Does the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Play Authentic? Find Out in Our Complete Review

The Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Electric Guitar at a glance:

Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Guitar in Heritage Cherry Sunburst

Les Paul Tribute Electric Guitar Overview

Epiphone guitars, the affordable line of guitars authorized by Gibson, has a long and admirable history when it comes to producing quality electric guitars. The Les Paul Tribute is no different, representing an affordable alternative to the Gibson Les Paul.

Featuring two humbucking pickups, the Les Paul Tribute is built to rock. Featuring the classic Les Paul archtop shape, beginners will be getting a comfortable, versatile, and iconic guitar.

A Reliable Remake of the World’s First Signature Guitar

Epiphone’s Les Paul Tribute is an affordable way for beginners to get their hands on a high quality, arch top Les Paul. Made famous by Les Paul himself, Slash, Jimmy Page, and many other iconic players, the Gibson LP has helped shape rock n roll history.

Famous for the warm, full sound of its humbuckers, the Les Paul Tribute is a great option for players who play rock, hard rock, or metal-style music. While there are many Epiphone Les Pauls that have upgraded features, the simple and streamlined construction helps keep the cost down.

Who is the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute for?

Closer to $300 than $200, the Les Paul Tribute is a bit more expensive than some of its similarly-rated peers. However, it is still tailored to beginner and student guitar players skill set.

The Les Paul Tribute, a Gibson-style guitar, has a smaller scale length at 24.75” than comparable Fender-style guitars like the Telecaster or Stratocaster. This may make it easier for some beginners, thanks to the size of the frets and neck.

Many players also often consider these guitars easier to bend notes on as well. Even better, the humbucking pickups have less noise or buzz than single coils, and produce high output sounds.

That makes the Les Paul Tribute a great live instrument for beginners and students as they form their first bands.

What Comes in the Epiphone Box?

Unlike the Squier Affinity Telecaster, the Les Paul Tribute cannot be purchased as part of a package deal with included accessories.

This means that you’ll have to go out and purchase your own accessories such as a strap, picks, clip-on tuner, and extra strings separately if you’re a beginner.

For some players who already stretched their budget just to get the Les Paul Tribute, this could be troubling. However, you can get Epiphone’s cheaper Les Paul II model in one of those beginner friendly packs!

Les Paul Tribute Features

Epiphone’s Les Paul Tribute is built around two powerful hot open-coil humbuckers. Humbuckers are by definition noiseless, helping to reduce the buzz and hum in your whole rig. Plus, humbuckers are higher output than single coils, giving you loud, full layers of distorted guitar tone.

The Tribute has a Mahogany body and neck, giving it a full, sustaining tone. Unlike Gibson and higher end Epiphones, the Les Paul Tribute has a bolt-on neck, not a set in neck.

The slim taper shaped neck is covered by a bound Laurel fretboard. The neck should be comfortable for most new players, especially thanks to the shorter scale length. The arched top that comes with a stunning heritage cherry finish.

Unfortunately, Les Pauls like this are known to have some tuning instability, thanks to the angle of the strings as they enter the nut.

Rounding out the features are 22 comfortably medium jumbo frets, the classic tune-o-matic bridge style, and a gloss finish that makes the guitar shine.

Highlights

• Loud, rich humbuckers
• Beautiful, glossy heritage cherry finish
• Comfortable, slim body profile
• Small scale length is easier for beginners

See and Hear it in Action

Curious how the Les Paul Tribute and those open coil humbuckers sound? Check out this great demo of the guitar, played both clean and overdriven, below! You’ll quickly see how you can recreate those vintage Les Paul tones with ease.

Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Review

What Do Epiphone Customers Think? >>

Other Affordable Electric Guitars to Try

Squier Affinity Stratocaster

There has never been as many great cheap guitars for young players as there are right now.

While it is easier than ever to find great guitars under $200, it also is harder to sift through the many great options.

If you’re looking for a classic Fender design, Squier’s Affinity Series Stratocaster might be for you.

The Affinity Strat is tried and true recreation of the three pickup Stratocaster, arguably the most iconic electric guitar of all time.

Squier Affinity Telecaster

At an equally affordable price tag, you’ll find even more tonal diversity in the Stratocaster.

Plus, it’s also sold as part of great beginner packages by many common retailers, making it student friendly.

Just like the Affinity Strat, you can also find an affordable and high quality Telecaster from Squier.

The Affinity Tele maintains that classic bright, Fender Tele tone that can be found throughout rock n roll’s history.

It’s versatile enough to cover rockabilly, country, rock, and blues and all that comes for under $200!

Find out more in our Squier Affinity Telecaster review.

Ibanez Gio GRX70QA

Tired of hearing about Fender and Gibson?

Ibanez has just the electric guitar for you! Check out their GRX70, a “super-Strat”-style guitar that mixes modern features with stunning finish options.

For players who want to pursue more technical styles of music such as fusion, metal, or Steve Vai-inspired madness, look no further.

The Ibanez GRX70 adds a unique HSH pickup diagram and dive-bomb ready tremolo system to a sub-$200 shredding machine.

Check out our Ibanez GRX70 complete review here.

Final Thoughts: Does the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Hit the Mark as a Good Mid-Level Guitar Purchase?

If Fender single coil guitars aren’t your style, the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute is a superb alternative. It’s great for beginners in both practice and live settings, and the humbuckers can faithfully reproduce classic rock and blues lead tones.

Unfortunately, affordable Les Pauls are known for having some tuning issues, so getting a clip on tuner is highly recommended. But for beginners or students who want to play high volume and high gain music, the Les Paul Tribute is a dependable, and fairly affordable option!

Plus, with that heritage cherry color and glossy finish, there aren’t many guitars that look this good at this price point!

What are Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Owners Saying? >>

User Friendliness

Build Quality

Sound Quality

Value Factor

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Overall Score:    4.3

The post Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Review first appeared on GuitarNiche.

Are the days of boring old guitar lessons going the way of the dinosaurs? If GuitarQuest is any indication, the future of guitar instruction is indeed epic!

Note: For the purposes of this article, I was granted full access to Guitareo features. As some links are affiliated, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

GuitarQuest Summary

Editor’s Rating

(4.5 / 5)

Designed to give beginners a rocket-fueled start to playing, GuitarQuest is available as its own standalone course for a one-time fee of $197, or as a Training Pack that comes bundled with a Guitareo subscription.

GuitarQuest Course and Membership Offers

As a standalone course

$197 one time

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Included with a subscription

$127 per year

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Guitar Quest Takes a Different Approach

Probably the most concise description of what Guitar Quest is and attempts to accomplish comes from within the Guitareo program itself:

Guitar Quest takes you on an adventure as you play shows, shoot music videos, make commercial jingles, and most importantly have a lot of fun making a lot of music. It just so happens you’ll learn all of the basics of the guitar along the way.

Guitareo

If the course description sounds unique – that’s because it is.

Yes, it’s another guitar course aimed at beginners, but I’ve never come across another guitar program that combines entertainment, fun, creativity, theatrics and musicality all in the same package.

Based on the concept of dividing core guitar skills into nine advancing levels, Guitar Quest leads you through a virtual theme park of “Missions”.

Each mission (chapter) in the adventure is broken down into individual lesson videos that leverage Rob Scallon’s insightful, and thorough, approach to teaching.

At face value you may get the impression the course is primarily electric but acoustic guitar is indeed thoroughly injected by the time you reach mission 4: “Campfire Chords”.

From a traditional point of view, Guitar Quest seems to intentionally avoid all conventional elements of teaching guitar. Yet in retrospect, it works!

Having reviewed all sections of the program, I found it still packed a punch when it came to covering the basics of playing and beyond – with a twist. Most of all, it was entertaining and fun.

Who is Rob Scallon?

You may be familiar with Rob Scallon, the madman behind the concept, through his YouTube channel.

As a producer and multi-instrumentalist based out of Chicago, he’s best known for his unique approach to making music with, well, just about anything with strings on it.

With over 400 uploaded videos, many with millions of viral views, Rob’s approach in general could be described as “wacky”. A blend of pop, metal and mayhem sprinkled over just about any cultural inspiration you can think of.

With that kind of background, it’s no wonder Guitar Quest was born this way…

How Much is Guitar Quest?

Guitar Quest is available as its own stand-alone course for a one-time fee of $197, or as a Training Pack that comes bundled with a Guitareo lifetime membership.

While doing research for this article, some forum members mentioned they had started with the Guitar Quest course, then transitioned into a Guitareo membership.

Considering the array of bundled programs, a Guitareo lifetime membership makes a whole lotta sense when you do the math. It’s just a matter of keeping your eyes open and grabbing the offer when it comes around.

What’s the Difference Between Guitareo and GuitarQuest?

First off, it’s important to understand that there is a very clear hierarchy to the entities that govern the courses.

The topmost company is Musora Media Inc which controls a number of music instructional platforms, one of which is Guitareo, and under the Guitareo umbrella we have GuitarQuest.

While Guitareo’s Method course is a well-conceived traditional approach to learning guitar quickly and efficiently, GuitarQuest focuses on the fun side of making music from the get go.

