guitar suggestions

[marty bradbury]

Hi Folks. I have been in the market for an electric guitar for a while. Well, my wife lost her job so the money I was willing to spend went down. My range is $500 or below. I have only played acoustic. I was looking at Squires but have no experience with them. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[KevWind]

Disclaimer : I am not familiar with the entry level price point ,
That said : At your price point you are talking off shore
Since your asking about Squires
First I would suggest you decide whether you are thinking you would like a Strat Type or Tele type ?

Fender Squires series start at about $179 and go up to about $499

G&L Tribute series start at $399 and go up to $599

[agfsteve]

I would definitely check out Guitar Center's used inventory.

[Paleolith54]

Originally Posted by marty bradbury

Hi Folks. I have been in the market for an electric guitar for a while. Well, my wife lost her job so the money I was willing to spend went down. My range is $500 or below. I have only played acoustic. I was looking at Squires but have no experience with them. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I ALWAYS recommend someone in your situation buy used through local Craigslist or Facebook Markeplace. You can do quite well there.

Squiers (not Squire) are decent, and are better-made than they once were. $350-$500 (buying new) will get you a Squier that's a decent guitar. Many like the Vintage Modern line. I don't like vintage specs myself, I prefer more modern 12" fingerboard radius etc; I had this one as a backup to my gigging guitar and it was perfectly serviceable. After I did some minor things to it (set relief, action, smoothed fret ends, etc) it was a pretty good guitar.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...hh-pearl-white

But to stress: at this price point, Buy Used.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by agfsteve

I would definitely check out Guitar Center's used inventory.

You should easily find a used Mexican Strat or Tele here

[Dru Edwards]

Hey Marty - do you know whether you prefer Fender (Squier) or Gibson (Epiphone) electrics? They feel very different (25.5" scale length vs 24.75"). Also do you know if you want single coils or humbuckers?

You'll need a decent amp which you should consider in your budget.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by agfsteve

I would definitely check out Guitar Center's used inventory.

If you can swing a few extra bucks this one's an easy transition for an acoustic player: best QC you're going to find in this price bracket, feels/plays/sounds as good as the Professional Series at three times the price (and better than many of the vintage Brooklyn originals - I own examples of both), and you can't beat the Stephen Stills/Neil Young '59 Falcon vibe - or the price:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Gr...r-114947707.gc

[marty bradbury]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Hey Marty - do you know whether you prefer Fender (Squier) or Gibson (Epiphone) electrics? They feel very different (25.5" scale length vs 24.75"). Also do you know if you want single coils or humbuckers?

You'll need a decent amp which you should consider in your budget.

Hi Dru. From what I learned here probably humbuckers. Far as Fender or Epiphone I'm open to both. Yep I set aside some extra bucks for an Amp

[marty bradbury]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

If you can swing a few extra bucks this one's an easy transition for an acoustic player: best QC you're going to find in this price bracket, feels/plays/sounds as good as the Professional Series at three times the price (and better than many of the vintage Brooklyn originals - I own examples of both), and you can't beat the Stephen Stills/Neil Young '59 Falcon vibe - or the price:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Gr...r-114947707.gc

Hi Steve. Man that is beautiful, price is really good too. Must check this out.

[Winblows]

buy a cheap Fender / Squier Stratocaster and upgrade it with the money you decide to use

[BigTerp]

Originally Posted by KevWind

G&L Tribute series start at $399 and go up to $599

This is what I ended up with as my first electric just a few months ago after only playing an acoustic for years. EXCEPTIONAL guitar. I got my hands on a few Squier strats and teles, and they did not feel NEARLY as well built as the G&L Tribute. Fit and finish was far superior on the G&L. I paid $350 for mine (2017 model) used in excellent condition. Don't regret my decision one bit!!

[yaharadelta]

Originally Posted by BigTerp

This is what I ended up with as my first electric just a few months ago after only playing an acoustic for years. EXCEPTIONAL guitar. I got my hands on a few Squier strats and teles, and they did not feel NEARLY as well built as the G&L Tribute. Fit and finish was far superior on the G&L. I paid $350 for mine (2017 model) used in excellent condition. Don't regret my decision one bit!!

happens to be Musicians Friend Stupid Deal of the Day - $279

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid

[rllink]

I recently bought my first electric guitar from Sweetwater. It is an Epiphone Les Paul Studio. I really like it. $449. They have cheaper models but this is the one that seemed to be the best value for the money. I'm playing it right now through a Vox Mini 3. $136. Perfect for now.

[BigTerp]

Originally Posted by yaharadelta

happens to be Musicians Friend Stupid Deal of the Day - $279

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid

These and the Guitar Center exclusive/limited edition models, are slightly different than the standard Tributes. The pickups are wound to G&L specs in Indonesia versus the Alnicos wound in Fullerton, CA on the regular Tribute. I've read a few complaints about the finishes on these specific models, so not sure if they are saving money on that aspect to do these deals with GC and MF or not. But other than that, everything else should be the same as the regular Tributes. Still an excellent deal, just sharing the pickup difference and what I've heard regarding the finishes on these specific models.

[BigTerp]

Originally Posted by yaharadelta

happens to be Musicians Friend Stupid Deal of the Day - $279

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid

These and the Guitar Center exclusive/limited edition models, are slightly different than the standard Tributes. The pickups are wound to G&L specs in Indonesia versus the Alnicos wound in Fullerton, CA on the regular Tribute. I've read a few complaints about the finishes on these specific models, so not sure if they are saving money on that aspect to do these deals with GC and MF or not. But other than that, everything else should be the same as the regular Tributes. Still an excellent deal, and I've heard WAY more great things about these models versus negative. Just sharing the pickup difference and what I've heard regarding the finishes on these specific models.