The Watering Hole

Since I'm sure all of us have been asked many times, I thought I'd create a topic to find out what everyone else thinks.

What guitars do you recommend for a beginner?

Just today I was asked from someone who had bought one of those $99 specials.  They were actually wondering why it felt like a toy (answer: "Because you bought a toy?").

The cheapest guitars that I've personally tried that had enough quality to encourage use and learning are the Schecters (for under $300) and some of the Ibanez's (though these were hit or miss and I don't remember which models were good).  I know that a few of you have Agile's, but I don't think any of you have the real cheap (under $200) ones.

I DO know that buying too nice of a first guitar is stupid, but that buying one that is too cheap can cause the beginner to lose interest quickly since the guitars can be nearly unplayable by even experienced guitarists.  Usually the neck isn't straight, the action is too high, tuning is nearly impossible and the electronics suck.

So what are your opinions?

Don't know they are price wise stateside but Yamaha pacifica would be a good quality starter for the money.

I agree Craig that so many cheap guitars are just that....CHEAP guitars with a destinct lack of quality control or set-up leaving the factory.

spud — Sep 15, 2008Don't know they are price wise stateside but Yamaha pacifica would be a good quality starter for the money.

Ooo... Good call!  I forgot about Charger's favorite guitar!

Exactly.  I have two Pacificas, I use the pretty one for shows and the ugly one for most of my tracking.

Ebay or the like, I've actually helped a couple of friends buy a guitar for their kids from ebay, decent guitars at a decent price. I picked up a really nice Ibanez RG with hard case for $247, sent it to the guitar tech who set it up and gave it a bit of a buff, ($80) it looked a treat. The other one wanted a guitar like Angus Young played, and we picked up a epi SG for $200.

I like the Strat, Jimmie Vaughn. Excellent guitar, comes set up perfect, great neck, and if you like Strats.....may never need another one. It is excellent. A little pricey maybe for a beginner, but easy to re-sell and very well made. $550ish.

best electric guitar for the beginner, HANDS Down is the Agile LP and Strat copies.

The — Sep 19, 2008best electric guitar for the beginner, HANDS Down is the Agile LP and Strat copies.

Until yesterday, I would have agreed with this. But after getting a used Laguna from GC yesterday, I have to say Lagunas are right there with the Agiles.
Mine new is $399. I bought the used one (4 months old and mint) for $299. The Alnico pups sound good, they come very nicely set up from the factory, and mine has a Wilkinson Trem. Also has a push/pull pot to split the bucker into a single coil. Plays and sounds really good.
I actually went in to buy a Mexi Lonestar Strat with Seymour duncans ($549 sell price at GC). Ended up playing it and the Laguna back and forth for about 30 minutes. Chose the Laguna for the sound AND the playability. And it was considerably less expensive.
They are damn good for beginner guitars. Heck, it's gonna be my main axe until I move to a safer neighborhood and can feel comfortable owning a USA Strat. Even then I'm pretty sure I'll still be using it regularly.

Actually, I think you can find those Lagunas new for under $300.  I did a quick Google search and got a bunch of results.