,
SoulSeek is teh Shizznizzlez for this kinda stuff.



Anyone here is welcome to check my shares, specially players. (and chicks)



A lot of Great Posts here.
Nice stuff to read folks.

B)

[FuNkY CaPrIcOrN]

Originally posted by Guitar-Slinger@16 June 2004 - 17:39
SoulSeek is teh Shizznizzlez

I want to hear you say that.