Beginner electric guitar?
Hello, I am a 10th grade high school guy. I recently became interested in guitar playing. I used to love the game guitar hero very much, but it seems I want to take it one step further. I have beaten every song on guitar hero III except "the devil went to georgia" on expert (yes that includes through the fire and flames), and I have a real interest in guitar. What is a good beginners electric guitar that costs less than $250. I do not plan on buying another guitar, this will be my only one. I mostly plan on playing in my room, occasionally with my friends, and maybe at my church youth group some (I will never be doing actual rock concerts and that stuff). I like alternative music, some metal, and christian rock. Here are some guitars I have been suggested:
-Ibanez IJX121 Shred Hed Jumpstart Electric Guitar Package
http://www.zzounds.com/item--IBAIJX121
-Squier Fat Stratocaster
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-by-Fender-Black-and-Chrome-Fat-Strat-Electric-Guitar-103212932-i1147427.gc?CJAID=10449560&CJPID=1759905
-Epiphone G-310 SG
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-G-310-SG-Electric-Guitar-518280-i1149969.gc?CJAID=10449560&CJPID=1759905
-Yamaha PAC012DLX Pacifica Series HSS Deluxe
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-PAC012DLX-Pacifica-Series-HSS-Deluxe-Electric-Guitar-103153664-i1166881.gc?CJAID=10449560&CJPID=1759905
-Squier Affinity Series Telecaster
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-by-Fender-Affinity-Series-Telecaster-Special-Electric-Guitar-102320439-i1148535.gc?CJAID=10449560&CJPID=1759905
-Epiphone Les Paul Special II
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Special-II-Electric-Guitar-100001870-i1149986.gc?CJAID=10449560&CJPID=1759905
-Squier by Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Tortoise Shell Pickguard Antique Burst
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Standard-Stratocaster-with-Tortoise-Shell-Pickguard?sku=512732&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=2405143
-Stop Dreaming, Start Playing™ Set: Affinity Strat® HSS with Bullet® 150 DSP Amp
http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0301610095
-Stop Dreaming, Start Playing™ Set: Affinity Strat® HSS with G-DEC® Junior Amp
http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0301620025
-Stop Dreaming, Start Playing™ Set: Affinity Strat® Special with Fender Frontman Amp® 1
http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0301605006
I would prefer to get a pack with the amp and everything, but I heard rumors that they are not too great. Please post if you have personal experience about any of these guitars/starter packs or you are a shop owner and could give me some good advice. Remember, I can't go over $250 and I am only getting this one guitar.
Also: One more question after that. I have heard that guitars under $200 bucks and in starter packs usually do not last longer than a year. What do they mean by "not last"? As in does it not play any more? Does it fall apart or does it drop in quality? What is the life of a regular guitar? "Lasting-longness" is a high priority in my decision so keep that in mind. Thanks.
Another note: I am a beginner. I would go to a local music shop but I do not know how to play at all, thus being unable to try out guitars.
les paul special 2
i've had it for a year and nothings wrong with it and it plays extremely well
Guitar:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Special-II-Electric-Guitar-100001870-i1149986.gc
and a 10W Fender Frontman
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Frontman-10G-10W-Guitar-Combo-Amp-104810551-i1370098.gc
Cable:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Live-Wire-Advantage-Series-1-4--Straight-Instrument-Cable-100029990-i1128384.gc
all of this totals to $230 and up
this setup would work but idk about tax where you live
good luck in playing
EDIT: sorry 240 my bad
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Comments
the game guitar hero and a real guiter are VERRRRRRRY differnt so before you buy a REAL guitar make sure you wanna acually play it or if you just wanna play it cause your good at a game
References :
les paul special 2
i've had it for a year and nothings wrong with it and it plays extremely well
Guitar:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Special-II-Electric-Guitar-100001870-i1149986.gc
and a 10W Fender Frontman
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Frontman-10G-10W-Guitar-Combo-Amp-104810551-i1370098.gc
Cable:
all of this totals to $230 and up
this setup would work but idk about tax where you live
good luck in playing
EDIT: sorry 240 my bad
References :
Just to narrow it down for you a little bit, avoid the Squire Affinity line. It’s the cheap version of Fender’s cheap guitar line (Squire).
References :
OK, let’s take a big step back.
If you just want to goof around in your own house, then a starter pack might be OK. If you EVER want to play out, then you will want a better amp.
Furthermore, a better guitar than the ones they put in those starter packs will make playing more pleasurable and will give you more options for sound.
Do you have any friends who are knowledgeable about guitar? Or relatives? OK, take one of them to a store–and try to find a speciality store that does second-hand instruments (hm, Sam Ash has those, don’t know about Guitar Center).
Have your friend advise you, but also try out guitars yourself. Don’t worry about actually playing, but see about “feel”–does your left hand like holding that neck, left fingers reaching all strings comfortably? Does the right arm nestle happily over the body, right hand touching near where you want to hit the strings? That’s a good candidate. I could tell you what brands I like, but there are so many different makes and models precisely because no one guitar suits everyone.
Once you know what guitar models fit you, you can start shopping. If you buy used (from a respectable dealer who will give you some guarantee) then you can get more guitar for your dollar than if you buy new. Then you don’t have so many worries about the cheap-o tuning machines on your Squire starting to slip in four years, or whatever.
Now you’ll need an amp. To start, a tiny practice amp of 15 to 25 watts will do; later, for playing out, you’ll probably want something around 100 watts or more. Again, shop at a local store to get ideas (they’ll let you plug your guitar in to see how it sounds with specific amps) and then, when you have an idea what you want, shop around.
You’re also going to need a strap, and if the guitar doesn’t come with case or bag plus a 1/4 inch cable then you need those, and then a small electronic tuner is nice. And you’ll want to replace the strings every few months to keep that bright sound. Again, shop around.
Places to shop online:
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/ thrift-store; crazy bargains, but you must REALLY know what you’re doing b/c a lot of the stuff is badly damaged. A great source for cases and bags.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ recommended for strings, accessories, etc. Also a GREAT place to seek closeout/scratch-and-dent/overstock bargains on the guitar and amp itself. Their customer service is primo.
http://www.ebay.com/ needs no explanation–if you buy thru them, make sure there’s a warranty.
Sam Ash and Guitar Center also have websites; you also might look for musicyo (tho’ they’re less important now that they’ve lost a couple of brands), music zoo, and if you like their stuff, Carvin.
Last tip: get a few lessons to start. New guitarists always need coaching to get their arm and finger position just right–and if you don’t get it just right at the outset, you risk forming horrible habits that can muss up your playing and cause repetitive motion injuries.
References :
Ibanez or the les paul special 2.
dont get any of that squier crap, the tuners fall apart.
References :


you are a beginner. tus meaning that you don't really need a high quality guitar, you can get a package with guitar and amp for 150, yeah the quality isn't that great but you are a beginner, playing guitar is alot different from playing guitar hero, and having one of those practice setups will let you choose whether or not you really want to stick with it, and then later get a better guitar. you need to get an amp either way if your playing electric
what they mean is that the quality usually starts to go down in a year but that doesn't mean that it is unplayable.
References :
also not all great guitars are super expensive, I got my second for either 200 or 300 and it is one of the best guitars I have played to this day, but I did get it from the maker