Guitar advice please.

[13m]

chemistry said:

13m, don't let perfect get in the way of good enough! Any of the guitars mentioned in this thread will be better than no guitar! I think the Fender Standard Strat will be a fine choice (although I believe you were looking at the HSS configuration, rather than the typical SSS - not that there's anything wrong with either). They are versatile, well made instruments, it's what your son wants and they retain their value of you decide to sell. Other guitars are arguably better at other specialist things (in the same way that a Caterham is arguably better than a Golf GTi for a track day), but the Strat is a truly great all rounder; it can play metal, rock, funk, jazz, country and anything else. Of all the guitars I own, my Strat is my favourite (and many folks feel the same way about theirs) and the one I play the most.

Stop agonising, buy one for your son and post pictures of the purchase!

chemistry

Think I should buy the ex display one for £419 or a box fresh one for £480?

[Mastodon2]

13m said:

Think I should buy the ex display one for £419 or a box fresh one for £480?

It depends, will you son clean and protect it religiously? I like to look after my stuff, so for that sake of buying a dinged or scratched guitar I'd probably pay the extra few quid for a box fresh model. OTOH, if your son doesn't look after it, it will soon look as bad or worse as a blemished model from the shop floor. Some people say damaged guitars look better, but there is a difference between a guitar that has seen 30 years on the stage to a guitar that a kid has carelessly knocked around his bedroom.


Some "ex-display" models have never been played, some have marks, you really need to give it a look over, the biggest problem is "buckle rash", scratches on the rear of the guitar from belt buckles, coat zips etc from clumsy punters. You really need to give it a look over as calling it ex-display could be cover for all sorts of marks, or it might be a minter.

[chemistry]

Impossible to say! It's like asking whether you should buy a new or used car; pros and cons each way...

In reality,either is likely to be fine. If budget allows, perhaps new would provide peace of mind...

[13m]

Thanks guys. As far as I am aware the guitar is completely unmarked.

Another consideration is that he doesn't need it until December. If I bought now it would only be to save £61 and it would sit in a case for 6 months.

[The Nur]

You could play it and see how you like it?

[13m]

The Nur said:

You could play it and see how you like it?

I have no skills. I can't even play Stairway to Heaven.

[Anoetic]

13m said:

Think I should buy the ex display one for £419 or a box fresh one for £480?

Tbh, for me the only thing is that it is a birthday present and not just a guitar. Personally I would buy a new one only because the ex display may not have all the plastic wrap on it, and is great just being the first person to in-wrap and play it.... Now the second guitar is a different kettle of fish.....

[13m]

Anoetic said:

13m said:

Think I should buy the ex display one for £419 or a box fresh one for £480?

Tbh, for me the only thing is that it is a birthday present and not just a guitar. Personally I would buy a new one only because the ex display may not have all the plastic wrap on it, and is great just being the first person to in-wrap and play it.... Now the second guitar is a different kettle of fish.....

Not a birthday present, but a reward for passing one of his music exams. But I take your point. Blue Strats will still be around in six months - though the GBP-USD exchange rate might increase the price.

[Anoetic]

A complete left field thought is to build your own. There are some great kits, and I've just bought 2 SGs to build over the summer with my daughter..

[13m]

Anoetic said:

A complete left field thought is to build your own. There are some great kits, and I've just bought 2 SGs to build over the summer with my daughter..

No, no, no. I made the mistake of trying to build an Airfix kit with him a few weeks ago. Never will the words "self" and "build" be used together in this house again.

[gmaz]

Another vote for the PRS SE range here, superb build quality and playability

http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/prs-tremonti-se-electri...

Some beginners find the tremelo arm on strats a distraction and can cause problems with tuning. If he plays lead (solos) he will probably want one, but for rhythm its seldom used.

[Mave]

gmaz said:

Another vote for the PRS SE range here, superb build quality and playability

http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/prs-tremonti-se-electri...

Some beginners find the tremelo arm on strats a distraction and can cause problems with tuning. If he plays lead (solos) he will probably want one, but for rhythm its seldom used.

:-)
I've had mine wedged for the last, ooh, 20 years? Never felt the need to play with it....

[The Nur]

Fwiw, I have Fenders and 2 PRS SE'S and for a beginner I'd still go with the Strat. The SE's are very good but a copy of a more expensive guitar, in my opinion, won't be savoured as much as a "proper" Fender.

[13m]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

It has been - a range, but rock will feature quite heavily.

[chemistry]

Buy. The. Strat.

Now, before they delete Lake Placid Blue as a colour option.

[13m]

chemistry said:

Buy. The. Strat.

Now, before they delete Lake Placid Blue as a colour option.

Is that likely?

[chemistry]

Over time, yes. Colours come and go, specs change slightly. My American Std. from 2011 is in Candy Cola red, but you can't get a 2016 one in that colour, I think.

[chemistry]

For example: https://new.andertons.co.uk/p/0110402712/solid-bod...

[lockhart flawse]

Personally I think you're nuts paying that much for a guitar for a beginner. A Squire or Pacifica will do the job and your boy can't even begin to exploit the potential of a Strat.

Buy a Pacifica and when if he grows out of it get a Strat.

Most of these threads go quiet and then we never hear another thing from the OP.

[Mave]

chemistry said:

Over time, yes. Colours come and go, specs change slightly. My American Std. from 2011 is in Candy Cola red, but you can't get a 2016 one in that colour, I think.

Maybe, but candy cola red isn't one of the classic colours is it? IIRC lake placid blue has been around for decades, like candy apple red, sonic blue, and olympic white?