Reply to: Epiphone Guitars

[shelby68]

It's been a while since I looked at beginner guitars but I remember a friend of mine started with a Yamaha Pacifica 112. Great guitar for the money and I'm sure you could find one reasonably cheap on Ebay. For an amp, I would recommend something by Line6. They make digital modelling amps that let you use loads of different sounds. The modelling is so good now that it will be a long time before you decide it doesn't sound good enough and want to upgrade (if ever).

I can concur with the 112 Pacifica, for the money they are very good nice low action, modern thinish neck and light weight (this it comming from someone with 3 Gibsons and several over "premium guitars").

There are quite a few on ebay for sub 100 quid.

I also remember the older Aria guitars having thin and narrow necks if you can find one they might be worth a look at well, at the end of the day try a few out and see what feels comfortable.

Also spot on with the Line 6 amps, I've got the spider and for the money I was very impressed. For playing at home/rehersing they are spot on.

[thelace]

TBH with a starter amp, all of the guitars mentioned above will sound OK.

I would say one of the most important things is playability. If it feels horrid, it'll put you off playing.

Whatever you chose, have a blast

[Cliphead]

Cheers guys.
On the link from clippy: I like the look of the Ibanez jump starters. A mate has an Ibanez, it is his fault I am considering this as I tried it on in his music room. Liked it. A lot.
I also like the look of the squire casters and the 2 epiphones on there.
Not sure there is a local guitar shop here but know where I am leaning.

Just some thoughts on the Epiphones, any of the LP models I've played had a 'chunky' neck which I disliked. I've had a couple of older Epiphones which were much better in my opinion but the recent models are overpriced.

I haven't played an Ibanez for years but remember them being pretty good. I only play Gibsons these days - yeah, overpriced too but you can't beat the quality.

PS Whatever guitar you buy no matter how cheap get it set up by a professional, it'll make a big difference to the playability and sound.

[The Lone Gunman]

Cheers guys.
On the link from clippy: I like the look of the Ibanez jump starters. A mate has an Ibanez, it is his fault I am considering this as I tried it on in his music room. Liked it. A lot.
I also like the look of the squire casters and the 2 epiphones on there.
Not sure there is a local guitar shop here but know where I am leaning.

[BlasterBates]

I want to learn electric. I know what I need. I dont want to spend a lot, it might be a very short hobby. Might watch ebay to see if anything decent comes up.
A recomend or two for good starter guitars and amps would be useful.
I have seen some "kits" but dont know enough to buy on spec.
Should I stick with a name I trust? or are there some good cheap manufacturers out there.

Because I have small hands I am looking for a narrow neck and "I think the phrase is" a short or small action.

I would get an established make.

Solid body go for Squire (Fender subsiduary) or Epiphone (for Les Paul or SG style guitars), and for semi-acoustic the Epiphones (Gibson subsiduary). These guitars are meant for beginners and kids have a good quality, are not the cheapest but are a good quality, and not expensive say £300-400.

For acoustic guitars it isn't quite so clear cut. I got a no-name for about £400 and it is better than some big name guitars at £1200. Martin have good cheapish guitars for £500.

Do not touch anything less than £200. Aim £300 upwards if a Squire or Epiphone it will generally be OK.

Paul McCartney has an Epiphone Casino, and you can pick one of these up for about £400. His would be a bit more expensive say £900, because it has a better pickup, and is made in their US factory I think.

Good guitars hold their value well.

[thelace]

Yamaha Pacificas get a really good write up as the guitar to learn to play with...

But, you have to feel comfortable playing it as if you take to it, you will be spending a lot of time with it. Pop down your local music store and try a few out.

It's not like the olden days where if you couldn't play, they mercilessly rip the p1ss out of you. Also, most starter guitars are very playable these days, again not like when I was a lad

[Bunk]

I want to learn electric. I know what I need. I dont want to spend a lot, it might be a very short hobby. Might watch ebay to see if anything decent comes up.
A recomend or two for good starter guitars and amps would be useful.
I have seen some "kits" but dont know enough to buy on spec.
Should I stick with a name I trust? or are there some good cheap manufacturers out there.

