id say squier starter pack the amp it served me well when i started and like others have said, BETTER AMP

_________________
Favorite bands:

Melvins
The Jesus Lizard
Cows
Big Business
R***man
Minutemen
Flight
Minor Threat
Big Black
Shellac
Karp
Scratch Acid
Wipers
Pixies

Id go with the squier too

_________________

I would recommend against this. As an absolute beginner, I would stay away from used gear, a rank beginner would not know what to look out for in used gear, you are more likely to get ripped off, and unless you have a experienced guitar player friend to help you, I would go with everyone else's recommendation, get a new Squier starter pack.

Go with a new Squire as they are well made and a good bang for the buck. The more important thing though is to put the time in and really learn how to play and then you can upgrade.

I'm with the used gear camp. $200 will get you a decent guitar and amp at the pawn shop as opposed to a starter pack special. Pawn shops might not be an option in China though. Never saw one in Hong Kong - perhaps a Usury Law against them? One good thing about learning on a starter guitar - you get plenty of practice tuning up.

_________________
Stagemaster
Roadhouse Strat
Epi Traditional Pro Les Paul
Ovation Celeb
Esteban Celestial Night(nicely tweeked)
Blackheart tube amp

One last question, the guitars from the packages, is there anything that I should replace on them? I have heard that the stock strings on many of them aren't too reliable and the pickups sometimes... dont pick up...

Hi Chenn,The pickups on most starter are generally pretty decent however the strings are sometimes of inferior quality especially on Epiphones Made in China,so a string change is all you may need.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Don't worry about Pickups and String. As long as they work, the pick ups will be fine for a beginner, and the strings will wear out soon enough, so you'll change 'em before you know it.

The important parts are action and intonation. The rest is up to you. Try not to get caught up in the whole "Better Gear for Better Sound" thing untill you know your basic open chords, barre chords and a scale or two.

What you're doing is way more important that what you're doing it on.

_________________
"Persistence Is The Father Of Invention"
-Crazy Old Man In Training

im gonna say Squier, only for the fact that my friend's first guitar was an Epiphone and he found it difficult to play, but what i recommend is got to like Guitar Center or somethin' and find out how each guitar feels in YOUR hands. Price should be pretty decent for each, i mean Squiers dont go pass $200, Epiphone's range from like $129 - $500 so like i said try em both out and find what feels comfortable

_________________


I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

I play a Epi LP, but I'm thinking about getting a strat soon and hot rodding it. My friend has a Squier strat, which is a pretty good guitar, but it doesn't stay in tune at all. I like my epi, which I got for about $190, but it needed a setup, and the neck pickup is kinda muddy. It really comes down to what YOU want. I suggest going to a local music store because they usually have well-priced used guitars. (Well mine does)

I might be alone with this one but, I would recommend getting an acoustic guitar to start off with.
It will help you learn a more disciplined style of playing.
Too often kids (and adults) rely on electric guitars and amps and “distortion” and never really learn the basic basics.

I know, I know…don’t listen to me. What do I know!?!
Now you kids get off my lawn!

i was gonna say the same thing before i posted lol but i read the guy's choices that he wanted. But i have heard that you should start with an acoustic before electric, thats the way i learned too. Plus there are soooo many things that go wrong with electrics that you have to look out for. As for an acoustic you can a cheap one that plays well (i've still got my $20 one and plays fine) But im gonna second this guy's choice, go with an acoustic, inexpensive and easy to play (just make sure you dont get one thats bigger than you and you're able to get a good finger positioning on the neck)

_________________


I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

Thanks for backing up on this (by the way, I'm a gal not a guy).
I'm a better player because of my training on an acoustic.
Every guitarist should have one in their arsenol of axes.

I played acoustic about 35 years before I got serious about the electric. Best way to learn the basics and clean playing. Distortion and effects hide sloppy playing and makes it easy to pick up bad habits. Still make sure that I pick up the acoustic at least a couple times a week.

_________________
Stagemaster
Roadhouse Strat
Epi Traditional Pro Les Paul
Ovation Celeb
Esteban Celestial Night(nicely tweeked)
Blackheart tube amp

Welcome to the Forum! Chenn, buy a Fender guitar and a tuner, keep your guitar in tune and play it every day. Post pics.

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.