Rookie questions on electric guitars... Fenders
Discussion
I'm new to this area of pH so be gentle!
My son has a cheapo electric guitar (Gear4music I think) with the amp that came with it.
The sound is not great and I'm looking to upgrade both.
Will he notice much improvement if I get a Fender Mustang 1 amp? I've been offered one at a reasonable price. Will the amp alone make a lot of difference?
For the guitar I've been recommended a fender squire strat as something easy to play and cost effective. Thoughts?
Not wishing to make life easy for myself I've also been invited to offer on a 1990s mexican fender strat. To my eyes it look in really poor condition needing a fully strip down and paint etc. It's tatty as hell but straight and complete. Any idea on value? No photos to share unfortunately and I don't want to insult the seller. I like the idea of a project I can work on in the background.
Thanks.
My son has a cheapo electric guitar (Gear4music I think) with the amp that came with it.
The sound is not great and I'm looking to upgrade both.
Will he notice much improvement if I get a Fender Mustang 1 amp? I've been offered one at a reasonable price. Will the amp alone make a lot of difference?
For the guitar I've been recommended a fender squire strat as something easy to play and cost effective. Thoughts?
Not wishing to make life easy for myself I've also been invited to offer on a 1990s mexican fender strat. To my eyes it look in really poor condition needing a fully strip down and paint etc. It's tatty as hell but straight and complete. Any idea on value? No photos to share unfortunately and I don't want to insult the seller. I like the idea of a project I can work on in the background.
Thanks.
The Mustang is a modelling amp, it can simulate a number of different amplifiers and effects pedals. You can tweak it more by connecting it to a PC.
I've got a GTX100, which is similar, the clean amps are good, the dirty/distorted amps are harder to get a good sound. Fender are known for having better clean sounds.
I've got a GTX100, which is similar, the clean amps are good, the dirty/distorted amps are harder to get a good sound. Fender are known for having better clean sounds.
The Mustang is a decent beginner amp with a lot of modelled guitar sounds and effects. A good upgrade - but try it out first in case it is a dud.
In overall terms the most important thing to upgrade is the player, so invest in lessons, and there is good stuff on you tube.
The Squier Strat is a good starter guitar as well - as with everything try before you buy and don't get rushed into buying 'a bargain'.
In overall terms the most important thing to upgrade is the player, so invest in lessons, and there is good stuff on you tube.
The Squier Strat is a good starter guitar as well - as with everything try before you buy and don't get rushed into buying 'a bargain'.
Edited by Yahonza on Tuesday 12th September 19:30
What sort of budget and are you fussy about specific brands?
Few thoughts below! I only dabble about and am a carp musician but my son is totally hooked, and I appear to be hooked on buying kit for him!
Just an fyi some (not all!) gear4music stuff is actually pretty decent. Possibly not the “starter packs” though. If it’s junk move on but do double check.
If you are a Costco member they do the squier “strat pack” for about 200 quid, which comes with a champion 10w amp.
The amp will be better but you will naturally replace that in time as well, as he will want to play louder. The guitar is proper though.
Modelling amps, take your pick, but Boss Katana, Blackstar ID core, Mustang all do roughly the same thing. I would probably eye up eBay as many take up the hobby and then leave it all gathering dust in a corner.
Personally I have kept it simple for my son. Some of the modellers are baffling and require phone apps and faffing about which might distract him:
I therefore decided to just get increasingly louder stuff so he can rock out. Guitar sounds cooler louder and it’s getting them engaged to play more is the main thing.
Depending on how loud you can handle, go for a simple fender champion 50xl or a 50w Marshall of some sort. There is plenty out there! Then ad a pedal later on.
Tube amps are louder and expensive / solid state amps less maintenance but also not accepted by the nerds! This means that for kids to thrash out on there is some bargains on proper equipment.
Guitar wise, aside from epiphone/squier have a look at Harley Benton. Somehow I have now acquired 3 for my son.
I most recently picked up a lightly used Les Paul/ESP style one for my son (as he wanted to look like Slash) used from a specialist with a full set up and I am astonished how nice it is.
If buying new I would take whatever you get to someone to get it set up properly (or buy it from an independent and they should do it for you!)
On that note and in my experience guitar shops can be funny places full of old washed up duffers sat around drinking cold tea and discussing tone, if you are honest on your needs they will give you great advice and at least help you decide what he likes.