Because I have small hands I am looking for a narrow neck and "I think the phrase is" a short or small action.

It's been a while since I looked at beginner guitars but I remember a friend of mine started with a Yamaha Pacifica 112. Great guitar for the money and I'm sure you could find one reasonably cheap on Ebay. For an amp, I would recommend something by Line6. They make digital modelling amps that let you use loads of different sounds. The modelling is so good now that it will be a long time before you decide it doesn't sound good enough and want to upgrade (if ever).

[Cliphead]

I want to learn electric. I know what I need. I dont want to spend a lot, it might be a very short hobby. Might watch ebay to see if anything decent comes up.
A recomend or two for good starter guitars and amps would be useful.
I have seen some "kits" but dont know enough to buy on spec.
Should I stick with a name I trust? or are there some good cheap manufacturers out there.

Because I have small hands I am looking for a narrow neck and "I think the phrase is" a short or small action.

Knock yerself out

Linky

[The Lone Gunman]

Depends how much you want to spend really. Buying the cheapest guitar possible to begin with can be counter productive because they can be so difficult for a beginner to play that it puts them off learning. Electric guitars are generally easier to play but you'll need an amp as well. Acoustics are usually cheaper but need a bit more finger strength to play.

Your best bet is to decide whether you want to learn acoustic or electric, how much you're prepared to spend, and then take someone who can already play shopping with you for advice.

I want to learn electric. I know what I need. I dont want to spend a lot, it might be a very short hobby. Might watch ebay to see if anything decent comes up.
A recomend or two for good starter guitars and amps would be useful.
I have seen some "kits" but dont know enough to buy on spec.
Should I stick with a name I trust? or are there some good cheap manufacturers out there.

Because I have small hands I am looking for a narrow neck and "I think the phrase is" a short or small action.

[Bunk]

I have been considering having a go at learning guitar (mid life dreams of being a rock god).

Do you experts have any recomended kit set ups and "teach yourself guitar" books?

I have reall small hands.

Depends how much you want to spend really. Buying the cheapest guitar possible to begin with can be counter productive because they can be so difficult for a beginner to play that it puts them off learning. Electric guitars are generally easier to play but you'll need an amp as well. Acoustics are usually cheaper but need a bit more finger strength to play.

Your best bet is to decide whether you want to learn acoustic or electric, how much you're prepared to spend, and then take someone who can already play shopping with you for advice.

[The Lone Gunman]

I have been considering having a go at learning guitar (mid life dreams of being a rock god).

Do you experts have any recomended kit set ups and "teach yourself guitar" books?

I have reall small hands.

[Amiga500]

Yamaha.

[DS23]

i'll be the first to say to the 335 in whatever guise but don't forget

led zeppelin 1

jimmy page

telecaster

[scotspine]

Nought wrong with a decent telecaster, particularly played through a valve amp. Always been good enough for Keef.....

i don't think a tele is the sound bb is after.

at the end of the day [and even before that] if the guitar you're holding does what you want and you can afford it, then why not go for it? sure you'll always find better, more expensive, faster etc etc but it's about playing, always has been and always will be. getting anal and precious about things can be more of a hindrance than anything. i spent almost 2 years playing in norff lahhndaaan with a framus before i got my '63 strat. did i care? not really. i was out there playing rather than sitting in the back bedroom waiting for the perfect box to come along.

go for it bb. and have fun!

[Croatian]

Fantastic, I´ve never played such good guitars in the price category. I borrowed a 335 for the weekend,f** is it good.

I think I´m going to order a Casino, as I foind the humbucker pickups a bit too clean for my liking and prefer the p90 pickups raucous sound as here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhq7D...eature=related

Our band is beginning to sound extremely good, we´ve had the vocals for 60´s harmonies for a while but now we´re building up the instrumental backing and now have an enthusiastic stand-up bass player. I´´m going to buy this guitar as a second guitar and lend to our other guitarist who turned up to the practice session with a Telecaster .

With the Rickenbacker and the Casino this is going to rock big time

Anyway for those thinking about Epiphone, thumbs up.

Nought wrong with a decent telecaster, particularly played through a valve amp. Always been good enough for Keef.....