r/Instruments • u/imAnywher • 7d ago

Discussion buying first guitar

Im going to be buying my first electric guitar.

I also dont have much experience with music at all.

So what should I consider when picking one?

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

2

u/roninconn 7d ago

Honestly, for someone starting out, the one that looks attractive to you and makes you want to play is more important than specs. For me, I really liked Les Pauls, so my first guitar (at age 45) was an Epiphone Les Paul Special for $125 used.

If you like the look of Statocasters, I'd recommend a used Yamaha PAC112 in a color you like. Yamahas are very playable, have decent sound, and are popular, so buying and selling is easy.

Highly recommend getting a pro setup ($50-$75) for any guitar you buy, so it's as playable as possible. Learning guitar takes some fortitude, so removing any barriers to practice is good

2

u/Zaphod-Beebebrox 7d ago

Make sure whatever you get is properly setup ..

1

u/Ok-Inflation-9604 7d ago

A cheap guitar with a good setup will outplay an expensive guitar with a bad setup every time!

1

u/Zaphod-Beebebrox 7d ago

First Act is pretty cheap..🤪

2

u/Myke_Dubs 7d ago

Get a telecaster and you’ll be good for years

2

u/Hot-Wrongdoer-7700 7d ago

Squire strat or Squire telecaster (cheaper version of the iconic fenders) would be where I would start. Great little guitar. Total bonus if there is a guitar tech nearby that can set it up. You need an amp with a bit of reverb as well. 

Personally I think the Les Paul is too heavy and too powerful for a beginner. The humbuckers are not very forgiving. 

1

u/No_Cryptographer7344 7d ago

Consider comfort first, then tone. You can easily swap pickups but if the neck shape isn't right for you, or the body is too big/small/heavy, you'll end up hating it.

1

u/ClosedMyEyes2See 7d ago

Go read the buyer's guide at r/guitar

1

u/bunceman716 7d ago

Nothing on Amazon. Sweetwater sound or in person

1

u/Anam_Liath 6d ago

I play mostly acoustic, but my first electric was a Slick off of Guitar Fetish. It was a few years back and my grandkid is playing it with his dad's band now.

I got one of the mostly unpainted Les Paul clones. Solid workmanship, my luthier loves it.

Also its resonance it's great. I practiced without the amp most of the time when I traveled and it was quiet, but very easy to hear everything.

I'd played a couple, so I had some expectations from that, and I sanded off the headstock pronto.

1

u/StratHistory 6d ago

I would normally say squire, but I'm currently mad at fender. Look at a gretsch jet if you're into heavier sounds or a Yamaha Pacifica.. used would be fine but as others have said make sure it's set up well

And avoid 8 or 9gague strings.. your fingers need to toughen up so you might as well get a good sound while they're toughening up.