I posted this in Misc too...

Hi all,
my DS has taken a sudden interest in learning the electric guitar, he has started on acoustic but really wants to go electric and we would like to buy him a guitar and an amp.

Any advice or recommendations on a setup would be welcome (pm's OK if you don't want to post). There are heaps on ebay but I have no idea if they are rubbish or not, or what I should look for.

Also I want an amp that has 2 inputs, one for a microphone and another for the guitar (is that how it works? I want him to be able to sing along with it once he gets better).

And I want it to have earphones so we don't have to listen to it all the time!

And lastly, I wonder if it would be better that he just be able to get the dooverlacky that you put on the acoustic guitar that plugs it into the amp and lets you play that.

Obviously we are total noobs to this and I will be going to the music shop and getting advice, but I would appreciate having some clue before I go.

TIA for any advice!

Hi there,

There are many decent budget electric guitars to start on, Yamaha Pacificas and Fender Squiers spring to mind for the stratocaster style of guitars or Epiphones if your husband prefers the look of Gibson LesPaul.

For amps, there are 2 main technologies available: transistors and tubes. Usually tubes are prefered for their tonal qualities but they tend to be more expensive (and loud!). There are a lot of quality transistors (also called solid state) amps that should fit the bill. Marshall, Roland, Fender, Peavey are some of the big names.

You'll have to buy a separate amp for the microphone if your husband wants to sing along, you cannot plug the guitar and voice microphone in the guitar amp and sing away The vast majority of amps have a headphone plug so no worries there.

I don't know what you mean by the dooverlacky thing

Hope I didn't confuse you further,

Happy hunting!

What, you have never heard of the dooverlacky thing?! Its the doover you clip over the hole of the acoustic guitar and it...I don't know...transmits the sound to the amp?! Whatever...

Thanks for your reply, the more info I have, the less intimidated I feel at the shop! I'm sure the lady there told me (when I knew absolutely nothing at all..) that you could buy and amp with two inputs, one for the guitar and one for the mike...? Oh well, will see if I can find out what she meant.
And its for DS, not DH (although he will also use it!) so I don't care what 'look' it has, just how much it costs and if it is any good.
thanks again!

there is also ibanez u can look at purchasing as well for guitars just dont buy korean made get the japanese made ones cos they sound, feel a whole lot better.
with amps u can also buy an ashton amp too they are pretty good hubby would prefer a marshall or peavy and there is another company out there i cant remember i zone out half the time.

also dont just buy it cos of the price it may cost u alittle bit more but in the long run will last u longer than one of those cheapie ones hubby has had his for the past 8 yrs and if it gets stolen or broken then thats $16,000 we have to find. only cos ibanez dont make them ne more and have to get them thru their custom shop or go allthe way to japan just for a guitar. trust me he would.
shenheiser sorry cant spell it and cant find hubbys audio book. they are great and last a while as well. if u have ne question just pm and i ill help u out more if u havet purchased ne thing yet