A budding electric guitarist

[Bou]

I've been wanting to pick up an electric guitar since six months ago but hesitated till now to ensure my interest won't die off quickly. Now I'm pretty sure it would stay since a week ago when I actually felt and held a guitar. The feeling was indeed magical while it lasted...even though I've never even strummed a sound.

However, I'm stumped as to where to get one in Singapore. I'm not really comfortable with buying second-hand guitars since I'm a newbie and have no guitar friends to authenticate its condition should the seller claim it to be working well. I guess the only sources I would settle for are shops or very reliable sellers who can be found online and are able to meet up face to face for transaction.

Furthermore, I've set my eye on the Gibson Les Paul Studio Alpine White with Gold Hardware but am not sure if it's recommended as my first guitar. My thinking is that since I've absolutely no income and rely solely on my allowance, I would be better off getting a good one to last me for a good amount of time. Money aside, I would still have to find someone or somewhere which actually bring in the mentioned model and finish, which is another problem I need advice with.

I'm totally new to the instrument and have no idea how to play anything at all, and the only instrument I've had experience with is the recorder, which I was apparently forced to play during primary and secondary school. I would love to try playing and learning myself though and so, is not planning on taking lessons. I need advice for first timers and what I need to play stuff which actually sound nice. By the way, I would be playing tracks from the J-Rock genre, if that would help in any of the above inquiries.

 

[User X]

Alright, thats quite a detailed post there. The les paul is okay 2 start with. Just bare in mind that this guitar is very expensive, not to mention electric guitar is an expensive hobby.

Just remember amplifier is more important than the guitar. A good guitar with a lousy amplifer will sound bad, no matter how good your guitar. I recommend a roland cube or a peavy vypyr. Get the 15 watt version or a 30watt version if you have funds. Sure, if you are really loaded, invest in a good tube amp like the blackstar ht-5. Now dont go crazy and get a 100w full-stack, just go 4 a combo, under 50-30w, or else you'll have neighbours knockin on your door especially if you stay in a HDB/condo.

On where to get guitars and amps, go 2 sweelee @ brash parsah/katong 4 a start or parklane shopping mall @ selegie which have a range of guitar shops. Peninsular shopping mall(next to funan it mall) has a no. of shops 2.

When buying a guitar, remember to try it out b4 you buy it and see if you like the sound and feel. Dont buy it bcuz of looks. Try a range of guitars 2, dont try the les paul only.

If you have any more questions,feel free 2 ask.

 

[jmb23]

are you sure you can afford that on allowance alone.
that guitar abt 1.8k leh.

 

[hutkahn]

As tempting as it may be to gun for a gibson from the start, do consider if there is actually a need to in the first place.

Like you said, you'd be forking out money from your allowance to get the guitar (and any other stuff, i'd presume) so I'd suggest settling for an Epiphone or other LP copies to start you off. Do consider the Rally GL-400 in white (since you mentioned your interest in an alpine white LP with gold hardware) as the brand and guitar has been gathering some rather good reviews. When in doubt, just go down to their shop and I'm sure they would be more than happy to walk you through.

 

[Bou]

Alright, thats quite a detailed post there. The les paul is okay 2 start with. Just bare in mind that this guitar is very expensive, not to mention electric guitar is an expensive hobby.

Just remember amplifier is more important than the guitar. A good guitar with a lousy amplifer will sound bad, no matter how good your guitar. I recommend a roland cube or a peavy vypyr. Get the 15 watt version or a 30watt version if you have funds. Sure, if you are really loaded, invest in a good tube amp like the blackstar ht-5. Now dont go crazy and get a 100w full-stack, just go 4 a combo, under 50-30w, or else you'll have neighbours knockin on your door especially if you stay in a HDB/condo.

On where to get guitars and amps, go 2 sweelee @ brash parsah/katong 4 a start or parklane shopping mall @ selegie which have a range of guitar shops. Peninsular shopping mall(next to funan it mall) has a no. of shops 2.

