Electric Guitar

[lilrichie]

Hey Everyone,

Iam looking for a little bit of advice really. I have been learning the acoustic guitar and have got to a point where it isn't fitting the style i want to play and i want to move to a electric guitar.

Would the Epiphone Les Paul Studio Black (http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/17791) be a good starting point, if so what amp should i get to go with it?

Rich

[Fearless Leader]

little more (price) than i would go for a first electric but if you're serious go for it. Go to a store if and play the guitars there till you find one you like the sound / feel, if at all possible.

amps cant help you there. I just bought some cheapo one for messing around and when i want serious stuff i go into garageband.

[lilrichie]

Thanks Rokem i have my heart set on that guitar :cool:

Any advice on an amp would be great

Rich

[A Pittarelli]

personally if i was going to get a starter instrument, i would get a mexican fender over an epiphone(barring an epiphone casino), but would MUCH rather have a US gibson than a US fender

[Badradio]

I bought a Vox AD30VT (http://www.voxamps.co.uk/valvetronix/ad15-30-50-100vt.asp) to go with my Epiphone Les Paul Ultra, and I'd recommend one of those, or the 15, 50 or 100 Watt versions depending on volume requirements/budget. The main advantages with these amps are the built-in effects (not too many, but a useful amount, including a nice delay), two channels (foot-switchable) and 11 amplifier models. That last one is a killer - if you're just switching to electric, having multiple amp sounds to choose from will give you a lot of flexibility in the styles you can play. I tried them all, and regularly use 4.
Aside from the Voxes, Line 6 (http://line6.com/spideriii/) make the Spider 3 series also offering effects and amp modeling, but have a more thrashy tone to them. If that's your sound, they could be a better bet.

[lilrichie]

Thanks Badradio :cool: great bunch of information for me to be going on with their.

Rich

[netdog]

I'd recommend a used Fender American Standard or TexMex Strat or Telecaster. You should be able to snag one for about the same price, and while I love Gibbo's, they don't lend themselves to cheaper construction and the electronics on the Epis tend to be pretty poor as well. Learn on a USA or Mexican Fender, and give yourself a CS Gibson once you have learned to really play it.

[lilrichie]

Is their any links to any of these guitars? I am just a little confused by all these models.

Rich

[nnick]

what type of music are you interested in playing? This could make a difference as to what guitar and/or amp to get.

[lilrichie]

what type of music are you interested in playing? This could make a difference as to what guitar and/or amp to get.

Some of the bands i like include, Queens Of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Feeder.

Rich

[nnick]

Some of the bands i like include, Queens Of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Feeder.

Rich

I would recommend one of these guitars:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Standard-HSS-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=516039

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/PRS-Guitars-SE-Custom-Electric-Guitar?sku=519370

And this amp:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-MG50DFX-Combo-Amp?sku=483189

I would stay away from the Epiphone.

Keep in mind these are beginner to intermediate instruments but good enough to keep your interest in playing guitar. When I was a kid I took lessons on some of the worst guitar gear ever made and the end result was me quitting for a few years until I came across some better gear that helped to re-spark my interest.

Have fun!!

P.S. If you can I also recommend buying from your locally owned guitar store and not the corporate beasts like musicians fiend. I only used their links to show you the products.

[Capt Underpants]

You shouldn't have your heart set on a guitar that you haven't played. Buying a guitar is very much a hands-on process, as that is the only way to tell whether you like it. Does the neck fit well in your hand? Is the intonation correct? Does it play well? And obviously, is it the right sound? These are all things that can't be assessed over the internet.

You play guitar, so you know enough to go in and play a guitar and assess these qualities. That is one advantage that you have over a complete novice guitar player.

I personally went with an American Standard Strat and a hot rod deluxe. Why? Because I wanted that warm, bluesy tone that you can only get with a tube amp, and the guitar played like a dream. The neck was fast, intonation and action were spot on (didn't need a setup), it used alder instead of ash (made the guitar lighter... so I could play longer with less fatigue), etc.

