The Best and Worst First Guitars
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- Опубліковано 4 кві 2024
- Choosing your first guitar can be a daunting task, with so many options on the market. In this video, we break down the best and worst first guitars to help you make an informed decision.
We start by highlighting some of the best options for beginners, including affordable yet high-quality electric guitars that offer great playability and sound. We also discuss important factors to consider, such as size, shape, and style, to help you find the perfect fit.
On the flip side, we also explore some of the worst guitars for beginners, pointing out common pitfalls to avoid. Whether it's poor build quality, subpar sound, or frustrating playability, we'll show you what to watch out for when shopping for your first guitar.
Whether you're just starting your musical journey or looking to upgrade from your first guitar, this video has something for everyone. Join us as we navigate the world of first guitars and help you find the perfect instrument to kickstart your musical adventures. - Розваги
My first was a rented Danelectro convertible back in 1962. God awful but I stuck with lessons from a great jazz guitarist and after a couple of years my dad got me a used Gibson 335.
My dad bought me a Korean Squier in the early 90s, my dad is now gone but still own and love that guitar, never going to sell it
Understand that , the first guitar i ever picked up was my grandfathers Yamaha. I still have it, can't really date it but it's a red Nippon and they were produced from the late 60's till early '71
Schecter has great beginner and intermediate guitars. The Omen-6 guitars are fantastic for the money. 👍👍👍
The singer/other guitar player in my band just got a used Schecter Hellraiser for 600. It’s bad ass. The only thing I would change is that it has active pickups.
They have incredible mid range guitars too.
My C1 SLS FR S Evil Twin Elite is the most incredible guitar I've ever had.
They also make many lefties.
In this range, LTD is great. My son got an LTD as his first electric. I’ve got a number of guitars (including PRS CE, Silver Sky, Les Paul, and a NOVO). That LTD is great and I find my self reaching for it quite a bit.
I can't attest to schecters being great for the price. Banshees are great ssh
When I was 14 my dad got me an American Deluxe Strat which I still have almost 20 years later, and it's still one of my favorite guitars. I'm a firm believer of know what you want and buy for life, and if you buy a guitar you LOVE as opposed to just the guitar you can afford, you're more likely to stick with it when you're learning. Granted $1k doesn't go as far today as it did back in the day... I think those SE Swamp Ash Specials are awesome for the money.
I disagree.
79/80 people that pick up a guitar and say “I’m going to learn to play guitar” will quit. It is what it is. So having a high-end instrument when you are still tone-def and haven’t gotten through the fingertip blisters is a very unwise decision.
Having such a nice first guitar, and a dad wealthy (and cool) enough to get you one, are real blessings...most people don't have the option to start out on a "keeper"...even back in the 90s as a teenager I had to save a couple years to get my ric bass, if that were now it would have been nothing but a pipe dream
My first guitar was a nylon string Spanish acoustic with a super wide neck. Not fun to learn on, but when I finally got an electric, the transition was seamless.
you most definitely hit the mark and thanks for the advice!!
It was the mid 80s when I started playing guitar and did a rental for the first couple months of lessons. After that I was looking at all the pointy super strats in the store which was all anyone wanted at the time. Both my guitar teacher and the onsite luthier told me to forget about those and buy a used Fender or Gibson that were going for fire sale prices at the time and according to them were way better than anything I could buy in the shop for the price. Luckily, I listened to them and bought a used Les Paul custom for $350. Best guitar I've ever owned and still have it. The big lesson I learned then though was that the best guitar for the money is used if you have a little patience and look around.
Maybe as a beginner avoid anything with a Floyd Rose?
