Strato-caster ?

[Shallowmind]

What is the difference in the $400.00 model and the $1,600.00 model? Would this be a good first electric(duh)? Or should I lower my standards a bit?
Shallow

[da_ardvark]

Most likey differences will be lower quality wood, lower quality pickups and electronics, lower quality control. You get the picture. You can find some nice ones at the lower price but you should play them first. The quality will vary widely.

[Gargy]

The $400 model is made in Mexico too, IIRC. You can always buy the $400 one and get some high-end pickups put into it and it'll sound almost as good as the more expensive ones, thats what I'd do.

[Andrew Sa]

for a first guitar, a 400USD Fender strat is an awesome guitar.

In my experience, you generally get what you pay for in the world of guitars. I find that in many cases, the more expensive model is nicer to play, or nicer sounding...although I may just be programmed to say that?

I dont mean to say that a Gibson is nicer than say, a Cort, because it is more expensive, because they are very very different beasts, but in general, a similar guitar, but unpgraded, say an Esp M100 and and M1000, the better one tends to be the more expensive one...oh look I've lost myself and started talking rubbish

[Weslaba]

Depending on how you improve, you might honestly want to get something like lower quality than that even. This comes from experience, in which I progressed more than I ever would have imagined in about 2 years. You'd be amazed by what gear you go through in a year or two. Point being... if you can find something really cheap that's tolerable, go with that for a while and svae the rest of the cash for your next guitar. Sounds like a lot of pre-planning, but that's my thought. Definitely not the thought process you had, but you might enjoy having the extra 200 bills lying around in the near future. To help that... stay away from effects for as long as possible. :D Anyways, I have strayed from the point. Yes, strat would be a great start, but even start lower if you think you'll pass it by too soon. A few of my friends have epiphone les pual special II's. $150 and it plays pretty nice too. Also, definitely try em' out first. Crap, that's a lot of junk I just spit at you. (don't be shy, ask for a napkin if you need) Well, I'll shutup now. Good Luck. :D

[Shallowmind]

Well me being an "absolute beginner" I don't really know alot about the guitars out there. Of course everyone knows the Stratocaster or Les Paul. Are they the guitars that are the standard? What other brands are worth a look in low or high quality?
Thanks

[Andrew Sa]

there are many many many brands to look at.

For value for money, I am very fond of Cort guitars, I own one, and although she doesn't get much play time these days, I love her to bits.

Also check out Schecter and Ibanez, both make some really nice pieces for the money.

When we get to the high end level, I would actually stay away from Les pauls...as nice as they are, they are just not worth it. I bought a Gibson Les Paul 4 years ago, when I was young and stupid. I love this guitar, but if I could go back knowing what I know now, I would have got a much better guitar for the money.

Once it gets to a certain level though, it's really all about personal preference...the quality difference between say a John Suhr and a Tom Anderson guitar is almost non-existant...it's all about what you want in a guitar and which you like more.

In fact, that is true of cheaper guitars too.you can expect the quality of a cheaper guitar to be pretty much uniform...some companies, like Cort, and Ibanez, do raise the game a little, but at the end of the day, it's all about what you want, and which guitars you like the most.

why not hop onto www.musiciansfriend.com and have a look at the guitars they're selling on there...just to get an idea of what's around and what looks good to you.
Then go and try one out in a guitar store near you...

that said, if you like the look of a strat, and have the cash and will to spend it...a 400USD Mexican strat is a really nice guitar to own...especially as your first guitar...

Keep us posted

[Shallowmind]

Thanks for the info. It will be a while yet. But I will post when the decision is made.

[Weslaba]

You might want to look into some epiphones. I've known them to be very good beginner guitars for the money. My friend had the g-400 for awhile, which was pretty awesome actually. I think that goes for about 330 or something.

[Bar Chord Nick]

May I make a suggestion? I know you are new to guitar and all that. Being inexperienced this will feel awkward but go to the stores and play the guitars in your price range. It's ok if you don't know a single note or chord. The guitars you will be most likely looking at will be the strat ( mex or Squire) and the Epiphone ( g400 or Les Paul). Yes there are the Cheap Jacksons and such too. Try them as well. Even if you never played a note some guitars will feel better in your hands than others. Neck thickness, neck shape, string spacing and so on. You don't need to know what the dimensions are you just need to feel the differences between them. Some will feel comfortable and some will not. Cross those that aren't comfortable off the list. Then it becomes a matter of price and what you like the best. I suggest if you are just starting out don't go overboard on the sticker price. Wait till you see if playing guitar is for you before going for a "professional quality" guitar. There are a lot of nice guitars in the 400-$500 range and to be honest the only thing that makes one better than the other is how it feels in your hands. Don't dismiss a $200 squire just because it has a low price tag. If it feels good in your hands and doesn't buzz and rattle when you play up and down the neck, then it's a good guitar.

Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck and let use know what you get.
B.C.

[Shallowmind]

Bar Chord,
yours and everyones elses advice is great. Thanks