What's a good cheap starter electric guitar?

Question

Can you find me a good and cheap starter electric guitar for me, I am new to playing the guitar and I want a cheap ($50-200) guitar to start playing. Can you find it for me online, or do you know of one?

Answer 1

Hi. I am a player myself, and here's some CORRECT advice.... don't buy a really cheap guitar...you'll regret it. Cheap guitars like the Walmart/department store cheapos... First Act, etc. generally are hard to play because they are not well made or properly set up, and will cause you to get frustrated and quit. Then you'll have a pricey dust catcher sitting in the corner.

Shy away from pawn shops too unless you know guitars (and what to look for in a guitar) REALLY well. Most items that get hocked at a pawn shop are well used and may have problems. And when you buy it, there's generally no returns so if it's a piece of junk, you're stuck with it. (same thing with amps). For a first guitar you want something that's dependable.

Go to your local guitar store and tell them that you are a beginner and that you have X dollars that you can spend. These guys are all players themselves and love to see new players come in. They can show you several options in your price range, both new and used, and unlike department stores, you can plug them in and try them out before you buy. They also have starter groupings with a guitar, small amp, and accessories to get you started. Additionally, I recommend buying an electronic guitar tuner...you will be able to accurately tune every time, plus you will "educate" your ear to know the way a properly tuned guitar is supposed to sound.

The people at the store will tell you this themselves, but I'll say it here also...no two guitars are exactly alike, nor do they all play alike. What you want is a guitar that has good "action" (ease of fingering the strings up and down the neck) and of course good tone and sound. Don't buy the guitar based on which one looks coolest...buy it based on its playability.

Good Luck and have fun! Hope this helped.

Answer 2

First off- Stay Away from First Act and other guitars like these that you buy at a local supermarket. They are total crap and will break very easily. Even when they work right they sound and play horribly because of the build quality (A relative of mine worked at walmart and the electric guitars had an expected 20% return rate). Costco sells a Yamaha Guitar package which isn't a bad deal, but may suffer the same problems (but to a much smaller degree) as the Walmart guitars. These Yamahas aren't bad guitars but are not quite up to gigable standards (If you plan on sticking with guitar). In the price range you are at I would recommend a Squier strat. They play pretty good for the price and If you buy it from a music store, they will probably set it up and get it in good playing condition for you (Costco and walmart you get what comes out of the box). If you need an amp most shops will also help you out and make a package deal for a lower price. If there is a guitar center near by, go to one of those to check out the guitar, if not Musiciansfriend.com seems to have some pretty good deals on music equipment.

Answer 3

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Special-II-Player-Pack?sku=518677

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-SE100-Electric-Pack?sku=511681

Both of the above guitars are entire starter kits. They come with everything you need to start playing guitar. The 1st will one have a better rockish sound, and the 2nd one will have a better country style sound.

Some more guitars are available without the entire starter kit for less than those prices. Most local music stores will match musicans friend prices of atleast come close.
Good Luck!

Oh, and don't buy a first act, they suck (unless you are getting the serious upper models that are like 2,000 dollars) but they suck so yeah. NO FIRST ACT!

Answer 4

For $160, I'd go with an Ibanez 'GAX' double-cut electric (not the 'Superstrat' version), A Jay Turser 'JT' LP (with 24" scale), or a Squier 'Affinity' Strat or Tele electric.

Answer 5

Go to Wal-mart and buy a First Act or go to a Best Buy and buy a signature Gibson SG. I know you can order from Best Buy online. You can't expect super stage quality sound. You can also go to pawn shops and check cashing places. Test used guitars buy plugging in and testing up and down the neck. Look from the headset along the neck to the body to make sure the necks not pitched ( all frets even ) or the next has no rises or dips.

Answer 6

I think it's called a Squier stratocaster or something.

Answer 7

First Act.

Answer 8

crate. also try ebay. youll find even a really good one for cheap.