I would second that, although it's a great skill to learn. I love a floating trem, but that's because I learned how to deal with them early on
Wow, Esteban all the way! Thanks for the picture that you showed. Made my day,
My mother got the “family” a Fender 1500sx acoustic for Christmas in 1994. I’m the only one who wanted to play guitar. I still have it. Even after American Airlines made me put it in the no pressurized lower cabin and the neck split down the grain from around the nut. Tony Martinez then working at Harris Music And Sound in Pensacola repaired it. It’s best enjoyed with a capo at the 4th Frey, which I’ve found is a magical position to play. Recommend 16 out of 10
Strat/tele guy (Love my Classic Vibe Strat) but my first electric was a well set up Epiphone Les Paul Special 2 that is still very playable. I think just having 2 knobs is a blessing for starting out. Maybe I just got a good one...
I had a Synsonics from service merchandise. $99 in 1989. Aweful! But somehow I stuck with it.
My first electric was a Guild Starfire IV i bought off my English teacher in 1978.
I’d say you pretty much nailed that, you can’t go wrong with either in the beginning
My first electric was a bottom of the line Squier Strat in 2002 for just over £100. Got it a couple of months after a Fender acoustic, all laminate for maybe £80. In both cases, that’s all I could afford. 😂
Back in 1975 I bought my first bass from Woolworths. 30 quid....A Kay SG in cherry red. Now, I dare say that if I put my hands on it today I would think it was crap... But... as a 14 yr old who knew no better I was in love with this thing.
My first electric guitar ( won't get rid of it) is an 🇺🇸 Fender strat. Now I have to get a professional 2 telecaster Miami Blue ‼️
I started (in 1994) on an Encore Strat copy. It was awful. Very nearly put me off guitar totally. I got a Yamaha Pacifica in 1997 and that was brilliant. A great guitar that was a joy to play. But it wasn’t cool and as soon as I started gigging I wanted a Fender. Got a Tex Mex Tele Custom in 99 and that did me all through to 2020 when I got an SG Junior under the guise of it being great for my son if he decides to play. It’s absolutely brilliant fun. I picked up a Japanese Fender Mustang last year and must say, despite the reputation, I’ve found the build quality quite disappointing. Overall, I think the Pacifica is the perfect beginner guitar but still feel the graduation to Fender/Gibson is pretty inevitable.
My first electric guitar was a Fender Sunn Mustang back in ‘94. Have modded everything bar the neck since then. Still plays great!
Definitely agree with the choices mentioned, and I would add Sterling by MM as a well made, great value to consider as well.
Your first choice was right on. Squire Tele. Fixed bridge. Easy to deal with and sounds great. Inspiring to play.
Never played the tele but I hated the clean sound of the strat. Guess I’m not a strat guy at all
@@joaofezasvital8521 Strat is nothing but troublesome for a "first guitar" because of the tremolo bridge. Takes a while to learn how to keep it in tune. My experience was like that, anyway.
My first guitar was a red Lotus knockoff of a Randy Rhoads Flying V. I’ve never seen another Lotus ever since. I got it for $99 with a $25 practice amp back in the late 80’s. Absolutely horrible stuff and had it not been for Randy and George Lynch I would’ve quit, but I wanted to play like them so bad, that I kept going until I ended up with a Mexican Strat by 1990 and a Fender Princeton Chorus with the red knobs. It was all worth it after that.
But yes, stay away from the garbage to begin with because it’s more likely to cause someone to give up than to motivate them to discover their gift. People will spend $1,500-$2,000 on their first school instrument and then turn around and try to get a guitar rig for $300-500. Save up and get something that someone else will want if you really don’t want to stick with it, or something that will be fine if it sits for a year or two before you decide to take it up again.
In other words - Invest, don’t “purchase”. Investments last, purchases don’t.
Great video! My first electric guitar was a '67 ES-335 12-string, cost $250 in 1977. Came strung as a 6-string and I've never felt the need to string it any differently.
A guitar with a vibrato bridge is probably not the best for a new player.
I once read a great Harmony Central article on G.A.S. and building a solid rig for reasonable $$. Their guitar recommendation was a Tele. Classic, nearly indestructible, sounds great and easily reconfigurable with the seemingly endless variety of aftermarket parts.
