Choosing Your First Instrument|Electric Guitar

<From Delusion>

When I vaguely thought, "I should buy an electric guitar!", I started daydreaming about all sorts of things.
Writing this will probably give away my age, but I think I bought my first electric guitar around the time I started middle school... Back then, electric guitars and motorcycles were still associated with that old stereotype of delinquents.

I was totally obsessed with KISS back then... Ace's Les Paul, that three-pickup custom red cherry sunburst! Fire shooting out of the front pickup—man, those were the days... Back then, there was no MTV, of course. 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.

The first thing that knocked me out in that magazine photo was Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin! I was blown away by that Les Paul he was holding so low, practically at waist level.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's display window, haha... So Greco! Yeah, we all grew up on Greco.

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

There were a few manufacturers like Greco, Braverman, and Aria... Back then, there was this TV show called "Rock Omoshiroku" hosted by Haruo Chikada. It was an amateur band battle, and sometimes guests like Bow Wow or Chaa would appear, so I looked forward to it. In a Greco commercial sponsored by the show, Akira Wada from Prism played some crazy fast riffs, and it was so damn cool.
That impression was just so strong. "PHOTO, okay, let's go with Greco!"... So what to buy? I could only think of the Les Paul that Jimmy Page uses.

I just remembered, 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 Greco EG-600J (dark green!?) Jeff Beck model Les Paul at a music store in Shinjuku and was blown away. I got a catalog that day and went home, and then spent a while happily staring at the catalog.


So I ended up buying it! The Greco MR-600!! Huh?! Why? Why, you ask... Well, cut me some slack. Anyway, I finally got my hands on a Les Paul (well, a Les Paul type!) back in my second year of high school. It was a Tokai LS-100VF! Back then, I was working my butt off at part-time jobs. And then 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 of mine—I broke the neck about 20 years ago, got it fixed once, but it broke again and is now a total wreck.
Whoops, I got sidetracked talking about my own past, but basically, I think it's perfectly fine to start from where you're drawn—whether it's artists you admire, sounds you love, or places you have a personal connection to.

 

Once I've fantasized enough, it's time to think about getting that electric guitar I've been dreaming of. First, the budget, I guess... By the way, how much do electric guitars start at?NewStarting from under 10,000 yen, there are tons of options above that—no end in sight.
"What's the difference between the super cheap ones and the crazy expensive ones?" You'd naturally wonder that. But it's not just electric guitars—products with higher price tags generally involve more manufacturing costs, material expenses, and a fair amount of labor and money. Rest assured though, just like with clothing, even items not made in the USA or domestically rarely have quality issues these days.Whether you think "I'll start with something cheap," "I want something high-quality even if it's expensive," or "I'll go by brand," everyone has their own approach. I just want you to choose confidently based on your own values.

Just now,NewI said that, but there are used ones too!!NewWhether you go for a new or used one will change what you can afford within your limited budget. Plus, there are other things besides the electric guitar itself that you should buy, so make sure to 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 damn cool too!! Shiny as hell.NewUsed gear is great, but nothing beats the bargain feel! You might be thinking, "But wait—isn't a used electric guitar dirty?" or "What if it's broken and unusable?" But that's where used specialty shops come in! They polish every inch and make precise adjustments so you can play stress-free—no worries.

What?! You don't find used items appealing just because they're secondhand?! Well then, let me tell you a thing or two. First off, when we say "used," we're talking about everything from items made 20 or 30 years ago to things that are practically brand new.NewThere are all sorts of things, including things like that.

The unique character of an electric guitar that has weathered the years is something you'll rarely find in newer models, and there's also the satisfaction of owning something different. Used current-model guitarsNewHalf-price deals aren't uncommon, and I'll let you in on a little secret: older popular models or artist editions are the ones to go for. For example, you might find a model that originally cost ¥80,000 selling for under ¥20,000!!

Choosing by Electric Guitar Shape and Structure

Standard Type:
Les PaulStratocasterTelecasterSG...plus the electric guitar standards that have enjoyed steady popularity for over half a century!! The Les Paul, with its elegant curves that exude sophistication. The Strat, which complements 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 presence.

Transformation Type:
ExplorerFlying VWarlock, Mockingbird, and others—aggressive looks!! Perfect for those who want to stand out from the crowd and express their unique personality.
A popular variant type for hard rock and metal genres that perfectly captures that vibe.

Semi-acoustic
Models with a hollow section in the body. ES-335 and others.
It combines the solid core strength of a solid-body guitar with the rich, full sound of an acoustic guitar, making it versatile enough for everything from rock to blues and jazz.

Full-acoustic
Models featuring a fully hollow body structure. ES-175, L-5, and others.
The full acoustic type, whose charm lies in the resonance of its entire body, is large and substantial, vividly expressing the player's touch and nuance.