Instead of trudging through an academic, black and white guitar course, you’re plunged into colorful scenarios that illustrate how you can creatively apply your new guitar skills as you’re actively learning.

With its unique spin, GuitarQuest still manages to cover the basics in a very entertaining and practical way.

For a better idea of what Guitareo is all about, you may be interested in reading the complete review here.

How Does GuitarQuest Compare to Other Programs?

That’s a tough question. GuitarQuest is kind of in a league all its own. It’s like asking how does Rick Nielsen’s Uncle Dick double neck Hamer compare to a “normal’ guitar?

But seriously, there are other personality driven courses out there, like JustinGuitar for example, but nothing quite like this. What GuitarQuest lacks in breadth and scope, it makes up for in creative concept and execution.

Inside the GuitarQuest Program

The GuitarQuest course is broken down into nine color-coded chapters or missions:

1. Song in an Hour
2. The Jam Session
3. Music Video Shoot
4. Campfire Chords
5. Selling Out
6. The Punk Show
7. The Recording Studio
8. Play Anything
9. The Final Boss

Clicking on a thumbnail opens another full page containing further subsections for that mission. Each relatively short explainer video then walks you through the topic covering it in logical bite-size pieces.

Example: Chapter 1 – Play a Show

This section, as expected covers the basics.

The aim is to get enough info into your head and under your fingers to be reasonably familiar with the guitar.

The ultimate goal is to be able to pull off a performance; a “SONG IN AN HOUR” – from scratch.

Thanks to Rob’s approach yes, it is possible.

Further Chapters and Observations

As the course progresses, students are introduced to more and more branches of the musical tree.

Where most of us would expect to start with the roots and focus on strictly guitar related elements, GuitarQuest manages to weave in more complex topics very early on.

For instance, song structure is covered in Chapter 3, chord changes and transitions in Chapter 4, palm muting and vibrato in Chapter 5 and so on.

The course even covers where to find guitar tabs, a little theory and practical exercises. Finally culminating in Chapter 9 “The Boss”, a pseudo-Misirlou mashup that puts it all together.

Along the way, Rob is able to take elementary guitar principles and turn them into very musical constructs in their own right.

My Personal Thoughts on GuitarQuest

After reviewing a majority of popular guitar courses currently available, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like GuitarQuest.

For a new student, the entertainment factor is very high. Rob Scallon is very personable with a great sense of humour and teaching style that’s concise and entertaining.

The complete series is quirky, tongue-in-cheek (at times cheesy), yet extraordinarily educational. Moreover, it’s a qualified study on teaching guitar outside the box.

But beyond the exceptional concept, presentation and execution of the course there are a few caveats to consider:

1. GuitarQuest relies heavily on one person’s ability to carry the show.
2. If you don’t gel with Rob’s personality, you may have a hard time getting the value you expect.
3. Some students may find the leap to creativity a little beyond their means.

Negative points aside, I feel the pros outweigh the cons – by a long shot.

In terms of sheer creative output, GuitarQuest is a testament on how you can use modern ingredients and mix them together to cook up an entirely new recipe for learning guitar.

The result? No more boring lessons!

Editor’s Rating 4.5/5

The post GuitarQuest Review: No More Boring Lessons first appeared on GuitarNiche.

Who provides the best online guitar lessons? Lucky for you we’ve done the hard research to help you choose the best service that fits your needs perfectly.

Our Top 3 Picks:

Best Choice

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Most Diverse

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Premium Pick

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Who Offers the Best Online Lessons for Acoustic or Electric Guitar?

There are more guitar lesson providers than ever before, making the instrument hyper-accessible for students in the 21st century.

If you’re one of the thousands looking to learn guitar online, you may be wondering which website or subscription is the one for you. Which one is the best choice?

To help you make a good decision, we’ve compared all the major players side by side with thorough reviews to help you find which one is truly the best online guitar lesson site.

Note: This is a long article. For the TL;DR version, you might want to skip to the Final Summaries section, then navigate to any of the full reviews you may be interested in.

The most important questions;

• • How easy is the website to access/navigate?
  • How affordable are the lessons?
  • Are the lessons and instructors engaging?
  • And how diverse are the song or lesson video options in genre, style, or difficulty?

By pitting the top, most popular and well known sites against each other, we’ll analyze how well they stand up to these questions giving you a solid start on which lesson site is best for you.

Each site has been thoroughly reviewed by our Guitar Niche staff slowly working through beginner, song, and advanced technique lessons, as well as trying out some of the extra features like tuners, chord finders, ear training, and more.

We certainly hope you find this article helpful, informative and unbiased. Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!

Top Guitar Lesson Websites Compared:

Service	Cost	Rating	Offer?
1. GuitarTricks	$19.99 per Month	(4.1 )	14 Day Free Trial
2. TrueFire	$29.00 per Month	(4.3)	30 Day Free Trial
3. ArtistWorks	$35.00 per Month	(4.1)	Free Samples
4. Justin Guitar	$0.00 per Month	(4.2)	Trial – N/A
5. Fender Play	$9.99 per Month	(4.0)	50% Discount on Annual Plan
6. JamPlay	$19.99 per Month	(3.9)	Free Trial
7. Guitareo	$10.58 per Month (billed annually)	(4.3)	30 Day Free Trial

Top Online Guitar Lesson Sites Reviewed

1. Guitar Tricks

Guitar Tricks is one of the most complete, and user friendly lesson sites on the market featuring a wide range of tools, lessons, and add-ons.

Boasting over 11,000 video lessons per their website, there is surely something for everyone on Guitar Tricks.

Before we dig in and walk through, some of the highlights include the vast number of lessons previously mentioned as well as the large volume of song lessons the site features.

EDITOR’S RATING:

(4.1 / 5)

Overview

At the most basic levels of review, Guitar Tricks checks a lot of boxes you should be looking for. It has an easy to navigate website and homepage in addition to one of the largest selections of diverse technique, genre, and song lessons databases online.

The linear and easy to follow “core lesson plan” starts all players off with a series of video levels split into multiple chapters.

Each level is taught by the same instructor throughout and lets you branch off into specific genres as you move up in skill.

While there are no famous, “rock star” instructors like some of the other sites boast, the instructors are nonetheless engaging and informative.

Product Services/Highlights

One of the best features of Guitar Tricks has to be how user friendly the website is while still retaining the highest quality video lessons.

The site doesn’t overcomplicate itself, and clearly labels where beginners should start while displaying the paths they will soon follow on their learning journey.

GuitarTricks’ video lessons are engaging, high definition videos featuring pop-up tablature and musical notation along with multiple screens displaying the strumming and fretting hands of the instructor.

Lessons can also be sped up or slowed down to help you follow along with the video at your own pace while the more advanced song lessons feature a more interactive set up with built in guitar tuner and recommendations for gear.

The ease of use and quality of lessons is really where the value of Guitar Tricks is fully on display.

In addition to the diverse lesson toolbox, the site has great add-ons such as a diverse list of song lessons available, a jam station for improvisation practice, and forums for chatting with other students.

The Good / What We Like

While many of these sites bombard you with too many features and tools to remember, Guitar Tricks focuses on offering easy guitar lessons for beginners are easy to access and keep up with.

This emphasis on making it easy to learn guitar is a more important but less glamorous selling point.

Guitar Tricks also has one of the largest and most diverse collections of song lessons, an important feature that keeps students engaged as they move past the beginner stage and begin to lose interest or the need for formal lessons.

Furthermore, these advanced song and technique lessons come with expanded tools like chord finders, scale finders, and jam stations that really increase the practice capabilities of students.

The Bad / What We Don’t Like

While it isn’t necessarily a negative, all these top notch features that make it one of the best guitar lesson sites come at a cost of $19.99 per month, in the mid to high range of the subscription options reviewed here.

For this price, some students may expect perfection, and the lack of some features like an “ask the teacher” button on video lessons or section for taking notes that other sites has been replaced by other add-ons like lyrics or external links.

However, this is generally nit picking and we feel the subscription cost is fair for the volume of lessons available to the student.

GuitarTricks Summary

View Guitar Tricks’ Free Trial Here >>

2. TrueFire

TrueFire is a bit unique when compared to other guitar lesson sites in the sense that it comes jam packed with great features, but also has many different subscription options.

Free to sign up for, you can pay for all-inclusive access, or buy and download individual lessons or lesson plans.

With over 600+ collaborating instructors, over 900 courses, multiple thousands of videos, and great reviews from students and critics alike, TrueFire is one of the most dense, complete lesson sites you can learn from.

EDITOR’S RATING:

(4.3 / 5)

Overview

With an easy to follow website and linear lesson plans, anyone should be able to navigate their way around and search through the site’s many, engaging lessons with ease.

For those looking to learn from the pros, you’ll be happy to know TrueFire also boasts several famous instructors such as Steve Vai, JD Simo, Robben Ford, Alex Skolnick, Jennifer Batten, and a host of other recognized personalities.

In addition to straight ahead lesson plans based on the genre or style you wish to learn, there is also a Channel section to help build community involvement.

For beginners, there is a Learning Paths section designed to take the edge off of having to read music and make the getting started process as easy as possible.