As for First Act, I once bought a used one (that looked like a double-cut LP Jr albeit with a Strat style bridge) at GC. I saw it hanging on the wall with a $59 price tag on it. I felt the neck and was smitten with the profile. After changing the tuners and giving it a thorough cleaning and setup, it played and sounded amazing. Even the (probably ceramic magnet equipped) humbucker sounded incredibly good. Unfortunately it was a casualty when I downsized from 20+ to 5 guitars.
Hard to believe, but my first electric guitar was a mint used 63 Stratocaster. It was three or four years old when I bought it, worked all summer mowing lawns, paid $325.00! Stupidly sold it when I went off to college for $600.00, what a mistake it would be worth a lot today! That taught me a lesson, never sell good musical equipment! Keep up the great vids guys, rock on!
OUCH😂
I was buying, selling, and trading like a pro, or a fool, during the first year of my guitar journey.
My first guitar was a Mexican strat, a Wayne’s World 2 edition. I didn’t keep it long enough to know whether it was any good, but it wasn’t my thing at the time and I wanted a Les Paul looking object. I’m confident now that the strat was probably a way better guitar than the cheap LP copy that I ended up with after that.
Maybe I wouldn’t have stuck with guitar though if I’d only had that strat that I didn’t bond with
My first guitar was an ‘02 Epi Les Paul Classic. It was a pretty great choice, and plays well to this day.
The Distortion was amazing on those HH luminous green light amps, never had one though!!!....
I agree with your picks, but with a little modification. 1.A Squire Affinity, with a decent set up is also great for a biginner. They're also great for a beginner in learning how to work on your guitar. 2. I dug a weird First Act out of a dumpster. Its terrible but in a strangely cool way. And the neck is all flamed as well. I have plans for it and if it works out that'll be a cool guitar. But you're absolutely correct about Yamaha and PRS SE. My SE 24 08 is awsome and every Yamaha ive ever had has been fantastic as well.
I would add Schecter to the list as well, and almost any guitar that comes out of the Cort factory in Indonesia is probably a safe bet for beginners.
I have a 2012 Beetle with the Fender audio! 🥰
Get yourself a First Act VW GarageMaster off of Reverb and rock on.
My first electric guitar was a red True Tone. My mom bought it from Western Auto in 1974. I played that guitar for years until I was able to get a new one which was an Univox Strat style guitar. I still have that guitar after all these years. Man, we’ve come a long way! I was so proud of both of those guitars, that somehow my mom managed to buy for me. I know we didn’t have the money but she did what parents do, figure out a way.
Unfortunately I can’t speak of beginner guitars for today as I grew up in the 1980s. The guitarist we got to play with were a lot of the 70s ones that command a lot of money right now. They were thought of as throwaway instruments at the time.
My first guitar was a First Act. My parents got it for me for Christmas when I was 13. In hindsight it wasn’t great lol. Don’t really play it these days but I’ve modded it a bunch now and it’s been a great tool to experiment on.
The first guitar I owned was a MIJ black and white Squire Strat.
A Harmony H92 was the first guitar I “borrowed” from school during weekends 🤫
My first guitar was a '87-88 BC Rich Warlock.
The First Act Garagemaster is a lot of fun. They are a slight step up from the Walmart guitars. Garagemaster has a 9v preamp that was used to power it thru the VW sound system. Thru a normal amp, it acts as onboard distortion. Each guitar came with a plate on the back of the headstock bearing the VIN number of the VW it came with. I’ve had one for about 15 years. Needed some fretwork but plays in tune, even with its cheap hardware. They make a great slide guitar too! If you can pick one up cheap, go for it!
First electric guitar was a 1987 Japanese Kramer F6000 with Floyd Rose in Floppy Pink
Still have
If it’s easier to play, stays in tune and sounds ok and it also makes you smile you will want to pick it up and learn …and if you don’t like the finish then customise it !
The bolt on Epiphone Les Pauls are consistently very good. I have two of them myself that a bought and modded after working a several for kids that come in our store. They are my daily players at this point.
Ibanez Gio stuff is a great value, especially if the "classic" look isn't your thing.
