I am one of those guitarists that rate Danelectros. They are great guitars.

When you say they are made of hardboard, the image that conjures up is one of flimsyness. This could not be further from the truth. Danelectros are NOT flimsy. The “hardboard” (or Masonite to give it its real name) is pretty solid stuff and is approx 5mm thick. If this constitutes flimsyness then there’s no hope for any acoustic guitars!

The thing with Danos is that the unique construction of the hollow body coupled with the lipstick pickups gives them a particular resonance that you don’t get with other guitars. You can’t compare these with cheap and nasty plywood planks.

Give Danelectro guitars a try, I say!

I’m a bit anti plywood myself. I’ve owned a couple (in my younger days, any sub 200 quid guitar was ply). They’re often bright, lacking in bass, and very poor for sustain (I assume all that glue soaks it up). The only plybass I used for a while was the Aria SLB2a; partly because the active circuit boosted the bass a little and partly because I sounded like JJ Brunel, which was OK with me.

So many starter guitars, even sub-100 ones, are at least agathis (Asian wood similar to alder), poplar or basswood I just, like glw, would avoid ply for the sheer sake of it.

The danelectro U2 is made of hardboard, many guitarists rate them, im not one of them.

I briefly owned a Epiphone Les Paul Junior and was less than impressed with the build quality. It might be OK for a beginner, but if that beginner makes a go of it then he or she will soon want to change to a better guitar. Just my opinion…

Do you really think that a beginner will make the difference if he owns a massive wood model?
Plywood? Less sustain but is that the most important when you begin?

The very cheap Epiphones are made of plywood, so I personally would avoid them.

I totally agree with youngwasp : you must go to the shops and try your guitar.The models we mentionned are easy to find.
That seems ridiculous but you must like the guitar you buy.If you don’t like it,don’t buy it!

I don’t think the type of music is the most important point,just because when you are a confirmed player you can play any style with any guitar.
greendots has to learn playing first ,that means a guitar always in tune with a comfortable neck.

This is an immensely difficult question to answer, there being so many variables at play;

Firstly, the type of music you want to focus on is inherently important. So this said, if the heavy chunky sound is something you favour, then you will obviously need something with humbucking pickups.

If a lighter rock sound is more desirable, then something with single coil pickups – however, modern amps and effects processors have taken making that choice away as virtually any electric guitar can be made to sound pretty much how you want by pluggin it into a box and twisting a few knobs.

You must also take into acount your stature and physical strength. Trying to stand up and manipulate an instrument that resembles a surfboard can get very tiring after a short while.

The size of your hands and fingers is equally important as necks come in a variety of contours/depths.

I would never recommend buying a guitar over the internet if you are a beginner. Always go to a guitar shop and sit with as many different instruments as you can before the salesman gets bored and walks off. You may not be able to even finger a single chord but you will get a sense of what ‘feels’ right.

Obviously, what appeals aesthetically is going to be a big part of the decision making process as well – certain shapes just don’t look right. I have never been attracted to Stratocasters, despite owning several.

My choice for a beginner would be either the new Squier Vintage Modified SSH Telecaster;

http//www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery/electric/all/sZSSH07010180/

This has the feel of a much more expensive instrument and has five way switching giving a range of tones, the SSH meaning two single coils and a humbucker. I bought one of the first imported and paid £190.

Or, the Schecter Blackhawk which is a different animal entirely. Full two octave 24 fret neck. I have seen this go for around £135 cash in Sound Control. They are trying to get rid of them and take offers. Several different colours too. Very very good for the money.

http//www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1/pages/mod_1.12.1.1/pages/index.php?sku=1.1.1.1.1-64-293

You know…i often forget that many people love the “Les Paul look”.
Of course that can be a very good choice too.

Hi greendots and welcome to the magic guitar universe!

Definitely i would never recommend any “kit” to anyone!!!
All you need is a real instrument with a good playability and not a toy.

In your price range this is my idea for a beginner :
An epiphone SG =>
http://www.musicstreet.co.uk/epiphonesgspecialelectricguitar-p-521.html?osCsid=0997bd889c1eebbf214a685e541cde62
That’s a guitar easy to play (you can use it for many different styles) and the most important for a beginner : it stays in tune! (forget ALL the models equipped with a floyd rose…..nothing serious under $400)

The amp :
You can find an used Fender 15 frontman on the internet.I owned one and you can trust me : this little amp sounds terrific!!

http://search.ebay.co.uk/fender-frontman_W0QQfromZR40