Purchasing my first-ish guitar

HAL9000

Yes, just unscrew the tremolo bar and leave it off.

drdave

I'd always just go for some 80s/90s korean/japanese guitar. I hate the fretboards on most of the Chinese/Idonesian guitars, even those on guitars that are supposed to be of decent quality. Nearly always feel too rough for my tastes, and shred my finger tips. Never had that issue on older korean/japanese guitars, and some of the less established brands can be found just as cheap as a Harley Benton.

Lynx

drdave said:

I'd always just go for some 80s/90s korean/japanese guitar. I hate the fretboards on most of the Chinese/Idonesian guitars, even those on guitars that are supposed to be of decent quality. Nearly always feel too rough for my tastes, and shred my finger tips. Never had that issue on older korean/japanese guitars, and some of the less established brands can be found just as cheap as a Harley Benton.

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately being relatively young and without much experience I’m unaware of what brands out are out there. And given that there’s so many recently it’s difficult to go hunting for specifics. Please do share some for my own reference I’d love to learn as much as I can. I assume the older brands you mentioned use rosewood

NelsonP

Epi LP a good bet. No idea about Harley Benton.

Some wild cards:
- Baja tele 2nd hand c.£400
- 2019 gibson lp dc jr can be had below £500 2nd hand, if you can find one (avoid the 2015 one)
- Epi Casino
- Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster (possibly a little 'unusual' for a first guitar)

Lynx

NelsonP said:

Epi LP a good bet. No idea about Harley Benton.

Some wild cards:
- Baja tele 2nd hand c.£400
- 2019 gibson lp dc jr can be had below £500 2nd hand, if you can find one (avoid the 2015 one)
- Epi Casino
- Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster (possibly a little 'unusual' for a first guitar)

Thanks for the reply! It's good to have options!

drdave

Lynx said:

drdave said:

I'd always just go for some 80s/90s korean/japanese guitar. I hate the fretboards on most of the Chinese/Idonesian guitars, even those on guitars that are supposed to be of decent quality. Nearly always feel too rough for my tastes, and shred my finger tips. Never had that issue on older korean/japanese guitars, and some of the less established brands can be found just as cheap as a Harley Benton.

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately being relatively young and without much experience I’m unaware of what brands out are out there. And given that there’s so many recently it’s difficult to go hunting for specifics. Please do share some for my own reference I’d love to learn as much as I can. I assume the older brands you mentioned use rosewood

If you can find an old Squier guitar (80s/90s) they are normally pretty sweet. My first ever guitar was a Korean Squier, which had a maple fretboard with really low action, which I got around 99. Most of my friends purchased cheaper Chinese guitars (even I think the Yamaha Pacifica), and soon gave up because playing them was an absolute chore.

One of the things to do is to check out fleabay, search for MIJ, Japan, Japanese, or MIK, Korea, Korean and seeing what comes up. Washburns, Westones, Hondos, Aria, Arirang ; its easy to lose track, and sometimes a factory would make a guitar that would be sold under different names in different parts of the world.

Some of the guitars aren't perfect, but you can always check on the forums to see the experiences of others. I purchased a Hondo for under £200, and ended up later paying to have it set up and changed some of the equipment for an additional £140. A new guitar which was made to the same standard and played as well as this would cost twice as much.

Lynx

drdave said:

Lynx said:

drdave said:

I'd always just go for some 80s/90s korean/japanese guitar. I hate the fretboards on most of the Chinese/Idonesian guitars, even those on guitars that are supposed to be of decent quality. Nearly always feel too rough for my tastes, and shred my finger tips. Never had that issue on older korean/japanese guitars, and some of the less established brands can be found just as cheap as a Harley Benton.

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately being relatively young and without much experience I’m unaware of what brands out are out there. And given that there’s so many recently it’s difficult to go hunting for specifics. Please do share some for my own reference I’d love to learn as much as I can. I assume the older brands you mentioned use rosewood

If you can find an old Squier guitar (80s/90s) they are normally pretty sweet. My first ever guitar was a Korean Squier, which had a maple fretboard with really low action, which I got around 99. Most of my friends purchased cheaper Chinese guitars (even I think the Yamaha Pacifica), and soon gave up because playing them was an absolute chore.

One of the things to do is to check out fleabay, search for MIJ, Japan, Japanese, or MIK, Korea, Korean and seeing what comes up. Washburns, Westones, Hondos, Aria, Arirang ; its easy to lose track, and sometimes a factory would make a guitar that would be sold under different names in different parts of the world.

Some of the guitars aren't perfect, but you can always check on the forums to see the experiences of others. I purchased a Hondo for under £200, and ended up later paying to have it set up and changed some of the equipment for an additional £140. A new guitar which was made to the same standard and played as well as this would cost twice as much.

