Guitar buying advice - what should I get?

I think a made a big mistake when I sold my guitar and amp a couple years back. I should have kept it. I took a big bath because of the recession, and now that I want to take it up again the guitar dealer I dealt with is out of business.

I'd like everyone's opinion on a good beginner-ish guitar. I went one that won't break the bank, is good for heavy metal, and is good quality. I'm not going to box myself in price-wise, but about $300 +/- for the guitar itself seems like my limit.

I'm scared to death about pawn shops and ordering on-line as well, but would be interested in hearing people's experiences with either. Thanks!

$300 should get you a decent Ibanez or Dean new, the same money could get you a lot more guitar at a pawn shop.......you just have to have somone who knows guitars check it out before you pull the trigger on it.

As far as ordering online: I got my Ritchie Blackmore Strat for about 650 on ebay with free shipping. Brand new and about half the price you'd pay normally! So yeah, I would gladly recommend buying online

I personally recommend the pawn shops, guitarcenter.com, and ebay. Check out Ibanez and Peavey. Peavey is American made products and built to last. They will stand up to the abuse and are cheaper than say a Jackson or a Schecter by quite a bit. They are better quality IMO.

Nothing wrong with going for Epiphone or one of the cheaper Paul Reed Smith models either.

Don't worry about ordering online, you'll get a better deal and as long as you order from a reputable retailer (Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, etc) it will be professionally packaged and insured against any damage from shipping.

I personally have a Jackson, but I think you would do well with a entry level Ibanez guitar. Almost every guitar shop has them on special and they sound great for the money.

I would have to echo Shawns advice and say musicians friend is a reputable online choice.

You will probably end up with one of the Ibanez RGs, but they do have some very good ones for that budget.

I picked up my Fender acoustic at a pawn shop about 10 years ago and the deal I got was great and I would not hesitate to do it again, especially from one of the "chain" pawn shop/stores. Here in the greater Seattle area we have Cash America and they have a 30 day no questions asked return policy, so you could play and return a good many guitar and amps in that time and at least in those stores the pricing is about half of current retail, USUALLY.

As for what to get, go and play some and see what "feels" best for you. I know I like my BC Rich and I LOVE my Hamer.

And there are so many really nice practice size amps out there that have good distortion and clean chanels that you can get a small amp, like my Fender with an 8" speaker, for about $100 brand new! ANd it is PLENTY loud enough.

Happy hunting and keep us posted on your findings...

Shame you dont live closer I have an Ibanez guitar and small amp to get rid of. $120

Phoenix Reign Drummer wrote:

Shame you dont live closer I have an Ibanez guitar and small amp to get rid of. $120

The postman doesn't ship???? LOL!!!

thejokeriv wrote:

Phoenix Reign Drummer wrote:

Shame you dont live closer I have an Ibanez guitar and small amp to get rid of. $120

The postman doesn't ship???? LOL!!!

One of those weirdos from the TV show "Shipping Wars" would be glad to do it for him...

For reasons I can't explain, despite not knowing how to play a guitar, I would like to start a guitar collection if I had the money. But I don't so I won't .

fine, then don't!

Orion Crystal Ice wrote:

fine, then don't!

I'm pretty sure that's what I said .

I just went through this process with my son. I got lots of genuinely helpful advice from the guys here.

At first I thought Ibanez all the the way. But then, I found Schecter. I read their history and that kind of sold me, as well as all the positive reviews on GuitarCenter.com. Now, we got a smokin' deal on a used lefty on ebay and the outcome was great. But had they had a lefty we wanted, I would have gone through Guitar Center. We drove to the one in Indy to get the VOX40 amp. It's just hard to find lefty's period.

I personally am comfortable and think you can get a great deal buying used. The pawn shops in my area are LOADED with electrics AND amps..which means you can try any of them before buying.

That said, we obviously bought ours sight unseen. There's just too many incredible guitars that were in upwards of $1000 new, out there for $300-$500 bucks.

thejokeriv wrote:

Phoenix Reign Drummer wrote:

Shame you dont live closer I have an Ibanez guitar and small amp to get rid of. $120

The postman doesn't ship???? LOL!!!

hahaha of course I can ship it but about time I do that he could have bought a brand new one for a few more bucks ( i would think) but if he wants I'll be more than happy to send it.

BTW Heres my auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120978069061#ht_500wt_1203

I like this one here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCHECTER-C-1-C1-PLUS-DIAMOND-SERIES-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-AEJ-/120965449226?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c2a1a460a

This one here is a great deal as it comes with a hardcase.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schecter-S1-Elite-Electric-Guitar-/330785403206?pt=Guitar&hash=item4d0458b146#ht_500wt_924

For Schecter, I look for anything labeled "Elite," or "Diamond Series" or "Special." These all have better pickups, either Duncan or EMG. I'm working on getting one for myself so me Luke can jam!!!

This auction here....if it stays low would be a steal-of-a-deal.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NR-Very-Nice-Schecter-Diamond-Series-Omen-6-a-nice-soft-case-/180959035198?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a21ffbf3e#ht_3904wt_1022

I bought an american charvel used for $200. I bought a peavey tracer for $75 off ebay and it turned out awesome.

Quote :

u will probably end up with one of the Ibanez RGs

Explain this somewhat cryptic comment.

bassman wrote:

$300 should get you a decent Ibanez or Dean new, the same money could get you a lot more guitar at a pawn shop.......you just have to have somone who knows guitars check it out before you pull the trigger on it.

This right here is truth! You can get SOOO much guitar used out there. That's the one thing in a pawnshop that's usually priced super cheap. Go in with cash in hand though. My buddy walked into one a couple months ago, asked to see and play a guitar for $100. He left and came back the next day with money and they doubled the price! Common practice. Play then pay!

martinsane wrote:

Happy hunting and keep us posted on your findings...

Still researching. I did the pawn shop tour of Abilene, TX. Gonna let that ruminate for a while. I'm researching prices, styles, ect... so I sound like I know what I'm talking about when it's time to buy. Thanks everyone!!!

scottmitchell74 wrote:

martinsane wrote:

Happy hunting and keep us posted on your findings...

so I sound like I know what I'm talking about

Remind me to do this BEFORE I go asking my wife next time will ya??!!