Members Wolfboy1 Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 A friend of a friend is looking to start playing electric and has allocated $200.00 for his first guitar. Being an avid player I was consulted for an opinion, therefore I turn to you for the expert opinions;)What are some good ones that won't be disappointing to learn on? Like many, he plans on starting with a Roland or Line 6 amp.Thanks for your suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 Why don't you just go to the store with him and have him play virtually every 200 dollar guitar and see which one he thinks feels the best? I'm sure you'll find something decent pretty quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members weather.at.8 Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 200 bucks is going to go a lot further online than in a guitar store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Woody_in_MN Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 ^^^ Agree. Also, when this kind of question comes up, I advise the askee to go to GC and play as many brands/types of guitars they can, then pick one or two that they think would really work for them - then look used. If he wants an LP type, I have an Agile AL-2000 I am selling for less than $200. The fretboard was pulling away from the neck, but I repaired that. So it is left with a very, very minor cosmetic chip. PM me for details. - w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hellion_213 Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 If he can save up an additional $59, this one's actually pretty damn killer http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-F50-Electric-Guitar?sku=516677 Or this one, http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/B.C.-Rich-ASM-1-Electric-Guitar?sku=516089 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Ratae Corieltauvorum Posted February 18, 2010 Moderators Share Posted February 18, 2010 If he can save up an additional $59, this one's actually pretty damn killer http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-F50-Electric-Guitar?sku=516677 Or this one, http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/B.C.-Rich-ASM-1-Electric-Guitar?sku=516089 They're both very silly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Strenge Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 200 bucks is going to go a lot further online than in a guitar store. New, yes, but I've seen a bunch of very nice-looking used MiM strats in our local GC in the past year, iirc one was around $200. Something might have been wrong with it but it looked brand new. Granted they usually tend to sell for 250 to 300 in this area (Orlando). Also of course you'd have to want a strat I picked it for my beginner guitar simply due to comfort, despite the fact that I had convinced myself I wanted a les paul for other reasons. I think after making sure there's nothing wrong with the guitar, intonation, staying in tune etc (of course) the most important thing for him is comfort. It's tough because NO guitar is going to feel comfortable to a beginner. For me it was that forearm cut, the edge on teles/les pauls was bothering me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members A-20 Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 A used First Act Sheena will only set you back maybe $150 at the most. Great guitar. You should be able to find one easy enough, or if you can't PM me. Also First Act V-stack guitars were pretty good. Should get one for $150 at the most. Again locally you can probably find one, PM me if you are having trouble. If you can get a used Xaviere guitar cheap enough, you will probably find gold in them their hills. Or just order an under $150 SX and be ready to have it set up. That would be a fine first guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Will Chen Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 I've reviewed a bunch of $200 and slightly over/under guitars over at my site. Standouts have been: Strat type: SX SST-57, Lace Huntington, Yahmaha Pacifica (not reviewed but I've had enough playing time on one to include) Tele type: Squier Classic Vibe, Jay Turser JT-LT Custom Deluxe http://www.frugalguitarist.com/Contents.aspx?Filter=Category Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spike Li Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 Not. Even. Joking. Theres no routing under that pickguard so just take it off and it looks like a charvel! Only complaint is that the nut width is tiny... i dont know if all strats are like that or just this one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BoneNut Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Series-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=510423 I think this might be a nice start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Musicscotty Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 A used Yamaha Pacifica 112 would be my answer. It's very easy to play and they are known to have a solid, reliable build quality. The stock pickups are also very good, for a guitar in that price range. The 112 is easily on a par with any MIM Strat that I've played. If you want to go for new, then look for any stores that have the discontinued 112J model, like this one. http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-PAC112J-Electric-Guitar?sku=511077 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wolfboy1 Posted February 18, 2010 Author Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 THANKS for all you wonderful inputs, I am going to direct him to this thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bro Blue Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 