popular Posted by iconian | Staff • 2d ago
May 31, 2025 12:04 AM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
popular Posted by iconian | Staff • 2d ago
May 31, 2025 12:04 AM
Squier FSR Stratocaster H Electric Guitar $189 + Free S/H
$189
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank mwbarrett85
If he's just into rock or pop or whatever, maybe a squier strat SSH or acoustic guitar might be better.
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Contrary to what the other people are saying about looking for a guitar with a neck and bridge pickup, I'm going to say get him this. Most people don't use anything other than the bridge pickup. I have multiple guitars with 2-3 pickups and I don't ever use any pickup other than the bridge. I've been playing for over 25 years, and have zero interest in the sound you get from the neck pickup. I also have an actual Tom DeLonge Strat, that only has one pickup like this. It's my most used guitar, even though I have much more expensive ones. Every beginner I've ever known hasn't bothered with anything other than the bridge pickup.
Another comment said go to a guitar store to try multiple guitars and you would be wise to take that advice. Never ever buy a beginner a guitar they have never tested or played. If it isn't a good fit for them the most likely outcome is they don't have fun or get frustrated and quit.
I listen to indie pop/rock the most now and almost nobody is playing on the bridge. It's all about the warm sound of the neck pickup. Clean amp with warm tones. When I practice at home I'm typically using my Stratocaster with neck pickup only 99% of the time. The standard bridge pickup on a Strat is terrible.
When I play my Les Paul though for rock/metal I use the bridge 99% of the time for those songs. The neck sounds terrible. This type of music is all about a cranked amp or drive pedals and the bridge.
In general, I completely disagree with anyone just buying someone a random guitar. I think that the guitar should basically choose the player. You shouldn't get a guitar unless it jumps out at you and you feel you have to have it.
I am yet to meet a beginning guitarist who would know what to look for in a guitar store. So - other than customer service - I actually don't see the value in someone who can't play trying a bunch of different guitars.
Is the vibe important? Yes. But pictures of other players with guitars can give you that'. If he likes the way this guitar looks, I can't imagine a problem. When starting out, a player needs one good sound ... not endless pickup combinations. In fact, probably the simpler the better. Understanding the pickup selection options, uses for the volume and tone knob, etc., is great. But it is fairly advanced players who are really using those things a lot.