BEST BEGINNER ELECTRIC GUITARS?

[a-beebuzz]

Hi,

Getting my first electric guitar for my 18th and a bit stuck between choices so wondering if you guys could give me a hand. Looking at around £150 maximum for a brand new guitar (will progress eventually) or £100 for a used. Been looking at the Fender Squier Bullet but I've seen some majorly mixed reviews with this one. Also seen the Fender Squier Affinity Tele for £100 brand new with an amp which I thought sounded like a good deal. Any ideas which is better and if neither of them are any good can you suggest some in my price range that are? Obviously not looking for anything too fancy at this stage...

Thanks,
Abi

[Franky G-String]

Those are both excellent choices as well as the Epiphone Les Paul Special II and entry level guitars from Ibanez.  When shopping for a guitar in this price range it can be better to shop at a store with a friend who knows more than you do about guitars.  The quality control can be hit or miss, so it's best to have someone who knows a good one when they play it.

[Chris]

I 2nd the friend thing. Someone who plays can quickly pick out a good $100 guitar for you after a little play time.

[son of gumby]

i had a squier strat, it had a humbucker at the bridge.  i was really suprised at how much playability i got for such an inexpensive guitar. i never expected that.  i ended up selling it for more than i paid for it.
as much as i like gibson, i would get a squier before considering the low-end epi.  some of them can be pretty bad

[Apopholis]

Those are both excellent choices as well as the Epiphone Les Paul Special II and entry level guitars from Ibanez.  When shopping for a guitar in this price range it can be better to shop at a store with a friend who knows more than you do about guitars.  The quality control can be hit or miss, so it's best to have someone who knows a good one when they play it.

I'm pretty sure AK and someone else, maybe GR, said they had one and it was shockingly bad.

[Steven]

Those are both excellent choices as well as the Epiphone Les Paul Special II and entry level guitars from Ibanez.  When shopping for a guitar in this price range it can be better to shop at a store with a friend who knows more than you do about guitars.  The quality control can be hit or miss, so it's best to have someone who knows a good one when they play it.

I'm pretty sure AK and someone else, maybe GR, said they had one and it was shockingly bad.

I've played em and their not my favorite. But all Les Pauls in general don't fit me right sooo.

[Franky G-String]

Those are both excellent choices as well as the Epiphone Les Paul Special II and entry level guitars from Ibanez.  When shopping for a guitar in this price range it can be better to shop at a store with a friend who knows more than you do about guitars.  The quality control can be hit or miss, so it's best to have someone who knows a good one when they play it.

I'm pretty sure AK and someone else, maybe GR, said they had one and it was shockingly bad.

Like Squires there are good ones and bad ones.  I played a sunburst one the other day that had the butteriest fretboard and neck; it was just so unbelievable I couldn't put it down.  If you can get one that has good fret and nut work and you keep the hardware tight they can make excellent budget guitars.  Also the balance, rounded neck, and shorter scale make them ideal for beginners.

   

[AKA Ninja]

Those are both excellent choices as well as the Epiphone Les Paul Special II and entry level guitars from Ibanez.  When shopping for a guitar in this price range it can be better to shop at a store with a friend who knows more than you do about guitars.  The quality control can be hit or miss, so it's best to have someone who knows a good one when they play it.

I'm pretty sure AK and someone else, maybe GR, said they had one and it was shockingly bad.

Like Squires there are good ones and bad ones.  I played a sunburst one the other day that had the butteriest fretboard and neck; it was just so unbelievable I couldn't put it down.  If you can get one that has good fret and nut work and you keep the hardware tight they can make excellent budget guitars.  Also the balance, rounded neck, and shorter scale make them ideal for beginners.

   

^^ what he said

My Paul ][ was, in particular, a nasty specimen. HOWEVER it was the solid black finish, not the sunburst (remember - clearcoat doesn't kill tone like paint does), and the pickups were complete crap. The actual hardware and fret work actually were pretty good, and when I stripped the paint off, I was actually pretty happy with it.

HOWEVER - if I had it all to do over again, I'd pick my Squier over that Epiphone every day of the week. For the money, it is so much more guitar.

[son of gumby]

i had a sunburst epi LP  back in 94 that was very nearly equal to the gibson LP  i had.
however, i paid $800 for it. today a guitar like that would be over a grand.

my nephew has an epi LP that my sister bought for him. it was $300. it's a total plank.  i wouldn't even use it to paddle a canoe.  

[OysterBoy]

Those are both excellent choices as well as the Epiphone Les Paul Special II and entry level guitars from Ibanez.  When shopping for a guitar in this price range it can be better to shop at a store with a friend who knows more than you do about guitars.  The quality control can be hit or miss, so it's best to have someone who knows a good one when they play it.

I'm pretty sure AK and someone else, maybe GR, said they had one and it was shockingly bad.

Like Squires there are good ones and bad ones.  I played a sunburst one the other day that had the butteriest fretboard and neck; it was just so unbelievable I couldn't put it down.  If you can get one that has good fret and nut work and you keep the hardware tight they can make excellent budget guitars.  Also the balance, rounded neck, and shorter scale make them ideal for beginners.

   

That's a good looking axe. I wouldn't mind having one of 'em but I'm spoiled by my axes.

[Larry]

For new, I would look at Ibanez.   If you can find something used, you will probably get a nicer guitar for the same money.

[thebird55]

If you are really determined to play guitar, I would suggest coughing up the difference and getting a Squier Standard Stratocaster, rather than an Affinity or Bullet.

http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?section=guitars&cat=stratocaster&subcat=standardseries



http://www.squierguitars.com/products/view_specs.php?full_partno=0321602&name=Standard+Stratocaster%26reg;+(Maple)

[Larry]

If you are really determined to play guitar, I would suggest coughing up the difference and getting a Squier Standard Stratocaster, rather than an Affinity or Bullet.

I agree.  Affinity is basically one of the "cheapest" guitars you can find.  Sure you might find one that plays and sounds fine, but for the most part they are cheap cheap cheap.  If you want the BEST beginner guitar* then the Affinity is NOT it. 


*it is impossible to define Best of anything when it boils down to opinion.

In my opinion, if you are spending less than $200 then you might as well just buy whichever guitar looks cooler.  Because they are all the same piece of crap quality.  If you truly want a good beginner guitar, you will need to spend a little more.

[son of gumby]

i agree completely. for a decent guitar, spending $300 for something used will get you a pretty decent instrument, and is not unreasonable.  buying something cheap to see if you like it is not much of a  commitment, and is only leaving you an inexpensive way out if you decide you like guitar hero better.
i don't say that to be a wise guy or to be mean.  i just feel that if one is going to try something like this, they should commit in a serious manner. you could always cheap out on the amp and get a 15W fender front man reverb. a decent beginner amp that can be had used, all day long for $50.

[SecretWeapon]

If you are really determined to play guitar, I would suggest coughing up the difference and getting a Squier Standard Stratocaster, rather than an Affinity or Bullet.

I'm gonna have to play the devils advocate here. My Squier Affinity rapes every other Squier I have ever touched, including my buddies 80's Squier (the likes of which are supposedly far better than todays Squiers). In terms of playability the neck feels much smoother, nut was slotted perfectly from the factory and the action is low and fast.

It's the same thing with every other guitar though, you have to play it before you know if its worth a shit or if it belongs in the river propelling a watercraft.