Hello
I'm a beginner guitarist and this is gonna be my first electric-guitar. I'm really inclined to pick Deluxe Lone Star Strat, just fell in love with her. I think it's quite versatile too, as i'm going to play blues, progressive, post-rock plus some faved metal solos for fun. However, I'm quite new to guitar world so could you tell me any tips i should know while choosing a guitar? Or, maybe a beginner like me should have something different?

Also, if you help me to choose an amp i would be very gratefull. I want something with a clear and good sound, not very powerfull (mostly for home training sessions)

thx & sorry for bad english

Go play differet strats and pick the one that feel right. As for amps for home try a Super Champ XD.

Not sure what your budget is, but if you like that guitar, go play a few,
as well as some others. A Deluxe Reverb Re-Issue amp would meet your
application nicely.

Good luck!

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

Don't leave home without it!

as said above just play a few guitars, they all play slightly different even if they are of the same model, you will know when u pick up the right one, it will just have "that feel" as for amps, go for a 15 watt valve amp or something in that range... mabe take a look at some some of the laney amps like the cub series, laneys valve amps are a bit underrated, they make good amps, and they are also well priced...

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blues - its a religion...

Im a newb as well. I mean, neeeewb. I'm learning blues almost exclusively right now and I just got my first guitar two weeks ago. It's a Mexican-made arctic white, maple neck HSS "Fat-Strat" Stratocaster. I LOVE it! As I'm not doing anything but learning and playing at home, for now, I picked up a sweet Fender Mustang III modelling amp. Thank goodness for youtube's Marty Schwartz and his blues dvd set!! Check him out for some great newby explanations.

Grats on your new guitar!!

Well, the price is nice, but it's not "fully valved",i mean is it worth it, or this "hybrid" sounds pretty the same as a plain solid-state , so abtube is just a rip-off over a solid-state amp?

Gotta check laneys, they are looking sweet.
laney LC15R is da killer, but his price bites...

i'm looking for an amp under 350 $

My advice....play many...buy 1

as for an amp..superchamp XD. Love mine. Very nice clean sound and enough toys to keep you busy for some time to come.

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"I like the way he puts Yngwie J. Malmsteen on his album covers. You know,....so you don't confuse him with all the other Yngwie Malmsteens in the business"


2008 Fender MIM Stratocaster
2010 Epiphone Masterbilt
2009 Fender Super Champ XD

Guitars are like women you keep getting a new one until you find one that feels good

One consideration, which I think can be a big deal for a beginner is scale length. Strats have a longer scale length than something like a Les Paul. The longer scale length means that the frets are slightly farther apart. So, depending on the size of you hand this might matter. Now it's not like people with small hands can't play strats, it's a very individual thing.

This was something I never considered when I bought my first guitar.

johnjay, as a newb, I find your info fascinating. I didn't know that. Thanks!

All the above being said, I think the Lonestar would be a good beginners guitar if you're comfortable w/it. I would also recommend a small SS practice amp for starters, esp. if you want something reliable. I have a Roland Cube 30x which I still like after years of use. It's versatile, solid, & reliable. Then perhaps when you're ready, & when you can afford it, graduate into the tube realm. Even though I bought a DRRI, I still use the Cube often. IMO it's a keeper for home practice & low volume playing.

It sounds like you've already fallen in love with the Lonestar and if you can afford it go for it! If price is an issue consider a MIM 2006 or newer. What ever you get make sure it's set up properly. An $800.00 guitar that isn't set up correctly won't play as well as an inexpensive one that is. Have you considered a Fender Mustang I as a practice amp?

Since you are beginning and one Strat will feel much like another initially, do you have a friend who plays that can go with you to the dealer? If you don't, go to a reputable dealer and tell them that you are starting out and tell the sales person which Strats you like. Have him/her play them and pick out the best on for you - it might not hurt to ask another customer to give it a go for their opinion as well.

It takes some personal playing experience to know a great one/good one/average one/poor one from the others, but if you can build some trust with someone at the shop, it will get you going down the road of experience. Stay away from the pawn shops and individual sales until you know what works for you.

Amp-really consider the blackstar HT-5R. really versatile, 5 watt-perfect for home practicing but has enough grunt for band practice, and small gigs/rehearsals. Great price too-no more than £350

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"reach for the sky and aim for the moon, for if you miss you will end up among the stars"

Zoom MS50G
72 tele dlx RI
2011 standard strat
Blackstar HT-5R
Taylor Big Baby

http://www.youtube.com/user/Almungo/videos?flow=grid&view=0

Hey, thanks for all your advice.
Ive learned Gary Moore's solo from still got the blues on my acoustic guitar, this's gonna be my strat-check tool xd

updt. btw, i limited my criteria for an amp to "cheap but trustworthy valve pal" cause i don't need all these banks o' presets, 1k backing tracks, whatever. I got a DAW and a soundcard for this. You know, from an amp i just want a good warm sound to hear all my mistakes