Choosing Your First Instrument | Electric Guitar xml-ph-0000@deepl.internal

Choosing Your First Instrument｜Electric Guitar



When I vaguely thought, "I'm gonna buy an electric guitar!", I daydreamed about all sorts of things.
Writing this will probably give away my age, but I think I bought my first electric guitar around when I started middle school... Back then, the old stereotype still held that electric guitars and motorcycles were for delinquents.

　I was totally obsessed with KISS back then... Ace's Les Paul, that 3-pickup Custom Red Cherry Sunburst! Fire shooting out the front pickup... man, that brings back memories... Of course, there was no MTV back then. Magazines like MUSIC LIFE were our only source of info. Those photoshoots and cover artists were the only visuals I had.Back then, foreign artists didn't tour Japan year-round like they do now.

What first knocked me out in that magazine's photos was Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin! I was blown away by that Les Paul he held so low, below his waist.Anyway, I just had to have an electric guitar. But man, back then, for a middle schooler like me, a Gibson was like something from another planet. I'd drool over the Mini-Hams Goldtops and three-piece sunbursts in the music store window, haha... So Greco! Yeah, we all grew up on Greco.

　Nowadays, there are many electric guitar manufacturers and countless models, but back in the late 70s, before Greco's Super Real and Tokai came out, it wasn't perfect, but it was the heyday of Les Paul and Stratocaster copy models!

There were several manufacturers like Greco, Braverman, and Aria... At that time, there was a TV show called "Rock Omoshiroku" hosted by Haruo Chikada.It was an amateur band competition, and sometimes guests like Bow Wow or Chaa would appear, so I looked forward to it. In the Greco commercial sponsored by the program, Akira Wada of Prism played incredibly fast, and it was so cool.
That left a strong impression on me. PHOTO Okay, I'll go with Greco! But then I had to decide what to buy, and I could only think of the Les Paul that Jimmy Page used.

　 I just remembered, but back then, there were Zeppelin fans and Purple fans around me. Of course, I was a Zeppelin fan... so when it came to electric guitars, it was either Les Paul or Stratocaster.One day, I saw a Greer EG-600J (dark green!?) Jeff Beck model Les Paul at a music store in Shinjuku, and I was blown away. I got a catalog that day and went home, and then I spent a while happily staring at the catalog.


And in the end, I bought it! A Greco MR-600!! Huh? Why? Why? Well... give me a break. Anyway, I finally got my hands on a Les Paul (type!) when I was in my second year of high school. A Tokai LS-100VF! Back then, I was working part-time like crazy. And I bought it! A Marshall Unit 17 (JCM800/100W two-stack).

After all, Les Paul and Marshall are the world's strongest tag team. That Tokai Les Paul? I broke the neck about 20 years ago, got it fixed once, but then it broke again and was done for.
Whoops, I got sidetracked with my own old stories. But basically, I think it's fine to start from where you're drawn—your favorite artists, the sounds you love, the things you're passionate about.

 

　Once you've fantasized enough, start thinking about how to get your dream electric guitar. First, the budget... By the way, how much do electric guitars start at? You can find ones under ¥10,000 at New, and the upper limit is endless.
You'll naturally wonder, "What's the difference between the super cheap ones and the crazy expensive ones?" Well, not just with electric guitars, but with any high-priced product, the manufacturing costs, material costs, and the amount of time and money invested are significant.But rest assured, just like clothing these days, even non-American or non-domestic products rarely have quality issues. Whether you think "A cheap one is fine for starters," "I want something high-quality even if it's expensive," or "I'll go by brand," everyone's approach is different. Just choose confidently based on your own values.

　Earlier I mentioned New—that's right, there are used options too!! Whether you go with New or used will change what you can afford within your budget. Also, besides the electric guitar itself, there are other things you should buy, so leave some wiggle room in your budget! More details later.

How about a used electric guitar?

　Young folks these days rock vintage clothes with ease, but used electric guitars that've been played in and developed character are pretty awesome too!! Brand new ones are great, but used gear offers unbeatable value!"But wait—isn't a used electric guitar dirty?" or "What if it's broken and unusable?" you might worry. That's where the used specialist shop comes in!! They polish every inch and make detailed adjustments so you can play it stress-free—no worries.

　Huh, you still don't see the appeal of used gear?! Well then, let me tell you a bit more. First off, when we say "used," we're talking about everything from instruments made 20 or 30 years ago to ones that are practically New.

　The unique vibe that comes with an electric guitar that's been around for years is something you just won't find in newer models. Plus, there's that satisfaction of owning something different. Used current models are often priced at around half the New price, which isn't uncommon. And here's a little secret: popular models from a few years back or artist models are the ones to look for. For example, you might find a model that originally cost ¥80,000 selling for under ¥20,000!!

Choose by electric guitar shape and structure

Standard Types:
Les Paul, Stratocaster, Telecaster, SG... and more! These electric guitar standards have enjoyed steady popularity for over half a century!! The Les Paul captivates with its elegant curves. The Stratocaster suits every musical style. The Telecaster, once popular in country music, remains beloved for its simple style, especially among vocalists.The lightweight, easy-to-play SG delivers outstanding performance for wild stage shows.

Modified Type:
Explorer , Flying V, Warlock, Mockingbird, and more. Aggressive looks!! Perfect for those who want to express a unique personality or stand out more than anyone else.
A popular modified type for hard rock and metal, capturing that vibe perfectly.

Semi-Hollow:
Guitars with partially hollow bodies. Examples include the ES-335 and others.
Combining the solid core strength of a solid-body guitar with the full, resonant sound of an acoustic guitar, it handles a wide range of genres from rock to blues and jazz.

