Decent beginners pack?

MarkMI6

Hi folks!

Shall be helping me gf's 13 year-old sister pick out an electric starter pack of some kind on Saturday (she's been playing an acoustic for a goood 4/5 months), and I'm looking for a few good ideas on starter packs!

I took a look around a few shops yesterday (for the first time in aaaaaaaages, me being used to buying online) and I'm not sure if I should go with a pack or get a guitar and an amp separately? There are a few Epiphones for E200 and I didn't check but last I recall you could pick up a Micro Cube for maybe E150 max? That works out the same as the packs - I noticed a Les Paul Epiphone pack in Waltons, a Washburn pack in Musician and eh can't remember the other some no-name brand in Waltons

So I guess the first question is, is she better off going for a pack or a guitar and amp separately assuming they're both the same price?

Thanks folks!

Voodu Child

Generally, the guitars and especially the amps in the starter packs arent great quality. I usually recommend staying away from them. In fairness, they often do represent good value, and include cables etc, but if you're spending 300+ on separate stuff in a guitar shop, you'll usually get them to throw in a free cable, strap, picks etc anyway.

The Microcube is a great little amp, and a million miles better than anything you'll find in a starter pack (lots of guys here use them, including guys who have massive big$ main amps). 150 sounds about right in Irish shops, though i'd say you might save twenty odd quid if you shop around.

If you have 200-250 left after buying the microcube, you should be able to buy a pretty decent beginners guitar.

Pyr0

A microcube and a Yamaha Pacifica would be a pretty good start !

Patricide

i was just about to say it, Best beginner guitar in the world with the best amp under 250 in the world = best begginner pack ever. played one of the new pacificas the last day absolutly goregeous guitar, sounds feels and plays like a 600 euro guitar, lovely.

MarkMI6

Not too sure if she'd be interested in the Pacifica since it's single coils, she's a bit on the emo (cough) side so I'd imagine humbuckers are what she'd prefer. I'll definitely show her the guitar anyway and let herself decide.

So a guitar and amp separately is definitely the way to go then? I noticed really cheap Epiphone amps but given their large size and low price I'm going to imagine they're possibly the worst amps ever built Probably one of the E200 Epiphones will be what she wants and can work on the amp after that.

Patricide

pacifica has a hum inthe bridge, great versitile guitar, played metal to chilout stuff on my old one and the new one is even better.