Made my decision on teh guitar and amp

[Nitemare]

Ended up with a

Ibanez RG5EX1

and a 10 watt version of

Fender Frontman Reverb Amp

 

[hellokeith]

If you are only playing by yourself, then you'll be fine.

If you ever plan to play w/ a band or play live, disown all knowledge of owning any of this equipment less you be mocked back into the stoneage.

 

[Platypus]

There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

 

[nakedfrog]

I would say "sometimes." I suppose if you felt like going through the hassle of shipping it back and getting a new one if you do happen to get a lemon, that would be a way to go.

 

[se7en]

I started on one and they are just fine. Epi was bought out by gibson long ago only differece is the quality of material and where its made.

I had mine for 7-8 years with no problem at all.

And no epiphone wont get you laughed off stage there are some really nice ones if they are made over here in the US rather than Singapore or Indionesia. Now a starter pack one no dont take that on stage you would definately need a better quality one.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Platypus
There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

Tone whore

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Platypus
There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

Tone whore

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: se7en
I started on one and they are just fine. Epi was bought out by gibson long ago only differece is the quality of material and where its made.

I had mine for 7-8 years with no problem at all.

So like, everything

A long time ago Epis and Gibsons were made side by side in the same factory and were virtually indistinguishable in sound.

Now, while the quality of the standard Gibson as compared to the vintages is often debated, they do seem to be fairly consistent in a year. That is, a new Gibson LP Standard is a new Gibson LP Standard no matter where you buy it.

Epiphones vary in quality so much it isn't even funny. There are some that are absolutely horrible, and then there are some really good ones for a decent price. I bought an Epi LP Standard several years ago that I had the guys at the music store cherry pick for me. The finish is gorgeous, the wood is top quality, but the tuners and pickups weren't great. I got some authentic Gibson pickups and went back to the store to play with some of the music guys. We pulled a $4k Gibson LP Standard Plus off the wall, brought it in to the amp room with my guitar and its new pickups, and plugged them in to some Marshall tube amps.

None of us could tell the difference. And my guitar cost about $550 (plus pickups and labour brought it up to about $850 though).

I still haven't changed the tuners as I've been really lazy, but I'm really happy with the guitar.

I've gone in from time to time to drool at the expensive guitars, and have picked up a few of them, as well as a few of the budget Epis just to see what they're like. You do seem to get what you pay for as the cheapest ones feel and sound terrible.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Platypus
There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

What's a better starter pack, wanted to stay under 300?

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Platypus
There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

What's a better starter pack, wanted to stay under 300?

What kind of music do you want to play? There are lots of starter guitars out there and they all sound different and make different tones. In that price range it's going to be a question of picking the one that sucks the least unfortunately.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Platypus

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Platypus
There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

What's a better starter pack, wanted to stay under 300?

What kind of music do you want to play? There are lots of starter guitars out there and they all sound different and make different tones. In that price range it's going to be a question of picking the one that sucks the least unfortunately.

Rock with some metal

 

[Platypus]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com...III-15W-Amp?sku=515204

This is probably the best starter pack going right now.

 

[oynaz]

People already said it: The tuners are horrible. You often cannot do more than 2-3 minutes of playing before retuning. The pickups tend to be microphonic, which means that they are useless for band practice.
At least, that's the way it was 5 years ago.

 

[paulxcook]

I am against starter packs. Gear holds up well over time, find some quality used gear and you'll be happier.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
I am against starter packs. Gear holds up well over time, find some quality used gear and you'll be happier.

I wanted an Ibanez RG 350DX, but the guy was wanting over $300 for a used one.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Platypus
There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

For what reason on a starter guitar, I seriously wouldn't waste the money?

An epi can be a good starter, but I have heard the latest models have gone downhill esp compared to what's out there. You can shop kits until you go crazy though...there is always a deal out there. I'd say find used though...check colleges esp the music dept., Craigslist, any instrument shop in your area, even ebay can turn up great buys...

The thing with any guitar, the cheaper you go the more variable the sound and feel between each can be.

I'd want to be able to try it out unless I had found a great deal on a vintage instrument and have someone much better than me play it as well to give me a critique.

All in all though your starter guitar should never be the one you will go the distance with. You will make mistakes that damage it, find things that are important and not so important to you, figure out what a good fit for you/playing style, etc....

Once you figure out you want to keep playing upgrade rather than pour money into a starter. I used a $150 plain jane electric I found on sale at a local shop. It was a no-name type of brand but it felt really good and much better guitarist really liked it's action and playablity. I ended up selling it for $175. My next guitar was a Martin HD28.

I sold that guitar for more than I paid as well, wish I didn't have to at the time though.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Platypus
There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

For what reason on a starter guitar, I seriously wouldn't waste the money?

An epi can be a good starter, but I have heard the latest models have gone downhill esp compared to what's out there. You can shop kits until you go crazy though...there is always a deal out there. I'd say find used though...check colleges esp the music dept., Craigslist, any instrument shop in your area, even ebay can turn up great buys...

The thing with any guitar, the cheaper you go the more variable the sound and feel between each can be.

I'd want to be able to try it out unless I had found a great deal on a vintage instrument and have someone much better than me play it as well to give me a critique.

All in all though your starter guitar should never be the one you will go the distance with. You will make mistakes that damage it, find things that are important and not so important to you, figure out what a good fit for you/playing style, etc....

Once you figure out you want to keep playing upgrade rather than pour money into a starter. I used a $150 plain jane electric I found on sale at a local shop. It was a no-name type of brand but it felt really good and much better guitarist really liked it's action and playablity. I ended up selling it for $175. My next guitar was a Martin HD28.

