Bad Guitars Beginners Should Avoid!
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- Опубліковано 28 тра 2024
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From Leo: Great advice on the smaller guitar with a good set up. I see 10 year old new students come in with grandpa's old dreadnought with the strings 1/2 inch off the frets. you know the kid is doomed. We kept an extra bullet telecaster in the practice rooms, to give the kid a chance.
I have a Bullet Telecaster that I got for $120 a few years ago. Must have been a scratch and dent special, because there is a big gouge in the back. Doesn’t affect how it plays, and it is such a reliable guitar - stays in tune, etc.
BLESS YOU!
I have a friend who was just starting to play and was terribly frustrated. She brings over her "starter" acoustic which turns out to be a Taylor Mini. I say, "wow! Not a bad start!"
Then I picked it up and realized why she was so frustrated trying to play the thing. The guitar strings were 13s.
I took them off and restrung it with 10s. After a simple truss rod adjustment to account for the lighter strings, the guitar was so much more playable.
It made all the difference in the world.
13s?! She was trying to get a jumpstart on those callouses.
Totally agree on what you said about acoustics. Many parents get their kid a cheap acoustic to start out and the strings are huge and an inch off the fretboard. Then the player can't even fret a C-chord without developing arthritis.
I started on a 3/4 Oscar Schmidt acoustic. I moved to an electric pretty quickly but still have a few acoustics. My wife recently told me she wants to learn to play so I dig out that 3/4, set up, and a restring and she's ready to go. I will always keep that 3/4 until the day I die. Never let the first guitar go.
One thing for sure...
Unless you lived it, you might not know. Inexpensive guitars today (for the most part) are light years ahead of what we had available when I started playing (1966).
My first guitar, a no-name electric, had a neck as thick as a telephone pole. I still have it. How I didn't get discouraged enough to quit is beyond me. It is, and was, essentially UNPLAYABLE.
Even the stuff we had in the 90s is nowhere near today's starter guitars. Remember the $100 Bullet Stratocasters? Well, $99, plus state sales tax. Anyway, they were good for what they were, and they certainly got us where we wanted to be. Around the turn of the millennium, I was in a local-playing band playing gigs WITH A BULLET. However, those 90s Bullets are nowhere near today's Squiers. In fact, I don't remember Squier having ANYTHING similar to what they have now.
Today, an Affinity Series Stratocaster would run laps around those 90s Bullet Stratocasters.
As for us actual Fender guys, we can get a Squier Classic Vibe, or a Vintage Modified, and actually tour with them. You don't need to modify or replace ANYTHING. Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified are perfect, right out of the box, AND we don't need to worry about them getting beat up. Or, if you do want to modify it, at least you are not destroying a $2000 Fender. In fact, my two mains, my actual TOUR guitars are a heavily-modified Vintage Modified and an equally-heavily-modified Classic Vibe. My $2000 Fender stays at home, where it will not get damaged.
Simply-said, Squier is amazing today.
I still have my Taiwan made Harmony H-802 from the sixties. I keep it to show people just how bad they were back then.
My first guitar in the mid 90s was a Harmony that such a bad fret dressing job that I could've used it to saw down a tree to make a better guitar. Within 6 months I got myself a Peavey Predator Strat copy and was much happier.
@@drdoktor77
You know what's interesting about the Harmony... I bought a Strat copy for $60 at a flea market maybe 17-18 years ago and it is a pretty decent guitar. It's was pretty old when I got it. Don't know how ancient but it's so much better than the Harmonys made in the last couple of decades that are cheap rubbish.
They must've had a few years where they were being made in a different country or factory.
I mean it doesn't have the best hardware, and in fact it is currently disassembled as I plan on upgrading a few components, but when it was in playable condition it sounded pretty good with the bar magnet pickups. And a decent maple neck.
Great video, forgot to mention Guitars with Floating Trems, even as an experienced guitarist, learning to set them up for the first time can be a b*tch, and string changes would drive beginners mad (plus can't really change tunings without either a pitch shifter or a full setup)
Ones that are naturally decked aren't so bad. My first Squier only downpitched. So when I changed strings, I didn't have much trouble with the bridge. The first time I changed strings on a two way floating tremolo was, um, interesting. :) After that, I just shimmed it in place with popsicle sticks before removing the strings, and it was almost as easy as a hard tail. But you're right that a beginner doesn't want to deal with that. Alternate tunings are tricky, but that's not really a consideration for a beginner.
