Guitar Question

[Monkey Chips]

Full discloser: I don't know anything about guitars, I don't play guitars (and don't know how to play), and I'm not at all knowledgeable when it comes to musical gear.

Anyway, I was looking on Amazon for fun and came across an interesting listing for left handed guitars, but I was wondering if it was worth it? It's cheap and seems like it comes with everything, but honestly the fact that it's like that sounds too good to be true. Was wondering if anyone knows how these guitars are; do they last long, is the build good, should I just look elsewhere for (possibly more pricey) guitars on other websites other than Amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/LyxPro-Electric-Starter-Beginners-Shoulder/dp/B07VRY3RHB/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=left%2Bhanded%2Bguitar&qid=1690356249&refinements=p_n_feature_thirty_browse-bin%3A486288011&rnid=405901011&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

[Patient #48273]

I don't know anything about that brand, but typically the inexpensive starter guitars on Amazon have spotty quality control and, as a beginner, you might not be able to tell whether there are issues or what specifically they are. If you buy one, I'd suggest bringing it in somewhere for a set-up (or if you're friends with any experienced guitarists, you could ask them if it plays well) to make sure it's as playable as it can be. But of course a set-up costs money and will probably cancel out a lot of the savings from buying a guitar like this on Amazon.

In my opinion, you'd be better off going to a guitar shop and buying something there. It'll probably cost more, but most shops will make sure the guitar's set up properly and if it's not, they should let you bring it back for a free set-up or return/exchange it if there are major issues.

[Monkey Chips]

3 hours ago, Patient #48273 said:

In my opinion, you'd be better off going to a guitar shop and buying something there. It'll probably cost more, but most shops will make sure the guitar's set up properly and if it's not, they should let you bring it back for a free set-up or return/exchange it if there are major issues.

Thank you, I figured that might be the case... Will look around at other online retailers (not Amazon) to see if they have anything better. Maybe I'll also just wait around Christmas time though (both for deals and as a gift to myself since my mother gives me money to buy gifts for myself around that time) to see what looks good.

[Speedo]

15 minutes ago, Monkey Chips said:

Thank you, I figured that might be the case... Will look around at other online retailers (not Amazon) to see if they have anything better. Maybe I'll also just wait around Christmas time though (both for deals and as a gift to myself since my mother gives me money to buy gifts for myself around that time) to see what looks good.

Honestly, go to a physical location and talk to the people there. They’d be stoked to help you find something on the cheap side that has some quality. You can buy a decent squire or epiphone for relatively cheap, pay the $100 or so to have it set up properly and it’ll be better than anything you grab off of Amazon or similar sites. Sweetwater.com is a good place to go if you’re insistent on doing everything online. Their customer services is great and they’ll walk you through everything.

[CoightsBalls one more time]

I've never seen a guitar on Amazon before and I guess I should not be surprised at all, but it is a bit trippy.  I've never heard of the brand, so I'd be weary, there's $250 guitars you can get that will last you 5-8 years.

I'd go with an Epiphone or Squire.  They are great learning guitars and are essentially a really solid-good guitar with cheaper wood material used is all.  Those were the starter guitars for us back in the day.

[Monkey Chips]

2 hours ago, Ungrateful lil Jan said:

I've never seen a guitar on Amazon before and I guess I should not be surprised at all, but it is a bit trippy.  I've never heard of the brand, so I'd be weary, there's $250 guitars you can get that will last you 5-8 years.

I'd go with an Epiphone or Squire.  They are great learning guitars and are essentially a really solid-good guitar with cheaper wood material used is all.  Those were the starter guitars for us back in the day.

Yeah, they have a ton of music stuff there... Last year I got a didgeridoo, but the lip was too small for my mouth to attempt to play so I just have it as a display thing.