I sold that guitar for more than I paid as well, wish I didn't have to at the time though.

Every starter kit I have looked at had major problems on some of the reviews. I was thinking a starter pack, because it had pretty much all the gear.

Right now I am leaning towards picking up an RG Ibanez DX, either a 320 or a 421 and then just picking up an amp for it.

 

[Rudee]

Go buy a used RG 500 series or higher guitar. They're pretty darn remarkable, especially if you change the stock pickups.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Rudee
Go buy a used RG 500 series or higher guitar. They're pretty darn remarkable, especially if you change the stock pickups.

500 series are a bit out of my price range and haven't seen any used ones for sell yet.

 

[alkemyst]

Starter kits have major issues because the same idiots like here are comparing them to guitars that cost a multiple of what the entire kit runs.

For a $300 budget you should be able to find a decent guitar and amp combo. Also it's easy to get burned by someone selling a warped guitar and blown electronics.

 

[hiromizu]

I have a 2620-cbk but I switched out the pickups. It's a pretty sweet guitar for blues.

 

[Nitemare]

Had someone offer me a Peavey Strat (Made in America) in my price range.

Waiting on pics and series info.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Platypus
There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

For what reason on a starter guitar, I seriously wouldn't waste the money?

An epi can be a good starter, but I have heard the latest models have gone downhill esp compared to what's out there. You can shop kits until you go crazy though...there is always a deal out there. I'd say find used though...check colleges esp the music dept., Craigslist, any instrument shop in your area, even ebay can turn up great buys...

The thing with any guitar, the cheaper you go the more variable the sound and feel between each can be.

I'd want to be able to try it out unless I had found a great deal on a vintage instrument and have someone much better than me play it as well to give me a critique.

All in all though your starter guitar should never be the one you will go the distance with. You will make mistakes that damage it, find things that are important and not so important to you, figure out what a good fit for you/playing style, etc....

Once you figure out you want to keep playing upgrade rather than pour money into a starter. I used a $150 plain jane electric I found on sale at a local shop. It was a no-name type of brand but it felt really good and much better guitarist really liked it's action and playablity. I ended up selling it for $175. My next guitar was a Martin HD28.

I sold that guitar for more than I paid as well, wish I didn't have to at the time though.

Starter kits have major issues because the same idiots like here are comparing them to guitars that cost a multiple of what the entire kit runs.

Like I said, all starter kits suck. For a little over a hundred extra bucks you can turn a shitty guitar into a formidable learning instrument by replacing the pickups for ~90 bucks and tuners for 15 or so. I wouldn't really call that 'pouring money' into it. Starter kits are perfect for someone like the OP who is interested in getting back into guitar or just starting out who have no idea what they're after guitar wise and don't want to sink a lot of money into something that might not pan out. Furthermore, CL and local music shops are filled to the brim with people trying to off faulty gear on people who have no idea what to look for.

Is it possible for you to reply to a thread without resorting to name calling when you disagree with someone? :roll:

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Platypus

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Platypus
There are better starter packs out there, if you end up with the epi you should replace the pickups and the tuners at the very least.

For what reason on a starter guitar, I seriously wouldn't waste the money?

An epi can be a good starter, but I have heard the latest models have gone downhill esp compared to what's out there. You can shop kits until you go crazy though...there is always a deal out there. I'd say find used though...check colleges esp the music dept., Craigslist, any instrument shop in your area, even ebay can turn up great buys...

The thing with any guitar, the cheaper you go the more variable the sound and feel between each can be.

I'd want to be able to try it out unless I had found a great deal on a vintage instrument and have someone much better than me play it as well to give me a critique.

All in all though your starter guitar should never be the one you will go the distance with. You will make mistakes that damage it, find things that are important and not so important to you, figure out what a good fit for you/playing style, etc....

Once you figure out you want to keep playing upgrade rather than pour money into a starter. I used a $150 plain jane electric I found on sale at a local shop. It was a no-name type of brand but it felt really good and much better guitarist really liked it's action and playablity. I ended up selling it for $175. My next guitar was a Martin HD28.

I sold that guitar for more than I paid as well, wish I didn't have to at the time though.

Starter kits have major issues because the same idiots like here are comparing them to guitars that cost a multiple of what the entire kit runs.

Like I said, all starter kits suck. For a little over a hundred extra bucks you can turn a shitty guitar into a formidable learning instrument by replacing the pickups for ~90 bucks and tuners for 15 or so. I wouldn't really call that 'pouring money' into it. Starter kits are perfect for someone like the OP who is interested in getting back into guitar or just starting out who have no idea what they're after guitar wise and don't want to sink a lot of money into something that might not pan out. Furthermore, CL and local music shops are filled to the brim with people trying to off faulty gear on people who have no idea what to look for.

Is it possible for you to reply to a thread without resorting to name calling when you disagree with someone? :roll:

So a $250 starter kit or something like a RG320 or 350 Ibanez?

Not really concerned with a decent amp at this point(just a small one with reverb), because it is going to take a little while before I'm going to play outside of my house...

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: hellokeith
If you are only playing by yourself, then you'll be fine.

If you ever plan to play w/ a band or play live, disown all knowledge of owning any of this equipment less you be mocked back into the stoneage.

that sums it up really well, actually.

I owned what was supposedly a pretty nice Ibanez for a few years. Once I got better and started playing in a band, it quickly became apparent that it was a piece of crap, and even my cheaper backup guitar was superior in every important way. What worked fine in my bedroom was suddenly inexcusable in a performance or recording situation.

But for a cheap starter, it really doesn't matter too much which brand you get.