Fortunately, inexpensive hardtail Squier strats are readily available. They used to be called Bullets, but I think the name has changed. Not the greatest guitars, but quite serviceable for the money, and they get you started. Lighter and more ergonomically comfortable than Les Pauls or Teles.
Or go with a Mustang or Duo Sonic. Light. Shorter scale length is more comfortable for younger, smaller hands. Strings aren't as taut, either, so are softer on new guitarists fingers. And as you say, hard tail. No worries about a floating bridge.
@@seanbaines well guitars that aren't fully floating don't really make a difference in this sense because you won't lose stability when down tuning, and it's a lot easier to do so. The whole problem with floating trems is that the tension adjusts the height of the bridge which makes the rest of the setup a PITA, with a decked bridge you neutralize most of that
@@pedrolantyer That's what I was referring to, quite briefly. And I agree that beginners don't need to deal with the problems of two way floating bridges, either for string changing or downtuning.
Celf sensor much?
I have a Squier Classic Vibe 50s Strat and I love that thing. Stays in tune, plays great, sounds great, and at a fraction of the cost of a Fender Strat. I was of the mindset that Squier was the "poor man's Fender" until I got it. I've tested it against many MIM Strats as well as American Strats and it either sounded better or came extremely close. Point being: don't automatically dismiss a guitar because it is cheaper and from what you may consider a "knockoff" brand. Squier, as well as many other smaller manufacturers, have vastly improved in terms of making afforadable instruments that actually sound great.
Totally agree! I have the Epiphone '59 Les Paul and I LOVE IT. I don't play my Gibson Les Paul anymore.
Squier guitars _started_ good back in the early 1980s, with only their later, very budget models being poor. I too have a CV 50s Strat, and it is very good. I do advise people to avoid the _very_ cheapest guitars, because no matter what the (paid) UA-cam reviewers might say, they're garbage.
@1man1guitarletsgo I agree completely. The CV series is made in Indonesia now, after I believe originally being made in China. I believe I commented on another video that although these guitars may use cheaper parts, it is much easier and cost efficient to upgrade little things like swapping out the synthetic nut for an actual bone nut or replacing the tone knobs etc than spending big money on a name brand Fender. At the end of the day, it's about playing a guitar that enables you to play with ease and enjoy playing it every time you pick it up. A common mistake beginners make is believing that buying a more expensive guitar will somehow make them a better guitarist.
@@michaelm4464 Mine's Indonesian (made in 2019). I shielded the cavity with aluminium foil, and that's really the only upgrade the guitar needed.
Finding a guitar that has a neck that you find comfortable to play is crucial
for a beginner.
I tried to learn on a very bad sample of a Squire Strat, at that stage i almost gave up
due to the pain in my hands, so i booked some lessons, the instructor asked to try my guitar
and winced, he struggled to play it, then he showed me the high action and twist in the neck.
I returned it for a refund and then went to a guitar store that was recommended and walked out
with a used but well setup Ibanez RG, that slim wide radius neck was so easy to play.
Finding the right first guitar is crucial, to this day i can't stand playing baseball bat sized necks.
Squier.
Squier.
Orangewood is a pretty good. comes set up and has the same scale and neck as a squire strat
My second guitar was an Ibanez RG560 with an Edge trem! It didn't take me too long to get used to it and someone told me how to make string changes easier, so that saved me a lot of frustration.
Totally agree on the Mustang! Small body, short scale, light weight, I love mine!
Recently bought my Squier Mustang used. Replaced the strings, soldered a broken ground wire to the volume pot (no more electrical noise when turning it), and also replaced the original string trees with the roller kind (stays in tune now). Great guitar for my little sausage fingers to noodle on while I'm responding to UA-cam Comments. Wish I had it when I originally started playing.🎸
@@ralph0808z I bought two, one for home, one for office! Enjoy!
Tons of great options for beginner guitar gear that doesn't break the bank these days. Squire, Epi, PRS SE, Godin, Sterling...I would've taken any of 'em back in the 70's. An Epi LP Special would be an awesome first guitar.
