(Part 3) Best guitars according to redditors

Martin literally makes a guitar called the backpacker

Also there's a company called Traveler Guitars that makes nothing but, well, traveler guitars. Their ultra light series is pretty cool if you're looking for a traveler electric.

You could also make a cigar box guitar with a proper neck and pickup if you're so inclined.

The Yamaha is good advice, as is buying it secondhand. But if it's a present and you feel it has to be new, the Epiphone DR-100 is pretty good, and it comes in black, tobacco burst or blonde:

https://www.amazon.com/Epiphone-DR-100-Acoustic-Guitar-Ebony/dp/B0002D02J4/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1480620403&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=Epiphone+DR-100&psc=1

For $150 you can get an epiphone les paul special which is downright gorgeous for a first guitar. Made by a reputable company as well (albeit their chinese-made division).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G26RM3S/

I second justinguitar.com.

I'm not sure you can plug your guitar directly into your computer, but you can buy a Vox amPlug (or similar product) that'll allow you to jack into a set of headphones for a reasonable price.

Ibanez guitars are pretty good for metal, but also pretty versatile, and on rare occasions are seen used in some jazz bands. Can be around $200, if that's what you're willing to spend?
http://www.amazon.ca/Ibanez-GRX20ZBKN-Electric-Guitar-Black/dp/B000N2Q6WG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1417225785&sr=8-3&keywords=Ibanez

I also play guitar and there's no comparing a $100 guitar with a $150 bike. You can get an OK guitar from a brand like Epiphone for about that which I'd say that was more equivalent to a bike about $500 - it does the job OK and just isn't quite as nice to own or play as more expensive guitars.

A $150 bike is way more equivalent to a $29.99 kids toy guitar, but maybe even worse. It would have to be impossible to tune properly so it always sounded pretty unpleasant and you couldn't jam with other people with proper instruments, and it would have to be guaranteed for the neck to warp or something else to happen that makes it worthless if you played it more than a few times.

Think how many moving parts there are in a bicycle and how complicated a machine it is, it's really not surprising a basic bicycle worth buying costs more than a guitar with almost no moving parts.

That's not bad, it typically retails new for around 200$. As long as you're satisfied and it feels good, that's what matters.

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Stratocaster-Beginner-Electric-Amplifier/dp/B071F7WHTM

I have that exact Seagull in my Amazon cart from a few weeks ago!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TO8ND8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_4&smid=A3M2O3U6L5DL0B

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B6PZG4L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thats the one I ordered. I figured for the price its worth starting out with it and upgrading if I get more advanced. Plus my roommate the guitarist has a collection and a couple more at home he'd be willing to lend me if I get really serious about it.

For me personally I would say a Fender Squier SSS or HSS depending on your taste. You can usually find for ~150 , but get the one with the trembolo.

You could also choose a squier telecaster for about the same price, but thats up to your taste in music.

If you arent a huge Fender fan an Epiphone SG might be good, but i dont have any past expierences with it

My friend has this guitar and he says its great for starters at its price https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000N2Q6WG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514488630&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=Ibanez%2BGRX20Z&th=1&psc=1

This guy. Picked it up used for $20. As expected, it needed a fair bit of setup. I have one high fret, but I'm taking a file to that later and crowning it today

Check out the Fender CD 60 or Yamaha F310 - Both great beginner choices. Then also buy yourself a clip-on chromatic tuner, a capo and a beginner's songbook with the change. If you're self-teaching I highly recommend the justinguitar.com website/YouTube channel too. :)

I played my first bass gig last January (2018) with my Dean E09M. 199 bucks, and it's still the only bass I have (I always play guitar whenever I have a gig), but I wanted to play bass and eventually I got to the point where I could play for a 3 and a half hour straight show lmao. But afterwards I had this big ass blister on my right thumb lol (bc that's the finger I used mostly, still didn't have the quick movement in my middle three fingers)

I have one of these and I love it https://www.amazon.com/Traveler-Guitar-Ultra-Light-Acoustic-Electric-Travel/dp/B000OQI2CI. I have one of the mini amps that plugs right into the guitar and then you attach headphones to it. Gives me a whole travel rig that is compact and light.

You could always list it on Amazon. They're going for ~$299 used.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000TO8ND8/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all

Guitar Shops will probably offer you much less than it's worth in my experience. Craigslist is a good option for guitars, I sold my Ibanez acoustic in ~4 days.

