Starter guitar

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The Band19
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2014/09/08 17:40:23 (permalink)

Starter guitar

My son is 11, he's had one of those baby strats since he was only a few years old. But now he's wanting to learn to play, and I can't even tune that thing. He can play my PRS, however, when he's with his mother (1/2 the time) I want him to have a guitar (full sized) that he can practice on. What would be a good starter? It needs to play well, I'm thinking several hundred dollars. What would be recommended, Ibanez? Any other recommendations?
 
Thanks.

Sittin downtown in a railway station one toke over the line.
#1

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    Rain
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/08 18:13:35 (permalink)
    Gibson's SGJ and LPJ are terrific guitars - made in the USA and affordable. Prices are starting to drop on the 2014 line up these days. I've seen the 2014 SGJ go for $490 last week.
     
    Gibson's quality control being what it is, I'd advise trying a few of them before making up your mind, of course.
     
    There are plenty of other great, valid options, and I'm sure you'll get tons of recommendations - Fender, Ibanez, Dean, etc... I only happen to be a big fan of Gibson's J.
     
    It's a great time in history to be starting out on electric guitar - much better than when I started out.
     
     

    TCB - Tea, Cats, Books...
    #2
    The Band19
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/08 19:41:28 (permalink)
    Thanks Rain, wow. I didn't know Gibson was an option in that price range. I'll take him to GC and let him try a few on  He likes my PRS (92) and I told him it's his, "I'm just holding it for him..." And I'm sorry if tech isn't the exact correct forum for this, but I know there are a lot of guitar players here.

    Sittin downtown in a railway station one toke over the line.
    #3
    michaelhanson
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/08 19:46:44 (permalink)
    You can say that again, Rain. I wish they had all of the You Tube lessons when I grew up in the sticks of Northern MN.

    I'm a fan of the Gibson's that you have mentioned for starter guitars as well. I would also consider a used MIM Strat, I've seen them going for $250- $300 all day long. Depends on whether he's a humbucker or single coil fan.

    Mike

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    #4
    Leadfoot
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/08 19:47:15 (permalink)
    Also check out Raven West Guitars. They have nicely built guitars for cheap. Flame tops, curly tops, spalted maple, abalone inlay work. All for between $279 and $479. I've got my eye on a beautiful natural ash strat right now.

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    #5
    mixmkr
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/08 20:03:22 (permalink)
    You know, the MIM Strats are one of the best values in guitars nowadays and you can find them used at great prices.  The Squire Classic Vibe series are almost the same, but actually just about as expensive and hard to find used, as they seem to hold their value for now.  The Teles especially.  Should he ever *grow out of it*, it'd be a great guitar to join pop's herd.  I've had several MIM Strats ...own a "tricked out" one too...with a Super-Vee whammy ...and of course some Amer Standards.  The Mexis hang in there for sure.

    From a young gentleman's Strat up to a big boy version, ought to make his day.

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    #6
    mixmkr
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/08 20:07:55 (permalink)
    I'd agree on trying a lower priced Gibson as well.  Sometimes they just feel *new*, if you know what I mean and don't seem to invite wanting to be played.

    Whatever you get, even if its day glow neon green...and your son likes it...that's the one.  Of course as long as it's half decent.  Don't stick him with a dud that he will never want to pick up.

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    #7
    spacey
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/08 21:15:13 (permalink)
    IMO the most important factors of picking out a starter guitar are the scale length and playing action.
     
    The scale length difference between the LP and Strat, for example, are not only major factor of feel but also sound.
    A young person may prefer the feel of a short scale over a long scale and not realize why.
     
    Another major difference is the angle of the neck. The LP and Strat again are good examples. The short scale combined with a tilted neck may be much more comfortable for a smaller person to enjoy playing.
    The distance between the frets and the longer feeling neck (with no tilt) may not "fit" a young one and size of the person may or may not be reason...it can be just a preference.
     
    Fretboard radius and fret size can be a major factors and also ones that are not easy to change if needed.
    IMO everything else following those can be modified if needed. Some changes costing more than others so it's best not to overlook all of them in any price range.
    Example; a radius of 9.5 may be much easier to play chords than a 14" and since the young player may not be shredding or a lot of string bending so the advantage of the 14" (or flatter) is of no matter.
    Fret height and width can make a major difference to how the neck feels to the player and to a young one too...pointed out and comparing may help them notice and make a decision.
     
    These differences can be found in every price range so knowing the differences and knowing how to explain and help the young one understand increases the odds of getting the one that he/she will enjoy playing for years.
    When comparing and pointing out the major differences while the young one is trying them out has to help.
     
    It's the beginning of learning to feel and listen to the instrument and may help the shopping experience with a perfect purchase. Again...JMO.
     
     
    #8
    The Band19
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/08 21:34:44 (permalink)
    Wow, such valuable input. Thank you all so much. I'll take him for a test drive not this weekend, but next (God willing and ISIS doesn't take us down this Thursday.)

    Sittin downtown in a railway station one toke over the line.
    #9
    bluzdog
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/09 10:43:43 (permalink)
    Rain
     
     It's a great time in history to be starting out on electric guitar - much better than when I started out.
     



    I wore out so many Robin Trower and Deep Purple records learning those licks back in the day.
     