Great options to experiment cost effectively
Absolutely 💯 indeed.
My first guitar was a PRS S2. I love that guitar.
My first electric somewhere around 99 was a Gibson SG Junior Special in seafoam green. As much as I wanted to love that guitar it wouldn’t stay in tune for more than a few bars. I eventually traded it in for a standard strat, also seafoam green.
Hahaha, I remember those late night Esteban infomercials, where he bragged about how it had a real wooden top. Wtf else would it be made of, cardboard?! I've read so many accounts of them just literally falling apart within like a year, lol.
I have a First Hackt Les Paul style single humbucker guitar and it is really quite good.
My first guitar was a Stella acoustic that cost $28 new (over 50 years ago). Don't know how I ever managed to play anything on it but I still have it.
I have had good luck with Sterling as entry level guitar, easy to play, affordable and capable, of course on budget guitars sometimes a proper set up is smartest option you can do to keep yourself or that someone special spending more time playing then it sits in a closet, Taylor Mini is still best First Acoustic
2006 VW GTI came with a guitar you could plug into a quarter inch jack that was in the glovebox.
I have a Rogue 5 string active bass that's been going strong over 20 years. I probably got the exception but it's an amazing player. Also, push pull to go from active to passive.
It probably wasn't cheap, which would explain better quality. Even so, you were probably lucky.
I would put the Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" SGs alongside the good Squiers and PRS SE. I have an Epi SG Special in Faded Pelham Blue that's a great guitar. Gets just as much love as any of my other 8 guitars (half modded imports, half USA made).My Epi Les Paul 1960s Tribute is the equal of my real Gibson as it came with Gibson USA pups and electronics, long neck tenon, hard case, locking Grover tuners, etc. There are some incredible values out there. And budget for a good setup to dial it in and deal with any minor issues like a few sharp fret ends.
For the money sound and quality I would absolutely recommend pretty much and PRS se model they are just fantastic!
My first guitar was a hand medown black gibson les paul custom from 76. It was so heavy and i needed an amp so i manage to trade it to a sucker, for a tele squire, pod and a line 6
Used mexican fender, gretsch jets, schecters, for more metally vibed ones, prs se
My first guitar was an Epiphone g400, it was a great guitar I wish I still had it!
No Floyd Rose, 12-14 inch fretboard radius, a nut that stays in tune, accessable truss rod, locking tuners, not too heavy, neck stability, adjustable bridge saddles, quality electronics, good pickups (humbuckers?). Did I forget something?
What, no Gretsch Streamliners? Stoptail instead of Bigsby for the total beginner, of course.
Ibanez gax75 in pewter 😊, still played occasionally.
My first acoustic was a Takamine I bought for $125 back in the late 90's. It played and sounded pretty good! My first electric was purchased last year, and it's a Sire S7 Vintage. It plays fantastic. The neck is amazing and the quality for the price is hard to believe.
I would recommend a Sire S3, L3, or T3 for a starter guitar for a new player. Also, those new PRS satin models are amazingly affordable and are getting great reviews! If those had been out when I was looking at the Sires, I probably would have saved $100+ and bought the PRS.
As others have said, there are a ton of affordable starter guitars that are good quality. More than ever.
My first was a Washburn HOB electric from Walmart. With a mad dog 10w amp. No idea what happened to that amp, but I still have my first. My dad bought it and my grandpa bought lessons for me so I learned on it. I don’t play it as much anymore but I’ll never sell it. Probably couldn’t anyway lol.
Hey Baxter! I know this us off subject. But I have a special request. I played a 314ce 50th Anniversary with the torrified tip. Could you please do a Taylor video playing that one. I might buy one but I won't until I hear you play that one. Thanks!!
