Guitar advice please.

[chemistry]

...something like this?

http://m.guitarguitar.co.uk/Product/11092816573158

(also available with a maple fretboard, rather than rosewood, depending on preference)

[chemistry]

If he's leaning towards rock, a 'fat Strat' with a humbucker and two single coils might suit him better than a standard, three single cool job (although to be fair, you can always stick in beefier single coils or mini humbuckers later, but it adds to the cost...).

[13m]

chemistry said:

...something like this?

http://m.guitarguitar.co.uk/Product/11092816573158

(also available with a maple fretboard, rather than rosewood, depending on preference)

That's the one he wants, yes. Is it basically a good instrument?

[chemistry]

In short, I think it's probably fine. It's a MIM Fender, which is generally a safe choice and should give you reasonable resale value in future. It's a strat, so if any parts aren't to his liking, replacing/upgrading them is generally easy and relatively cheap. In car terms, it's probably the equivalent of a mid range BMW 3 series ie a perfectly acceptable mainstream choice (but an M3, Ferrari, etc. it ain't). I'd be happy to own/play one.

Also, don't forget to get a decent amp to go with it!

The long answer is that if you can buy in person rather than over the web, and take a guitar player with you, you can definitely get a good one. Some come out of the factory well screwed together, others (of the exact same model) do not. I have seen MIM Fenders with the necks askew so the strings are at the edge of the fretboard and don't line up with the pole pieces. Others, of identical spec, are perfectly well put together and make fine playing and sounding guitars.

Overall, if you were my dad (I'm 44!) and bought me that, I'd be delighted and have no excuse not to play/gig the hell out of it.

chemistry

[13m]

chemistry said:

In short, I think it's probably fine. It's a MIM Fender, which is generally a safe choice and should give you reasonable resale value in future. It's a strat, so if any parts aren't to his liking, replacing/upgrading them is generally easy and relatively cheap. In car terms, it's probably the equivalent of a mid range BMW 3 series ie a perfectly acceptable mainstream choice (but an M3, Ferrari, etc. it ain't). I'd be happy to own/play one.

Also, don't forget to get a decent amp to go with it!

The long answer is that if you can buy in person rather than over the web, and take a guitar player with you, you can definitely get a good one. Some come out of the factory well screwed together, others (of the exact same model) do not. I have seen MIM Fenders with the necks askew so the strings are at the edge of the fretboard and don't line up with the pole pieces. Others, of identical spec, are perfectly well put together and make fine playing and sounding guitars.

Overall, if you were my dad (I'm 44!) and bought me that, I'd be delighted and have no excuse not to play/gig the hell out of it.

chemistry

Thank you.

The target I've set him won't be reached till about Christmas, so I have a few months to make friends with a local music shop assistant who will hopefully help me pick out a good-un.

[13m]

chemistry said:

...something like this?

http://m.guitarguitar.co.uk/Product/11092816573158

(also available with a maple fretboard, rather than rosewood, depending on preference)

Sorry, forgot to ask, does the wood make any difference outside of aesthetics?

[chemistry]

Yes, the wood makes a difference, in several ways.

Body wood affects weight (some Les Pauls etc. are HEAVY), balance (i.e. neck heavy or body heavy), tone and sustain. Neck wood (esp. fretboard) also affects tone (allegedly - personally I can't hear it, others can) and feel.

At this price point and level, I think the only 'wood' decision you need to make is whether to get a maple (light coloured) or rosewood (dark coloured) fretboard. Both are fine and I have guitars with both. Maple is varnished between the frets and so is a bit more 'slippery' and eventually shows wear, rosewood is generally unfinished and can be a bit more sticky.

Frankly, for a first guitar I'd get whichever fretboard he thinks looks coolest; they'll both play fine.

IMHO the guitar you're looking at is a perfectly sensible choice; you're towards the bottom end of 'proper guitars', but it's a proper guitar nonetheless. Pick out a good one and it should play and sound fine and can be easily modified and upgraded if necessary so make it play and sound even better. I'd be happy to own/play one myself and your son ought to be delighted with it.

For what it's worth, I've been playing on and off for 25 years. I've got a strat (Fender American Std., candy cola with a maple neck), a PRS Custom 24, a Gordon Smith GS1, a Yamaha Pacifica 512, a Lag Rockline and a Traveller Ultralight. I'm rubbish - all the gear and no idea - but I have bought and sold a fair few guitars in my time.

chemistry

PS. I keep mentioning it, but don't forget to save some budget for an amp!

[13m]

chemistry said:

Yes, the wood makes a difference, in several ways.

Body wood affects weight (some Les Pauls etc. are HEAVY), balance (i.e. neck heavy or body heavy), tone and sustain. Neck wood (esp. fretboard) also affects tone (allegedly - personally I can't hear it, others can) and feel.

At this price point and level, I think the only 'wood' decision you need to make is whether to get a maple (light coloured) or rosewood (dark coloured) fretboard. Both are fine and I have guitars with both. Maple is varnished between the frets and so is a bit more 'slippery' and eventually shows wear, rosewood is generally unfinished and can be a bit more sticky.

Frankly, for a first guitar I'd get whichever fretboard he thinks looks coolest; they'll both play fine.

