Guitar Folks, opinions please

[RichGem]

Hi All,

I learned to play (acoustic) guitar somewhat poorly back in college and I'm getting the urge to take it up again. Yes, this could be a flash in the pan, but anyhow, I want to pick up some electric techniques like string bends, etc. and relearn a lot of what I've forgotten.

I'm starting to look and am somewhat trying to decide between

this

and

this

based on price and features (complete kit) and I really like the color.

I'd appreciate anyone's opinions on the two options above and/or any other suggestions. I do not want to spend very much as who knows, I may not do much with this and in a month or two have one more thing collecting dust in my room

Thanks in advance!

 

[TravelingMan82]

You want to spend a little more for a decent setup. You're probably not going to be very happy with the quality and sound of either of those setups. Ibanez offers some decent starter sets in the $300 range I'd check out.

 

[Spivey]

I think you might be better served looking into a Fender/Squire setup, Rich. Shoot, you can find a MIM (Made in Mexico) Strat for pretty cheap.

Just like everything else, you get what you pay for and a really inexpensive guitar will have very cheap electronics and machine heads (tuners) which will effect your learning/enjoyment pretty quickly. I've played a couple "starter kit" guitars that already had these problems in the store!

Try Craigslist. Some folks just want to get rid of things, you know? I'd be happy to help in anyway that I can.

 

[Slowhand68]

I would also recomend you spend a little more. I started with a Squier and it was a really good guitar. And it's not that expensive, so if you eventualy decide it's not for you, that's ok. Anyway, I would be happy to help with anything you need.

Cheers!

 

[Dubbya]

I'm here to cosign for Ibanez, Squier, and Epiphone. They all offer inexpensive models that aren't cheaply made.

 

[RichGem]

Thanks to everyone thus far! Doing some more browsing...


any thoughts on Silvertone and/or Behringer? They're kits pretty much are at the top of my budget ~150.

Hmmm... .maybe I need to up my budget at bit?

 

[Amer]

I'd really look at Craigslist. Look for something like the Fender Squire brands or Ibanez used. Lots of people that have given up or moved on to better equipment put these kits up for sale for pretty cheap. Epiphone SG's can easily be found for about 100 bucks used, depending on the model. Also, the ESP LTD range, anything in the 50 or 100s range can usually be found for cheap as well, if you don't mind slightly aggressive looking guitars.

I started out on a new $300 Ibanez starter pack. Within a month, the tuner broke, the headphones broke, the cable was always trash (filled with noise), and the strap was the most uncomfortable thing ever. The only good thing out of it was the guitar and the amp was decent.

With any cheaper guitar you're going to have to tune it a bit. I had to tune that Ibanez at least once a week. This is in comparison to some of my nicer guitars that I tune maybe once a month, if that. Just go find yourself a cheap Korg Guitar and Bass Tuner, available at any Guitar Center or Mom and Pop music store. You don't have to spend the extra bucks for the chromatic. You may also want a metronome, but not required.

I'd try to find someone's used starter guitar and amp off the bay or craigslist. You don't need a strap. You don't need an instructional DVD. Get a decent cord, and don't skimp on the length. Get a 12 footer so you don't have to sit right next to your amp and it will let you get up and move around.

Mom and Pop shops are a good place to find good new and used equipment for less than what you'd pay at Guitar Center or a similar store. You're not going to get out of a GC any cheaper than the prices you see online. At a Mom and Pop you can haggle a bit. The overhead on the lower priced equipment isn't as high as some of the other mid to high range stuff, but you can usually talk some money off, especially if you buy a few accessories and stuff. Plus they usually carry a lot more starter guitars and amps than chain stores. I've seen some great lightly used starter guitars at my favorite store for 100 bucks, and then throw in a 10-15 watt amp for 70, get a tuner for 15, get a bag for 20 bucks, get a stand for 10, get picks for 4. Just ask if they can give you a deal and they usually will. Piecing something together like this is going to give you a lot better equipment for a little more money than either of the sets you've linked.

What I'd say is, it's better to piecemeal good stuff together than to go with one of the starter paks, from personal experience. Half the stuff in them is trash.

I'd stay away from Silvertone and Beheringer. My friend has a Silvertone acoustic that is basically plywood put together. You pick it up and it feels like a toy, not a guitar.

If you are patient and look around, I'd think you could get some great starter gear for under $200. The Squire packages brand new are 200 - http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-SE-Special-Strat-Value-Pack?sku=513287 - and you could easily find the used guitar and amp from that pack for $150 or less.

 

[arghblech]

I'd like to throw something in the mix here. rondomusic.com sells a pretty highly regarded line of les paul clones by the name of Agile. These are supposed to be excellent guitars for the small price tag. I think they start around $200.

I agree with the other posters that Ibanez, Squire, and Epiphone make great inexpensive guitars. I also agree that you'll probably be very unhappy with a $150 kit.

 

[otherstar]

I agree, you won't be happy with an under $150 kit, the Squier kits are the best value I've seen (Ibanez and Epiphone are close, but I give the edge to Squier).

You might also want to look at spending more money on an amp. A good amp can made a so-so guitar sound pretty good. A bad amp makes everything sound bad. The Roland Cube amps are a good value.

