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Electric guitar recommendation for beginner

Can anyone recommend an electric guitar for a beginner to learn on please?

I like Squire stratocasters and looking to get a starter bundle ie with amp and cables included.

Is it worth going via any particular online retailer or is Amazon just as good at this level?

Looking for something that won't break the bank but will be reasonable quality to learn on from scratch


Cheers 
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Comments

  • Yamaha Pacifica, much better quality than the equivalent priced fender.
  • When you get one have a go with the lesson app, Yousician, it's great
  • Another vote for Pacifica. Also look at PRS entry level guitars (SE Standard) - their more expensive models are up there with the very best.

    www.guitarguitar.co.uk have a huge range.

    Online tuition - only one to consider in my opinion www.justinguitar.com
  • Guitarguitar and Gak are good for online purchases.

    Tuneinn and Normans music are local and good if (and when) you want to try out something.

    Don’t go too cheap. A poor quality guitar will put you off.

    Secondhand?
  • Guitarguitar and Gak are good for online purchases.

    Tuneinn and Normans music are local and good if (and when) you want to try out something.

    Don’t go too cheap. A poor quality guitar will put you off.

    Secondhand?
    Andertons (shop is in Guildford) are also good for online purchases

    Second the don't go for poor quality comment above
  • Squire should be ok for your needs and have excellent resale value for when you want to upgrade. But definitely go for second hand amp as practice amps go for next to nothing on eBay / gumtree.
  • Can anyone recommend an electric guitar for a beginner to learn on please?

    I like Squire stratocasters and looking to get a starter bundle ie with amp and cables included.

    Is it worth going via any particular online retailer or is Amazon just as good at this level?

    Looking for something that won't break the bank but will be reasonable quality to learn on from scratch


    Cheers 

    Is this for you or a child? Eg: your twelve year old son or daughter?




  • Have also heard good things about Pacifica’s 

    I learnt on a Squire Telecaster that I still play 15 years later though. I find it just as nice to play as my other guitar that cost more than 10x the price. 

    Would be preferable to buy from an online retailer that will set it up properly before sending it out. I know that Andertons would do that if you asked https://help.andertons.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/360009225080-Can-I-Get-My-Instrument-Set-Up-

    In some ways it might be more important to get a decent quality amp. You could spend thousands on a guitar and it would still sound awful through a cheap bundle amp and when you’re learning that can be really off putting.

    Bear in mind that resale value on branded guitars and amps is good.
  • A mate - who owns 25 guitars of all levels - just bought a Squier and loves it.  He got it from Andertons who've always given me good service.  I also like Gear4Music, who were excellent when an amp of mine was wrecked by water damage.

    I love Yamahas as well, so another vote for the Pacifica.  I bought an entry level acoustic for my daughter (from Gear4Music) - well packaged and great quality.  You can also try the Yamaha centre online/over the phone - they will match any online price, just ask to speak to the manager who's name I think is 'Crunch' or something like that.  Really nice guy, did me a great deal last time I was in there.

    As for amps, I'm not up on the latest practice amps but I would check out the modelling amps with valve pre-amps from Marshall, Blackstar and Line6.

    Another vote for www.justinguitar.com - he's great for beginners and does beginners versions of songs.  This month's is 'Cocaine for Beginners' which he admitted, probably wasn't the best title!
  • Also, for the amp, have a look on Reverb - may get a deal on there.
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  • Boss katana mini or yamaha trh (bit more ££) are good practice amps

  • 15 years back I bought my son a second hand Yamaha Pacific an amp off Ebay, always loads of them for sale.  Cheap and good for the money.  He still has it amongst other more exotic guitars. Nice hobby to get into. 
  • From experience - one without a speaker 😉
  • If it is for a youngster something like this might be better than an amp..
  • milo said:
    Can anyone recommend an electric guitar for a beginner to learn on please?

    I like Squire stratocasters and looking to get a starter bundle ie with amp and cables included.

    Is it worth going via any particular online retailer or is Amazon just as good at this level?

    Looking for something that won't break the bank but will be reasonable quality to learn on from scratch


    Cheers 

    Is this for you or a child? Eg: your twelve year old son or daughter?




    No for me mate
  • Thanks everyone. Spent hours googling last night and should have just asked on here asap as some excellent advice.

    @bobmunro yeah thanks mate  I've seen justin guitar and was using him when I bought an acoustic years ago which has sadly sat tucked away since the kids came along and liked him. With an electric I'll be able to put headphones on and not worry about noise bothering anyone.