Basic subscription packages start at $29 per month for complete access to the site, players who sign up for free have access to a decent selection of free lessons or can pay per downloaded video lesson.

Product Services/Highlights

When compared to cheaper or free alternatives, you’re certainly getting access to a huge volume of lessons for the price.

And we were impressed with the number of free lessons available, over 6000+ according to the site at the time of writing.

But there were not many free online guitar lessons for beginners, so these are probably better suited for more advanced players.

One of the best services that comes with this site has to be the “In the Jam” function that lets you practice improvising over pre-recorded full band or guitar arrangements for different styles, scales, and genres.

TrueFire also have a somewhat limited number of song options to learn, but the selection is very diverse in artists and genres.

Furthermore, they have a request a song function that allows students to ask for lessons for their favorite songs, which could really help grow that list in the months to come.

The Good / What We Like

We really love the “In the Jam” function and think that the volume of options it has is a great tool for students.

Improvising and creating your own music can be one of the hardest things to practice or learn, especially if you’re a solo guitarist alone in your home.

The addition of famous instructors is always a cool way to learn techniques or playing styles from the people using them every single night on tour as well.

For more advanced students, access to a large number of free lessons makes this a very appealing option for those looking to continue their education, not begin it.

Another cool feature is their interactive video jam sessions with some of their top artists and instructors called “Trading Solos” which lets students learn directly from the source in an engaging manner.

The Bad / What We Don’t Like

As with some of the other sites, the $29 per month can be a financial roadblock for many students, especially younger, less independent ones.

From a value standpoint, while the site has thousands of video lessons, the limited song selection, and presence of free access to the “In the Jam” function, may not make it worth paying for.

Likely, this would be a great supplementary site to others or live, in person lessons.

TrueFire Summary

Special for GuitarNiche readers: use code “PARTNER10” and get 10% OFF TrueFire >>

3. ArtistWorks

ArtistWorks is another site that strays a bit away from the basic template of the others reviewed here.

ArtistWorks features lesson plans built around what style of guitar playing you wish to learn such as Electric Rock Guitar or Acoustic Classical guitar, with each being taught by one dedicated instructor who leads you through the whole series.

ArtistWorks is also home to video lessons for almost every instrument you can imagine, outside of the guitar, making it the most musically diverse site discussed.

EDITOR’S RATING:

(4.1 / 5)

Overview

ArtistWorks’ flagship lesson series may be the Electric Rock Guitar lessons taught by modern day icon Paul Gilbert, which are some of the best online rock guitar lessons.

Each series features its own unique teacher that guides you through lessons ranging from 2 to 15 minutes, keeping students engaged through various techniques, riffs, and songs.

Unlike all the other sites here, ArtistWorks doesn’t seem to have a dedicated page or database for song lessons.

Meaning you can’t just scroll through a list of options looking for your favorite Beatles or ACDC song.

What it may lack in songs or extra tools it makes up for diversity with woodwind, piano, mandolin, and many other instrument learning videos that can expand your musical skills.

Furthermore, the video exchange feature helps students connect, learn from each other, and stay engaged throughout their playing life.

Product Services/Highlights

The services here are a bit more straightforward than other lesson sites, you simply pick what style of music and instrument you want to play, and then you follow along from there.

There is also a menu that shows you all the instructors the site boasts, where you can choose which path or style to follow based on their description.

The biggest highlight has to be the Video Exchange Learning feature, which lets you post a live video of yourself playing and receive feedback from other students and a tailored video response from an instructor.

This helps make your online guitar learning experience much more personal than you may otherwise experience on rival websites.

This is site is really tailored towards beginners, and honestly doesn’t have many features meant to engage more advanced students such as a song database, gear demos, or musicianship training.

New From ArtistWorks

More recently, ArtistWorks has added a new Beginner Acoustic Guitar Course hosted by David Butler who is also the Chairman and Cofounder of ArtistWorks.

With a focus on comprehensive, step by step instruction, this fresh online guitar course is designed to help first time players avoid getting frustrated.

The Good / What We Like

The Video Learning Exchange feature is really something special, especially because you get that detailed video response from an instructor helping to critique your playing.

Having that personal interaction can really help keep some students engaged and motivated to improve, practice, or complete their whole lesson series.

Overall, the video lessons are great and the ones we had access to showed off the instructor’s enthusiasm for the material as well as an active community of students responding to the videos.

They most certainly are good guitar lessons for beginners, but lack upper levels of advancement.

The Bad / What We Don’t Like

ArtistWorks is overall the most expensive out of all the sites, with a yearly package coming in at $35 a month (3 month term), to as low as $23.25 a month for a twelve month term.

Personally, we think you may not get enough value for that price, especially without advanced musicianship training such as ear interval or songwriting lessons.

Although, their recent expansion of courses, especially their full Beginner Acoustic Guitar Lessons course from Chairman and Cofounder David Butler to their platform, have added exceptional value to their platform.

But with no song database, student’s may be inclined to go to YouTube or tablature websites to learn their favorite songs.

This may ultimately pull them away from the site as they advance and grow towards other guitar coaching online.

ArtistWorks in Review

View ArtistWorks’ Master Players >>

4. Justin Guitar

Justin Guitar is the brainchild of popular YouTube teacher Justin Sandercoe and features an interactive and modern website.

The site features all the same videos as his YouTube channel, in a more organized, user friendly package.

Justin Guitar is further unique in that he is the sole instructor and produces hundreds of videos, lessons, and content himself without the help of other instructors, famous or otherwise.

EDITOR’S RATING:

(4.2 / 5)

Overview

Justin Guitar is shockingly on par with all the other sites despite being a largely solo effort and has many of the same features you find elsewhere.

Song lessons, beginner lesson plans, and advanced techniques can all be found on Justin Guitar along with some interesting extras like podcasts and advanced theory lessons.

With engaging lessons for a variety of styles and genres, Justin Guitar has something for everyone and costs exactly zero dollars for full access. If you want to know how to learn guitar easily, this site may be the ticket.

Product Services/Highlights

For that incredibly tempting cost of $0, what do you get with Justin Guitar? The answer is a lot more than you might expect at that price point.

At the time of writing, the site boasts 940 lessons, 554 songs, musicianship lessons, and interval ear training.

Lessons and songs are color coded to indicate difficulty, and a helpful “beginners start here” path and welcome video make it easy for new students to navigate the web page and lesson plans.

At first glance, the song selection is also incredibly diverse with everything from Tracy Chapman to Ritchie Valens.

Justin’s musicianship lessons struck us as very impressive simply because they are featured or advertised so prominently on the site.

The drop down menu goes on to list really advanced lessons on production, songwriting, ear training, and transcribing, features that will surely keep students engaged long past their beginner days.

The Good / What We Like

Generally speaking, Justin Guitar has just about every major option, lesson, or section of all the other sites, but for free.

That’s a huge plus that could potentially make up for any of the limitations in lesson quantity or available tools that could be hampered by the site being a one man operation.

The familiarity of having the same teacher for all lessons is valuable as students who enjoy Justin’s style and lessons will be engaged time and time again while feeling comfortable with their learning.

Furthermore, the web site is beautiful built and offers super accessible guitar lessons for beginners by experts with clearly labeled options.

The Bad / What We Don’t Like

Justin Guitar does lack some of the features that are standard on other sites such as pop up tablature that follows along or is displayed next to the video.

Other in-lesson tools such as a tuner or notepad are also missing when compared to the diverse user interface of JamPlay or Guitar Tricks.

Otherwise, there is a lot to like and a ton of excess value thanks to the free membership.

Justin Guitar Summary

View Justin Guitar for Free Here >>

5. Fender Play

One of the newest additions to this best online guitar lessons review, Fender Play was launched by the legendary guitar company just within the past few years.

Fender Play has become an important part of Fender’s attempt to preserve their legacy of excellence in all things guitar while attracting new players from an ever changing student pool.

Using a wide variety of instructors in age, gender, and race, Fender hopes to appeal to the ever diversifying musical scene with a modern update on traditional guitar lessons.

EDITOR’S RATING:

(4 / 5)

Overview

Despite a much shorter history than competitors, Fender Play is another strong contender featuring an affordable monthly subscription cost of $9.99 per month.

Furthermore, the website has a wonderful, easy to navigate design that is integrated into Fender’s main website.

Boasting a number of instructors, interviews, and gear demos, Fender Play has something for everyone even if it lacks some of the famous instructors of other sites.

Fender Play lessons are engaging and are super accessible as every Squier and Fender guitar or bass sold comes with a free, 6 month subscription to the service.

Product Services/Highlights

The Fender Play lesson plan is designed around a linear progression called “My Path”, which makes it super easy for students to begin learning, get hooked, and make steady progress.

Each student chooses their path based on the genre they wish to learn and options include rock, blues, folk, country, and pop for electric guitar as well as other options for acoustic, bass, and ukulele.

Fender Play also features a diverse list of song lessons, many that they incorporate directly into your path, as well as gear demos, articles, guitar tuners, and support for their IOS app to help you learn guitar online fast.

All of this comes included free with your monthly subscription giving you plenty of value compared to many of the $20 per month options.

