O/T Guitar Help Please?

"Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents" (Ice-man)
08/26/2013 at 00:44 • Filed to: Guitarlopnik

Guitarists of Oppo, I learnt how to play on an acoustic but its been a few years. Now I have an itch to switch (ha!) to electrics and it will be purely for personal pleasure. No gigs or bands or what-nots. I looked up guitar centre and they have some !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Any help towards picking one would be welcome. I know nothing about electric guitars btw.

DISCUSSION (15)

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
08/26/2013 at 00:47

Whatever you do, dont buy a starter kit. You will be disappointed. I would look at used gear, and always play before you buy.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
08/26/2013 at 00:51

What this guy said!

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
08/26/2013 at 00:54

1. Buy a TUBE AMP!

Go used if you can't find any in your price range.

2. What music do you want to play?

I have a Marshall Class 5, and its definitely the best bang for your buck if you like Marshall overdrive. They are going for around $300 on Ebay.

If you're not into overdrive, just go for a Fender Blues jr.

Decay buys too many beaters > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
08/26/2013 at 00:55

Buy used! The quality of the starter kits are usually junk and a primary factor in many people giving up the instrument early. Look around on ebay and craigslist for some mid-range used gear. Make sure you do your homework and look up reviews for anything you want to buy (harmony central is a good place to start even though it used to be a lot better).

That being said, I have never experienced an Ibanez that did not play much better than it's sticker price would suggest.

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
08/26/2013 at 00:57

I've also heard lots of good things about Epi Valve Jrs

Decay buys too many beaters > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
08/26/2013 at 01:02

Also if you can still find one, the stock Epiphone Valve JR though a 12" Celestion gives a perfect JTM45 sound at a very use-able volume. It is still to this day, some of the closest tones I've gotten to classic AC/DC.

I Still kick myself for getting rid of it.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
08/26/2013 at 01:11

I don't think he meant combo in terms of an amp. Pretty sure he meant combo in terms of those player pack things (you know like in the link he posted that you probably ignored) where they give you a shitty Chinese guitar, a shitty Chinese amp, a gig bag that might as well be a ziplock bag, then expect you to learn on something that will frustrate the shit out of you.

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
08/26/2013 at 01:14

Thanks. Looks like I'll have to up the budget a bit then. What do I play? A bit of everything really. Not a lot of the screeching metal stuff. But I'm probably a couple of levels above beginner.

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
08/26/2013 at 01:14

Makes sense. But given I don't really know anything about electrics, I'm a bit wary of used gear. I can wait to buy new.

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > Decay buys too many beaters
08/26/2013 at 01:15

Like I said in another comment, used makes sense but I can always wait a bit and up the budget to buy new. Given I don't really have a preference in music style but that I'm definitely not going to play a lot of metal and only blues and possibly classical, suggestions?

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
08/26/2013 at 01:18

Damn. I didn't know those things were that shitty.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
08/26/2013 at 01:54

My brother in law got the Epiphone Les Paul special 2... He tried learning on it and gave up and gave me the guitar. It's crap. Plywood body with a bolt on neck. I put a generic no name neck on it and changed the bridge with another vintage generic one that came with another guitar I bought. It is sad when it takes generic no name parts to make an "Epiphone" play well.

My 2 cents, look for a used Gibson Melody Maker. Made in USA and they were only about 3-400 new. I forget. So a used one should be in or just above your price range.

Decay buys too many beaters > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
08/26/2013 at 02:30

A Mexican Fender Telecaster (about ~$300 used) and an Epiphone Valve JR Head (~$100) and a 1X12" cabinet ($100-$150) is by far the best blues set up I've ever owned for under $2K

The tube amp though is the most important part. You can put a $3K guitar through a cheap practice amp and it will sound no different than a $30 guitar, but putting a cheap guitar on the other end of a nice amp can sound pretty damn good (Jack White's tone for example)

If you have the means DR. Z amps are incredible for anything clean though moderate break up. I have a Maz38 right now and it sounds amazing for any style I try and it takes pedals better than just about anything else on the market.

boobytrapsandtreasure > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
08/26/2013 at 06:29

If your budget is $250 and you are wary of buying used gear wait a while longer. Save up around $500 and find one you like new for around $300. I also recommend you find a used amp to your liking and buy some cables and strings and picks with the remainder of the cash.

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
08/26/2013 at 09:39

Well, remember to play before you buy. Guitar center may have a fair return policy, but its n o fun returning a kit that you love, except for the mile high action. Oh, and also make sure to make friends with your local music shop! Happy jamming.