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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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
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...
my first electric guitar was a Sears Silvertone/Danelectro, the amp I used was actually a 1970 Kenwood 6420 stereo receiver with too many features to list here. total power was just under 300 watts. with a pair od sansui speakers it was very loud when set above 3 0f 20 on the volume knob and it did have both guitar and microphone input jacks. .I now have a Starcaster Strat that I went way overboard modifying and upgrading with many special parts. the body and head stock are painted with spray cans and airbrushed details in a stars and planets motif. It has a hand made custom extnded brushed stainless steel pick guard loaded with 3 quad rail/coil humbuckers and wired like a 50's Les Paul with coil splits using 3 each 500 K ohm audio taper P/P vol. and 500K audio taper tone pots but the bridge tone also a P/P to activates the bridge and neck pickups together regardless of other controls. The knobs and switch tip are all chrome I retained the Fender 5-way blade switch. the bridge got roller saddles and a brass trem block and the head stock got a titanium nut, roller string tree and locking tuners. I foated the bridge and tuned the 9-46 string set to E-Flat standad like any good Strat should be. Strap locks secure the guitar while playing. I have a cool looking guitar that feels, plays and sounds out of this world. I also have a totally stock Strat that needs a few parts because i got it from a friend who pulled the parts for another build. I had the bridge but need to get another 5-way switch. The new name of my extremely modded/upgraded Strat is The "Stellarcaster" Wanna Play???
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.....
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
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 !
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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...
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😂
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)
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.
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!!
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 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.
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!
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.
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.)
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.
The new PRS SE CE 24 for $499 is what I would go with if I was buying my 1st guitar. I think that’s a guitar you could play for the rest of your life if you wanted to.
I bought one for my nephew as a graduation present a couple of years ago. At the time he was playing some department store guitar and amp starter pack that had a name I had never heard of. He saw the guitar and reacted like I bought him a limited-edition private wood library run of his favorite artist's guitar. So did the members of his band. I felt better about that one than any of my personal purchases except maybe my first Strat.
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.
Everyone has different hands and ears. Buy what you can afford, a good amp is more important. Buy from your local shop where you can play it and get personal help.
"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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
My first guitar was an ‘02 Epi Les Paul Classic. It was a pretty great choice, and plays well to this day.
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😂
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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
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.
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 electric guitar was a Fender Sunn Mustang back in ‘94. Have modded everything bar the neck since then. Still plays great!
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’d say you pretty much nailed that, you can’t go wrong with either in the beginning
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 ‼️
my first electric guitar was a Sears Silvertone/Danelectro, the amp I used was actually a 1970 Kenwood 6420 stereo receiver with too many features to list here. total power was just under 300 watts. with a pair od sansui speakers it was very loud when set above 3 0f 20 on the volume knob and it did have both guitar and microphone input jacks. .I now have a Starcaster Strat that I went way overboard modifying and upgrading with many special parts. the body and head stock are painted with spray cans and airbrushed details in a stars and planets motif. It has a hand made custom extnded brushed stainless steel pick guard loaded with 3 quad rail/coil humbuckers and wired like a 50's Les Paul with coil splits using 3 each 500 K ohm audio taper P/P vol. and 500K audio taper tone pots but the bridge tone also a P/P to activates the bridge and neck pickups together regardless of other controls. The knobs and switch tip are all chrome I retained the Fender 5-way blade switch. the bridge got roller saddles and a brass trem block and the head stock got a titanium nut, roller string tree and locking tuners. I foated the bridge and tuned the 9-46 string set to E-Flat standad like any good Strat should be. Strap locks secure the guitar while playing. I have a cool looking guitar that feels, plays and sounds out of this world. I also have a totally stock Strat that needs a few parts because i got it from a friend who pulled the parts for another build. I had the bridge but need to get another 5-way switch. The new name of my extremely modded/upgraded Strat is The "Stellarcaster" Wanna Play???
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.
Ibanez Gio stuff is a great value, especially if the "classic" look isn't your thing.
Absolutely 💯 indeed.
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
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!
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.
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.
My first electric was a Guild Starfire IV i bought off my English teacher in 1978.
Definitely agree with the choices mentioned, and I would add Sterling by MM as a well made, great value to consider as well.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
I had a Synsonics from service merchandise. $99 in 1989. Aweful! But somehow I stuck with it.
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.
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 🤫
Wow, Esteban all the way! Thanks for the picture that you showed. Made my day,
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 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.
What, no Gretsch Streamliners? Stoptail instead of Bigsby for the total beginner, of course.
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.
First electric guitar was a 1987 Japanese Kramer F6000 with Floyd Rose in Floppy Pink
Still have
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.....
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
you most definitely hit the mark and thanks for the advice!!
I love my squire custom vibe 70s jaguar. for a new player I would attempt to try and play several guitars. it took me a few to find my sound and fit.
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 !
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.
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.
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.
2006 VW GTI came with a guitar you could plug into a quarter inch jack that was in the glovebox.
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.
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?
The Distortion was amazing on those HH luminous green light amps, never had one though!!!....
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.
I have a First Hackt Les Paul style single humbucker guitar and it is really quite good.
My first guitar was a PRS S2. I love that guitar.
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.
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...
I have a 2012 Beetle with the Fender audio! 🥰
Get yourself a First Act VW GarageMaster off of Reverb and rock on.
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😂
Yamaha does make matching motorcycles for their Revstars😂
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)
my first one was harmony from the sears catalog. strings like barbed wire and action that left a lot to be desired.
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.
Jackson’s have great starter guitars in my opinion and amazing ones to further your playing like the soloist
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 first guitar was an Epiphone g400, it was a great guitar I wish I still had it!
My first electric was a natural Aspen Strat copy with clear Pickguard that my guitar teacher sold me.
Gotta also mention Gretsch Streamliners, G&L Legacy line, and Music Man Sterlings.
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!!
Used mexican fender, gretsch jets, schecters, for more metally vibed ones, prs se
used is often the best choice.
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.
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
Micheal Kelly guitars tend to be great for the money. But i would definitely agree that yamaha makes an awesome first guitar
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 😅
Started with a kramer stryker, still miss that guitar.
he said toin coss right?
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.
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
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!
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.
my first was a '68 SG Special..............just like the one Pete played at woodstock
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.)
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.
No mention of Gretsch 😮
I think I'd either go used or kit for a first guitar
Ibanez?
Ibanez Gio hard to beat for value and playability.
Epiphone Les Paul or Yamaha Pacifica.
The new PRS SE CE 24 for $499 is what I would go with if I was buying my 1st guitar. I think that’s a guitar you could play for the rest of your life if you wanted to.
I bought one for my nephew as a graduation present a couple of years ago. At the time he was playing some department store guitar and amp starter pack that had a name I had never heard of. He saw the guitar and reacted like I bought him a limited-edition private wood library run of his favorite artist's guitar. So did the members of his band. I felt better about that one than any of my personal purchases except maybe my first Strat.
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.
The Magnums were bad ass. V8 station wagon is a win.
Everyone has different hands and ears. Buy what you can afford, a good amp is more important. Buy from your local shop where you can play it and get personal help.
Tagima makes some nice starter type guitars
"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.