For beginners, choosing an electric guitar is undoubtedly a highly perplexing process, given the plethora of brands and options available within the same price range. In fact, the differences between electric guitars are not significant within the price range of $500 or less for beginners. However, this article will conduct comparative evaluations of five representative electric guitars popular in the current market through a hardware-based approach. This evaluation also includes products from two brands that garner significant attention, Yamaha and Fender electric guitar, aiming to provide valuable insights before your purchase.
Yamaha Pacifica 112 Review
Image from Yamaha
Specifications
- Body: Alder
- Neck: Bolt-on maple
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Frets: 22
- Pickups: Custom wound Alnico V (SSH configuration)
- Hardware: Tremolo bridge, die-cast chrome tuners
- Control: Five-position pickup selector, master volume, master tone
- Prices ： $279 to $350
Features:
1. Appearance: The Yamaha Pacifica 112V retains its appeal in 2021 with a sleek design.
2. Pickups: Equipped with versatile H/S/S pickups, offering a wide range of tones.
3. Value: Offers incredible value for money.
4. Construction: Solid alder body, well-made, and durable.
5. Performance: Suitable for beginners and advanced players alike, versatile across different genres of music.
Pros:
- Stylish design that remains relevant.
- Versatile pickup configuration for diverse tonal options.
- Excellent value proposition.
- High-quality construction ensures durability.
Cons:
- Few shortcomings, particularly for its price range.
Overall Evaluation:
The Yamaha Pacifica 112V continues to be a top choice for beginners and seasoned players alike. Its enduring appeal, versatile pickups, and solid construction make it a reliable and practical instrument for any guitarist. With its affordable price point, it offers exceptional value and performance.
Fender Player Stratocaster
Specifications
- Body: Ash with glossy polyester finish.
- Neck: Modern C-shaped maple neck, satin polyurethane finish on back, glossy polyurethane finish on front.
- Fingerboard: Maple or Pau Ferro.
- Pickups: Three single-coil pickups with Alnico 5 magnets.
- Hardware: Two-point synchronized tremolo, bent steel saddles, die-cast/sealed tuners.
- Controls: Two-tone controls (neck/middle, bridge).
- Prices ：$650 to $700
Features:
1. Upgraded pickups compared to the Standard.
2. One-size-fits-all neck shape.
3. Wide color range available.
4. Comfortable Modern C neck shape with 22 frets.
5. Alder body with gloss polyester finish.
6. Satin urethane finish on the neck back and gloss urethane finish on the front.
7. Two-point synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles.
8. Three single-coil pickups redesigned for a traditional Strat sound.
9. ‘F’ stamped neck plate for added authenticity.
Pros:
- Improved pickups for a more authentic Stratocaster tone.
- Comfortable neck shape suitable for various players.
- Diverse color options available.
- High-quality construction and hardware.
- Great value for the price.
Overall Evaluation:
Fender brand has long been known for its entry-level choice in the Mexican-made Standard series, offering reliable guitars that inherit Fender's classic style. But over time, Fender decided to shake things up, upgrading the Standard series to the brand new Player Series, offering more room for upgrades. The Player Series addresses the issues present in the Standard series while keeping the price relatively budget-friendly. The series includes a variety of guitars and basses, providing ample choices.
Compared to other guitars in the same price range, like the Squier Classic Vibe series, the Fender Player Stratocaster offers more of the classic Fender features, including higher-quality hardware and pickups, along with a more comfortable neck. While not Fender's top-of-the-line guitar, it's a reliable choice, serving as an excellent starting point even if you plan to upgrade pickups in the future. Overall, the Player Stratocaster is a worthwhile upgrade choice, whether as your main guitar or as a foundation for future upgrades.
Gretsch G2420 Streamliner
Specifications
- PRICE: $499
- BODY: Laminated maple, hollow body
- NECK: Nato with thin "U" profile and 12" radius
- SCALE: 24.75" - FINGERBOARD: Indian laurel
- FRETS: 22, medium jumbo
- PICKUPS: 2x Broad'Tron™ BT-2S
- CONTROLS: 1x master volume, 1x master tone, 1x bridge pickup volume, 1x neck pickup volume
- HARDWARE: Adjusto-matic bridge with Chromatic II tailpiece and die-cast tuning machines
- LEFT-HANDED: No - CASE: N/A
- FINISH: Village Amber (Reviewed), Aged Brooklyn Burst, Phantom Metallic, Walnut Stain
Features:
1. Appearance: It boasts a classic vintage appearance with a beautiful Village Amber translucent finish and tortoiseshell pickguard, featuring a Chromatic II trapeze-style tailpiece, exuding vintage charm overall.
