WHAT IS YOUR PRICE POINT: A general concern to most parents buying a guitar for their child is whether they will stick with it or not. There are several different ways one can go, the most simple is to buy a starter pack. The most popular is made by Fender which is the "Squier Strat Pack". You can find these for a couple hundred dollars and they will include a guitar, amp, cable, gig bag and some picks. Many other companies have similar packs that are around the same price point. For someone unsure if their child is going to stick with it, this is the best investment. Amazon.com has had some AMAZING deals in the last couple years as far as guitars. It's very EASY to find a guitar for $100 with free shipping.
DO YOUR RESEARCH: The blind sale is exactly what any music store or salesperson wants. Remember a salesperson is there to make a commission from you, so sometimes your best interests are not theirs. In today's age, it is very easy to Google practically anything. No matter what I buy, I usually do several days of reading about what I plan to purchase. The major name brands for a beginner student are most definitely Fender and Epiphone (owned by Gibson Guitars). Both make reliable instruments in most cases, but there are alternatives that may have a better price point.
ACOUSTIC GUITARS: I am a big fan of Takamine guitars and own two. Takamine has a brand called "Jasmine" which I've had several of my students buy. The S34C and S35 are both around $80 on Amazon and are fantastic instruments. The S34C (C for cutaway) is a jumbo guitar, while the cutaway is a great feature, if you are worried about size the more standard S35 may be for you. Either way, these guitars will last you a while and are GREAT budget instruments. Other brands to consider are Michael Kelly, Washburn or Dean. All make great acoustic guitars for good midrange price point. If you want to get it over with and have the money, you can never go wrong with a good ole' Martin!
ELECTRIC GUITARS:
Budget Electrics: Fender Squires are typically the first guitar everyone starts on. They are ok instruments, but I have never been a fan of Fender unless it's a good Telecaster. If a Stratocaster is for you there are plenty of them for around $100. I prefer Epiphone Guitars for a first guitar. Most young rockers want to play what they heard on the Radio and most of that music guitar players are using guitars with a humbucking pickup. Most Squire models use single coil pickups unless you are looking at the higher end Squires. The Epiphone SG Special is around $120 - $160 on Amazon and a great instrument. Popular SG players are Angus Young from AC/DC and Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath. The pointy look appeals to younger players. This is a great guitar to start on! Other Models are the Epiphone Les Paul Junior the Epiphone LP Special II, these are around $110 - $150 on Amazon. The difference between these two guitars; the Junior has one pickup where as the Special has two. I would recommend the Special, but if you are on a budget to start out, the Junior will do just fine!
Midrange Electrics: Many of my students would play Michael Kelly or BC Rich electrics, mainly because I am an endorsee. They have many styles and shapes to accommodate any player's needs. I am partial to the BC Rich Bich and the Michael Kelly Patriot. The Bich while being an odd shape, is the most comfortable of the BC Rich guitars, in my opinion. The Michael Kelly Patriot is very similar to a Les Paul, which is my main guitar. The cool thing about the Patriot is a tapered neck joint which makes it easier to access the higher frets. These are great midrange guitars and worth the extra money if you are prepared to spend it. Gibson has even introduced a line of guitars the are entering into the midrange market. You can very easily get into a real Les Paul or SG for around $700. Major differences in these, from their more costly older brothers and sisters, are no binding and less paint. You are getting a bare bones Gibson with the similar electronics. Several of my students are playing these and they are great instruments.
AMPS: A guitar amp is essential if you are playing Electric Guitar. In the beginning you can get away cheap if you need to. I have used Kustom Amps for a long time. They have some solid equipment! If you want to go cheap the Kustom KG1 goes for $49 on Amazon. It's not a lot of power, but it's enough to bang around on. For about $99 you can have several options. The Kustom KG112fx is a great practice amp. It has a few effects but over all this amp has a great tone and sound for being a small. This amp also has a 12 inch speaker which is more standard in guitar amps. If you'd like more sounds to play around with the Line 6 Spider IV 15 costs $89, while it only has an 8 inch speaker it has a lot of tone options and effects built in. If you have a budget outside of $50-$100 you can look into the Line 6 Spider IV 30. This amp is twice the wattage and sports a 12 inch speaker. If it were me, I'd keep it simple and go with the Kustom KG112. Your young student may be more interested in making noises with the effects on the Line 6 than practicing his guitar studies for the week!
I hope this was helpful and gave you a few options when considering your first venture into the world of guitar. Everyone's situation is different as well as their budget so take time to shop for the best deals! The worst thing you can do when purchasing an instrument is going in without knowledge of what you're looking for!