Do buy from them otherwise the contempt they gave you on entry will be real! They are the about the only place you can get your mits on proper guitars these days so don’t just go in for a road test and buy online for a tenner cheaper.
I will warn you, the kit list grows exponentially, I’m currently searching for a tube head to go on a 4x12 cab.. for a 7 year old!
Few thoughts below! I only dabble about and am a carp musician but my son is totally hooked, and I appear to be hooked on buying kit for him!
Just an fyi some (not all!) gear4music stuff is actually pretty decent. Possibly not the “starter packs” though. If it’s junk move on but do double check.
If you are a Costco member they do the squier “strat pack” for about 200 quid, which comes with a champion 10w amp.
The amp will be better but you will naturally replace that in time as well, as he will want to play louder. The guitar is proper though.
Modelling amps, take your pick, but Boss Katana, Blackstar ID core, Mustang all do roughly the same thing. I would probably eye up eBay as many take up the hobby and then leave it all gathering dust in a corner.
Personally I have kept it simple for my son. Some of the modellers are baffling and require phone apps and faffing about which might distract him:
I therefore decided to just get increasingly louder stuff so he can rock out. Guitar sounds cooler louder and it’s getting them engaged to play more is the main thing.
Depending on how loud you can handle, go for a simple fender champion 50xl or a 50w Marshall of some sort. There is plenty out there! Then ad a pedal later on.
Tube amps are louder and expensive / solid state amps less maintenance but also not accepted by the nerds! This means that for kids to thrash out on there is some bargains on proper equipment.
Guitar wise, aside from epiphone/squier have a look at Harley Benton. Somehow I have now acquired 3 for my son.
I most recently picked up a lightly used Les Paul/ESP style one for my son (as he wanted to look like Slash) used from a specialist with a full set up and I am astonished how nice it is.
If buying new I would take whatever you get to someone to get it set up properly (or buy it from an independent and they should do it for you!)
On that note and in my experience guitar shops can be funny places full of old washed up duffers sat around drinking cold tea and discussing tone, if you are honest on your needs they will give you great advice and at least help you decide what he likes.
Do buy from them otherwise the contempt they gave you on entry will be real! They are the about the only place you can get your mits on proper guitars these days so don’t just go in for a road test and buy online for a tenner cheaper.
I will warn you, the kit list grows exponentially, I’m currently searching for a tube head to go on a 4x12 cab.. for a 7 year old!
Couple of points not covered above - The Gear4music stuff is great for beginners but any branded amp will be an improvement. The Squire will be too, it's Fender's budget range, cheaper woods & electrics than the main line stuff but nevertheless, a perfectly acceptable instrument. The Mexican guitar will be better again than the Squire in terms of materials used.
On the Strat, a Mexican Fender is never going to be a valuable guitar in its own right that must be preserved & doing one up is fine but lots of players value patina on a guitar, it denotes something that has been well used & loved - a tangible expression of the musician's endeavour. There's no right or wrong answer on that but worth talking it over with the lad. The demand for worn looking guitars is so strong that Fender & a few others make ranges of artificially aged new guitars.
On the Strat, a Mexican Fender is never going to be a valuable guitar in its own right that must be preserved & doing one up is fine but lots of players value patina on a guitar, it denotes something that has been well used & loved - a tangible expression of the musician's endeavour. There's no right or wrong answer on that but worth talking it over with the lad. The demand for worn looking guitars is so strong that Fender & a few others make ranges of artificially aged new guitars.
Thanks for all the input. I do all appreciate.
Probably should have said he has an acoustic guitar he uses most and we have an excellent guitar teacher.
Lots to think about. The Mexican guitar is off of the radar. The friend selling it has changed their mind which is fair enough.
My mind is now set on fender squire strat. The teacher highly recommend them. The amp is the only question mark now. A fancy one with apps etc may be too much of a distraction.
Probably should have said he has an acoustic guitar he uses most and we have an excellent guitar teacher.
Lots to think about. The Mexican guitar is off of the radar. The friend selling it has changed their mind which is fair enough.
My mind is now set on fender squire strat. The teacher highly recommend them. The amp is the only question mark now. A fancy one with apps etc may be too much of a distraction.
Amp wise i have a Positive Grid Spark. Love it, lots of modelling effects if you want to go down that route and also works as a decent bluetooth speaker. Can also use it to play music and the. Overlay your guitar on it.
