build quality

geemobee

Hi Chaps

Just got back from a music shop looking at some electric guitars...

Being a newb at this... how can a person tell between the different build qualities?

Cool
G

Tokai-SA

Find the "right" salesman in the store and ask him to show and explain to you...being a newb you won't know what to look for.
And of course choose the right store, don't choose a store that's only interested in selling the guitars they import and distribute themselves.

Rudolf

I think it's a Jedi mind trick type thing huh? You gotta hold it, and if it speaks to you..you'll know. From what I've read the Ibanez guitars don't say jack.

AlanRatcliffe

Narrow it down to a few models in your price range that you like the look of. Then spend some time doing research online of those specific models (and not just Harmony Central user reviews).

[deleted]

Another option: I'm sure there would be a helpful forum member or two who could offer to accompany you, to give advice.

Tokai-SA

Rudolf wrote: I think it's a Jedi mind trick type thing huh? You gotta hold it, and if it speaks to you..you'll know. From what I've read the Ibanez guitars don't say jack.

I think Alan's correct, first thing to do is narrow down all the options and within the pricerange, and then go from there.
But I must tell you I've held a Japanese made Ibanez JS1200 Candy Apple Red in my hands and it sang to me, "buy me buy me buy me, now, immediately"...but that was a few years ago and I didn't have the money. ?

I think a newb has to take advice from experienced guitarists who have previously made mistakes themselves, because a guitar that speaks to him today, might not speak to him in a month or two's time, and then the process of buying and selling and GAS results in a lot of wasted money.

Tokai-SA

Stratisfear wrote: Another option: I'm sure there would be a helpful forum member or two who could offer to accompany you, to give advice.

This is excellent advice.

singemonkey

Tokai SA wrote:
Stratisfear wrote: Another option: I'm sure there would be a helpful forum member or two who could offer to accompany you, to give advice.
This is excellent advice.

geemobee

singemonkey wrote:
Tokai SA wrote:
Stratisfear wrote: Another option: I'm sure there would be a helpful forum member or two who could offer to accompany you, to give advice.
This is excellent advice.
+1

Thats brilliant advise, will definatey use it

Its just that I thought ... Price=Build Quality and Value ... but it seems this is not quite the case. :-\

[deleted]

geemobee wrote:
singemonkey wrote:
Tokai SA wrote:
Stratisfear wrote: Another option: I'm sure there would be a helpful forum member or two who could offer to accompany you, to give advice.
This is excellent advice.
+1
Thats brilliant advise, will definatey use it

Its just that I thought ... Price=Build Quality and Value ... but it seems this is not quite the case. :-\

No, it's not necessarily the case at all. And, even if you narrow down a list of instruments you like, there will probably always be the risk of the ones available being duds or not feeling right to you. Which is why I'd suggest refining a list of guitars that look good to you (match your taste), are in your price range, sound good to you (again, match your taste) and, in reality and in the store, are in good nick and are set up properly. That last bit may require more than the opinion of a salesperson... Also, did you say something earlier about a R10K budget? Budgets come and go - there's no reason to have the best guitar and amp possible now. Try for a great version of one or the other right now, and wait for the next budget to swell to complete your setup?

singemonkey

geemobee wrote: Its just that I thought ... Price=Build Quality and Value ... but it seems this is not quite the case. :-\

Definitely not. Some manufacturers trade on their names to sell so-so gear for a lot of money. Generally we seem to be in a period in which Japanese makers offer better quality at any given price than American companies. But, except for one or two companies that have an almost legendary reputation for quality, it's always best to try before you buy - and ideally with a pair of old cynical eyes at your disposal.

Rudolf

Hehehe..don't ever take anything I say too seriously. But I still stand by what I said, just to the lighter side of picking a guitar. I'm one of the exceptions though, I rather enjoy collecting the rather "special" guitars out there most of the time I pick a new one. I still haven't quite learned how to decide whether something is good quality or not but don't really panic about it either, from my experience you can find excellent quality in woods and necks in what others would consider the biggest junk. But you'll like in my case end up having to replace some electronics and other bits to make the guitar really do its thing.

Thing that's worked awesome for me to this day though? When in doubt, just drop it on here. Plenty of guys on here that will be able to give you good experienced opinions on guitars you're interested in buying. That will probably get you the best and most honest idea of what you're getting in to.

Fingerpicker

There's some good advice above.

Also think exit strategy.

Always buy a guitar that will be easy to sell. That probably means it is a good guitar to start with.

Its like buying a Volkswagen vs a Daewoo.