When buying a guitar, remember to try it out b4 you buy it and see if you like the sound and feel. Dont buy it bcuz of looks. Try a range of guitars 2, dont try the les paul only.

If you have any more questions,feel free 2 ask.

I've already got someone to bring in the guitar but it's around $2k payable over 3 months monthly with a significant deposit. I'm not gonna settle for the $2k before looking through most of the guitar stores though.

I'm thinking of getting the guitar first since I'm thinking of starting the learning process earlier instead of getting the amp together with the guitar at the same time.

 

[Bou]

As tempting as it may be to gun for a gibson from the start, do consider if there is actually a need to in the first place.

Like you said, you'd be forking out money from your allowance to get the guitar (and any other stuff, i'd presume) so I'd suggest settling for an Epiphone or other LP copies to start you off. Do consider the Rally GL-400 in white (since you mentioned your interest in an alpine white LP with gold hardware) as the brand and guitar has been gathering some rather good reviews. When in doubt, just go down to their shop and I'm sure they would be more than happy to walk you through.

Hmm I'll consider the Rally GL-400. If I could actually find away to squeeze out $2k I'll stick with the LP.

 

[Breen]

It's your money man but I do suggest playing with a little bit more mid level guitar. You can put 1k into a investment and by the time you are earning your own dosh you can use that 1k and with compounding interest give you 2 to 4k (it can happen) in which you can buy a proper real Gibby. Like a R9~

Although I personally think post 2002 Gibson's stuff are not really great unless you take the time to try each one you encounter to pick a good one.

Currently in SG we are living in the BEST time to get any guitar you want in stores or through e-biz dealers. So your in good hands.

My overall advice, get a decent guitar, there are many threads and websites telling you what is a decent guitar, learn on it and slave on it and grow on it. When your ready you will know.

Who knows, not saying that you would be a case, a year down the road, but maybe drums would be your thing, and what happens to a 2k guitar?

 

[User X]

I've already got someone to bring in the guitar but it's around $2k payable over 3 months monthly with a significant deposit. I'm not gonna settle for the $2k before looking through most of the guitar stores though.

I'm thinking of getting the guitar first since I'm thinking of starting the learning process earlier instead of getting the amp together with the guitar at the same time.

That is possible, but I recommend you get an amp first as playing with an amp is more difficult as the amp "amplifies" your sloppiness and mistakes rather than playing acousticly. Otherwise, an acoustic guitar with a cut-away will do fine as a start. The higher action will be more difficult to play at first, but it trains your finger strength and precision. Just note that acoustic guitars usually are limited to 20 frets.

P.S: Buy a tuner. You'll need one to tune your guitar or your guitar will sound weird and untuned.

 

[vernplum]

Hi

I don't agree with the 'amp is more important than the guitar' but i can see why User X might say this. Yes - having a decent amp that gives a decent sound is important, but equally, if you've got a crap guitar with an action a centimetre off the fretboard, nasty fretwork and weedy pickups you're not going to want to play just as much. I'd venture to say that the guitar is more important and that these days, one would be really hard pressed to find an amp that truly sounds terrible - the quality is exceptional nowadays. My view is to get the best guitar you can for your budget, then get the best amp you can.

User X's suggestions of amps are fine starter amps and reasonably priced.

Additionally, playing the electric guitar need not be an expensive hobby. It can be as reasonably priced or as extravagant as you want it to be. What's more important than the gear you have is how well you can play.

 

[Bou]

I've made up my mind already, gonna get a med-range guitar. Any recommendations for a good amp at 15w(playing in a small room with me and my alter ego so I guess 15w is reasonable)? Thinking of getting the Sound Drive SG-15.

