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So I've decided to try to get back into learning how to play guitar. I don't have the time or money to take formal lessons, and I've decided to try the new Rocksmith 2014 to learn the basics for awhile. I'd like a solid starter guitar but I'm also on a pretty limited budget. I'm not above buying used, but I have no way to evaluate a used guitar, which makes me a little nervous about the process.
I think eventually I'll probably play more acoustic than electric, but I want to learn on the electric. I already have an acoustic, so I want an acoustic. I can see myself playing all styles of music really. I love a lot of the 80s power bands, I love funk like the RHCP, and I love blues/jazz.
I've seen a lot of suggestions that have my short list looking something like this:
I like those last two the best because I like their prices and on the Ibanez, I like the idea of it having more of an acoustic sound. I also think that if I was just noodling around on it, I'd probably play jazz and blues instead of rock or metal, though there's an allure to playing RHCH solos, but funk is closer to jazz and blues, I'd think, than rock and metal.
As I said before I will probably have to buy used if I go with any of these as anything probably over $200 is just too much for me right now. But I want something of good quality and sound, versatile, that I can learn on for awhile before I have to make an upgrade to something fancier or more expensive.
If anyone has any advice, I'd welcome it.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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You can certainly find lots of nice guitars both new and used in that price range. The trick is to find one with a good set-up on it for that price.
The cheap, overseas made Fenders are tough, great sounding guitars but they often leave the sweatshop with a lousy set-up. Get one used and some kid has probably done a hatchet job on it trying to fix it. Fortunately, I had a great shop near me that didn't let any guitar, new or used leave without a proper, professional set-up.
Or do like I did on my first one. I got a cheap Squire by Fender Strat from a Pawn shop for like $50. The neck was a little funky on it but a local guy went through it and set it up for $30. That thing still plays and sounds fantastic over 10 years later. In fact a songwriter friend of mine sometimes borrows it for recording demos when he wants that classic single coil sound (he has all Gibsons with double coils).
Epiphones are usually good.
I love Yamaha acoustics but have never tried an electric.
Posts: 891 | Registered: Feb 2010
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I'll recommend the Fender Strat (or Squier Strat if you're below $200 on your budget). Versatile enough for rock, jazz, or blues. You won't get any weird looks when you pull out a Strat.
Have you considered an amp as well, or do you already have some kind of gear for that? I'd say the amp you use is going to make almost as much of a difference in getting the sound you want as the guitar will.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote:Originally posted by RivalOfTheRose: i might stay away from a squier, i don't find that they stay in tune terribly long.
No problems with mine but then mine is an older one. I hear more recent Indonesian ones have cheaper tuners. Plus no tremolo on mine which always helps.
For the pitifully small amount of money I spent on it, it's been a pretty great instrument. I have a few much more expensive pieces now but still play it all the time. In fact, I really need to have a fret job done on it, they are getting a little worn now.
Similar story with basses (my main instrument and love). I have an absolutely wonderful Alembic and my favorite is an old American Fender but I still also love an absolutely ancient, worn out, beat all to hell, traveled the world Squire P-Bass a friend gave me years ago.
Posts: 891 | Registered: Feb 2010
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I sold my Squier P-Bass to get my current Fender Jazz bass, but I think secretly in the back of my mind I wish I still had that Squier instead. It had a nice growl to it and always felt good in my hands.
I've had a Squier Strat since the mid 90s and it's been a good guitar. Not a stunningly awesome guitar, but solidly reliable. It has stayed in tune pretty well. It certainly hasn't kept going out of tune.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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The only reason I don't play my P-Bass more is that I absolutely love the Jazz neck on my Prodigy. Now the P-Bass feels like playing a 2x4. Sure sounds great though.
Posts: 891 | Registered: Feb 2010
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I've picked up some P-Basses that felt like 2X4s as well. Strangely my Squier never did. But you're right, I picked the Jazz bass in part because I love the thinner neck. I also love the sound--much better than any of the other dozens of basses I've fiddled around with (besides that darn Squier that I got rid of).