The Good / What We Like

Fender’s “My Path” lesson plan is one of the most easy to use and streamlined lesson plans on the market, and is paired with an exceptional user interface that is so easy to use.

Videos have great tools comparable to other sites like playback speed options and pop-up tablature along with the song or style lessons.

They also boast over 500 song lesson options which are all very diverse in style, difficulty, and range from classics to modern hits.

Get 50% Off Fender Play >> Use Code “learntoplay50“

Lastly, one of our favorite things is how they incorporate songs and riffs into the “My Path” lesson plans early on.

This puts an emphasis on how making music can be a part of learning the guitar, which is important for engaging students and motivating them to practice.

The Bad / What We Don’t Like

There isn’t much to complain about here, but while the $9.99 per month is on the cheap side, it can still create an extra monetary barrier to learning the guitar.

This is fairly mitigated by the 6 month subscription that comes with every new Squier or Fender guitar, making it more ideal for students planning on purchasing one of those specific products.

As with any new product, some people may be wary of the short history and lack of years of coverage in reviews for online guitar lessons.

Fender Play Summary

Try Fender Play Here >>

6. JamPlay

JamPlay is another veteran of the guitar lesson website world and has a long history of successful guitar coaching online.

While the site has a number of appealing features such as live lessons, famous instructors, and a plethora of tools, its song selection is widely focused on the rock and metal categories.

This makes it one of the best online rock guitar lessons even though it is structured around five, somewhat redundant genre based lesson plans.

EDITOR’S RATING:

(3.9 / 5)

Overview

Once again, JamPlay provides a lot of what beginner guitar students are looking for; quality instructors, song lessons, and a lot of diversity in the lesson options.

One nice touch is that the roster of instructors features a few high profile musicians, including Tosin Abasi, Steve Stevens, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and Kaki King.

However, the web page and lesson choices are a little harder to navigate, presenting many options as opposed to a one stop shop for beginners that then branches as you progress.

Product Services/Highlights

As stated before, many of the highlights of JamPlay are based around the sheer volume of video lessons for techniques, theory, and professional styles. Another great service is the diverse set of tools found with each video lesson.

Tabs for supplemental info (tablature, backing tracks, PDF documents), notes, comments, and ask a teacher functions are all easily accessed below the videos.

Furthermore, with your subscription of $19.99 per month, you get access to live lessons, their “jamchat” forum, interviews, and fun training games. Definitely a lot of bang for your buck in terms of extras.

The Good / What We Like

There are tons of awesome features packed into the subscription mentioned above, and there are so many lessons ranging from beginner to pro level options.

All these, along with access to lessons from famous musicians, make it one of the best guitar lesson sites, but again it comes at a decent monthly price.

From the step by step acoustic guitar lessons for beginners to the plethora of electric rock and metal songs, there is a lot to like about JamPlay.

JamPlay also features one of the best sets of in-lesson or in-video toolboxes that should allow you to maximize your learning experience with supplemental materials or follow-along tablature.

The Bad / What We Don’t Like

As engaging as the lessons are, there is one flaw in their beginner lesson plan in our opinion. Instead of one, streamlined beginner lesson plan that branches out as the guitarist learns, they lead students to a page with dozens of beginner lessons and ask them to choose their own.

Some people may enjoy digging through each lesson to find the best one, but it may also frustrate some students who struggle to find what they are looking for, or begin a lesson sequence only find out half way through it isn’t the one for them.

Furthermore, your song lesson options and famous instructors are mostly focused on hard rock and heavy metal, with very little diversity otherwise, which may make it one of the best online rock guitar lessons site, but not generally the best site overall.

Jamplay Summary

View JamPlay’s Free Trial Here >>

7. Guitareo

Guitareo, though relatively new, has actually been around for years in the form of GuitarLessons.com hosted by Nate Savage.

As part of the Musora Media Inc family of music education platforms, Guitareo essentially has a rocket attached to its future as a guitar lessons provider that must be taken seriously.

In a highly competitive remote learning market, you gotta be different – and good at what you do. In this respect, Guitareo is making huge gains.

EDITOR’S RATING:

(4.3 / 5)

Overview

Guitareo’s core offering is “The Method” which is designed to give players an easy and wholistic way to start enjoying the guitar.

Aimed primarily at beginners, the course walks you through each step of learning guitar starting with basic functions such as tuning, all the way through to the principles of complex soloing.

But there’s much more than that, Guitareo is packed with highly informative video-rich content.

From a user’s point of view, the video lessons are in bite-size lengths of around 15 minutes, but can be longer or shorter depending on how long it takes to fully illustrate the lesson.

This short-form video length format not only makes it very easy to digest individual topics and concepts, it gives you a real sense of progress and lets you manage your time more effectively.

Similar to GuitarTricks, Guitareo is not necessarily driven by leveraging historically recognizable guitar gods. Still, the instructors are extremely personable, engaging and knowledgable professionals.

Product Services/Highlights

If you’re oriented towards value, Guitareo has it in spades.

Compared to other platforms, their price point is extremely reasonable at $15.00 per month. Not quite Fender Play territory and certainly not free, but you do get the insights and benefits of multiple instructor insights versus a single individual.

As video becomes more of the standard in media used for teaching, the bar keeps getting set higher. And Guitareo is no slouch – instructional videos are well produced in terms of production value using multiple angles and split screens wherever appropriate.

As mentioned, beyond the Method, you’ll find multiple sections covering specific topics in detail. If there’s a particular topic, concept, chord, scale or technique, chances are Guitareo has a lesson for it.

Like any service, you should like the people you’re working with. Guitareo’s instructors make that very easy, but some players may find the presentations a little too gimmicky for their tastes.

As for the instructors, this area is a little thin, at least for the time being. If you’ve been actively seeking out guitar lessons online, there’s no doubt you’ve come across the “Guitareo girl” Ayla Tesler-Mabe – who is a featured instructor for many of the lessons.

As we pointed out previously, you’ll find a substantial amount of course material hosted by Nate Savage. It’s clear to see the majority of Nate’s previous educational guitar material has been incorporated under the Guitareo umbrella.

If you’re a fan of having materials to work with offline, you’ll appreciate the fact that many of the lessons have downloadable assets for handy reference later.

There are jam tracks, a quick tips section and lesson “packs” which are bundles of lessons that comprehensively cover top-level techniques and topics very thoroughly.

In the Student Focus section, you have the ability to get first-hand feedback from the instructors by submitting a video. There’s also a library of live Q&A lessons, each about an hour in length, packed with insights from the teachers and feedback from students in real-time.

Likewise, the forums section is a lively communications hub where members can interact with each other. It’s also a pipeline to the platform developers and folks behind the scenes who take feedback from users, and rightly so, very seriously.

Between the Student Focus and Forums sections, you get the impression Guitareo’s platform is highly geared towards interaction.

One interesting, and ambitious feature is 500 Songs in 5 Days. The underlying premise here lies in illustrating the basic skills that can be used to play hundreds of familiar songs.

While the 500 Songs concept is sound, it’s definitely more of a primer geared towards beginner students.

The Good / What We Like

What Guitareo lacks in current content, it makes up for in opportunity.

With the amount of work being put into the platform’s growth, compatibility and usefulness, there’s no doubt you’ll see a steady stream of new content and even more robust features in the very near future.

Well illustrated lesson videos feature close-ups and split screens of the skills being applied, topics are covered thoroughly, plus the accompanying diagrams, tabs or notation are downloadable.

Even though the platform is relatively new, there’s a robust forum and options to get real, meaningful feedback from the instructors.

The Bad / What We Don’t Like

Guitareo’s strength is also it’s weakness. Because it’s one of the newer players in the lessons market, it has relatively few instructors. Additionally, compared to other sites in the space that have been around for a long time, not nearly the same volume of instructional material.

Furthermore, while the vast majority of the site is well-populated, some sections are still in the process of being fleshed out.

While there is a section specifically for Chords, scales are mysteriously missing, though they are available as videos lessons in the Courses section or can be found using the site’s search field.

Guitareo Summary

View Guitareo’s Free Trial Here >>

Online Lessons Guide

When looking for online guitar lessons it’s important to remember what the end goal is; to learn the guitar.

You should always be looking for ease of use, helpful features and tools, quality instructors, and tons of lesson options to keep you engaged as you grow.

Let’s take a look at key factors you need to consider when trying to learn guitar online.

What to Look for

An Easy to Navigate Website

Regardless of your comfort with technology, you always want to easily find what you’re looking for when you’re on a lesson site.

Time wasted searching for beginner’s lessons or a song page is practice time wasted.

Websites that have well labeled “Beginner’s Start Here” functions on their homepage are some of the best online guitar training sites because they make it so easy for new students to get started.

Even better, helpful features like prominently displayed drop down menus or website introductions serve as awesome tutorials and introductions to the product you’re either trying or buying.

A Large Volume of Diverse Lessons

Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced player, one of the first things you should look for on a lesson site is how numerous and variable the lessons are.

Unless you’re going there to strictly learn punk rock and that’s it, explore the song options, techniques, genres, or musicianship offerings to see if there is enough, engaging content to keep you on the site.

