Schecter or Squier

[desmundo]

My budget for a decent Electric guitar is about SGD 600 and another SGD 200 for an amp. I have done some research in this forum on reviews, pricing and feedbacks. I realise, with my tight budget, that it will be better to get a guitar from 2nd tier brand names like Squier and Schecter than to get the low priced guitar from top brand like Ibanez and fenders.
Correct me if i m wrong on the above statement.

Squier brand is carried by Swee Lee and not all models are available. The guitar look simple and I like it because it is under Fenders.
Schecter brand is carried by Guitar 77 and the feedbacks are really good.

So which should I get? Please, i welcome any bias or unbias opinions.

My genre will be in Metal ( GNR, AC/DC, Megadeth, Metalica), Alternative (Nirvana, Green Day), or something softer like Queen, Bread, ..

So which is more suitable, Telecaster or stratocaster?

Thanks i hope you guys can help before i go get my guitar soon...

 

[subversion]

do not dismiss the offerings by:

*SMASH
*Rally
*LTD

there are superb models to be had from the above manufacturers, you need to try them to know what's on offer in terms of QC & tone.

 

[Noein]

for metal i'd suggest schecter or ltds. got the looks and sound, hehe. But try to save up a little more and get something that can last you for quite a while, or at least have a change of pups. In your case i'd suggest emg 60s for the bridge and 81s for the neck (James Hetfield's setup), great in cleans and distortion.

 

[subversion]

regardless of the brand name/ outline design, if it works for metal, it works.

 

[desmundo]

LTD, apart from the name itself, everything looks good too.
So now i guess its between LTD and Scheter. Squier looks pretty simple and my main worry there might not be many models to choose from.
Thanks Noein and Subversion


PLease keep your comments coming!

Oh i m a classical guitar player, wonder is there anything to note, like the width of the neck?

 

[LadyInTears]

do understand that 600 is actually a pretty decent budget.
do not limit yourself to these brands as you can actually get a good deal in the buy sell, that is if you do not mind second hand stuff.
my advice is to get the mij ibanez on sale now, fits into your budget nicely.

 

[desmundo]

do understand that 600 is actually a pretty decent budget.
do not limit yourself to these brands as you can actually get a good deal in the buy sell, that is if you do not mind second hand stuff.
my advice is to get the mij ibanez on sale now, fits into your budget nicely.

Though i know i can get value for money 2nd hand guitar, i thought about it for sometimes, but decided not to...

This is going to be my first electric guitar thus i want a new one that has always been mine ( possessive huh.. haha ) . Furthermore, i m new to this and i may not be able spot any damages on a 2nd hand one...

Its actually tough to decide on one, i have been to shops so many times, and still I dont which one i want. haha. So now i am going to shortlist a few, go down to the shop and get a feel lah...

 

[desmundo]

upz! any comments?

 

[mrekoj]

2nd hand for the win.

first guitar or not doesnt matter
but everyone will have the urge to change guitar any time in the future
so when sell it, u wont lose that muchie moonie.

1st hand -> buy high -> sell low
2nd hand -> buy low -> sell around there

 

[theliverevolution]

Squier is capable of playing metal. I've personally got a Squier Strat California Edition, and it can play metal quite well. You'll need to get the model that comes with a humbuckler though, then you can get a good decent "metallic" sound. Cause, what really makes the sound will how you distort the sound through the pedal or amp.

If you want what I reconmend is that you go buy a Squier Strat, then use the money to buy a Roland Cube amp. A 30w Cube will cost about $350, and the Strat will depend on where you got it. I got mine at this shop in Parklane called "Novelty Music", kinda small shop, not really specialising in anything, but they sold me a perfectly good, new Squier for only $280

Hope this helps

 

[lightice]

I suggest you buy used for your first rig.
You can get better value for the dollar spent, and ask someone knowledgeable to be your guide. To check for things.

 

[desmundo]

[=theliverevolution

Thats good info for me. I check a shop in coronation plaza(music alchemy i think) is bringing in this too. i was about to write off squier till i saw your posting, i will go find out.

As for the amp, spot on, i m looking for a roland one.. but most likely a 15 W one instead. i dont play in a band, i play alone in my room, as most likely i will slowly go into recording.

 

[desmundo]

I suggest you buy used for your first rig.
You can get better value for the dollar spent, and ask someone knowledgeable to be your guide. To check for things.

i m 33. and at this age, you dont find many friends with the same interest. even if you have, you wont have time for them due to family and work commitment. Thus its hard for me to find someone to guide me, except for the guitar shop assistant(which may be bias), and of course thats why i m finding out from the forum.

So i will go for new one, and pick up from there.

 

[lightice]

I see, well. You might want to spend a tad more on a better amp.

If you have the time, maybe drop subversion a PM and see when's he going down to sweelee. Just hang around him and see how he checks the guitars. IIRC he goes down to sweelee quite often to test the guitars there.

Subversion is an oldie but a very wise and accommodating one who loves to share his knowledge.

You're right, very often the shop assistants a bias or they can't be bothered about you. And you'd be surprised that even when buying new, you can get screwed. And it has happened often enough to keep a lookout for.

Good luck, and its never too late to start playing.

 

[matthewchj]

Well as has been said before, $600 is a pretty decent budget. For $600, you can get a pretty well-spec'd LTD from Davis, I believe. Not sure if they have it in stock, but the model is M-200, IIRC. Neck through, and it has a double locking tremolo. Seems pretty good for metal.

 

[desmundo]

I see, well. You might want to spend a tad more on a better amp.

If you have the time, maybe drop subversion a PM and see when's he going down to sweelee. Just hang around him and see how he checks the guitars. IIRC he goes down to sweelee quite often to test the guitars there.

Subversion is an oldie but a very wise and accommodating one who loves to share his knowledge.

You're right, very often the shop assistants a bias or they can't be bothered about you. And you'd be surprised that even when buying new, you can get screwed. And it has happened often enough to keep a lookout for.

Good luck, and its never too late to start playing.

point taken, a good amp.
intend to go downtown this sunday to guitar77 and davis to check on schecter and LTD first, if i can get one i like, i ll buy lah, else go swee lee or novelty to check out squier strat...

sure do, need desperate help, will pm subversion.. thanks in advance.

Off topic, do u know any shops in singapore selling extensive music score of rock bands? i can order online but i prefer buying it here...

 

[desmundo]

Well as has been said before, $600 is a pretty decent budget. For $600, you can get a pretty well-spec'd LTD from Davis, I believe. Not sure if they have it in stock, but the model is M-200, IIRC. Neck through, and it has a double locking tremolo. Seems pretty good for metal.

thanks man!

 

[matthewchj]

Music score? I doubt you'll be able to find many scores for rock songs. What you're probably looking for are guitar tabs, which are mostly available for free on the internet. One pretty good website that almost everyone uses is Ultimate Guitar: www.ultimate-guitar.com

 

[desmundo]

Music score? I doubt you'll be able to find many scores for rock songs. What you're probably looking for are guitar tabs, which are mostly available for free on the internet. One pretty good website that almost everyone uses is Ultimate Guitar: www.ultimate-guitar.com

i know about this website, for some particular songs and bands, i really wanted to get a proper scores , preferably a full band one that include the drum, guitar 1 and 2, bass, with bars and notation. the huge bookshop in vivo city sells quite a lot but wonder if there is one that can offer better range.

 

[LadyInTears]

guitar pro software would be good, has the full band scores too.