Guitar wise, well i have a few from Gibson Les Pail to Squier Affinity Telecaster. The Telecaster gets the most play time by far!
My advice and what i did, go to a large guitar shop with a good selection. Give them your requirements and budget. Get them to bring a few out with the prices removed. Pick your favourite.
Guitar wise, well i have a few from Gibson Les Pail to Squier Affinity Telecaster. The Telecaster gets the most play time by far!
My advice and what i did, go to a large guitar shop with a good selection. Give them your requirements and budget. Get them to bring a few out with the prices removed. Pick your favourite.
Absolutely, let him try some different guitars and amps. Is he definitely a strat? They have a very particular sound but there are more versatile guitars out there.
Amp wise you’ll often find small blackstars for sale cheap where somebody has bought one as their first amp and “moved on” to Marshall/fender/orange or whatever.
My experience of the starter packs is that they’re generally not great. A squier tele or strat or an Epiphone LP/SG/dot or a Yamaha Pacifica and a cheap blackstar amp can sound amazing when set up right and a guitarist with sone chops. A £10k Gibson or PRS and a hand wired tube amp can sound crap in the wrong hands too, trust me
Amp wise you’ll often find small blackstars for sale cheap where somebody has bought one as their first amp and “moved on” to Marshall/fender/orange or whatever.
My experience of the starter packs is that they’re generally not great. A squier tele or strat or an Epiphone LP/SG/dot or a Yamaha Pacifica and a cheap blackstar amp can sound amazing when set up right and a guitarist with sone chops. A £10k Gibson or PRS and a hand wired tube amp can sound crap in the wrong hands too, trust me
Edited by Lefty on Friday 15th September 21:14
You haven't said how old your son is, but if set on Fender..worth noting if he is a student/higher education he can get a 20% discount at Fender (with a TOTUM Card) and it appears they also currently have 5% off for your first order.
If he is taking exams for instance (via Trinity College on their various music pathways, to name a few) then he theoretically could get a Totum card..
If you want a more versatile strat, take a look at the HSS (humbucker, single coil, single coil) the Affinity Flame Maple Top looks stunning.
https://www.fender.com/en-GB/squier-electric-guita...
https://www.fender.com/en-GB/guitar-amplifiers/con...
I would dive in as well with a Fender Champion 50XL as above.
With students discount potentially £400 all in.
If he is taking exams for instance (via Trinity College on their various music pathways, to name a few) then he theoretically could get a Totum card..
If you want a more versatile strat, take a look at the HSS (humbucker, single coil, single coil) the Affinity Flame Maple Top looks stunning.
https://www.fender.com/en-GB/squier-electric-guita...
https://www.fender.com/en-GB/guitar-amplifiers/con...
I would dive in as well with a Fender Champion 50XL as above.
With students discount potentially £400 all in.
Agree with what others have said about Squier being a good start. As someone who's taught guitar to kids in the past, and done setups, I can offer the following advice.
Please do get a setup from the shop (or a local guitar tech)! Most guitars need at least some form of correction, even thousand pound guitars. The players often won't realise how much the guitar is fighting them, and think it's down to a lack of skill.
Some really useful accessories to have are multiple packs of 9-gauge strings, a string winder, a clip-on battery-powered tuner or a tuner, and a mix of soft and medium plectrums. Most beginner kids have rusty old strings and their guitars are always out of tune!
In terms of which guitars to buy, I would recommend stretching to the Affinity series rather than the cheapest Sonic series. The cheapest starter guitars are chucked together with minimal quality control, and I've found some to be un-setuppable because everything's so misaligned or warped. Really cheap starter guitars also often go wildly out of tune after minimal playing. The good thing about more expensive guitars is that they're easier to sell on if it doesn't work out as a hobby.
As for amps, anything with lots of effects and a headphone jack is fine (Mustang 1 etc). All these little modelling amps are way better than what existed when we were kids.
Please do get a setup from the shop (or a local guitar tech)! Most guitars need at least some form of correction, even thousand pound guitars. The players often won't realise how much the guitar is fighting them, and think it's down to a lack of skill.
Some really useful accessories to have are multiple packs of 9-gauge strings, a string winder, a clip-on battery-powered tuner or a tuner, and a mix of soft and medium plectrums. Most beginner kids have rusty old strings and their guitars are always out of tune!