Wow thanks for that, definitely nice to hear other people’s experience! Almost wish I didn’t buy the HB now..for the cost to be honest even if it’s trash I can afford to buy a better guitar. I’ve decided I will take it to a local luthier who has a very good reputation for an assessment and a setup. If he says it’s no good out of the box then I will just pass it on to a local school or sell it for charity. I’ll definitely search for the guitars you mentioned even just to get a better understanding. Thanks again  

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

 Lynx said:

drdave said:

Lynx said:

drdave said:

I'd always just go for some 80s/90s korean/japanese guitar. I hate theWow thanks for that, definitely nice to hear other people’s experience! Almost wish I didn’t buy the HB now..for the cost to be honest even if it’s trash I can afford to buy a better guitar. I’ve decided I will take it to a local luthier who has a very good reputation for an assessment and a setup. If he says it’s no good out of the box then I will just pass it on to a local school or sell it for charity. I’ll definitely search for the guitars you mentioned even just to get a better understanding. Thanks again  

If you've bought it new and you don't like it, I imagine there'll be a Returns policy with the store so you can give it back and try something else? Although donating to a school/charity would be a more benevolent gesture!

pintspiller

Most people keep their old guitars. Some people try to sell them, but lower price/spec brands or models are harder to move on.

Get something closer or actually what you want straightaway. If you can afford it. Or even save. Christmas Clubs are available all year around in most shops if you want to do what the Americans call Lay Away.

It's better to look at one £300 guitar rather than three with a combined total of £400 and maybe still not the one you want.

Lynx

Oh guys I’m in a bit of a pickle at the moment and think I may have pulled the trigger too quickly. I’ve found second hand guitars which are absolutely beautiful. In great condition, with upgraded hardware in some cases as well. Japanese and Korean made. Even a Korean partscaster..I’m still in time to cancel my order for the guitar and order a second hand one..help!!

YellowLedBetterMan

If you consider yourself a beginner, or even "learning" then the best thing you can do is get your dream guitar as soon as. Seriously. Nothing will inspire you to want to pick up the guitar than it being the one you really want, and the more you play, the better you'll get.

It doesn't have to be expensive, but if your dream guitar is a 335 type, then get a good 335 (Sheraton, Ibanez, whatever) if it's a Les Paul, then get a nice inexpensive Les Paul (loads of Japanese stuff, Epiphone) and likewise. Whatever makes you want to play.

Lynx

YellowLedBetterMan said:

If you consider yourself a beginner, or even "learning" then the best thing you can do is get your dream guitar as soon as. Seriously. Nothing will inspire you to want to pick up the guitar than it being the one you really want, and the more you play, the better you'll get.

It doesn't have to be expensive, but if your dream guitar is a 335 type, then get a good 335 (Sheraton, Ibanez, whatever) if it's a Les Paul, then get a nice inexpensive Les Paul (loads of Japanese stuff, Epiphone) and likewise. Whatever makes you want to play.

After trying a strat amongst many others in a shop I realized that it was perfect for me although I initially wanted a 335. Tried a 335 and didn’t feel right. I ordered a strat type but after above comments I feel like I should have bought a higher quality instrument. Feel a bit unsure now..

punchesjudy

@Lynx Don't worry about it. Play your new guitar when it arrives. You might love it, if not you should be able to return.  It doesn't matter where it was made, a good guitar is a good guitar. 
My current favourite is a Squier I got real cheap and I'm playing it over any other guitars I own right now. 

Lynx

punchesjudy said:

@Lynx Don't worry about it. Play your new guitar when it arrives. You might love it, if not you should be able to return.  It doesn't matter where it was made, a good guitar is a good guitar. 
My current favourite is a Squier I got real cheap and I'm playing it over any other guitars I own right now. 

Thanks dude

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

Lynx said:

Oh guys I’m in a bit of a pickle at the moment and think I may have pulled the trigger too quickly. I’ve found second hand guitars which are absolutely beautiful. In great condition, with upgraded hardware in some cases as well. Japanese and Korean made. Even a Korean partscaster..I’m still in time to cancel my order for the guitar and order a second hand one..help!!

Hah, welcome to the wonderful world of GAS! For some (most?) of us, it doesn't matter how many times you think you've got the 'perfect' guitar, you will always be thinking of "what if?"

You'll look back on this thread and smile fondly when you're into double figures of 'perfect' guitars.

Lynx

Hey guys!! just a small update for you all. So i've really been putting in the time. Practicing every day for 45 minutes to an hour (when the little ones have gone to sleep). I'm splitting my time between Justin Guitar and Rocksmith and so far so good!. A small issue has arisen. The guitar I bought (HB Strat) whilst comfortable and ok to play I believe has an issue. Besides the excessive hum in all positions, every time my forearm touches the bridge, or whilst resting my arm touches the strings, I get a constant electric shock. Constant as in it's not just a buzz and it's gone, it feels like constant current. If i keep my arm there it will just keep on shockin. Strangely, don't feel it on my fingertips when playing Not sure if this could be a grounding issue or if it's normal but I'm pretty sure it isn't. Filled out the returns form so my next purchase will be made in person at a shop etc. I will NOT give up!

Kalimna

No, it's not normal at all. Either the amp, or the guitar has a fault, and I suspect it's the amp - but more knowledgeable folk will be on to give you a more accurate answer.

Hum alone may just be a grounding/screening issue, but a shock is more than that, I think.

Adam

Kalimna

Good stuff for the practicing, btw!

Bridgehouse

You may well find that any guitar does it - as it could be the amp or you could have a grounding issue at home with your electrics. 

Either way, don’t be despondent if your next purchase does it - come back and let us know! 

YellowLedBetterMan

I had a similar issue many years ago and thought it was a bass amp. Turns out it was a faulty iPhone charger, and whenever it was plugged in would give me an electric shock if I touched anything else made of metal.