Go to guitar center and play some guitars. If a salesman comes up to you, just tell him that you're just looking around. Eventually you'll find a guitar/amp combo that calls to you.

Good luck on the search

[slu]

Am I the only one who thinks an American Strat is overkill for a first electric?

And what is with all the hating on Epiphone? I started on an Epiphone LP 100, which is not as good as a guitar than the one the OP is looking at and I thought it was an excellent starter electric. I finally did move up to a Gibson LP Standard though.

I just wanted to post a positive Epiphone experience and a pro-Gibson comment as Fender seems to be getting all the love.

That being said, I would NEVER buy a guitar or amp that I had not played. Last time a bought an acoustic guitar, I did re-search online and determined that I wanted a specific Martin. Went to the store to get it, and was playing around with some of the other guitars in the same price range, and lo and behold, I ended up buying a Fender acoustic instead. It just sound better to me and was "easier" for me to play.

[c23roo]

Agree with other posters - you've got to go out and play them for yourself.

I was lucky in that I learned on my Dad's '63 Fender Strat - still have it to this day. I play a lot more acoustic now - I have a Gibson EC-10 but I have been saving up for a Taylor (can't decide which one!)...

I will say if you've got the means, I would prefer to buy something that would tend to hold its value a little more, but that's just me. Having said that, I can't say I wouldn't violate that rule for an instrument I fell in love with after playing...

-c

[CanadaRAM]

Holding its value is not really an issue for an entry level guitar - You're looking at $1000+ for a top quality mass produced instrument, and many thousands for a custom. You're not there yet.

All the F vs G vs E vs... whatever is personal opinion. There is a broad generality that Fenders with single coil pickups sound clearer and 'spankier' than Gibsons or Epiphones with humbucking pickups, which can sound darker and more distorted if you want. BUT... it's your choice.

Establish your price and quality ranges -- nothing wrong with the Epiphone in its range -- play guitars in music shops until you find one that 'speaks' to you and says "don't put me down. Take me home and caress me and we'll make beautiful music together". DON'T purchase a good-enough guitar that you're thinking "that's OK, it's decent, I could live with that". Keep looking until you get that connection with the instrument. I looked for a year until I found and fell in love with my G&L Strat. I recently bought a Yamaha single cutaway humbucker (like a Paul) just to have a different sound. It's nice and all, but I don't LOVE it and I'll probably sell it off.

[iperson]

I think you should be in the music shop for a month trying every guitar you can get your hands on in your price range, regardless about make or price.

I recently got back into electric, and while I really wanted another strat, I chanced upon a used jackson "dinky". with an excellent pickup configuration and the neck is really nice to play as well. Really nice to play! Sounds great clean or distorted, with bright sustains and a really warm rythym sound. I've owned several guitars in my time, Les Pauls, RD's, Japanese Strats, Sg's, Epiphones, and a whole slew of acoustics, and the "dinky" is really fun to play. The neck is perfect for my ham fisted style and slide playing too.

I find the Gibson necks kind of tough to get used to, but thats just me. A strat style is generally good playing and sits on your lap nicely when you're practicing.

Now, I wouldn't ordinarily go for a "Steve Vai" style guitar, preferring the more classic rck look my self, but this guitar has a lot going for it. Under the "midnight purple" finish is a really nice woodgrain that could be revealed if I felt like it. I'm really glad I found it without the hassle of hanging out in music shops for a month.

Amps: just get a good all around practice amp that gets loud enough with two channels hopefully and a good clean sound and a nice overdrive. If you start playing live you shoul dbe able to either mike your amp or line into a PA system. Reverb is nice, too. If you want effects, shop around for an effects box. Consider a portable effects processor that you can take to the beach and practice through your headphones. It's cool. Chances are, you will outgrow your amp if you really get into playing, but you can sell them and trade them in later. They don't depreciate much.

[dornoforpyros]

Would the Epiphone Les Paul Studio Black (http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/17791)
Rich

I own one, and it's great :)

But as other's have said it is a bit more than your "standard" beginners guitar. But having said that I've had mine for years and it still plays great. So if your sure your gonna stick with it then it's not a bad investment.

