Squier or Epiphone for a first electric guitar?Both are solid first electrics — buy second-hand and get a setup done. Expert take Alan's advice: Alan Ratcliffe, our Guitar Doctor, says if you're going Epiphone, skip the stripped-down Studios (no maple cap) and rather look at the Standard or Plustop Pro — or stretch to a Tokai/PRS SE. Also factor in a pro setup with any new guitar 8. Second-hand wins: ez, our Amp Whisperer, argues used beats new: most factory niggles are already sorted, and a setup fixes the rest. Just check for headstock cracks (Les Pauls snap easily), worn frets and crackly knobs 8. Which brand? Squier tier matters: Members rate the Standard Squiers as great value; Bullets are variable (sloppy tuners, wobbly pots) — the Affinity series is more consistent if you want a Strat 6. Epiphone works too: Korean-made Epi Les Pauls come up second-hand in budget range, and members have put together whole Epiphone-based starter rigs for around R4350-R4800 in 2019 (about R6,300-R7,000 in today's money) 7. Practical tips Play before paying: Try a few in person; a good-feeling neck matters more than the logo on the headstock 3. Don't forget the amp: Budget for one — a Roland Cube or similar pairs well with any of these guitars 3. The threads don't directly compare Squier vs Epiphone head-to-head, so post your budget and style and members will chime in with current picks. From these forum threadsDazed and confused - my first electric (2013): How a forum beginner chose his first electricHigh-Flying Mike Rutherford Loves Rock-Bottom Squier Bullet Stratocasters (2021): Members debate Squier Bullet vs Affinity qualitySpending 500 GBP at Anderton's? (2019): Members build full starter rigs on a budgetEpiphone Les Paul Studio vs Epiphone Les Paul Ultra iii (2014): Alan Ratcliffe and ez on buying Epis second-hand
