Hey, I picked up an electric guitar and an amp this weekend at 2 separate garage sales, and I need a real musician's opinion. Bought them for my grandson who is 13 and is already playing some on an acoustic guitar.

I got a Squier by Fender black & white electric 6-string with what looks like a maple neck on it in perfect condition With a leather neck strap and a tuner the guy threw in (it works) once he heard it was for a kid for $20! It doesn't have a "wahwah" pedal, but it is a starter guitar. Went to another sale and picked up an amp with the cords for $10. It is a little Gorilla brand Classic GB-30 Bass with a Kicker speaker inside it. Plugged the whole thing in, and it works great! (My husband can play a little guitar...probably why I married him, ha.)

Soooooo, did I get a good deal? This has to be at least as good as what I could have gotten him at the pawn shops. This whole haul gotta be worth more than my $30.00 total!

Seahorsie said:

Hey, I picked up an electric guitar and an amp this weekend at 2 separate garage sales, and I need a real musician's opinion. Bought them for my grandson who is 13 and is already playing some on an acoustic guitar.

I got a Squier by Fender black & white electric 6-string with what looks like a maple neck on it in perfect condition With a leather neck strap and a tuner the guy threw in (it works) once he heard it was for a kid for $20! It doesn't have a "wahwah" pedal, but it is a starter guitar. Went to another sale and picked up an amp with the cords for $10. It is a little Gorilla brand Classic GB-30 Bass with a Kicker speaker inside it. Plugged the whole thing in, and it works great! (My husband can play a little guitar...probably why I married him, ha.)

Soooooo, did I get a good deal? This has to be at least as good as what I could have gotten him at the pawn shops. This whole haul gotta be worth more than my $30.00 total!

That was a really good deal. The people were nice to throw in a tuner and a strap for that price. While the Squire is an entry level starter guitar essentially you have got something that your grandson can learn on, and start saving for his dream guitar if he gets the taste for more. Better to put a small amount now then try and buy a vintage guitar and huge amps and find out your grandson is not so keen on it.

robertgeorge said:

Seahorsie said:

Hey, I picked up an electric guitar and an amp this weekend at 2 separate garage sales, and I need a real musician's opinion. Bought them for my grandson who is 13 and is already playing some on an acoustic guitar.

I got a Squier by Fender black & white electric 6-string with what looks like a maple neck on it in perfect condition With a leather neck strap and a tuner the guy threw in (it works) once he heard it was for a kid for $20! It doesn't have a "wahwah" pedal, but it is a starter guitar. Went to another sale and picked up an amp with the cords for $10. It is a little Gorilla brand Classic GB-30 Bass with a Kicker speaker inside it. Plugged the whole thing in, and it works great! (My husband can play a little guitar...probably why I married him, ha.)

Soooooo, did I get a good deal? This has to be at least as good as what I could have gotten him at the pawn shops. This whole haul gotta be worth more than my $30.00 total!

That was a really good deal. The people were nice to throw in a tuner and a strap for that price. While the Squire is an entry level starter guitar essentially you have got something that your grandson can learn on, and start saving for his dream guitar if he gets the taste for more. Better to put a small amount now then try and buy a vintage guitar and huge amps and find out your grandson is not so keen on it.

That's what I thought. Heck, he might play it for 6 mos. and never look at it again. (Sort of like going out for track...) But, he likes to squirrel up in his room and read, so maybe he will pluck around on it more than I would think. Better than playing damn video games!

Seahorsie said:

robertgeorge said:

That was a really good deal. The people were nice to throw in a tuner and a strap for that price. While the Squire is an entry level starter guitar essentially you have got something that your grandson can learn on, and start saving for his dream guitar if he gets the taste for more. Better to put a small amount now then try and buy a vintage guitar and huge amps and find out your grandson is not so keen on it.

That's what I thought. Heck, he might play it for 6 mos. and never look at it again. (Sort of like going out for track...) But, he likes to squirrel up in his room and read, so maybe he will pluck around on it more than I would think. Better than playing damn video games!

Much better! And a million times better than playing guitar hero. I am pretty sure Prince would never have played guitar hero when he had the real thing. Looks like he is lucky to have some loving family members who have bought such a thoughtful present.

robertgeorge said:

Seahorsie said:

That's what I thought. Heck, he might play it for 6 mos. and never look at it again. (Sort of like going out for track...) But, he likes to squirrel up in his room and read, so maybe he will pluck around on it more than I would think. Better than playing damn video games!

Much better! And a million times better than playing guitar hero. I am pretty sure Prince would never have played guitar hero when he had the real thing. Looks like he is lucky to have some loving family members who have bought such a thoughtful present.

He is my heart................

Seahorsie said:

Hey, I picked up an electric guitar and an amp this weekend at 2 separate garage sales, and I need a real musician's opinion. Bought them for my grandson who is 13 and is already playing some on an acoustic guitar.

