What is the 'Yamaha FG800' of electric guitars?
 

Hi,

I really don't know much at all about electrics but I have been floating the idea of getting a lower-end electric to play in some headphones late night.

What is the 'FG800' of electric guitars? That is to say, is there a lower-end electric that is consistently a good quality and value? Is there such a thing?

Thanks!

I'm not an electric player, but from what I've heard most of the Epiphone Les Paul models are pretty good. Yamaha's own Pacifica range are supposed to be good if you want a Strat copy. But ultimately it comes down to you trying a few to find out what suits you and gives the right sort of sound for your ears.

There are so many answers to that question that it's hard to pick one, and models are dropped, modified, and added so often that it's hard to say on that regard too. And one persons $600 guitar is too expensive, while another's $400 guitar is "why not just save up for this $800 model, or look for it used." I could say: a Fender standard Tele (made in Mexico), or one of the Classic Vibe Squier models and be done with it, but I'm going to make some broader observations.

Soundwise, an electric guitar is mostly it's pickups, and playablity is dictated mostly by it's neck and quality of it's setup. Robustness is more or less equal save for a handful of inexpensive pieces of electronics.

My experience says that single coil pickups are more valid across price ranges and makers than humbuckers. Perhaps I just favor single coil pickups? I dunno, but articularly with Telecasters and single coil pickups, it's actually hard for me to find one that I can't make work for a variety of valid sounds.

Neck profiles and fret sizes are a personal. I like a beefier and wider neck than average, and I've come to like at least medium jumbo fretwire. I can live with the carve on most Classic Vibe Teles, though it's not my favorite.

Setup quality is going to vary off the rack. This is another reason to not just say "get this" and "not that" as two example of the "get" and "not" could reverse positions. Gibson scale instruments (shorter) vs. Fender scale instrument (usually longer) have a playability difference, with the nod going to the Gibson scale in playability. The lighter gauge strings most commonly used by electric players mask this difference to a degree however. Bolt-on necks make it easy to fix some very bad off the rack setups with shims, and while not trivial, swapping out a neck on an instrument using the Fender system is a plausible mod. Of the rack setup quality has improved in the 21st Century in my experience. You can still run into a high fret or two or the top of the neck "bump" in some necks in the lower range of instruments. How often you find this above $1000, I don't know, I just don't shop that level of electric guitar that often--I'd assume much less. But I don't want to make it sound like most current sub $500 electric guitars are an unplayable mess either. The most I need to do with what I run into is a slight tweak of adjustable saddle pieces after I string with my favorite strings.

Robustness? Cheaper switches can wear out. Some pots will not feel as smooth. Most solid body electric guitars make these parts easy to replace when it happens, and the parts are dirt cheap for those who can master basic soldering. I have 20 year old sub $500 guitars still using their original parts with no issues.

Particularly on a classic Telecaster design, you can't bust'em other than those simple electronic parts. Compared to even a carbon fiber acoustic, the cheapest Telecaster is "carried his guitar in a gunny sack" robust.

not sure why a yamaha fg800 has anything to do with it, but, you may want to go to your local big box store and play as many guitars as you can. when you find one you like, look online to see if you can get a better deal. if not, go back to the store. note that your amp will be about 40% of your sound.

play music!

Some of the better less expensive guitars I have played include-

Gretsch Electromatics
Fender Mexican mades
G&L Tribute series
PRS SE models

I am sure there are others but these are off the top of my head.

This depends on how much you have to spend. If you are going in a single coil direction, for $300 to $350 you can get a used Fender Standard Stratocaster (made in Mexico). Why settle for less and it's a real Fender Strat - says so on the head stock.

My gut reaction is Yamaha Pacifica due to the brand reliability and cost similarity to the FG800.

I almost bought a new one on a sale at GC, but instead purchased a used MIM Telecaster later for not much more. It turns out it was mispriced on the used rack and I saw it as the gear guy was coming to 'correct it' :) It was a smoking deal and even this beginner recognized it.

You won't get into electric for the same price as acoustic because you still have to pick up an amp.

I have been very satisfied for years with just a Telecaster and Mustang IIIv2 amplifier. Gig worthy, quiet practice, and plenty of options for tone chasing too.

G & L Telecasters..........

Squier Affinity series Telecasters or Stratocasters would be my take on your question. These are consistently good quality, well done executions of the two iconic Fender models and compare very closely in price to your FG800 benchmark. Another option might be the Epiphone SG Special. Comparable cost to an FG800, simple, consistently good quality, and the neck width and profile is more familiar to an acoustic player just getting on board with electric guitars. The SG special VE is quite cool looking.

The Squier Classic Vibe series. Vintage-correct copies vs the dubious changes made on the Fender Standard series.

This was my thought exactly. Talk about guitars that punch way above their weight class.

I have a Pacifica 012 that over the years has been hot rodded and now sports Tusq nut and saddles, nickel jack plate, Schaller style straplocks, Duncan hotrails bridge pickup in the neck position, Bill Lawrence XL500 'bucker in the bridge and better tuners. It's a fantastic guitar. Paid $130 for it new. Probably have over $200 in extra parts but I would never sell it.

If you're after a 24.75 scale guitar, the Yamaha Revstar 320 is good too. I had one-got a deal top good to be true on it, have since sold it. As for other brands, I've always been drawn to the ESP LTD EC-256. In the way of strat copies, the Pacificas are quite good, especially if you spring for a 2, 3, or 4 series.

i think the pickups and type amp are nearly the whole sound- playability is a personal neck preference, i think with low end stuff, it's more to try them out rather then buy a name, i mean i bought a $15 pawn shop berhinger, after a freebie set up, this is my most played guitar, id never sale it for $100, though id NEVER get near $100 for it, i tried a lot guitars in this price range up to $150, but they never hit the sound and sweet spot like this one did

I would recommend any used Reverend. I got one of these, a Reverend Jetstream 390, for $450 on the big auction site. Fantastic guitar. I love it so much I bought a second Reverend! ....a PA-1.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...act=mrc&uact=8

Consider that +1