    Cheers all much appreciated 
  • If it is for a youngster something like this might be better than an amp..
    Thanks mate...I'm only  41 so for a youngster yeah :-) 
  • If you are not buying as a package I would suggest the Roland Micro Cube which has some excellent effects. You wont get gig volume (although I play with someone who uses one live in an acoustic setting). i use the bass version for rehearsals, has all I want.  Andertons is a real Aladdins cave and a great place to visit but unless you get one of the few places outside parking can be a nightmare. Buy online if you know what you want. PMT at Romford good as well and more parking spaces!
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  • Would be preferable to buy from an online retailer that will set it up properly before sending it out. I know that Andertons would do that if you asked https://help.andertons.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/360009225080-Can-I-Get-My-Instrument-Set-Up-

    This is so important.

    Otherwise it's a lottery whether you get a playable guitar or one that's a pig to fret ..... and that will kill your fingers and your enthusiasm.
    If that doesn't deter you, you'll end up paying extra for a full set up.

    Amazon and the discount warehouse box shifters will be cheaper - and you'll be tempted.
    Do yourself a favour and buy from a specialist music shop - you'll pay a little extra, but you're buying from a shop that sets up the guitar before they send it out. 
    Plus they will give you proper after sales service, support and advice. You won't get that from Amazon.

    And you can still buy on line. Okay there's lockdown at the moment. But really, when you can, go and visit the shop, try out a few instruments and talk to staff who should be knowledgeable.
    It's the very best way.

    And your music shop needs you if they are going to survive.



  • Also, for the amp, have a look on Reverb - may get a deal on there.

    Just got a new practice amp to replace an old Marshall - Fender Mustang 1 V2 Combo. £119 from GuitarGuitar and cracking value for money.
  • milo said:
    Can anyone recommend an electric guitar for a beginner to learn on please?

    I like Squire stratocasters and looking to get a starter bundle ie with amp and cables included.

    Is it worth going via any particular online retailer or is Amazon just as good at this level?

    Looking for something that won't break the bank but will be reasonable quality to learn on from scratch


    Cheers 

    Is this for you or a child? Eg: your twelve year old son or daughter?




    No for me mate

    Okay, thought I would check because, different neck lengths / widths, etc.  I guess you would have said if it was for a child in the original post.  

    No further advice other than what everyone else has said really.

    Good luck.




  • Check you lot out, have I missed a thread, is Thomas putting a band together  B)
  • Check you lot out, have I missed a thread, is Thomas putting a band together  B)

    Battle of the Bands at the first game back with fans.
  • Vintage make some excellent and affordable guitars. 

    https://vintageguitarsus.com/electric-acoustic/
  • If you can afford it (sub £400), I'd highly recommend the Epiphone Dot or even Casino as gives you a bit of acoustic sound if you don't want to plug in, fantastic guitars and very upgradable. Neck is a little thicker/wider which some find easier to play (strings won't be so taught).

    I changed the pickups in mine many years ago (SD 59's) for less than £150 and added a bone nut and new/better bridge. My mate who's a pro guitarist and owns a custom shop Gibson 355 (£5k+) said he could hardly tell the difference, in fact he borrowed it to take on tour in Japan as didn't want to fly his Gibson.
  • bobmunro said:
    Also, for the amp, have a look on Reverb - may get a deal on there.

    Just got a new practice amp to replace an old Marshall - Fender Mustang 1 V2 Combo. £119 from GuitarGuitar and cracking value for money.
    I've got the Mustang 2 v2. There's some great preset sounds on there, but the volumes are all over the place. Expect there's a way to modify them, but I haven't worked it out.

    My son, who is rather more serious than me has a little Blackstar practice amp. Absolutely swears by it.
  • Greenie said:
    Go for a Strat - no better electric to start with, any of the latest Strat copies are really good novice guitars. 
    The Strats are more versatile then a guitar fitted with humbucker pick ups. 
    As above buy a second hand 10 watt practice amp for next to nothing, cash converters always have a selection, I paid £15 for a ten watt amp with clean and overdrive channels.
    If playing is for you make sure you buy an acoustic as well at some point. Overdriven electric guitars can mask bad fretting, you can’t hide when playing an acoustic.
    Whatever you choose, don’t give up, it will seem impossible at first, but persevere, small steps take you there.
    Good luck.
    Or just play your electric unplugged. I watch a youtube video about practice amps the other day and the first option was to just play unplugged, i've had to do that for a month or so because my  input jack is broken and i only got it fixed by a tech today.
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