im thinking about geting a starcaster pack for some jazzy stuff instead of rock and im debating about this or a squire? Something really cheap and simple.

Squier would most likely be of better quality than that of a Starcaster pack as the pack also includes an amp that's not of what one would call top shelf quality.You'd be better of buying a Squier or used Mexican Strat and maybe a good used amp.There are a lot of quality used amps for sale every day that are a lot better than new low budget amps.

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'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.

no generally they are pretty bad. They are ok when you start but generally in about 6 months you will want and need a better guitar. I would just bite the bullet and by either a used mexican fender or a squier. They will be more expensive but its cheaper in the long run because you wont by two guitars.

Are Starcaster packs any good? I suppose it's a decent imitation of what a guitar should be like, but as an actual musical instrument I'm going to say no. >_>

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

I have seen some starcasters that are every bit as good as basic squiers and some mexicans. It really depends on the current batch. These guitars are made in batches and last years and this years may differ.

The problem with these starter sets is that they are usually in a sealed box and you cannot see all of them and compare. If your just buying a box and taking it home it's a shot in the dark.

So just to goof off with it its your first guitar, yes they are ok, but open the box and check it out. Pay particular attention tot he fret ends.

Make sure the frets do not stick out from either side of the neck. Run your hand up and down the neck and if the fret ends feel real rough or cut your hands try a different guitar.

If your playing jazz you might really want to consider a Squier Jazzmaster or a Fender "Blacktop". It's got humbucker pickups and will sound better as a jazz guitar than single coils. Blacktops are a new product line. They are Mexican Stratocasters with Humbuckers and new one's going for about $ 449.00 at the Guitar centers.

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I remember when we were free!