[lilrichie]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the advice, i think what i am going to do is save up some cash and go to a proper guitar outlet and have a go with a few as you said.

I don't know if anyone from the UK knows of a good guitar outlet, if u do could u let me know?

Also will £600 get me a good guitar to begin with?

Rich

[CanadaRAM]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the advice, i think what i am going to do is save up some cash and go to a proper guitar outlet and have a go with a few as you said.

I don't know if anyone from the UK knows of a good guitar outlet, if u do could u let me know?

Also will £600 get me a good guitar to begin with?

Rich

That's ample for an entry level "good" guitar - as long as you don;t go for the flash paint jobs or the custom accessories.

When looking at amps, consider the "new" way of doing it -- a modelling pedal or effects unit, which creates simulations of other amps, distortion and effects. Then all your amplifier has to do is to provide a speaker and gain. For practice, you would just use headphones. For performance, you could take the modelling pedal's output direct into the sound system.
(I know this isn't the 'purist's' approach) Zoom and Korg and Roland.Boss and Digitech all have pedals from $100 to $500

Something like a M-Audio BlackBox will do all that, and also act as a recording interface for the Mac.

[lilrichie]

That's ample for an entry level "good" guitar - as long as you don;t go for the flash paint jobs or the custom accessories.

Is their any models or makes i should stay away from, what are the things to look for when buying a electric.

Something like a M-Audio BlackBox will do all that, and also act as a recording interface for the Mac.

Is the blackbox a good unit? I would like to get some kind of amp if possible, but if this 'new' way of doing things will be better in the long run then maybe this is the way i should go from the start.

Practise: Guitar -> BlackBox -> Headphones??
-> Mac (If recording)
Live: Guitar -> Black Box -> Amp

Rich

[CanadaRAM]

Is their any models or makes i should stay away from, what are the things to look for when buying a electric.



Is the blackbox a good unit? I would like to get some kind of amp if possible, but if this 'new' way of doing things will be better in the long run then maybe this is the way i should go from the start.

Practise: Guitar -> BlackBox -> Headphones??
-> Mac (If recording)
Live: Guitar -> Black Box -> Amp

Rich

I'll tell you in about three days when my BlackBox arrives.

All of the major brands make good instruments. It's really personal preference.

Gibson owns Epiphone, so the top of the Epiphone line crosses over with the bottom of the Gibson line
Similarly, Fender owns Squier
Yamaha produces instruments across all price ranges, the Pacifica series is well respected.
Godin is interesting, they produce great guitars in Canada and the USA, and have some innovative electric-acoustic hybrids
You might just catch the bottom edge of the Paul Reed Smith line in your price range
Ibanez (they have some very nice hollowbody 'jazz' guitars, as do Epiphone)
I would also add G&L to the list if you like the Fender style: this was the company founded by Leo Fender after he left Fender. I have a G&L Strat that I adore.


There are some manufacturers that are making guitars in the mid-price range that are not all copies of Gibsons and Fenders: Hamer, Peavey, Fernandes, Parker, maybe Washburn.

Some guitars seem to cater more to the metal.heavy rock style - Jackson, Dean, Kramer, BC Rich, Schecter, Charvel.

There are a whole whack of manufacturers that cater to the low-mid price market - Cort, Vantage, many others, which may vary from region to region. There's a lot of talk about how companies are manufacturing in China and Indonesia (including Fender Squier and Gibson Epiphone on the budget models), and a supposed heirarchy of desirability: USA, Japan, Mexico, Korea, China/Indonesia... but it all comes down to how the individual guitar is made.

Here's an interesting article (http://www.penmachine.com/musicpages/cheapguitar2005.html) about someone choosing a guitar

and another (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328491) which classifies guitars into low-gain (single coil, Strat types), mid-gain (humbucker, Gibson types) and high-gain (humbucker, heavy metal types)

I would be suspicious of any brand that you see sold new in bulk on ebay: Wensen, Turser, etc. These are insexpensively made Chinese product.

