Need to buy a guitar - beginner

robnet77

Hi!

I'm an absolute beginner and would like to start up learning to play electric guitar.

Will be playing rock (not heavy metal), indie music.

I live in Dublin, after reading previous threads it seems many prefer to buy online but I don't want to wait till after Xmas holidays...

The more I read, the more I get confused, trying to find a better value than a LesPaul, willing to spend about 300-400€ including the amplifier, or less if you advise it's not worth investing on famous brands to begin with.

I don't know how long it'll take before I'll improve and want something more, don't have much time to go for lessons but will practise at home quite often.

What about Argos.co.uk? in Newry there's one and with the weak pound it could be a good place to buy cheap, but maybe specialized shops will setup the guitar for me besides selling it???

I've seen very cheap products around but I don't know if it's best to spend one hundred more and extend the guitar's lifetime accordingly.

I'm right handed, I reckon those guitars named SX-... are for left handed? if not, why are most of the cheap guitars I saw on sale named that way?

What about this Starcaster?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0661281/Trail/searchtext>GUITAR.htm

This article mentions the five best guitars for beginners, is it quite comprehensive?

http://guitar.about.com/od/helpbuyingguitarsgear/tp/electricguitars.htm


Thanks in advance, please reply even with one line if you can, I'm totally confused at the moment!
I'd also consider buying a used instrument if in pretty good conditions, but would still need advice...
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=83727&cat=16 I'd rather go for a new one for that money, but someone here mentioned it's a good deal...

robnet77

mmmh...

top sellers...

http://www.thomann.de/ie/topseller_gieg.html

incredibly cheap prices, saw the relevant thread, but where would I get the gear set up? which shop / place in Dublin?

The Boarder Man

I would avoid that Argos one like the plague. Second hand will definitely get you much better value.
There's plenty going cheap around Adverts at the moment (e.g. see my strat ).

What kind of music are you into?

robnet77

The Boarder Man wrote: »

I would avoid that Argos one like the plague. Second hand will definitely get you much better value.
There's plenty going cheap around Adverts at the moment (e.g. see my strat ).

What kind of music are you into?

thanks, I'm not into heavy metal and jazz, other than that I like a bit of everything.

I would need a complete set to start up with, including an ampli and possibly good headphones to train up without making noise.

DeadSkin

For just a shade over €300 you can get Pacifica & Microcube delivered. You can't go wrong.

I'm sure there are a few places in Dublin you can check them out in.

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i wouldnt go to argos in a million years tbh. as said earlier a pacificia and microcube are a great pair.

This les paul is excelent for €200, however it think it is nearly sold

robnet77

thanks again...

uhm, battery powered? isn't that Roland ampli too weak?

what's special in it? and btw, it also comes in black or white, does red kick arses?

The Boarder Man

robnet77 wrote: »

thanks, I'm not into heavy metal and jazz, other than that I like a bit of everything.

I would need a complete set to start up with, including an ampli and possibly good headphones to train up without making noise.

Well then whatever floats your boat should be fine. For strats Yamaha Pacifica or Fender Squire (red would match the microcube ), and for Les Pauls Epiphone or Vintage (?) I guess would be the obvious choices in terms of being decent budget intruments (anyone care to disagree?).

Headphones are a good idea. I use Sennheiser HD515s for this purpose but they cost me €90. Something like this might be a good budget option.

robnet77 wrote: »

thanks again...

uhm, battery powered? isn't that Roland ampli too weak?

what's special in it? and btw, it also comes in black or white, does red kick arses?

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=594

Runs on battery or AC power (adapter supplied)

Too weak for what? Do you play in a small apartment, jam with friends, play gigs? I would go and test a few different amps in a shop to see what you like. Personally I'm not a big fan off the distortion on the Cube's but I prefer their clean to the small Marshalls (MG). Also Vox have the DA series which I haven't tried but have only heard good things about.

Good luck either way and let us know how you get on.

fasty

All of Roland's solid state small amps are amazing. I had a Microcube for a few months and ended up getting a Cube 20x as my practice amp which is just awesome!

Here's a video review of some guy in an awesome hat talking about the Microcube.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=l8zECSPUqfU

robnet77

Thanks mates,
ordered a Pacifica 112v from Absolutemusic, coupled it with a Microcube (red :cool:) and Sennheiser 215 headphones, can't wait for the parcel to arrive!

prices were lower than Thomann, so I took the chance, and I read good comments on the "v" version which had replaced the standard one after several years!

chose the Violin Sunburst color for the guitar

Eoin Madsen

The Boarder Man wrote: »

Well then whatever floats your boat should be fine. For strats Yamaha Pacifica or Fender Squire (red would match the microcube ), and for Les Pauls Epiphone or Vintage (?) I guess would be the obvious choices in terms of being decent budget intruments (anyone care to disagree?).

Yeah, Squiers and Epiphones are not really cost effective. You pay more for less vs. the Pacifica for example. The really cheap Squiers are junk, and more comparable to the Argos guitar tbh. An equally priced Pacifica would wipe the floor.

OK-Cancel-Apply

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/stagg-s-350-strat-style/10320

robnet77

hey guys I've got it

though I need someone to set it up now, as I really don't know what to do with the tremolo (which I won't use at the beginning) and the tuning.

Who can do it for a reasonable price? I don't need a perfect setup, as long as it's decent I'll be fine.

Btw, it's not so easy to play, I'm checking some videos on youtube but it'll take some time to just start up...

Anyone? :pac: