guitar for a beginner?

scryber

It's been 15 years since I played guitar, and even back then I wasn't too serious about it. I had (and still have) a '89 Epiphone, and for whatever reason it just never felt comfortable to play. Maybe it's the 25.5" neck scale, or maybe it's the flat neck radius, maybe I just never gave it a chance, but it's not the guitar I want to re-acquaint myself with.

I love the look of the Jaguar and find its versatility and technical aspects really appealing, but I'm not going to spend that much money on a guitar for a novice.

For an inexpensive guitar I'm basically looking at a Jagmaster or a Telecaster. Advantages of the JM are: the aesthetic look of a Jaguar and 24" neck scale. And it's affordable at $250. But aside from that, how much "Jag" is in the Jagmaster? The JM has humbuckers so I'm wondering just how much of a Jaguar sound it has, if any. Obviously the controls are different as well.

Advantages of the Tele are a solid guitar and a proven performer with a bright clean sound although it does have a 25.5" neck scale, and it is a bit more money.

Obviously it would be helpful to pick them both up and play for a while to get a feel, but again I'm basically starting from zero so I don't think strumming a few open chords for a couple minutes is going to be a very good indicator. Thoughts?

tragictravisty

well jagmaster is basically a bastardized jag-stang/strat, no jag or jazzmaster in them at all really. its not a bad guitar though, i played one. Teles are nice too, what music do you play? is the vibrato a plus for you?

scryber

tragictravisty said: well jagmaster is basically a bastardized jag-stang/strat, no jag or jazzmaster in them at all really. its not a bad guitar though, i played one. Teles are nice too, what music do you play? is the vibrato a plus for you?

Alternative/rock (not heavy). Someone pointed this one out as well, it's in the same price range, but I expect would have a very different sound:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-CLASSIC-VIBE-DuoSonic-50s-Electric-Guitar-?sku=519399

tragictravisty

couldnt say. although with that 3saddle bridge, intonation will never be perfected, although you problably dont have a good enough earfor that. I dont unless its completely ####ed, or im using harmonics to check. if you dont know what im talking about, ignore it.

by the way, some guysll swear by the tone of a 3-saddle tele bridge

JaguarOW

I dont like the look of the finish on that squier

scryber

tragictravisty said: is the vibrato a plus for you?

Vibrato is not a biggie for me.

scryber

JaguarOW said: I dont like the look of the finish on that squier

Yeah, it would be nice if there was even one other color choice.

I could easily seeing myself getting into the whole modification thing, but that is a bit premature right now. Gotta actually get the instrument first and play the darn thing.

tylerfender

i still have my jagmaster, it was my second guitar but it was the one i became serious about playin with. i'd recommend the jagmaster. It's small, easy to play,and cool look. but whatever you want.

tragictravisty

i think hes looking for a cheaper guitar. also, if you want an idiot proof guitar, go stop tailpiece or strat trem

scryber

I went to Guitar Center yesterday. They had a Jagmaster but of course no Duo Sonic. The neck pickup for the Jagmaster was tilted... I don't mean angled from perpendicular from the strings, I mean the top surface sloped. One of my Epiphone's pickups is this way as well and I always thought it was a flaw. Maybe someone can correct me, but it would seem to me that the pickup surface should be parallel to that of the guitar body.

So yes, tragictravisty is correct, I'm looking for something fairly idiot-proof. A stop tailpiece sounds like a good fit. Since I'm considering the Jagmaster, I'm wondering if it's worth also looking at a used Jaguar HH. Both have huckbuckers but I'm guessing the HH would be a bit of an upgrade. I'd expect the Duo Sonic to have a much different sound. Wish I could see/hear one firsthand.

nirvana23freak

the pick ups angle is all preference. and its very easily adjusted. the thicker strings vibrate more therefore, are louder, so most people angle the pick ups higher on the lighter strings to increase volume, and balance the sound out

tragictravisty

yea, this literally takes like 30 seconds. i have mine pretty flat, maybe a bit in favor of the treble strings.

on the jag hh, yea, i have one, it was my first electric. great guitar, and idiot proof (basically) the ONLY non-idiot proof thing about it is that with punk-rock style strumming, you might knock around the switches while youre playing, and knick yourself up. i did that once. but if you play punk, you dont need all the switches, so this isnt your guitar. also, the guitar is bottom heavy when standing up like a les paul, but when you sit, the neck is in a higher position than usual, which makes playing much more comfortable.

JaguarOW

same with my les paul

tragictravisty

on what point?

tylerfender

i guess he meant about being bottom heavy and the neck being higher when you sit down.

tragictravisty

well less so on the sitting down part, but yeah, those are nice to play standing up. although i hate the meaty neck.

JaguarOW

i meant the pickups being tilted

tragictravisty

😆

tylerfender

oops 😆

scryber

As the person that started this thread I thought I'd update on my search. I still haven't purchased a new guitar, but I've narrowed it down (somewhat). My budget falls under $300US and perhaps not coincidentally each guitar I'm looking at falls in that range. Here's the list...

Jagmaster

[*:cp8nxevf]24" scale
[*:cp8nxevf]I know it doesn't sound like a Jaguar, but I love the shape and look of it.
[*:cp8nxevf]Humbuckers
[*:cp8nxevf]6-screw mounted tremolo bridge...Tremolo bar is unimportant to me
[*:cp8nxevf]Thinking of switching out the Humbucker pickups with some of these - GFS Retrotron Memphis pickups

Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Thinline

[*:cp8nxevf]Not 24" scale, but close... 24.75"
[*:cp8nxevf]Neck: Maple, Fingerboard: Rosewood, Body: Alder
[*:cp8nxevf]7.25" neck radius
[*:cp8nxevf]vintage six-saddle bridge

Squier Classic Vibe Duo Sonic

[*:cp8nxevf]24" scale
[*:cp8nxevf]Basswood body, Maple neck and fingerboard
[*:cp8nxevf]Don't love the color, but I could live with it
[*:cp8nxevf]3-saddle bridge
[*:cp8nxevf]AlNiCo V pickups
[*:cp8nxevf]I have no idea what it sounds like, there are currently no reviews out there

Oh hell here's one more:

Epiphone Dot Studio

[*:cp8nxevf]Set maple neck, Rosewood fretboard
[*:cp8nxevf]Vintage Alnico V plus pickups
[*:cp8nxevf]Stopbar tailpiece
[*:cp8nxevf]Scale length - 24-3/4"

Any thoughts on these? I should mention that the type of music I'd like to play is alternative rock, my favorite band/album is The Church/Starfish, if that helps at all... atmospheric tones painted with chiming riffs 😉