[CheshireCat]

IRON MAIDEN = FENDER.

Chesh

[stratguitarist]

my experience w/ first guitars:

i went to some shop in the getto of dallas. they had this huge selection of guitars from b.c. rich to fender to peavey. i looked at the guitars that were in my price range (less than $300), and ended up w/ a peavey raptor plus exp. i liked the very low action, the thinness of the neck, and the versatility of tones. now, i know that's not the greatest guitar in the world, in fact its probably among the worst of the name brands (by that i mean the ones not imported from the orient). but, its not bad, especially for a beginner only spending like $250 (probably less now). another plus was that it allowed me to have some fun customizing it. i put seymour duncan livewire metal pickups in it, and now it sounds pretty good. i'm very happy w/ it, and still use it after 2 years, even though i could probably go out and get a low-end gibson or nice epiphone.

so in short, sometimes its not bad to just pick one that you think feels good, even as a beginner. i didn't know anything about guitars then, but i knew what felt good. but definately do research before you buy. if its not in your musician's friend catalog, or the brand doesn't have a website, most likely you shouldn't get it.

[CheshireCat]

Originally Posted by stratguitarist

i went to some shop in the getto of dallas.

The getto of Dallas!?! Where and what was that?

Chesh

[Flyguy]

Originally Posted by stratguitarist

if its not in your musician's friend catalog

I disagree...there are a lot of good guitars that musicians friend doesn't sell. For example, I bought a Martin OM-21 at a local music store. Musician's friend doesn't sell it, but that doesn't mean it's not a nice guitar.

[georgeo]

Lest we even mention Taylors...

[Saxophone]

Yes, Taylors are the cream of the crop, well... they're up there. No musoc store will carry everything you want... taste in equipment vary to much.

[georgeo]

Originally Posted by Saxophone

Yes, Taylors are the cream of the crop, well... they're up there. No musoc store will carry everything you want... taste in equipment vary to much.

Theres also so many brands that very few stores carry-Anderson, Olson, things like that. Theres no replacement for a wide knowledge of guitar companies and a good ear for tone when buying a guitar.

[CheshireCat]

Originally Posted by stratguitarist

if its not in your musician's friend catalog, or the brand doesn't have a website, most likely you shouldn't get it.

I assume you are referring to bottom of the barrel cheapies and crap-o-casters, right!?!

Chesh

[thesteve]

I assume you are referring to bottom of the barrel cheapies and crap-o-casters, right!?!

Chesh

and even that isn't a great reference. I've not ever played one, but i've heard that there are some great sounding and playing Samicks and Harmonys out there. sure they are the "bottom of the barrel" according to alot of so-called "guitar experts" but these Korean copies are often made out of relatively quality parts.

[Casey]

Originally Posted by georgeo

Theres also so many brands that very few stores carry-Anderson, Olson, things like that. Theres no replacement for a wide knowledge of guitar companies and a good ear for tone when buying a guitar.

But you don't find Boutique guitars in most stores... .

[stratguitarist]

Originally Posted by Flyguy

I disagree...there are a lot of good guitars that musicians friend doesn't sell. For example, I bought a Martin OM-21 at a local music store. Musician's friend doesn't sell it, but that doesn't mean it's not a nice guitar.

ya, i know, they don't cary everyhting, i was just making a generalization. cause they do carry most names, even if they don't carry every guitar from every name. so make that if the brand isn't in there, you might want to research heavily before buying.

I assume you are referring to bottom of the barrel cheapies and crap-o-casters, right!?!

Chesh

yes i was refering to them.

[thesteve]

earlier you referenced "import" guitars here

now, i know that's not the greatest guitar in the world, in fact its probably among the worst of the name brands (by that i mean the ones not imported from the orient).

yet i'm prety sure that Peaveys are oriental imports as well...Korean if i recall correctly. Granted, Korean guitars have begun to make a rep. as decent guitars, but many of the "cheap import" guitars are made there too. I already mention Samick, but also Epiphones and some Fenders are made there. These aren't your "cheap imports" so to speak, but they're still made in the same places. This is why every guitar has to be judged by the individual and not by location made, or whether or not they are found in a catalog. There are some primarily Asian guitar manufacturers out there, like Hamer, Washburn and Peavey that have decent quality control people. A few years back these were considered junk brands, but alot has increased in technology to even out the lower-end guitar playing field.

Also in reference to oriental imports, let us not forget that many consider Fender's made in Japan guitars to quite possibly be better than their US made guitars.

[Demon_Hunter]

im really glad this thread is here, i think this is gonna be my new online home...well atleast untill i get enough money to buy my next guitar.


everyone tells me to just stay away from squire. what they dont know about my current guitar is that it is a no-name brand guitar, made overseas somewhere, with cheap wood, a nailed down bridge (which is now loose, and the wood is pulling up big time), and a neck wide enough to plug the grand canyon!!

but thats what you get for 35 bucks

[thesteve]

everyone tells me to just stay away from squire

eh...i play a squier p-bass, and aside from an electronics problem (dirty pot and or bad wiring, which will soon get fixed) it's great. the intonation is pretty much perfect withint the range that i play (i haven't tested out of that range)

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by demon_hunter

everyone tells me to just stay away from squire.

Not "stay away from Squier" as much as something more like: There are alot better value conscious choices out there that can give you more guitar for your money if you choose to look for them.