Is this a decent guitar for a beginner?

[Crono]

I just bought this guitar for my little brother (he's 13), since he said he wants to learn how to play the electric bass guitar.

Now I need to find a amp/speaker for fairly cheap...

 

[MyThirdEye]

That guitar would be fantastic for a beginner, imo.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

My roomate has that very bass. It's a good buy, great for starters :thumbsup:

 

[E equals MC2]

A good $500 budget will do nicely ($200 on guitar, $200 on amp, $100 on bag, cables, pick, tuner, stand, pedal, etc).

I got a $500 set up for an electric guitar and it's fine for my noob talent. I do notice that it's lacking a good sustain notes, pinched harmonics don't sound as nice, there's a buzzing because it doesn't have a humbucker, etc...

But I don't plan on spending anymore on it unless my talent REALLY warrants a better set up. I just play as a hobby here and there - play some green day, lick some solos, etc...

 

[nakedfrog]

That should be a good one, but you may consider taking it in to a guitar shop for a setup.

 

[MyThirdEye]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2
A good $500 budget will do nicely ($200 on guitar, $200 on amp, $100 on bag, cables, pick, tuner, stand, pedal, etc).

I got a $500 set up for an electric guitar and it's find for my noob talent. I do notice that it's lacking a good sustain notes, pinched harmonics don't sound as nice, there's a buzzing because it doesn't have a humbucker, etc...

But I don't plan on spending anymore on it unless my talent REALLY warrants a better set up. I just play as a hobby here and there - play some green day, lick some solos, etc...

If I were you, I would try and find a package deal. If he's just starting, I doubt that he's going to need a 100W amp. You could get the guitar, and a 15W amp for pretty cheap.

Edit: Jumpstart Setup

 

[Agentbolt]

Looks like a good one for an electric.

The OP seems to have his mind made up, but for anyone else reading this thread, if you're looking to start playing a guitar, seriously consider going acoustic first. If you want to learn to play, an acoustic won't cover up your mistakes the way the distortion on an electric will, forcing you to be a better player.

 

[CraKaJaX]

I guess it's just me, but with something like that no one can pick and choose what I like. It's all about the feel of the guitar when you're playing it. I have to play it before I buy it.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2
A good $500 budget will do nicely ($200 on guitar, $200 on amp, $100 on bag, cables, pick, tuner, stand, pedal, etc).

My friend gets by just nice with a small Fender Rumble amp he got pretty cheap. OP, if there's a guitar center around you, go there. My friend was able to bargain out the amp from it's original $140 something dollars, to $87 with his guitar. There very easy to bargain with in my experiences.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: CraKaJaX
I guess it's just me, but with something like that no one can pick and choose what I like. It's all about the feel of the guitar when you're playing it. I have to play it before I buy it.

Yeah, unless the buyer knows exactly what the receiver wants, buying musical equipment for an established player is a bit dicey. A few years back, my friend and his wife were going to buy me a tuner. I had been playing for around ten years at the time, we had a piano, and my effects pedal has a tuner built in. Fortunately the music store was closed, so they bought me a cappuccino maker instead

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: amjohns5

Originally posted by: E equals MC2
A good $500 budget will do nicely ($200 on guitar, $200 on amp, $100 on bag, cables, pick, tuner, stand, pedal, etc).

I got a $500 set up for an electric guitar and it's find for my noob talent. I do notice that it's lacking a good sustain notes, pinched harmonics don't sound as nice, there's a buzzing because it doesn't have a humbucker, etc...

But I don't plan on spending anymore on it unless my talent REALLY warrants a better set up. I just play as a hobby here and there - play some green day, lick some solos, etc...

If I were you, I would try and find a package deal. If he's just starting, I doubt that he's going to need a 100W amp. You could get the guitar, and a 15W amp for pretty cheap.

Edit: Jumpstart Setup

That jumpstart package looks like a good deal. I already paid for the guitar, unfortunately, otherwise I think I would have got that

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
Looks like a good one for an electric.

The OP seems to have his mind made up, but for anyone else reading this thread, if you're looking to start playing a guitar, seriously consider going acoustic first. If you want to learn to play, an acoustic won't cover up your mistakes the way the distortion on an electric will, forcing you to be a better player.

WTF,

Please do NOT listen to this man. Acoustic and Electric are two totally different animals. Of course, a versatile guitarist should be able to play and appreciate both but one starting out in electric guitar should not START with acoustic in hopes of getting better with electric.

Horrible advice. Electric is all about power chords, crunchy palm muting, high-fret solos, pinched harmonics and even vibrato is done differently than in Acoustic.

Acoustic can do none of those. You're in for a REAL dissapointment if you think electric will 'cover up your mistakes' because it's crunchy/messy sounding.

Do not listen to his advice. But then again you're getting a bass anyways, which is neither.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
Looks like a good one for an electric.

The OP seems to have his mind made up, but for anyone else reading this thread, if you're looking to start playing a guitar, seriously consider going acoustic first. If you want to learn to play, an acoustic won't cover up your mistakes the way the distortion on an electric will, forcing you to be a better player.

