| Author | Message | ||
  Vic Doucette (vic_doucette) 1-Arriviste Username: vic_doucette Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 67.37.83.58 |
I apologize right off the top because this thread isn't about Northern soul, or soul at all, but it is about music, and I hope that the forum members will indulge me for a minute or three. I live in Detroit, and I have a high-school age nephew in Florida who is a budding rock star. He owns two electric guitars and an electric bass, plus some kind of amplifier. I don't know if he's officially "in a band," but I do know that he plays with friends from time to time. Last time I was in Florida, back last fall, he mentioned in passing that he'd like to have an acoustic or acoustic/electric guitar. I'll be visiting the area in June, and I'd like to buy him one then, a serious instrument that he could use for the rest of his life if he took care of it. Here are my problems: 1. I can't play an instrument myself, so I wouldn't know a good one from a bad one, and I don't know if he knows enough yet to tell the difference. And I don't know if either of us would realize it if we were getting skinned by an unscrupulous seller. 2. My budget is limited to about $250. So, could the experts on this forum tell me what sort of instrument we could/should get? For that matter, is $250 enough to get a decent, playable instrument? What should we look for in a dealer? (I don't want to buy one and surprise him with it, since I know that an instrument is a very personal thing and he might not like what I selected, plus that would add the hassle of trying to get the instrument from here to Florida undamaged.) Your help is appreciated! | ||
SOULBOY (soulboy) 1-Arriviste Username: soulboy Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 213.105.224.5 |
VIC 1. I found that it can be difficult to chose a guitar if you are new to the instrument,take someone who can play along to help you. failing this it may be that the safer option it to buy one from a reputable dealer. They should be able to set it up correctly for you anyway 2. I don't know what $250 will buy you in the US But you should be able to buy a squier type strat or tele or even better one of the yamaha pacifica range. The diffence between the budget brand guitars and the fenders/gibson used to be great,these days the difference is quite small. Furthermore don't ever think that by shelling out $1000s of dollars on a guitar this makes you sound more like a professional.It takes hard work and dedication rather than the ability to spend vast amount of money! | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 2-Debutant Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.162.124.163 |
To add to what Soulboy said,I have seen and heard people play like a virtuoso on a "cheap" entry level guitar and I have seen and heard people playing very expensive guitars with all the "bells and whistles" but sounding like dog crap. Its all about the pilot and not the plane he flys, capice??#$%^&*()_ | ||
SteveS (steves) 1-Arriviste Username: steves Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 209.219.207.3 |
Bobby, I agree with you completely about guitars. However, when it comes to airplanes, I tend to prefer 'em in good shape. Call me crazy, but it's just a personal quirk. | ||
Larry (larry) 2-Debutant Username: larry Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.23.183.2 |
Vic, In addition to the great responses above, finding a guitar is so subjective. If your nephew already plays, ideally HE should pick the guitar, put it on hold, and you call in your credit card. If you simply MUST send it to him (as a gift surprise) musiciansfriend.com (owned by Guitar Center) has deals all the time. Right now they have a Washburn for $ 99.00. They ship properly. He can return it if he doesn't like it and order something else. http://www.musiciansfriend.com /srs7/sid=04041215293921602318 3002406983/g=guitar/s=acoustic /search/detail/base_pid/515366 / Note: this is basically a beginner guitar, but, my guess is it's playable. I wonder how that Florida climate does with Acoustics. Hmmm... Here's an Acoustic/Electric for $ 199.00: http://www.musiciansfriend.com /srs7/sid=04041215293921602318 3002406983/g=guitar/s=acoustic /search/detail/base_pid/510688 / Best of luck. | ||
sideburnslim (sideburnslim) 1-Arriviste Username: sideburnslim Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.41.175.175 |
Vic, This is Adam Stanfel How's things? Guess what... I work in a guitar store in Royal Oak. I would love to help you as I consider you a friend and hey I owe you one. you can get my number through Brian Smith Cheers, Adam | ||
cranshaw62 (cranshaw62) 1-Arriviste Username: cranshaw62 Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 172.138.118.129 |
An Ibanez RG 321 Guitar is in that price range. It's a good instrument he'll be able to use for a while. A review can be found at www.harmony-central.com or you can do a Google search on Ibanez RG 321. Hope this helps! | ||
cranshaw62 (cranshaw62) 1-Arriviste Username: cranshaw62 Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 172.138.118.129 |
Oops, missed the acoustic/electric part. Ibanez are still great guitars though. If you play the electric unplugged a couple of hours a day you can get good results also. | ||
Vic Doucette (vic_doucette) 1-Arriviste Username: vic_doucette Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.115.63.131 |
Thatnks to Adam (ya little shit) and all who responded. I've decided to buy it in Florida and let him pick it out. And if he wants somethng that costs $500, he can earn the money to cover the rest of it himself -- which should add to the "value" of the guitar. |
