Beginner advice - Buying a Guitar

Quigs Snr

A number of years ago I started playing on a cheapo guitar with terrible action and was always sorry I gave it up.

New years resolution, to start again. Looking for a cheap and cheerfull starter kit. Still have my old (now wrecked 50 quid fender rip-off, cayman I think, with action so high you need steel fingers to play and an old SOlex 10w practice amp that makes everything sound like Nirvana), looking for a clean sounding kit, and small amp maybe.

Was thinking a Fender Squier Strat pack (either horizon pack with Fender SP10 amp, or frontman pack with fRONTMAN 15g amp) from musicmaker.ie. 229 Euro, or 299 Euro.

Anyone like to tell me the difference between the packs ? As far as I can tell the guitar is the same, the amp is different. Any opinions on these guitars ? I am specifically looking to get a decent rock sound and I was told that the Squier is a good starting point with good sound for the money. Anyone any better suggestions, or better yet, cheaper places to get them (That ship to Ireland with no fuss, no import tax, no mess - so that rules out music123 then.)

feylya

First of all, the two guitars aren't exactly the same. One is an Horizon, the other is an Affinity and is better afaik.

Now, Squiers have always gotten fairly bad press for some reason. Obviously, they're beginners guitars, not made from the best materials but still a very good guitar for the price. As for the rock sound, you'll get a better sound from humbuckers instead of single coils that those two have.

Have a look at Thomann.de Slightly more expensive (€23 shipping) but that Yamaha has humbuckers which is good

Antisocialiser

Marshall 10 watt amp - the only ten watt that doesnt sound like a bumble bee in a jar