Best products from r/guitars

Depends what your budget is. I'm a big fan of these cheap $10 clip on tuners. On my main electric guitar rig I have a nice tuner pedal but I love the clip on tuner for my home practice electric (so I don't have to spend money on another pedal tuner) and for my acoustics. They're better than the traditional tuners with mics because they don't require a quiet environment to tune - you just clip it to the headstock and it picks up the notes via conduction/vibrations of the guitar rather than sound through the air. It also responds pretty quickly, it's a great value for $10, IMO.

If he moves around a lot while plugged in and/or plays live and your budget is a few hundred dollars, you could look into a wireless guitar system. I like the Line 6 G50 but the Line 6 G30 is also good and a bit cheaper.

An Ebow is $100 and can make some really interesting sounds on guitars.

If he plays live solo/acoustic, a percussion stompbox adds a lot to the sound, IMO. There are different types with costs ranging from the one I posted to a couple hundred dollars. I've never played with one but the artists I've seen playing solo with one sounded really cool.

I know you said you want to avoid a Guitar Center gift card, but I always appreciate those. Musicians (and enthusiasts of anything really) can be particular about what they want to add to their setup, so sometimes the best thing is to give them a gift card so they can buy whatever they want, whether it's some strings, picks, an interesting strap, pedals, etc. My siblings and I would always give my dad GC gift cards and he saved them for a couple years until he had enough to put towards a really nice Taylor acoustic guitar.

Being in the Industrial Arts, you have a leg-up on most people. There isn't any reason that someone like you should be at all discouraged from moving your skills over to guitar repair--unless you desire to make a big pile of money.

In any case, there are so many free/cheap resources available these days, combine those with cheap used guitars on the market that can be purchased cheap--especially if there's something wrong with them, which is what you want.

The books of Dan Erlewine, specifically "Guitar Player's Guide to Guitar Repair", and "How to Make Your Guitar Play Great" are both very good. Erlewine is a consultant with the guitar tools and supply house Steward-Mac, and they produce many good videos on various topics (some which you can find on YouTube).

https://www.stewmac.com/

The book "The Player's Guide to Guitar Maintenance" is not super in-depth, but I do like it because of its well done illustrations and photos:

https://www.amazon.com/Players-Guide-Guitar-Maintenance/dp/0879305495

Any of the books or videos of John Carruthers are recommended (some of his videos are on YouTube). The YouTube channel for Crimson Guitars is a wealth of info:

https://www.youtube.com/user/CrimsonCustomGuitars

My favorite book on guitar electronics is a bit dated--you're not going to find the latest pickups mentioned--but it's a great primer on the subject, and you can read it free in your browswer (Craig Anderton's: "Guitar Electronics for Musicians")

https://www.scribd.com/doc/2154081/Craig-Anderton-Guitar-Electronics-for-Musicians

Also, many of the pickup makers have resources on their sites can be informative. And reading forums that are for specific makes of guitars--like the Rickenbacker forum, or the G&L forum--can often contain input from employees of those companies, so you can read what experts on the guitars have to say.

I'm not good with paint and finishes, so I'll let someone else cover that.

I recommend listening to "The Luthierist" podcast, if for no other reason than it can be encouraging to hear other's struggles in the industry:

https://theluthierist.podbean.com/

I recommend the various YouTube videos of Phillp McKnight for general guitar information:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEzJtFWNg7d7TZW7K9JyXmw

I could go on for quite a while because there are some many resources--in a way, one of your biggest challenges is to find the nuggets of wisdom among the vast ocean of opinions.

http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Player-Repair-Guide-3rd/dp/0879309210

That is a really good source of useful information. It goes as far in-depth as you wish to go. There is information that is useful to every level of guitarist and luthier as well. Clearly explains the basics every guitar owner should know. Using this book, I set up my LTD with FR Special on it in drop C the very first time I did it. Really simple procedure and my guitar stays in tune very very well. Divebombs go back up right in tune every time.

I suggest trying different strings, different tunings, and different setups (varying string height etc) to find what you like and what feels good. Take it to a pro if you don't want to go to that much trouble, although it is pretty easy if you have any DIY skills. Try to let them know what you plan to mostly play on it.. different styles will favor a certain setup. That book tells how guitarists including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King and several more have their guitars setup.

Do you have a friend you could borrow an old guitar from for a few weeks? If you are sure you are going to keep it up, it would definitely be worth spending a decent chunk on a decent guitar.


If not, then this or this would be a much better starter kit. I bought a cheap starter kit and within two months bought one of these guitar. It was such an improvement. This exact kit wasn't an option for me, but I'd definitely have gone for it if I had the choice. The epiphone one would be more suited for harder rock and metal, where as the Squier would be better for softer rock and country. That said, you can get a massive variety of sounds out of each for any style, so no need to worry.


If you do want to spend more on a nicer guitar, there are so many more options out there, but they wont come with all the little bits like guitar pics, an amplifier, cable, stand etc. It could get pretty pricey, so if you're not sure, stick to the starter kits for a while until you think you want to upgrade to something nicer. Here is an example of some stuff I picked out for someone a while back that wanted to go for a lower-mid range guitar starting out. Price could vary a little bit though. depending on the guitar.

I agree with this. A Fender Squier Strat, (even the affinity) is a GREAT first guitar with the understanding that you are going to spend 9 months to a year learning what it is to play guitar. Then you will have a better idea of what you want and you can trade up.

Squier is like a rite of passage for many guitar players. Plus, if you decide it's not for you, you're not out more than a couple hundred bucks.

You can get very cheap package guitar and amp deals for beginners.

