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Post subject: For someone who just started playing guitar a week ago...
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 4:35 pm
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Hi there,

So I finally got off my lazy bum and started doing what I wanted to do for years , learn the guitar.

Started out a week or 2 ago and Im having a blast using Justins website. But the guitar I got is so crap its ruining the experience for me.

Its an electric start model for 150 euros (including the amp) and it just doesn't sound right at all. Goes off tune all the time and im having a really hard time getting some proper sound out of my G and A strings as they need to be pressed down so hard near the fret to even make a sound.

I happen to sell my macbook last week so i got plenty of budget (1600 euro) to buy a new guitar. And as very passionate fan of MK & Clapton the choice for a strat was obvious as the guy at my local music store said "most people will be happy with the guitar of the guitarists they adore as that gives them the sound they are after".

So heres my question:

What type of strat should i get as a beginner? I was thinking of a 700-800 budget max (No squier):


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Post subject: Re: For someone who just started playing guitar a week ago..
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 5:27 pm
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I'm a fellow noobie, and one piece of advice I got (and completely ignored) in my initial search for a new guitar was to spend less on the guitar and more on a quality tube amp. Sure enough, I bought my first Mexican Strat (which I still have and love) as well as a Mustang I amp. 3 months later I upgraded to a SuperChamp and to a BJR shortly thereafter.


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Post subject: Re: For someone who just started playing guitar a week ago..
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:09 pm
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Hi Rezyuz,

Sound advice from LouisvilleNoob.

You can probably get both a good used guitar and amp and still be in your price range. A good example would be a used MIM Standard Strat for about $300 to $350, and a used BJr for about $300 to $350. There are probably many fine choices that will fit your budget.

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Post subject: Re: For someone who just started playing guitar a week ago..
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:22 pm
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So its better to get a used MIM/MIA start than a new one?

I wanted to get a used MIM start but then i read up on these forums how the MIM's pre 2012 had some inconsistency issue and as a newb i was scared to not recognise them when i was buying it from someone.

Thats why i was opting for either a new MIM standard or a used MIA (for 650€ max).

Good idea or not?

on the amp, I kinda have to neglect the amp atm as it drives my neighbours and GF nuts and im mostly using my guitar plugged directly into the computer without putting garageband effects on or w/e as i got suggested from justinguitar to learn and listen acoustic without effects for at least the beginning.


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Post subject: Re: For someone who just started playing guitar a week ago..
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:32 pm
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I wouldn't say that used is necessarily "better", but it does allow more gear for the budget. Buying used can be risky, so doing your homework can payoff, literally. Used gear "before 2012" would be virtually everything ever made, so I wouldn't agree that much of anything is better after 2012.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


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Post subject: Re: For someone who just started playing guitar a week ago..
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:47 pm
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I wouldn't dismiss the Squier instruments out of hand. Their Classic Vibe Strat offers an alder body, vintage appointments, and a decent set of pickups. IOW, it's a helluva lot of guitar for the money.

JMOOC

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: For someone who just started playing guitar a week ago..
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 7:48 pm
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I don't think a better, more expensive guitar is the solution here. By all means, if you think your guitar is hard to play then I'd suggest get someone to look at it and get a setup done. Or at most, buy a good Squier or anything that feels good in your hands. Even an acoustic- that will strengthen your hands.

I cut my teeth on a cheap second hand electric that didn't sound that good, then I graduated as I went along through the years.. I've focused on my playing and Been playing for 20 years. I believe that a good guitar never make a better player.

Good thing is, these days 'you get what you pay for' doesn't ring entirely true anymore. You can play on anything- as long as your not developing bad habits in your playing and you feel that you can stick at it, you will make any guitar sound great. Why? Because it's the player that makes the guitar sound good.

I'd suggest to look at a cheaper guitar, like Squier. If the action is to your liking, the neck feels right and you think it sounds great, go for it. You will save money- so you can take a holiday! Drive to the beach, take your guitar. That's better than dropping big money on a learner and not having much left over. My opinion.

Good enough for Jeff Healey, good enough for you.

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