Guitar Buying Advice
Discussion
So, I've been strumming my wife's guitar *cough* for the last few nights and I've been finding it fun ! Okay, so I can't play to save my life, but I've managed to bang out a few chords and simple twiddles, even managed to get a semi passable version of 'Wild Thing' out (almost in tune).
Trouble is, it's a bit old and past it (the guitar, not the wife) so if I'm going to take this up, I'd like to get a better guitar (something that's going to reward and encourage me to play, instead of having strings miles away from the frets and a rattly machine head). But I know nothing about guitars, so ...
What should I look for when buying ?
How do I tell a good guitar from a bad one ?
How do I tell a guitar that's good for beginners ?
How much should I spend to get something that's decent and will last me a while, but nothing OTT ?
Am I better buying locally or from the net ?
Also, no idea whether to go accoustic, electric, or electric-accoustic (what !?) ... thoughts ?
Thanks !
Trouble is, it's a bit old and past it (the guitar, not the wife) so if I'm going to take this up, I'd like to get a better guitar (something that's going to reward and encourage me to play, instead of having strings miles away from the frets and a rattly machine head). But I know nothing about guitars, so ...
What should I look for when buying ?
How do I tell a good guitar from a bad one ?
How do I tell a guitar that's good for beginners ?
How much should I spend to get something that's decent and will last me a while, but nothing OTT ?
Am I better buying locally or from the net ?
Also, no idea whether to go accoustic, electric, or electric-accoustic (what !?) ... thoughts ?
Thanks !
Go to a guitar shop and ask the question "I want to start playing guitar, what do you advise"... SORTED!!!
really though.....start with something not too expensive in case you don't keep it up and that probably means acoustic. But ...do you want to play pop songs etc or classical stuff etc etc.
A good guitar shop person will ask all the relevant questions and push you into the right guitar for you. AND...they will also know people who teach.
really though.....start with something not too expensive in case you don't keep it up and that probably means acoustic. But ...do you want to play pop songs etc or classical stuff etc etc.
A good guitar shop person will ask all the relevant questions and push you into the right guitar for you. AND...they will also know people who teach.
I'd say get an acoustic if you're just wanting to knock out some songs for your own amusement.
If you're wanting to join a band, then decide what sort of music you like and choose the sort of guitar it tends to be played on.
As for choosing which one to buy, decide how much money you want to spend and try as many as you can in that price range. Even the cheapy made-in-India/China/etc guitars on the market now are reasonably good - unlike a few years ago when "cheap" meant "rubbish"
Whatever feels most comfortable in your hands is the one to go for.
If you're wanting to join a band, then decide what sort of music you like and choose the sort of guitar it tends to be played on.
As for choosing which one to buy, decide how much money you want to spend and try as many as you can in that price range. Even the cheapy made-in-India/China/etc guitars on the market now are reasonably good - unlike a few years ago when "cheap" meant "rubbish"
Whatever feels most comfortable in your hands is the one to go for.
Been playing the guitar for years (mostly badly!) My daughter now plays and at 15 she is better than me.... however... one piece of advice, whether classic accoustic, folk accoustic or electric - dont buy the cheapest: I have six or seven assorted guitars around the house and can speak from experience that my Fender Stratocaster is smoother and much easier to play than the first Fender copy I bought years back: I would suggest you work out your budget and find the best for the budget: take advice from a good music shop, try them and see how they feel - (dont worry about sounding crap in the shop - everyone does first time) then once you have decided check prices on the web before buying: If you are above the base level in pricing there are good deals to be found.
Have a look at www.gak.co.uk for example
and enjoy....
M
Have a look at www.gak.co.uk for example
and enjoy....
M
You will find it easier to get going using an electric guitar as the strings will be closer to the fretboard.
Most music shops are very willing to help and advise the beginner (it may result in a sale afterall).
There are lots of packages available, usually including a guitar, amp, strap, plectrums and lead.
Obviously the more you spend the better quality you are going to get.
Gibson and Fender have companies that produce 'copies' of their own guitars (Epiphone and Squier). These are usually manufacturered to not quite as high quality and usually in the far east as opposed to the States. They are however reasonably good instruments.
www.epiphone.com/
www.squierguitars.com/
These guys have branches all over and have a good range and always seem willing to help
www.academyofsound.com/mod_1/pages/index.php?PHPSESSID=6f6a08e0ec000c83ab75fb67dfc0837b
Most music shops are very willing to help and advise the beginner (it may result in a sale afterall).
There are lots of packages available, usually including a guitar, amp, strap, plectrums and lead.
Obviously the more you spend the better quality you are going to get.
Gibson and Fender have companies that produce 'copies' of their own guitars (Epiphone and Squier). These are usually manufacturered to not quite as high quality and usually in the far east as opposed to the States. They are however reasonably good instruments.
www.epiphone.com/
www.squierguitars.com/
These guys have branches all over and have a good range and always seem willing to help
www.academyofsound.com/mod_1/pages/index.php?PHPSESSID=6f6a08e0ec000c83ab75fb67dfc0837b
I would go for something that is not too cheap or it will merely feel horrible and maybe put you off playing. What about a Squire Stratocaster - cheaper than the Fenders, play excellently, and at the end of the day, if you do pack it in after a while, can easily seel on eBay or stick it up in the loft for a few centuries and it may become rare and valuable.
If you can afford that bit more, get a Fender Strat - good all round guitar, will hold it's value better than the Squires too
If you can afford that bit more, get a Fender Strat - good all round guitar, will hold it's value better than the Squires too
I used to play guitar a lot myself and found that the cheap acoustics (and electrics) dont reward enough to the beginer.
