Spec me an electric guitar

funkyphantom · 24 Jan 2009 at 16:42

Hi guys, im looking for my first electric guitar, i am a beginner and want to spend around £150-200 have looked at the westfield E4500 which i think looks fantastic, but ive read a few dodgy reviews about them. Is there anything else decent within this price range?....I wouldnt mind going second hand if it meant me getting a better guitar for my money.
Thanks

William · 24 Jan 2009 at 16:47

It's probably a second hand yamaha pacifica. If you get it cheap you could stick some Semour Duncan pickups in it.

funkyphantom · 24 Jan 2009 at 16:50

how much would i be looking for a yamaha pacifica + semour duncan pickups?....and would this be better than the westfield E4500??
thanks

elroberto · 24 Jan 2009 at 17:31

Why do you want Seymour Duncan pickups? If it's your first guitar I wouldn't worry about it. Just get a standard pacifica and learn to play. Once you're a bit more proficient then you can worry about pickups

funkyphantom · 24 Jan 2009 at 17:35

true roberto. Very true hehe. Im presuming the pacifica is the best for my price range then?
thanks

Steve2000 · 24 Jan 2009 at 17:58

There's a few things to consider. What type of music will you be playing? If you're into metal, shredding etc then you need a guitar with a flat, fast neck like a Jackson or Ibanez. If you're like me and play mostly rock/bluesey stuff then a softer neck like those on Strats or Teles would be better. I believe it would make a difference if you got the right kit first so as to not get discouraged when you find you've got the wrong type.

Also with it being your first guitar don't spend too much on it, and don't worry about pickups. You will not notice the difference until you develop your skills. Same with amps. And don't be fobbed off by people trying to sell you "professional cables" or the "three killer guitar secrets" either.

funkyphantom · 24 Jan 2009 at 19:01

Thanks Steve, ill hopefully be playing rock/bluesy stuff. Im a firm believer in paying a little extra for the guitar i want/will suit me. Rather than buying a cheap package for around the 100 quid mark and not being happy with it. Im sure it'll cost me more in the long run, if you know what i mean. i love the look of the 'Les Paul' style guitars. If thats of any help
Thanks

Dingleberry88 · 24 Jan 2009 at 19:16

funkyphantom said:
i love the look of the 'Les Paul' style guitars. If thats of any help

Epiphone LP then?

Steve2000 · 24 Jan 2009 at 19:19

funkyphantom said:
i love the look of the 'Les Paul' style guitars. If thats of any help

If you like the Les Paul look go for an Epiphone. They are a part of Gibson so they are genuine enough for the price. They do provide quite some bang for your buck in my experience.

kingy666 · 24 Jan 2009 at 19:51

Another vote for the Yamaha pacifica from me. just make sure when you get it to maybe spend a few quid on getting it set up correctly as this can make it a lot easier to play which is vital when you are learning.

funkyphantom · 24 Jan 2009 at 20:18

ok, so the Epiphone is much better than westfield then?

elroberto · 24 Jan 2009 at 21:34

Go for the Epiphone Les Paul Junior, unless you can get a secondhand Epi LP standard cheap. I got mine for £99 and it's great, that good that my lead guitarist wants one for his collection. And yes, Epi's are much better than Westfield. They're very good these days. The Trev Wilkinson made Vintage guitars are good too, but probably alittle out of the price range you've got there. The lemondrop model in particular looks tasty.

William · 24 Jan 2009 at 21:45

funkyphantom said:
ok, so the Epiphone is much better than westfield then?

No, Epiphone are fairly average, speaking harshly you pay good money to have a second hand claim to the Gibson name and for it to look like a Les Paul.

At £100 everything is fairly even to be honest so might as well just get the guitar with the neck and action to suit you because it's not going to sound very good. Though once in a while you do find the rare deal.

For £150 you should be able to go to shop and blag* a pacifica and a Crate FW15 with some strings, a bag, picks, cables and straps. Whilst I defiantely can recommend the Crate Amp, I can't recommend you a guitar as you may just hate the way it feels.

*You: "I went online and I found this great deal of xyz, can you match it? no? ok I guess I'll just go order it off that website..."
Shop: "Your twisting my arm and my supervisor is going to rape me (he wont) but ok."

Works everytime for any instrument or equipment.

elroberto · 24 Jan 2009 at 22:37

William said:
No, Epiphone are fairly average, speaking harshly you pay good money to have a second hand claim to the Gibson name and for it to look like a Les Paul.

Not in my experience, I own one and have played several, the only real difference has been the pickups and for a beginner that's not really an issue. In fact, the pickup on my junior is great which is amazing for something that cheap.

funkyphantom · 25 Jan 2009 at 08:48

Thanks for all your advise guys. Is it worth looking on an auction site for a second hand one, or would you recommend me buying second hand from a shop? Also, where do i stand with guarantee/warranty should i be looking for some? etc etc.
Thanks

Steve2000 · 25 Jan 2009 at 11:05

If I'm honest I wouldn't buy a second hand one on ebay unless it was for a project or significantly cheaper than the shop. New ones are fine, but second hand ones you don't know what they're like. Pictures can be deceiving. If you can't get a good deal out of the shop have a look on ebay.

funkyphantom · 25 Jan 2009 at 11:11

Ya thats what i was skeptical about to be honest Steve. I think im just going to go for the Westfield Les Paul (E4500), it calls my name everytime i walk into the shop!! now, hmmm wine red or black??

http://www.westfieldguitar.co.uk/pandrhoward/products.asp?ID=137

AS_Platinum · 25 Jan 2009 at 11:54

February's issue of TG has a Group test of Giggable Electrics for around £200, Squier Standard Tele comes out of top for £219, I'm sure it could be had cheaper though.

firthy15 · 25 Jan 2009 at 16:30

I have been eyeing up Yamaha pacificas as a nice starter guitar but i have a friend offering a nice condition Ibanez 260FM for £160...

Tempting.

Trying to find enough comparisions to get a good idea.

djmc0 · 25 Jan 2009 at 20:29

Bought this on Friday, (Ibanez RG350DMX) IMO cant beat Ibanez for all round use