• Are there lessons on the same topic with different skill lessons so you can grow in a linear manner?
• Can you learn a handful of genres or playing styles on the site?
• How many of your favorite songs are featured?

All important things to consider when searching for the best beginner guitar lessons.

Engaging, High Quality Guitar Instructors

Different sites offer different instructor options and you should carefully comb through to find which suits you best. Do you want to learn from only one instructor who you can build familiarity and trust with?

Or, would you rather have numerous, diverse teachers and maybe a few recognizable touring musicians?

When it comes to guitar coaching online you need to be careful to make sure your instructors have a history of good reviews, testimonials from pros, and guitar skills that align with what you want to learn.

Lastly, you have to like the instructors, maybe they crack jokes, maybe they know a ton about gear, whatever it is, make sure you want to be watching them for minutes or hours at a time.

The Cost of the Lessons Makes Sense to You

For those students on a tighter budget than others, it is always important to maximize the value of your guitar related purchases.

Similar to gear shopping, you always want to get the best quality without paying top prices.

If you’re looking strictly for free online guitar lessons that may limit your options. First off, you should decide which site you like best regardless of price, and hopefully it’s one you can afford.

If not, start going down your list or ranking of the sites, and think about all the things you absolutely need to learn guitar, this is different than what you want.

Also, consider how long you want lessons or access to the site, if it’s a short time it may be worth it to pay for access to a ton of lessons, even at premium prices.

Answers To Common Questions

Not sure where to start when looking for online guitar lessons? Feel like you have more questions than answers? We’ve collected some FAQs (frequently asked questions) and with our best answers to each one included below.

Be sure to check here for a definitive guide on how to learn guitar online thanks to our reviews, informative articles, answers, and other resources.

How much does a membership to each site cost?

Generally, the prices range from $0 per month to $35 per month based on subscription plans and site to site differences.

Justin Guitar is the only completely free offering we’ve reviewed here, while Fender Play comes in at an affordable $9.99 per month.

True Fire also features over 500+ free lessons but you will have to pay for access to the full beginner lesson plan.

A free six month Fender Play subscription also comes included with every new Squier or Fender guitar and bass purchased from licensed Fender dealers, meaning you can get a good package deal of free lessons with your first guitar.

How long does it take to get good at the guitar?

Check out our very own article on that topic! The short answer is that it is different for everyone and involves a combination of forming good habits.

These habits start to stick quickly over the first few months while also building physical muscle memory and calluses over the first few weeks.

Lastly, it also takes discipline and motivation by you, the student, to make time to pick up the guitar and practice scales, chords, and techniques.

Even if it isn’t always easy or as fun as playing along to your favorite song, practice makes perfect.

What makes a guitar instructor good?

Everyone will have a different answer to this question but usually you should be looking for two things: informative lessons and an engaging personality. You’re not likely to enjoy learning from an instructor you find annoying, boring, or out of touch with your playing goals.

That’s what makes shopping around these sites important, even if one option has all the specs or subscription package you may want, are the instructors a good fit for you?

On the other hand, an engaging personality may be fun to watch, but are they also providing the best teaching and instruction possible?

Can I just learn guitar on YouTube?

Technically yes, but YouTube has a less streamlined platform and does not monitor the quality of the teachers.

Essentially, you have to sift through lots of bad or amateur instructors, and even when you find the good ones you’ve likely wasted precious time.

What’s better to learn guitar on, YouTube or a lesson site?

In that everyone may have different preferences, lesson sites are generally better places to thoroughly learn guitar.

With thousands of lessons you can take in a linear fashion as well as built in tools, you just have access to more, quality information on lesson sites.

While many players learn through some combination of YouTube videos, forums, tablature websites, and lesson sits, the best guitar lessons for beginners can be found on these lesson sites.

When it comes to song lessons, lesson paths, tools like tuners or chord finders, and years of great ratings, these lesson sites have streamlined and improved on much of the info available on these other avenues.

While they may cost more money than the others, there is a reason you are paying, dedication and quality lessons don’t come cheaply – check out our article on the best way to learn guitar online to learn more!

Can I learn my favorite songs on these lesson sites?

For the most part you probably can, unless your favorite song is some obscure, underground single. Many of these sites feature 300+ song lessons and they’re adding more every week.

While tabs and chords can be found at a number of other free websites such as songsterr.com or ultimate-guitar.com, you get the best, most detailed lessons from lesson sites like these.

What sites features famous musicians and guitarists?

JamPlay.com and TrueFire.com feature lessons from guitar luminaries like Tosin Abasi, Steve Stevens, and JD Simo.

FenderPlay.com often features live videos, interviews, or gear demos with famous musicians as well.

What site has the best beginner guitar lessons course?

Each site has their individual benefits, but one will probably stand out as the best fit for you.

Read each review above to make sure you have all the information you need to make an educated decision based on your individual needs.

When you think you’ve found your winner, see below for a quick final comparison to confirm your choice.

Is it worth it to pay for online guitar lessons for beginners?

In the grand scheme of things, you’ll get so much more out of your guitar playing with the right lessons from the get-go.

Pay once to get the best lessons, and you’ll never have to pay again when you need to re-learn or break bad habits.

Wrapping It Up, Which Provider Is Best For You?

Throughout this article, we’ve focused on four main specs throughout this article: engaging lesson plans, diverse lesson choices, affordable monthly subscription cost, and easy to navigate web pages.

But there’s more than what we see on the surface.

Editor’s Personal Notes

The remote learning space in general has become extraordinarily competitive and will continue to do so as the bar keeps getting set higher.

For us users, this is a good thing. In terms of choice, variety and price-points, there’s literally something for everybody.

At the end of the day, there are a number of factors which influence your decision for a particular educational service. Beyond the most obvious – cost, the most important elements in my opinion can be summed up in two simple questions:

• Do you like the people you’re working with?
• And, are you getting what you need out of the lessons?

Considering what you can get out of YouTube, these questions find answers pretty quick. But for some things you have to fish for the exact information you want.

The ultimate irony is that all of the services listed here got their start or at the very least have a YouTube channel. Moreover, many successful services are the result of aggressive marketing with big budgets; some are more sizzle than steak.

If you do decide to subscribe to a paid service, they better be prepared to offer up something special you can’t find anywhere else – and that’s a tall order.

Every provider has their own “secret sauce”. Hopefully, we’ve provided enough insight to give you a taste of each one.

Final Summaries

GuitarTricks

GuitarTricks has been a fan favorite and for many years. In the online guitar lessons race, it’s the dominant force and one of the most well known websites out there.

The site features great options and an extraordinary amount of material to draw from, but to be frank, we’re not completely convinced they contain anything that strictly justifies the cost of a subscription membership.

However, GuitarTricks does have a long history of success, online reviews and customer testimonials for you to justify a decision.

Truefire

Looking for a runner up? TrueFire would be choice number two thanks to their incredibly useful “In the Jam” feature that should keep students engaged longer, even after they have their beginner phase.

While their lesson selections are engaging and competitive, the price of $29 per month really limits the value when compared to Justin Guitar specifically.

However, the ability for players to practice improvising or song writing with the large selection of pre-recorded “In the Jam” tracks is a huge addition that not all sites have.

ArtistWorks

Our premium pick ArtistWorks, while still good, unfortunately comes in last place for recommended paid programs. Reasons being it has no song database, a top-heavy subscription cost, and relatively limited styles.

Having said that, we still think ArtistWorks is great at teaching specific things in depth and the instrument variety is convenient, but it just doesn’t feel as suited for modern students compared to the other sites.

More recently, ArtistWorks, has raised the bar by aggressively expanding their lesson courses in an effort to become a more robust service for modern students.

They have fully realized the need for a broader range of options for all players, including multiple styles and catering to different experience levels.

JustinGuitar

If cost is your primary motivator, the overall winner in all four categories would have to be Justin Guitar.

Why? First off, lessons via Justin Sandercoe and his website are completely free, which just makes them more accessible and a greater value than any other site listed here.

Furthermore, there is little to no drop off in quality or quantity of lessons when comparing Justin Guitar’s free site to more costly $10 per month or more options.

He has the same or more song lessons, technique lessons, and a really great section dedicated to musicianship training.

But – he’s just one guy. If his personality doesn’t resonate with you, you either have to learn to like him or look elsewhere.

Still, with all these features, we just can’t justify spending more money per month for lessons of the similar or equal quality and diversity. Reddit users certainly seem to agree as he’s one of the guitar favorites with his own subreddit.

Fender Play

If you’re a beginner who is considering buying a Fender or Squier product to learn guitar or bass on, then Fender Play is the choice for you without a doubt.

The 6 month free trial that comes with each new instrument will save you money and give you plenty of time to get comfortable with the instrument and platform before deciding to subscribe or move on to another site.

Jamplay

If you’re more into the aggressive side of guitar (hard rock, metal etc), JamPlay’s your best option with a long list of celebrity instructors, tools, and a massive library of lessons.

Similar to GuitarTricks, Jamplay has shared a long history as a go-to site for guitar instruction. Will they continue to stand up over time? Only history will tell.

