Hello!

Just signed up, and was wondering if I could please get some advice on picking my first electric guitar?

I have been playing acoustic for a few years now, trying to teach myself, but really like the sound of electric guitars better, hence I'm here - but it's a jungle!

Help =D

Liberty x

What is your budget?

_________________
It's a mix between Jazz and Funk, it's called "Junk"

about £300-350 max?

For that price range i would recommend a Squier Classic Vibe strat. Or tele. If you know the difference.

You might hear some suggestions for Mexican Standard strats, but they have gone up by about 70 pounds (I'm an American, so don't quote me on that) and the Squier plays as nice, costs less, and can sound better because of the different picups. Or a Squier Deluxe. Great first guitars.

As for an amp, i'd go for a Vox pathfinder 15R, or a Fender; a vibro champ (everyone knows i am crazy about those since i got one). Remember the saying that your guitar shouldn't be better and/or more expensive than your amp.

Enjoy your journey!

-The Screamin' J

_________________
CURRENT RIG:
2008 Squier bullet stratocaster modified with Rumpelstiltskin pickups -> Dunlop GCB-95 Original Crybaby -> Fender Vibro Champ XD

"Could you take the stain from this pair of pants, and put in on this pair of pants?"

go play as many guitars as you can, you may find a Fender isnt quite what your looking for.

also dont buy right away, maybe sleep on it

good luck and welcome to the fourms

_________________
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!

What Hendrixfan99 said. Very good advise.

Look and play and take your time.

Seeing and handling and hearing and playing many guitars can be a great eduacational experience.

Welcome and have fun.

I have suggested to people to try a 3 phase approach. In phase 1, try anything that fits in your price range and (ideally) go perhaps 10% over that. The 10% pre-answers the "what if I'd been williing to spend just a bit more" question.

In round 1, try everything you can get your hands on and keep notes in some way or another. You don't have to spend hours on each but you can probably quickly knock out quite a few (don't feel right/sound right/play right). This will lead you to round 2, where you have a short list of say 6 - 8 to retry on a more intense basis.

Try all the tone/pickup settings, try different amps, etc. After a while, you should be able to narrow the whole thing down to 2 or maybe 3 finalists. Now, sleep on it a couple of days then go back with a fresh ear, exercise your 2/3 candidates and one should at least emerge with just a slight edge.

The great thing is that after putting in that time, you know that there wasn't somthing just a bit better ... a bit more this or that ... out there. You got the best choice for you!

Take your time when picking any guitar. Visit as many local shops as you can and play all the guitars within your price range---Try not to buy the first one you pick up. Once you have sampled what is out there, go out again and just play the ones that wowed you. Then on your third trip, it is time to get serious. Play only the ones you truely want. Play them with and without an amplifier. Play them clean and dirty. At this point you should be narrowed to just one or two, if you still cannot decide flip a coin.

I usually get the one that speaks to me. It is an odd feeling you get as you are playing. It feels comfortable, sounds great, and that voice in the back of your mind says "Oh yeah!"

Good luck on your endeavor. Welcome to the Forum. Let us know what you decide when the time comes.

RK

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Your choice of gear is very important.

Don't rush and buy a cheapo guitar because you want to get started NOW. Starting on a crap instrument can burn you out fast.
Make sure you have enough cash for a decent guitar and amp.

Mid level Squiers are nice and fairly inexpensive. Any of the "Made in Mexico" Fenders is a good choice too (but they cost a bit more).

In my opinion Telecasters are more "forgiving" guitars than Stratocasters. Teles will let you mess up a little and still sound good. A Strat lets you know right away when you fudge something.

Pick out a decent amp too. Fender Champs are nice and reasonably priced. The Blues Jr is a fantastic amp too. Epiphone also makes some pretty cool small all valve units. Avoid Crate amps (just an opinion but I think your money is better spent elsewhere)

_________________
"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

For that amount you can find a good pre-owned Fender Strat or Tele that will likely increase in value for when you want to upgrade.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Thanks for all the great advice!

I'm off to London very soon, and then will have a good browse about, and try every guitar that I can get my hand on til the shop-owners beg for mercy

I will take the advice of waiting a wee while til I find something "great" instead of "OK". After all I'm not in a great rush, I have my acoustic, but it's defo time to crank it up a bit!

I'll let yous know what I got