Full Acoustic:
Features a body with a completely hollow structure. Models include the ES-175, L-5, and others.
A full acoustic type whose appeal lies in the resonance of the entire body. Its large size and thickness vividly express the player's touch and nuance.

Check current stock:
【Standard】 Les Paul , Stratocaster , Telecaster , SG
 [Modified] Explorer, Flying V
【Boxed Items】Semi-Acoustic, Full-Acoustic

Set Neck:
The body and neck are completely bonded together using adhesive.

Bolt-On:
Holes are drilled into the neck and body, and they are secured with screws.

Arched Top:
Features a raised body top and is joined to the neck at an angle, resulting in a wider gap between the body and the strings.

Flat Top:
Features a flat body top and a straight joint between the body and neck, resulting in a narrower distance between the body and strings.

Choosing by Electric Guitar Sound

Humbucker:
Thick and powerful, prone to distortion. Low noise.

Single Coil:
Bright, light sound. Responsive and sensitive to touch.

Ash:
Wide tonal range with fast attack and a crisp sound.

Mahogany:
A sound with warmth and sweetness in the midrange.

Alder:
A well-balanced wood overall, characterized by clear and tight midrange.

Basswood:
An inexpensive wood, but it produces a flat, neutral sound. Being a soft wood, it tends to produce a sound lacking in body.

Maple:
Excellent attack and clarity, with a strong high-frequency sound. Also renowned for its beautiful grain.

Other Options

 

Other options based on personal preference, feel, or intended use.

Neck Shape (Grip Feel):
Thick, thin, wide, narrow, etc. Initially, it's best to choose one that allows stress-free fingering. Whether you have small or large hands, actually try holding it to see if it feels comfortable.
Weight:
Heavy or light is one thing, but the weight balance between the head and body is a crucial point for those who want to run around the stage!! While lighter weight seems easier to handle, please remember it also affects the sound output.

Lock-type systems like Floyd Rose:
Stays in tune. Requires getting used to string setup and tuning. 　

Synchronized tremolo:
Allows easy arm use. Slightly prone to tuning instability.

Fixed Type:
Does not allow arming, but tuning is stable. Easy to set strings.

Names of Electric Guitar Parts

Headstock:
Often features the brand logo and is where the tuning pegs are mounted.

Peg:
Wind the string to tune it.

Nut:
The anchor point at the head end of the strings, serving as the reference position for frets.

Neck:
Determines the pitch at the fret position.

Fret:
Pressing the string here changes the string length, altering the pitch.

Strings:
Six metal wires that vibrate to produce sound.

Body:
The torso, primarily made of wood.

Pickup:
A microphone made of coils and magnets that picks up vibrations and converts them into electrical signals.

Bridge:
The pivot point on the body, where vibrations are transmitted to the body.

Tailpiece:
The part that secures the ends of the strings.

Pickup Selector:
Switches between multiple pickups.

Control knob:
A knob for adjusting volume and tone.

Jack:
Plug a shielded cable here to connect to an amplifier.

Strap Pin:
Pin for attaching the strap (shoulder belt).

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing an Electric Guitar

Q. How much should a beginner spend on a guitar? (Budget Guide)
A. For your first guitar, the most recommended price range is ¥30,000 to ¥50,000. While ultra-cheap guitars in the ¥10,000 range exist, they often go out of tune easily or have rough construction, which can hinder your progress. Guitars in the ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 range are well-made and will let you play comfortably for a long time. Especially at a used guitar specialist like our shop, you can sometimes get high-quality guitars that would normally cost ¥70,000 to ¥80,000 for a budget of ¥30,000 to ¥50,000.

Q. Is it okay for beginners to choose a "used guitar"?
A. Yes, a professionally adjusted used guitar is actually a "great deal" and "easy to play." Many worry that "used guitars seem to be in poor condition," but TCGAKKI has all its used guitars meticulously inspected and adjusted (set up) by specialist staff upon arrival. New can sometimes be difficult to play if unadjusted, but our used instruments are finished to be "easy to play even for beginners" before being displayed in-store, so you can choose with confidence.

Q. I have small hands. Can I still play guitar?
A. Absolutely no problem. We can suggest models suited to your hand size. Many professional guitarists have small hands. Choosing a model with a slimmer neck or a slightly shorter string length (scale), like "medium scale" or "short scale" guitars (such as Mustangs or some Les Pauls), can make playing surprisingly easy. If you're unsure, we highly recommend visiting our store to actually grip and compare different necks.

Q. Should I buy a "beginner set" or "individual items"?
A. If you plan to continue playing long-term, we recommend purchasing necessary items "individually." While sets are convenient, the included amp or cable may have lower durability. "Investing more in the guitar body itself and choosing a solid, essential amp and accessories" will ultimately let you practice with better sound and improve faster. At our store, we can also propose a starter set combining "only what you truly need" based on your budget.

Q. So, is it okay to just choose based on looks?
A. Yes!"Liking the look" is the most important factor. No matter how expensive a guitar is, if playing it doesn't excite you, you won't stick with your practice. That gut feeling – "the color is cool," "I love the shape," "it resembles my favorite artist's guitar" – is incredibly important. Let our staff help you find a guitar that fits your budget and plays well, starting from the ones you're drawn to visually. First, browse our inventory list and see if any one of them gives you that "wow" feeling.

Finally

So, have you found "the one"? Then head to the store!
Our staff are all friendly and will listen to your situation and preferences. Feel free to chat with them.

If you're from out of town, check out our website to explore our selection♪
We're sharing lots of content on the TCGAKKI YouTube channel, so stay tuned!