I can assume these questions get asked every week or so. I've done a few searches, but nothing really popped out at me since it appears guitar buying is largely individualistic. All the same, I need some help and advice.
First off, I have never even held a guitar in my life and I haven't a clue how to play. I've always wanted to learn to play and recently decided that since I'm not getting any younger I might as well start now. As such, I am more or less unable to 'try before you buy'. I do not know anyone that plays, so taking an experienced person that I know will not be an option. I will be buying locally, probably from Long and McQuade or perhaps from Second Encore or St. John's Music (Winnipeg). Buying used is ok, but I'm apprehensive about getting hosed on a bad deal buying someone else's junk guitar. That's why I'd prefer to buy from a store, for assistance in set-up and support. I'm not looking to be a rock star, just something to have some fun with at home.
I've been using Youtube a lot for research purposes, mainly for what different guitars sound like. Although it's hard to tell given variations in quality and amps/effects, I think I prefer the sound of Fender Strat variants over something like a Les Paul. I don't want to play any sort of really heavy metal, some basic Metallica riffs are about as hard as I'm wanting to go and even then that's not a top goal. I like songs like Layla (love it!) and All Along the Watchtower, both Strat pieces, but I also like songs like Smoke on the Water, Sweet Child O' Mine, and stuff like by AC/DC and CCR. Being able to play some more recent stuff by Green Day, Nirvana, or Sum 41 would be nice too.
I've got a basic idea about sound differentiation between your average Strat and your average Les Paul, but that's about it. Fender's sales policies mean I don't even know what any of the Strats/Squiers sell for in the real world, which would be nice to know. Squier's are attractive because they're inexpensive. I've read good things about Godin guitars, I like the idea of buying Canadian, but again I can't find any price lists. Add to that, I don't know what kind of sound they have. Same goes for Ibanez and Yamaha guitars. I may not even like/be any good at playing guitar, though I'm pretty determined to be able to play the basic riffs of songs I like. So I guess I'm looking at spending between $500 and $1000 for everything (again, I'm hesitant to spend big since I don't even know how into this I'm going to be), but at the same time I don't want total junk. Name brands don't really mean anything to me since I'm not trying to impress anyone with my name brand Les Paul or Strat. Something that sounds more like a Strat would be better though. I'm also going to need advice on amps and other accessories. Nothing too big and loud, but being able to adjust the sound/tone (levels of ?distortion?) would be nice to have.
:confused-smiley-010
First off, I have never even held a guitar in my life and I haven't a clue how to play. I've always wanted to learn to play and recently decided that since I'm not getting any younger I might as well start now. As such, I am more or less unable to 'try before you buy'. I do not know anyone that plays, so taking an experienced person that I know will not be an option. I will be buying locally, probably from Long and McQuade or perhaps from Second Encore or St. John's Music (Winnipeg). Buying used is ok, but I'm apprehensive about getting hosed on a bad deal buying someone else's junk guitar. That's why I'd prefer to buy from a store, for assistance in set-up and support. I'm not looking to be a rock star, just something to have some fun with at home.
I've been using Youtube a lot for research purposes, mainly for what different guitars sound like. Although it's hard to tell given variations in quality and amps/effects, I think I prefer the sound of Fender Strat variants over something like a Les Paul. I don't want to play any sort of really heavy metal, some basic Metallica riffs are about as hard as I'm wanting to go and even then that's not a top goal. I like songs like Layla (love it!) and All Along the Watchtower, both Strat pieces, but I also like songs like Smoke on the Water, Sweet Child O' Mine, and stuff like by AC/DC and CCR. Being able to play some more recent stuff by Green Day, Nirvana, or Sum 41 would be nice too.
I've got a basic idea about sound differentiation between your average Strat and your average Les Paul, but that's about it. Fender's sales policies mean I don't even know what any of the Strats/Squiers sell for in the real world, which would be nice to know. Squier's are attractive because they're inexpensive. I've read good things about Godin guitars, I like the idea of buying Canadian, but again I can't find any price lists. Add to that, I don't know what kind of sound they have. Same goes for Ibanez and Yamaha guitars. I may not even like/be any good at playing guitar, though I'm pretty determined to be able to play the basic riffs of songs I like. So I guess I'm looking at spending between $500 and $1000 for everything (again, I'm hesitant to spend big since I don't even know how into this I'm going to be), but at the same time I don't want total junk. Name brands don't really mean anything to me since I'm not trying to impress anyone with my name brand Les Paul or Strat. Something that sounds more like a Strat would be better though. I'm also going to need advice on amps and other accessories. Nothing too big and loud, but being able to adjust the sound/tone (levels of ?distortion?) would be nice to have.
:confused-smiley-010