Check your inventory:
【Standard】Les PaulStratocasterTelecasterSG
【Deformation】ExplorerFlying V
【Boxed Items】Semi-acousticFull-acoustic

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

Bolt-on:
Drill holes in the neck and body and secure them with screws.

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

Flat Top:
The flat body top and straight joint between the body and neck result in a narrower distance between the body and the strings.

Choosing by Electric Guitar Sound

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

Single coil:
Bright and light sound. Easy to produce notes with good responsiveness.

Ash:
Wide frequency response with excellent transient response and a crisp sound.

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

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

Basswood:
It's an inexpensive wood, but it produces a flat, neutral sound. Since it's a soft wood, it tends to produce a sound lacking in body.

Maple:
Excellent sound attack and clarity, with a strong high-frequency response. Its beautiful wood grain is also highly regarded.

Select Other

 

Otherwise, choose based on your preferences, feelings, or intended use.

Neck shape (grip feel):
Thick, thin, heavy, light—it's best to start with something that allows for stress-free fingering. From those with small hands to those with large hands, actually hold it to see if it feels comfortable.
Weight:
Heavy or light—of course, the weight balance between the head and body is a crucial point for those who want to run around on stage!! While lighter weight seems easier, please remember it also affects the sound output.

Floyd Rose and other locking systems:
It stays in tune. Getting used to string sets and tuning is necessary.

Synchronized Tremolo:
Easy to arm. Tends to go out of tune easily.

Fixed Type:
Arming is not possible, but tuning is stable. Stringing is easy.

Names of the Parts of an Electric Guitar

Head:
The area where the brand logo is often placed and pegs are attached.

Peg:
Wind the strings and tune them.

Nut:
The reference point for frets at the pivot point on the head end of the string.

Neck:
The pitch is determined by the position where you press the string.

Fret:
By pressing the string here, the string length changes, altering the pitch.

String:
Six metal strings vibrate to produce sound.

Body:
The main body, primarily made of wood.

Pickup:
A microphone made of a coil and magnet picks up vibrations and converts them into electrical signals.

Bridge:
At the pivot point on the body, vibration is transmitted to the body from here.

Tailpiece:
The part that secures the end of the string.

Pickup Selector:
Switch between multiple pickups.

Control knob:
Knobs for adjusting volume and tone.

Jack:
Insert the shielded cable here and connect it to the amplifier.

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

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing an Electric Guitar

Q. How much should a beginner spend on a guitar? (Budget guidelines)
A. For your first guitar, the most recommended price range is ¥30,000 to ¥50,000. While you can find ultra-cheap guitars in the ¥10,000 range, they often go out of tune easily or are poorly made, which can hinder your progress. In the ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 range, you'll find well-constructed instruments that you can play reliably for years. Especially at a used guitar specialist like our store,NewIt is possible to acquire a high-quality guitar in the ¥70,000 to ¥80,000 class within a budget of ¥30,000 to ¥50,000.

Q. Is it okay for beginners to choose a used guitar?
A. Yes, professionally adjusted used guitars are actually a "great deal" and "easy to play." Many people worry that "used guitars seem to be in poor condition," butTCGAKKIAll used guitars we receive are meticulously inspected and adjusted (set up) by our expert staff. NewHowever, unadjusted instruments can sometimes be difficult to play. 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 the guitar?
A. Absolutely no problem. We can also recommend models suited to your hand size. Many professional guitarists have small hands. Choosing a model with a slimmer neck or a guitar with a slightly shorter string length (scale), like a "medium scale" or "short scale" guitar (such as the Mustang or some Les Pauls), can make playing surprisingly easy. If you're unsure, please come to the store and try holding and comparing the necks in person.

Q. Should I buy the "starter set" or the "individual items"?
A. If you plan to continue playing long-term, we recommend purchasing essential items individually. While bundle sets are convenient, the included amplifiers and cables may have lower durability. Investing more in the guitar itself and selecting only the most essential, high-quality amplifiers and accessories will ultimately allow you to practice with better sound and improve faster. We can also propose starter sets tailored to your budget, combining only the truly necessary items.

Q. Is it okay to just choose based on looks in the end?
A. Yes! "Liking the look" is the most important factor when choosing. No matter how high-end a guitar is, if playing it doesn't excite you, you won't stick with your practice. That gut feeling—thinking "the color is cool," "I love the shape," or "it resembles my favorite artist's guitar"—is incredibly important. Start by finding a guitar you love visually, then work with our staff to find one that fits your budget and plays comfortably. First, browse our inventory list and see if any guitar gives you that "wow" feeling.

Finally

Alright, have you found that "This is it!" guitar? Now it's time to head to the store!
The staff at the shop are all friendly and approachable, happy to listen to your circumstances or preferences. Feel free to strike up a conversation.

If you're visiting from afar, we hope you'll explore various places using this site.♪
TCGAKKIStay tuned for lots of content coming soon on my YouTube channel!