What electric guitar for a beginner?
Discussion
Open ended question, I know. I'm sure it's been done before but search is hopeless and I was hoping to get opinions on specific guitars 
I'm only just starting out really (so trying out in a shop is not an option
) but I am a trained musician so hopefully have a headstart!
I already have an acoustic (no idea if it's any good but in my limited experience it feels pretty easy to play!) which is branded "Tatra". According to wikipedia they were Czech manufactured and not bad for cheap guitars.
Anyway, I guess I'm looking to spend a couple of hundred tops on an electric fix. Pretty open on style of music played - probably mostly classic rock stuff rather than full on metal. So, looking for something that's going to be reasonably versatile and importantly easy to play so that I stick at it!
I have been looking at the Epiphone Les Paul LP-100, just because I love the LP looks. How are they to play? Reviews seem favourable and GAK have them at a penny under £200.
I see Ibanez have some under the £200 mark but I don't know if they are cheap and nasty. Or would a cheap strat copy be the way ahead? I have no idea of the differences in playability between the styles (I know they have different thicknesses of necks and the like, but not sure what to go for in terms of "beginners".
Also saw a Vintage VRS-100 on ebay that I really like the look of, and new they retail around £200 by the looks of things.
Would s/h on ebay be a good bet? More for the cash?
And is £200 a reasonable spend for something worthwhile?
Suggestions for a cheap amp just for home playing?
Sorry for all the questions, hate being a "newb"!
I'm only just starting out really (so trying out in a shop is not an option
) but I am a trained musician so hopefully have a headstart!I already have an acoustic (no idea if it's any good but in my limited experience it feels pretty easy to play!) which is branded "Tatra". According to wikipedia they were Czech manufactured and not bad for cheap guitars.
Anyway, I guess I'm looking to spend a couple of hundred tops on an electric fix. Pretty open on style of music played - probably mostly classic rock stuff rather than full on metal. So, looking for something that's going to be reasonably versatile and importantly easy to play so that I stick at it!
I have been looking at the Epiphone Les Paul LP-100, just because I love the LP looks. How are they to play? Reviews seem favourable and GAK have them at a penny under £200.
I see Ibanez have some under the £200 mark but I don't know if they are cheap and nasty. Or would a cheap strat copy be the way ahead? I have no idea of the differences in playability between the styles (I know they have different thicknesses of necks and the like, but not sure what to go for in terms of "beginners".
Also saw a Vintage VRS-100 on ebay that I really like the look of, and new they retail around £200 by the looks of things.
Would s/h on ebay be a good bet? More for the cash?
And is £200 a reasonable spend for something worthwhile?
Suggestions for a cheap amp just for home playing?
Sorry for all the questions, hate being a "newb"!
The first decent guitar I owned was an Epiphone LP, mainly due to the fact that I was (and pretty much still am) a "Zep-o-phile". They are well screwed together for the money, and play nicely.
However, my eyes were opened a little by my first Ibanez (bought after the Epiphone on a deal to good to miss). It was a basic non-trem JS series in plain black with a rosewood 'board, and 2x single coils and 1x humbucker. For my slightly chubby hands, the neck and 'board were perfectly radiussed, and the pickup combination together with the delicate control of the volume & tone knobs was a revelation.
Yamaha Pacificas are also excellent for first timers.
However, my eyes were opened a little by my first Ibanez (bought after the Epiphone on a deal to good to miss). It was a basic non-trem JS series in plain black with a rosewood 'board, and 2x single coils and 1x humbucker. For my slightly chubby hands, the neck and 'board were perfectly radiussed, and the pickup combination together with the delicate control of the volume & tone knobs was a revelation.
Yamaha Pacificas are also excellent for first timers.
I've got that exact Epiphone, and tbh I wouldn't recommend it. I've just got a Mexican Strat and the difference in quality, (in both construction, and sound quality), is startling! It also went out of tune ALL the time...
I'd have a look at a Yamaha Pacifica, or if you want a LP, spend a little more, and look at the Epiphone LP Studio or Standard, (better hardware, a set neck, etc). Good luck with your hunting!
I'd have a look at a Yamaha Pacifica, or if you want a LP, spend a little more, and look at the Epiphone LP Studio or Standard, (better hardware, a set neck, etc). Good luck with your hunting!
Cheers, I've noticed used LP Standards on ebay for £250 buy it now which seems like a lot of guitar for the money. It is a bit more than I wanted to spend though, especially when I have to add in at least £50 for a practice amp.
Reading some reviews, the Vintage does seem to be a good all-rounder at a good price...
Will check out the Pacifica too.
ETA - I see the Pacifica is a Strat copy, doesn't really do it for me in the way the LPs do, but seems to be rated as a best buy for under £200... Better than the Vintage?
