I'm teaching a colleague to play guitar, and for now am lending him one of mine. He's looking around Gumtree for guitars usually between R3-4k. I'm a bit out of my depth in this price range, and was hoping for some advice.

He's more of a metalhead (Slipknot, Devildriver, Bring me the Horizon) but also wants to play some Chuck Berry stuff. He's expressed an interest in a Strat (after reading that Eric Clapton said he stuck with Strats since they were by far the easiest to play, although I've been steering him towards something with humbuckers) but is finding a lot of Corts (he particularly likes the EVL) and some other random Ibanez, Jackson, etc models.

All the advice I have is that he should play my guitar for a while (B.C.Rich NJ Neck-thru Warlock), he can also borrow my Ibanez Premium RG721RW, and give my Jackson RRTMG a spin while getting lessons (don't want to lend my baby out!). This is to give him a feel for a range of different and fairly okay guitars, so when it comes time to buy he can make more of an informed decision. For me it's mostly to get a feel for the different neck contours and fret options, and to feel a good quality build from a bad one.

Is there anything else I can advise? I don't really know how long it will take to get a feel for quality, and he may be keen to buy something of his own soon.

Thanks.

Maybe something like the Yamaha Pacifica? I'm not sure what the exact model is but I have seen them new for around R3500. They constantly get praised for being very good beginner's guitars.

Yamaha - in my experience good value for money, and not too much money either?

Tucker wrote: Hi, You could try a second hand PRS SE - there are a few out there for R3500 second hand and the build quality of these guitars is really good. I don't think you will go wrong with one of these as a first electric.

PRS SE are pretty decent guitars. Source: I have one.
You can find a whole variety in the price range you have specified.

All of the guitars mentioned will be just fine. Make sure you get it set up nicely tho. Other than that, I'd focus on one with nice pickups. The Yamaha Pacifica would be my choice, I reckon, as high end a model as my money would buy me.

I think, so long as it's set up very nicely, he'll only figure out what he doesn't like about any of these guitars after a few years of owning them. Modestly priced guitars have become so good these days that it almost doesn't matter the brand, so long as it's reputable you'll get a guitar of reasonable quality.

Suggestions don't sound bad. If he's into metal, ESP Eclipse guitars should be in the mix. Good quality budget guitars - typically with metal styling.

Have you considered the abundance of second hand stores? there is a Epiphone Les Paul studio (black) at a cash converters around the corner from my work going for R1100.00 amongst others.

singemonkey wrote: Suggestions don't sound bad. If he's into metal, ESP Eclipse guitars should be in the mix. Good quality budget guitars - typically with metal styling.

ESP Eclipse = budget guitar? ???

Thanks everybody for the suggestions! 8)

I'm interested how the Corts would stack up against these other suggestions. Are they on a par with regards to build quality or feel?

6Pack wrote:ESP Eclipse = budget guitar? ???

I think he probably meant the Ltd range.

Yes. Sorry. Ltd.

I'm interested how the Corts would stack up against these other suggestions. Are they on a par with regards to build quality or feel?

Corts are great, generally a more complete offering than anything else in the same price range. I'd take the cheaper Cort Strat over a Squire Strat any day, but that's just my preference.

Svenddw wrote:

I'm interested how the Corts would stack up against these other suggestions. Are they on a par with regards to build quality or feel?

Corts are great, generally a more complete offering than anything else in the same price range. I'd take the cheaper Cort Strat over a Squire Strat any day, but that's just my preference.

I'd take almost any Strat over a Squier Strat.

I don't know which Squier's you are rubbishing but I recently got myself a Squier Affinity Strat, according to the serial number made in China in 2005.

I am no electric guitarist and my only experience has been on my Peavey T-60 ( 36 Year old solid USA built guitar that weighs a ton). The Peavey has two humbuckers and I have been battling to get Strat tones out of the thing until I acquired the Squier.

Being no expert and not having anything to measure the Squier against I don't have much of a problem with the guitar. The neck is a lot chunkier but quite playable.

Tonally - I am not too sure what to expect but it handles distortion quite well, although at a lesser volume than my Peavey.
I am playing it through a Cube 30 (please excuse my horrible Amp, but I am a bedroom "Electric" guitarist). Clean Sounds - choosing some of the Modelling Amps e.g. Fender Twin Reverb, the signal does breakup quite nicely when increasing the gain and using the neck pickup!

I am not standing up for Squiers at all because my experience is totally limited but my Squier seems to be of a reasonable Quality for a beginner!

Saying that I did try some Squier Bullet strats and they were not of the same standard

I don't know which Squier's you are rubbishing but I recently got myself a Squier Affinity Strat, according to the serial number made in China in 2005.

I am no electric guitarist and my only experience has been on my Peavey T-60 ( 36 Year old solid USA built guitar that weighs a ton). The Peavey has two humbuckers and I have been battling to get Strat tones out of the thing until I acquired the Squier.