2. Neck Design: The neck adopts a thin "U" shape with modern design elements, equipped with a Laurel fretboard and a 12-inch radius, providing excellent comfort and playability.
3. Sound: Equipped with Broad'Tron™ BT-2S pickups, offering a variety of tonal options, including warm cleans and suitable distortions for various styles. Performs exceptionally well for blues, rock, and jazz genres.
4. Playability: With medium-sized Jumbo frets and 22 frets, it responds quickly during play, particularly suitable for string bending and interval changes.
Pros:
- Provides diverse sound options suitable for different playing styles.
- Comfortable neck design for easy playability.
- Features classic aesthetics and guitar style.
- Equipped with excellent tuners, ensuring stability.
Cons:
- Not ideal for high-gain playing styles.
- The large body size may not be suitable for some players, especially younger or smaller-sized individuals.
Overall Evaluation:
The Gretsch G2420 Streamliner is a guitar with a classic appearance and rich sound suitable for players of various styles. With its moderate price, it is a good choice for beginners and intermediate players. Although its performance in high-gain playing styles is average, it excels in other aspects, offering high value for money.
Epiphone SG Standard
Image from Epiphone
Specifications:
Body Style: SG Body & Neck Material: Mahogany Body Finish:
Gloss Neck Profile: 60s SlimTaper
Fingerboard Material: Indian Laurel
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Bridge: Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic
Pickups: Epiphone Alnico Classic Pro
Price : $499
Pros:
Great feel and playability. Superb tone with tight and controlled low frequencies. Very well-finished with an expensive look.
Cons:
Pickups are slightly dark. Some players may not enjoy the off-kilter feel of an SG.
Overall Evaluation:
The Epiphone SG Standard impresses with its effortless playability and fierce tone, reminiscent of the rock icon it emulates. With a modest price tag, it offers accessibility without compromising on quality. Featuring Alnico Classic Pro humbuckers, this SG delivers a balanced and focused sound, though it lacks some high-end sparkle compared to its Gibson counterparts.
Despite this minor drawback, the SG Standard offers exceptional value for its price, making it suitable for beginners and experienced players alike. With its sleek design, expert craftsmanship, and enjoyable playing experience, the Epiphone SG Standard proves to be a must-have for players seeking an affordable yet high-quality SG model.
Aeroband Guitar
If you've decided that traditional guitars lack flair, the AeroBand Guitar introduces a novel and innovative approach to guitar playing, utilizing motion-sensing technology to simulate the guitar-playing experience without the need for a physical instrument. Designed for both beginners and experienced players, it offers a range of features aimed at enhancing the enjoyment and ease of guitar playing.
Features and Functionality:
A standout feature of the AeroBand Guitar is its motion-sensing technology, which accurately detects hand movements and translates them into guitar sounds. The accompanying app provides various guitar types and sounds suitable for different styles and genres. For beginners, the learning mode offers step-by-step tutorials, while experienced players can enjoy the free-play mode and the ability to record and share their creations.
Connectivity and App Integration:
The AeroBand Guitar's app seamlessly connects to smartphones or tablets via Bluetooth, with an intuitive and user-friendly interface enhancing the overall playing experience, whether learning new songs or jamming to favorite tracks.
Performance and Sound Quality:
Impressively, the AeroBand Guitar offers nine different tones, ensuring versatility in guitar sounds. Its responsiveness to motion ensures an enjoyable and realistic playing experience with minimal latency.
Pros:
-Innovative motion-sensing technology.
-Portable and lightweight design.
-Variety of guitar sounds and styles.
-Intuitive app with learning and recording features. -Nine different tones.
-Prices: $459
Cons:
-Will not fully replicate the physical experience of a real guitar.
-Requires a smartphone or tablet for the full experience.
Overall Evaluation:
The AeroBand Guitar offers a fun and innovative approach to guitar playing suitable for both beginners and experienced players. While it may not replicate the complete physical experience of playing a traditional guitar, its ease of use and enjoyable playing experience make it a valuable tool for music enthusiasts. Additionally, its potential to cater to individuals with disabilities highlights its inclusivity and democratization of music creation. Overall, the AeroBand Guitar represents a significant advancement in music technology, providing new pathways for expression and enjoyment in guitar playing.
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