ATTN: Electric guitar players!Music 

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Ryan2

Ryan2

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Well, I've been looking to get into the electric guitar lately, ever since downloading some killer classic rock guitar solos. (Van Halen - "Eruption" Holy crap! :eek: ) Well, anyways. I was just wondering, I've been shopping around, and I've found a nicely priced Ibanez with everything you need to get started. Anyone ever had an Ibanez? How are they?

Thanks. :)
-Ryan
 
Never owned one, but I have played my way through the inventories of several good guitar stores, and I read a lot on the subject.
You can do lots worse than an Ibanez.
They make good starter guitars, and better intermediate guitars. Steve Vai, one of the fastest shredders in the world plays an Ibanez Jem 777.
My personal fave is the Fender Tele. I have issues with guitars that have whammy bars. I can break the high "E" sting on any guitar just by looking at the whammy bar.:lol:
Also, as a beginner, I would advise staying away from guitars equipped with Floyd Rose, floating bridge trems, as a FIRST instrument.
It IS the most awesome whammy on the planet, but it's a pain in the a** to change the strings and tune the guitar.
Oh yeah, get a decent tuner when you buy your 'axe'.
I recommend the Boss TU-70. Or any Chromatic tuner.
If you get a Chromatic tuner from the get-go, when you're ready to experiment with altered tunings, you won't have to buy another tuner.

Good luck and enjoy.:D
 
I don't own an electric (:(), but one of my friends has an Ibanez. No idea what the name is, but I've played it quite a bit and it's pretty good. It's very fun to play, but what electric isn't?;) I guess Gil really explained everything else you'll need to get started, so get back to us if and when you make a decision. :)
 
One more thing I forgot. Also get at least two sets of strings (.010-.046 gauge), by a mnufacturer that gives you two "high E" strings. The .009's prolly will be standard, but they are so easy to break.
Change the strings upon getting home, or have it done, at the shop.
You don't know how long the guitar has been hanging there. And Old strings don't sound very good.

Also, Choose the "most" guitar you can afford, if you're serious about this. A good guitar will keep you motivated to play and practice. A bad guitar will discourage you, and your growth as a player. When you go to pick one out, take a friend that is a guitar player, and really knows guitars, with you. He or she can help you pick the best action, finish, etc.

Lastly, I think, is pick up a bottle or two of "Witch Hazel". It's $0.69 at Wal-Mart.
For the first few weeks while you are learning your fingers will be sore. The fingers on your fretting hand will get really sore. If you soak your finger tips in the Witch Hazel it will pull the sting out.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Pako is another good source.
 
I'll second everything Gil said, including the recommendation about Ibanez guitars, and tremolo arms.

Another line to investigate is Fender's Squire series. It's an excellently designed series, with 60 years of guitar knowledge behind it and 80% of the good stuff, for 50% or less of the high-line Fender cost.

Telecasters are nice but have a bit of a flat-picky country sound. I like it, but if you're more of a straight-rock kinda guy, look at the Stratocaster instead. It's more common anyway.

Don't overlook nice used guitars. The world is full of people who bought a nice guitar, decided it wasn't for them, and would like to reclaim some cash and closet space.

Also, don't spend a ton of money on a big amp to start with. I have a 12" single-cone Yamaha 20 watt amp that cost about $100. It sounds great and plays plenty loud. Peavey is popular and makes a reasonable line of amps.
 
Hm,, I had been thinking about the Squires. I talked to my friend, who plays Bass, and said that something was messed up with the electronics.
 
I have not played too many Squires so I can't vouch for or against. But a Mexican Fender goes for about $350 for Teles and Strats. Go to www.musiciansfriend.com and order a catalog. They have very good prices, and a lot of medium sized music stores will offer a discount that brings you within a few dollars of them. Your local merchants are interested in getting and , keeping your business. They will go to some length to do so.
Plus if you live in "small town USA" like me, you'll find some music store owners don't like to work on stuff they didn't sell.
Another benefit of using Musician's Friend to find a fair price with your local dealer, is that with your local dealer you will be able to touch and feel the instrument.
Never buy a guitar that you intend to play "sight unseen".
As for used instruments, Duke is right on the money. A lot of peeps pick up the guitar and find out that it isn't nearly as easy as Eddy Van Halen makes it look.
Check in your larger stores as they will also have a larger selection of used instruments. They will also go to great lengths to make it feel and play the way you want it. I once ran into a beaut of a Telecaster with a Humbucking pickup in the neck, I played thru a Peavey with a pair of 10 inch speakers. Together they were "golden". I could have walked away with the pair for about $500. Unfortunately that was during the "poor days". I could tell you stories that would make you cry about great guitars that I've had to pass on.
I would advise you to stay away from Pawn Shops until you know a good bit about guitars. As they tend to be not cared for and the pawn shop guy usually doesn't know a thing about guitars.
 
