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Evening- I know there are a few guitar heroes on here. I’m an occasional player of an acoustic, self/justinguitar taught, and only play for my own pleasure. I fancy an electric guitar, but know nothing.
Popped in to a shop today and had a fiddle with a PRS something @ >£500, and an Ibanez semi hollow for cheaper. I think I liked the PRS, but would be keen to here recommendations for a beginner/intermediate at around £300, plus practice amp options. The amp in the shop was a Boss Katana, and had a range of effects built in, which seemed useful. Don’t want big volume, I have no plans to perform!
Basically any tips/advice/recommendations welcome..........thanks.
The PRS is unreal for the money, I gig it regularly at a pro level. Boss Katana is great too!
There's an Ibanez Artcore that keeps popping up in the (old) classifieds. I'm also an occasional acoustic strummist and keep looking at it.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/ibanez-artcore-as83-guitar-with-hardcase-350/
I picked up a PRS 22 SE as my first electric guitar.
Also got a Blackstar ID Core 10 amp to go with it. Cost about £350 for the guitar and amp and is more than enough for using in the house.
I have a Tele and Strat, and a Katana 50.
The Tele is ace, it’s the player series and a Roadhouse Strat which is also ... ace.
The Katana is also ace, the presets are very wide and varied. I only have two presets and they are clean with a bit of reverb. The amp has programme sets, 5 off them from Acoustic to “Brown” ( and EVH tone ) and all things in between. It also has .05watt, 25 and 50 outputs and I use the 25 at low volume, no louder than what you’d listen to music at home at and the sound from the amp is really clear and full.. at such low volume. Haven’t cranked it up, so don’t know what the top end is like. It’s been voted and rated at the highest level.. it’s really that good.
Thing is, only you know what sound you want, and there are plenty of amps that will replicate what you want.
Anything by Squire above the base Afinity range is worth buying or you can get a genuine made in Mexico Fender Strat for well under £500 if you shop around. Boss Katana 50 is a great amp for the money or even the little one, is it a mini I think it’s called. They are supposed to be really good for around £100.
You hit the nail squarely on the head with your first instincts.
The PRS SE is a very lot of guitar for the money. They really should be twice the price. The Boss Katana is a perfect amp for playing for pleasure. Loads of great sounds and effects.
You really won’t go wrong with those choices.
I had a PRS SE Tremonti (big Alter Bridge/Tremonti fan) as my first proper electric guitar and it was ace! Sold all mine now though to raise the money when I first got into MTB.
Going to buy another one next year I reckon and start again.
Another one with a PRS SE and a Blackstar amp. It's a great combination I love the tone, action and finish of the PRS. It's a great guitar. The amp is awesome too for the size. I couldn't be happier. The PRS was noticeably better than the Squiers I demoed at the same time
Yamaha Pacifica 112 is my usual shout for a first electric. I’m totally out of date on current amps.
second hand Yamaha pacifica would be my first choice also - or if budget allows a PRS is a good call. buy the guitar, give it a week without it plugged in and then take it to the shop with you to try out amps because you'll want to know how your guitar sounds not someone elses
Telecaster. It's a proper guitar. It forces you to put something into it to get the character. You can't play everything on it, but the things you can are real. Get the best one you can for your money, or fall in love with a second hand Japanese one for £150 and never look back.
Another vote for the PRS, I loved my SE soapbar. Also Blackstar amps, my ht1r was awesome, in my view a good basic valve amp is much better than a solid state one with effects built in.
Yam Pacifica was my recommendation too.
my son has a few of the Asian made PRS guitars .. they are very nice too; not sure if they are out of budget though.
Kenny's Music has some good deals on the Yamaha Revstar range. That 420 model loos good value at 300 nicker.
https://www.kennysmusic.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=revstar
For the record: don't bother with the Katana mini as it sounds terrible. It might be ok with headphones but I didn't get to test that when I tried one.
Good spot on that Revstar deal at Kenny’s- has anyone played one?
there isn't a correct answer to this. You need to choose the one that sounds and plays right to you. Guitar necks came in different sizes and shapes on the fret board and the back, even the frets are different sizes. Choose the one that feels right. Your taste in music will also inform. Some guitars are made with pickups suited to particular styles (e.g. high output for metal). Also, some people are inspired by their heroes and a similar guitar would likely be easier to get to sound similar. Overall, the best guitar is the one that you play rather than leave to gather dust.
Also why no plans to perform? Playing in a group is natural environment for an electric guitar - try it...
Look at the "Greg Bennett" range of guitars at Gear 4 Music. I have the UM-3, basically a PRS copy and it was set up well, plays great, very cheap and looks beautiful.
I bought a Squire Deluxe a month or so ago but I'm currently on my way to the guitar store after my lesson was cancelled today. Someone please talk me out of buying a PRS SE...
Good spot on that Revstar deal at Kenny’s- has anyone played one?
A mate just bought one and it played really nicely. If I had 500 to spend on a guitar right bow that 820 at that price would be top of my list