software

I was quite happy when he told me about that earlier on the phone. Maybe someday we'll jam together.

He already tried a few years ago when I started. But the old classical acoustic guitar our cousin lend him at the time had an awfully huge neck relief and of course didn't really sound rock amp; roll and discouraged him, so he did'nt persevere.

This time he found a friend to play with, which is a good thing for the motivation, who is beginning as well and bought a squier standard strat and a MG30dfx last week.

So my brother came to me for some advice about what he could get for a start up rig. He would like to spend no more than 300€ (360$) for the guitar and less than 200€ (240$) for the amp.

He will start by playing alternative rock and pop rock but doesn't know yet what kind of music he will really enjoy playing, so I assumed something pretty versatile would be good for him.

I suggested a Squier Standard fat strat has I have seen several times on the forum that a HSS strat is one of the more versatile instrument. And I thought of the Marshall MG30dfx (as his friend has) or a Fender Frontman 25R and suggested to check out the crates and peavey in the same range of price, telling him a 2 channels amp would be a prefered option.

I also told him to ask a guy from the shop to make a little demo for him, just so he can hear if the sound of the rig he will choose, appeal to him or not.

Do you think what I suggested will be good for his beginning? Can you think of something else that would do the trick?

He will be checking around the different music shops in Clermont (town lost in the middle of France, so I guess the choice will be limited) this week. So if any of you has a better idea I could still pass it on to him.

Cheers.

Not sure about the amp, but like you said a two-channel amp would be good. A tube amp is probably out of his price range.

For a guitar I'd recommend a MIJ Fender Strat or Tele. Those are very easy to upgrade over time.
- Keith

Stay far, far away from Squiers and Marshall MGs.

Try a Vox AD30VT or Roland Cube 30 for the amp, and a Schecter Omen 6, Schecter 006 Deluxe, Ibanez RG321, or something from Agile (for the guitar.


Originally Posted by mnbaseball91Stay far, far away from Squiers and Marshall MGs.I can't agree with that... I've got an affinity Strat for about 150€ and it's a really good guitar for the price... maybe one of the best in that range. Now... when I had a bit more money, I upgraded it to Texas Hots and a '59 and that thing really rocks... alltogether for a bit more than the price of a Mex Strat... BUT with: A REALLY nice playing neck, pearloid inlays, and especially a not so crappy looking rosewood (the stuff they put on theMIMs is really... ugly) the body is usually 2-3 pieces and no more... which can happen with a MIM...

The Marshall MG should also be enough for a guitar noob that just wants something to start with... it's definately not as bad as ´most of you think... at least in the beginning...
But ifhe buys a Squier he should probably buy an affinity too because they are the only Alder ones...


Originally Posted by KommerzbassistI can't agree with that... I've got an affinity Strat for about 150€ and it's a really good guitar for the price... maybe one of the best in that range. Now... when I had a bit more money, I upgraded it to Texas Hots and a '59 and that thing really rocks... alltogether for a bit more than the price of a Mex Strat... BUT with: A REALLY nice playing neck, pearloid inlays, and especially a not so crappy looking rosewood (the stuff they put on theMIMs is really... ugly) the body is usually 2-3 pieces and no more... which can happen with a MIM...
The Marshall MG should also be enough for a guitar noob that just wants something to start with... it's definately not as bad as ´most of you think... at least in the beginning...
But ifhe buys a Squier he should probably buy an affinity too because they are the only Alder ones...

I've got a MIM Strat and aside from the small frets I think the neck feels great. I just want to refret it with jumbo or medium jumbo wire.
- Keith


Originally Posted by KommerzbassistI can't agree with that... I've got an affinity Strat for about 150€ and it's a really good guitar for the price... maybe one of the best in that range. Now... when I had a bit more money, I upgraded it to Texas Hots and a '59 and that thing really rocks... alltogether for a bit more than the price of a Mex Strat... BUT with: A REALLY nice playing neck, pearloid inlays, and especially a not so crappy looking rosewood (the stuff they put on theMIMs is really... ugly) the body is usually 2-3 pieces and no more... which can happen with a MIM...

The Marshall MG should also be enough for a guitar noob that just wants something to start with... it's definately not as bad as ´most of you think... at least in the beginning...
But ifhe buys a Squier he should probably buy an affinity too because they are the only Alder ones...

Thank you for chiming in KB.

I checked the specs and prce of the standards and the affinities, and the standard is more expensive than the affinity despite the agathis body, is it because of the pups they put in the standard? slightly less rubbish than in the affinity!

Could there be another reason for the price difference beside the pups?

Hey guys,

I have been fishing around the web and caught in my kit bag two new propositions:

- Yamaha Pacifica 112
- Aria STG 004

Their both low prices, how would you compare them to the squier models I mentionned earlier?

My Jackson JS1 was awesome imo, it was cheap (200 or less) and felt, sounded and played way better than the comparable ibanez and squier models although the new Squier '51 is quite nice although the pickups suck.

As for an amp, I think the Marshall quot;ministackquot; sounds quite cool but kind of impractical and pricey for what it is although they're usually cheap used (like 100 less).

For $360 you can get a fender standard Fat strat!

And if he wants a versitile amp, get what I got, Vox AD30VT.

not much over what he wants to pay, but he'll be alot better off.