How to Buy An Electric Guitar

1. Step1

   What makes a good guitar?
   
   Like most instruments, there are budget models and higher priced professional models, but which models are suitable for the new and learning guitar player?
   
   Two guitar brands come to mind – Squier (by Fender) and Ibanez. These two brands offer really good prices on new guitar kits.
   Squier have a range specially designed for beginner players called ‘Start Playing!’. This pack is available in various colours and includes a Stratocaster guitar, Amplifier, Fender DVD, black Fender strap, guitar lead, spare strings and plectrum. The guitar is an Affinity Stratocaster (a very nice looking guitar!). This range is aimed at pop, rock and blues playing styles.
   
   The Ibanez range is called ‘Jump Start’ and is similar to the Squier pack, but with an Ibanez GRX70 guitar (very much like the Squier Stratocaster). This range is aimed more towards rock and metal playing styles.

2. Step2

   How come these packs have such low prices?
   The packs are offered at about £150. In the accessories you get with the guitars, everything is there to help you get started and learning really easily. Both Ibanez and Fender (who make the Squier range) design and manufacture guitars for a varied price range (£100 - £5000+!). In the same way that technology and design for racing cars is used in lower priced normal road cars, the designs used in the higher priced guitar models is replicated using lower cost materials for the beginner packs. This means that you are getting high quality design for a fraction of the cost. Obviously a guitar using lower cost materials won’t sound quite as good as a more expensive one, but when you’re learning to play guitar in your bedroom then that’s not a problem!

3. Step3

   I am learning, are there better guitars for a similar cost to the Ibanez Jump Start and Squier Start Playing range?
   For the very low price of £150, there isn’t much else available as a pack. If your budget can stretch another £50 - £100 then there is a lot more choice available, although it doesn’t include all of the extra accessories (amplifier, case etc.). ‘B stock’ guitars are sometimes available – brand new but may have a defect or some slight damage. These are reduced in price to reflect the condition.
   Generally guitars and accessories sold in packs are aimed at the beginner guitarist, buying a guitar in a higher price range will normally mean buying all of the accessories and the amplifier separately.

4. Step4

   Budget -
   £150 - £200.
   Brands that make guitars for these prices are Fender (Squier), Ibanez, Dean, Yamaha
   Keep an eye out for end of line and discontinued models. These will sell for lower prices just because they are last year’s model and the manufacturer has stopped making it. They normally come with a warranty, the same as a current model.
   You can’t go wrong with a Stratocaster, they are one of the most popular guitar models and used by many pros, including Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend and Peter Frampton.
   Make your money go further with a guitar and accessories pack (£150), they are by far the best value. If you bought all of the items separately the cost would be £200 or more.