I know that there are some players here, I'm seeking some advice on good/better/best selections.

Back in my teen years, a looooong time ago, I got reasonably good with lots of practice and lessons at a music store by a fellow who'd been playing for years in a working band.

At the time my parents bought me a Japanese Les Paul copy branded Raven and a little practice amp from a pawn shop. It's exactly the same as this one, but with a different branding.

It was stored in their unfinished basement for, oh, about 25 years. Not a good when I finally retrieved recently. Rust everywhere that's metal.

Anyway, I want to take it up again. Even if it was a good idea to have it restored (is it?) it's quite heavy and I've always want a Strat style gee-tar. I gots to play da blues.

Budget is an issue and I'd like to keep a instrument and amp around $250 to $300, maybe $350 but that's it.

I've been considering a Squire Affinity or Classic Vibe 50s. Alternatively, is a Yamaha Pacifica 112V a good choice, and if I were to find a good one used, what would be a fair price?

Any other suggestions? Based on your experience, which models should I avoid?

Thanks for your input.

I ended up buying a used Pacifica for my daughter a few years back for $300. What sealed the deal was the emerald green finish as that was my daughters favourite colour., but the Pacifica has a rep for quality and value.

I think that was about 1/2 new at the time. Good luck and have fun!

I'd have liked a Pacifica, I'm sure, but this morning I found a new ad for a nice dark blue Affinity with a Frontman 15g amp - good enough for me - for a total of $130. A good value I thought.

I'm meeting the seller on Saturday.

Howsabout an SG? I don't even play guitar, but I want one to hang on my living room wall.

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/SG/Gibson-USA/SG-Standard-Limited.aspx

I always liked the look of these more. I'd hang one on my wall in a flash if I had the cash.

While in Montreal last year, I wandered into an old beater looking guitar shop that was beside a drum shop. I went in on a whim with some guitar playing friends who knew about it but I wasn't aware it actually had some renown among musicians.

I don't know how the ancient electrical wiring sticking out of the walls ran a bunch of high end amps much less passed building code but it had the biggest number of beautiful and rare guitars that I have ever seen.

Not that this is helpful to you. Just reminiscing.

I thought we weren't supposed to be helpful until the third page.

Monoprice has a few on sale, I'm thinking of getting one! http://www.monoprice.com/products/produc...=1&format=2


edit: just ordered one

That's surprising. I never thought to look at Monoprice, and I have bought a few things from them.

They seem OK. Did you get the sunburst or another colour? Either way, let us know you impressions after you get to play for awhile.

At that price you have to wonder at the quality of the pickups and resulting sound of the guitar. I guess it depends what you are looking for.

It could also be a well built Chinese clone.

Having played a very good sounding Yamaha 12 string for years, I'm probably more picky.

If it gets you playing and you are good with the sound, that's what counts.

Back in the day when I played an electric guitar, the cheaper models always bent at the neck causing the strings to be too far from the frets.

Yes, I ordered the Sunburst. I was talking to the Mono rep and he said they were a solid little unit and holds a tune. I think I will splurge on a Fender amp now and really get in trouble with the neighbors.

Nice. I've had some red flags pop up with my Craigslist seller. Wants to do the deal in a parking lot. My email saying that I wanted to plug in and atest has gone unanswered for a couple of hours now.

Whoow, that does sound a little shady. Hope you can try it out first to make sure as well.

Trying an item out to make sure it works is, of course, a good idea.

But with Craigslist, I would often prefer to meet in a public place rather than have someone come here or, worse, go to their place.