Which guitar should I get?

Hey guys, I've been playing guitar for about half a year already (I have an acoustic) but I'd like to get an electric guitar. Any ideas on which one I should get? Of course I'd like it to be good but I need one that doesn't cost too much (I'm only 16). So if you have any advice for me please post it.

That's a common question on this site. There are a few things you'll need to consider. The first in my opinion is whether you want to go with single coil or humbucker pickups. Single coils are brighter and thinner sounding (think Hendrix, David Gilmour, yngwie). Humbuckers will offer a fatter sound with more low end, more output (think heavy metal and hard rock).

The next thing to do is try some guitars out. Go with what is comfortable for you. Decide if you want a stop tail or a whammy bar. Stop tail guitars have better sustain, but whammy bars are so much fun.

You may want to have a look at what is out there and get an idea of prices by checking out places like www.music123.com.

However it is important to remember that there is no substitute for going into a couple of music stores and trying a bunch out.

I'd recommend checking out some low end Dean models (EVO is a sweet guitar), or some Kramer's. These guitars retail for $250-$300 but they easily sound as good as higher end guitars that cost up to $1000. I was in the music store the other day and I got an $1100 Jackson model off the wall and was looking forward to trying it out because I play a $300 dollar Dean. My Dean is way better than that P.O.S Jackson I had. My perception was that Jackson's were made for speed, but the frets were way fatter than I was used too and the action was too high as well.

Any way, I got off track there a bit, but try a few out in the music store that's in your price range. Buy whatever feels and sounds best to you, I'd just recommend starting your search at the store with a Kramer or Dean as (in my opinion) they have the highest quality low-end models. Good Luck.

BiggDubbDiesel is my counter strike name, hmm, one of my good friends nickname is bigdubbdiesel!!! Are you from CT?

Since it's your first elec. , I usualy recomend that you find the cheapest guitar with humbucker pickup , 24 frets ,and a Floyd Rose tremolo .
Brands to look for : Jackson , Ibanez ,Kramer (usually Jacksons have the best stock pickups).

These specs will give you the most options so that you can try different styles , and in a year or two you will be more decided if you're getting another guitar.

Originally Posted by: LeedoggMy perception was that Jackson's were made for speed, but the frets were way fatter than I was used too and the action was too high as well.

Well, the fat frets can help a lot with playing cleanly with a lot of speed, but the high action, I can't imagine why they'd have that on a Jackson... :confused:

Originally Posted by: SLYSince it's your first elec. , I usualy recomend that you find the cheapest guitar with humbucker pickup , 24 frets ,and a Floyd Rose tremolo .
Brands to look for : Jackson , Ibanez ,Kramer (usually Jacksons have the best stock pickups).

You know, I would add ESP to that list, those usually have what you suggested he'd want. Most Ibanez guitars only have 22 frets, although I absolutely LOVE their versatility and tone.

Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonYou know, I would add ESP to that list, those usually have what you suggested he'd want. Most Ibanez guitars only have 22 frets, although I absolutely LOVE their versatility and tone.

There are countless other brand names ... But ESP is one big name that makes nice affordable (the LTDs) guitars with the specs I said , I have bad memory. :o

Most of the Ibanez I saw were 24 fretts , except for the Joe Satriani series , including most of their lower end guitars I guess ... The problem is that most low end Ibanez has very bad stock pickups.

Originally Posted by: PonyOne

personally, I'd go for something without a trem for a first guitar. in my opinion, it's better to start off on electric with something that doesn't go out of tune as easily and has more sustain.

I'd like to second that notion. I started with a peavey raptor with a trem. At the time i didnt really care cuz i was 13 and didnt know any better. But in retrospect, i think it wouldve been better to have a hardtail. I didnt know the importance of a properly set up guitar, or understand the the instrument from a technical standpoint. The trem just complicated things more. But if you've got a grasp on those concepts, it shouldnt really be a problem.

Originally Posted by: SLYMost of the Ibanez I saw were 24 fretts , except for the Joe Satriani series , including most of their lower end guitars I guess ... The problem is that most low end Ibanez has very bad stock pickups.

That's true, their low end guitars usually have pickups that can accurately be called "sufficient" but not "good." Man do I want a JS2000. Hey, can we start a fund? You guys can send me money, and I'll buy the guitar with it! If you all chip in just a little bit...why...it won't be much at all!

I was playin a Satch series Ibanez the other day, they are pretty sweet.

I just picked up an ibanez rgt42fm for under 1000 canadian, it's pretty sweet with 24 frets, floating bridge and lock system and the pickups are quite nice, u should go to the ibanez website and look at some of the specs of guitars there.

In my opinion ibanez is the best brand before going into american made, and if there's anything i can stress it's DON'T GET A JACKSON THAT ISN'T AMERICAN MADE!!! It doesn't matter how cheap it is or how cool it looks, just don't do it...




ROCK ON

I'm utterly shocked that nobody mentioned a mexican Standard Strat. What's up with that?

~Incidents

We were waiting on you mentioning it :P

I knew it! Gharrrrr!

~Incidents

Do you guys think strats are overly hyped? I'm in no hurry to own one, but I'm sure I'll add one to the collection one of these days. If they are overly hyped then alot of really good guitarists have bought into it...Hendrix, Clapton, Eric Johnson, and Yngwie to name a few.

Originally Posted by: LeedoggDo you guys think strats are overly hyped? I'm in no hurry to own one, but I'm sure I'll add one to the collection one of these days. If they are overly hyped then alot of really good guitarists have bought into it...Hendrix, Clapton, Eric Johnson, and Yngwie to name a few.

I'm glad I started off on a Strat, but now that my musical palate and playing have matured, I crave an LP.

I'll probably add a Fender American Strat to the collection, but I'm content with my 2 Peaveys, Fernandes, and Kramer.

Originally Posted by: LeedoggDo you guys think strats are overly hyped? I'm in no hurry to own one, but I'm sure I'll add one to the collection one of these days...

[font=trebuchet ms]I've owned a Jaguar and a Strat, and I sold them both. I have 9 guitars at the moment - four Yamahas, four Washburns, and an Odyssey. Let's just say that my taste in guitars doesn't match Hendrix's, Clapton's, Eric Johnson's, or Yngwie's. And you don't have to have the same gear in order to play their music.[/font]