Originally Posted by jed1894 (Post 5191134)

Hello All. Just got into guitars this Xmas with my 11 yoa. We're moving right along with two acoustics. I did run across an Ibanez RG that I let my son play after an 1/2 hour or so on acoustic. Now, I've got the fever for one. However, I'm deep already on cost and don't know how long this will last so I wanted a cheap starter electric. Looking at the ones on the attached link. Pretty cheap. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.


http://www.guitarfella.com/best-electric-guitar/cheap/

Jed

Originally Posted by Paleolith54 (Post 5191206)

I didn't see a Squier Telecaster on the list (my first choice, probably), otherwise it's as good a list as any other. My advice:

1. Buy used if you can. Craigslist, Reverb.com are good places to look.

2. Pay lots more attention to how it feels in your hand than to anything else, IMO.

3. Spend some minimal time on Google and Youtube learning how to do a good basic set-up on whatever you buy, then do it. You'll learn, your guitar will play better, you'll feel more in control of the instrument, and even if you screw something up (highly unlikely) you haven't lost much. Set neck relief, string height, pickup height, intonation, in that order. Then play it for a while and see what you think before messing with it any more.

4. BTW, don't get hung up on esoteric tools like radius gauges; you can measure the height on your two E strings, then do all the rest by feel (this is exactly, BTW, how some boutique shops do it). You'll know what all this means after you do your research.

5. Likewise, don't get all hung up on string gauge, pick thickness, and all the other stuff we tend to obsess over. Save that for later so you can REALLY spend some money!

6. Don't forget you need a practice amp. I'd go as cheap as you can, honestly, as even though you may quickly outgrow it you'll always find a use for that little Gorilla or 10-watt Fender Frontman, or whatever cheap little box you start with.

Have fun! This is a great time in history to buy cheap guitars, it's hard these days to get a real dog.

Originally Posted by Neonzapper (Post 5191227)

It is personal preference. Of the list you provided, I would go with the Epiphone SG, because it is very light, has a high fret cut-away, decent electronics, and stays in tune during the song. I also prefer the feel of the neck to the others listed. My second choice would be the Squire.

Originally Posted by guitararmy (Post 5191221)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...itar-combo-amp

The amp in this starter pack is a bit nicer than what's usually included in these things...

Originally Posted by jed1894 (Post 5192606)

Thanks for the very informative information. You guys are great and very nice. I now have a new addiction I guess.

I went by Guitar Center today and looked around...I know this is bad, but I couldn't tell much difference in the nice ones compared to the Squier Affinity I'm wanting to get...I just don't know enough yet. Very confusing...

So, I have a friend who owns a music store who sold me the two acoustics... he said just get one of the Squier Affinity type entry level guitars for now and come back and get something nice for Xmas when I know more about guitars.

At this point, he's right. I don't know jack about guitars...

Originally Posted by jed1894 (Post 5192624)

...am I crazy in that I want to put this acoustic up and play electric? I've been playing the Ibanez RG1570 I got for my son and I can get the chords much better...It sounds better too. Maybe I should have started with the electric. Or maybe playing the acoustic, which is harder, will make me a better electric player???

Originally Posted by jed1894 (Post 5192624)

By the way:::::: I'm I crazy in that I want to put this acoustic up and play electric? I've been playing the Ibanez rg1570 I got for my son and I can get the chords much better .... It sounds better too. Maybe I should have started with the electric. Or maybe playing the acoustic, which is harder, will make me a better electric player ???

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa (Post 5193121)

Thanks for the props... :up:

As far as not knowing anything about guitars at this point, I've been in this game for 55 years and I can tell you, as a regular AGF poster familiar with the individuals above, you're reaping the benefits of a couple hundred years' accumulated experience here, in most cases (certainly my own) acquired at the world-renowned School of Hard Knocks and The Discovery Academy of Electric Guitar - as in hook it up, plug it in, turn it on, twist the dials until you find the tone(s) you like, write it down so you don't forget, and hope that the crowd likes what they hear as much as you do at tonight's school gym/church basement/union hall gig (heaven help you if they didn't when/where I grew up :eek: ). You also have the advantage of simultaneous access to a variety of valid points of view on any given topic - I picked up my knowledge piecemeal on the job, as well as on the streets of New York in the '60s/70s, roaming the pawn shops and off-the-beaten-path dealers in the waning days of the "old" music business - and while we can (and often do) disagree on certain issues, you can glean a great deal of useful information from what you read, come to your own well-grounded conclusions, rest secure in the fact that nobody here would attempt to steer you wrong, and realize that Rome wasn't built in a day...

In that spirit, I'll address your next post:


While many players will point to certain indisputable advantages in starting with an electric guitar - some of which you cite above - having started as a nine-year-old jazzer in the early-60's, playing Big Band-style archtop comp boxes with heavy-gauge strings and high action, I'm squarely in the "acoustic first" category; although at one time it might have been an "either/or" proposition, a well-rounded player today needs to be reasonably (if not equally) proficient on both instruments if he/she expects to land the opening in that hot new band - a tidbit of information, BTW, you might wish to share with your son. Based on your self-evaluation, you clearly - and quite understandably, at this point in the game - have a good deal to learn about technique and tone production (feel free to call on any of us for tips in that department as well), and the only thing an electric will do for you right now is make your mistakes louder :p ; in the same vein, the heavier setup (thicker strings, higher action, more neck relief) necessary to produce acoustic volume functions in much the same manner as progressive weight training or a ballplayer's use of an on-deck donut - the added resistance increases stamina/strength and will in turn make a lighter setup even easier to handle, and for longer periods. Since you and your son are in this together, I'd suggest arranging a "swap" schedule (you practice on acoustic on odd-numbered days and electric on even, and him vice versa) to allow both of you to take advantage of each other's instruments - it'll not only develop your mutual proficiency, but will go a long way in keeping peace with the home-office accounts-payable department... :cool:

Originally Posted by whiteshadow (Post 5193589)

One of the best bits of advice I saw for people starting out and wanting to buy a guitar was to buy a guitar that inspires them to want to play.

If you buy something that you think sounds\looks great you'll be 10x more likely to pick it up and practice because you want to. That's the key, you need to get a guitar that makes you want to play.

One thing I don't think you've mentioned was what type of music you want to play. That'll make a difference to suggestions people will give you.

There's certain guitars that are more suited for different styles of music. The Ibanez RG that your son has (I own a Prestige RG) is built for speed and is 'slightly' easier to play fast than some other guitars as well as being suited for heavier rock\metal.

From what you've said I think you should defo get an electric. It's what you want to play. No point keeping your acoustic and have it sitting in a corner gathering dust.

Originally Posted by jed1894 (Post 5193666)

I like Eagles type easy rock. America.. Easy stuff. George Strait and Willie. Also like Van Halen, Bad Company, Aerosmith type too...!

Originally Posted by whiteshadow (Post 5193675)

Glad you got a guitar sorted. :)

I think you made the right choice getting an electric. The Squiers are really good value for money, I started off on one years ago and if anything the build quality is better now than it was back then. It should suit the styles of music you like pretty well too.

Originally Posted by LSemmens (Post 5194139)

Are you sure it's not just a dud lead?