Loved the little nod to Mud on the Tires
My honest opinion for a perfect first electric guitar - made in Mexico telecaster.
Great review! My daughter offered me her Yamaha 730S dreadnought that I bought for her when she was 12 years old for a summer 4-H music camp a couple years ago when I thought it time to start learning. The battleship was too big so I discovered the concert body (Taylor Academy 12, 12 e, Breedlove Pursuit, and be aware that music shops often reduce prices when the next year's production is expected) (and an auditorium Cole Clark Angel) after turning 65. Andy Powers suggests experimenting with strings, thinking of strings like tires for a car.
My first guitar was an (72?)Epiphone acoustic 12-string that I played for a couple of years until I joined the Navy - and dropped guitar for about 40 years - I agree, a terrible choice for your first axe.. Since retiring, just before the plague hit, I've bought a few and got a grand-daughter playing now too. I love Straty axes that don't say Fender...and just picked up my first PRS - a blue Standard.
Cheers!
Rob
My first guitar was a stagg Flying V, and I still love it almost 20 years later. But I have to admit my beginner stages might’ve gone easier with a more normal shaped guitar 😂
I had a flying V with a Floyd Rose on it. Terrible for beginners
I had a cheap Jackson randy roads flying v starting out. It wasn't comfortable sitting down to play and it didn't fit in a standard case, but I loved how I looked playing it lol.
Stagg does not get a lot of love, but I got one last year. I was in the market for a roasted maple neck and I found a Stagg 60 SES with roasted neck for cheaper than I could order a roasted neck. With VERY minor touch up, the neck was perfect. The guitar looks and plays so good, I could not scrap it just for the neck. I still need a neck for the project guitar, but I enjoy the Stagg so much I am not too worried about the project guitar.
I wanted to start guitar when I was 12 so my dad got me a full size acoustic from a local own shop. The “teacher” he found insisted on telephone cables for strings - like .13s - because it would improve my finger strength. Again, I was 12. Needless to say I didn’t make any progress until I got a Telecaster copy. I wanted to play rock, anyway.
Learned to play on a 2nd hand encore strat copy that was in pieces when I got it, not the best guitar but on the other hand putting that thing back together showed me what's inside a guitar and how they work, some 25 years later I work as a guitar tech so I guess it was worth it
My first guitar was a $99 “Royale” dreadnought. It was giant compared to 13 year old me, and the action was probably better for slide, but I toughed it out for a year until my dad got me a strat copy with good action. It was night and day and I began to love playing more than just kind of screwing around outside of the stuff I learned doing lessons. (My current acoustic is a PRS SE parlor guitar with good action.)
Edit: Firebird doesn’t feel weird, but it feels too big for me, and I’m not used to reverse tuners, I went to go to drop D and I dropped the high-E instead. 😂.
parlor sized guitars are so good now and come in so many varieties. there are some great professionals playing smaller sized guitars too so it doesn't have to be something you age out of or overskill either.
Electric is definitely easier on the fingers. For beginner acoustics, the Yamaha FG line stands alone. $230 gets you a solid sitka spruce top and a guitar that sounds and plays incredibly well for that price.
My first electric was an Epiphone LP100. It was a perfect beginner guitar. I wanted the Les Paul sound, it was lighter than a standard Les Paul, and much cheaper! Something I didn't realize at the time was that the Gibson scale length is also great for beginners since the strings have less tension, which makes them easier to play and bend.
I always suggest starting with a tele. The orange squier ones are so cool!
I got my first guitar when I was 14 (wanted an electric, got an acoustic), didn't really do anything with it except learn a few songs/chords. But when I started working a year or so later, I bought an electric, then I bought another one, and then I just took off the bug bit me hard! I'd spend hours playing.
My first was a 1980 Sigma Martin D-18 I picked up in a Pulaski TN pawn shop for $250.00... it's still great condition and a wonderful example of Martin's venture into overseas licensing during that timeframe. Last year I installed a K&K pick up which added a new demension. Currently I have 11 electrics. LOL!
Neat stuff. Where do you get all the unique guitRs? Style is supercool. Thanks again.