I think the most important thing for a player's first guitar is to have good action, fretwork and intonation. These things make learning easier and more enjoyable. Newbies have no idea what constitutes good playability, and I'm convinced that 75% of people that quit guitar because "it's too hard" are actually fighting guitars that feel and sound crappy, or worse. As you stated, economical imports, even from brands like Squire and Epiphone, may be hit and miss. A newbie needs to have a guitar checked out or optimized by someone that knows what they're doing already. It's tough to sell a $125 setup to someone that paid $99 for their guitar, but a little fret filing, nut filing and intonation can make a night-and-day difference. It's not so much the tone or flexibility of sounds that are critical to the student, but comfortable action and good intonation. This makes for sounding good easier and faster, which results in more playing, and exponential growth.
Imagine what Wolfgang Van Halen started with.... "ok, grab that 59 Les Paul, I'll show you the A chord." Personally, my first was a Kramer Baretta
Gotta also mention Gretsch Streamliners, G&L Legacy line, and Music Man Sterlings.
Jackson’s have great starter guitars in my opinion and amazing ones to further your playing like the soloist
I agree that PRS SE is right up there as a "for the money" choice...... Yamaha as well....... not only new but older Yamaha if you find one in very good shape.... Super Flighter or a SSC-500 from the early 80"s. I have a '81 Yamaha SSC 500 that I got for less than 350 bucks a few years ago...... It is the easiest playing of any of my guitars that doesn't have frets that are at least .047 tall..... because the neck is so precise...... 3 high output (overwound) single coils with blade style...... Can coil tap the neck and bridge , but not the middle for some strange reason...... a little harsh sounding compared to really good pickups, but I put Lace Sensors in it and it sounds like a million bucks now...... Guitar tech I used came up with the brilliant idea to secure the new pups in place with velcro.... so nothing had to be altered at all and still have the originals that can be put back without a trace....... Also for a few extra bucks don't count out Reverend...... high quality guitars made in Korea...... Don't get an epidural phone if you know what I mean...... have fun kids and grownups alike.....
used is often the best choice.
My first electric was a natural Aspen Strat copy with clear Pickguard that my guitar teacher sold me.
My first guitar was a department store plywood acoustic that I got for Christmas as a child. What a piece of crap, but I still learned the cowboy chords and some basic melodies and played the heck out of it. My first electric was a late 80's USA made Peavey Predator Strat clone with a 10 watt Fender Frontman amp. Actually a pretty decent guitar.
I always recommend that people purchasing a guitar for a new player start with an HSS strat. The body shape is comfortable and can cover a wide variety tones. Further I recommend that they do not buy from the lowest tier of any brand. That next level up say $300 range - they improve dramatically. Squier, Yamaha, Schecter have excellent guitars around this price and can always go used as well. Nothing worse than giving a new player a cheap guitar with high action, sharp frets, that sounds like crap. Sure way to get them to quit.
Has to be my silvertone, then moved up to a tesco delray😂
Yes the classic vibe is what I got for my grandkids...they are great.
Nope first car was a 70 chevelle ss, went big boy on the car😂
The best first guitar is a used top tier guitar like an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro or Squire Classic Vibe edition. I recently bought an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro in Alpine White for $299 from a Cash America Pawn Shop.
I think I'd either go used or kit for a first guitar
I got into guitar about 3 years ago and got my first electric (a classic vibes strat) for Christmas in 2021. I think the main reason that I've stuck with guitar and made the progress that I have is due to the fact that having that slightly higher quality guitar just inspired me to pick it up and play. I think specifically a strat should be everyone's first guitar; they're so versatile and easy to play, you really can get everything you need as a beginner out of one.
Right now I'm looking to buy my second guitar, although sounding phenomenal for any Hendrix, Gilmour stuff etc I'm really in need of some beefier tones for some other songs. I've been learning 'Since I've Been Loving You' on my strat and I just can't get that Jimmy Page tone I'm looking for out of it. Any suggestions for Les Pauls or guitars in that style that I should have a look at would be much appreciated.
My first guitar was an all red electric with the brand name Memphis on the headstock. I traded a skateboard to a kid that lived on my street for the guitar. After about a year of learning Nirvana, Sublime and Blink 182 riffs, my mom bought me an Ibanez RG.
