Hi. I'm just starting out with guitar and plan to buy a Stratocaster. Reading through the threads here, I see the same common suggestion - play different ones to see what feels/sounds good.

The problem is, as a beginner, I have no clue. I've tried some different ones. ALL of them sound great, feel great, look great. Without knowing how to play, it's hard to judge. So, I'm looking for help.

Here are my thoughts:
1 - Standard Strat - good price, seems like people like it
2 - Classic 60's or Classic 50's Strat - little more expensive than a standard but still a good price. I've always liked classic rock, so these have some appeal.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions?

I like classic rock through current pop/rock. I don't want to go overboard on cost.

Thanks!

First off you have to consider what fits your budget. Are you looking for a Strat MIA , MIM, or some other country of origin ? If you never played you may want to start out with a cheaper guitar and upgrade as you get better. That way you`ll have a better idea about playability and sounds of different models by trying them out in your local music store.

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I hear GREAT things about the Squier Classic 50's & 60's series. I think they retail for $300. Doesn't sound like a bad deal to me. Consider checking into those.

Thanks. MIM vs MIA isn't an issue, it seems like the MIMs are pretty good for the money. Standard runs around $400, Classic 50/60s series runs around $650. I definately want to stay in this price range, unless it makes sense to go a bit higher.

I'd prefer not to get a Squier. Don't want to debate it here, there's plenty of threads that discuss Squiers.

Thanks.

keep in mind this is just my humble opinion, but here goes:

I would advise any beginner to buy the cheapest guitar their ego will allow. Now i'm not suggesting you run to the local target and buy something that is considered a guitar only in the loosest sense of the word. But. I've seen too many nice guitars end up in the paper or on ebay because their owners had unrealistic expectations of being expert players within a week or two of picking it up. Learning just the basics of playing guitar requires a huge committment of time. An expensive guitar is not going to help you get better any faster. As with most anything, you will get out of it what you put into it!

Its not my intent to discourage anyone from picking up a guitar. However; I would be doing you no service at all if I didnt at least point these issues out. Having said that, Have you considered cruising your local guitar shops for second hand or consignment guitars? shops often have new old stock at discouted prices. Also, have you considered an acoustic instead of electric? ebay is a great place to find used guitars as is harmony central and craigs list. Although I would advise seeing the guitar in person before making a purchase.

I hope you find at least some portion of this useful. Best of luck with your purchase and pursuit to learn to play.

~all_thumbs

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

for somebody just starting out with guitar playing you'd be daft to dismiss a squire strat. What do the differences in features between a standard or classic series matter to a beginner. There is a good arguament for learning on a good guitar, it will give you every opportunity and comfort to stick with it in those first 2 formative years of beginning. However that philosophy was prominent when i was a kid and good cheap guitars were a very rare find. The guitar market just isnt like that anymore. Even a £70 encore is a decent beginner option these days.

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No no and no

I'd like to get a guitar now that I keep keep and play for a while. So, I've skipped the idea of an acoustic (since I like electric better).

Also, I'd like to get something new. Since I don't know much about guitars, I don't feel comfortable getting a used one. I do have some good local shops. If I can find a new leftover model at a good deal, I'd consider that.

well then with that in mind. I would advise you to consider a newer MIM model. Since you dont know how to play per se, have someone at your shop play the guitars for you. And more importantly have them play the guitars on the amp your most likely to buy yourself. when you have narrowed the choice to 3 or less guitars hold them yourself and go with whatever feels most comfortable to you.

Again best of luck!

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

Being a newbie, I can see why you would feel more comfortable buying new. I guess the most important thing is to buy whatever you like. Doesn't really matter if it is a fender, Gibson, Squier or even a Cort. If your not happy with your purchase, you will loose interest.

The most important thing is that you go to a local guitar show and try some out before you buy.

It depends on the beginneer, too. Some people like to give it a shot because it looks cool, and others are possessed with desire to play. For me when I was twelve, getting a guitar and learning to play was all I could think about. My first guitar was a Fender Duosonic, and I played it into the ground.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Hi maller: as your researches have shown you, you will find umpteen different anwers to this question.

I'd have thought that the Mexican Standard Stratocaster is pretty ideal for your budget and experience level. It is not too far in any one direction as far as feel and sound are concerned, and later on you can quite reasonably modify it if there's things you find you want a bit different, once you have some playing experience under your belt.

Choose a color and go to it! And if you can order before 1 Feb you get in before the price increase, too.

One more point. You also spoke of the Classic '50s and '60s Strats. Nothing wrong with 'em at all, and if one takes your fancy of course go for it. But they are slightly more feature specific - lower output pickups, for example - and you may find that a few months down the line it turns out not to be quite what you wanted, especially if your taste runs to heavier rock sounds.

But if those '50s / '60s models do appeal to you, just have a little look at the differences between the Classic models and the Classic Player Strats. A lot of people have raved over the latter, and they are knockout value for the money...

Them's my thoughts -

Good luck! - C

like a lot of people say to you, the best choice of guitar is the one you like it most (and the one you can pay...). For a start the new MIM are really great (or the old versions too). It´s a great guitar to start. You can play any style and learn a lot of things in the way. Don´t hurry in buy other models (but if you want go ahead...). First find yourself with the guitar make it your best friend. in the future you can always buy another guitar.
Your first guitar (when you start to play with "her") it´s like your first girlfriend. Sometimes you will find she´s the one...and others you will say a lot things ...(not good). But you "never" will forget that guitar. So the best thing is, don´t listen what we say, go to your local music store and buy that guitar that you want (follow your instincts).

I would say a Fender Standard Strat. It's a good price and sounds really nice.

Ill tell you what..... go to the store, and get one of the new Made in Mexico strats with the new FENDER logo and tinted neck... and If I were you I would chooose the new lake placid blue color now if you really wana go higher add 100 more bucks and get yourself a highway one stratocaster.. really get the best guitar you can its gonna be your first and you have to LOVE it because it is your FIRST heheh let us know what you end up doing

I say save up to $475. Go into the guitar shop of your choice and play all the guitars in your price range. All different models and several of each model. The one that speaks to you is the best one.

I think Lace (Huntington), Squire (Classic Vibe or Deluxe), and MIM Fender guitars are pretty good starter guitars. Just remember just because the guitar costs more does not mean it is a good guitar.

I am sure that you will want an amp as well so for that save another 1-2 hundred dollars. And remember that pawn shops and classified adds are sometimes great places to find deals on equipment.

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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