Best Electric Guitar for Beginners Under $200
If you are reading this article, you are probably either looking to buy your first electric guitar or trying to find an inexpensive spare for whatever reason. This article is aimed at the former, the beginner guitarist, so I will try to keep it simple and to the point. Although if you are looking for a spare, I’m sure you will find it helpful as well.
There are four basic things you need to remember, no matter which guitar brand you end up getting, if you want your music journey to last more than 3 weeks, you will need an instrument that:
1. Stays In Tune: A guitar that constantly goes out of tune is useless. You will not be able to practice or play with it. Frustrating to say the least!
2. Is Easy To Play: The closer the strings are to the fretboard, the easier to hold (in guitar terms, low action). Guitars can be adjusted, but it will cost you if you don’t know how, so ideally, you want to get a guitar that’s playable out of the box. Unfortunately this is not always possible.
3. Will Not Fall Apart Before You Learn Your First Song: Purchasing a guitar is similar to buying a car, get a good quality one that you can sell once you outgrow it. Brands to look for: Fender (Squire), Gibson (Epiphone), Yamaha, Ibanez, among a few others.
4. Sounds good: Having a decent tone from the start will put you on the right track. A good sounding, playing and looking guitar that stays in tune will make you want to practice more without a doubt.
Taking these four things into consideration, these are the guitars I usually recommend to my students:
1. Yamaha PAC 112: You can’t go wrong with a Yamaha. The Pacifica is a very well built and reliable guitar, making it an excellent choice for beginners. The Pacifica would be my top choice if I had to pick one, however not every store carries them so buying online will sometimes be your best option. They sound pretty good and are usually very well set up out of the box.
2. Squire Affinity Fat Strat and Squire Affinity Telecaster Special: Squire is Fender’s entry level brand, they are pretty solid instruments as well, and seem to be one of the most popular choices today for beginners. You can get the Fat Strat by itself or in a Value Pack that includes an amplifier and accessories, pretty much everything you need to get started for $349. For $249 you can get a Similar Strat Value Pack but with less features. The first pack comes with a better guitar and amplifier, but the latter is a good option if you are on a budget. Also don’t forget to check out the Telecaster, specially if you are into country music (or The Rolling Stones!). I’ve seen that the set up on the Squires is not as consistent as with the Pacificas, but still a very good option.
3. Epiphone Les Paul Special II: Epiphone is Gibson’s entry level brand. A different looking and sounding guitar than the Strat or Tele, the Les Paul is a great option for those searching for the Zeppelin, Aerosmith or Guns n’ Roses vibe. A pretty reliable and solid guitar as well. Epiphone, just like Fender, offers a Value Pack that includes the guitar, amp and accessories for $249. I haven’t heard the amp in this pack but overall looks like a good deal.
So there you go, a few different guitar options to choose from. I recommend that you go to your local music store to check them out and choose the one that’s right for you (there’s nothing like trying out guitars in person at the store – you can always buy online later).
Other Advice:
- The input jack on entry level guitars such as the ones mentioned, tends to brake after some time. Replace it with a metal upgrade when or if it happens.
- Strings need to be replaced at least every 2 or 3 months so get a couple of sets along with your guitar. Note: If a string pops, it doesn’t mean the guitar is bad.
- Having your new guitar setup by a professional will cost money but is probably worth it as some guitars are not playable out of the box and need adjustment.
Buying Tips:
- Buying your guitar, amp and accessories separately would be ideal as you can purchase better equipment, but it’s also more expensive.
- If buying new, buy from a store that has a return policy in case your guitar is defective or you change your mind and want to get a different one.
- Want to save some money? Buy used from craigslist or eBay.
- And last but not least, do not buy guitars from Target, Coscto or any store where you buy gorceries or clothes (trust me on this one).
Vibesware GR-1 Guitar Resonator
If you are into feedback devices, whether it’s a pedal, eBow or sustainer pickups, then you are probably going to be interested in checking out this one. The Vibesware GR-1 Guitar Resonator is a feedback device for electric guitar or electric instruments with steel strings (including acoustic guitars with piezo pickups).
The guitar strings are agitated by a driver mounted on a stand that can reproduce feedback at any volume level. This means that it can be used in any playing situation: on stage, recording, in your room, even with headphones. Unlike the Ebow, which can only drive one string, the Vibesware GR-1 can drive multiple strings at the same time. It is also not hand-held, so it can be applied while playing normally with both hands. And unlike sustainer pickups, you don’t need to modify your guitar.
It is powered by an external supply resulting in a strong magnetic field driving the strings. Feedback can be controlled by the players technique and by phase switching. Feedback harmonics can be controlled by a foot pedal similar to a wah wah (sold separately).
Price: 339 euros (approx. $420). For more information on the GR-1 Guitar Resonator including videos visit vibesware.com.
Pat Martino to Host Exclusive ICMP Masterclass
PRESS RELEASE: March 2009. One of the world’s greatest jazz guitarists, Pat Martino, will follow Scott Henderson as the next legendary player to headline a series of masterclasses hosted by the Guitar Institute in London in association with Guitar Getaways Awaydays.
After being involved in the early rock scene in Philadelphia alongside stars like Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker and Bobby Darin, Pat Martino was recruited by bandleader Lloyd Price to play on-stage with musicians such as Slide Hampton and Red Holloway. He made a move to Harlem and was signed as a leader for Prestige Records when he was just twenty, leading to the creation of his classic albums ‘Strings!’, ‘Desperado’, ‘El Hombre’ and ‘Baiyina (The Clear Evidence)’, one of jazz’s first successful ventures into psychedelia. After suffering a brain aneurysm causing him to lose all memory of guitar and his career, Pat made a remarkable recovery by studying his own historic recordings and returned to form on his instrument. With a distinctive, fat sound and gut-wrenching performances, he represents the best not just in jazz, but in music, embodying thoughtful energy and soul.