-OMEB
www.onemanelectricalband.com
www.omebschoolofrock.com
ACOUSTIC GUITARS: I am a big fan of Takamine guitars and own two. Takamine has a brand called "Jasmine" which I've had several of my students buy. The S34C and S35 are both around $80 on Amazon and are fantastic instruments. The S34C (C for cutaway) is a jumbo guitar, while the cutaway is a great feature, if you are worried about size the more standard S35 may be for you. Either way, these guitars will last you a while and are GREAT budget instruments. Other brands to consider are Michael Kelly, Washburn or Dean. All make great acoustic guitars for good midrange price point. If you want to get it over with and have the money, you can never go wrong with a good ole' Martin!
ELECTRIC GUITARS:
Budget Electrics: Fender Squires are typically the first guitar everyone starts on. They are ok instruments, but I have never been a fan of Fender unless it's a good Telecaster. If a Stratocaster is for you there are plenty of them for around $100. I prefer Epiphone Guitars for a first guitar. Most young rockers want to play what they heard on the Radio and most of that music guitar players are using guitars with a humbucking pickup. Most Squire models use single coil pickups unless you are looking at the higher end Squires. The Epiphone SG Special is around $120 - $160 on Amazon and a great instrument. Popular SG players are Angus Young from AC/DC and Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath. The pointy look appeals to younger players. This is a great guitar to start on! Other Models are the Epiphone Les Paul Junior the Epiphone LP Special II, these are around $110 - $150 on Amazon. The difference between these two guitars; the Junior has one pickup where as the Special has two. I would recommend the Special, but if you are on a budget to start out, the Junior will do just fine!
Midrange Electrics: Many of my students would play Michael Kelly or BC Rich electrics, mainly because I am an endorsee. They have many styles and shapes to accommodate any player's needs. I am partial to the BC Rich Bich and the Michael Kelly Patriot. The Bich while being an odd shape, is the most comfortable of the BC Rich guitars, in my opinion. The Michael Kelly Patriot is very similar to a Les Paul, which is my main guitar. The cool thing about the Patriot is a tapered neck joint which makes it easier to access the higher frets. These are great midrange guitars and worth the extra money if you are prepared to spend it. Gibson has even introduced a line of guitars the are entering into the midrange market. You can very easily get into a real Les Paul or SG for around $700. Major differences in these, from their more costly older brothers and sisters, are no binding and less paint. You are getting a bare bones Gibson with the similar electronics. Several of my students are playing these and they are great instruments.
AMPS: A guitar amp is essential if you are playing Electric Guitar. In the beginning you can get away cheap if you need to. I have used Kustom Amps for a long time. They have some solid equipment! If you want to go cheap the Kustom KG1 goes for $49 on Amazon. It's not a lot of power, but it's enough to bang around on. For about $99 you can have several options. The Kustom KG112fx is a great practice amp. It has a few effects but over all this amp has a great tone and sound for being a small. This amp also has a 12 inch speaker which is more standard in guitar amps. If you'd like more sounds to play around with the Line 6 Spider IV 15 costs $89, while it only has an 8 inch speaker it has a lot of tone options and effects built in. If you have a budget outside of $50-$100 you can look into the Line 6 Spider IV 30. This amp is twice the wattage and sports a 12 inch speaker. If it were me, I'd keep it simple and go with the Kustom KG112. Your young student may be more interested in making noises with the effects on the Line 6 than practicing his guitar studies for the week!
I hope this was helpful and gave you a few options when considering your first venture into the world of guitar. Everyone's situation is different as well as their budget so take time to shop for the best deals! The worst thing you can do when purchasing an instrument is going in without knowledge of what you're looking for!
-OMEB
www.onemanelectricalband.com
www.omebschoolofrock.com
This is a much needed post. I remember talking to a mom at a sam ash one time about what she should purchase. There is a fine line between spending too much and getting a bad instrument. Have to be careful. The sky was the limit for her. She wanted to spend about $500 for it. I told her for $250 she could do very well and not spend too much on something that could potentially be a dust collector later. Its a balance. Buy crap and the student will hate to play buy something outrageous and might end up not playing at all.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally price is not always the indicator of quality or longevity. My ovation applause was $250 I've played it for 10 years and just now dealing with major fret wear. Which might finally do her in as fret replacement more than the instrument is worth.
I totally agree with you on the Applause. I told my friend Bobby Mackey about them when he was retiring his old Ovation. He LOVES the Applause and it cost $200 maybe? I've been also been impressed with companies like Michael Kelly guitars! They make really fine instruments.
DeleteYou're also on point that if you buy a guitar that is hard to play it's discouraging to the learner and they'll just put it down.