Taking the electric plunge...

[chorus7]

Hi Joe here. I'm finally looking into getting an electric guitar but I have no idea where to start

I'd like to get something VERY inexpensive ( I know you get what you pay for ) but I want to start small and see if I even gel with it...

Any recommendations on a beginner electric? I would be using it more as a tonal or textual generator and learn to play as I go...
to get an idea of the sounds I work with check out www.myspace.com/fernlodge

Thanks in advance...

Joe

[gjhardwick]

hmmmmm, in my opinion a Fender or Squier (depending on your budget) Telecaster would be the way to go.

[billygomberg]

hmmmmm, in my opinion a Fender or Squier (depending on your budget) Telecaster would be the way to go.

go to local guitar shop and play about.  most places stock the "budget" end guitars like Squiers, but don't sell yrself too short...

[chorus7]

Sorry guys I was a little open ended on the question 

Is there anything to avoid? Types that are just not worth the money? What type of pickups should I avoid or look into? I guess I'll try to noodle with a few to see what I like, but I'm worried since I don't "play" I'll miss something...

Thanks again...


Joe

[sublamp]

I prefer Fender myself, but would suggest you avoid the cheaper Squire guitars. I just hate the way they feel, and the sound is uninspiring. Danelectro make some nice cheap guitars. This one looks fun:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Danelectro-Dead-on-67-Electric-Guitar?sku=580356&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=361428634
Maybe see what's hiding in your local pawn shops. I found an amazingly weird Japanese guitar with some kind of built in overdrive switch for $90. Try and find something unique!

[gjhardwick]

+ 1 on the recommendation for Japanese guitar brands, esp. the lawsuit models from the 70's.

[billygomberg]

stop it thread yr giving me gearlust

[steinbruchel]

stop it thread yr giving me gearlust

newness newness newness 

[billygomberg]

stop it thread yr giving me gearlust

newness newness newness 

must buy more stuff more stuff more stuff

(of course when it comes to something like this i get the "oh is this vintage" feeling  grrrrrrrrr)

[radere]

I would say check out the made in Mexico Fender models...they have a nice balance of quality and affordability. But if you go to your local mom & pop guitar store, they will sometimes have some obscure gems for dirt cheap...just need to do some shopping and find the instrument that sounds right for your needs!

And yes...between NAMM and all the threads going on about gear lust, I am constantly resisting buying new gear these days. MAKE IT STOP!

I think types like us need a support group...

[chorus7]

Thanks for all the help guys! and yeah the gear lust is bad right now...I used to look in pawn shops but we moved to a small province in canada (PEI) and pawn shops are VERY limited (2 of them)...

But I'll take a look around and figure something out...again many thanks...


Joe

[billygomberg]

And yes...between NAMM and all the threads going on about gear lust, I am constantly resisting buying new gear these days. MAKE IT STOP!

I think types like us need a support group...

this forum isn't a support group?

[steinbruchel]

this forum isn't a support group?

we all aim to serve and support YOU!

see we tried to get you into buying a monome controller,
but it didn't work, so we tried tickling your vintage feelings 

now the forum knows your soft spot...

[taylordeupree]

i took the electric plunge about a year ago on a mexican made stratocaster for about $500.... i have no idea about pickups or any of that terminology or tweaking.

the guitar is OK, i don't find it nearly as inspiring as my acoustic (which also happens to be a better guitar).. but it's not bad, either.. i think i made the right decision on a "starter" guitar.. you might want to look into those models.

by the way, for you guitar heroes out there.. what's the main sonic difference between a strat and a telecaster?

[taylordeupree]

it's by all means a support group!

when you think you have too much gear, or are overwhelmed.. just send it all, along with some whiskey, to ralph! 

this forum isn't a support group?