What makes a good guitar for a beginner?

[Gurm]

Sweet, what year is your ESP? I have a 2005 ESP LTD Viper EC-1000. Mine has EMG 81/85's. I too want a PRS, but I am going to buy an acoustic first and then get a PRS down the road.

Sorry to hijack the thread, I'm not great about picking out acoustic guitars since I play mostly electric.

It's a ... 2000? Maybe 2001. Green flocked front. Pretty basic but solid electric, lots of different sounds coming out of there which is why I got it. Almost a PRS clone, really. I'll go look up the model number. Shows how I view electric versus acoustic, right? Don't get me wrong, I love the ESP. I just think of an electric as a neck that's an extension of the amp. LOL!

[Mehen]

I just think of an electric as a neck that's an extension of the amp. LOL!

I say close to 50/50. You won't get good sound with a poor amp and good guitar, or a good amp and bad guitar. One is sort of a limiting factor of the other, a lot like computers.

I must say, however - my boogie setup makes even poor guitars sound decent. (Maybe its 40/60 (guitar/amp) )

[Gurm]

I say close to 50/50. You won't get good sound with a poor amp and good guitar, or a good amp and bad guitar. One is sort of a limiting factor of the other, a lot like computers.

I must say, however - my boogie setup makes even poor guitars sound decent. (Maybe its 40/60 (guitar/amp) )

Ooh! Me=jealous. I've always wanted a Mesa Boogie, just couldn't justify it. There's a short list of gear I really want to eventually own, and it includes a Mesa Boogie, a Roland Jazz Chorus, and a nice PRS.

[RedRed]

yup - I have to agree with you both - the amp makes an electric setup. I used to have a marshall 50 and way back (late 70's), a vox ac 30 - but with age and house moves I ended up with a small boss practice amp

indeed I hadnt picked up my guitar in years, until this thread hit MURC..... I got to say --- thanks guys. I have a touch of arthritis now (too much time on KBds) - but its great to try ot flex......

[RichL]

I don't play anymore, but as a beginner I found the scale length to be important - I found a Gibson Les-Paul copy with (IIRC) 24.75" to be easier to play than a Fender 25.5". The shorter length meaning the frets are closer together at the head end of the neck - useful if you have small hands.