Words of Wisdom from a WISE Man! Thank you Robert🙏
I believe a great beginner electric, is the Squier “Esquire Deluxe” in the Paranormal series. Very simple; a Tele with one humbucker, 1 volume and 1 tone control, and a “chicken head” know three way switch. Not too expensive, $343.99 and a Great neck. Set up is really good out of the box, and it’s got a great tone and easy to play. I grab a couple of these Paranormal guitars each year, try them out and then sell the ones that I don’t connect with. This Esquire found a permanent home. GREAT VIDEO!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Always love your stuff! I use to tell my students to start on a MIM Mustang as a guitar they could carry it for years if they keep playing and yet it'd be cheap...
And then Fender decided Mexican Mustangs should cost $1049.
0:56 Might just have to try to learn that Mud on the Tires riff for myself now.
Neck size would definitely be the add for this list. A fat neck will be tiring & cumbersome, but a very thin neck can cause cramping especially if pressing the strings down is a new concept. I mean there's a reason so many guitar necks are "medium C".
My first was a knock off Les Paul type by a company called ‘Satellite’ but it was enough and I still have the one I bought next 1985 Squier Strat … lots of others have come and gone and in the end I realised I can build better than I play and I built two custom guitars for myself😊
Thats what made the Les Paul jr a legend. In the 89's a one humbucker Kramer/ Strat or just a basic set up electric of whatever kind. Just encourage and let them have fun🤘 whatever keeps them picking it up every day. Thx Robert. Keep up the great work 🤘
Imo, the mustang is a great starter for younger/smaller beginners. They are typically fairly light and the 20” scale length can be a real game changer.
Hey bro, I know this isn't related to the video, but do you do any finger stretching exercises?thanks. Great videos .
Honestly, Idk if I'd steer people away from "weird shaped" guitars as a whole.
My Wife was struggling a little with her Squier Strat for a little while, even after I tuned it up for her and had a tech do some more in-depth work on it. Eventually I figured it was just her tiny hands on the 25.5in scale length. Then one day while wandering GC she saw a Pueblo Pink Mariposa from Sterling on the wall. It sits better in her lap and she has an easier time reaching different parts of the neck.
The kicker being it's basically all the same specs as her Strat (25.5in, 12in radius, 22 frets, etc) but because the neck is shoved deeper into the body and the general contours of the body shape, she can play much easier. I kind of want her to try an EVH Wolfgang or one of its predecessors now. Lol
I completely agree about not starting on an acoustic if you want to play electric. Back in 1993, I picked up the guitar. My father was insistent that I started on an acoustic. I just wanted to learn Nirvana songs back then. So since he would only buy an acoustic, I saved up some money and bought myself a strat copy. Here we are 30 years later, and I'm still playing. And to this day, I still don't own an acoustic guitar. They just don't interest me. I primarily play metal/hardcore and stuff from the 90's that got me wanting to play guitar in the first place. In my case, it's pretty safe to say, that if I was forced to start on an acoustic, I probably wouldn't be playing today.
I convinced my grandparents to get me a BC Rich Warlock when I was 12 years old because I thought it was awesome. It absolutely stopped me from learning electric guitar dead in my tracks for over 15 years. Do not get heavy ass, weird ass guitars for your kids unless you really hate the idea of them getting into music.
😎👍Great review,, But for those on a budget I recommend the Jackson dinky 6 electric guitar Wich will run you between 149 to 199 $ and for a good acoustic guitar I recommend a Yamaha fs800 or for a little larger body an fs 325 guitar these will run you between 220$ to 350$ both guitars have a great quality sound comparable to more expensive guitars in both styles of guitars 👍
Early in this particular upload, Robert, you mentioned a three-quarter guitar. That was the body size of my first instrument, a Yamaha student classical. My father had a junkie no name guitar that he had swapped out the steel strings from for nylon strings. It was a common consensus among the people we knew that a classical guitar or at least one with nylon strings made the best beginner instrument. Today, that three-quarter Yamaha is in the possession of my ex sister-in-law. I am holding out for her son (she remarried) to eventually begin playing it himself.