In terms of which guitars to buy, I would recommend stretching to the Affinity series rather than the cheapest Sonic series. The cheapest starter guitars are chucked together with minimal quality control, and I've found some to be un-setuppable because everything's so misaligned or warped. Really cheap starter guitars also often go wildly out of tune after minimal playing. The good thing about more expensive guitars is that they're easier to sell on if it doesn't work out as a hobby.
As for amps, anything with lots of effects and a headphone jack is fine (Mustang 1 etc). All these little modelling amps are way better than what existed when we were kids.
Lefty said:
Absolutely, let him try some different guitars and amps. Is he definitely a strat? They have a very particular sound but there are more versatile guitars out there.
Amp wise you’ll often find small blackstars for sale cheap where somebody has bought one as their first amp and “moved on” to Marshall/fender/orange or whatever.
My experience of the starter packs is that they’re generally not great. A squier tele or strat or an Epiphone LP/SG/dot or a Yamaha Pacifica and a cheap blackstar amp can sound amazing when set up right and a guitarist with sone chops. A £10k Gibson or PRS and a hand wired tube amp can sound crap in the wrong hands too, trust me
What he said. Amp wise you’ll often find small blackstars for sale cheap where somebody has bought one as their first amp and “moved on” to Marshall/fender/orange or whatever.
My experience of the starter packs is that they’re generally not great. A squier tele or strat or an Epiphone LP/SG/dot or a Yamaha Pacifica and a cheap blackstar amp can sound amazing when set up right and a guitarist with sone chops. A £10k Gibson or PRS and a hand wired tube amp can sound crap in the wrong hands too, trust me
Edited by Lefty on Friday 15th September 21:14
Pacifica guitars (strat or tele style) are extremely well made and specc'd for the price. In my experience you pay 50-100% more (at least) for same quality in the big name brands. Otherwise, Epiphone is your go-to source for Gibson styles. Second hand market is especially good value for both. And you can't go wrong with Blackstar or Peavey modelling amps, especially for beginners who want a wide range of tones to get them excited and motivated to play / practice. There's a lot of sniffiness about them from the 'authenticity' types, but for home use I don't think modelling amps can be touched. You only need 10-15w max for bedroom use.
Second hand, no need to spend more than 300-350 total for a solid combo, for 400 and over you'll have a very good rig that would work for a beginner for years.
Others may disagree, of course.
And then, there's the lessons and practice. practice. practice. And lessons.
ETA, previous poster is 100% correct about a tuner, string winder and fresh strings. All pocket money price on Amazon. Also right about the set-up, although that can sometimes be subjective (I've had them done a few times, sometimes great, sometimes couldn't tell the difference..)
Edited by redrabbit on Friday 15th September 23:47
Here are my sons “kids rigs” for inspiration as this thread is lacking pics! These have been built up over the past 2 or so years when something interesting pops up.
Exhibit A)
Squier Mini Stratocaster - Blackstar ID modelling Amp
Xmas gifts from Santa but about £250
Exhibit B)
Harley Benton SC custom II - Marshall Origin 5C
Second hand £250 mix of eBay and specialist
Exhibit C)
Harley Benton ST59 HM - Marshall AVT100x
Second hand - £200 quid all eBay
To my ears they all sound great. The little Blackstar for fun and messing about with different effects is great - simple and doesn’t require some sort of app in case you are that way incline!
The big Marshall is great as is or with a pedal and for playing GNR type stuff, goes loud. The little Marshall is great at sensible volumes and is an all valve amp so it’s cool, by default.
Key thing with the above as I mentioned, because some of these things are derided by waffly old nerds, they are give away money on eBay. Does a kid know that? No! A socking great 100w Marshall is just cool when you are a kid! Would I part with 300 quid for the origin amp new? Of course not, but at say 80 quid it’s a bit of fun and a no brainer!
Good luck and let us know what you end up with!
Exhibit A)
Squier Mini Stratocaster - Blackstar ID modelling Amp
Xmas gifts from Santa but about £250
Exhibit B)
Harley Benton SC custom II - Marshall Origin 5C
Second hand £250 mix of eBay and specialist
Exhibit C)
Harley Benton ST59 HM - Marshall AVT100x
Second hand - £200 quid all eBay
To my ears they all sound great. The little Blackstar for fun and messing about with different effects is great - simple and doesn’t require some sort of app in case you are that way incline!