This exclusive event, to be held at the Bedford in Balham, London, on the evening of Wednesday April 8th, will feature an interactive clinic delivered by Guitar Institute teachers Phil Capone (guitar), Holger Skepeneit (piano), Terry Gregory (bass) and Darren Ashford (drums). This will be followed by the headline guitar masterclass with Pat.
This is a unique opportunity to hear legendary Pat Martino talk, play and demonstrate his craft which should not be missed. To book a place at the masterclass, contact Guitar Getaways on:
- awaydays@guitargetaways.com
- www.guitargetaways.com
- 01326 211945,
For further information on this and future ICMP events, contact the ICMP on:
- enquiries@icmp.co.uk
- www.icmp.co.uk
- 020 7328 0222
Orange Amplification launches “Dual Terror”
Press Release – February 2009. British amplifier manufacturer, Orange Amps launched the Tiny Terror amp in 2006 and has already sold over 30,000 units, making it one of the most in-demand amps in the world. The concept of the Tiny Terror was simple: squeeze every drop of Orange’s unique signature tone into a lunch-box sized amp to create 15 watts of unmistakable Orange Class A Tone weighing only a few kilos – and at a price every guitarist can afford.
Orange can now announce the next generation of the Tiny Terror concept – the ‘Dual Terror’: a twin channel, 30-watt head, switchable from 30 to 15 or 7 watts giving more choice and options shrunk into a size that belies its power!
The 30 watt Class A dual channel amp incorporates the unique Tiny Terror channel and a new ‘Fat Channel’ bringing a new ‘fatter’ chunkier sound, whilst keeping the classic Tiny Terror sound.
The power options make this a truly versatile amp, capable of dominating at bigger venues and subtle enough to be perfect for recording, studio work and home playing. Switchable between 30, 15 and 7 watts and switchable between 4 and 2 output valves, the combinations of options provide for unmatched levels of performance and flexibility.
The Dual Terror OS-DT30-H is built to the usual Orange high quality standards, using top quality components and its roadworthy rugged construction (supplied with padded gig bag ) is everything you’d expect from an Orange amp. The proven ‘Orange Terror’ concept of combining portability, versatility and delivering most importantly a great sound, is all here.
The original Tiny Terror has legions of fans, with users including Gary Moore, Mark Knopfler, Steve Jones, Eddie Van Halen, Andy Dunlop, Kaiser Chiefs and Eddie Kramer. The new Dual Terror will have even wider appeal to professional users and enthusiasts alike.
For further information contact:
USA info@orangeusa.com or outside USA info@omec.com
http://www.orangeamps.com/
Tel ; +44 208 905 2828
Fax ; +44 208 905 2868
Scott Henderson to Host Exclusive ICMP Master Class
PRESS RELEASE: January 2009. Outstanding jazz, blues and fusion guitarist Scott Henderson is to be the next legendary player to headline in a series of masterclasses hosted by the Guitar Institute in London in association with Guitar Getaways Awaydays. This follows the hugely successful event featuring Larry Carlton at the end of last year.
Scott Henderson’s impressive work over the years as co-leader of the group Tribal Tech, and as sideman for Chick Corea, Jean Luc Ponty and Joe Zawinul has elevated him to the front ranks of both jazz and blues. Scott’s trademark today, apart from being a world class player and premier composer, is his unique sound and striking ability to switch from wonderful, soulful blues to incredible, technical jazz.
The event, to be held at the Bedford in Balham, London, on the afternoon of Sunday March 29th, will feature an interactive clinic delivered by members of the Guitar Institute teaching faculty (part of London’s Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, www.icmp.co.uk), including Gianluca Corona on guitar, Dave Marks on bass and Justin Scott on drums. This will be followed by the headline guitar masterclass with Scott.
This is an unmissable event; Scott Henderson rarely visits the UK and this is his only UK masterclass date. To book a place at the masterclass, contact Guitar Getaways on:
- awaydays@guitargetaways.com
- www.guitargetaways.com
- 01326 211945,
For further information on this and future ICMP events, contact the ICMP on:
- enquiries@icmp.co.uk
- www.icmp.co.uk
- 020 7328 0222
About the Guitar Institute:
The Guitar Institute is part of London’s Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, widely recognised as one of Europe’s leading schools of modern music. Established almost a quarter of a century ago, the Institute has been developing and delivering cutting-edge courses to students of contemporary music for longer than any other UK-based school. The school has built its reputation on providing world class teaching using the very best teachers and state-of-the-art facilities. It now offers a range of professional courses including a 3-year Degree (BMus), a fully-funded one year Diploma, a specialist one year Higher Diploma, plus a wide portfolio of part-time courses designed to meet a variety of training needs for guitarists, bass players, drummers and vocalists. Past or present Institute students can be found everywhere, touring with the likes of Katie Melua and Moby, playing with bands like Radiohead and Babyshambles and artists like K. T. Tunstall and Beverley Knight, and also working as teachers all over the world.
About Guitar Getaways:
Guitar Getaways run events and Guitar Holidays that are suitable for anyone who loves playing their guitar. Activities range from half-day events focused around master classes with top players, to residential week long guitar playing holidays in the UK and Europe. Guitar Getaways let you spend some quality time focusing on your guitar playing, a chance to escape from day to day distractions. Guitar Getaways events are designed to help even the busiest among us liberate their guitar playing.