[Benny]

Hi mate,

I'm a pretty experienced muso...

The first rule about music gear is simple - you get what you pay for.

I wouldn't bother trying out all the different cheapie guitars out there, you really are wasting your time. Honestly, all this "try each and every brand out to make sure you like it" thing is for actual musicians buying expensive gear, not beginners. I mean, how can you really test a guitar when you can't play much?

That's like going car shopping when you don't know how to drive!!

See how silly it sounds?

It will take you years to develop an ear sensitive enough to truly differentiate the tonal qualities of each instrument anyway.

For a beginner I always reccomend a strat shaped guitar.

It has a slimmer neck which is easier to play. Gibsons have a thicker neck and are less versatile - another reason why you should get a strat for your first guitar - you'll want to experiment over a range of styles as you learn.


And here's another tip - don't spend "a little extra" on your first guitar.

I'm being completely honest, just buy the cheapest thing you can find.

After a year or two you WILL want to buy a $2,000 guitar either way and your first guitar becomes redundant. There is basically no difference between a $200 guitar and a $300 guitar, for lack of a better term - they're both crap.

Think about it like you would a car.

What's the difference between a 1980 Honda and a 1981 Honda??

Is it worth paying an extra 30% to get the 1981 model? Essentially, they're both crap cars anyway, and you'll probably be getting a Holden 2009 in a couple of years (providing you can learn how to drive).