Ibanez Guitar Choices

[ExoStatic]

Hi guys, I'm new here :)

I'm Adam, 14 (15 tomorrow), from Castleford, West Yorkshire, in England.

I don't have a proper job, I'm a paper boy and I get £12 a week. I'm trying to save up as much money as possible to buy myself a nice new guitar.

Now the one I found that was nice was the Ibanez ICX220 which I can get for £175 which is definitely a reasonable target. I should be getting another £100 in birthday/sale money in the next week and I already have £75. Now, I found an Ibanez IC400, which is the proper version of the ICX220, the classic, the amazing one. However, it's basically double the price at £359.. I'm wondering.. is it really worth saving up that much to buy the proper IC400? I really really do want the proper IC.

What I'm doing, is selling a load of stuff to try and make up some extra money, then in a few days I'll see how much money I have and see how long it will take me to save up the extra money. If it's something stupid like another 10 weeks then I'll not bother, I'll buy the ICX220 and use the rest of the money to buy something else.

I just want to know if getting the IC400 is really worth it over the ICX220. I personally think it is but I thought I'd get some experienced people's .. experiences, if you have played either of the guitars, could you share your thoughts on them please?

Thanks a lot - Adam.

Oh and for reference.. IC400 (http://www.guitars.co.uk/acatalog/Ibanez_IC400.html)
ICX220 (http://www.musicianscentre.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=87)

[hunter60]

I guess it depends on your experience level and which guitar you want more. If you're new to the guitar, you might want to think about the less expensive one for now and play it to get your chops. Then later on, you can upgrade. I can tell you from my experience, no matter what guitar I'm playing or own at the time, I'm always looking for the next one! In other words, even if you buy the more expensive one now, you'll be looking to upgrade in a few years anyway.

Just something to think about. The best advice though; buy whichever one you want more. You'll be happier. :cool:

[Fret spider]

hey

i know someone who lives in castleford.

anyway my opinion has always been buy as expensive a guitar or amp as u can. because at the end of the day a cheap one will need replacing sooner.

the difference in quality between guitars of about 150 quid and 300-400 is in my opinion noticable. i think it is worth it, its what i would do. as long as ur sure guitar is a hobby that u will keep for a while, and not give up. if thats the case u could buy a cheapy just to see if its your thing.


anyway thats my thought hope it helps

[aschleman]

Hey Adam... my name is Adam as well... so that's cool....

Anyway, Like Hunter said... It depends on your experience level. I'm a firm believer in the philosophy that a beginner should start out on a beginner guitar. It just makes sense. 1. because not everyone takes to the guitar like others do. Some people get bored with it and end up not playing much at all... if at all. So you end up with a wasted investment. Guitars really are investments as well... and it'd be pointless to spend 350 on something that you're not going to get your moneys worth... 2. Like Hunter said, you're going to want to upgrade in no time at all. You're only 15 years old (Happy Birthday mate)... so you're going to have PLENTY of oppertunities to get some nice gear in the future... Be patient and go for the less expensive model. You can always keep it around and upgrade the pickups and hot rod it in the future when you get a real job and get more into the guitar.

In the end though, it's your money and it's your decision. My recommendations are just based on my experiences as a beginner guitar player when I was aroudn your age... I hated my cheap Strat that my parents got me... but I love it now and I wouldn't have it any other way!!

[ExoStatic]

i know someone who lives in castleford.


Really? Who? I might know them. It's quite a small town lol.

Thanks for the input so far guys. I've been playing for about 1 and a half years and I'm mainly into the metal/rock area which is what these guitars are suited for. I mean, I am definitely going to get one of them, it just depends on how much money I get which one I go for. I would MUCH prefer the IC400 but the ICX220 will do I guess.

I'll just see how long it would take me to save up for it..

I've just worked out that if I save up all my dinner money, pocket money, and pay, I could have the IC400 in 6.8 weeks lol. But that doesn't include anything I sell between now and then, so it could be 4 weeks. I can wait that long. It really all depends on how much I get tomorrow and the rest of the week.

I'm going to sell my current guitar to my friend which is a Tanglewood SG copy. It's in pretty good condition and I got it for £110 second hand. How much do you think would be a reasonable price for this? If I get £175 though, I'm going to do a straight swap with him for his Squier Strat which is in almost perfect condition. How much could I get for this, also?

Thanks for the help so far guys - I really appreciate it.

[Fret spider]

lucy guy


ring any bells

[Andrew Sa]

I think you have already decided which one to go for...you just have to realise it. If you go with the 220, I will fly over to England (I have a few loose ends to tie up in London, so it wont be that big a mission) and smack you with one of those newspapers you deliver.

as nice a guitar as the 22o may be, your heart is set one the 400, I know this, because I always argue things through like you do...and I know from experience that unless you get the one you really want, you'll be wasting your money...