Good Guitar for $300 or Less?

Question

My kid wants an acoustic-electric guitar for Christmas. Any guitar players out there know what would be good? (Alverez, Ibanez, Fender - It's all so confusing!) I don't want to spend any more than $300 because he is 17, and not the most careful person on earth!! Thanks.

Answer 1

I've been playing for a few years...and I wish I would've asked someone this question before I started playing. Most good "cheap (under $300)" guitars...are made by the off-brand of another company. Gibson makes Epiphone, PRS makes Peavey, Takamine makes Jasmine, Washburn makes Oscar Schmidt, Fender makes Squire...and so on. Anyways, you'll probably end up with a guitar that is the off-brand of another...most other brands make guitars that are either crappy or too expensive for most beginners...with the exception of Alvarez (which could be argued as an off-brand of Yairi) The quality of those off-brands vary in different areas. I've found that the Jasmine guitars are easy on the fingers if you don't have calouses built up yet...but Epiphone usually outdoes most of the other off-brands with tone and sound quality. Alvarez usually finds a very nice place to settle between the quality of Epiphones and Jasmines, which is why they are so popular for beginning guitarists...but Alvarez has so many models, that you might want to get an experienced guitarist to try it out first if you choose to go with that brand. Another tip is to check the classifieds and local pawns for good used guitars. Most solid wood guitars only get better with age, so unlike most industries, used is often the way to go...just be careful that the wood isn't cracked or warped. Again, if you go used...bring an experienced guitarist with you to check it out.

Answer 2

Here's what you do. Stay away from new guitars in that price range- you won't get much. (although Washburn makes some amazing guitars for little money). Why spend 300 on a new piece of crap when for the same money, you could find an AWESOME used guitar? Go to pawnshops or second-hand stores, or find a music store that handles used/consignment gear. And the model of guitar is FAR, FAR less important than how it feels in your hands. It's simply a tool, like a hammer or a paintbrush or a camera. It's all in what you do with it. You can always change pickups as well. Take someone more experienced who knows what to look for in guitars, (like, a straight neck, good action and construction, quality components, etc)- very often, a great guitar with amazing potential was owned by someone who did not know how to set it up properly, and unless you can spot that potential, you'll miss an excellent deal because it's hanging in a music store with really high action or something. Pick up everything you see and try it UNPLUGGED for a minute. The reason to play it unplugged first is that it's easy to be impressed by a great-sounding amp, but it tells you NOTHING about the guitar. A good guitar will 'sing' a bit in your hand, unplugged. You will also be able to concentrate on the feel, fit, and action, the cut of the neck, etc, instead of being distracted by a wall of distortion. One or two guitars will say 'hello' to you (sounds flaky, but you'll know when it happens). Then plug those few in and see what you think. Buy one of those. Make any sense? Some great used guitars might be Jackson, (or Charvel), Carvin, Guild, ESP, G&L, Epiphone, Peavey, Framus, Hagstrom, Rickenbacker, Hamer, Kramer, Dean, Ibanez, Yamaha, Washburn, Vantage, Danelectro.. Take your time shopping- visit every store you can, because you never know what's behind the next door. There's really no such thing as a 'beginner's guitar'- there are good guitars and bad ones- so which do you want? Personally, I would not buy a cheap guitar, because it's a waste of money- eventually you'll want something better anyway, which means that you've just thrown away your initial investment, right? "The poor man pays twice"- meaning, if you cheap out now, you'll wind up buying something better at some point anyway, which is more expensive in the long run. Buy a good quality used instrument that will stay with you for years and years, that you will still enjoy playing in two decades, that won't lose its value, and that you will grow into as a player. Same with amps- don't buy junk like Line 6 (ever see a pro with one? Didn't think so...) Buy a solid, no-nonsense one or two channel TUBE amp (Fender, Boogie, Marshall, Vox, Hiwatt, Orange, etc) and two or three pedals. That's it. Good luck.

Answer 3

I'll Tell you what, You can get an acoustic-electric Epiphone ES-355 anywhere from $100-$250, and it will probably be the only guitar he needs haha, or you can get one of those Epiphone Les Paul Juniors for $100 bucks at Guitar Center, that was the best investment I have EVER made, these new Epiphones dont quit, I play mine every weekend we play out and ive never had a problem with it :)

Answer 4

You might want to check out the Oscar Schmidt brand hollow bodied electric guitars manufactured by Washburn.

The OE30 is selling for only $129.00 right now, currently at
musiciansfriend.com

VERY HIGHLY RATED GUITAR. 685 reviews.

one example:

"Been playing guitar for 38 years. It's the only guitar I pick up these days. We have Epi's, Fenders, and Yamahas all over the house so that says something. Wide variety of sounds whether clean or distorted. Sounds good acoustic or electric. Mine was flawless in finish and electronics. I changed the strings, adjusted the truss rod,(using internet guidance), raised the pickups (got rid of the "muddiness"), and tightened all the screws. I just ordered another one (tobacco sunburst)!!!!! If you get a bad one, exchange it until you're happy. I am! "



http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Oscar-Schmidt-OE30-SemiHollow-Electric-Guitar?sku=514013&src=3WNTWXX1203934-4914536?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments

Answer 5

Have him try different ones out....you go by the feel of the guitar. For example, I got an Ibanez because the neck was smaller (and my fingers weren't long enough to reach all the strings on a Fender). Really, you have to go with what he's comfortable playing.

Answer 6

All of the brands you have named would be fine especially for a beginner. you can get a really good deal on a acoustic electric at www.musiciansfriend.com you could get all that under $200.00