Well, one or two weeks I have made a topic about getting started in guitar, what to get, etc.. etc... The main argument was basically Beginner pack vs Building my own pack. I came accross the amazing deal of the epiphone high performance packs for only 200usd!!!! With the tube amp and either les paul or sg guitar.. Well, sadly they declined my credit card(for some unknown reasons) yesterday when I placed order, today its gone-sold out-no more!!!!. I missed out on an amazing no questionable deal. So heres my next post. I now have 430 USD to spend. I am looking at this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-IJX121Metal-Guitar-Jumpstart-Package?sku=518877
I've come to the releaztion that the only REAL reasons im buying this is more so the beginner friendly dvd's etc, I know nothing about repair, about cords, about everything really and this kind of attracts me. This is where ive come to you all a second time. When I look at it, they headphones are bad, the tuner, strap, and cords will be straight up replaced the second I open this package(info from reviews). So basically I am paying for the guitar, the amp, and the dvd/book, bag. Now, when I look at it I can get a FAR better amp and good guitar for 300 itself, Since I was planning on getting a better tunner, cord, and stand to begin with I would pretty much have those already from buying the other pack. I found some food picks as well I could get if I didnt get that pack. But im stuck when it comes to the beginner friendly aspect. This pack is supposdly really really awesome to beginners with the dvd and book teaching some things and excellent repair advice.
So heres where I come to you all, again, yes a second time for advice. Should I go with this pack OR build my own(with on exception and that is you all know of a 100% good dvd/book to get with these guitars to help me get started as this pack would). Heres the personal pack I was looking at with everything:
Guitar: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-EC100QM-Electric-Guitar?sku=516637
Amp: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line-6-Spider-III-15-Guitar-Combo-Amplifier?sku=482276
Tunner: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Korg-CA30-Chromatic-Tuner?sku=210527
Stand: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ProLine-Folding-Electric-Guitar-Stand?sku=454318
Strap: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Perris-Leather-Musicians-Friend-Logo-Strap?sku=364703
Picks: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dunlop-Nylon-Standard-Pick?sku=110020 (Not so much knowledge on the picks yet, all I know was I am planning on getting a few of each type to figure my favorite-But you all Might know better picks than these)
This total is basically 340, as the total of the other guitar with the extras I was getting from start would be about the same. I was also thinking of getting a guitar bag for when I bring it around to friends house's. So please help me! I am a totally beginner and was only intending on my beginner set to last 4-6months. NO TUBE AMPS BTW!!!(Kinda pricy for my begining budget and I know how you all are!). Thanks guys for reading, one step forward to becomming a guitar player!
Hey man! I just wanted to drop in a message; since I know what its like to not get replies. I am a new guitar player as well! I was looking at that very same pack that you linked. Although I decided against it just because I felt really inclined to picking up a Warlock. I also have the exact same Amp. I havent gotten to test its higher volumes to get a good read out on the Insane preset but overall I'm happy with the quality of the sound and distortion capabilities. ^^ Just my 2 cents.
I would be happy with the selections that you have made. Personally for my tastes, I might be tempted to go for a higher dollar guitar with a decent trem. system on it. but as you said, this is a "starter setup" for you & you can move on to something else after you gain some experience & decide what type of guitar you really would like to have as a "shredder"!
That ESP looks pretty nice, the reviews are good, & you can't argue with a 2 octave neck! 24 frets sounds good in my book.
That amp will be fun for you to experiment with; Mod amps are cool, & all those onboard effects are a nice touch & are neat to play around with. I have a Behringer Mod amp that I have a blast with using all the onboard effects.
As for the cables, I have those & I am satisfied with them. The strap will probably be good; I rarely use mine, as I sit most of the time when I play (I know, bad...)
Picks - Any ole' picks will work, especially until you gain some experience & decide what you prefer to use. I prefer stiff/heavy picks for pretty much all my playing styles, but other players like thin, very flimsy ones.
Well, that's my .02 on the subject. I hope I have been informative.
Good Luck with your purchase, keep us posted on your progress! We expect pics & sound clips! :lol:
Cheers, katmetal :)
So, you guys think I should go with the set I linked, or the kit I built, and any suggestions on videos/dvds/books ....etcc to get started. Like I said I really do know nothing lol.
/edit Ive also changed the guitar from the old to: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-EC100QM-Electric-Guitar?sku=516637
I am also looking at this book/dvd set, since it was the one that was the good part of the kit: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rock-House-Metal-Guitar-Beginner-DVD?sku=942692
Personally, if I were starting out fresh again I would go with the kit you built. Here is the reason. You can put a guitar in it that you personally like the looks of, (when you get it) you can go to your local shop and have then do a complete set up on it (Heck you might even see if you can get the same deal on the guitar locally and some places will set it up for free).
The amp you picked is probably good, I have seen others on here using it.
Now, the beginner videos you are kind of concerned about. Please be aware that alot of those so called videos (I would double that comment with the ones that come with the guitar package) are of absolutely NO value. I have recieved two of them so far, and they stunk. You have much better luck if you use guitar lessons such as the ones here at Guitar Noise or maybe on CyberFret, etc.. than throwing away money on DVDs and videos. There are only two exceptions I have run across. One is a book called "Blues you can use" but I think its something you will want when you are quite a bit more advanced. The other is from a guitar you probably dont know. His name is Paul Baloche and he has a series, some for beginners and others more advanced. Even some of his beginner stuff is kind of fluffy but its better than the free stuff I have found.
The best choice would be to get lessons, even if it were just a month or two to set you in the right direction. As I mentioned, the lessons here are a great start too. You'll also have some great fun just listening to CDs and getting as close as you can to playing along.
The first thing you'll worry about is learning to tune your guitar. Sounds horrid if it isnt no in tune. Second thing will be when you need to change strings. That is another good reason to stay friendly with your local shop. The first few times I had to change string, and got myself into trouble trying to do it myself, my local shop was great about showing me the way.
Wel, there is my novel... Good luck
EDITED: I really like the new one you picked better. And dont get me wrong.. there isnt anything wrong with trying out DVDs and books.. Knowledge is good... but many of them arent near as good as it sounds.
Jim
“The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn” - David Russell (Scottish classical Guitarist. b.1942)
I second geoo's thoughts on finding a local shop. If a good one exists, they can be invaluable for those bits of free help needed when you're a beginner and beyond. Even a GC or Sam Ash type mega-store would be good for the short term. I prefer mom & pop type places, bu do not have a local one. :cry:
Trust us on this one. If there is a local shop that appears to have good service, go with them. You'll be amazed at the value they provide for free.
RE: Amps. I think more beginners should use modeling amps. Once you get playing for a couple of years, you might want some more beef and non-digital tone.....but that's a whole other thread. :)
RE: Guitar. I like that ESP from the looks. I've got an older metal-style LTD. It's solid.
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