WTF,

Please do NOT listen to this man. Acoustic and Electric are two totally different animals. Of course, a versatile guitarist should be able to play and appreciate both but one starting out in electric guitar should not START with acoustic in hopes of getting better with electric.

Horrible advice. Electric is all about power chords, crunchy palm muting, high-fret solos, pinched harmonics and even vibrato is done differently than in Acoustic.

Acoustic can do none of those. You're in for a REAL dissapointment if you think electric will 'cover up your mistakes' because it's crunchy/messy sounding.

Do not listen to his advice. But then again you're getting a bass anyways, which is neither.

I agree with him. I recommend starting on acoustic. I disagree with most of what you said.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
Looks like a good one for an electric.

The OP seems to have his mind made up, but for anyone else reading this thread, if you're looking to start playing a guitar, seriously consider going acoustic first. If you want to learn to play, an acoustic won't cover up your mistakes the way the distortion on an electric will, forcing you to be a better player.

WTF,

Please do NOT listen to this man. Acoustic and Electric are two totally different animals. Of course, a versatile guitarist should be able to play and appreciate both but one starting out in electric guitar should not START with acoustic in hopes of getting better with electric.

Horrible advice. Electric is all about power chords, crunchy palm muting, high-fret solos, pinched harmonics and even vibrato is done differently than in Acoustic.

Acoustic can do none of those. You're in for a REAL dissapointment if you think electric will 'cover up your mistakes' because it's crunchy/messy sounding.

Do not listen to his advice. But then again you're getting a bass anyways, which is neither.

Actually acoustics are better for strength building in your fingers, but yeah, as far as "covering mistakes with distortion", I'll argue that your mistake is actually going to be amplified instead of covered up.

Things like vibrato, muting, and harmonics are all used in acoustic playing. Hell, you can't do a decent blues progression without palm muting

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
Looks like a good one for an electric.

The OP seems to have his mind made up, but for anyone else reading this thread, if you're looking to start playing a guitar, seriously consider going acoustic first. If you want to learn to play, an acoustic won't cover up your mistakes the way the distortion on an electric will, forcing you to be a better player.

WTF,

Please do NOT listen to this man. Acoustic and Electric are two totally different animals. Of course, a versatile guitarist should be able to play and appreciate both but one starting out in electric guitar should not START with acoustic in hopes of getting better with electric.

Horrible advice. Electric is all about power chords, crunchy palm muting, high-fret solos, pinched harmonics and even vibrato is done differently than in Acoustic.

Acoustic can do none of those. You're in for a REAL dissapointment if you think electric will 'cover up your mistakes' because it's crunchy/messy sounding.

Do not listen to his advice. But then again you're getting a bass anyways, which is neither.

Actually acoustics are better for strength building in your fingers, but yeah, as far as "covering mistakes with distortion", I'll argue that your mistake is actually going to be amplified instead of covered up.

Things like vibrato, muting, and harmonics are all used in acoustic playing. Hell, you can't do a decent blues progression without palm muting

I didn't say they're not used. They're done differently. Vibrato in acoustics is done by 'finger-crying'. In electric, you perform vibrato by twisting your wrist. I was that victim of 'picking up the acoustic first before electric' noob mindset by my mom who knows nothing about music.

After years of playing electric, I wondered why the range of my vibrato was so narrow and not as cool sounding as heard in rock. Turns out, I have to RE-LEARN vibrato with the electric guitar method and it was a freaking hard ass habit to get rid of from acoustics.

Palm muting is the same way. If you think you're good at palm muting in acoustics and expect the same in electric, good luck to you. You have to learn to re-adjust.

And it's not even about techniques. The paths of acoustic and electric is just going in separate ways. Good luck throwing away all your base chords you learned in acoustics, only to find out electric is all about powerchords and high-note solos which acoustics never got you accustomed to.

 

[nakedfrog]

I still take issue with the notion that "electric is all about power chords and high-note solos"

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I still take issue with the notion that "electric is all about power chords and high-note solos"

it's heavy generalization. Come on. For a beginner, that's what they'll tackle. Besides that, I think you got my point.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
Looks like a good one for an electric.

The OP seems to have his mind made up, but for anyone else reading this thread, if you're looking to start playing a guitar, seriously consider going acoustic first. If you want to learn to play, an acoustic won't cover up your mistakes the way the distortion on an electric will, forcing you to be a better player.

WTF,

Please do NOT listen to this man. Acoustic and Electric are two totally different animals. Of course, a versatile guitarist should be able to play and appreciate both but one starting out in electric guitar should not START with acoustic in hopes of getting better with electric.

Horrible advice. Electric is all about power chords, crunchy palm muting, high-fret solos, pinched harmonics and even vibrato is done differently than in Acoustic.

Acoustic can do none of those. You're in for a REAL dissapointment if you think electric will 'cover up your mistakes' because it's crunchy/messy sounding.

Do not listen to his advice. But then again you're getting a bass anyways, which is neither.

Actually acoustics are better for strength building in your fingers, but yeah, as far as "covering mistakes with distortion", I'll argue that your mistake is actually going to be amplified instead of covered up.