Cheez, you can't beat that. I haven't heard anything funny about the Squier electronics. They're not necessarily pro quality, but for $200...

Anyway, I agree with Gil, check out your local places too, and look at the guitars in person.
 
Whenever you get your guitar, if you do, don't forget about it. Guitars are great instruments and are awesome to play, you'll find it hard at first, but don't give up. Thats what I did and I regret it now. :(
 
Cobraboy, pick up that axe and get to the "woodshed".
MOVE IT. We start with the basic blues box.:D
Ryan,
That looks like a really good deal. Go forth and find a shop that deals in Fenders, and Squires, and see if they will match the price to within $20 or so. That way you get to "touch and feel."
Plus, if you buy it locally, you'll have it the same day, and any time you need some set-up work the shop will be glad and quick to do it because you bought the gear from them. :D
Another upside of the Strats and Teles and Ibanez Electrics is that they are "modular guitars."
If you don't like the way it sounds a year or two up the road, You can have some Carvin pickups, or Fender Lace Sensors, or Seymour Duncans put in for not too much over the price of the pick-ups.
Carvin even sells the pickguard with the pickups installed. They only need to screwed into the hole left by the old ones.
 
Want a challenge Ry? Play a guitar piece from a Queens of the Stone Age song. :p
 
Originally posted by Giancarlo
Want a challenge Ry? Play a guitar piece from a Queens of the Stone Age song. :p
Click to expand...

Actually, I don't really think that the intro part of "Go With the Flow" would be too hard.
 
I got an Ibanez. Very, very nice guitar. It's basic, but it can do anything I want it to do.
I got an Ibanez from the SA Series. They are light as hell, and believe me. I'm in a band, and when you're up there for 30-40 mins, you guitar does get a little heavy.
Gil is right, get something to help with your fingers. I didn't have any cream or anything to put on them. They hurt like crazy. You might want to try band aids if you are playing non stop, but play a lot, and soon those caluses will build up. Good luck.
 
An Ibanez is a good start. But I would recommend going to the guitar shop (Ryan, I know you have one) and asking the dude there what he thinks would be good for you to start with and if he has better deals.

My Thoughts: Start with an acoustic. Try to get like an Epiphone and learn to play on that. You have to be able to crawl before you can walk.
 
So, you already play?
Cool.
I've found it difficult to make the transition from Acoustic to Electric. I like the slinkier strings, but the sustain throws me off.
I am seriously looking at an Epiphone Dot. The shop I like in Overland Park, KS is willing to sell the thing for Musician's Friend Prices. I just have to figure out the finance part.
 
Yeah, I've tought myself some songs from tabs off the internet. I haven't had any lessons whatsoever. I've tought myself everything. :)
 
It's interesting...., something not yet discussed is "tone" that your going for. First off, if you don't know what tone your going for, then I would stick with a all purpose guitar that can be used for many style's of music playing. Is this your first, real, guitar?

Ibanez makes a real nice Joe Sach signature series guitar that screams, great for overtones, and distortion. With the bridge and neck combo, the action can be set to an almost ungodly level.

That is just one little example.... Every guitar has a different 'tone' or characteristic. If your going to playing a certain style of music that needs a certian kind of tone, find the guitar/amp/pickups that will help you achive that tone to compliment your playing technique.

Just some food for thought.

:cheers:
 
Ryan, I'd say Ibanez is a good starter guitar. Epiphone is also very good. Made with better wood than the Esquire. You can get a used one for $125-150, a li'l Peavey amp for $60 (used). A 10' cable for $10 & a Korg tuner for $15-20. Look at the local shops for the guit. & amp. Get the tuner n' stuff at Musicians' Friend overnite. Use .10 strings, like Gil said.It will make a big difference. Good Luck!
 

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