I got a Squier by Fender black & white electric 6-string with what looks like a maple neck on it in perfect condition With a leather neck strap and a tuner the guy threw in (it works) once he heard it was for a kid for $20! It doesn't have a "wahwah" pedal, but it is a starter guitar. Went to another sale and picked up an amp with the cords for $10. It is a little Gorilla brand Classic GB-30 Bass with a Kicker speaker inside it. Plugged the whole thing in, and it works great! (My husband can play a little guitar...probably why I married him, ha.)

Soooooo, did I get a good deal? This has to be at least as good as what I could have gotten him at the pawn shops. This whole haul gotta be worth more than my $30.00 total!

Is the real intent of this thread to just brag?? You got an electric guitar and an amp for 30 $ and both work. So really, there is no way that it is not a good deal.

PatrickS77 said:

Seahorsie said:

Hey, I picked up an electric guitar and an amp this weekend at 2 separate garage sales, and I need a real musician's opinion. Bought them for my grandson who is 13 and is already playing some on an acoustic guitar.

I got a Squier by Fender black & white electric 6-string with what looks like a maple neck on it in perfect condition With a leather neck strap and a tuner the guy threw in (it works) once he heard it was for a kid for $20! It doesn't have a "wahwah" pedal, but it is a starter guitar. Went to another sale and picked up an amp with the cords for $10. It is a little Gorilla brand Classic GB-30 Bass with a Kicker speaker inside it. Plugged the whole thing in, and it works great! (My husband can play a little guitar...probably why I married him, ha.)

Soooooo, did I get a good deal? This has to be at least as good as what I could have gotten him at the pawn shops. This whole haul gotta be worth more than my $30.00 total!

Is the real intent of this thread to just brag?? You got an electric guitar and an amp for 30 $ and both work. So really, there is no way that it is not a good deal.

Is the real intent of your post to just be nasty to a fellow poster, who only asked a question? Totally uncalled for and rude! There's enough of that going on in the world today, and it's time for people to search their hearts, and try to make a considerate effort to change.....would make for a better place!

PatrickS77 said:

Seahorsie said:

Hey, I picked up an electric guitar and an amp this weekend at 2 separate garage sales, and I need a real musician's opinion. Bought them for my grandson who is 13 and is already playing some on an acoustic guitar.

I got a Squier by Fender black & white electric 6-string with what looks like a maple neck on it in perfect condition With a leather neck strap and a tuner the guy threw in (it works) once he heard it was for a kid for $20! It doesn't have a "wahwah" pedal, but it is a starter guitar. Went to another sale and picked up an amp with the cords for $10. It is a little Gorilla brand Classic GB-30 Bass with a Kicker speaker inside it. Plugged the whole thing in, and it works great! (My husband can play a little guitar...probably why I married him, ha.)

Soooooo, did I get a good deal? This has to be at least as good as what I could have gotten him at the pawn shops. This whole haul gotta be worth more than my $30.00 total!

Is the real intent of this thread to just brag?? You got an electric guitar and an amp for 30 $ and both work. So really, there is no way that it is not a good deal.

No. I think if you want to brag about $ you would probably be telling people about some $30,000. car you just bought, or a $3,000. pair of shoes. I don't have that great of an income, so was just happy I could find something wonderful for someone I love. (And with an interest in music.) We need to keep encouraging the next generations to do something besides lay on the couch and look at some electronic screen.

Also, I know next to nothing about what guitars cost, so I was being honest. Now if it was something to do with horses or Biology, I would know something! So, if it sounded like a boast, it was not written with that intent. Believe it or not, some people still have real emotions and do not share things to try to belittle others.....................

oceanblue said:

PatrickS77 said:

Is the real intent of this thread to just brag?? You got an electric guitar and an amp for 30 $ and both work. So really, there is no way that it is not a good deal.

Is the real intent of your post to just be nasty to a fellow poster, who only asked a question? Totally uncalled for and rude! There's enough of that going on in the world today, and it's time for people to search their hearts, and try to make a considerate effort to change.....would make for a better place!

Ocean...you a sweetie!

Seahorsie said:

oceanblue said:

Is the real intent of your post to just be nasty to a fellow poster, who only asked a question? Totally uncalled for and rude! There's enough of that going on in the world today, and it's time for people to search their hearts, and try to make a considerate effort to change.....would make for a better place!

Ocean...you a sweetie!

Thanks Seahorsie, that comment to you was rude and uncalled for, and you didn't deserve that, that's why I felt the need to speak up! I hate how rude, disrespectful, and hateful we have become to one another on social media, and in society in general. We've become a nation of angry, hateful bullies, and I for one, am sick of it, that's why I try to speak up whenever I see it being done to others. We shouldn't tolerate the rudeness, bullying, and hatred of others anymore, because it has gotten out of control in our society, and especially on social media! We should all strive to do better and make a serious effort to change things.....Lord knows we need to!

oceanblue said:

Seahorsie said:

Ocean...you a sweetie!