Their achilles heel may actually lie in their continuous focus on the heavier style of guitar. Not a bad thing at all, but when heavy music falls out of favor with the trends, it becomes a liability.

Guitareo

Our latest addition Guitareo has a hidden advantage. They get to draw on all the experience of the other competitors to create an educational platform that’s more in line with the what students are looking for – today.

With a modest, yet robust collection of well-produced lessons and courses geared mostly towards beginners, Guitareo is thoughtfully laid out which makes getting a grip on developing your first playing skills that much easier.

On the downside the platform has relatively few instructors and some sections are obviously still under development.

On the upside, Guitareo is constantly evolving: adding functionality, content, new features, additional tools and looks to have a very bright future.

Final Comparisons

Service	Cost	Rating	Offer?
	$19.99 per Month	4.1 / 5	Trial – Yes
	$29.00 per Month	4.3/ 5	Trial – Yes
	$35.00 per Month	4.1 / 5	Trial – Yes
	$0.00 per Month	4.2 / 5	Trial – N/A
	$9.99 per Month	4.0 / 5	Trial – Yes
	$19.95 per Month	3.9 / 5	Trial – Yes
	$10.58 per Month	4.3 / 5	Trial – Yes

The post The Best Online Guitar Lessons (Reviews with Comparisons) first appeared on GuitarNiche.

Aimed primarily at beginners, Guitareo is designed to get you playing as soon as possible through great content with a strong focus on making the whole process easy – and fun.

Note: For the purposes of this article I was allowed unrestricted access to Guitareo to make sure you get a complete, first-hand and unbiased review. As some links are affiliated, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Guitareo Summary

Editor’s Rating

(4.3 / 5)

Guitareo Prices and Membership Offers

1 Month Free Trial

$0 for 30 Days

VIEW

Monthly Payments

$15 per month

VIEW

Yearly Plan

$127 per year

VIEW

Why anyone wouldn’t want to start with the free month option is beyond me – it’s a good deal.

When you consider it’s only $10.58 a month on the annual plan, it’s an even better good deal.

Still, the relatively low price points reflect a highly competitive market – that’s very good news for you as a consumer. Whether they can be sustained over the long term is a different story.

Editor’s Note: The entire Guitareo platform is currently going through a massive update – for the better.

Guitareo’s parent company, Musora Media Inc is unifying all their offers – guitar (Guitareo), drums (Drumeo), piano (Pianote) and voice (Singeo), under one roof.

The verdict is – if you’re interested in the program at all, get in and grab the free month deal while you can!

Steve B.

Interestingly enough, Guitareo occasionally offers a Lifetime Membership. Considering the platform’s growth trajectory, this should be a serious consideration for anyone who likes the program and wants the absolute best value you can get.

At the very least, it’s worth joining their email list should it, or any new opportunity come up.

How Does Guitareo Compare to Other Programs?

Here’s a quick cross reference of how other online lessons programs rate at the highest level:

Service	Cost	Rating	Offer?
	$19.99 per Month	(4.1 )	14 Day Free Trial
	$29.00 per Month	(4.3)	30 Day Free Trial
	$35.00 per Month	(4.1)	Free Samples
	$0.00 per Month	(4.2)	Trial – N/A
	$9.99 per Month	(4.0)	50% Discount on Annual Plan
	$19.99 per Month	(3.9)	Free Trial

In Reddit’s subreddit on guitar, users tend to favour the Justin Guitar program. This may be because it’s free, and who doesn’t like free? But it is just one guy, which automatically stifles the ability to absorb perspectives from different personalities.

What Makes Guitareo Different?

Whether you’re interested in learning acoustic or electric guitar, Guitareo’s strength lies in the quality of its instructors and its core offering: the Guitareo Method.

The “Method” itself is logically graduated to allow a new guitar student find their way as easily as possible.

The emphasis here is on fun and taking the time to make sure topics are covered fully.

As with other platforms there is an underlying history built on proven principles developed over time. This is very much the result of Nate Savage’s work with guitarlessons.com for many years.

if you’re musically inclined, you’ll find instant familiarity with Musora’s other offerings – particularly Drumeo.

As mentioned, Guitareo is actually part of a larger family of specific instrument courses offered by Musora Media Inc.

The benefit for you as a student is in Musora’s ability to draw intelligent feedback from a number of musical disciplines within their network.

For instance, Drumeo’s Method is instantly familiar in layout. Moreover, there’s no doubt Guitareo is based on the same overall design, but for guitar of course.

Considering Drumeo’s long standing history of providing excellent instruction from a long list of world class instructors, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar future for Guitareo.

Who are the Main Faces of Guitareo?

While Guitareo does have a good number of instructors, there are two main personalities you’ll find in the primary content and across most of the marketing materials: Nate Savage and Ayla Tesler-Mabe.

Nate Savage of GuitarLessons.com

Nate Savage has been cultivating a guitar lessons system for many years – over 13 years in fact.

With his inclusion into the Guitareo family, that patience and persistence has paid off for everybody.

A quick scroll through Guitareo’s Youtube channel revealed literally hundreds of Nate’s instructional videos in the archives. That resource alone represents an extraordinary treasure trove of free lessons.

Ayla Tesler-Mabe: The Guitareo Girl

Still in her early twenties, Ayla Tesler-Mabe is direct, knowledgable and a very good teacher.

Following in Fender Play’s decision to capitalize on an under-served market, Ayla has taken on the responsibilities of putting a friendly female face on what was becoming a rather dusty collection of all-too-familiar male faces.

As they say, nothing stays the same forever, and this shift towards female inclusiveness in what has been a male-dominated industry is entirely refreshing.

Using the Interface

On Devices

Whether you’re accessing the course through a desktop or on your phone, the platform is instantly familiar.

At the time of this writing, there’s no Guitareo app in the traditional sense – the lessons and features work just fine in the browser-based format.

I wouldn’t be surprised though if, as the community and opportunities continue to grow, there may be an app version available down the road.

In fact, word is Musora is actively developing its own app, which would of course include Guitareo, due for release some time in 2023.

Video Players and Tools

Private membership videos are hosted by Vimeo. Chances are you’re already familiar with Vimeo controls which are similar to YouTube’s, and supports features such as playback speed etc.

There are a number of YouTube videos included which make use of the native YouTube video controls. If you’ve spent any time on YouTube (and who hasn’t), it’s a no-brainer to adjust playback speed and many other options.

If you have any experience with using lessons apps, you’ll find the player window features a number of familiar tools to help you learn the song as efficiently as possible.

Sections Layout

The site interface can be broken down into four main sections:

• Home – Your main point of entry including quick access to popular sections.
• Main Content – Courses, packs, lessons plus all the other meat-and-potatoes resources and materials.
• Forum and My List – As the section implies, here you can access Guitareo’s very lively forum, and keep track of you progress using the “My List” feature.
• User Profile – Your User icon. This is where you can adjust settings, account info, plus it’s your communications hub. There are also entries for the gear you use and a place to post a gear photo – which is great for sharing your problem with gear acquisition syndrome (GAS) but also good for the ego :)

Inside the Guitareo Program

Let’s have a more in-depth look at each section step-by-step:

Home

Once you login, you’re taken to the home page where you’ll find the latest and greatest program updates, quick access to the program’s core offerings, popular conversations and upcoming events.

Method

The “Guitraeo Method” is the platform’s core offering and is designed to be user-friendly especially for beginners.

Your primary instructor is Ayla Tesler-Mabe who is very personable and does an excellent job of explaining and demonstrating each topic.

The course itself is laid out in ten logical levels with each level broken down into individual lessons that cover each skill in detail.

The total number of individual lessons is 82 (yes, I counted them). And even though level 10 has yet to be released at the time of this writing, I can tell you the scope and breadth of what IS available is remarkable and extremely thorough – nice!

Before you begin the course, you might want to check out the “WHERE TO BEGIN” button at the top of the page. If you already have some fundamentals under your belt, this feature helps filter content that’s more appropriate for you.

Songs

Currently, the Songs section is sparse and looks underdeveloped. It also seems geared towards the upcoming Christmas season?

Still, a quick global search brings up tons of other song options which are easily filtered.

Coaches

In the Coaches section, we get to meet the individual personalities to learn from.

As with any human interaction, some personalities may work better for you. If you dig around a little bit, you should easily find someone you have an affinity for and fits your style.

Clicking on an individual coach will pull up their list of videos including seminars, Q&A sessions, and individual lessons. Some of these videos are from Guitareo’s YouTube channel, others are only available from within the platform.

Packs

The “Packs” section contains full courses assembled in comprehensive clusters which cover the topics in depth.

From a user’s point of view, the section represents an easy way to access some of the most valuable content on the site in one shot.

Guitar Quest – Something a Little Different

Where the majority of Guitareo’s training packs follow a more traditional approach to learning, Guitar Quest takes you on an entirely different ride.

Similar to the Method, you learn the basics of guitar but from a point of view that focuses exclusively on the fun factor.

Using creativity and musicality as driving forces, the Guitar Quest course is laid out in a very linear way via nine color-coded levels or “missions”.