IMHO the guitar you're looking at is a perfectly sensible choice; you're towards the bottom end of 'proper guitars', but it's a proper guitar nonetheless. Pick out a good one and it should play and sound fine and can be easily modified and upgraded if necessary so make it play and sound even better. I'd be happy to own/play one myself and your son ought to be delighted with it.

For what it's worth, I've been playing on and off for 25 years. I've got a strat (Fender American Std., candy cola with a maple neck), a PRS Custom 24, a Gordon Smith GS1, a Yamaha Pacifica 512, a Lag Rockline and a Traveller Ultralight. I'm rubbish - all the gear and no idea - but I have bought and sold a fair few guitars in my time.

chemistry

PS. I keep mentioning it, but don't forget to save some budget for an amp!

Thanks.

He has a bass amp for use with his bass, which he uses quite happily with his grandfather's guitar. I am sure it's not optimal, but I don't want him too loud!

[suthol]

chemistry said:

Yes, the wood makes a difference, in several ways.

Body wood affects weight (some Les Pauls etc. are HEAVY), balance (i.e. neck heavy or body heavy), tone and sustain. Neck wood (esp. fretboard) also affects tone (allegedly - personally I can't hear it, others can) and feel.

Have a look at some of the back to back comparisons on youtube of maple and rosewood fretboards like the one I have linked, I doubt that you will genuinely be able to tell the difference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRuk0vdoeeg

They feel and look different and it will be which one appeals to the player that makes the difference perceived or real

I have both and they do sound different, rosewood on a Strat, maple on a Tele Thinline with 52 Blackguard pups, maple on a HH Tele and maple on a Shergold Masquarader.

All totally different guitars so of course they are nothing alike other than scale length and strings

Edited by suthol on Tuesday 21st June 00:29

[dojo]

13m said:

Thanks.

He has a bass amp for use with his bass, which he uses quite happily with his grandfather's guitar. I am sure it's not optimal, but I don't want him too loud!

There is a good chance his bass amp won't have any distortion on it - might be worth getting him a pedal he can plug in if he wants to rock out

Guitar wise you might be able to get a used mexican strat for that price, it will have fender on the headstock so we will love it and if you ever come to sell it you won't lose any money.

[13m]

dojo said:

13m said:

Thanks.

He has a bass amp for use with his bass, which he uses quite happily with his grandfather's guitar. I am sure it's not optimal, but I don't want him too loud!

There is a good chance his bass amp won't have any distortion on it - might be worth getting him a pedal he can plug in if he wants to rock out

Guitar wise you might be able to get a used mexican strat for that price, it will have fender on the headstock so we will love it and if you ever come to sell it you won't lose any money.

Where are the current standard Strats made then? I had it in mind that they were made in Mexico.

[dojo]

13m said:

dojo said:

13m said:

Thanks.

He has a bass amp for use with his bass, which he uses quite happily with his grandfather's guitar. I am sure it's not optimal, but I don't want him too loud!

There is a good chance his bass amp won't have any distortion on it - might be worth getting him a pedal he can plug in if he wants to rock out

Guitar wise you might be able to get a used mexican strat for that price, it will have fender on the headstock so we will love it and if you ever come to sell it you won't lose any money.

Where are the current standard Strats made then? I had it in mind that they were made in Mexico.

You get US Fenders, Japanese (MIJ) and Mexican (MIM) they are priced in that order too I think. You used to get Texmex ones where they were assembled in Texas but made in Mexico although I think those days are gone. The Squires are made in China and Indonesia although back in the 80s they were MIJ's and they were really sweet!!!

[conkerman]

I have a MIM Strat HSS. (Paisley) its a very versatile guitar.

Shame I can't play the fecker

[The Nur]

I was bought a nice Strat when I was about your boys age, 12 I think.
It wasn't my first guitar/instrument but it's the one I love the most, it's what I'd grab in a burning building scenario.

If you do get him the guitar get a hardcase too so he can take it out and about safely, doesn't need to be too expensive but they are invaluable.

[The Nur]

conkerman said:

I have a MIM Strat HSS. (Paisley) its a very versatile guitar.

Shame I can't play the fecker

I love the Paisley guitars. Blue or pink?

[13m]

The Nur said:

I was bought a nice Strat when I was about your boys age, 12 I think.
It wasn't my first guitar/instrument but it's the one I love the most, it's what I'd grab in a burning building scenario.

If you do get him the guitar get a hardcase too so he can take it out and about safely, doesn't need to be too expensive but they are invaluable.

Yes, a hard case is on the list. He dropped his bass at the weekend when the bottom end of the strap came unhitched - he's a lovely chap and has a facility for music, but he is a clumsy little bugger.

[The Nur]

Then he might need a set of straplocks too then

[13m]

The Nur said:

Then he might need a set of straplocks too then

Do they fit over the existing spigot thingy?

[The Nur]

They replace them. One part stays on the guitar, the other on the strap and they click together.

15-20 quid and he more than likely won't drop the guitar, although accidents do happen

[Anoetic]

After playing the piano for a while and then giving it up due to a clash with her teacher my daughter decided she wanted to play the guitar. So she had an acoustic one and started having lessons, then when the conversation came around to birthday presents a few months later I only had one response, an electric guitar. She had her heart set on a strat and it didn't matter if it was a copy or not. To cut a long story short, you only get your first guitar once and when she opening up her present and she saw a ghost silver fender strat HSH, the extra money was well worth it. She even got me playing a few months later....