Example:

Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster Beginner Electric Guitar Pack with Fender FM 10G Amplifier, Clip-On Tuner, Cable, Strap, Picks, and gig bag - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008F4UQVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9DNtzb0CYQDBF

nothing fancy just these https://www.amazon.com/FOXNOVO-Professional-Humbucker-Pickups-Epiphone/dp/B00RJIE944/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1160HL7HQQ1WM&keywords=foxnovo+pickups&qid=1554825424&s=gateway&sprefix=fox+novo+pick%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1-fkmrnull but i plan on upgrading to seymor duncan invaders or active EMGs i figure if imma spend 160 bucks on passive pickups i might as well just switch to actives, but i do want to add some coil splitting eventualy

I bought one of these Vox Amplug AC30 units. It's actually pretty nice, and effective at keeping the noise down.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NAUHX1G/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1463535705&sr=1&keywords=vox+amplug

$150 is insanely high for a setup , as much as people love to hate the place take it to either guitarcenter or samash for a setup it shouldnt cost more then $60 with new strings included and it shouldnt take more then 30 minutes for the tech to do the work and if you can watch the tech when he is working if its ok with them and ask questions . Make sure its setup the way you like and so its comfortable for you to play . But any acoustic and even electric guitars will need a setup after sitting for a while acoustics more then electrics .

Or depending how handy you are check out this book http://www.amazon.com/The-Guitar-Player-Repair-Guide/dp/0879309210/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410144697&sr=8-2&keywords=guitar+setup+guide and do it yourself with the steps in the book / dvd

That amp has a USB out. Get a USB cable like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Pixma-Printer-Cable-Cord/dp/B0032GTLH2/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_421_lp_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D40NHYVAKHY68G7ZE7BK

​

It will probably need drivers and such for Windows, if you're lucky this will all happen automatically when you plug it into your PC.

​

Grab Reaper ( https://www.reaper.fm/ ) and you're good to go

Thank you! I got it on amazon :)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WCZWB4Q/ref=twister_B07SPHH7TD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It is a koa top jr I think. Like this one. All tops are slightly different though

https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-GS-Mini-Solid-case/dp/B00N9GQYBQ

Or this

https://max.guitars/en-intl/taylor-gs-mini-e-koa-es-b-2101299367

That's not bad, it typically retails new for around 200$. As long as you're satisfied and it feels good, that's what matters.

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Stratocaster-Beginner-Electric-Amplifier/dp/B071F7WHTM

Its just a picture off the net, simple google search for Fretboard. I used it when learning all the note on the fretboard. BTW the book Guitar Fretboard: Memorize The Fretboard In Less Than 24 Hours by GuitarHead is outstanding, Took me able a week but now I can pick out notes on the fretboard rather quickly. Helps with Scales

https://www.amazon.com.au/Guitar-Fretboard-Memorize-Exercises-Included-ebook/dp/B07D18S71W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543369319&sr=8-2&keywords=guitar+fretboard

If she likes guitars she'll know that electric guitars DON'T HAVE SOUNDHOLES.

Maybe something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/HOP-FASHION-Sweatshirts-Kangaroo-HOPM267-04-M/dp/B07J4VPQTL/ref=sr_1_30_sspa?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1540319071&sr=1-30-spons&nodeID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=guitar+sweatshirts&psc=1

or

https://www.amazon.com/D-Story-Burning-Guitar-Pullover-Sweatshirt/dp/B074W319ZV/ref=sr_1_87?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1540319617&sr=1-87&nodeID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=guitar+sweatshirts

Is this the right guitar to start with (Les Paul Special-II LTD)? or may be this one Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster Beginner Electric Guitar.

Can you recommend something online, so at least I have an idea by reading the specs? Thanks.

I'm angling towards something like this https://www.amazon.com/Fender-FA-115-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar/dp/B07CWH73KD/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=fender%2BFA-115&qid=1557341791&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&th=1

Or the natural version

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-FA-115-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar/dp/B07C5C9LY7/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=fender%2BFA-115&qid=1557341791&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&th=1

Dunno if they're any good but I'm drawn towards Fender :P

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000EEL6GY/ref=twister_B007MY5BDI

---

^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

Can I get away with just buying one of the fret levelers, or do I need more than one? If I just want to use it on my fender, which one should I get?

Also, what do you think of this set on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Including-Fingerboard-Protector-Maintenance-Esdabem/dp/B01N5B7LKM/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1483313150&sr=1-4&keywords=leveling+tool+frets

It looks like the set has everything you listed except the leveler.

I'm not sure of the price. I saw it in a YouTube video. I'm assuming they're less than $20

Edit: $10 on amazon

I love the sound of resonating guitars.

Thanks a lot for the reply. In terms of the diameter and height, this is in reference to the holes? I was asking here for the reason. that I don't know of local shops near to me. and would rather just buy some of the internet. ( the last shop I knew of, before it closed seemed like it didn't care about it's customers and just threw any product at you)

​

Mine look quite similar. to those. However it looks identical to these.https://www.amazon.com/Vangoa-Semi-closed-Machine-Acoustic-Electric/dp/B077VCQRCK

​

the liitle box is shaped slightly difference. I don't know if that will make a difference though.

Just for anyone else interested. Not bad at 4.5 star rating.

https://www.amazon.com/AP2AC-amPlug-Guitar-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00NAUHX1G/

Go to your local library or bookstore and read the section pertaining to this process in Erlewine's The Guitar Player Repair Guide. If you realize you're in over your head, shop around for a better estimate or fork out the $225. You could buy a somewhat playable new or used guitar for that amount though.

https://www.amazon.com/AP2AC-amPlug-AC30-Guitar-Headphone/dp/B00NAUHX1G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480983646&sr=8-1&keywords=ac30+headphone+amp

I have this. It works well. Nothing beats a proper amp though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EEL6GY/ref=twister_B007MY5BDI?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

$40ish USD