Strat: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Series-Fat-Strat-Electric-Guitar?sku=510629 Tele: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Squier%26%23174%3B+-+Affinity+Telecaster%26%23174%3B+-+Butterscotch+Blonde/7926051.p?skuId=7926051&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=7926051&ref=06&loc=01&id=1214611417878 LP: http://www.rondomusic.com/product951.html http://www.rondomusic.com/al2000csb.html Check out Xaviere guitars at: http://store.guitarfetish.com/xaviereguitars.html $200 goes a hell of a lot farther than it did when I started playing. You can PM me if either of you have any questions. If your friend is close to where I am I'll set it up (a real set up, not the polish and string change set up you get most places) for nothing, y'all buy the strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d_dave_c Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 Used Squier '51. Used Yamaha Pacifica (model 112 or up). Used Peavey USA - Predator, Patriot, Nitro, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cratz2 Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 It's an awkward price range for a newbie. For $150 more, you can get something like a Classic Vibe Tele or Strat. Fine guitar from a decent company available almost anywhere in a variety of colors. On the other hand, looking at used gear, if you don't know what to look for, you're kinda screwed unless you have someone that can help keep an eye out for you and/or help check out a possible used prospect. If you look for a couple months, sometimes you can find incredible deals. Three of the four currently hanging on my wall at the moment I have $200 - $300 in: 1989 Korean Squier. $80 used on craigslist. Another $125 in pickups, a pickguard and new pots and a switch. There's nothing under $700 or so from Guitar Center/Sam Ash that can touch it in my opinion if you're looking for a strat. Or an LTD Viper 100. $50 (plus a free Squier) plus another $100 for a used set of BG Pure 90s. Hard to imagine a better P-90 based guitar for the money. And a late 90s Ibanez AX120. $60 new, $125 for Gibson 57 Classic pickups. Granted I went over the $200 budget with locking tuners, a new nut, pots and switch, knobs and saddles, but I could happily have lived with just the guitar and pickups. I have nicer guitar around, but am very, very happy with all three of these guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bluesway Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 guitarfetish.com...that will beat ANY store you find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members adastra87 Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 Agile, end of story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dega500 Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 If I had $200 right now to buy a guitar, I would beg or borrow another $25 and buy this today: http://cgi.ebay.com/WASHBURN-IDOL-SERIES-WI64-IDOL-GUITAR-VINTAGE-BLACK-NEW_W0QQitemZ380207447839QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item5886213f1f Your tastes may vary of course. I don't have one of these but I've read enough about these and have had different Washburns over the years and they have all been nice guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members D34dBaWx Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 Its inevitable that someone is going to suggest SX. Unless they are skilled at repair and modifying thats a huge mistake. Look for a good MIM guitar or Classic Vibe. Just in my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members adastra87 Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 Yeah, SX is not for the non-modder crowd, but you can get a nice Agile for $200-$225 that won't need a thing to be a good playing and sounding instrument. A bit off-topic but speaking of SX...I've got a SX tele coming in today that has been nicely modded with a new bridge, new tuners, and new pups. Traded an mp3 player that I no longer use for it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members volvo1800 Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-domino-guitar-MIJ-japan-lawsuit-teisco-bridge_W0QQitemZ260505040974QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3ca74f784e These are awesome, his price in on the high side. Its comparable to fender quality, just a little different. rest assured rad pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d_dave_c Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-domino-guitar-MIJ-japan-lawsuit-teisco-bridge_W0QQitemZ260505040974QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3ca74f784eThese are awesome, his price in on the high side. Its comparable to fender quality, just a little different. rest assured rad pickups. I would love to score a Californian, and watch most Domino auctions. They all go over $200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members noisebloom Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 He should check out Music Go Round and pick out a Fender Squier Standard Strat (read: Standard, not Affinity, not Bullet). These can easily be found for less than $150. Alder bodies, 22-fret necks, two-point trems, large headstocks. I've tried a couple of these in recent weeks and thought they were almost on par with MIM Strats. Once in a while I've seen these around $100, and at that price there's almost no reason to get something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 80k Posted February 18, 2010 Members Share Posted February 18, 2010 i've seen used Squire Duo Sonics for close to $200 and they are sweet guitars if your friend wants a shorter scale offset guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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