# Help a newbie buy a guitar (please?) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 8, 2006, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-newbie-buy-a-guitar-please/351831 "2006-04-08T04:39:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mayo\_Speaks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mayo\_Speaks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mayo_Speaks)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-newbie-buy-a-guitar-please/351831/1 "2006-04-08T04:39:20Z")
I’ve been looking to get a guitar, but I don’t know anything about them. I want an electric (and all the related stuff, of course) and I want it to be cheap. I’m willing to spend $300 - $400 if need be, but no more than that. I just want to mess around; I’m not looking to become a serious guitarist. I’ve been looking at getting a [Squier Strat Pak with Frontman 15G Electric Guitar](http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Electric?sku=519633&c_tid=topseller) for $280. The reviews at [MusiciansFriend.com](http://MusiciansFriend.com) range from decent to great, and it’s definitely in my price range. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-newbie-buy-a-guitar-please/351831/2 "2006-04-08T08:13:37Z")
I know you don’t want to spend more than that, but if you get a cheapie guitar, it’s going to limit your ability to become a decent guitar player later. Since you said you just want to mess around, it’s probably ok, but you definately aren’t going to be able to become a serious guitar player with that guitar. That said, it doesn’t look too bad for an el-cheapo beginner guitar. The one thing that really bothers me about it is the fact that it has a whammy bar but doesn’t have a locking nut on the neck. This means that any time you touch the whammy bar you are going to throw the guitar out of tune. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-newbie-buy-a-guitar-please/351831/3 "2006-04-08T12:09:02Z")
Given your objective and price range, I think that’s a good buy for you. ---
**Author:** ![Fast\_n\_Bulbous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ab992/32.png) [@Fast\_n\_Bulbous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fast_n_Bulbous)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-a-newbie-buy-a-guitar-please/351831/4 "2006-04-08T13:25:40Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > I know you don’t want to spend more than that, but if you get a cheapie guitar, it’s going to limit your ability to become a decent guitar player later. Since you said you just want to mess around, it’s probably ok, but you definately aren’t going to be able to become a serious guitar player with that guitar. I must respectfully disagree with this. While a poor quality guitar may make playing somewhat more difficult for a beginner I would consider this a good thing. Higher strings and lower frets will increase one’s hand strength and poor quality pickups will mean the player has to concentrate harder to get a good sound. Indeed, there are many world famous guitarists who claim to have started out playing on such monstrosities. That said, I think the Squier Strat is a pretty decent beginner’s guitar, is usually constructed fairly well, and while the pickups are not the best they will provide a sound at least vaguely reminiscent of a genuine Strat. I must agree with engineer\_comp\_geek on the trem. I would suggest blocking it up with a piece of wood when you get it or the constant retuning will drive you insane.