Guitar advice please.
Discussion
It turns out one of my offspring is musical. He plays acoustic guitar, piano and a full-size bass in a proper band, despite not being much taller than the instrument itself.
Anyway, I've set him a target with his music and if he hits it he will be rewarded with an electric guitar. I am unsure, however, whether to buy him a really good one that he will keep long-term or a cheaper one that he will replace. I think it is fairly certain that he will continue with his music.
He would like, but doesn't think he will get, a Fender Stratocaster, which I believe can be had from £450 ish (standard model). However I believe that copies can be had for far less.
So, is a basic Stratocaster a good investment for a (very) young musician, or would I be better off spending £250 less on something else and upgrading it later?
Thank you for any advice chaps.
Thanks for the advice so far guys.
Some of the reading I have done suggests that a good grade copy is better than an entry level Fender. Which makes sense.
In terms of him giving up, yes of course he might. I think it unlikely however for a number of reasons that aren't important here.
He'll be 11 when he needs it and whilst I take the point about size, he is playing a full-size Fender P Bass copy.
Some of the reading I have done suggests that a good grade copy is better than an entry level Fender. Which makes sense.
In terms of him giving up, yes of course he might. I think it unlikely however for a number of reasons that aren't important here.
He'll be 11 when he needs it and whilst I take the point about size, he is playing a full-size Fender P Bass copy.
suthol said:
There are a few great Fender lookalikes out there.
Over the years I have owned a few Fenders that are now worth an extraordinary amount of money but we're just old guitars when I moved them on.
Squier guitars are very good if you go the the right level, the cheap Afinity models are just that but make a reasonable modding platform and the Classic Vibe series are simply very good guitars, I have a CV Thinline Tele that I have upgraded the pickups in to 52 Blackguard spec, it sounds and plays much better than my mates Custom Shop Tele.
Recently in the US I had the opportunity to play a Telecaster FMT HH ( google it ), absolutely stunning looking guitar that was sadly unplayable
For an instrument that cost as much as that one did ( $875 USD ) the nut was too tall and it pulled sharp on any fret, the action was set way too high as well and the pickups were too low so it had a weak & weedy sound.
I know these things are a simple fix that I could definitely do myself but a brand new instrument at this price point with an F or G on the headstock should not have these amateur problems out of the box
The Classic Vibe has been mentioned as a very good instrument. They are about £100 cheaper than a basic Fender too. Over the years I have owned a few Fenders that are now worth an extraordinary amount of money but we're just old guitars when I moved them on.
Squier guitars are very good if you go the the right level, the cheap Afinity models are just that but make a reasonable modding platform and the Classic Vibe series are simply very good guitars, I have a CV Thinline Tele that I have upgraded the pickups in to 52 Blackguard spec, it sounds and plays much better than my mates Custom Shop Tele.
Recently in the US I had the opportunity to play a Telecaster FMT HH ( google it ), absolutely stunning looking guitar that was sadly unplayable
For an instrument that cost as much as that one did ( $875 USD ) the nut was too tall and it pulled sharp on any fret, the action was set way too high as well and the pickups were too low so it had a weak & weedy sound.
I know these things are a simple fix that I could definitely do myself but a brand new instrument at this price point with an F or G on the headstock should not have these amateur problems out of the box
Mave said:
The classic vibes I've tried have all been pretty good. Something I'm pondering though is whether £250 is the wrong amount of money - too much for a basic "give it a try for a year or two" guitar, and not enough for a proper keeper. I was trying to convince myself to get a classic vibe last year to scratch the Tele itch- but realised that once the novelty wore off I'd probably go back to my Strat and '335 because whilst the vibe is well set up and nice enough to play, I didn't think it played as nicely as my other guitars.
Looking at this from a different perspective then. He wants a standard Fender Strat in Lake Placid blue. If I were to buy one what shortcomings will it have over and above, for example, a Classic Vibe?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?http://m.guitarguitar.co.uk/Product/11092816573158
(also available with a maple fretboard, rather than rosewood, depending on preference)
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.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
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.
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?http://m.guitarguitar.co.uk/Product/11092816573158
(also available with a maple fretboard, rather than rosewood, depending on preference)
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.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!
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!
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 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!
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.
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. 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.
Anoetic said:
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....
The HSH refers to the pickup config right? What is special about it?Skyedriver said:
Have you asked him what he would prefer, set a budget.
We had chance to compare a Standard Strat and a Squier Classic Vibe, both in Lake Placid Blue, next to each other. Didn't have chance to play them though. Visually he preferred the Strat.Out of interest - our local music shop has both on sale reduced because they are ex display. They are both immaculate - is ex display a problem?
lostnfound said:
Having worked in a guitar shop for several years, my advice would be to buy the guitar you can actually 'test drive'. Every guitar will play slightly differently, and so straight out of the box a 'cheap' guitar can play better than a guitar twice the price. As other people have mentioned, the amp end is probably more important. A crap guitar through an awesome FX processor will still sound awesome, but it doesn't work the other way round. You can also plug head phones in to them!
Good advice, though I cannot play a note and Junior is probably not best placed to judge. Which means either taking someone guitary with us or trusting a shop assistant.I am veering towards a Standard Strat right now. It's what he wants, I believe it will always be worth something and hopefully it will last him longer than a cheaper guitar that he will want to replace more swiftly.
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?Stop agonising, buy one for your son and post pictures of the purchase!
chemistry
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.....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.Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff