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Im thinking of buying a half decent guitar (cos Im returning the shite cheapie Zannox one). Is it best to go for quality and get a Fender stratacaster (or similar) or is it possible to get a well made guitar (that stays in tune, and doesnt play bad notes) for far less money?
Any recommendations of models or makes (and maybe prices) would be much apprectiated. Tar.
are you just beginning? can't find a 'zannox' so don't know where you're coming from. also, may depend on what kind of sound you're after...
good budget geetars from squier - their strat's a decent starter model. but if you've decided you're pushing the boat out i don't think you can go wrong with the fender. my son's shouting 'ibanez' across the room at me now, maybe they're worth looking at.
i'm sure there are loads of people on here who know more about it, just thought if i said something - particularly something stupid or poorly informed - it might prompt a better response 
edit: by the way, guitars don't play bad notes, guitarists do :)
My Gretsch Electromatic has a really bendy neck. Any load at all when you're playing it an it distorts like you're pulling a wang bar. I assumed all electrics were the same as it's the only one I've played for years. However, I played my mate's Les Paul the other week and it's as steady as a rock.
You pays your money and takes your chance, I suppose.
Everyone should have a Marshal MS4 mini-amp though, so get one of them whatever you do.
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Edit: that wasn't what your son was shouting 
bloodynora wrote: are you just beginning? can't find a 'zannox' so don't know where you're coming from. also, may depend on what kind of sound you're after...
good budget geetars from squier - their strat's a decent starter model. but if you've decided you're pushing the boat out i don't think you can go wrong with the fender. my son's shouting 'ibanez' across the room at me now, maybe they're worth looking at.
i'm sure there are loads of people on here who know more about it, just thought if i said something - particularly something stupid or poorly informed - it might prompt a better response
edit: by the way, guitars don't play bad notes, guitarists do :)
Cheers Nora. Its no good having a discussion with ones self.
Zannox is a make which is unlike any other. I bought one from Bid TV, kinda thinking it might be crap but actually.....it was. You type Fender on google and it probably comes back with millions of sites but type Zannox and you get about 7.
The bad notes are when you hold down a fret, play the string, and all you hear is a duff note. Its not the player (I hasten to add) but probably due to the fact that cheap guitars arent built so well and therefore likely to have bowed wood are back set up. I had 3 notes that just wouldnt make a sound!!!!
It certainly not a beginner but the only guitar Ive got is a Yamaham SG500, which Ive had 17 years and needs severe repair as the fretboard has moved. The Fender squires interest me. I think Id like a stratocaster this time. Ideally Id rather spend £70 than £300 and as long as they play well, stay in tune, etc Id be happy to pay up to £150.
we've had a squier strat kicking around for a few years and it's cracking for the price. definitely no tuning issues. think they range around the hundred quid mark.
hope you get what you want! 
NO Regret wrote:
...I bought one from Bid TV...
I think I might have spotted where you went wrong.
BIGINLYCRA wrote:
NO Regret wrote:
...I bought one from Bid TV...
I think I might have spotted where you went wrong.
yes. a moment of madness indeed. ive leant my lesson. :o
bloodynora wrote: we've had a squier strat kicking around for a few years and it's cracking for the price. definitely no tuning issues. think they range around the hundred quid mark.
hope you get what you want!
cheers guv. good comments.
BIGINLYCRA wrote: What about my comments?
Weren't mine useful
well i never heard of that make but thanks for your input anyway.
What Gretsch or Marshall? Both are two of the biggest names in electric guitars. And drums.
The classic Gretsch is a big semi-acoustic thing. They're built pretty well. Johnny Marr is meant to have given Noel Gallagher a Gretsch when he was just starting out after he'd smashed another one he'd given him over a stage-invader's head. As he handed it over, he's meant to have said 'here, this one will break anyone's skull without going out of tune.
The Electomatic range is well worth looking at as you get a classic name for not too much money. You'll get more respect with a Gretsch than you will with a Squire.
Fact 
I'd say that your best bet would be to go to a good second hand store if you want quality at a lower price. The reason being that the guitar as a whole will have 'settled' so if the neck is going to warp, it'll be like that already. Sometimes you can pick up a real gem for half the price of a new guitar. Check the fretboard to make sure it's not too worn or you might get some duff notes/chords out of it. Play the octaves and harmonics - a quick and useful way to check that frets are properly and accurately spaced and the neck hasn't twisted. Listen out for any fret buzz by playing individual notes up and down the neck. Then play some bar chords and fairly heavy rhythm. Go back to the octaves and harmonics to see if the tuning has slipped.
Always helps if you have a reasonable ear for pitch though...
Hope that helps
Some good has come of this thread. I've just had a right good go on my Gretsch.
Oh I wish I could play it!
Chris Nash wrote: I'd say that your best bet would be to go to a good second hand store if you want quality at a lower price. The reason being that the guitar as a whole will have 'settled' so if the neck is going to warp, it'll be like that already. Sometimes you can pick up a real gem for half the price of a new guitar. Check the fretboard to make sure it's not too worn or you might get some duff notes/chords out of it. Play the octaves and harmonics - a quick and useful way to check that frets are properly and accurately spaced and the neck hasn't twisted. Listen out for any fret buzz by playing individual notes up and down the neck. Then play some bar chords and fairly heavy rhythm. Go back to the octaves and harmonics to see if the tuning has slipped.
Always helps if you have a reasonable ear for pitch though...
Hope that helps
It does thanks. The Yamaha SG500 i bought was 2nd hand off my mates brother. And its a (sorry was) a great guitar. Never had a problem with it, beautiful instrument.
buy another one then?!?, well worth the money, DONT buy a strat, they're SHITE!!!!!, well , you can if you want, but i think they're shite, get a telecaster.
I've gotten quite adapt at this one over the past few months.
Seriously though, I've considered recently throwing down no more than $200 for one of those starter guitar/shit-amp/gig bag/tuner packages you see at guitar shops...not a huge investment for starting off a casual hobby.
I could always upgrade to this bad boy someday..
Gender ambiguous poser (poseur) not included.
Any recommendations for guitar?
Yes, a pint of 4-star and a box of matches.
Sorry, I resisted posting that for days, but couldn't hold out any longer.
Doctor? wrote: Any recommendations for guitar?
Yes, a pint of 4-star and a box of matches.
Sorry, I resisted posting that for days, but couldn't hold out any longer.
i can see why you waited with this one. llllllllllame:\ohwell:
Gone for a Squier strat with Fender amp, etc. £65 off ebay. Decent price. Just hope its a half decent purchase!
Cracking result. Have you got it yet?
This weekend, The Guardian and The Observer are giving away a two-part booklet about how to play the guitar.
I'll be writing to the readers' editor to complain that there isn't a fucking wallchart.
