A Complete Guide to Purchasing Your First Electric Guitar

I started out with an old Harmony arch top with f holes from the mid 50's that looks to be a copy of a Gibson L7 - used to belong to my granddaddy. He gave it to me when I was 15. It's playing days have long since past, but it hangs on the wall in my music/baseball room of my house. Lots of sentimental value with this one. Since that time, I've bought some…traded up…saved up…spent more…bought some and sold some. At this point, my acoustics are far worth $$ wise than my electric. I will also add that I got married rather late in life (at 43) and did most of my guitar buying during my single days. My electric wasn't really that expensive (compared to my acoustics), but I just love the look, feel and overall mojo coming from that piece of wood. It's a Hanson Cigno with / bigsby http://www.hansonguitars.com/cigno.htm

...for the recommendation on the pedalboard. I'll definitely look into that. I've been using a Boss ME-25 for the last three years, and I've finally actually figured out how to use it. It's a great little unit, but it has a fairly steep learning curve. But I'm now looking into going with individual pedals, so thanks again.

I have played high end Taylors and Martins. Most are worth the cost. I own 2 Ovations, a 414ce Taylor and a Fender. The Taylor is my primary go-to player. But they all have their place.

A couple years ago I was in search of an inexpensive travel guitar. I found a $200 Mitchell that blew me away! I know, you don't believe me. Neither did others, until they heard it. It is a full dreadnought and man does it project. No, it doesn't have the jangly of my Taylor, but the low end is awesome. It is solid wood all the way around. It has such a warm and deep bass, I love it. Before I bought it, I played one that was "out of the box". It was terrible.

So, here's the bottom line: play a bunch of guitars. Once in a while, even with "no-name" brands you may find a diamond in the rough. I did. There are some very respectable guitars out there for just a few hundred dollars.

I have played for 20 years, I read the article to better help me communicate with friends and students. I could not agree more with everything you said. While I have been "happy" with almost every guitar I have had over the years (prob about 20), it wasn't until 10 years ago that I started finding the ones that were "right" for me. Surprisingly they weren't the most expensive ones.
my main acoustic is a Taylor 310
my main electric is a gretsch electromatic
my backup electric is a G&L tribute

Out,
Rob

One day when I was on Youtube finding how to play GLORIOUS DAY and I fond Jason. In the video I really loved the way Jason play the song! I have tried to learn by myself alone, but I can't do it! I just want to praise God and play in my church! I live in Cambodia and my church is small, but I know I can make it better than now! So now I am in Bible school. I hope I can help my church by sharing the Gospel and music. I am praying!
I hope Worship Artistry can help me!
emm.... sorry my English is not good!

Hey Jason,
I'm a worship leader with my local church and college ministry. I've led teams for a couple years now and was playing acoustic but am also playing more and more electric now. I have a pretty decent amp and pedalboard setup but I wanted to upgrade the electric guitar I've been using without breaking the bank.

I've been playing an Epiphone Wildkat, which gets the job done but I think there are a lot better guitars out there for the price range. The tuning stability is also not the greatest. I'd like to sell it (along with an old practice amp I have) to get an electric guitar in the $400 range that will outperform the Epiphone. It seems to me like this actually shouldn't be too hard to accomplish.

I've heard fantastic things about the Squier 50's Classic Vibes Telecasters and was wondering if you think that would be a good guitar to buy in the $400 range? It seems like it'd be pretty tough to beat the quality of the CV Tele given the reviews I've seen online but I was curious if you knew of any other guitars that were big surprises in terms of their quality for the price. I don't really care what it says on the headstock provided it looks plays well and sounds good.

Thanks so much!

Can anybody give me information on the Valencia guitars? Are they good for a worship set? Thanks!

After struggling through years of wanting to learn to play and not knowing quite how to get there, I would tell new players this. Definitely start on electric unless you just love the acoustic or really want to just play 5 chords and sing.

In my opinion a Telecaster is the worlds easiest guitar to play, it has less controls than the Strat, and no volume knobs to get in the way. The Made in Mexico versions can be had for around 400 used. Not saying you should buy it used but those guitars hold their value, so the used price is the price, even for a new one, so negotiate and look for deals or find a demo at the local shop.

A Gretsch has a huge advantage in that if you grab a hollow body model, it plays like an acoustic so you don't have to plug it in to practice. They are also beautiful guitars that will call out to you and you will never want to get rid of it.

As far as that first amp goes, I say forego the practice amp and spend a few more dollars to get a tube amp, I bought a real nice Fender Hot Rod deluxe for 450.00 a while back. The difference in sound is unbelievable. It's hard enough being a Noob without having substandard equipment. Don't worry about whether you're going to stick with it, if you have the passion to go out and spend your money on this stuff that's mainly what you need. The rest will come but you have to have a basic level of equipment to keep you motivated.

Now here is the secret I've learned as a more intermediate electric guitar player, and steady member of a worship team. A Gretsch Tennessee Rose can be had for about 1400.00 used and will play about the same as 3000 White Falcon. An American standard Tele for around 800.00 plays as good as any Tele. The best amp is no amp. I sold my Hot Rod and Bought a Fractal AX8, it is an all in one effects processor with every amp and effect you can imagine that will play directly through the Church's PA system. The sound guys will love you, and the other musicians will be in awe of your tone. These can be had for roughly 1100.00 right now, and it's a serious piece of equipment that could be used at a U-2 show and probably is. The learning curve is a bit steep, but if you like tech it's very doable and the unit comes with a lot presets ready to play right out of the box.

Lastly it's not related to equipment, but use the instructional videos on the internet at sites like this one and learn how to play songs you love. You can learn to play scales later, they are mostly good for increasing your speed and dexterity, but you will practice a lot more if you're having fun. And practicing and spending time with your equipment and making it your passion is the most important part of getting better.