The big Marshall is great as is or with a pedal and for playing GNR type stuff, goes loud. The little Marshall is great at sensible volumes and is an all valve amp so it’s cool, by default.
Key thing with the above as I mentioned, because some of these things are derided by waffly old nerds, they are give away money on eBay. Does a kid know that? No! A socking great 100w Marshall is just cool when you are a kid! Would I part with 300 quid for the origin amp new? Of course not, but at say 80 quid it’s a bit of fun and a no brainer!
Good luck and let us know what you end up with!
I can echo the comments above about Yamaha pacifica guitars, there are different models, check the numbering.
My son & I both have pacificas although he no longer plays.
I've a Fender Mustang amp, so many voices (most I dislike) and somewhat complicated to get right. We also have a practice amp which is much easier to understand and sounds better.
My son & I both have pacificas although he no longer plays.
I've a Fender Mustang amp, so many voices (most I dislike) and somewhat complicated to get right. We also have a practice amp which is much easier to understand and sounds better.
Have three son's who went through the Guitar phase (one is now a professional composer and musician)
One had a fender strat and still has it to this day, easy to play sounds good. One went for a Epiphone Les Paul, I have that now and its brilliant.
The third had a Harley Benton Les paul. Horrible thing. Action all over the place, inconsistent tuning, hard to play.
Ended up at the back of the cabinet and never used again.
Pays your money etc...
One had a fender strat and still has it to this day, easy to play sounds good. One went for a Epiphone Les Paul, I have that now and its brilliant.
The third had a Harley Benton Les paul. Horrible thing. Action all over the place, inconsistent tuning, hard to play.
Ended up at the back of the cabinet and never used again.
Pays your money etc...
CB07 said:
Here are my sons “kids rigs” for inspiration as this thread is lacking pics! These have been built up over the past 2 or so years when something interesting pops up.
Exhibit A)
Squier Mini Stratocaster - Blackstar ID modelling Amp
Xmas gifts from Santa but about £250
Exhibit B)
Harley Benton SC custom II - Marshall Origin 5C
Second hand £250 mix of eBay and specialist
Exhibit C)
Harley Benton ST59 HM - Marshall AVT100x
Second hand - £200 quid all eBay
To my ears they all sound great. The little Blackstar for fun and messing about with different effects is great - simple and doesn’t require some sort of app in case you are that way incline!
The big Marshall is great as is or with a pedal and for playing GNR type stuff, goes loud. The little Marshall is great at sensible volumes and is an all valve amp so it’s cool, by default.
Key thing with the above as I mentioned, because some of these things are derided by waffly old nerds, they are give away money on eBay. Does a kid know that? No! A socking great 100w Marshall is just cool when you are a kid! Would I part with 300 quid for the origin amp new? Of course not, but at say 80 quid it’s a bit of fun and a no brainer!
Good luck and let us know what you end up with!
Impressive stuff. We've also got drum kits in the house. The neighbours love us!Exhibit A)
Squier Mini Stratocaster - Blackstar ID modelling Amp
Xmas gifts from Santa but about £250
Exhibit B)
Harley Benton SC custom II - Marshall Origin 5C
Second hand £250 mix of eBay and specialist
Exhibit C)
Harley Benton ST59 HM - Marshall AVT100x
Second hand - £200 quid all eBay
To my ears they all sound great. The little Blackstar for fun and messing about with different effects is great - simple and doesn’t require some sort of app in case you are that way incline!
The big Marshall is great as is or with a pedal and for playing GNR type stuff, goes loud. The little Marshall is great at sensible volumes and is an all valve amp so it’s cool, by default.
Key thing with the above as I mentioned, because some of these things are derided by waffly old nerds, they are give away money on eBay. Does a kid know that? No! A socking great 100w Marshall is just cool when you are a kid! Would I part with 300 quid for the origin amp new? Of course not, but at say 80 quid it’s a bit of fun and a no brainer!
Good luck and let us know what you end up with!
Nice work on the Mustang! Let us know when the guitar lands and send some snaps!
Thanks to this thread I have spent half the weekend scouring the web for interesting trinkets.
As I said, I think I might have a slight problem!
Drums are indescribably loud in a regular house environment
Thanks to this thread I have spent half the weekend scouring the web for interesting trinkets.
As I said, I think I might have a slight problem!
Drums are indescribably loud in a regular house environment
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