Unfortunately, some older names have been bought out and are used to market low cost guitars... for example Hagstrom was a Swedish manufacturer who made some quirky and some solid guitars in the 60s and 70s. Now the name has been revived but I don't know where they are coming from or what the quality is.

Keep in mind that in the UK, some of the price relationships may be altered.

There are an abundance of guitar magazines that print reviews of guitars, a trip to the library would not go amiss.

[OwlsAndApples]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the advice, i think what i am going to do is save up some cash and go to a proper guitar outlet and have a go with a few as you said.

I don't know if anyone from the UK knows of a good guitar outlet, if u do could u let me know?

Also will £600 get me a good guitar to begin with?

Rich

My first electric guitar cost £67 off eBay...and it was brand new :p

If you get a cheaper instrument, first thing I'd recommend is change all the strings to Ernie Balls or a similar brand... Factory strings are terrible :(
I like Reidys (http://www.reidys.com/) alot, I got a guitar from them and their prices seem good to me. Although it is definitely a good idea to actually try out the guitar in a shop first, as the others have said.

Oh BTW Hagstrom - the old ones are a great find (i've heard of people finding ones from the 60's in an antiques shop), I've never played one though so I can't say how they feel.

[MacRy]

I used GAK when I bought my Epiphone Les Paul Standard and they were very good.

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/index.php

[lilrichie]

CanadaRAM i must first say thankyou very much for taking such time to write such a detailed post as you have done here for me. I thank you.
I'll tell you in about three days when my BlackBox arrives.

Okay, that is cool. In the aritcle on Ultimate guitar they talk alot about getting a good guitar but it is no good without a good amp. Where as you said that an amp is not required for the most part in a practise enviroment, or did i miss understand what you said.

Gibson owns Epiphone, so the top of the Epiphone line crosses over with the bottom of the Gibson line
Similarly, Fender owns Squier
Yamaha produces instruments across all price ranges, the Pacifica series is well respected.
Godin is interesting, they produce great guitars in Canada and the USA, and have some innovative electric-acoustic hybrids
You might just catch the bottom edge of the Paul Reed Smith line in your price range
Ibanez (they have some very nice hollowbody 'jazz' guitars, as do Epiphone)
I would also add G&L to the list if you like the Fender style: this was the company founded by Leo Fender after he left Fender. I have a G&L Strat that I adore.

If i go into a guitar store and tell them what music i want to play i think they should be able to point out a few guitars that are suited to that level of music, i do enjoy metal and heavy rock so as described again in that article a guitar with a humbucker pickup would be best suited in this situation.

One thing i always find in a shop is they will ask you the usual "what do you like to play?" you will tell them and then they will ask you how much u have to spend now with me i don't like to disclose this until this assistant has pointed out some guitars as sometimes more of the smaller shops will show u a guitar suited to the higher bracket of your budget where as a guitar with better feal for your personal playing could be cheaper.

There are some manufacturers that are making guitars in the mid-price range that are not all copies of Gibsons and Fenders: Hamer, Peavey, Fernandes, Parker, maybe Washburn.

Okay i will make a note of them so i can reference the names when i go to the store.

Some guitars seem to cater more to the metal.heavy rock style - Jackson, Dean, Kramer, BC Rich, Schecter, Charvel.

Again very useful to know

Here's an interesting article (http://www.penmachine.com/musicpages/cheapguitar2005.html) about someone choosing a guitar

and another (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328491) which classifies guitars into low-gain (single coil, Strat types), mid-gain (humbucker, Gibson types) and high-gain (humbucker, heavy metal types)

They are very very usefull links which i have started to read and will finish them before i go and buy my guitar.

I would be suspicious of any brand that you see sold new in bulk on ebay: Wensen, Turser, etc. These are insexpensively made Chinese product.

Again good to know so that i know i aint gonna get ripped off.

There are an abundance of guitar magazines that print reviews of guitars, a trip to the library would not go amiss.

