Which guitar to buy?

whorner

I am a relatively new player, who has been learning, up until now, on a bottom end broken guitar. I want to buy a new electric guitar and wondering whether or not to get fender, or start off on a slightly cheaper alternative?  Fenders will more or less hold a certain extent of value, will last and will produce great sound. Or will I be just fine with a squier? Dont really want to waste money on a guitar that ill just have to replace basically.  Also any suggestions for mid range-ish guitars are appreciated.

McToot

Squiers are just fine - especially the higher end ones - like the Classic Vibe. But my advice would always be to buy second hand especially for your first decent guitar. If you decide, after months of struggling with what is after all a tricky instrument to get good on quickly, that it's not for you then a second hand guitar will recover most of what you paid.  

However, if you really want new (the buzz of buying a new guitar is quite a powerful motivator), then Squiers are fine, so are Yamaha Pacificas and quite a few from Trevor Wilkinson's Vintage range. I personally wouldn't go for a new Mexican Fender, but I would get one second hand.

DulcetJones

I agree with McToot.  I have a couple of Squiers that are all decent guitars.  The one I like most is a tele that I bought new, even though the frets could have been dressed a little better the price was good.  I've used it for a jam session guitar for a few years now, it always sounds great and stays in tune. 

Teetonetal

Yup get a squire. The vintage modified range are very good. Or go up to the Mexican stuff. They are good enough to be as far up the price book as you ever need to go.

I've been earning via gigs and teaching from my lower price range fenders for years and years.

darthed1981

Teetonetal said:

Yup get a squire. The vintage modified range are very good. Or go up to the Mexican stuff. They are good enough to be as far up the price book as you ever need to go.

QFT - you can get full fat American Fenders and Gibsons and they are wonderful things but they can wait.

Unless you have the money burning a hole in your pocket and fall in love with one of course

Evilmags

Look on the classifieds here, decide on budget and buy what takes your fancy. A lot cheaper than new from a shop and a much higher chance of having been properly set up. Guitars from on line warehouses are generally slightly cheaper than from good retailers, but you are unlikely to get as good a set up, which if you don´t know how to do your self, is an ass pain.