An egmund acoustic from Holland in 1980
Ibanez and LTD are great to start with. Get any kid an AZES HSS if they like the look and send them on the way. It will do any sound you need but it is also fine to just leave it on any pickup with the knobs up. I would feel comfortable giving a kid anything from Ibanez or LTD (Even with a floyd if you block a locking trem.) Whatever speaks to the them from those 2 or Yamaha would work.
my first was a '68 SG Special..............just like the one Pete played at woodstock
My first guitar was a Peavy Predator. It was not a very good guitar. I remember every other guitar that I got my hands on, back then, seemed to play better. It was very discouraging and a big part of why I gave up way back when. Many years later I got back into it and bought a Jay Turser 335 copy for $200. Amazing guitar for the money. I upgraded everything I could and still use it a little. Those Jay Turser guitars were so good for the price I eventually bought two more. One, a prototype apparently, it's not an SG it's not a Les Paul, it's like an S Paul or a Les G. I love that thing. The other was a larger double cut that I improved and sold.
My first electric 1981 Ibanez AR300! It has a brass/bone combo nut, a huge brass sustain block under the saddle. Granted I got that at the time because I cant afford a Gibson. It got me through the decades without the need to get another electric. Only since I retire then I start buying my gibson and fender. Got to give some love to Ibanez as well, a under-rated brand comparing with Yamaha.
I bought an '83 AR300 in 1988 after comparing it to several Gibsons in the shop. The Ibby blew all the Gibbys away, and I had that guitar for 25 years. Late 70s/early 80s Ibanezes were stellar.
First Guitar? Austin brands or JTursers, a lot of G&L Legacy 2nd hand.
If its something to learn on but still undecided if its a hobby that stays with you.
You don't want to spend a lot but you want something comfortable in your hands.
My first Bass was a Fender Musicmaster in 1978, it was a pawnshop guitar.
My first 6-string was also a pawnshop deal, some offbrand flying V.
It wasn't until 8 years after (1986) that I bought a NEW Steinberger headless bass and 1991 was my first NEW guitar (US made Peavey Destiny)
So for me at least, it was trade/swap/deals in the 2nd hand market for many many years until I put money into a NEW guitar.
(Today I have several Gibson LP's and US Fender Strats... but thats 30+ years later)
It was Christmas 1980
I was 10
Under the tree was a brand new 1980 Gibson SG
Brand new Pevey combo.
I didn't start playing it until 1985.
Been playing ever since.
Up The Irons!!
Damn! I was also 10 in 1980, but I had a Sekova which was a Sears guitar I believe? I got that Christmas 1977 and it might as well have been a SG. It was an amazing feeling seeing it at my Grandparents under the tree!
@@brianseneca3546
I was pretty naive at 15 and didn't appreciate the SG I already had and saved my paper route money to buy a cheap Series 10 (by Bentley lol). It was an offset V shaped piece of crap.
But I was a budding metal guitarist who couldn't be seen playing a boomer SG.
That phase didn't last long.
I just ordered the new Epiphone SG Custom with the Gibson headstock and the 3 Gibson Custom buckers.
Some things never change...
In my line of work, I've rented hundreds of cars over the decades. The Chevy HHR was among the worst. Bunched up at the bottom of the list with the Dodge Discovery SUV and the Kia Soul.
after teyi g out all of my guitars, my son (17) just got an epiphone crestwood! it's a LOT nicer than the guitars I learned on
Tagima makes some nice starter type guitars
Restrung my old Epiphone special II the other day and gave that a strum…. And remembered why I haven’t touched it in years. Not great 😅
No mention of Gretsch 😮
Micheal Kelly guitars tend to be great for the money. But i would definitely agree that yamaha makes an awesome first guitar
First year play an acoustic it will strengthen your hands. Then ride the lightning.
People tend to play acoustics more, too. You don't have to plug in and all that.........just pick it up and play.