That is a good idea. :cool:

Edit: I found this online - http://www.testreports.co.uk/music/guitar/stock/type.asp?StockTypeID=13&Source_ID=1 looks like it could be handy

[Ibanez Strummer]

My first guitar (and current still three years later) is an Ibanez Gax70. It cost me £158 and is less of the metal style they make and more a rock guitar good for the influences you name.

Obviously, I'm not trying to get you to buy this exact model, but want to recommend Ibanez for a good beginner guitar. Its reliable and ibanezs have amazing necks (I had a friend with a £350 guitar envious of mine depsite costing half the price!)

Also, I'm gonna contradict everyone else so far and suggest a real amp. My first amp was a 10 watt practice amp by fender (i now have the 25 watt one), but there is something that much better in a real amp than a modelled one...hard to explain...also, if you have to use headphones, they all have sockets, but if you wanna jam with friends you can play for real through your amp with your own settings.

[pianoman181]

The blackbox is awesome.


However, get a real amp. Using something like a black box or pod, as a beginner, (which is what I initially tried), makes it more about getting a cool moddle and constant knob-fiddling rather than playing some music. Get a decent amp, solid-state or a nice fender tube w/ an overdrive pedal. You can get great tone, but yet constrained enough so you can plug in and play.

For what it's worth, if you want a rock-oriented guitar, check out any of the SE series by PRS. Great guitars, wonderful value. I occasionally use my SE Custom. I'm now most often using my strat-style custom built guitar through a Fender Blues Deluxe. Great, great tone.

[lilrichie]

I found a store near my home now, so i can go in and get some advice and what not.

I like the look of the BlackBox but i do also like the thought of a real amp.

[Jmoney]

I am and avid guitarist, and I think one of the things most beginning guitarists overlook is their instrument. It is a misconception that better instruments or pro quality instruments are not good guitars for a beginner. The reason people say this is because of the high cost of the instrument and many people quit playing. If you really want to learn to play I would recommend getting the best guitar you can afford. Higher quality guitars will have a lower action and be easier to play. The price of a guitar does not always mean it is of superior quality. The best way to pick out a guitar is to go play them and see which guitar you really like. I would say try out a fender strat but not the american made model. The american made model besides having better pickups is really not very different from the mexican model, the reason being they are both produced in mexico yet the american is put together in the USA. Now as far as amps go if you want a physical amp. A cheap choice is the Roland mini cube or cube it sounds good and is cheap. Something to keep in mind is a crappy guitar can sound good with a great amp a great guitar will sound like crap with a crappy amp. There is also a line 6 product called the toneport or guitarport. This product allows you to have full access to many different amp models and effects and can easily be used to record on the computer. As a cheaper guitar that rocks go try out a Floyd Rose Discovery series guitar.

[ZManChu]

...There is also a line 6 product called the toneport or guitarport. This product allows you to have full access to many different amp models and effects and can easily be used to record on the computer...

I agree with Jmoney. The toneport is the way to go. Its good for beginners up to pro musicians. I have been playing for over 15 years and I use toneport in my small home studio to lay down scratch tracks and ideas. It is easy to use and sounds amazing.

[odinsride]

I'm a guitarist of about 10 years, and I am currently using an Epiphone Les Paul Custom as my main electric guitar - it's a great sounding and feeling guitar for the money. I considered a Gibson LP Classic at the time but really couldn't justify $2000 for a guitar when I don't play professionally.

[spoon man]

when im not drumming with my lads im makeing/rec my own music on at home here's the guitars/basses i use

http://www.prsguitars.com/sestandard/index.html in cherry red. i use the prs for the tone and sound i cant get enough of the prs there just the best but for the heavy sounding ive gone for a no name make called cort x not bad a cheap version of a ibanez and they look awsome and sound really good
http://www.fabiani-guitars.de/image/electric/cort/cort_x_2_blue.jpg
for the bass tracks i use epiphone thunderbird bass ive always wanted one when i played bass as soon as i stop playing bass and moved onto dumming i saw the thunderbird on sale for £200 i was like wtf i need to buy that but this is the one i got and i think these are one of the finest basses money can buy
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=114&CollectionID=12

[Schtumple]

You shouldn't have your heart set on a guitar that you haven't played. Buying a guitar is very much a hands-on process, as that is the only way to tell whether you like it. Does the neck fit well in your hand? Is the intonation correct? Does it play well? And obviously, is it the right sound? These are all things that can't be assessed over the internet.