 

[theunknown]

good choice on the sound drive.

other choices to consider:
- vox pathfinder 15r (good cleans)
- roland cubes (good cleans and onboard effects)
- peavey transtube series (good cleans)
- randall ninja mike ammot (30w? good cleans n distortion)
- vox ac4tv (tube 4w with option for 4w,1w,1/4w)

 

[Bread_]

hi im a beginner too and on a dam low budget

bought a SG sounddrive15 2nd hand for $70
A 2nd hand nice Samick AV1(the les paul copy) for $100 changed the pickups to INF1 / 2 for more sustain($40)
a 2nd hand Marshall Jackhammer $50

total price - roughly $260

Having a Great great time playing, love the distorted tones
Just saying maybe you can look into 2nd hand stuff

 

[thelaggyspy]

Alright, thats quite a detailed post there. The les paul is okay 2 start with. Just bare in mind that this guitar is very expensive, not to mention electric guitar is an expensive hobby.

Just remember amplifier is more important than the guitar. A good guitar with a lousy amplifer will sound bad, no matter how good your guitar. I recommend a roland cube or a peavy vypyr. Get the 15 watt version or a 30watt version if you have funds. Sure, if you are really loaded, invest in a good tube amp like the blackstar ht-5. Now dont go crazy and get a 100w full-stack, just go 4 a combo, under 50-30w, or else you'll have neighbours knockin on your door especially if you stay in a HDB/condo.

On where to get guitars and amps, go 2 sweelee @ brash parsah/katong 4 a start or parklane shopping mall @ selegie which have a range of guitar shops. Peninsular shopping mall(next to funan it mall) has a no. of shops 2.

When buying a guitar, remember to try it out b4 you buy it and see if you like the sound and feel. Dont buy it bcuz of looks. Try a range of guitars 2, dont try the les paul only.

If you have any more questions,feel free 2 ask.

By the way, how much is the Vypyr 30,i'm thinking of getting it cause my current amp (fender frontman) sounds terrible with the distortion on and also, where to get it from, if i can get it from swee lee, i would wait till the end of the year.

 

[LiQuiFireX]

By the way, how much is the Vypyr 30,i'm thinking of getting it cause my current amp (fender frontman) sounds terrible with the distortion on and also, where to get it from, if i can get it from swee lee, i would wait till the end of the year.

The 30 watter's bout $500+ in sweelee. Wise choice on waiting for the sales, although it need not be year end.

 

[Flowersamurai]

Just get a Cube 30x. It has amp modeling and built in effects. If you want to soften the volume, theres a built in power squeezer which minimizes power output (i think thats the proper term, physics die! lol) but still has the same tone/sound just softer. Its my main amp now and i love it, however you may find it kind of artificial as you improve.
For guitars you can always try a Squier or a lower end Ibanez (if thats ok) Don't waste time with a lespaul studio. Just get a standard les paul when you've saved up. Tried a studio and then a standard before. The studio was no match for a standard. Theres something about the craftsmanship that makes the standard a better guitar
Hope it helps!

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Actually, I'd recommend the Craftsman guitar packages offered by City Music. They come with Line 6 Spider amplifiers which although do not sound the best, they offer many tones and effects that you can play around with, get used to, and decide which you use and which you won't use. Perfect for a beginner on a budget, in my opinion...

Better than getting a guitar and a regular amplifier, and having limited tonal options requiring you to spend more on pedals or multi-effects processors.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Some amps like Marshall's fx range and nuX also has built in effects, and also the pathfinder 15r.

 

[dmitry_a]

The reason I think you should start with something mid-ranged at most is because you do not know what you want from your guitar yet (since you haven't started learning yet). Right now you wouldn't have sufficient ability to judge a guitar's tone and playability (which are the most important traits to me). While the Gibson is a good guitar it may not be YOUR guitar. It would be a disaster if you buy the guitar and think a few months later 'this guitar doesn't fit me'. So it would better to start on something cheaper, then when you can play pretty well, look at where you want from your guitar.

Then you can evaluate (play the hell out of...) all types of higher end gear and with definite certainty find your dream guitar.

When I started out not too long ago I was sort of like you, I wanted an MIA fender... (but no $$ of course... ). But I soon realized that even if I had a lot of money I wouldn't know what to buy based on anything other than looks and have no basis for comparison (i.e. current guitar). The same goes for amps and pedals.

 

[LadyInTears]

playing J rock? you may needa whammy!!