My 1st guitar was Peavey Raptor, basically a Strat knockoff. Played like junk but over all I feel it made me a better player when I did get a decent quality guitar. In the years that work music retail I would always recommend a HSS combination for beginners. Always felt if was best of both worlds “tone” wise and see that worked best for them. It mainly was Squire Standard series and above, Yamaha, or the Ibanez Gio line.
I'm like 3 minutes into this, but I think ya'll should have done this by price range. Beginner guitars for a kid who has a fleeting interest in playing and a starter guitar for a teen or adult are 2 different things.
My very first guitar was a Squire it was the biggest POS I shelved it for years made me not want to play I eventually gave it to my luthier for a practice project. Hands down an Ibanez RG for any skill level.
My Classic Vibe Tele is ridiculous. No way should that guitar play so well and sound that great. And I got it on Reverb for a very “Used” price but still got to peel the plastic off the pick guard and neck pup. The deals are out there, folks!
My first electric guitar was an 82 Gibson E2 Explorer. And that’s nothing to sneeze at. METAL.
I think a 1st amp matters more. I wanted to quit and had a giant gap in my playing due to a shitty crate amp. I hated practicing at home since I always sounded bad. At my lessons going into a princeton I was so much better and it was always discouraging. That crate was similar price to a Katani mini now (not adjusted for inflation.)
I started with a CS Relic 😅. Quickly moved to a Kiesel.😂
My first was a MIJ Fender Stratocaster. Wonderful guitar. Should never have sold it.
I wanted drums. My dad said, "No way". So went for guitar and assumed I'd get an acoustic to start on. But even that was to loud for my dad to tolerate. So he got me a Hohner Strat copy and a Peavey Rage because you can't use headphones on an acoustic.
Go ahead and bash the First Act guitars (which have been out of production for ten years now), but some of them are hidden gems, just because of that attitude. I bought one once for $25 that played great, was strung thru the body, had two alnico HBs and a built-in distortion circuit. Keep bashing them and keep the prices low, thanks. People said the same thing about 1960s masonite Danelectros, too.
You go right ahead and give your kids a trash guitar with razor blade frets that they'll never be inspired to actually learn to play. The rest of us will offer something that begs to be picked up again.
The Magnums were bad ass. V8 station wagon is a win.
"Toin coss"?? Well done Baxter.😃Squier Affinity Strat was my first and I got lucky as it was built correctly and felt great to play. 9/10 recommend to someone buying their first guitar.
You caught that huh? I was just texting my buddy to laugh about it, because I've been saying that for around 40 years! Still funny.
I blame the pandemic for the dramatic improvement in 'inexpensive' guitars. I've been playing since I was 14, and after owning dozens of instruments I absolutey love my Squire Nashville Strat. I was a gtr dept mgr for GC once upon a time and have played lots of wonderful instruments and stuff has never been better. With stores selling hundreds of guitars every day (No one talks about how many people bought keyboards?) the quality had to go up?
Certainly brands should have zero impact on your first good guitar. I'd imagine the average person buying thier first good quality solidbody electric guitar, are value shopping. This being said, they want to get past the gear buying phase without making mistakes.
My top 5 first guitar buying bits of advice are as follows.
#1. Determine honestly with yourself the maximum dollar amount you'll spend, BEFORE you shop.
#2. Tuning stability is paramount to ANY beginner.
#3. Ergonomics should be next in importance.
#4. The actual construction style of the guitar, ie; bolt on neck, set neck, neck through.
#5. Weight.
After that, your the only one who can decide all the astetics you prefer, like colors or fretboard, neck and body woods. Those don't matter enough sonically for a beginner to focus much on.
Durability is something that I think any guitar, regardless of price should have in spades. A beginner certainly doesn't need a fragile ornate instrument prone to breaking into pieces at the slightest bump. Peace, and happy guitar shopping!
Baxter I love you.
First Act actually made a high-end model briefly. I think it was $3000.
They made a ton of high end guitars. They used to have a US custom shop in Boston, MA. Some pretty big names have had their guitars in their hands. I had one for about 7 years but had to sell it back in 2016 because money got tight for me for a bit there. I miss that guitar, was a great instrument!