Looking for good entry level guitar. Any recommendations?

[Bottom_End]

Hi guys, thinking of learning the guitar. Anyone has any good recommendations for entry level guitars?

Budget around $400 - $500.

Thanx.

 

[Cloudsky]

you want classic, acoustic or electric?

 

[Bottom_End]

Electric

 

[joel68]

Buy those strat copies from Craftsman or Sammik..If you can afford, can go in for Squire Strat or Ibanez..indonesian makes..

 

[Bottom_End]

Are craftsman guitars good? Had bad experiences with Samick though.

Whats the price range like?

What about Ibanez RG series?

Thanks.

 

[Cloudsky]

go to www.luthermusic.com, you should get the yamaha electric guitars. I heard they are better than the squires.

 

[Bottom_End]

Thanks for the replies.

Anyone tried these 2 guitars before?

http://www.luthermusic.com/cgi-bin/WB_ItemPageGen.pl?t=1101190730&Pid=75&Gid=

http://www.luthermusic.com/cgi-bin/WB_ItemPageGen.pl?t=1101190790&Pid=73&Gid=

 

[stars]

Are craftsman guitars good? Had bad experiences with Samick though.

Whats the price range like?

What about Ibanez RG series?

Thanks.

he he ha ha ...d unno ... i m using a craftsman bass ... i think e neck's pretty good ... solid construction ..

 

[JMguitars]

I'd recommend a Yamaha or a 2nd hand Mex fender Strat

 

[Bottom_End]

I'd recommend a Yamaha or a 2nd hand Mex fender Strat

Cool. Are the 2 yamahas i posted above good enough?

Which is the better of the 2?

Probably head down luthers one of these days when im free.

 

[subversion]

the new generation of Samick Greg Bennett-designed guitars/ basses are more than decent entry-levels to own. it's really too bad that Samick gets the 'bad' tag owing to the pre-Greg Bennett make of instruments.

 

[MrE]

subversion: the new generation of Samick Greg Bennett-designed guitars/ basses are more than decent entry-levels to own. it's really too bad that Samick gets the 'bad' tag owing to the pre-Greg Bennett make of instruments.

Really? You think the new samicks are good? I saw a samick strat copy with the new samick headstock and logo, headstock looks damn off on a strat body IMO.... :roll:

but dunno about the sound, did u try it, subversion?

 

[Mr_X]

Gotta agree, the headstock is a real turn-off. I suggest getting the yamaha with alder body, cos its worth it and wanna get a new guitar? jus change the pickups. Another reccomendation is the Ibanez stuff, tried out, not bad, tried my friend's grx40, feels not bad IMO

 

[subversion]

Samick has no obligations to conform to the traditional strat headstock design, really. i find the new GB headstock a little intriguing but nevertheless acceptable. it needs a little getting used to... let me list down the new Samicks i've auditioned:

Malibu

Formular

Fairlane bass

the Malibu is a well playing instrument but suffers from brash-sounding default pickups. it's also not as resonant as the Formular (agathis body) which is a well constructed unit & sounds above average. till today, i'm still impressed with the Fairlane bass, which IMO is a bargain (it's not even $300...) as it feels good & the pickups are impressive for an entry-level.

when considering entry levels, i always make a benchmark reference to Ibanez & Squier. IMO these are the real bargain which the industry has to measure up to. but the situation today is that there are many good entry levels out there but do try them personally before committing yourself 8)

 

[MrE]

Yeah it's true that Samick has no obligation to stick to the traditional headstock design, but the modern-looking headstock doesn't go well with the strat body, i feel.... it would look better if it were a 6-in-line headstock, IMO...

That said, the tele-style samick looks like a good buy though :wink:
How are the pickups, subversion?

 

[subversion]

the pickups on both the Malibu & the Formular give a rather flat midrange response but the latter is a better unit IMO due to its b more resonant body wood...