I have this version of the amPlug: http://www.amazon.com/Vox-amPlug-Metal-Guitar-Headphone/dp/B000ZMVAXO

It works decently well, but it kills me to use a cheap little headphone amp instead of the trusty 5150 combo that has served me well for 8 years. As for getting the bass version...that's a possibility, although then I feel silly for spending $250 on an amp in the first place, if I can't use it. I'd rather put that money into insulating/isolating the bass amp cab so it doesn't disturb the neighbor when practicing.

If I was going to buy a budget 5 string, this would be my choice.


Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray5 Bass Guitar in Walnut Satin, 5-String https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6KJ1JY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vLVWCbE6EWDRT

Dean E09M Edge Mahogany Electric Bass Guitar - Natural https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009XPMOM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_ubFoybF953RRC

Do you think this is better than going for a Seagull Entourage Rustic or a similarly priced Art & Lutherie for a first guitar?

I have a Washburn Rover that I keep under my desk at work and love it. Unlike most travel guitars, it has a full-scale neck. Case is very sturdy, too.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00064TZYW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_NoPJwbRT5G4EV

Also, if you go electric, get something like this. I have one and it helps when practicing while everyone else is sleeping. :)

Dude.
YES.

I have been playing guitar and using FL Studio for 6 years, mostly self taught. It's a lot of fun, and now I listen to all my favorite music in a totally new way, always trying to figure out why I like it, how they do it, etc.

Drop by and see us, we're all learnin' this shit together. There's a "how do I get started" thread every month or so. :P

Here's my collection of musician/producer subreddits: (Bookmark This!)

Oh, also check out this thing I've been jamming with!

The headstock looks suspect, even for a Squier.

But who cares. Effing Squier man, friggin rite of passage, right? I mean I was I think 14 and rented the black Squier strat, white pickguard and little 15w amp from the music store in my home town.

For $200 with a practice amp, not the worst purchase you could make if you're trying to figure out if you want to play.

Though, I have to say, knowing what I know 30 years later, a $300 Ibanez electric or a $300 Yamaha APX accoustic is a better entry level, life-long-friend starter guitar.

Rock on, leprechaun! Can't wait to see what you do with it, maybe tag me in a comment in the post! :)

Strat Pack

You can find similar packages from the other big name guitar manufacturers.

You'll also still have budget for a few pedals if you wanted to jump right into that.

If you want an electric, I'd check out one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Pacifica-PAC112J-Electric-Guitar/dp/B0002GZX36/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yamaha+pacifica+112j&qid=1563855678&s=gateway&sr=8-1

This one in particular I think would be a good pick for you https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07B6KJ1JY/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile

I own a Dean E09M Edge Mahogany that’s 125$. The tone is amazing, and it’s a pretty standard bass, 1 active pickup and 4 strings. The only “bad” things about it is, a little bit of fret buzz and the tuners are a bit loose. But overall it’s an amazing bass for just 125$. Here’s the link

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002D02J4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Or you could just buy a Washburn Rover, which comes with a sweet case ready to go. I got one off craigslist for $80 bucks and it sounds surprisingly great! It's decently loud and since it has a full scale net, it's easy to play. You just need to use a strap as it's a bit hard to hold without one.

http://www.amazon.com/Washburn-String-Travel-Acoustic-Natural/dp/B00064TZYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370964206&sr=8-1&keywords=washburn+rover

Logic Pro or Pro Tools are both very adept DAWs(though very lengthy and taking a class on it is much recommended) but by god you can make incredible things in them.

I'd recommend a MIDI guitar (http://www.amazon.com/You-Rock-YRG-1000-Controller-Electric/dp/B003DC78FW) This is an example, should look around for the best. They allow you to play guitar, but instead of inputting it as sound waves, it inputs it as digital data(MIDI). This "digital data" is the notes, velocity, chords, length, etc. but with no sound.

You then use "sample libraries" that will take those notes, and play it with the sound of a cello. Or the sound of a keyboard. Or a trumpet. This is all done very simply from the first 2 programs i mentioned.

