What’s up, everyone! After a long hiatus, I have recently decided to start playing the guitar again. I’m not a professional and not looking to join a band or anything, so I would like some advice on a good electric guitar/amp just to play at home. Not looking for the cheapest model, but not the top of the line either. If this is relevant, I am really into heavy metal, classic rock. Favorite guitarists are Malmsteen, Vai, Vaughn, and Hendrix. I appreciate any advice. I am probably looking into spending $600 or less on everything.
Well, that sure is a small price margin, but I think you could work with it. Sounds like to me that you would like a fender strat, everyone you named played a strat. For and amp, check out a marshall that would probably fit the type of style and sound that would suit you, or go with a fender amp. There are many others too so go with what you like.
You mentioned Vai, so my choice would be Ibanez for the guitar. They are very versatile and you can get a decent one for the price range you are looking at. For an amp, I would look at Crate. They have some really nice amps with plenty of power (some models can drive cabinets), and some haave on-board digital effects.I have a Crate DX212. I paid $500 2 yrs ago, it has 100 watts, all the effects you’ll ever need (delay, chorus, compressor flange), and about different amplifier sounds (clean, twangy, bluesy, serious crunch, etc). If you could bump your price range up a little, say $1000, you could get a really nice amp and guitar.
Buy used, at least for the amp, and then spend more on the guitar. I agree with Ko, Crate amps are really good these days. Peavey is another get shot for an inexpensive, long-lived amp.
Spending more of your budget on the instrument will be more satisfying in the long run, since a poor playing or sounding guitar will not motivate you to play. I’d shoot for $200 on a decent condition used amp and $400 or so on a good used guitar. If you’re willing to look into less mainstream brands, try to find a Godin guitar, they’re very nice…although Ibanez or Carvin might do the heavy metal sound better.
I’ve actually got a Malmsteen signature Stratocaster. I got it used off of ebay…I think I payed $800 for it. If you get an older one you could pay less than $600. These things are sweet…scalloped neck, sweet tone…the scalloped neck takes a bit getting used to but once you get used to it you won’t want anything else…great for vibrato and it actually helps you relax your fingers so you can learn things easier since you can’t put as much pressure on the strings. As far as amps, I only have a small practice amp, but I run a Digitech RP100 which has a lot of nice amp sims so I can get a lot of sweet tones. Or you could go for the more expensive POD…the nice things about these is that you can get a variety of amp sounds from one small box.
Vai, malmsteen eh? For 600 bucks ull get a beautiful Ibanez joe satriani model. Ull LOVE the sound coming off that bitch. Joe satriani plays the same muic ull hear from steve vai. In fact joe satriani taught steve vai how to play, as well as metallica's guitar man. If u can afford it though, buy steve vai's ibanez model, the one with the handle carved in it. I know, its not all that cool,but believe me, that thing is a beast. Best sound ull get from a guitar, nice and crispy. If ur into hendrix and vaugh though, save ursef some trouble, and buy a simple fender stratocaster, just make sure its american made for the best sound. I myself got an ibanez joe satriani model, and i love that bitch. Its a beautiful guitar, with an awesome sound - i like it much better than a stratocaster. Check it out for urself. I promise u wont b disappointed when u get that beast on your hands.
If you’re just getting back into it, I’d spend big $ on the axe, and find a decent used amp. I’d even consider one of those Marshall mini-amps to play around with, if you’re not lookiong to perform on anything. Oh, and get a Godin…they’re Canadian made (I believe) and interesting Gibson-type hybrids. Ibanez, unless you spend over a grand, sucks, in my humble opinion. I I had my druthers right now (meaning money), I’d go buy some retarded 80’s pointy hair metal guitar…like a Jackson or a B.C. Rich.