I learned on an accoustic guitar. The strings were a mile off the neck. Couldnt hardly play anything past the twelfth fret. Played that thing for two years before my friend sold me a 1966 Fender Jaguar. Then I really learned how to play. Never got any callouses either. Got that Elephant skin.
You can put lighter gauge electric strings like 9's on an acoustic. It will be much easier for beginner to play, but you'll sacrifice some tone.
I use Austrian strings by Thomastik, 10 gauge on my parlor acoustic... they feel super slinky, stay in tune forever and last nearly that long....( sound great too....)🎸🤘🎸
I think an HSS strat is the best beginner guitar.
Most people pick up a guitar to play songs by Metallica. GreenDay, Nirvana etc, all requiring a bucker in the bridge.
At the same time you still have the middle single coil which sounds great for strumming chords and the neck pickup for pretty clean stuff or jazz (after rolling the tone back a bit)
Not to mention the inbetween postitions that give you that “honk” reminiscient of Hendrix/SRV/Frusciante etc.
Plus they are light and more comfortable to play sitting than a LP or Tele.
I'm a little surprised you didn't say Flying V on your last point! When I first started playing there was one on sale that I had to have. I wound up returning it a few days later because I couldn't deal with the shape. I sort of wish I could have kept it, they're a lot more expensive now!
Gotta say I think jazzmasters (provided you get them properly set up) are a pretty good start for beginners. I don't think that most people would struggle to understand the rhythm circuit and the tremolo (you can also do what I do and ignore the trem altogether) for all too long. Out of all of my instruments, my jazzmaster is easily one of the most versatile and it's specifically because of both the pickups and the rhythm circuit. The Squier CV and 40th anniversary models are pretty affordable and can really do so much that you won't get frustrated with the sound. If a beginner figures out how the electronics work I doubt they won't be able to get a tone they're at least semi-satisfied with, which I can't say for HH or SSS instruments.
I used to teach a little bit for pocket money. The humbucker Epiphone Les Paul Juniors are underrated rippers. They would be about $60 used on Craigs and with a budget PAF clone sounded good. I think BYO was selling them for $60 a pair. Ended up building like 3 of them because people kept buying them off me.
I would add to this, hollow guitars such as Casinos. They require heavy strings and the action tends to be quite high, all the things that will make a beginner's life hard. Personally, I'd go with a Tele: no trem system to muck around with, it can be set up as the player needs and sounds amazing.
The advice about acoustics can't be overstated! If someone wants to learn country or folk you get them an acoustic. If you get a kid that likes metal an acoustic you may as well have gotten them a flute! They want to make the sound that lights them up. Period. ...Not to mention how much easier it is to play an electric. I've been playing 38 years and I still hate acoustics because they're so painful to play full chords on. I put electric 9s on an acoustic and still hate the tension. An HSS Squier Strat will fit the needs of 90% of new players. They're simple, comfortable, decent quality and offer a variety of tonal variation all for a reasonable price. A used HSS strat and a Roland Micro Cube will take a kid pretty far no matter what style they're trying to learn.
Buying the same model as your guitar hero can provide the motivation to play. But generally I would recommend a Tele or SG
I think an explorer is a great first guitar because it makes you put your right arm in the correct position and it's easier to sit with it in classical position. Then again I have a tall upper body and I can't play guitar with it on my right leg either, I have to twist uncomfortably. My first real electric was an Explorer and I loved it too. I would definitely not recommend a V. I don't recommend Les Pauls either because they are thick and hard to sit with and I notice beginners will angle them so they can see the fretboard which is going to cause other problems. I think the perfect beginner guitars are something not too wild and is comfortable to sit with, and doesn't encourage bad technique. Tele is good because of the arm thing, strat not so much because of the bevel which can make the player have their arm in an incorrect position. Of course, all depends on the player, what they want to play, what inspires them and stuff like that which will keep them playing. I wouldn't hand a kid a tele that wants to play metal any more than I would hand a kid a shred guitar that wants to learn chicken picken and country songs.
Ive been watching your channel since I got into guitars about 4 yrs ago and I sub'd right away amnd learned from your tutorials. After this video Im just waiting for someone to say youre getting commercialized by suggesting guitars out of reach for most people especially begginers, Epiphone or Squier minis or a little better quality Yamaha for $200-$300 Canadian, would definately be more attainable for beginners than a Taylor mini which is $800 in Canada. After all the video is about begginers. As always thanks for sharing and keeping the spirit of guitars moving forward!
