Guitar advice

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Question for all you guitar players out there… I played a little bit when I was a kid, never got very far or very good but it was fun. I still have my old Asian Strat copy from the early 80s. I pulled it out the other day it's been beat up and bounced around over the years. I don't have an amp at the moment so not even sure what shape the electronics are in.

I'd like to start playing and learning again. I am a firm believer that i99% of the time talent and skill is more important than equipment. However, I am wondering whether I stick with this guitar or would I get more enjoyment and satisfaction if I buy something better and start with that. Certainly not thinking a real Les Paul or $2000 Fender but maybe something in the 3 to 400 range? Probably used?

Thoughts?

 

[LesClaypool]

Question for all you guitar players out there… I played a little bit when I was a kid, never got very far or very good but it was fun. I still have my old Asian Strat copy from the early 80s. I pulled it out the other day it's been beat up and bounced around over the years. I don't have an amp at the moment so not even sure what shape the electronics are in.

I'd like to start playing and learning again. I am a firm believer that i99% of the time talent and skill is more important than equipment. However, I am wondering whether I stick with this guitar or would I get more enjoyment and satisfaction if I buy something better and start with that. Certainly not thinking a real Les Paul or $2000 Fender but maybe something in the 3 to 400 range? Probably used?

Thoughts?

Gear is highly, highly overrated, IMO.

Stick with what you got and go buy beer w/the money you'd have used for an upgrade.

 

[NDallasRuss]

Gear is highly, highly overrated, IMO.

Stick with what you got and go buy beer w/the money you'd have used for an upgrade.

On the other hand, don't you think you're more likely to stick with it longer if you've got a new shiny toy to play with, rather than the dusty piece of junk you pulled out of the bottom of a pile in the garage?

For me, I'd say to take a look at Guitar Center's used guitars for sale. It looks like they've got about 3,500 used electric guitars for $500 or less.

 

[LesClaypool]

I can only speak for myself. I played a POS bass for years until I knew for sure I was good enough to warrant an upgrade.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

Take it in to the local guitar shop and have em give it a tune up, then look for a good value, small amp. Even if you only play an hr a week or so, it would be worth it.

 

[Finance85]

It's all about the action. Like the previous poster said, take it to a shop and let them adjust the truss rod to make sure the strings sit properly above the frets. I recommend e-bay for a used amp, or a guitar store for a used amp. Solid state over tubes when starting out. When you become really good you can go back to tubes if you think you can tell the difference. Pawn shops often have good deals too.

I prefer Les Pauls over Fenders myself, for the tone. If you want to slash, a Fender might be better for you.

D-C-G after that.

 

[SeaPA]

Sometimes a ragged old guitar just fits, and the holder uses it to make some great music. Like this one:

 

[Buddy Green]

I disagree to a point with the guy that says gear is overrated. I used to believe this until I bought quality guitars(I tend to agree with amps and speakers, no need to spend an arm/leg on a "boutique" amp). That being said, you can find a good instrument for under $1,000. You wont find much in the $200 to $400 range that is quality, even used. Someone mentioned taking your Asian copy to a shop and getting it serviced and the action adjusted - that would be a first step with any guitar you buy that is in the price range you mentioned.

PRS makes a Korean line that is fine for the price. You're looking at over $500 used in most cases.

G&L has a less expensive line that are fine if you like strats. They also have a model called the Ascari that is double cut with a square headstock and humbuckers. You can find it in the price range you mentioned.

The upper-level Epiphone Les Paul copies are decent for the price.

FWIW, what you are "sacrificing" with price is usually 1)US vs foreign made, 2)The quality of top wood and 3)The pick-ups. There are hardware differences, but typically its the workmanship, wood and pickups that are the main differences between a $2K Gibson and a $500 Epiphone.

As far as amps - I would recommend the Fender Superchamp(I have the head but it comes as a combo too). Its tube but has voicing and effects as well and is fine for home use. I think the head is $299. Check out 1 watt and 5 watt amps as well. Wide variety out there. Bugera, Bogner, JCA...

Hope that helps.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Thanks for all the thoughts. If the old guitar I have doesn't work well I may get it looked at or even replace some things myself. Might be an interesting project.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

If that strat is easy to play and the neck is not warped, then go with that. Otherwise get something that plays well. Does not have to be a $2K instrument. But if you have to fight the instrument to play it or get a good sound that pleases your ear, it is pointless to use that.

 

[kc78]

I would highly recommend taking the guitar in and getting it setup properly. Trying to play on a guitar that isn't setup properly makes it miserable. They'll also be able to tell you whether it's worth the time or if there's warps in the neck, etc.. that will make it unplayable.

There's really not a ton of difference in playability between what you have and a 400 dollar guitar today. Tonewise you may find the newer guitars have better pickups, but it would be cheaper to just replace the pickups than buying a new guitar. IF it's not warped, it will stay in tune, and you can get it setup, just stay with what you have until you get to the point where you are good enough to need something nicer.

 

[Finance85]

What KC said.

 

[Nole-4-Life]

I had a cheap Stratocaster Squire a few years ago. DId a little work on the neck and dropped a EMC dual coil pickup in the bridge position. That damn guitar would put any $2000 Strat to shame. It would scream, and then had the purest clean tone you ever hear. Hate I sold it.

 

[DanC78]

Get a new one for sure.

400 is a good budget.

And for what it’s worth, I’d get an acoustic to learn on, that’s just me.

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

Don’t forget to check out estate sales for musical instruments. I don’t play the guitar but I do play the sax and most woodwinds and I found a solid silver Martin alto sax from the 20s with pearl keys and a gold plated interior bell with a vintage crystal mouthpiece and everything in great working condition for $100. Full value it’s worth probably around $1200 or so and I see several sold on eBay in the $700s. I’m sure you can find similar deals on guitars as old now dead guys love guitars and they pop up all the time. You can even find exceedingly rare instruments, about a month ago I came across an old instrument (I forgot the name of) related to an English horn double reed instrument that I’d never even seen before. I thought about buying it as I’m sure I could have made money reselling it, but I’m doing well enough as it is I don’t need to do eBay sales.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

I thought about buying it as I’m sure I could have made money reselling it, but I’m doing well enough as it is I don’t need to do eBay sales.

Oh, for Christ's sake.

 

[Noles61]

Take it in to the local guitar shop and have em give it a tune up, then look for a good value, small amp. Even if you only play an hr a week or so, it would be worth it.

This.

Watched a FB video recently of a guitar player(don't remember the band he played for), pick up a toy guitar and rock on it. It shows if you really have talent you can make a toy sound great.
If you're novice, a decent guitar is plenty. I have a fender bullet, from the late '80's. Played a lot when I first bought it, then began adulting and put away for quite a while. About 10 years ago, took it out and brought it to the local shop for a tune up. Still plays well. It would play great if there were a better guitar player to play it.

 

[Finance85]

I used to watch Live from Daryl's House. Daryl Hall hosts various musicians for jam sessions. He asks about their instruments, personal stuff, etc. On one show he played with Billy Gibbons. Billy primarily plays an SG. Most of the musicians talk about the action and the strings. Slashers prefer Fenders. Guys who want a richer tone play Les Pauls or SG's. Some guys like heavy strings. Some guys like slinky's. The best guitarists I've seen will switch depending on the way they want to play a song, but usually favor one guitar over another.

 

[DanC78]

Oh, for Christ's sake.

Lol