Thanks Seahorsie, that comment to you was rude and uncalled for, and you didn't deserve that, that's why I felt the need to speak up! I hate how rude, disrespectful, and hateful we have become to one another on social media, and in society in general. We've become a nation of angry, hateful bullies, and I for one, am sick of it, that's why I try to speak up whenever I see it being done to others. We shouldn't tolerate the rudeness, bullying, and hatred of others anymore, because it has gotten out of control in our society, and especially on social media! We should all strive to do better and make a serious effort to change things.....Lord knows we need to!

Amen!

PatrickS77 said:

Seahorsie said:

Hey, I picked up an electric guitar and an amp this weekend at 2 separate garage sales, and I need a real musician's opinion. Bought them for my grandson who is 13 and is already playing some on an acoustic guitar.

I got a Squier by Fender black & white electric 6-string with what looks like a maple neck on it in perfect condition With a leather neck strap and a tuner the guy threw in (it works) once he heard it was for a kid for $20! It doesn't have a "wahwah" pedal, but it is a starter guitar. Went to another sale and picked up an amp with the cords for $10. It is a little Gorilla brand Classic GB-30 Bass with a Kicker speaker inside it. Plugged the whole thing in, and it works great! (My husband can play a little guitar...probably why I married him, ha.)

Soooooo, did I get a good deal? This has to be at least as good as what I could have gotten him at the pawn shops. This whole haul gotta be worth more than my $30.00 total!

Is the real intent of this thread to just brag?? You got an electric guitar and an amp for 30 $ and both work. So really, there is no way that it is not a good deal.

Don't be like that. I think on the internet if someone wanted to brag they could talk about or make up something much more grand. "I hung out with Prince and played basketball for a couple of hours and then recorded music with him" (not true by the way).

Is the real intent of your post just to be a nasty douche? If so mission accomplished.

The only douchy thing was the original post. To ask if a working electric guitar and an amp for 30 $ is a good deal is just as dumb as it gets. Don't care what you all think.

[Edited 6/3/19 13:57pm]

It sounds like you got a good deal! Now, take it to the next step.

Take the guitar to a guitar shop and tell them it's for a 13-year-old beginner, and that you would like it set up to be as easy to play as possible. This means putting light (thin) strings on it, and adjusting the action (the distance between the strings and the neck) to be as little as possible without the strings ringing or vibrating on frets. This makes forming chords and playing notes much, much easier and fun.

I'd recommend doing that with the acoustic guitar, too. Especially with the acoustic guitar, as those always seem to have heavier (thicker) strings and can be painful to play.

I hope he enjoys his new instrument!

RodeoSchro said:

It sounds like you got a good deal! Now, take it to the next step.

Take the guitar to a guitar shop and tell them it's for a 13-year-old beginner, and that you would like it set up to be as easy to play as possible. This means putting light (thin) strings on it, and adjusting the action (the distance between the strings and the neck) to be as little as possible without the strings ringing or vibrating on frets. This makes forming chords and playing notes much, much easier and fun.

I'd recommend doing that with the acoustic guitar, too. Especially with the acoustic guitar, as those always seem to have heavier (thicker) strings and can be painful to play.

I hope he enjoys his new instrument!

Thanks for the advice, Rodeo. That's what I was really looking for, someone that really knows something in this category. He can already chord some, loves to sing, and has already got some fairly big hands, so there's a start!

Seahorsie said:

RodeoSchro said:

It sounds like you got a good deal! Now, take it to the next step.

Take the guitar to a guitar shop and tell them it's for a 13-year-old beginner, and that you would like it set up to be as easy to play as possible. This means putting light (thin) strings on it, and adjusting the action (the distance between the strings and the neck) to be as little as possible without the strings ringing or vibrating on frets. This makes forming chords and playing notes much, much easier and fun.

I'd recommend doing that with the acoustic guitar, too. Especially with the acoustic guitar, as those always seem to have heavier (thicker) strings and can be painful to play.

I hope he enjoys his new instrument!

Thanks for the advice, Rodeo. That's what I was really looking for, someone that really knows something in this category. He can already chord some, loves to sing, and has already got some fairly big hands, so there's a start!

Awesome!

It's fun to say "I played until my fingers bled" but in all honesty, no one should ever play until that happens. And if their guitar is set up like I described, it never will happen.

The best advice I ever got re: learning guitar was to play with other, better guitarists as often as possible. I have never, ever met a better guitarist than me who wasn't more than happy to show me anything I wanted. Musicians are awesome that way.