When my oldest sister started playing guitar, during the pandemic, she bought a ESP KH-3 left handed guitar. Then she bought a LH Gretsch. Finally, she settled on an Ibanez Artcore AF55L. She ended up getting rid of the ESP and Gretsch
My 1st guitar was a Fender 100 Dreadnought lol. Sounded great, but waaaay to big. I now have a parlor Gretch guitar. Way more comfortable.
The tone and the playing on the Explorer was super inspirational !!
first time I sat with an explorer it was exactly that. felt a little off. but it was COMFORTABLE my god i near brought it home and it was "only" an epi
Do you play your Dano resonator much? I have several Danos. Just curious.
If I was going to pick a beginner guitar, I’d go G&L Fallout Tribute. Easy to use an maintain, good tonal variety with the HB/P90 and a bulletproof fixed bridge.
Jaguars are good beginner guitars as well. Short scale makes them easy to play. I have a mim hard tail, my daughter (15) says her fav guitar of mine to play. I have like 14 or 16 guitars now…
Really surprised you didn't put the mockingbird on the list can't say how many times I've dived a head stock into the floor with one😣
For a beginner, I would say stay away from shred style guitars. Most have a Floyd which can be very challenging to keep in tune. Plus the super thin necks and flat fretboards may not be as conducive to learning chords.
My first guitar had a Floyd trem on it, that was a HUGE MISTAKE. Since the trem keeps shifting when you tune one string, knocking the other strings out of tune, it's a nightmare for a beginner. After a couple of weeks of having my guitar teacher tune it for me once a week, my mom finally bought me an electric tuner. Both the difficulty of tuning a floyd and the electric tuner made it so it took me forever to learn to tune properly by ear.
The Yamaha JR1 is a great 3/4 size guitar for kids to start on. Well made, sound good and they’re under $200
Thank you.
Guitars to avoid as a beginner: Firebirds. The whole scale is shifted a sizable distance from the usual strumming position.
Hollowbody electrics. At one level, a beginner will learn about feedback in detail. On the other hand, a beginner needs to be playing, not struggling with squeals and yowls.
Floyd Rose trems: it's bad enough to see a beginner keep a set of strings to the point of rusty oblivion. Floyd Rose trems add in a nasty lesson in restringing. The opposite side of the coin is an Evertune bridge. A beginner could benefit from having one. Pity they're so expensive.
Single pickup guitars. To be certain, these are "shut up and play" guitars, which is desirable. The danger is the sound growing monotonous, and causing a pedal fettish at the expense of more practice or lessons.
Something you might touch on later, Robert, is beginner amps. Most beginners will start with awful amps, leftovers which are way too much for them, or a good amp wholly inappropriate for the sound they're after. From simple to elaborate, the amp tends to be an afterthought when it needs to be carefully studied.
I second the amp bit. When I first started looking at electric guitars I didn't realize I needed to budget as much for the amp (or more) as the guitar itself. Trying to get any kind of tolerable tone on a cheap crappy practice amp was not encouraging.
😎 genuinely balanced comment. After playing Ukulele for 6 years I’m moving on to guitar. I have an 8 string Pono Ukulele…..sounds beautiful. Pono have an awesome sounding 12 string guitar….do I want that as my first guitar …….hell, no! Learn on 6 string first 😏👍❗️
So the best beginer guitar is a semi acoustic Baratone 12string with a Floyd Rose and 3 pickups with switcable circuitry?
Good points. Thanks.
1. Acoustic?: AVOID Jumbo dreadnought! Go with a Parlour sized rig.
2. Buy a new one for a few hundred... or... know how to choose a quality used one.
3. Strings?: If you go with steel; Get the lightest _Elixirs_ you can (10's 0r 11's)
4. Play songs you enjoy.
5. Learn Chords _and_ CAGED.
So long as you want to play, get the best you can buy. Nice guitars attract playing.
I have 2 squires, (jazzmaster and telecaster). They take a long time to get in tune and stay in tune for a short time. Not fun for a guy that wants to spend time on learning. My Reverends stay in tune! And reasonably priced when buying used.