Few quick searches.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Travel-Guitar-Acoustic-Steel-String-With-Truss-Rod-In-Neck-Strap-Case-Set-Up-/201465029696?hash=item2ee8406440:g:NZAAAOSwIwhWTw4e


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Applecreek-Acoustic-Travel-Guitar-w-Applecreek-case-great-sound-and-compact-/282113764144?hash=item41af4a6b30:g:fj8AAOSw0fhXl4d8

https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-JG-TR2-Travel-Guitar-Bag/dp/B002EB68RC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469789673&sr=8-2&keywords=Go+guitar+travel+guitar

https://www.amazon.com/Washburn-String-Travel-Acoustic-Guitar/dp/B00064TZYW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469789694&sr=8-3&keywords=Go+guitar+travel+guitar

This one is the most pricey at just under 500$ but seems to be one of the better quality.
https://www.amazon.com/Traveler-Guitar-Escape-Acoustic-Electric-Travel/dp/B00DCM0GYS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1469789694&sr=8-4&keywords=Go+guitar+travel+guitar

Have you looked into travel guitars? There are several manufacturers that make full scale guitars that will fit in the overhead bin of an airplane.

Some examples:

Ultra-light

Traveller Guitar

These guitars are not the same as your Seagull, but they travel superbly.

Ok, it appears to be an unbranded beginner guitar pack that goes for about $80 on Amazon. Probably available in lots of 100 from Alibaba for $10 a piece. Looks like I didn't get a deal at all as I paid a little more than it would have cost online, and I didn't get the stand or the whammy bar.

https://www.amazon.com/ZENY-Electric-Accessories-Beginner-Starter/dp/B01KH6ROJ6/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1524983913&sr=1-10&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

is it a problem that the closest thing i have to metal tone comes through this http://www.amazon.com/Vox-amPlug-Metal-Guitar-Headphone/dp/B000ZMVAXO

https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Accessories-Beginner-Starter-Package/dp/B01830FGHA/ref=sr_1_13?qid=1569153949&refinements=p_36%3A-10000&rnid=386685011&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-13

And dozens more

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-F310-Full-Acoustic-Guitar/dp/B000RVYW7E/ref=sr_1_5?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1497638470&sr=1-5&keywords=acoustic+guitar

There were a few cheaper, but i wanted to go for steel string and get a decent male (yamaha). You could dave yourself £40-50 and get one a bit cheaper with nylon strings. There might be cheaper woth steel as well I'm not sure but either way you can get some aroind the 40-50 mark which according to the reviews are suited for beginners

Ibanez Artcore.

https://www.amazon.com/Ibanez-Artcore-Semi-Hollow-Body-Electric-AM53TF/dp/B015FTM7TW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=Ibanez+artcore&qid=1574280160&sr=8-3

$91. Brand new. There are other sets for $90-100 as well. Guess I had some good luck on my side finding all this! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KH6ROJ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Mr2HDbB30GHYZ

I recommend the Ibanez Artcore . The cheapest models are $300 brand new and they’re excellent. They’re also semi-hollow body so they sound better than a regular electric if you play it acoustically.

So I've been highly considering getting into electric guitar lately and i'm indecisive on the guitar I should purchase. Lately I have been eyeing this one:

https://www.amazon.ca/Epiphone-ELPVVWCH-Special-Electric-Vintage/dp/B01G26RELI/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1491078619&sr=1-3

Looks nice aesthetically and the reviews seem good overall. I have also looked up a video on it, and within the video it definitely seems to be worth it. I want to be able to play the guitar in this song:

https://youtu.be/mYd0QVPYuG8

Any help?

Here's an example of an entry level guitar that would be perfect for Rocksmith:

https://www.amazon.com/Epiphone-Special-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar/dp/B01G26RM3S/ref=sr_1_6

You could probably pick one of these up used for under $100.

I highly recommend Ibanez and epiphone. Jackson also has a good model at $200. Just make sure you don't get a Floyd rose. They're terrible for a beginner and a hassle for even experienced guitar players.

But if you can find one with a standard style bridge they're great for a beginner

You could go to a guitar store to get a feel for the different kinds of guitars, but I understand that's really hard to do as a beginner. It's hard to know how you like to play before you know how to play I guess is what I'm saying.

Also $150 can get you a perfectly fine beginner guitar. If you went up to $200 you'd have a lot more options, but $150 is doable.

This one would probably be good

https://www.amazon.com/Ibanez-GRX20ZBKN-Electric-Guitar-Black/dp/B000N2Q6WG/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1549471554&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=ibanez&dpPl=1&dpID=41p9paleFIL&ref=plSrch

But not anything with a bridge like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Ibanez-JEMJRWH-Signature-6-String-Electric/dp/B00SMYD40O/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1549471554&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=ibanez&dpPl=1&dpID=419LVBSMfoL&ref=plSrch

Since electric guitar requires a few things more than just a guitar, starter packs go a long way to give you the basic setup to have everything yoy need.