Things like vibrato, muting, and harmonics are all used in acoustic playing. Hell, you can't do a decent blues progression without palm muting

I didn't say they're not used. They're done differently. Vibrato in acoustics is done by 'finger-crying'. In electric, you perform vibrato by twisting your wrist. I was that victim of 'picking up the acoustic first before electric' noob mindset by my mom who knows nothing about music.

After years of playing electric, I wondered why the range of my vibrato was so narrow and not as cool sounding as heard in rock. Turns out, I have to RE-LEARN vibrato with the electric guitar method and it was a freaking hard ass habit to get rid of from acoustics.

Palm muting is the same way. If you think you're good at palm muting in acoustics and expect the same in electric, good luck to you. You have to learn to re-adjust.

And it's not even about techniques. The paths of acoustic and electric is just going in separate ways. Good luck throwing away all your base chords you learned in acoustics, only to find out electric is all about powerchords and high-note solos which acoustics never got you accustomed to.

I use the same vibrato on both acoustic and electric. On acoustic I just have to do it harder Palm muting works the same way too...not sure what you can do different there.

Also, chords are chords on any guitar.

 

[Agentbolt]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
Looks like a good one for an electric.

The OP seems to have his mind made up, but for anyone else reading this thread, if you're looking to start playing a guitar, seriously consider going acoustic first. If you want to learn to play, an acoustic won't cover up your mistakes the way the distortion on an electric will, forcing you to be a better player.

WTF,

Please do NOT listen to this man. Acoustic and Electric are two totally different animals. Of course, a versatile guitarist should be able to play and appreciate both but one starting out in electric guitar should not START with acoustic in hopes of getting better with electric.

Horrible advice. Electric is all about power chords, crunchy palm muting, high-fret solos, pinched harmonics and even vibrato is done differently than in Acoustic.

Acoustic can do none of those. You're in for a REAL dissapointment if you think electric will 'cover up your mistakes' because it's crunchy/messy sounding.

Do not listen to his advice. But then again you're getting a bass anyways, which is neither.

Actually acoustics are better for strength building in your fingers, but yeah, as far as "covering mistakes with distortion", I'll argue that your mistake is actually going to be amplified instead of covered up.

Things like vibrato, muting, and harmonics are all used in acoustic playing. Hell, you can't do a decent blues progression without palm muting

I didn't say they're not used. They're done differently. Vibrato in acoustics is done by 'finger-crying'. In electric, you perform vibrato by twisting your wrist. I was that victim of 'picking up the acoustic first before electric' noob mindset by my mom who knows nothing about music.

After years of playing electric, I wondered why the range of my vibrato was so narrow and not as cool sounding as heard in rock. Turns out, I have to RE-LEARN vibrato with the electric guitar method and it was a freaking hard ass habit to get rid of from acoustics.

Palm muting is the same way. If you think you're good at palm muting in acoustics and expect the same in electric, good luck to you. You have to learn to re-adjust.

And it's not even about techniques. The paths of acoustic and electric is just going in separate ways. Good luck throwing away all your base chords you learned in acoustics, only to find out electric is all about powerchords and high-note solos which acoustics never got you accustomed to.

I use the same vibrato on both acoustic and electric. On acoustic I just have to do it harder Palm muting works the same way too...not sure what you can do different there.

Also, chords are chords on any guitar.

Exactly. You learn different songs depending on what instrument you choose, but either way you're learning chords, finger placement, and hand movement. Also, I don't get where you're getting the insane ideas mistakes are MORE noticeable with an electric. Distortion effects MASK mistakes.

To learn the basics of playing a guitar, then you start on an ACCOUSTIC. If you want to learn how to play Panama or Smoke on the Water or other specific rock songs, then by all means, go for an Electric. Learning on an acoustic requires more finger strength, and more precise chord placement and movement. It'll teach you better.

 

[Platypus]

Agree with starting on acoustic if you really want to learn. Acoustics are harder to play and won't let you get away with sloppy playing the same way electrics do. It has nothing to do with the sounds you get out of the guitar but more so the fundamentals of good playing. I started on acoustic and I would recommend the same to anyone who actually wants to learn the instrument and not just dick around.

 

[pontifex]

even though i don't play (but have owned and sold 2 of them), i really like the ibanez guitars. i'm maybe a bit biased though because some of my favorite guitarists use them.

 

[Fritzo]

Exactly. You learn different songs depending on what instrument you choose, but either way you're learning chords, finger placement, and hand movement. Also, I don't get where you're getting the insane ideas mistakes are MORE noticeable with an electric. Distortion effects MASK mistakes.

To learn the basics of playing a guitar, then you start on an ACCOUSTIC. If you want to learn how to play Panama or Smoke on the Water or other specific rock songs, then by all means, go for an Electric. Learning on an acoustic requires more finger strength, and more precise chord placement and movement. It'll teach you better.

You don't really use heavy distortion when practicing on an electric. It doesn't matter what you practice on- just as long as you practice. I've been playing for over two decades, and I've taught about a dozen people to play. As long as it has strings and stays in tune, you can learn to play on anything equally well, it's just a matter of what you put into it that gathers the results.