Which yamaha guitar

[yamaha_kid]

Hi, i am starting to learn electric guitar and would like to buy the yamaha gigmaker set. there is 2 types of set, one with the yamaha erg 121c (HSH) and another with yamaha eg something (HSS). which would be a better starting guitar? please help, thanks

 

[loldude333]

To be perfectly honest, none. I've tried both guitars before and i found them to sound quite bad. The pickups were muddy on both clean and distortion, the guitar felt dead (no resonance) the factory setup was terrible and the cosmetic condition, especially at the headstock, was bad. The amp you get isn't much better either. Save up and get a proper guitar. If you like Yamaha, the Pacifica 112J should not be too far out of your budget.

 

[lemonade93]

I'm.... MEGA anti yamaha. Played many electrics, and... well it just doesn't go with me. What's your budget? My friend has a ERG121c aswell. Pickup selector spoilt, neck pickup not wired properly. Quite dodgy, but if you're looking around beginner packs and whatnot, try LTD's. They're REALLY REALLY good

 

[loldude333]

SX@Davis and Craftsman@Citymusic spring to mind too. I'd recommend the Timbre SR200 starter pack as my undisputed 1st choice, but i heard its out of stock til next year.

 

[yamaha_kid]

Where do they sell any of the sets that you mention?

 

[loldude333]

I just mentioned, SX is at Davis which is at Peninsula basement, Craftsman at Citymusic at Peace Centre. Timbre is sold at SV, also at Peninsula basement. Might still wanna go down and try your luck with the Timbre. Alternatively, you could pick up a Smash S1/S2 for less than $300.

 

[lemonade93]

while you're at Davis, check out LTD's aswell. And if you increase your budget to about 600-700? You could get Swing guitars. Reaaaaally really nice, but that depends on what guitars you're interested in, what sound you want and all

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Perhaps the thread-starter can tell us what bands/songs he wants to play... Otherwise it's difficult to recommend him anything specific.

Yamaha and Craftsman are companies without a particular musical focus in mind, so they have a wide range of models to suit various musical genres. LTD is mainly focussed on hard rock and metal, so most of their models look aggressive and are designed for heavy distortion.

 

[yamaha_kid]

is there a guitar that can play most of the genres and if i decide to buy the yamaha guitars, which will be a better choice?

 

[EugeneSmasher]

If you want something very versatile, I'd recommend the Smash S2. It's pickup configuration is very versatile, as is its appearance. Can play pretty much anything on it.

 

[yamaha_kid]

does it come in a set or just the guitar?

 

[van_halen]

people ask about yamaha, everyone here go out of topic recommend off-brands not related to yamaha. i recommend you to buy the older yamahas made in japan and taiwan, much better than the current china and indonesia made yamahas.

 

[lemonade93]

i'm actually very anti Yamaha, whats your budget?

 

[yamaha_kid]

lesser than 500? just want something decent to start with, and im hoping it will come as a set as its more convenient that way

 

[van_halen]

less than $500 can get you a taiwan yamaha. japan yamaha definitely over $500. china and indonesia yamahas also below $500 but taiwan and japan quality better.

 

[Vax]

I'd say just get the Yamaha starter pack (only one gigmaker right? don't know the latest yamaha fad), get a friend who's been playing for a while to teach you how to set it up nicely, and explore the instrument from there. At this point in time you're more concerned with technique than getting that "wall of sound". I started with the gigmaker (back in '99) and had tons of fun cranking everything on the amp to 10.

I think older Yamahas are really nice. I own two of them (an RGX820 with a piezo pickup and an AES820 with a series/parallel switch), and they've never let me down on a gig.

 

[CrazyCactusJack]

just want something decent to start with, and im hoping it will come as a set as its more convenient that way

Yamaha pacifica 112 should be decent enough for a start. I own one for many years and is still actively using it for now.
Tweak your stuff right, you can get a descent sound.

Although i find that the neck is a lil too thick. You might have some problems running on the top strings deep down the fretboard, but you get used to it.

Oh well, i got mine so long ago. You should go down to the store to test it out.

Cheers!

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Actually, it's good to start on a thicker, beefier neck. When you move on to thinner necks if you decide to, playing 'em will probably be a breeze.

I'm currently using a Pacifica 112VCX. Absolutely love it, though I'm not too big on the over-bright sounding pickups, might swap 'em out someday. But loving it a lot. Love the barely-finished neck, and the overall quality is superb. Made in Indonesia btw. It ordinarily costs around $600 but a secondhand one can be found for perhaps less. Also, the 112M and the other versions of 112 are cheaper I think, but probably pretty darn good, too. Heard lots of good stuff about those.

So yeah. The ERGs might not be so good, but the Pacificas are a good place to start with. Versatile and good quality, though I must add that they're somewhat pricey when bought brand new from Yamaha outlets.

 

[loldude333]

Have to agree that it is a little overpriced. I remember the days when Luther used to bring 'em in........selling like hot cakes. Maybe you can ask him if he'll do it, though i'm not sure he will.

 

[madnessman]

I'm not really sure why you want a Yamaha when there are plenty of other "decent" starting guitar sets out there under $500.