 

[RichGem]

fender starcaster(on the bay) for 120 w/ 180 bin?

also main street/fender for about 200?


thank God I'm not an impulsive buyer.

 

[RichGem]

any love for this one? I'd buy a separate amp.

 

[strat1117]

fender starcaster(on the bay) for 120 w/ 180 bin?

also main street/fender for about 200?


thank God I'm not an impulsive buyer.

Starcaster kit w/ amp at Musician's Friend

I have to agree with the prior posters who advised you to up your budget a little bit. There really is a tremendous difference in quality if you spend a little more, and the extra quality will mean extra enjoyment for you, thereby increasing the chances you will stick with it and really start to improve. If you are willing to buy used instead of new, and you buy quality, the likelihood is you will still be able to get most of your money back if you want to sell it down the line.

Good luck!

EDIT: Let me take a look in my basement when I get home. Maybe I can find something you can start with. (No promises -- I have no idea what's still down there.)

 

[Amer]

I'm not sure of the quality of the Starcaster. They sell it in Target and Best Buy of all places, and I've never seen one in a real music shop. I'd stick with the Squire Bullet or even better, one of the Squire Affinity series. The Affinity strats are the ones that come with the Squire starter packs for 199. I've seen the pack used but practically unplayed go on craigslist for $150 or less.

 

[Spivey]

any love for this one? I'd buy a separate amp.

That's not a bad idea. Take a look around Craigslist as used Mexican Strats (a pretty good step up from the Squire) should be around $200. I've had mine for 15 years and it is still in good shape.

Also, if you still have the acoustic, you may think about starting back on it just to get a feel for how interested you are. Just a thought.

As an aside, I think that it's a good idea to tune an instrument every time you play it (sometimes even during a "session"). This is especially important as one is learning: your ear is learning, too. Let your ear hear the pitches correctly from the beginning. Every little bit helps.

 

[Matt555]

DO NOT buy either of those kits. They are meant for little kids so if they break them its no big deal since they are only $100.

I would actually advocate staying away from any pre packaged bundle deal. Their is nothing wrong with used instruments either. Check craigslist and you will get a hell of a lot more for your money. I have picked up guitars on craigslist for $200 in decent condition that sell for over $500 new. And if you really want to start off not spending a lot, get a Fender Squire, nothing less. You can pick one of those up on craigslist for way under a hundred bucks and even new they are only about $120. But please take my advice and don',t buy those kits on Amazon you will not like them. You can email me if you want any more in depth help. I have been messing with guitars for 10 years.

If you buy a crappy guitar, you simply are not going to want to play it. Good luck and I hope you become the next Jimi Hendrix!

 

[RichGem]

That's not a bad idea. Take a look around Craigslist as used Mexican Strats (a pretty good step up from the Squire) should be around $200. I've had mine for 15 years and it is still in good shape.

Also, if you still have the acoustic, you may think about starting back on it just to get a feel for how interested you are. Just a thought.

As an aside, I think that it's a good idea to tune an instrument every time you play it (sometimes even during a "session"). This is especially important as one is learning: your ear is learning, too. Let your ear hear the pitches correctly from the beginning. Every little bit helps.

Gone several years ago. An Ovation accoustic-electric, cc68 IIRC.

 

[40boy]

I'd like to throw something in the mix here. rondomusic.com sells a pretty highly regarded line of les paul clones by the name of Agile. These are supposed to be excellent guitars for the small price tag. I think they start around $200.

I agree with the other posters that Ibanez, Squire, and Epiphone make great inexpensive guitars. I also agree that you'll probably be very unhappy with a $150 kit.

I have one of these Agile LP clones. It's a pretty nice guitar. I like it better than my Epi SG, and it impressed me more than the Epi LP's I player in the stores that cost more. Stays in tune well, and is well made. Well worth the money (~$225) they get for them. IIRC it is made in Korea.

I agree with the other posters about getting something a little better than the $100 starter kit. They really are more trouble than they're worth.

 

[RichGem]

If I go with the separate options, what do I want as far as a practice amp. Keep in mind I'd be playing for myself and do not need to be heard down the street, etc. Is a 10 w insufficient and should I look for a 15 w? I'm starting to like the fender squire bullet I posted above, but not comitting to anything right now.

 

[RichGem]

Starcaster kit w/ amp at Musician's Friend

I have to agree with the prior posters who advised you to up your budget a little bit. There really is a tremendous difference in quality if you spend a little more, and the extra quality will mean extra enjoyment for you, thereby increasing the chances you will stick with it and really start to improve. If you are willing to buy used instead of new, and you buy quality, the likelihood is you will still be able to get most of your money back if you want to sell it down the line.

Good luck!

EDIT: Let me take a look in my basement when I get home. Maybe I can find something you can start with. (No promises -- I have no idea what's still down there.)

Either way, you rock. Thanks for looking!

 

[ari95]

Be careful, as this guitar business can be more addictive than shave gear. As for the amp, I have been happy with a couple Fender 15w solid state amps. they have good sound for their size. someone else mentioned the Roland Cube. I never owned one, but I did hear one being used at a small coffee shop and it really sounded good. I always wanted an amp that looked good, but the sound is what really matters.