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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I'm thinking about going to the local Guitar Center. I have no means of gauging what I'm getting from a pawn shop.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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The Squier package is a decent one, IMO. (Looks like the Ibanez post is gone). The stand and the tuner are nice to have. Looks like a package that came all together in a box from a music store, rather than something the owner put together themselves. That's OK. It's a good starter package. Looks like similar ones are selling for around $199 at places like Guitar Center online.
The amp is probably a 15 watt amp, fine for practice or small solo performance but not powerful enough to carry you in a band--but once you get to that point, you'll probably have a much better idea of what you want equipment-wise.
I'd definitely plug it all in and play it for 5-10 minutes before committing. Make sure you like how the amp sounds. Put it on clean to listen to the guitar without any effects on it. To me, Fender and Squier Strats have a thin, very distinct sound when played clean. It's a very versatile sound that can be modified to great effect by the right amp and pedal setup.
Fiddle with the knobs on the guitar to check out the tone and volume as well as to listen for crackles that indicate dirty pots (although those can be cleaned and aren't a show-stopper). Do the same with the amp.
Make sure the jacks all work on the amp and guitar and aren't loose or staticky. You might even consider getting your own guitar cable ($10-$30 at any music store) and bringing it with you. Then if there's problem with the signal, you know it's not a worn-out cable.
Above all, make sure you like how the guitar feels in your hands and fingers. Are the strings so far from the fretboard that they're hard to press down quickly? Are they too close to the frets and making a buzzing sound? You should feel like the guitar is easy to play quickly with both hands. Look down the neck from the top to see if it's warped. Check all over the guitar to see if there's anything coming loose. Make sure the tuning knobs are all in good shape, and that the bridge is secure to the body.
The strings might be old, dirty, sticky, and not able to hold a decent tone. That's not a show-stopper. You can and probably should get new strings anyway, and replace them regularly.
This is, to me, the equivalent of kicking the tires. I think it's a pretty good deal (you might find similar at a lower price, but probably not much lower). It's a starter setup, and you'll likely figure out what you like and what you want to upgrade quickly as you play it. Good luck!
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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The best advice I could give you if you plan on enjoying how your guitar sounds as much as how it plays are to match an electric to a nice amp. I would recommend a nice long morning or afternoon playing several guitars in your price range. Then consider starting with a nice modeling amp of equal cost as the guitar. I especially like Fender's Mustang line of amps, such as the Mustang II or III. I am a bit of a fanatic and have around 10 electrics, a bass, and 2 acoustics. I tend to spontaneously play the acoustic, but when I really wanna play I plug into my Mustang III and use Ampkit, an app through my iPad. I can play through my amp or headphones or even PC speakers. You will need an iRig cable or similar cable for around $35.
But no matter what, play your guitar, noodle on it, crush some power chords, tap some hammer-ons and squeal a few harmonics. Does the bridge feel good? Do the fret markers make sense? Does the guitar look cool to you? You don't want to get home with some pointy Dean guitar a la Dave Mustaine with a skull graphic on it and tire of it in a few weeks. ESP, LTD, Cort, and Schecter make nice guitars that are often made in Asia and finished in the US. I like them as a starter. Guitar World magazine recently had an article with 20 guitars under $500 which was a nice piece of info you might find useful as a springboard. Good hunting...
Posts: 1870 | Registered: Mar 2003
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My budget has basically been reduced to zero. I won't be buying one for myself in the foreseeable future.
My brother and dad, however, did offer to pool together to get me a guitar for Christmas, but with a $150 budget. It doesn't really bother me though, I just need something very, very basic to learn on. I'll upgrade when I actually get the feel for it.
