How to Buy A Guitar - Part 2 Buying an Electric Guitar

[Magnome]

Wow! I learned more from your short video than I have from the entire previous week. Thanks for being out here.  Extremely valuable advice.

[bluesman1218]

@Magnome Thanks. I hope it helps you make a good choice.

[tehsilentsoul]

Hey man, Great video! One question dude, Do you think an "Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine White" Is good for a first guitar for a 15 year old?

I want to learn how to play an electric, and don't really want to have to start with an acoustic like most people recommend..

[bluesman1218]

@tehsilentsoul I prefer new students to learn on an acoustic guitar first, for several reasons. The Epiphone Les Pauls are a great value and nice guitars. Make sure you're comfortable with the weight and balance.AND the sound the pickups give you. Les Pauls have a lot of different pickup models and they vary in how they sound. Take your time and enjoy the search!

[CooOOookiez]

@bluesman1218 isn't an acoustic guitar harder to play than an electric one? and thanks for the advice it will help me a lot!

[bluesman1218]

@CooOOookiez Yes.... and no. Wasn't that helpful? Seriously, though, the action is usually a little easier to play on an electric guitar (emphasis on USUALLY), but only if you are a raw beginner. A lot of things will make that true or false for you. If you get a guitar that is comfortable, a good fit for you and properly set up that will be easier to play than one that is not. I prefer starting new students on acoustic.

[CooOOookiez]

@bluesman1218 ok thanks

[chillyb71]

Good info for any beginners! How about suggestions for a solid body, perferrably neck thru, light weight, thin/fast neck, with NO TREMELO in the $250-$350 price range?  So far, a couple of Ibanez, and LTD's have been looked at. No Epiphone, Fender, or Gibson's please. I've been told, for that $ range, that I should look for higher end used model's.

[bluesman1218]

@chillyb71 - Ibanez is known for their fast necks. I'm a Gibson guy so, despite what you've been told, I would consider an Epi with a 60's neck. That's my neck preference, too, and I've had some very nice Epi Les Pauls. They're all set neck (also my preference) just check for fit, finish and electronics, you'll be fine. Pay attention to the pickups, too. Les Pauls have many different models available. Hope this helps.

[chillyb71]

@bluesman1218 Thx for the response Bman. :) I picked up a few more Epi's in that price range the other day at GC. Then tried some with various amps. Hard to tell with all the modeling in most of the amps, so i just played "clean", and loved the tone they had. I suppose I'd get used to the neck thickness, but day-um they're heavy. Only USA made ones I found were a couple of higher end used models, but they wuz beatup.

[bluesman1218]

@bulldogkid180 - Ibanez makes some very nice guitars and, while I don't play them, a lot of excellent guitarists I know do. In fact, one of their acoustic guitars is the foundation of the Starter Package I have put together for my beginner students. I'll see if Peter has anything to add.

[bulldogkid180]

@bluesman1218 okay thanks you've helped

[bulldogkid180]

would you say an ibanez art core is a good guitar note i am not a first starter on the guitar i have been playing for 2/ years now and i'm really good and i think i am ready for one and i want to know if a ibanez is a shit guitar because i love the look and from all the ibanez i have played i love the sound

[ChelleeGuitars]

@bulldogkid180 - Ibanez makes some of the nicer quality guitars in their price range. They typically have nice feeling necks with pretty good fretwork and I very seldom see major defects in models over $250. That being said, you ALWAYS get what you pay for and can't expect anything more. Where Ibanez is generally deficient is in the quality of their hardware and to some extent their electronics. I always recommend getting a new guitar purchase checked over by an independent tech.

[bulldogkid180]

@ChelleeGuitars thank you so much for you're info i will take that in to consideration i might get a gretsch guitar the one i'm looking at is like 699 so its like 700 bucks with tax and stuff would you say that kinda guitar is good?