RodeoSchro said:

Seahorsie said:

Thanks for the advice, Rodeo. That's what I was really looking for, someone that really knows something in this category. He can already chord some, loves to sing, and has already got some fairly big hands, so there's a start!

Awesome!

It's fun to say "I played until my fingers bled" but in all honesty, no one should ever play until that happens. And if their guitar is set up like I described, it never will happen.

The best advice I ever got re: learning guitar was to play with other, better guitarists as often as possible. I have never, ever met a better guitarist than me who wasn't more than happy to show me anything I wanted. Musicians are awesome that way.

Yes, they are. That love of music just makes you want to give it all away so that some of you goes into the next generation, I think. Gee, what little purple Yoda does that sound like?

PatrickS77 said:

The only douchy thing was the original post. To ask if a working electric guitar and an amp for 30 $ is a good deal is just as dumb as it gets. Don't care what you all think.

[Edited 6/3/19 13:57pm]

I think that you do care what we all think, or you wouldn't have replied, and correction, but the only douchy thing is your nasty, very rude, and uncalled for post. If I'm correct, I think that people have grown tired of all the nastiness and bullying that has become the norm, on social media and in our society, and are starting to stand up to it, and not tolerate it anymore.......and to that I say BRAVO, because enough is enough, and we all should start taking a stand against it!

oceanblue said:

PatrickS77 said:

The only douchy thing was the original post. To ask if a working electric guitar and an amp for 30 $ is a good deal is just as dumb as it gets. Don't care what you all think.

[Edited 6/3/19 13:57pm]

I think that you do care what we all think, or you wouldn't have replied, and correction, but the only douchy thing is your nasty, very rude, and uncalled for post. If I'm correct, I think that people have grown tired of all the nastiness and bullying that has become the norm, on social media and in our society, and are starting to stand up to it, and not tolerate it anymore.......and to that I say BRAVO, because enough is enough, and we all should start taking a stand against it!

Nope. I don't. And I don't care that you're all pussies who can't bear to hear the truth. That original post is dumb as fuck.

PatrickS77 said:

oceanblue said:

I think that you do care what we all think, or you wouldn't have replied, and correction, but the only douchy thing is your nasty, very rude, and uncalled for post. If I'm correct, I think that people have grown tired of all the nastiness and bullying that has become the norm, on social media and in our society, and are starting to stand up to it, and not tolerate it anymore.......and to that I say BRAVO, because enough is enough, and we all should start taking a stand against it!

Nope. I don't. And I don't care that you're all pussies who can't bear to hear the truth. That original post is dumb as fuck.

Does that make you feel better Patrick? Why so nasty and angry?

PatrickS77 said:

oceanblue said:

I think that you do care what we all think, or you wouldn't have replied, and correction, but the only douchy thing is your nasty, very rude, and uncalled for post. If I'm correct, I think that people have grown tired of all the nastiness and bullying that has become the norm, on social media and in our society, and are starting to stand up to it, and not tolerate it anymore.......and to that I say BRAVO, because enough is enough, and we all should start taking a stand against it!

Nope. I don't. And I don't care that you're all pussies who can't bear to hear the truth. That original post is dumb as fuck.

First Rule of Holes - When you find yourself in one, quit digging.

Depends when the Squier was manufactured. The newer ones are better, the older ones damn near unplayable.

Please check the metallic frets on the fret board before giving the item to a kid. Are the ends of the frets sharp? Could they potentially leave a cut on the kid's fingers if he grabs the neck and slides his hand down the neck? If so, perhaps you should not be giving the guitar to a kid.

The amp is bound to sound pretty damn bad and disappoint the kid if he expects it to sound anything like what he hears recorded on rock records.

Bad guitars and amps might be enough for some kids to begin with and then can upgrade to better equipment later. I think that for most, unfortunately, the pain they'll end up feeling in their hands and the disappointing sounds coming out of the speakers just make them quit.

novabrkr said:

Depends when the Squier was manufactured. The newer ones are better, the older ones damn near unplayable.

Please check the metallic frets on the fret board before giving the item to a kid. Are the ends of the frets sharp? Could they potentially leave a cut on the kid's fingers if he grabs the neck and slides his hand down the neck? If so, perhaps you should not be giving the guitar to a kid.

The amp is bound to sound pretty damn bad and disappoint the kid if he expects it to sound anything like what he hears recorded on rock records.

Bad guitars and amps might be enough for some kids to begin with and then can upgrade to better equipment later. I think that for most, unfortunately, the pain they'll end up feeling in their hands and the disappointing sounds coming out of the speakers just make them quit.

Good to know, Nova. I checked, and you can run your hand right down the neck, smooth as silk on both sides. It looks to be almost new, the fret board not hardly scratched. Yeah, if he sticks with it, this is just a starter guitar, along with the amp. Thanks for chiming in. Will take a long time before he can play the Star-Spangled Banner like Jimi Hendrix; that's for sure!