What guitar should I buy?

Hello, my name is Carmen. I do not know anything about guitars, just that I like the sound. Now, I want to start playing but first I want to know which kind of electric guitar should I buy if I want to play rock. I mean, which brand? Or model? I am living in Korea for one year, and would buy my guitar in Seoul. Suggest my a cheap one please. Thanks for your reply.

Hi Carmen! What kind of rock do you like to play? What are some of your favorite bands? Do you like classic rock like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, or more modern rock like the Foo Fighters or even metal?

Generally, Stratocaster type guitars are cheaper than Les Paul type guitars. The big brands are Fender and Gibson, but they are probably more expensive than what you're looking for.

Fender has another brand, Squier, which is a brand that is supposed to be affordable. Many of the Squier guitars are actually made in Korea. Some Squiers I've tried have been quite good, others not so good... so it's hard to say.

The cheap version of Gibson is the Epiphone brand. I believe many of those guitars are also manufactured in Korea. As with the Squiers, I've tried both very good and less good ones :).

There are many Korean brands too, like Cort, which is one of the major brands in the world. Cort makes a lot of good guitars, and they sell both expensive and cheap ones.

I think the best thing to do is to decide how much you are willing to pay, and then try a couple of guitars within that price range.

Generally, you get what you pay for. The more expensive guitars are almost always very good, because they have good quality control. Cheaper guitars can be very good too, but the same brand and model can vary a lot in quality, since they don't spend as much time and money on quality control.

Since you are just getting into it.. you can always go to your local pawn shop. Find something that catches your eye... and start learning on something you can afford. This way you won't break the bank in trying to do something that a lot of people will start and never finish.
You can find some decent guitars to start on there for under a hundred bucks... granted they won't be the best. But, you will find out if you will continue learning or not. It DOES take tons of practice to learn the guitar. It's worth it once you've got notes coming together and making the songs. So I hope you will find it fun learning instead of getting discouraged as too many people do.
And you've made an awesome choice coming here. These instructors and folks with many many years of experience are all helpful. But watch out for that nut Bobby Howe :)

Howard
Sorry Bobby.. just gotta give ya some crap for all the missed chats :D

thanks ben and soni. I really appreciate your reply. I would like to play classic rock, of course one day, because now, I am very beginner, but I know that being patient and consecuent I will achive my goal. I do not know if someday I will be able to play some of my favorite bands songs, like Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Jimmi Hendrix, or even Collective Soul, Marillion, Porcupine Tree, or Pain of Salvation. But if it is necessary, I will try with simpliest songs. But my goal are those songs. It does not matter how long it will take.

I would like to spend around US$600. Do you think I could find something good on that price? Well, as I am living in Korea, I would tell you, not me, hehehe. I will go this weekend and will tell you what I find.

After I have my guitar, I will suscribe to the "Full Access" option this site gives. I am hopeful that it will help me to reach my goal of at least being able to play the fist guitar of: november rain (Guns n Roses) or Don't hurt yourself (Marillion).

Thank you,

Carmen

Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple and Pain of Salvation are some of my favorites too!

I have only bought one new guitar in my life, the rest have been used ones actually. That way you can get much more for your $600. Don't worry about scratches and stuff, that's just part of rock! And if you want to sell it later, you can get most of your money back.

The first guitar I bought was a used black Fender Stratocaster (because Jimi Hendrix had one just like it :)), made in Japan. I still play it often and it's a really good guitar. I don't think it was more than $6-700, as it had been used for some years.

Generally, the best quality Fender Stratocasters are made in the US and Japan. The ones that are made in Mexico and Korea vary in quality...

I would say, find a used one that you like the looks of and feels good, and you'll get more quality for less cash.

Dear Ben: you know? I have been asking some people here in Korea where I can buy used electric guitars, and they have told me where, but there was a guy who told me that if I am very beginner, I sould not buy electric, but acustic guitar, to start learning. Is it true? Is it not good idea start learning with electric? I understand that at Guitar Tricks I buy Full Access for learning in an electric guitar, right?

Will these lessons teach me how to use the amplificator too? If I choose electric guitar?

You can learn from the beginning on any guitar. It doesn't matter if it's acoustic or electric. The Guitar Tricks Fundamentals course will work on any guitar. The basics are the same.

The strings are tuned the same, and all the chords and licks will be the same on acoustic and electric guitars. The only difference is that you can play louder with electric guitars, the strings are easier to bend, and you have more frets.

Just strumming chords will sound better on an acoustic guitar though.

There are three main types of guitars:
• Classical guitar - has nylon strings. A lot of people start with a nylon string guitar because the strings are much softer and your fingers don't hurt as much. The neck is bigger, however, so grabbing chords can be harder.

• Acoustic Steel String guitar - the typical "play around the campfire" guitar.

• Electric Guitar (also steel strings) - this is what Hendrix, Deep Purple etc. use in most of their music.

Steel strings can hurt a little in the beginning, but you will get used to it quickly. The necks of steel string guitars, and electric guitars, are quite thin, so it's easy to grab chords.

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You can test yourself with these questions:
• Do you just want to be able to play songs around the campfire, songs that just require basic strumming of chords?

If yes, start with an acoustic guitar. These songs and strummed chords will sound better.

• Do you want to learn cool rock riffs from Jimi Hendrix songs, or Deep Purple, Aerosmith etc.?

If yes, get an electric guitar and an amp. You will get bored quickly if your goal is to play rock music like this, if you only have an acoustic guitar.

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The amp part is easy, just turn it on, but we can answer any questions that pop up, no problem! :)

Definitely I want to learn rock riffs, so I will look for an electric guitar. Now your words cheer me up. And I have a year for learning here. I have time. I can spend at least 2 hours a day, because I also have to do homework, but not too much, and in my free time, I can take the lessons on line.

Thank you very much, you have helped me a lot.

Will inform you when I have my guitar so I can subscribe.

Two hours/day is great! Don't get discouraged if you get blisters in the beginning. This is normal, and with time the tips of your fingers will get hard and it won't hurt anymore.

Looking forward to hearing about your new guitar and your progress! Good luck!

...and eat some kimchi for me! I love that stuff! :)

/Ben

You should get a Gibson SG, I love mine :)

You should be able to get a REAL nice set up there cheap..

Hey Carmen..
Take a look at a Mako electric... I had one in the mid 80ties.. Korean made and they may have a real desent price.. You would probally only find it used as the company went belly up in 1989..
Strat type demo here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX9rsSrM2vk
Good luck and happy guitar hunting
Gordon

Hi Carmen. I highly recommend a Fender squire telecaster from the classic vibe series. I bought mine for $200 off craigslist here in Vancouver and I absolutely love it. Mine is a classic vibe custom meaning it has a sunburst color finish. I would get it second hand if you can as you can save $100 or more . These guitars are about $400 new so there not too expensive to start with. They have great reviews and I can see why. Google the reviews. Good luck to you.

Hi Carmen,
I have just bought a ltd h- 1001 which is the ESP brand that is made in korea and it plays and sounds every bit as good as my gibson les paul. you should be able to get one of those cheap in korea.one of the best guitars that I have ever played and I have 6 really good name brand gutars. I really love my ltd good luck Ray