Reading some reviews, the Vintage does seem to be a good all-rounder at a good price...
Will check out the Pacifica too.
ETA - I see the Pacifica is a Strat copy, doesn't really do it for me in the way the LPs do, but seems to be rated as a best buy for under £200... Better than the Vintage?
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Saturday 18th September 23:44
Have a look at Vox Amplugs, you can use headphones or plug it into your hifi until you decide what you'd like in the way of an amp. I thought £40 was a bit steep but now I prefer it to the pocket-pod I bought first...
ETA: Before I knew anything about electric guitars, I liked Les Pauls because of the woodwork. I ended up buying a Strat because you can make them sound 'nasty' but you can't make a LP sound 'clean'. Pacifica is very well made and highly regarded as a learning guitar, but I think it lacks personality... although my acoustic is a Yamaha and absolutely brilliant. Vintage is not bad for low budget.
ETA: Before I knew anything about electric guitars, I liked Les Pauls because of the woodwork. I ended up buying a Strat because you can make them sound 'nasty' but you can't make a LP sound 'clean'. Pacifica is very well made and highly regarded as a learning guitar, but I think it lacks personality... although my acoustic is a Yamaha and absolutely brilliant. Vintage is not bad for low budget.
Edited by -Pete- on Saturday 18th September 23:48
I've got a "Vintage Les Paul" which I cannot complain about. Links to a Fender 25R. Dunno where you are but if you're local to me, you're welcome to have a go. I cannot demonstrate as I gave up playing so I could spend more time on the piano (but I still like looking at the guitar 
).
Looks like this:
I sometimes like to wear a big hat, smoke, swear and drink Bourbon from the bottle while playing with it unplugged to Sweet Child o' Mine.
).Looks like this:
I sometimes like to wear a big hat, smoke, swear and drink Bourbon from the bottle while playing with it unplugged to Sweet Child o' Mine.
Edited by ShadownINja on Sunday 19th September 00:08
When you say you've seen used LP Standards on the bay for £250, I'm assuming you mean Epiphone ones? I would be very wary of a Gibson at that price!
I can't give any advice regarding Vintage guitars I'm afraid, I'd be surprised if they're better than the Yamaha though, as the 112 really is a fantastic guitar for the money...
If it's got to be a LP then I'd try and increase your budget a little, as LP's cost a bit more than strat style guitars, like for like... I bought a cheap one and wish I hadn't, as I can't see me playing it again!
This one is only a little more, but looks better:
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/epiphone-les-p...
Or this one for a bit more again, (and the one I'd go for in your shoes):
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/88139
Or just seen this one, if you like the colour scheme, they've even got an ex demo one within budget:
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/epiphone-les-p...
Also - If you're buying an amp at the same shop, don't be shy to ask for a discount - may help you get the guitar you really want!
I can't give any advice regarding Vintage guitars I'm afraid, I'd be surprised if they're better than the Yamaha though, as the 112 really is a fantastic guitar for the money...
If it's got to be a LP then I'd try and increase your budget a little, as LP's cost a bit more than strat style guitars, like for like... I bought a cheap one and wish I hadn't, as I can't see me playing it again!
This one is only a little more, but looks better:
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/epiphone-les-p...
Or this one for a bit more again, (and the one I'd go for in your shoes):
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/88139
Or just seen this one, if you like the colour scheme, they've even got an ex demo one within budget:
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/epiphone-les-p...
Also - If you're buying an amp at the same shop, don't be shy to ask for a discount - may help you get the guitar you really want!
Thanks for the advice - yes, an Epiphone LP. Sorry, just getting used to the whole language of guitar styles/names!
The budget is pretty tight - it would be lovely to add a few quid but I really shouldn't be spending the money anyway, so must try to keep it realistic! That gothic is nice - would have to dig out the Sister of Mercy tabs
Shadow, in Kent so not too far. A very kind offer but I wouldn't really have a clue what I was looking for. Going to have to be a mixture on advice/reviews/gut feeling!
The budget is pretty tight - it would be lovely to add a few quid but I really shouldn't be spending the money anyway, so must try to keep it realistic! That gothic is nice - would have to dig out the Sister of Mercy tabs
Shadow, in Kent so not too far. A very kind offer but I wouldn't really have a clue what I was looking for. Going to have to be a mixture on advice/reviews/gut feeling!
Bah. The more I look at Pacificas knowing they are the best choice, the more they do nothing for me 
The natural finish looks the most "interesting" but they still look a bit Tomy My First Guitar...
One thing - they all seem to have tremelo arms, the JustinGuitar site recommends no trem arm on a first guitar due to tuning issues etc.
