Electric Guitars – Page 44

Which electric guitar should you choose as a beginner?

When you're starting out on electric guitar, we'll very often recommend a Stratocaster, simply because it's comfortable, not too heavy and can handle just about any style, from blues to funk, not forgetting pop or rock. In fact, Squier Strats are our biggest sellers! If you're leaning more towards full-on rock or metal, have a look at the Gio range from Ibanez, with their really slim necks. The Pacifica models from Yamaha are also a very good starting point, and they won't tie you to any one style. Finally, if you want to give it a go without spending too much, our own Woodbrass guitars remain an affordable option.

It's still best to have the guitar in your hands before buying. If that's not possible, think above all about the weight (your shoulder will thank you after an hour standing up!) and be wary of overly thick necks if your hands are on the small side. As for strings, electric guitars often leave the factory with 9-42 or 10-46 strings, fairly light string gauges that are easier on your fingertips at first.

Younger players aren't forgotten either, as there are smaller models with a shorter neck. And of course, plenty of beginner guitars also come in a left-handed version.

Should you buy a guitar on its own or a guitar starter pack?

An electric guitar is played through an amp, so you need to plan for both, which is why many beginners go straight for a guitar starter pack. It includes the guitar, a small amp and a few accessories (the details are listed on each product page), enough to start playing as soon as you open the box! If you already have an amp or prefer to choose it yourself, you can of course buy just the guitar and pair it with one of our guitar amps.

And at home, a small 10- or 20-watt amp is more than enough (you're not on stage!). Still, check that it has a headphone output, which is really handy for playing late without the neighbours getting on your back. Some even use modelling: they imitate several amps and have built-in effects, ideal for finding your tone without buying lots of extra gear. If your guitar starter pack doesn't include them, remember a jack lead, a guitar strap, essential whenever you stand up, a gig bag to carry the guitar in, and a tuner, because a guitar that's out of tune sounds wrong even in very good hands.

How much should you budget for your electric guitar?

For a decent first guitar, there's no need to break the bank: most Squier, Ibanez Gio and Yamaha Pacifica models are made for just that. Go up a step and the finish is better, as are the pickups, and it's often the guitar you'll keep once you've progressed. At that level you'll find Epiphone, LTD (the latter for heavier rock) and quite a few Fender models already. And in the high-end range, it's the turn of Gibson, Fender's American series and signature models from famous guitarists.

Another way to pay less is to look at B-Stock or refurbished guitars. A B-Stock guitar has been unboxed and may have a small cosmetic blemish (a scratch, damaged packaging), but it is tested by our teams and comes with a 6-month warranty. Refurbished guitars, meanwhile, are guitars returned by customers within 30 days, then checked by our teams: they're almost like new and keep their 3-year warranty (so, just like a new one). The choice depends on returns and changes often, so remember to have a look regularly!

Stratocaster, Telecaster or Les Paul: which guitar body shape?

Stratocaster, Telecaster and Les Paul are the three big classics, and a good proportion of the guitars on the market take their body shapes from them. The Stratocaster, as we've already mentioned, is the all-rounder. The Telecaster has a drier, snappier tone, which country guitarists love, but you'll also come across it very often in rock. As for the Les Paul, it's heavier (think about a good guitar strap if you play standing up!) but it offers a fat, warm tone with plenty of sustain, made for hard rock.

The tone also depends a lot on the pickups. On a Strat or a Tele, you'll generally find single-coil pickups: they have a clear, bright tone with bite… but they can also hum a bit as soon as you add distortion. Humbuckers, on the other hand, give a more powerful, thicker tone and don't hum, which is why they're found on most rock-oriented guitars, with the Les Paul leading the way. And for those who don't want to choose, many models combine both types, with a humbucker at the bridge and single-coil pickups elsewhere (an HSS pickup configuration).

For metal, you'd go for guitars with two humbuckers and a slim neck, like many of those from Ibanez or LTD. Jazz or rockabilly fans, on the other hand, are more likely to fall for the rounded tone of a hollow-body guitar. As for effects pedals, they can wait until you've found your guitar!

Buying your electric guitar from Woodbrass

Woodbrass also has shops in Paris, and the guitar shop is at 182 avenue Jean Jaurès, in the 19th arrondissement. You can drop in from 10.30am to 7pm, Tuesday to Saturday, to try out your next guitar in one of our two demo rooms: our sales advisers set you up with the right amp and effects, and you can play in peace! Coming by car? We'll reimburse you for your first hour at Vinci Park Cité de la Musique with any in-store purchase. One small but important detail: to take your guitar home the same day, you need to buy it in store, because everything ordered on the website is sent out for delivery.

Can't make it to the shop? Don't panic, our sales advisers are also available by phone, chat or email, from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and from 10am to 6pm on Saturdays (Paris time). Feel free to ask them for help comparing two models or finding out which amp to pair with your guitar.

The same shop also houses the guitar workshop, run by a manager who has been working on instruments for over 20 years. He's the one who handles setups and repairs, and for any guitar bought from us (in store or online), you get maintenance and setups at half price for 6 months. Handy, because our guitars are sent to you exactly as the manufacturer set them up: everyone has their own playing preferences (action, intonation…), and a setup tailored to you can make all the difference.

Finally, when you place an order, the vast majority of our new products (guitars included) come with a 3-year warranty, and you have 30 days after delivery to request a return if you don't like the guitar. When it's in stock online, it's even dispatched the same day if you order before 12.30pm! And to spread the cost, Alma lets you pay in monthly instalments.