I need help with choosing a guitar pak!?

Question

I've NEVER played a guitar in my life.
My budget is not more than $300, $350 MAX.

As of now, I'm leaning toward one of the 2 Ibanez jumpstar paks, the IJX40 and IJX121.
I DO NOT WANT something gay like First Act or Crate or whatever you can get for like 50 bucks.

Which one of the Ibanez paks would be better for playing both rock/funk ( RHCP ) and some metal? Is the amp that comes with them very good?

Also, are there any other PACKS that are nice yet cheap? (Excluding Gibson/Epiphone) I looked at the B.C. Rich Metal Master & Squier Strat paks. Are they any good?

Thanks for the help. :)

Links-

Ibanez IJX40
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-RG7321-7String-Electric-Guitar?sku=518876

Ibanez IJX121
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-IJX121Metal-Guitar-Jumpstart-Package?sku=518877

Squier Strat Pak
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Strat-Electric-Guitar-Pak?sku=519633

Answer 1

Well it's up to you to heed my advice but I'll just say that I have played guitar for 26 years now. I owned over seven guitars in that span of time, Ibanez included.

All I can say is that a guitar is like anything else... you get what you paid for. Although these starter kits seems to offer all that you need, they do not offer you a "quality" instrument. If you are serious about starting playing the guitar and are willing to keep up with the discipline of practising every day then I say to you to buy a good guitar right away. If you are unsure, then buy a second hand guitar or borrow one from a friend to see if it's really something for you.

The amp and pedals are secondary, the instrument itself is not. It's like a hi-fi system, no matter how good your speakers are, if your tuner or cd player are crappy, the sound will be crappy.

The guitar is the source. It's fabrication and quality is really important in the long run. Nothing is forcing you to buy a complete set of quality elements in one purchase, this is a long term project. You can find decent amps and pedals in pawnshops for $50 or less. Again, if you are serious about this get a good guitar.

You can get a good guitar for your budget and invest a little more for second hand amps and pedals.

A few years back I bought the best electric guitar I ever had, a Godin SD, for $500 CND.

I tried and owned several guitars before choosing that one, even some twice as expansive, Epiphone, Ibanez and such... but this baby outshines those by far. Check'em out.

Answer 2

Go with the IJX121. Ibanez has great beginner guitars with superior playability and sound. Squier is made by Fender, but I never liked the brand that much.

Good beginner choice, dude!