I'm basically down to one of three options. Buying the Rocksmith bundle that comes with a Les Paul Jr (which I'm not a fan of because it looks like it's undersized), a Les Paul Special II, or a Squier by Fender BulletStrat. Those are really the only guitars I've found in my range that appear worth getting.
The reviews seems to universally come down to "not a great guitar, but okay for a beginner." I'm leaning towards the Epiphone after watching some videos of people playing one.
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Alright, I think I'm set on the Squier Affinity Strat. It's the next step up from the Bullet, but Amazon seemed to have some sort of weird pricing glitch and accidentally priced it at the same price as the bullet. I'm inherently skeptical of deals that are too good, but it appears to be legitimate. Plus it's an extra fifteen percent off for Black Friday.
They have two different affinity models, it appears, one with a maple fretboard and one with a rosewood, and the rosewood is specifically listed as being made in China. Is it worth getting the one with the maple fretboard or is that not really a big deal?
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Okay! I ended up with a Squier Affinity Strat and a Rogue G10 amp. Thanks for all the hints, tips and suggestions in here. Much appreciated. Will post again in a few months when I can jam.
Or when I've learned to play a chord. Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: They have two different affinity models, it appears, one with a maple fretboard and one with a rosewood, and the rosewood is specifically listed as being made in China. Is it worth getting the one with the maple fretboard or is that not really a big deal?
I know it's too late now but it's not a big deal. Some people think the tone is a bit better on a maple but rosewood is more durable and its dark color doesn't show all the dirt.
Posts: 891 | Registered: Feb 2010
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quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: They have two different affinity models, it appears, one with a maple fretboard and one with a rosewood, and the rosewood is specifically listed as being made in China. Is it worth getting the one with the maple fretboard or is that not really a big deal?
I know it's too late now but it's not a big deal. Some people think the tone is a bit better on a maple but rosewood is more durable and its dark color doesn't show all the dirt.
If the price had been the same, I would have gotten maple. I think it looks nicer at the very least. But it was an almost fifty dollar upgrade since i caught the rosewood one in such a good deal. I think I'll be fine for at least a year. Skill wise, I don't think I'd notice much of a difference in tone or whatever yet. I'm a total novice.
Kwea - Really? For the price of the game now, you can get the game as a standalone and buy a Special II for the same price as the bundle. Seems like the Special II is a slightly better guitar and i was leaning in that direction for a long time.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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If anyone has advice on good replacement string to buy, I hear factory strings always suck. Any other general beginner advice is welcome as well.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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I'm a fan of Ernie Ball. They haven't failed me yet. Whereas the lead guitarist in our band put on D'Addario strings once and 3 of them broke within a month--so, naturally not a fan.
Congrats on getting a guitar! I'll bet you won't be disappointed with the Squier Strat. Have fun with it!
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Ernie Ball are generally considered the best in most parts. I prefer the two I mentioned for my own reasons but nothing wrong with Ernie Ball.
Posts: 891 | Registered: Feb 2010
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A little electronic tuner is super nice to have. Amp cord is of course a must. Get at least a 10' cord if you can. I assume you don't have a strap and will be sitting and playing, so you won't need a super long cord at this point.
I'd go with an amp cord and a tuner if that fits within $25 (it might if you get both off Craigslist). Then get new strings as soon as you can afford them. The factory strings might not be the best, but IMO they'll sound OK for the time being as long as you're in tune. The very best strings will still sound like crap if you're not in tune. If you have a good enough ear to tune off a piano, then maybe forgo the tuner. But new strings take a while to stay in tune, so a tuner is nice to have handy.
I'd say the next things to look at would be a strap and an assortment of picks (although picks are pretty cheap and you should probably pick up a few right off the bat).
Maybe a chord chart and a book on electric guitar basics. Those are nice to have as references.
If you're mostly leaving the guitar in one spot, a guitar stand is nice to have. Those are in the $10-$20 range.
Down the road, you'll probably want a decent case. It's amazing how easy it is to bang your guitar into things when you're porting it around.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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