The natural finish looks the most "interesting" but they still look a bit Tomy My First Guitar...One thing - they all seem to have tremelo arms, the JustinGuitar site recommends no trem arm on a first guitar due to tuning issues etc.
i'd get something second hand for sure...for £200 you could probably pick up an Epiphone SG or Les Paul with some upgraded tuners or something like that...the hardware on cheap guitars is what really kills them...find one with a few upgrades, there's plenty on ebay.
the thing you want as a started is a low action and slim neck profile IMO..something like an SG is perfect for learning IMO...nice and light as well.
Alternatively, i reckon £250 buys you a PRS SE ... i'd be all over that as a beginner
the thing you want as a started is a low action and slim neck profile IMO..something like an SG is perfect for learning IMO...nice and light as well.
Alternatively, i reckon £250 buys you a PRS SE ... i'd be all over that as a beginner
ShadownINja said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
One thing - they all seem to have tremelo arms, the JustinGuitar site recommends no trem arm on a first guitar due to tuning issues etc.
Yep. It looks like a real hassle compared to one without.On my strat, the trem arm simply unscrews from the bridge when it's not needed. I've only used it once tbh, just to try it out! Having one doesn't make tuning any more difficult, it's just that if you use it a lot, you're more likely to go out of tune as it works by stretching the strings.
Buying a guitar that doesn't excite you is a mistake IMO, so it doesn't sound like the Pacifica is the right guitar for you. Sounds like you've got your heart set on a LP so it's gotta be one of those.
Having said that, I still wouldn't recommend the LP 100. The Vintage looks better for the money IMO, or look on ebay if you can't stretch to the better Epiphone models...
Also, don't be shy about going to a guitar shop though, any decent one would be more than happy to help a beginner!
Buying a guitar that doesn't excite you is a mistake IMO, so it doesn't sound like the Pacifica is the right guitar for you. Sounds like you've got your heart set on a LP so it's gotta be one of those.
Having said that, I still wouldn't recommend the LP 100. The Vintage looks better for the money IMO, or look on ebay if you can't stretch to the better Epiphone models...
Also, don't be shy about going to a guitar shop though, any decent one would be more than happy to help a beginner!
NiceCupOfTea said:
ShadownINja said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
One thing - they all seem to have tremelo arms, the JustinGuitar site recommends no trem arm on a first guitar due to tuning issues etc.
Yep. It looks like a real hassle compared to one without.The Pacifica trems are usually OK. It can easily be inactivated by winding up the springs (in the back of the guitar) and screwing the bridge down tightly. If the guitar is set up OK it won't be a problem (GAK stuff is usually OK).
I see there is a Kramer Assault LP style guitar on their website - could be worth a look. Best thing to do IMO would be to take a trip down to Brighton to see them, try some stuff and buy the guitar you like as there can be massive variance between seemingly identical guitars.
I think you have to decide whether you want a solid body or semi-acoustic body and single coil or h/bucker pickups before you can then decide what instrument to buy. They have very different characteristics. There is a world of difference between a LP type guitar and a Tele/Strat type.
I think you have to decide whether you want a solid body or semi-acoustic body and single coil or h/bucker pickups before you can then decide what instrument to buy. They have very different characteristics. There is a world of difference between a LP type guitar and a Tele/Strat type.
Two good points:
If you know someone with Costco memebership, there's a Fender Starcaster package with practice amp for about £160, either black+white or brown-wooden+white, I'm sure you could sell it on eBay if you don't get on with it.
Revs_Addiction said:
...don't be shy about going to a guitar shop though, any decent one would be more than happy to help a beginner!
Mojooo said:
...I had a cheap Les Paul copy - the neck was very fat and i found it difficult to get my fingers around - the strat style neck is much thinner and easier.
When I went to GAK, I didn't have a clue, but there's lots of people trying out guitars there's no pressure. Guitar salespeople tend to be enthiusiasts so they don't mind helping beginners. Ask them to show you how to play an E chord, try it on a few different guitars, they won't mind. You'll be surprised how different they feel.If you know someone with Costco memebership, there's a Fender Starcaster package with practice amp for about £160, either black+white or brown-wooden+white, I'm sure you could sell it on eBay if you don't get on with it.
Just taken up electric myself, normally play sax. I went with a very scruffy Ibanez and have just bought a used Vox AD30 modelling amp as it sounded pretty dire with the S/H £15 practice amp I had. If you are near me you can have it to get you started.
My mate has a 70s Fender and the radius neck on it seems to make the fret work a lot easier especially bar chords. I would look to try a used Fender before you buy something with a flat neck like an LP clone. They do look the part though.
Hopefully you will have as much fun with it as I am.
My mate has a 70s Fender and the radius neck on it seems to make the fret work a lot easier especially bar chords. I would look to try a used Fender before you buy something with a flat neck like an LP clone. They do look the part though.
Hopefully you will have as much fun with it as I am.
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