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[Desperado]

So yeah I'm getting a cheap guitar for christmas...I'm sure most of you will say save up and get a real guitar but I don't want to spend too much on something I'm just starting at...so I'm looking for something in the $200-250 range, including amp, etc. ...if you had to pick between these which would you take?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=electric/search/detail/base_pid/511681/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._alx-jeb-8-1_ce_3532162_5/002-6035040-8924031

The Squier has the name going for it but I've heard good things about Yamaha's quality and sturdiness...or if you could recommend something else that's better, please do.

 

[AlphaSnake]

Yamaha.

BY FAR.

 

[demon]

Not that I know much about this stuff, but is it really that difficult to find a semi-decent electric guitar used in the 250 range?

 

[Teknopathetic]

I've heard semi-decent things about SX/Agile, etc. guitars. www.rondomusic.com

It's not so much about finding a decent guitar at that price, it's about a guitar that's comfortable to play at that price, and a lot of them are riddled with shit fret jobs, awkward necks, etc. Tonewise, you see a lot of weak electronics, blah blah.

 

[Ghost]

you'd be much better off with an acoustic imo, electric guitars are cool and all but they can be a pain in the ass if you just want to strum or pick something out.

 

[demon]

you'd be much better off with an acoustic imo, electric guitars are cool and all but they can be a pain in the ass if you just want to strum or pick something out.

I already had a lot of string instrument experience with the violin, but when I got a guitar I just went with an electric and it's been perfectly fine in that respect. Unless you mean being able to take it where ever you want and playing it....then yeah, that's an issue.

 

[thom]

you can find a used Mexican Fender Stratocaster on ebay in the $200 range.

don't go with a squier.

 

[soakrates]

If you don't mind paying an extra 40 bucks or so, there seem to be a lot of factory 2nd Ibanez S Series guitars floating around lately. They're great instruments -- quite versatile and with a thin body, which makes them significantly lighter than other models. Do some research and look around local music shops. I just got a 2003 Ibanez S470 for just under 300 and it's really nice.

Btw, "factory 2nd" means that the guitar has some kind of cosmetic flaw (i.e., a crack or scratch) but sounds every bit as good as if it were pristine. In my case, the whammy bar was also missing, but the store I got it from had a replacement and threw it in free of charge.

Edit: I should add that the guitar I got usually goes for somewhere within the high 500s-600s.

 

[karasu]

Don't get one. Save up for a lil while until you can spend at least 250 on the guitar alone. I got a cheap Kramer when I was starting and the thing pisses me off beyond belief.

 

[sefskillz]

yea, a cheap guitar can hide progress and make you think you're just bad. it can be very depressing and lead to you giving up on it. i wouldn't recommend a whole pack for 250.

 

[Litigation Manuel]

I had the Squier pack thing and it worked fairly well. The sound isn't that great, but that's expected. It's not bad for that price. However, I think I may go with recommending an acoustic. It's less of a hassle than a guitar with an amp, it will sound better most likely, and it's better to get finger strength and callices early. I did begin with an acoustic before I got the pack. Most people give up on guitar, so use this to find out if you're dedicated to it enough, then you can get the electric.

 

[WHOAguitarninja]

Yamaha.

BY FAR.

As crazy as it sounds, the Yamaha Pacifica's really ARE pretty darn good for the cheap price. You might get some funny looks when you tell people you play a yamaha, but it's really a pretty decent guitar, and a great one for it's price range.

 

[iapetus]

Damn straight. I've heard nothing but praise for Yamaha's budget guitars. I almost bought one of their mid-range guitars when I did my last upgrade too - the AES820 is a thing of beauty. Just not quite what I was looking for in terms of how it played.

 

[geogaddi]

I recommend a Jet Guitar

http://www.jetguitars.com/

 

[Cool]

Not that I know much about this stuff, but is it really that difficult to find a semi-decent electric guitar used in the 250 range?

Yes.