As someone who...

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Starting-Mid Level Guitars

May 12, 2013

As someone who made their living playing guitar PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THESE OPTIONS!. That Squire electric kit routinely sells for 200-250 around the holidays, and both of those guitars are absolutely horrible. Parents, you know your child. If they're going to stick with this, get something a bit better, you can still get everything you need for under 500, and it will be gear that will actually be enjoyable to play with. These kits are frustrating to play and run people off. If you're buying this for yourself, wait two more months and get something you'd really like. The BEST case scenario is that with either of these kits is that you/your child discover they like playing guitar and you have to replace everything in them within 6 months. The worst case is that the horribly made instruments and bad amplifiers frustrate you and you end up wasting that money.

May 12, 2013

nelson

5275

May 12, 2013

Chaz @Chaz Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Do you have any recommendation for a starter kit?

May 12, 2013

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Chaz

May 12, 2013

nelsonTo be perfectly frank, I'm fairly avidly against starter kits as a general rule when it comes to instruments. The guitars usually have frets that haven't been machined properly (which can be painful to play even as someone who's built up their hands), as well as issues with warped necks and the 5-10 watt amps simply don't move enough air to sound anything other than "tinny". If the Massdrop gets the strat kit to 100-~130 ish, then that would be probably enough to warrant looking into. I know this isn't the answer you're looking for, but I highly suggest trying to save up around $500 and picking up a 30 watt amp, a 20 buck tuner, 10 buck strap and a $200-$300 guitar on your own. It does cost more undoubtedly, but it's a vast improvement in quality that can turn learning the instrument into a chore into something that feels fun right off the bat. These packs aren't horrible, but I've seen way too many people either get frustrated with the subpar quality which snuffs out their will to learn or have to turn around and invest the $500 within 6 months. As for possibly trading this in when you out grow it, the guitar itself would be worth ~20 bucks in a trade in and the amp would go for about the same.

May 12, 2013

Danyaal

May 12, 2013

ChazThanks for the advice Chaz! I have added some higher quality to the poll. I'll do some more research to find out some other awesome guitars for the poll. :)

May 12, 2013

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Champion

Nov 14, 2013

ChazMY GOD YES. I got mine as a gift when I took guitar in school and it was no fun to play.

Nov 14, 2013

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espeyswims

Apr 25, 2014

nelsonDon't get a starter kit! lol Go to your local music store, even a Guitar Center will get the job done. You might spend a bit more ($100-200) but you will get everything you actually need, and it will be quality equipment! (<-- important part) As "Chaz" said, you will end up replacing everything in the kit no more than 6 months to a year out, and to me that is a terrible return on investment! Just as you get used to some equipment, you have to get something completely different? Hopefully you found what you needed, there is a ton of information out there pertaining to what is good to start with.
Personally I started on a Fender accoustic that sat in my basement for close to a decade before I picked it up again. One final word of advice, don't get super thick strings; I let my friend convince me that these super thick Martin solid brass strings would be easier to learn on. They sounded great, but were a bitch and a half to put on and tore up my fingers! lol

Apr 25, 2014

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