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    #10
    batsbrew
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/09 11:06:04 (permalink)
    this:
     
     

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    #11
    batsbrew
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/09 11:08:43 (permalink)
    short scale..
    but long enough for folks like cobain, rundgren, adrian belew, john fogarty, pj harvey, pat smear and jimi hendrix to use to make famous albums with...
     
    also, my first real guitar (not a squire, but a regular fender.. the squire is still big bang for buck)
     
     

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    #12
    michaelhanson
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/09 12:59:57 (permalink)
    Squire's are definitely a great value. Find one with a great neck, and they are also a great mod'ing platform. I recently found a MIM Squire Strat, black with full size maple neck and full size body at a pawn shop for less than $100. I replaced tuners, pots, pickups and added a steel bridge block. Turned it into a great little player.

    Mike

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    Grem
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/09 13:27:45 (permalink)
    I bought two used Strat Squires in the last six months. Neither was a MIM. But they both played unbelievable for what I paid for them used: $225!

    Then I bought a '93 G&L Legacy with the intention of selling both Squires to recoup some money. That was four months ago.

    I only recently let the Strat Squire with the maple neck go to my stepson. But only after he promised the sell it back to me if he ever went to get rid of it. He said that was unlikely to come back to me. He loves it too!!

    The other Squire Strat I am keeping (MIC) has a unfinished maple neck, someone upgraded the pups to Seymor Hot Rails, and the whammy is an upgraded version!! All this for $225!! And it plays and sounds great!!

    Yep, guitars have come a long way since I started.

    Grem

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    #14
    batsbrew
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/09 13:47:35 (permalink)
    but strats are 25.5" scale length....
     
    the mustang is 24".
     
    the OP said 'starter guitar'
     
    maybe making it easier to play, is better than making it harder to play.......?

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    #15
    michaelhanson
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/09/09 16:13:46 (permalink)
    ...but if he is doing alright with the PRS, then maybe he would be fine with 25.5"  Seams like it is always best to know the options and differences and then go try them out personnally.

    Mike

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    #16
    The Metal One
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/10/02 06:03:10 (permalink)
    I'd go with an epiphone. Those are fantastic beginner guitars. Solid playability, and decent sound. You can get good deals on them too, especially if you go with used.
    #17
    sock monkey
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/10/03 19:01:48 (permalink)
    With Cheap guitars they make a zillion Strat copies and a lot of them are very playable... but.. a kid will want distortion. Cheap Strat copies have terrible PU's.  So just make sure what ever you buy has at least 1 humbucker. At least a cheapo Humbucker will distort. 
    Another thing to think about is re sale value, A $200 no-name guitar when you go to sell it will get you $50 back if your lucky. A brand name, even if it's a POS will fetch more, some don't depreciate much at all like Gibsons and PRS.  Gibson LP's are often a little heavy for teens. 
    Musicians friend is always selling G&L's for half price on Stupid deal of the day. I own one myself and it is one of the best production guitars I've ever owned (I've owned a lot) 
    PS, Last time I tried an Ibanez it was typical Chinese junk. At least the lower end ones are now, same with Yamaha who used to make great cheap guitars. 

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    #18
    Thatsastrat
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/10/19 13:02:03 (permalink)
    I have 2 Squires, Strat and Telecaster, both were under $300. The point I wanted to make here is if you also spend another $100 on a proper setup by a pro these will play like they cost a thousand. Nothing beats a properly setup guitar to make it play great.

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    #19
    robert_e_bone
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/10/19 23:44:23 (permalink)
    I bought a pair of starter guitars from ESP - $198 each, and then paid to have both set up - frets, action, etc, for another $40 each.
     
    They both play REALLY nicely, and the sound is good too.  They are not quite as dense as the more expensive ones, meaning less wood used in the body, but still quite nice.
     
    Bob Bone
     

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    #20
    Jablowmi19
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/10/26 22:24:19 (permalink)
    The point to get it setup is a good one. I'm a good friend and I'm going to take his Strat and have it setup with a set of good strings, buy a dozen, and be done with it. Excellent point, thank you very much. It plays pretty nice as is :-) 
     
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    #21
    mcourter
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/11/10 13:28:23 (permalink)
    Xaviere guitars at GuitarFetish.com. Around $200. I have two Xavieres, a Tele knockoff and a semihollow body. I love them. Great guitar for the bucks

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    #22
    orangesporanges
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/11/10 14:01:09 (permalink)
    I worked in a music store for twelve years, my daughter and I recently went snooping for an electric for her. We were both pretty impressed with the srat squiers (pretty sure they're Chinese). Fender has reasonable QC on their import line, they end up wearing squier and fender on the headstocks, so it behooves them to be so. Two things I have found time and again on less expensive guitars that you can use as a quick assessment. Run your hand up and down the neck. Are the fret wires sticking out? That is a clear indicator that immature wood was used. Wood shrinks as it cures,metal does not. That's a red flag. Number two: If you have to fight the guitar to get it tuned, that's always a red flag too. The reasons behind it are many and varied, and if you have to become an investigator to find out what is causing this issue, you have to ask yourself if this particular guitar is even worth it.
    One other piece of advice. Get an amp that is not the bottom of the barrel. Once a 12" speaker is in there, and it has at least 25 watts of power, it will have some resonance to it. Go up the line until you can really tell the difference. You'll know, one will just have more balls to it  than any of the ones lower on the totem pole. the kid's gonna want to rock out!

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    #23
    Jablowmi19
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/11/12 22:52:22 (permalink)
    He likes his Mexican Strat :-) And it's not bad? Plays nice, sounds good. 500 bux @ GC. 
     
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    #24
    jonboper
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    Re: Starter guitar 2014/11/15 13:07:39 (permalink)
    Lots of good advice here, but I think the key throughout this thread is "used".  Craigslist, Guitar Center Used section, those are the places I'd start.  I've gotten tons of great gear through craigslist, used pedals are the best pedals - used amps though, make sure you try it loud first...

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