On 9/14/2023 at 1:57 PM, Speedo said:

Honestly, go to a physical location and talk to the people there. They’d be stoked to help you find something on the cheap side that has some quality. You can buy a decent squire or epiphone for relatively cheap, pay the $100 or so to have it set up properly and it’ll be better than anything you grab off of Amazon or similar sites. Sweetwater.com is a good place to go if you’re insistent on doing everything online. Their customer services is great and they’ll walk you through everything.

Yeah, I get being in person is the best play, but for some reasons I don't feel comfortable discussing on a public forum (I can always share in DMs if you're really curious) I can't do that option. That being said, I signed up for a Sweetwater account so in the future I should be covered.

[CoightsBalls one more time]

My first guitar was like some shitty washburn for $100 back in the day and I can tell you that killed my fingers and made it not fun.  As soon as I got an Epiphone sg I played that thing daily and nightly for 8+ years. I'd still play it today if could find it.

[Monkey Chips]

20 minutes ago, Ungrateful lil Jan said:

My first guitar was like some shitty washburn for $100 back in the day and I can tell you that killed my fingers and made it not fun.  As soon as I got an Epiphone sg I played that thing daily and nightly for 8+ years. I'd still play it today if could find it.

I must admit though, if Fender was offering a left handed version of Tom's signature guitar... I would have heavily considered getting that for myself to attempt learning on.

[Kay]

If you’ve never played @Monkey Chips I will give you some advice -

Dont get left handed.

I am left handed, I play guitar right handed. It isn’t more difficult and theres waaaay more options available to you if you play right than if you play left. Trust me, left handed guitars are not worth it.

I’ve long felt I actually benefit because my left hand does most of the actual hard work on right handed instruments. 
 

[Monkey Chips]

2 minutes ago, Kay said:

If you’ve never played @Monkey Chips I will give you some advice -

Dont get left handed.

I am left handed, I play guitar right handed. It isn’t more difficult and theres waaaay more options available to you if you play right than if you play left. Trust me, left handed guitars are not worth it.

I’ve long felt I actually benefit because my left hand does most of the actual hard work on right handed instruments. 
 

I'm actually right handed...

Reason why I feel lefty is the way for me is that's the way I played guitar hero and rock band back in the day. I tried playing guitar right handed, but it felt alien and uncomfortable to me, but playing it left handed just felt natural and good. At one point (before he passed in 2013) my brother even attempted (one night) teaching me guitar right handed, but my left hand was just too stupid and stiff to get to the strings the way they should (both of us were frustrated and didn't bother continuing).

Also I do get that means my options are limited and I won't freely be able to play anyone's guitars (and things might be more pricey), but I also think I should go with what feels natural instead of forcing myself to do something because others do it a certain way.

[Kay]

That’s fair enough although as someone who’s taught guitar before it’s always going to be difficult and unnatural to start with but if it feels more correct for you lefty than by all means 😂

[twentytwenty]

On 9/14/2023 at 12:34 PM, Monkey Chips said:

Full discloser: I don't know anything about guitars, I don't play guitars (and don't know how to play), and I'm not at all knowledgeable when it comes to musical gear.

Anyway, I was looking on Amazon for fun and came across an interesting listing for left handed guitars, but I was wondering if it was worth it? It's cheap and seems like it comes with everything, but honestly the fact that it's like that sounds too good to be true. Was wondering if anyone knows how these guitars are; do they last long, is the build good, should I just look elsewhere for (possibly more pricey) guitars on other websites other than Amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/LyxPro-Electric-Starter-Beginners-Shoulder/dp/B07VRY3RHB/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=left%2Bhanded%2Bguitar&qid=1690356249&refinements=p_n_feature_thirty_browse-bin%3A486288011&rnid=405901011&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

It’s a typical starter pack. You can find squire, epiphone, yamaha etc versions of the same idea. 
 

You will have just as fun with this pack as a more famous branded one, when it comes to these packs I would say, for a beginner, go with the cheapest you can find, if you enjoy it you’re gonna trade up soon enough anyways and these things don’t have any second hand value anyways

 

just my two cents