[scott58]

I've been playing for about 6 months now myself. I got lucky in my first purchase and got a really nice used guitar (electric), but my second guitar was a package (electric/acoustic). The question of value (for me anyway) wasn't just about the guitar, but the instruction that came with it. It was the style i really wanted to learn how to play and that was priceless. I have to agree though that if i hadn't had a good guitar to fall back on, this may have not gone as well as it did. i basically used the cheap guitar as a handicap to practice something for 2 nights and on the 3rd would try the same lesson with my good one. The leap in improvement was very noticable (like running a mile with a 40lbs weight on your back, then running it again with nothing). In my opinion the best value out there is the used market. Any time you can get a $1000 guitar for $300 or so you owe it to yourself to do so and I think this is especially true for the beginner. The quality of your guitar can make or break you and had i started out with the package guitar I don't think my results would have been as good as they are. I'm really happy with my progress in the way I've set up my practice sessions with both guitars and friends who have been playing for years are starting to scramble to keep up with my picking and I'm real happy about that.

[P-90]

Originally Posted by scott58

It was the style i really wanted to learn how to play and that was priceless.

On a related note, I think it's very important that the guitarist really LOVE their instrument, at least in terms of what's available at a price they can afford. If an inexpensive Squier, Epiphone, Dean and Washburn all played and sounded exactly the same, a given guitarist might do well on one and badly on another, just based on how they felt about their instrument. And of course they never will play and sound exactly the same. A tele pickup isn't quite like strat pickup, which isn't the same as a P90, which isn't like a humbucker. Taste will play a giant role, as it should.

Maybe the guitar which comes in a starter pack is one which the novice guitarist could easily fall in love with, but quite possibly it's not. If they won't look forward to playing their guitar, it doesn't matter much that, technically, there's nothing wrong with their instrument.

[TwistedLefty]

one method a friend of mine tried was , getting the best guitar he could afford and a multi fx that had a variety of amp models.

he claims that the headphones were good enough to get started, and it narrowed down the types of amps/effects he liked.

[KCMike]

I know the last post is a bit older, however I had the same question and didn't wanna start a new thread.

I'm a complete beginner, have wanted to learn to play the guitar for a while now (my dad has played for years), and wanna get something. I found the following starter pack and thought it looked decent. I don't need to rock the house down so I thought this amp would work. Also, b/c my dad has a studio and plays he has alot better amps available I can use down the road.

• Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar and Amp Pack Features:
  
• * Basswood body
• * Bolt-on neck mahogany neck
• * Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays
• * 2 open-coil humbuckers
• * 24-3/4" scale
• * 1-5/8" nut width
• * Tone, volume, and pickup switch
• * Hardware: chrome (black on wine red finish)
  
• Studio 15R Amp:
• * 8" speaker
• * 15 watts
• * Reverb
• * 2 channels
• * FX loop
• * Headphone jack
  
• Gig bag
• * Quartz digital tuner
• * Premium strap
• * 20' premium cable
• * Headphones

I thought this would be a nice start @ $250.00. The reviews look pretty good.

Thoughts?

[starsailor]

Originally Posted by KCMike

I know the last post is a bit older, however I had the same question and didn't wanna start a new thread.

I'm a complete beginner, have wanted to learn to play the guitar for a while now (my dad has played for years), and wanna get something. I found the following starter pack and thought it looked decent. I don't need to rock the house down so I thought this amp would work. Also, b/c my dad has a studio and plays he has alot better amps available I can use down the road.

• Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar and Amp Pack Features:
  
• * Basswood body
• * Bolt-on neck mahogany neck
• * Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays
• * 2 open-coil humbuckers
• * 24-3/4" scale
• * 1-5/8" nut width
• * Tone, volume, and pickup switch
• * Hardware: chrome (black on wine red finish)
  
• Studio 15R Amp:
• * 8" speaker
• * 15 watts
• * Reverb
• * 2 channels
• * FX loop
• * Headphone jack
  
• Gig bag
• * Quartz digital tuner
• * Premium strap
• * 20' premium cable
• * Headphones

I thought this would be a nice start @ $250.00. The reviews look pretty good.