For acoustics, Ive always liked Ovation: They're not too clumsey, have a nice feel to them, rewarding to play as well as easy, lovely action and sound great, especially if you go for an electro-acoustic and buy a small amplifier!
For electrics I find that squires arent very rewarding (personal opinion ofcourse) and tend to be a little too tight on the movement up and down the fret board.
For me I would recommend something along the lines of an Epiphone (Les Paul copy or SG replica) Yamaha (tight but rewarding) or if you're feeling flush (about £500-800) buy a Gibson SG.
2nd hand music stores are a great place to pick up a bargain for beginers!!
For acoustics, Ive always liked Ovation: They're not too clumsey, have a nice feel to them, rewarding to play as well as easy, lovely action and sound great, especially if you go for an electro-acoustic and buy a small amplifier!
For electrics I find that squires arent very rewarding (personal opinion ofcourse) and tend to be a little too tight on the movement up and down the fret board.
For me I would recommend something along the lines of an Epiphone (Les Paul copy or SG replica) Yamaha (tight but rewarding) or if you're feeling flush (about £500-800) buy a Gibson SG.
2nd hand music stores are a great place to pick up a bargain for beginers!!
what everyone else has already said:
Ive been playing for some time, and the best budget brand afaik is Vintage, I brought this les paul gold top copy 5 years ago and its still my favourite (and I do have many more expensive guitars in my collection):
www.djmmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?CartId={B685EVEREST6C7B-9F3B-4724-A996-24062D3EBDBC}&ic=V100GT&eq=&Tp=
Best bet is to go into your local shop and have a gander and a play..
Ive been playing for some time, and the best budget brand afaik is Vintage, I brought this les paul gold top copy 5 years ago and its still my favourite (and I do have many more expensive guitars in my collection):
www.djmmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?CartId={B685EVEREST6C7B-9F3B-4724-A996-24062D3EBDBC}&ic=V100GT&eq=&Tp=
Best bet is to go into your local shop and have a gander and a play..
esselte said:
As woth most things, don't pick the cheapest.They're cheap for a reason .I bought an EKO 12 string acoustic for about £150 about 35 years ago and it still is in good nick and plays very well (I think it sounded better with age,or maybe my ears just miss out the bad bits now!
12 strings sound absolutely beautiful although tuning them can be a real bitch!
I agree, if you go with a cheap thing from Argos, they play like sh!t, feel horrible and sound like Jaws from James Bond dental flossing with a chalkboard!
I think the Squire strats are rather good for the money. I've got a Gibson SG and its the mutts nuts, but it was ten times the price of the squire.
The Squire is great for just playing around when you're not too woried about getting a perfect sound, and is very easy to play. Much better than the Epiphone SG I once had.
So I'd recommend a Squire Affinity Strat. It's £85 so if you don't play often you haven't lost much, and it'll do you well. Just make sure every now and then you get it properly re setup by a good technician to keep it easy to play.
The Squire is great for just playing around when you're not too woried about getting a perfect sound, and is very easy to play. Much better than the Epiphone SG I once had.
So I'd recommend a Squire Affinity Strat. It's £85 so if you don't play often you haven't lost much, and it'll do you well. Just make sure every now and then you get it properly re setup by a good technician to keep it easy to play.
esselte said:
As woth most things, don't pick the cheapest.They're cheap for a reason
I suppose what I meant in one of my questions is what defines "cheap". In other words, is £100 too cheap. Or £200 ? And so on. Would £200 get me a nice guitar or is everything round that range still pants, for example.
Sound Control have an awesome selection of guitars, amps and pretty much anything musically related!
Check em out
www.soundcontrol.co.uk
(previous comment about 12 strings being bitches was meant in relation to tuning!!)
£200 would be my minimum for a good acoustic
£200 will also buy a good electric and you may even get an amp too
>> Edited by jagdpanther on Thursday 26th January 12:49
Check em out
www.soundcontrol.co.uk
(previous comment about 12 strings being bitches was meant in relation to tuning!!)
£200 would be my minimum for a good acoustic
£200 will also buy a good electric and you may even get an amp too
>> Edited by jagdpanther on Thursday 26th January 12:49
GO for an acoustic. There are plenty which will be easy to play & with light gauge strings on will be as easy as an electric.
The budget end of the market has improved in the last 10 years & for under £200 you will get instruments which will humble kit costing twice as much from the likes of Carver & Yamaha.
Ovation's Applause range is well thought of too, just avoid anything by Stagg.
Go to a guitar shop & ask them, regardless of brand, if it plays well then get it.
The budget end of the market has improved in the last 10 years & for under £200 you will get instruments which will humble kit costing twice as much from the likes of Carver & Yamaha.
Ovation's Applause range is well thought of too, just avoid anything by Stagg.
Go to a guitar shop & ask them, regardless of brand, if it plays well then get it.
jimothy said:
I think the Squire strats are rather good for the money. I've got a Gibson SG and its the mutts nuts, but it was ten times the price of the squire.
The Squire is great for just playing around when you're not too woried about getting a perfect sound, and is very easy to play. Much better than the Epiphone SG I once had.
So I'd recommend a Squire Affinity Strat. It's £85 so if you don't play often you haven't lost much, and it'll do you well. Just make sure every now and then you get it properly re setup by a good technician to keep it easy to play.
Squires are good guitars for the money for sure. I have played several that badly needed setting up properly though.
I'd also look at a Yamaha Pacifica in this price range.
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