What the F was that electric resonator you kicked off the video with? That thing sounded cool as hell
The Jazzmaster thing is all too true. I remember the 90s, HATING the Jaguar/Jazzmaster, because it was entirely too much going on for me to figure out. Today, I am a Jazzmaster guy. Jazzmasters are my thing. Anyone who knows me, or has seen me play is going to describe a Jazzmaster.
I am very much a minimalist, but I have found the one control setting I love. Set to controls to that, and leave it like that. Or, find a Jazzmaster without all the fancy switches. Yes. Fender does make those, or has done.
I say go with hardtail or a telecaster to start
If the acoustic is Martin
you prolly alright
If the acoustic is Wal-Martin
y'all need a bump
I started a million years ago on an Aria SG knock-off...wish i still had that thing.
I had a explorer as a kid and found it the MOST comfortable
My first comment was acoustics are not actually a great starter guitar, so we are on the same page. Acoustics can be terribly setup and it is much more challenging to fix, and yeah the size to me was always so cumbersome.
Explorers are also SO HEAVY even when weight relieved
I always
I generally suggest a tele in most cases
I know I’m biased, but starting on acoustic is great if you get a good size (small) with light strings at least. Don’t get anything bigger than a 000 to start. There are plenty of good, smaller guitars that are legit, so the issue really has to do with people just picking a large, cumbersome, difficult acoustic to start because no one advised them otherwise.
What kept me interested in guitar was figuring out how to play the heavy music in the seventies.
I will disagree on the last one if the one who is learning is inspired by an artist who plays one of those crazy shaped guitars. Sometimes holding a guitar like one of your inspirations is a motivator. I just recently got a Firebird because I'm a big Allen Collins fan, just wanted that guitar. I think the biggest thing for beginners is a guitar that actually plays good, and that is much easier to get at a budget level than when I bought my first guitar
The only bad guitar is a guitar you don't play. Find one you like to play, that's comfortable and that you want to pick up and play and the brand/model won't matter.
Avoid a baritone. There are lots more songs you can play along with if you have a standard guitar. Also, I think it is best to avoid really cheap badly made guitars. There's nothing more likely to put off a beginner than a painful experience. Great video as always.
Add in extended range guitars and the list is complete!
The mid to low level D'Angelico guitars would be absolute nightmares for beginners. They have a nice look, and they are just expensive enough that you think you might get quality. However, their QC and hardware choices are utter trash. For $800-1400, you should get something that doesn't go out of tune every 2 minutes.
My grandson chose a squire Strat pack. Not my choice, but an SG fret board is just too big.
I'm thinking take it to a luthier or tech or whatever and get the frets levelled. A guitar that is not set up well is not a great starter.
As usual, great advice!!! My parents bought me a cheap used classical guitar. It was horrible ;-)
I think if you have basic mechanical aptitude guitar is always going to be pretty simple, my first guitar had an OFR, I knew I needed a Floyd so I learned it by just doing it, especially with UA-cam as prolific as it is if I need to I can probably learn how to take an appendix out
Whatever guitar their “hero” plays now. As in a signature model (with very rare exception)
Maybe add the hands-on element? Like, see it and touch it and try strumming. Have someone play some chords for the beginner. If you are the beginner, don’t go alone or with someone who isn’t interested.
The best investment is any guitar, beginner, pro, cheap, really expensive is a really good set up. Find a well recommended luthier and give them business. It can make a hugggggge difference. Makes any guitar play so easily.
Dude I’m stuck with a 2005 Squier Strat which has horrible tuning stability
Excellent advice. My level of respect for your advice just went up a notch.
So to check, what you're saying is that peak beginner guitar is a Tom Delonge strat? One pickup, one knob, no tremolo, small strings? And the best amp is an Epiphone Valve Junior? Really, nothing to distract a guitarist?
Can't say enough about ibanez gios, was a great way to figure out what I wanted without breaking the bank.
avoid single coils , humbuckers are a better choice ;))
Yamaha Pacifica. 👍🏻
I have an Explorer Style guitar, it is still awkward to play.
Bad for beginners: any guitar that makes them not want to play.