Hey everyone....
I have never touched an electric guitar but am interested in taking lessons and learning how to play. I dont have a lot of knowledge when it comes to what is what and what is.... the best to get for a beginner. Any help anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

How much can you spend?

Obviously you don't want something that costs too much because if you wind up hating guitar(probably not), you wont feel like you wasted soooo much money.

You've come to the right place with Fender.
They have a guitar for ANYONE at ANY level.

If it was 5 years ago, I would have said a Fender Standard Stratocaster MIM (Made in Mexico), but since their prices have gone up in recent years, I'm not sure what I can recommend in the $200-$400 range.

One or two that I particularly like that are more affordable are made by Squier, a sub-division of Fender Guitars. I would actually buy one if I had the cash, they are of good quality for the money.

They are the 50's and 60's, among others in the Strat category.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/compare?base_pid=510422&base_pid=517231&base_pid=519338&base_pid=519339

I'm a strat fan, but I have huge respect for the Tele players, as well as the prospective Tele players:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/compare?base_pid=501904&base_pid=510443&base_pid=510470&base_pid=514048&base_pid=515115&base_pid=519376&base_pid=620653

I hope to have been helpful. I am by no means an expert, but I remember having just gotten started and shopping for my first electric guitar like it was just yesterday.

I hope this has been any measure of a bit helpful.

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-Kc
"Payin' dues."

....and welcome to the forum by the way. =)


There are some very talented, experienced, yet humble players on this board who will not make you feel stupid, but do their best to get you up to speed on just about anything you want to know.

Enjoy.

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-Kc
"Payin' dues."

Go get at least a mid range Squier Telecaster or Strat..you can't go wrong.

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08 Fender Highway One Tele-Sunburst
09 Squier Custom Tele II-Blonde
04 Squier Standard Strat Antiqueburst
07 Washburn D10SCE natural with Rosewood backing
Fender Mustang II amp


Experience is the best teacher

Hard to say really. Fender definately is way to go cuz they cater to everyone's needs. You could get a bottom fender, it all about tryin it out in shop. If ya don't want anyone to hear ya, just don't plug it in. The main thing for me when judging a guitar first off is how it feels. Even if ya can't play anythin, pick up and just see how comfortable it feels on your left hand, assuming you are right handed, and just fiddle. Oh i miss those early days. Or do i? No i do, they were bloody brilliant. Still, that's the great thing about guitar. Forget who the quote came from, the guitar is the easiest instrument to learn, but the hardest to master. Which is why we love it so! Rock on! Welcome btw.

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thought of you tonight, in simple twists and turns, incarcerated here, i'm handcuffed to your world, your innocence is cruel, coquettish and arcane, but i need it all the same

Yeah I agree with binterz. For me, the most important thing when looking at guitars is how it feels. The sound can always be altered by swapping out the electronics but I would go to a store and just try out lots of different kinds. Find the ones that feel the best to you and then go from there.

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http://www.youtube.com/guitarmike26

Free & Easy Down the Road I Go

Squier Affinity Stratocaster value pack.

A lower level strat to be sure, but well made. The starcasters and Bullets are good if you don't have the income, but the Affinity is the lowest level really good guitar that can last if setup right.

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+1

note: That's STARcaster . If a person reads over it too quickly, it could be confused with STRATocaster. An expensive difference there.

+2

Check out ebay, see if you can find a nice second hand mexican standard

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Rated "M" for meaty.

Go to a guitar shop and fool around with a few Squier Strats and Teles. I know you don't play yet so sit down with them in the playing position and see which feels best to you. Maybe strum the strings and see how the neck feels to your hands. This may sound a bit goofy right now, but go with what "feels right".

The Squier line are of good quality and reasonably priced. You won't outgrow it in 6 months as your skills improve.

Dont' forget to save some cash for an amp. I strongly suggest that you avoid Crate amps unless you have no other choice. They are not worth the money in my experience (and a bad amp will make any guitar sound crappy).

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

One more reason the Squier Affinity Strat pack, it comes with a 10W Frontman.

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