Being no expert and not having anything to measure the Squier against I don't have much of a problem with the guitar. The neck is a lot chunkier but quite playable.

Tonally - I am not too sure what to expect but it handles distortion quite well, although at a lesser volume than my Peavey.
I am playing it through a Cube 30 (please excuse my horrible Amp, but I am a bedroom "Electric" guitarist). Clean Sounds - choosing some of the Modelling Amps e.g. Fender Twin Reverb, the signal does breakup quite nicely when increasing the gain and using the neck pickup!

I am not standing up for Squiers at all because my experience is totally limited but my Squier seems to be of a reasonable Quality for a beginner!

Saying that I did try some Squier Bullet strats and they were not of the same standard
- See more at: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/general-discussion/good-quality-beginner-guitar/?action=post;num_replies=13#sthash.kpLndb9A.dpuf

Yes, granted. There are a few (Strats) that are quite decent, my friend's Squire Strat included (limited edition black with mirror scratch guard- don't know what they called it). However, and I know this might not always be the case, the good ones I have seen, tend to be rather pricy for something branded Squier (my friend's once again case in point). I'd rather pay a little extra and get a Mexican made Fender. beginner or not, there is nothing wrong with starting with a bit of quality, and at least you wont need to replace it regardless of your later skillset. Then again I would never actually buy a strat, not while the Telecaster is an option. it can pretty much do anything a strat can and more, and at the same price.

if you think about it, someone new to guitars who doesn't really care or only cares about aesthetics and who hasn't put any thought into it will almost always land up buying a strat, whereas you see someone with a telecaster and its safe to say they take it more seriously and probably knows a bit about guitars. naturally I am in no way saying this is the case with everyone playing a strat, and for many people it is perfect for them. But, in the almost 15 years I've been playing, nearly all the people I have seen start playing and loose interest soon after or buy a guitar without any real consideration, bought a Squier Strat. So now when you see someone with one you don't really know, is it a bachelor pad decoration? or are we about to Jam and let some riffs fly!

That aside, as longs as you tested the waters when you make the decision for your first guitar and it feels right and comfortable for you, that guitar, regardless what it is, is far more valuable than a R70K signature model that is just sitting in someone's collection gathering dust.

Nuffin wrong wif a Squier Strat >
I have one and a Cube 80. Happy sounds man, so I'm with Squonk on this. Even Fender/Gibby can manufacture sh#tty guitars which slip through QC. :?

Best is to listen to the sustain on an unplugged electric. Lekker loud and melodious equals good guit. Not always the best selection criteria as strings, PUPS etc also play a role but good for general assessment

Svenddw wrote: ...not while the Telecaster is an option. it can pretty much do anything a strat can and more, and at the same price.

YeeeeeeeeaaaahhhhhhhhhhNO.... I'm gonna have to disagree with you there... In terms of versatility, the strat has the tele beat. Especially with a few extra mods. (Trust me, I have two of each)
Granted, both types are superb in the right hands...

As for the OP, for 3-4K you can get some excellent guitars second hand... Seriously, check out gumtree and those various facebook pages for selling instruments and you should be set ?

singemonkey wrote: Yes. Sorry. Ltd.

...I'm going to agree with da Singe (no wonder it's raining :?). Tried out a ESP Ltd (SG style) the other day and for the OP's requirements it was a winner. Heavy sounding pups, quality feel (comparable to a good PRS SE) and great condition for around R3500-ish. Around that money, the Ibanez MTM (Mick Thomson signature) is also worth a look, chugs like a S.O.B (It Djents) and the cleans are not horrendous either.

Squonk wrote: I don't know which Squier's you are rubbishing but I recently got myself a Squier Affinity Strat, according to the serial number made in China in 2005.

Saying that I did try some Squier Bullet strats and they were not of the same standard

The Affinity is a significant step up from the Bullet stuff - not that there are no playable Bullet strat's - they do exist. And if I had to choose between a entry level Cort (G110/G200/SP3) and a Bullet Squire - it'll depend on the individual guitar. The Corts have good build quality but truly crappy pups and the Squires can feel a bit cheaper but can have better tones (imho).

Though for the OP, I'd go Z series with a pup upgrade (Had a Z22 with toneriders).

Check out the JHS Vintage 100 Sunburst, a brilliant unit. I'm a total beginner but it's just so easy to play. A friend of mine (professional player) reckons it's "fantastic value and brilliant to play". I bought mine new early this year for R4500 with a Vox 5 Rhythm amp - also brilliant. Check out the reviews - there's one by Jamie Humphries (Brian May's guitar techie for about 30 years) and he reckons it should sell for over GBP1000 in UK and not under GBP400 that it is currently selling for. Twin humbuckers with other top quality gear also................

I saw somebody make a post about an Epiphone Les Paul. Those are pretty good for beginners. I also know somebody who has an entry level Washburn Nuno Bettencourt model that's pretty good for beginners. I'm not sure what's available in your area but those are pretty good. You also might want to try used gear. A lot of times you can find quality stuff at an affordable price. ?