That right there is some really solid advice and I'd take note of that.

I bought a telecaster as my first guitar, without trying it out, first thing i noticed was the neck was too thick for me, I've since bought a strat (that's now sadly broken) and a SG that I love.

It's important to try before you buy, otherwise you'll end up with a $200 guitar shaped paper weight.

[OwlsAndApples]

That right there is some really solid advice and I'd take note of that.

I bought a telecaster as my first guitar, without trying it out, first thing i noticed was the neck was too thick for me, I've since bought a strat (that's now sadly broken) and a SG that I love.

It's important to try before you buy, otherwise you'll end up with a $200 guitar shaped paper weight.

If you're saying you got a tele' for $200, i need to shop where you shop :)

[Schtumple]

If you're saying you got a tele' for $200, i need to shop where you shop :)

actually i got it for £60 from gak.co.uk, but its terrible, there's a reason cheap guitars are cheap...

www.gak.co.uk £70 for a stagg tele caster :D
www.ebuyer.co.uk I bought a Strat for around £50, attempted to replace the pickups, which sadly, I think were sold to me broken :(

bought an SG from guitar world or guitar center (cant remember the name) in LA, $150 reduced from $300 :D

[Norm]

Hi

I'm interested in purchasing a beginner electric guitar and amp (maybe a beginner combo or something) as a present for my spouse. He is interested in learning to play, but has never taken the pluge to purchase. I know nothing about guitars. ANy input on what I should look for and how much I should spend? My spouse has never played a guitar before.

Much appreciated!

[noodle654]

Hi

I'm interested in purchasing a beginner electric guitar and amp (maybe a beginner combo or something) as a present for my spouse. He is interested in learning to play, but has never taken the pluge to purchase. I know nothing about guitars. ANy input on what I should look for and how much I should spend? My spouse has never played a guitar before.

Much appreciated!

I would look into getting something from Fender. They have some decent starter packs (amp, cord, all that stuff). If you want to get everything separate, you should really get a Fender Standard Strat. But, I recommend getting a starter set for a beginner because if you buy an expensive guitar and amp, you just wasted quite a bit of cash. Just get a starter set.

[jrsh92]

I will definitely second the VOX AD**VT series. Not only do they have lots of options, the sound quality is actually good. Like, really good. The vacuum tube/simulation circuit in it is actually functional in emulating the amps it is supposed to. A handful of other modeling amps basically sound like crap, as do many dirt-cheap solid state ones. You will not have much of an ear for the sound of amps at first, but if you seriously get into electric you will appreciate having something that really does sound good. You could do better with a ridiculously expensive all-tube amp, but those are generally better for one style of playing, and to get really good sound you have to turn them up. The VOX you can play at low volume, it has choices, effects, and essentially does all the fun stuff that modeling amps are supposed to do. But it does it well.

Some advice:
Look for used stuff first. Browse your local Craigslist. Getting a new guitar may be worth it if you are obsessive about there not being scratches on it, and you aren't going to scratch it yourself... but used gear is often fully functional, and one third to two thirds the price it was new. The AD15VT amp goes for $80 used, often. Ibanez guitars range from bottom of the line absolute pieces of crap to very high end, and all of them are quite a good deal for what you pay for them. I had a GAX 70 a while back, built like a TANK. I sold it because I was young and foolish (still am, but that's not the point here :D ) and wanted a whammy bar. I definitely regret that, the thing was $70 and played like a Epiphone Les Paul.
Look around, though. Try stuff out if you can, and if you can't, look at used stuff that's very cheap before considering spending serious money on the electric guitar of your dreams.