Thoughts?

Hi KCMIKE, I' m not a great fan of packages, I prefer to go to a shop and check a few out but that's just a personal opinion.
I don't know if you're buying from a shop or online, if you're buying online checkout www.samedaymusic.com, they're selling this package for $199.00 and I think post is free, there are also some reviews of the package which are worth reading as well, ask your Dads advice if you want to buy just to see what he thinks.
Hope this helps.

Cheers

Chris

[starsailor]

Ps. musiciansfriend.com can also match that price just follow the link from this site

[Stratrat]

If your dad will allow you to use/borrow his amps, I'd put the whole $250 into a guitar - you'd end up with a better guitar, and would probably like his amps much better than the one that came with the starter package.

[fly135]

"one method a friend of mine tried was , getting the best guitar he could afford and a multi fx that had a variety of amp models.

he claims that the headphones were good enough to get started, and it narrowed down the types of amps/effects he liked.
"

I've adopted the attitude that if you have an FX modeling unit that you can use your stereo and you don't even need an amp for practicing at home.

[Dewy]

I recommend playing several of the $99 guitars... picking the one that feels best, spend $99 on a modeler to get nice sounds and be flexible when recording and practicing... and a $50-$100 amp... something small and plain, to run your modeler through.

And, as the post says... assorted cords, straps, strings and such... comes out to a much better value for under $350.

That said... there is something to the fact that there is a tuner in each starter pack that I want to salute.

[PepticDust]

My starter kit was something the store made for me. Guitar, strap, cord and extra set of strings. The guitar is sitting in my corner with a broken tremolo, 2 broken strings and 1 pickup that doesn't work. The amp I no longer use. The cleans sound dull, there is no distortion. It's now an ottoman for when I play Xbox. The cord I still use but it's held together by electrical tape. That's the cat's fault though, not the store's.

The guitar did hold together long enough for me to decide I want to stick with it and buy a new one at least.

[KCMike]

Thanks for the input everyone (I'm really enjoying this forum). I talked with my Dad this morning quite extensively and he told me to stay away from the package deal if possible. He has all the extras including a Marshall amp (he has several due to having the studio), the strap, the picks, & whatever else. He said my best bet is to save my $250 toward the entire guitar.

Since I'm in KC I'm going to go to the Musician's Friend retail center here in town and look around along with my dad. He said there are quite a few things on an electric guitar I'll wanna look at, including the action. He's a busy guy but we might head down there tomorrow.

I told him I was looking at the Epiphone Les Paul & while he said it's a nice one the Gibson would be better in his opinion. He said I should look up a few other choices like a Fender just in case the Gibson is too much or if it isn't a good fit. I just really love that style.

I do like the Dean Cadillac 1980 Electric Guitar though!!

[Stratrat]

You're real lucky, Mike - many people don't have the luxury of having such a knowledgeable person to help them make their selection. It sounds like your dad will steer you on the right track, and it's great that you've got access to good amps & accessories through him. Between him and yourself, I'm sure you'll end up with a great setup....be sure to post pics when you get it!

[KCMike]

Will do. Gotta have the pics!!

[allthumbs]

Your dad is going to get a shock if he hasn't looked at the price or quality of Gibbies lately. G.F. can have some great deals. Look at their on line products and do some research.

[P-90]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Your dad is going to get a shock if he hasn't looked at the price or quality of Gibbies lately. G.F. can have some great deals. Look at their on line products and do some research.

I was thinking the same, it's been many a long year since anyone offered me a Gibson for a couple of hundred bucks. Or a Guild, Rickenbacker, American-made Fender... etc.

On the other hand, dad may be in for a surprise (as I've been lately) at how good some of the cheaper guitars are now. The $200 electric of today is usually MUCH better than the $29 special of 1964. The better Asian-made guitars, like Agiles, Deans, and the occasional well-chosen Epiphone or Squier, can be amazing bargains.

So don't be upset if you don't wind up with a Gibson. A lot has changed in the guitar business over the last few decades.