If you’re into writing, recording or performance of any kind, Guitar Quest is designed to level-up your playing by applying what you just learned in a very practical and entertaining way.

For new students looking for something outside the box, or an approach that’s more similar to TikTok or even gaming, Guitar Quest offers an unconventional yet enjoyable method of learning guitar.

Check out the complete Guitar Quest review here.

Courses

In a nutshell, all courses in one place – and there are LOTS of them.

You will find a wide variety of topics including but not limited to strumming, scales, chords, techniques, exercises, reading music, music theory, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and more.

Guitareo’s Courses section

Luckily, the handy filtering section at the top of the page makes finding a particular course topic much much easier.

Quick Tips

Keeping with trend for information in a digestible short format, the Quick Tips section is not only highly practical, but lets you quickly drill down on the precise topics you’re interested in.

Student Focus

Probably one of the most underrated sections, Student Focus gives you the chance to drill down on areas you really need help with.

Split into two sections: Student Reviews and Q&A, this section acts as a portal giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions or submit a video directly to the staff.

This type of interaction with the teachers is indispensable when you’re, for instance, trying to figure out a certain approach or need clarification on a concept.

Live

Guitareo has a schedule of live streams that cover various topics you can jump in on once you subscribe to the calendar feature.

This is a great opportunity to interact with the teachers and other students in real time. But if you do miss a live session, no worries, you’ll find it in the archives later.

Play-Alongs

Play-alongs (one of my favourite sections) is where you get to test your chops and improvise.

They’re essentially jam tracks that are conveniently broken down into individual videos illustrating all the separate parts.

The beauty of this is you can cross-reference specific skills that make up a song or you may have a particular interest in. From picking, to strumming, chord work, breakdowns, song structure etc, this section lets you expand your abilities in a very comprehensive sense.

Lessons

In the Lessons section you’ll find a smorgasbord of courses, lessons packs, tips, and pretty much everything else Guitareo has to offer.

Luckily, the Topics section at the bottom of the page makes filtering for specific interests a breeze.

500 Songs

500 Songs in 5 Days is an ambitious attempt in getting a new player to realize just how far they can go with even a modest skill set.

You don’t literally get five hundred instructional videos – that would be nuts! But you do get instructions on the basic skills needed and downloadable pdf guides to get the job done.

Chords

As the name implies, the Chords section focuses on, well, the fundamentals – chords specifically.

Instead of a series of pdfs, you get a complete illustrative video that covers the item in full.

For the time being this section is very sparse and it’s unclear as to whether it will be properly populated in the future.

Note: This section is still very much in development. And you would think there would would be a similar section covering scales – which is curiously missing.

Should you be looking for help with scales though, you can easily find what you need using the global search function.

Archives

Here you’ll find all previous streams for the record including Q&A sessions, student collaborations, special guest appearances and more. Handy if you missed one or want to re-watch a particular episode.

Between the Archives and the Forum sections, virtually any question can be posed and answered.

Forums

If you’re familiar with forums, this is a no-brainer. The Guitareo forum community is lively, full of highly relevant topics and extremely helpful.

Of course, you also get to voice your opinions on how the site is working.

From a developer’s point of view, these interactions are gold nuggets that drive platform iteration into more meaningful territory for members.

My List

The My List section is broken down into 3 categories: Added, In Progress and Complete.

This section gives you a detailed overview of your current progress.

Account Settings

Other than the obvious, this section also gives you a chance to show off your gear by uploading a pic, provide details on your current rig and share your history (good or bad) with the guitar.

There’s also an option to switch the interface to dark mode – nice!

Shop

Clicking the Shop takes you to an entirely separate area where, depending on your enrolment status, you can purchase individual breakout courses or merchandise.

Personal Notes on the Guitareo Program

Guitareo might not have the same celebrity draw of other platforms but they make up for it in sheer value through content. There’s something for everybody.

With a focus on fun, feedback and patience, Guitareo takes a lot of the dryness out of common educational tasks such as learning theory and practicing. The end result being a thoroughly enjoyable musical experience.

With unique approaches to teaching guitar such as GuitarQuest, it’s obvious Guitareo is trying to re-think the whole approach to online guitar lessons. The focus is on making the process as fun (if at times a bit cheesey at times) and enjoyable as possible.

My only real complaint is that, due to the aggressive development some sections are glaringly underdeveloped. But after reading through some of the forum interactions with developers, it’s obvious the folks at Guitareo, and Musora in general, are focusing on an ambitious growth trajectory.

In closing, whether you decide to take advantage of Guitareo or not can be a matter of how you feel about it. Easy enough if you just ask yourself some critical questions:

• Does it seem like it can meet your basic needs or goals?
• Is it easy to use?
• Is the quality up to snuff?
• Is there enough material to challenge you and allow you to grow?
• Do you like the people that you deal with?
• Is the platform stale or innovating?

Considering the free trial offered, you really have nothing to lose by trying it out to get a sense of whether the program is right for you – or not!

Editor’s Rating 4.3/5

The post Guitareo Review, Insights And Complete Walkthrough first appeared on GuitarNiche.

Ever since, the guitar community has been consumed with the Telecaster vs Stratocaster debate. It’s nearly impossible to say which guitar is better, as both sides have solid arguments.

However, we can zoom in on individual features and help you decide which one is better for you specifically. For example, the Strat vs. Tele sound quality, style, build quality, and price range are significant categories well worth exploring.

Telecaster vs. Stratocaster: The Difference in Tone, Sound, Body and Electronics

* Excluding special models and custom shop instruments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Telecaster and Stratocaster

It’s not easy pitting two iconic guitars against each other and looking for a winner.

The task of categorizing them becomes even more difficult considering that both models are produced by sister companies – Fender and Squier.

Overall, Fender branded Strats and Teles cover the premium options, while the Squier brand covers the affordable yet still well-made guitars for everyone.

These categorizations and target marketing can confuse first-time buyers or guitar enthusiasts looking for their next investment.

That’s why, in order to fully understand the appeal of each style, the questions about differences are well worth examining.

What’s the Difference Between Telecaster and Stratocaster Guitars?

There’s no doubt that, for most of us, both the Stratocaster and Telecaster are beautiful, visually appealing guitars.

But the first impression starts with the body. Typically, both are made from alder, which provides excellent bite and tonal resonance.

Of course we know that other common body woods were utilized early on such as pine for the Telecaster, and swamp ash for Stratocaster bodies.

However, the shapes of the bodies are intentionally different. It’s easy to identify a Stratocaster by simply focusing on the upper part of the guitar’s body.

Additionally, when looking at the Strat and Tele tonewoods, the necks are both usually maple with either a maple or rosewood fingerboard option.

The differences being both visual and plying surface: maple is light in color with a clearcoat – in other words you’re playing on a painted surface, whereas rosewood is darker and unfinished.

Body Styles

A Stratocaster features a kind of a ‘horn’ or an ‘ear’ double cutaway with the deeper cut on the treble side allowing players easier access to higher registers.

The original Strats were also designed to be much more comfortable through the use of a tummy cut and well-rounded contours.

In comparison, the Telecaster is also easily recognizable with it’s single-cutaway and harder body contours.

Electronics

Additionally in the Strat vs. Tele neck tonewood comparison, both usually feature maple. But the difference is again stark when we compare the electronics.

The Telecaster has one tone, one volume control, and a 3-way switch, whereas the Stratocaster has one volume and two-tone controls and a 5-way switch.

Finally, the guitars have different headstocks, with Stratocaster featuring a notably larger design, which many believe gives the guitar the sustain and tone players know all about.

Which Is Better – Telecaster or Stratocaster?

The most accurate answer to this question is – it depends on who you ask and your own tastes. Many rock, jazz, and country legends would passionately argue for either of the two.

When it comes to Telecaster vs. Stratocaster sound, personal preference will play the deciding role. Hence, it’s essential to try the guitar before you buy it.

Furthermore, it’s also possible that some guitarists will adore how a Telecaster feels but will prefer the sound of Stratocaster, and vice versa.

Squier Affinity Stratocaster

If you’re a beginner, the Affinity Strat might be the best option. It has a thinner neck, and the double-cutaway improves the playability. In contrast, more experienced players will know exactly how to make the most of a guitar like Classic Vibe Telecaster.

Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster

Do Telecasters and Stratocasters Sound Different?

Seasoned guitarists will recognize the difference in sound between Telecaster and Stratocaster easily. But, generally speaking, Strats offer more tone flexibility.

Originally designed for utility and serviceability, the Telecaster is somewhat more simplistic in terms of sound.

However, it has that classic “Tele twang” which has made it a favorite among rock and blues guitarists for decades.

Designed as an evolution of the Fender’s electric guitar offerings, the Stratocaster offered more tonal flexibility with its 3 pickups and creative circuit controls.

It also features a familiar tremolo bridge which allows the player to create a distinctive vibrato effect by changing the string tension.

It’s worth noting that the Stratocaster’s original electronics design has essentially remained unchanged since the 60’s and still used in regular production.

While this is a testament to its longevity, the development of the Superstrat by Ibanez was the solution to the limitations felt by guitar players that wanted an instrument more suited to modern music trends.