I started with a Squire by Fender starter pack and could not have been happier. Look for a Squire Affinity Strat starter pack, since the guitar is built in Indonesia and quality control is very good and you can find several pickup setups to choose.

The starter packs usually comes with:

• the guitar
  
• a 15 watt Fender Frontman amp (bigger than most other starter packs offer)
  
• padded gigbag
  
• guitar strap
  
• 3 medium-sized picks
  
• chromatic tuner
  
• tremolo pedal
  
• ziplock bag with tools and spare parts
  
• a Fender DVD with 30 beginners lessons
  
  Anyway, it's all you could possibly need. I've seen Epiphone also has a starter pack with a sweet Les Paul Apettite for Desrruction guitar, a replica from Guns and Roses's Slash's guitar.
  
  You can always buy just the guitar and all those other things by your own, but you'll need them from day one and they can be pretty expensive if bought separately.
  
  My exact Squire guitar...
  
  Epiphone Slash's AFD guitar starter pack...
  
  Give it some thought. I've got several guitars now but still love my Squire Strat and use it often. Most of the other things, I still use daily.
  
  Oh! And don't buy knock-offs of famous guitars, they usually suck balls. Squire and Epihone are built by Fender and Gibson respectively, so they build original licenced replicas, which is so much better.

Both Epi's are similar
Les Paul Special II
Les Paul Special VE

Is electric guitar amps different than electric guitar in itself?

So the electric-accoustic guitar thing I wrote in my post (the APX 600), that's not the same with just electric guitar?

Any recommendation electric guitar for beginner that is Yamaha brand?

So don’t get the nylon string classical guitar. It is purpose built with its nylon strings and wide neck for classical music.

Acoustic-electrics are made to take acoustic sound and amplify it louder. An acoustic-electric still produces sound from its body like an acoustic guitar, so plugging it in won’t help make it quiet.

If you want to play acoustic, just get an acoustic. You can get a better guitar for less not spending extra on electronics you won’t use. You can play an acoustic guitar softly enough to not disturb neighbors, and if you want to play pop get a steel string guitar. Finger picking/strumming is great for pop music and can be played as softly as you like. This would be an example of a good starter Yamaha acoustic. There are some even cheaper ones too. Here’s an even more budget friendly starter pack

If you would prefer an electric guitar, they have solid bodies and produce noise though magnets called pick-ups rather than the shape of their hollow bodies via sound holes like acoustics and acoustic-electrics. An amp is required to project this sound from the pick-ups, and with a headphones you can direct all the sound to the headphones. You can technically play without an amp but it’s very quiet and doesn’t sound good. These are great starter guitars but you’ll need an amp and headphones.

You can also find cheap electric starter kits that come with amps from squire and epiphone.

Just to reiterate once more, an acoustic-electric seems like the worst choice for you because it’s sole purpose is to make the acoustic sound louder, which is the opposite of what you want. Get an acoustic or electric, but not an acoustic-electric imo.

https://www.amazon.com/You-Rock-Guitars-YRG-1000-Guitar/dp/B003DC78FW

The Yamaha F310 is one of the better beginner acoustics; it's a really solid instrument for £100 but it is the kind of guitar you 'grow out of'. You will want to upgrade at some point, so it might make sense to skip this level entirely.

At the lower end, every little extra you can spend will make a huge difference to the quality of the instrument you get. If you can step up to £250, the Yamaha FG700s is pretty much the undisputed king of this price range. It's awesome for the money. Demo here. It's about the leasto amount of money you can spend and still get a 'proper' acoustic; the kind that won't hold you back.

£400 goes to the Seagull s6, which punches way above it's price range. Made in Canada too.

Above that is lower end Martin/Taylor/Gibson territory - the Taylor Big Baby is a favourite of mine if you ever get a chance to check one out.

I've been wanting to diddle around on the bass, will I be seriously disappointed if I pick this up from Amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Affinity-Precision-Beginnger-Electric/dp/B07B6PZG4L/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538495909&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=squier+precision+bass&dpPl=1&dpID=31iefuDwX6L&ref=plSrch

Since I don't know if I'm going to stick with it going through Amazon is appealing since I can drop the price by $100 or so with points.

If this is going to sound bad or not be fun to play for whatever reason I'll keep looking though.

Cheap (relatively speaking). I started playing about six months ago and got a Pacifica 112J with a Blackstar ID core 10.

​

Honestly, I'm loving them. Once I start playing, I can barely even stop myself. And they sound really nice too, although that's probably just because I've never listened to any higher end stuff.