Looking To Buy An Electric Guitar

[Murmuring Beast 0]

So I've decided to start up a band with a few of my friends, which more or less makes buying an electric guitar essential.

 

I've only been playing guitar since January, self-taught, and am really only efficient on rhythm and basic rhythm at that. I've been learning on a cheap acoustic that I got, but I want a bit more power now.

 

My budget is £200, around $300 US, as by the time I get other equipment sorted (mics, amps, possibly a bass guitar), etc, I'll be skint.

 

I realise that I might be limiting myself at the moment with this price range, but all I want is a solid guitar, which sounds clean, and is fairly comfortable to play rhythm and the odd riff.

 

Any ideas?

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

The cheapest thing I've ever played worth a shit is a Yamaha Pacifica. They're mass produced in Indonesia on the cheap, with all kinds of inexpensive components that will die in a few years, but the action's decent, they're simple, and I once caught two of them on special for $200. You can probably get one new for $150 if you know where to look. This will seriously dick you in terms of amplification, though. Biggest thing you'll be able to get is a practice amp.

[Guest Vitamin X]

One word: Ebay

[razazteca 0]

Pawn Shop.

[Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0]

Be like your old pal Thumbtack

 

Damn fine entry level electric right here. I got it for a steal listed at the same price, but in canadian dollars.

[Guest Dr. Wrestlingphysics]

I got mine from here. plenty to pick from at a range of prices. I go the £159 Ibanez. Not too shabby.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

For god's sake, don't buy an import BC Rich anything. Those guitars are total shit. Same with any of Fender's cheap lines.

[C Dubya 04 0]

My first guitar was an Epiphone and I still have it to this day (about 15 years). So, I'd recommend that as a good cheap guitar brand.

[Neil-o-Mac 0]

Seconded on the Yamaha Pacifica vote. Probably one of the best sub-£200 guitars out there. And the body and neck's solid enough that one could replace the electronics and hardware down the road and have a great-sounding, sturdy (if a bit plain) guitar for, say, about £500 all-in, but that's for the future.

 

As far as amplification, yeah, a 10-watt practice amp will have to do you, unless you want to gig. When you do need an amp with more grunt, Behringer's new GMX series is top-notch in the bang-per-buck stakes. I have the 100W 2x12" combo (Cost me £195 ) and it sounds good and probably has enough volume to get over a noisy drummer un-miked. So save up and get one of those when the time comes to hit the stage. In the interim you could always open for other bands and use their amps at gigs.

[MrRant 0]

Washburn's X series is a decent starter as well.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

My first guitar was an Epiphone and I still have it to this day (about 15 years). So, I'd recommend that as a good cheap guitar brand.

I cut my teeth on a cheap Epiphone P Bass copy, and I hate it so much anymore that I can't even play it in a goofing-off manner. I've been SPOILED by my light sleek Grindbass. I've got my next major purchase set though...Parker makes a Fly Bass now.. I need to make some money, stat.

 

I love my bass rig. Unmiked, not only can it totally overpower a noisy drummer, but it causes legitimate discomfort to people nearby. Get creative with your shit. Start small, and start simple, but if you decide you want to pursue it more, you can get the setup of your dreams cheap, as long as you avoid buying the big expensive rigs from companies like Peavey, Marshall, and all the other bigtime amp manufacturers. The real steals are in PA equipment. They're powerful, they're sturdy, and they put out a great range of sound since they're meant to deal with vocals. Get a simple backbone of a PA, add some rack equipment, and sickness will ensue. I've got more power, and soon to be more speakers than even the highest end Ampeg gear, for about a third of the cost.