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.
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
Guitar User Reviews at Modern Guitarist: $100 Giveaway
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