New guitar for Beginner?

gearoid · #1 January 29th, 2007

Hey guys,

I'm thinking of buying a new guitar, maybe a Fender?

I don't know much about guitars but I do like the sound of a telecaster, especially when Bloc Party play them! Its clean and has a nice sort of ping!

So I'm trying to find something like that but also want something thats easy to play...

Anyway, I've found these three on ebay.
I'd appreciate any opinion of them you may have or even any suggestions of alternative guitars you think might suit me.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=016

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=016

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=020

Cheers all!

allthumbs · #2 January 29th, 2007

The MIJ tele is your best bet. Good price. Just my opinion.

gearoid · #3 January 29th, 2007

Cheers dude.
Would you definitely keep away from the MIM's?
Whats the difference?

allthumbs · #4 January 29th, 2007

Not at all. The MIMs are good work horse guitars and make a great platform for upgrades. There is a difference in quality from the MIAs but, they are still a good bang for the buck. The MIJ will have better build quality than the MIM.

jasko · #5 February 12th, 2007

Am I the only one who's going to raise the cry here? Go out and play some guitars before you buy! Close your eyes, open your ears, and pay attention to what your hands tell you.

And play all sorts of guitars. I never would have considered an Ibanez before I played the guitar I currently own - now I'm a huge fan. I'd never even heard of G&L before I picked up the nicest "Strat" I've ever held.

I'll hold my tongue re: eBay. I'm sure somebody gets good deals there, just not me.

737blues · #6 February 12th, 2007

My strat is Japanese and my Tele is Mexican. I love 'em both.

(I have fitted US PUP's on the Strat and they are better than the originals but the difference is not huge)

gearoid · #7 February 13th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasko

Am I the only one who's going to raise the cry here? Go out and play some guitars before you buy! Close your eyes, open your ears, and pay attention to what your hands tell you.

And play all sorts of guitars. I never would have considered an Ibanez before I played the guitar I currently own - now I'm a huge fan. I'd never even heard of G&L before I picked up the nicest "Strat" I've ever held.

I'll hold my tongue re: eBay. I'm sure somebody gets good deals there, just not me.

I understand you POV but I live in rural Ireland. The music shops in surrounding towns don't have many left-handed guitars. The ones they do have usually consist of over-priced Squiers and Vintages.

So as you can see, it may very well be in my interest to take a chance on a better recognised brand on ebay for only a few extra euros.

Even my current epiphone was a bit of a fluke find.

jasko · #8 February 13th, 2007

Ah. Sorry. I don't exactly live in music-central myself, but I do have two or three stores I can go to to try guitars.

If you're looking for easy to play, try Ibanez. The SZ series has a terrific neck and a scale length between Fender and Gibson (so less string tension than Strats / Teles) and terrific Duncan designed humbuckers that sound great at every setting. Just my personal opinion.

Look for SZ520QM and SZ320EX models. I have the 520 with the maple top in Blueberry - it's gorgeous.

Best of luck - and boy do I wish I were in rural Ireland with you!