Which electric guitar would you recommend for a beginner? Budget £300

Whappers

Whappers

Whappers

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Belfast, Northern Ireland
As title really. Been wanting to play the guitar for a little while and have been dying to play some MUSE songs by myself (Just bought the GTAB songbooks). I have never played guitar before so am completely new to all this but am willing to give it my best shot. Question is, which guitar would you recommend for a beginner? I do not think I need an amp as I can just use my Denon AVR amp for that, so I am looking for opinions on the choice of guitar only please.

Many thanks to all those who reply.

Whappers.
 
Don't know much about electric guitars tbh but something like an Les Paul Epiphone or a Fender stratocaster/telecaster should be in your budget depending on the model.

As you cant play anything at the moment it's probably best for you to get a demo of a few and decide on the one you like the sound of most. That combined with whichever you think looks the best!

Of course I would recommend you learn a bit of acoustic guitar first but that's up to you!
 
pre1twa said:
Don't know much about electric guitars tbh but something like an Les Paul Epiphone or a Fender stratocaster/telecaster should be in your budget depending on the model.

As you cant play anything at the moment it's probably best for you to get a demo of a few and decide on the one you like the sound of most. That combined with whichever you think looks the best!

Of course I would recommend you learn a bit of acoustic guitar first but that's up to you!
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Yeah, I was looking at some of them online earlier across the major e-tailers. I am definitely going to go into the local shop in town and see/hear them before I buy anything. I have noticed that the "Guitar for dummies" book has received some very positive reviews, so I'm going to try and see if I can get a cheap second hand copy of that off the bay in the hope of actually learning something useful out of it :p. Thanks.
 
Best is to try some out in a shop, even though you can't play just see what they feel like.

I've started on a Squire Telecaster Custom, and I love it as a first guitar, but looking to get a Fender Tele Custom now or a Fender Strat but can't afford them.
 
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i have a total of six guitars ranging from Gibson,Charvel,Fender,Ibanez,Yamaha and have just added this one for the pricey sum of £59 brand spanking new from Andertons :-

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its a Dean Evo S3 , it has a volume control and a pickup its that basic, the neck is fantastic and the string action quite low with no fret buzz...
what i'm trying to say is if i was just starting out i'd recommend this guitar over any in your £300 budget, regardless of looks ..

Head down to a local music shop, try a few guitars , hold them see if they have a nice 'ring' to them when not plugged in, but above all spend wisely and have some fun ..
new isnt always better and a 2nd hand guitar you can practice on until you decide if playing is for you might be an idea .. gluck


IMG%5D
 
i wouldnt go for a new guitar.

i guess it all depends on what you want to play on it, but i would go for a *used* Ibanez etc. its been played in and they rock, but if i had to get a used 'strat' type guitar, i would go for a Yamaha Pacifica, but one of the old ones, as the QC on the new ones isnt anywhere near as good. The old Tokai strats are good to, if you can find one.

I wouldnt touch Epiphone or Squire Strats with a bargepole.

the important thing is feel. dont buy one because it looks nice, try it, hold it, even if you cant play it, what feels nice to you? dont EVER buy an instrument without having tactile contact with it first.

;)
 
Toryglen-boy said:
i wouldnt go for a new guitar.

i guess it all depends on what you want to play on it, but i would go for a *used* Ibanez etc. its been played in and they rock, but if i had to get a used 'strat' type guitar, i would go for a Yamaha Pacifica, but one of the old ones, as the QC on the new ones isnt anywhere near as good. The old Tokai strats are good to, if you can find one.

I wouldnt touch Epiphone or Squire Strats with a bargepole.

the important thing is feel. dont buy one because it looks nice, try it, hold it, even if you cant play it, what feels nice to you? dont EVER buy an instrument without having tactile contact with it first.
;)
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firstly Epiphone's are fantastic starter guitars, cheap and nicely setup, secondly new players don't really understand the difference in pickup's, action and hardware. Ive found a lot of beginners actually play more and keep at it with a guitar they like the look of than a plank they have been told is the best they can get. Now I agree in the long run depending on your aspirations a decent guitar beats cosmetics hands down but when starting it as a hobby that isnt always the most important factor.
 
my very first guitar was a peavey predator, second hand , dont know what the peaveys are like now but i would imagine you could get one for £300 easy
 
If you've never played a guitar before its pretty much impossible to say what 'feels good' as you have absolutely no bass for reference (pun intended!)

The guys in guitar shops are usually quite helpful and can play a bit so get him to play the same riff on a few different guitar and see which one you like the sound of best. You should also let him know the sort of music you like what you hope to learn... It's always good to buy a guitar that will hold its value too!

Like I say I'm not an expert but there really is no perfect choice. If you find a decent music shop I'm sure they will do their best to help you find something that will serve you well for many years.
 
eekfek said:
firstly Epiphone's are fantastic starter guitars, cheap and nicely setup, secondly new players don't really understand the difference in pickup's, action and hardware. Ive found a lot of beginners actually play more and keep at it with a guitar they like the look of than a plank they have been told is the best they can get. Now I agree in the long run depending on your aspirations a decent guitar beats cosmetics hands down but when starting it as a hobby that isnt always the most important factor.
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i guess thats just your opinion, and it differs from mine, they are cheapish and in reality, almost ANY guitar can be nicely setup.

horses for courses i guess ...

;)
 
i've got a epi les paul... and the only thing i'd change it for as my main guitar is a gibson les paul... which being left handed would cost me about £1800
i've played fender american series tele's and mexican tele's and i reckon my LP is of better quality, also for about £200 you can put gibson eletronics in it which actually makes them the deal of the centuary.... considering the wood is almost exactly the same...
 
i have an epi les paul and i fitted gibson pickups, its an amazing guitar. The stock pickups are quality too mind, get it now.
 
I think I'll probably end up getting the Yamaha 112 V which will be more than enough to get me off the ground. The idea of changing the electronics inside the guitar doesn't really appeal to me and sounds a bit difficult. Found a nice shop on the internet which sell in Belfast so I'll pop into see them over mid-semester.
 
Whappers said:
I think I'll probably end up getting the Yamaha 112 V which will be more than enough to get me off the ground. The idea of changing the electronics inside the guitar doesn't really appeal to me and sounds a bit difficult. Found a nice shop on the internet which sell in Belfast so I'll pop into see them over mid-semester.
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I don't think you'll regret it at all, the Pacifica 112 is a good guitar to really get into it, aesthetically pleasing, good solid design/build and they produce a nice sound
 
Whappers said:
As title really. Been wanting to play the guitar for a little while and have been dying to play some MUSE songs by myself (Just bought the GTAB songbooks). I have never played guitar before so am completely new to all this but am willing to give it my best shot. Question is, which guitar would you recommend for a beginner? I do not think I need an amp as I can just use my Denon AVR amp for that, so I am looking for opinions on the choice of guitar only please.

Many thanks to all those who reply.

Whappers.
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Get a new Mexican Strat. (not a Squire) then take it to your local guitar shop to get set up properly.
 
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