Regardless, both the Telecaster and Stratocaster offer incredible sonic versatility, especially in the right hands.

In fact, there are many who would testify that both instruments are perfect and fully capable of covering virtually any musical style.

Which Is More Versatile – Strat or Tele?

Both the Strat and Tele are made from traditional electric guitar materials. Their tones, while individually distinct, are not drastically different between the two, especially when compared to a humbucker-driven Les Paul.

The overall versatility of a guitar is more apparent when we consider controls and the number of pickups on each instrument.

As mentioned, the Stratocaster has three pickups, whereas the Telecaster only has two. Naturally therefor, the Strat allows the more possibilities when it comes to range.

On the other hand, the Telecaster is widely used by pros across all music genres from John 5 to Brad Paisley – the trick is being skillful enough to pull what you want out of the Tele.

Should I Buy a Strat or a Tele?

As individual guitars, another one of the main reasons both models have such impressive longevity is that, despite their similarities, each has something the other doesn’t.

Stylistically, some players prefer the relatively punchy tones produced by the Stratocaster, others relish in the simplicity of the Telecaster.

With so many factory-offered model variations available, you can essentially pick the specifications that work for you.

And when you consider aftermarket parts for upgrades (such as pickups), there are endless options for players.

Whether you’re considering a Bullet vs. Affinity model, or a Telecaster vs. Stratocaster Classic Vibe, start with reliable research. Then the choice is totally up to you.

Is a Telecaster Good for Beginners?

If your motivation is simplicity in design, a Telecaster will certainly fit the bill. But this simplicity, compared to other models, comes at the cost of flexibility for a beginner guitarist.

Still, mastering it will prepare you well for any guitar you might pick up after that. Being a “workingman’s guitar” they’re low maintenance and don’t require expensive repairs.

The Strat on the other hand tends to offer the style and design that excites a novice player. They’re also considered to be more comfortable, sonically flexible and therefore, more suitable for beginners.

Whether you choose a Stratocaster or Telecaster, or a different guitar entirely, the Fender brand is well rounded in its ability to serve new guitar players through the help of Fender Play lessons and user-friendly guitar apps.

Telecaster vs. Stratocaster: History, Style and Players

If you want front row seats to a fierce debate, simply ask the guitar community which is better, Strat or Tele?

Those who find the styles a little old-school or behind the times might find the argument a little strange. Both guitars come from essentially the same company, and have plenty of similarities.

Perhaps the Telecaster vs Stratocaster discussion is more about the musical genres they first represented in the historical sense?

Good question, let’s find out digging down a little further.

The History

The internet is full of extremely detailed information on the origins of the Fender brand and its impact on the evolution of the electric guitar.

Still, for the purposes of this article, it’s worth looking at the underpinnings as to how we got here – discussing the virtues and shortcomings of Telecaster vs Stratocaster.

Early Years

Leo Fender started working on the nascent Telecaster in 1949 in California. A year later, the Esquire was introduced to the music scene. It was the first mass-produced and commercially successful electric guitar.

Initially, the guitar was named Broadcaster, but it needed to be renamed due to a trademark conflict with Gretsch.

Oddly enough, to meet production demands the model stayed unnamed for a while and was simply labeled ‘No-caster.’

In 1951, the prefix ‘Tele’ was applied as a way to take advantage of the rise of television.

Indeed, the Telecaster has an impressive history, but what about Stratocaster?.

Fender thought of improving the Telecaster but ended up creating an entirely new model.

Finally, in 1954, the developing guitar was fitted with an extra pickup, more contours and thus, an entirely different vibrato equipped model called the Stratocaster was introduced.

Ease of Use

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, adding to your collection, or simply looking for your next instrument, it’s natural to wonder about the practical use of each instrument.

There are plenty of dedicated opinions on both sides of the discussion, but let’s look at a few facts.

First, the Telecaster is an overall simpler guitar. While this could be considered more restrictive or unforgiving to some, others admire this simplicity and welcome the challenge to gain diversity from it.

Which side of the Tele coin are you on?

Second, Strats are generally more comfortable, and more versatile sonically. But the vibrato (sometimes called the trem) system can be a tuning headache for some – especially beginners.

It’s important to note that early models of both instruments featured a 7 1/4″ fretboard radius which, while designed to be more comfortable in the hand, usually meant the strings had to be set a little higher to avoid “fretting out”.

In other words, a little less playable if you’re big on bending strings in the upper register.

Modern models of Teles and Strats feature a somewhat flatter 9 1/2″ or 10″ radius depending on the specific model and country of origin.

Musical Style

What if you’re a rock musician, which guitar is better suited for you?

According to many, the Telecaster is a guitar that can handle almost anything. As music has evolved, it’s often the go-to choice for country, blues, rock, and in more recent decades, heavy metal guitarists.

Historically speaking, the Stratocaster’s tones and design were a better fit for emerging rock and roll. Still, it was happily adopted by blues players, pop artists, R’n’B musicians and eventually, accepted into the heavy metal world as well.

Ultimately, whether one model is more prominent in a specific music style doesn’t matter – a skilled guitarist can make any tone with any guitar. As they say, “it’s all in the hands”.

Yet for many of us, our sense of which one is better can be directly linked to those we consider our guitar heroes.

You can even compare Les Paul vs. Strat or even Telecaster vs. Les Paul debates here. Depending on your influences, a Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul is another versatile option for guitarists across all musical styles.

Telecaster vs. Stratocaster Pros and Cons

Well Known Artists

Of course, finding famous guitar players in all genres that use both Telecaster and Stratocaster is not difficult.

The following list is just a fraction of the incredibly talented players you’ll find in the music industry.

Famous Telecaster Players

A few famous Telecaster players include:

Famous Stratocaster Players

Just a few notable Stratocaster players include:

As you can see, this brief list of recognizable players of Stratocasters and Telecasters is impressive – which proves our point that even though each model has a strong following, they’re both exceptional guitars.

The post Telecaster vs Stratocaster: Which Is The Better Fender Guitar? first appeared on GuitarNiche.

If you’re considering a new guitar either for yourself or your partner, there are many acoustic and electric guitars that would easily qualify as a great guitars for women.

What to Look for in a Guitar for a Woman

Let’s start with some obvious assumptions:

• The guitar should fit a woman’s body reasonably comfortably
• The guitar’s neck should be comfortable for smaller hands
• The sound should match the player’s taste in music
• The guitar’s price should fall within an expected budget
• And finally, it’s gotta look good!

Granted, the above list isn’t exclusive to females guitars for women or girls.

Compared to guitars for guys, finding a perfect fit in a guitar for a woman or a girl will have its own variations. In other words, a guitar that might appeal to a guy doesn’t necessarily mean it works for a woman.

Still, finding a perfect guitar for a female player is easy – if you know what to look for.

To help you make a better informed decision, we’ll weed out the junk and stick to better choices available from reputable sources – and that’s what we’re here for.

Women Know, Guitar is Not Just for Dudes

Reacting to a slump in guitar sales, guitar manufacturing giant, Fender, saw an opportunity in marketing guitar playing to women – and why not? There’s no reason guitar playing needs to be male-dominated.

In December of 2018, GuitarGirlMag.com published an article reporting:

“Fender Study Reveals Women Continue to Account for 50% of Emerging Guitar Market”.

Then a couple of years later, thanks to a pandemic, even more women started picking up the guitar to kill time while the storm blew over.

Fender Blazes New Paths for Guitar Girls

In a recent article from Forbes, Fender has also been keeping up with the latest in social media trends. Tops on that list is TikTok:

“It’s way more female and a lot younger than it used to be even 20 or 30 years ago.”

Fender Chief Marketing Officer Evan Jones

Women Guitar Players That Lead the Way

It doesn’t take much to conjure up a host of famous female guitar players. Well recognized personalities such as Bonnie Raitt, Joan Jett, Joni Mitchell and Sheryl Crow have been sources of inspiration for decades.

As musical styles have continued to diversify over time, so have the number of names attached to female players.

In more recent times the landscape has given way to landscape to popular names like Orianthi, Samantha Fish, Nita Strauss and St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark).

In terms of overall musical inspiration, let’s not forget Taylor Swift. Early on in her career, we saw a huge uptick in young female players picking up the guitar after being influenced by her songwriting, performance and creativity.

How to Choose the Best Guitar for a Woman – What to Look For

What Size Guitar is Best for a Woman?

While most women can easily adapt to with a full-sized guitar, you might want to consider guitars with slightly smaller bodies and shorter scale lengths of 23.5″ to 24″.

Otherwise, here are a few typical body sizes to choose from:

• Parlor
• Concert
• Classical
• Auditorium
• Contoured Electric

The long and short of it is, depending on your own physical body type, the best size guitar for a woman can be slightly different person to person.

Are You a Young Beginner or Upgrading?

Another factor to consider is where you are on your guitar playing journey.

Are you a female beginner who’s new to the instrument? Or are you looking to upgrade from an entry level guitar you’ve been using for some time.

Depending on your age, the size and type of guitar can be directly related to your age and body size.

As a gender-specific example, a typical teenage boy may be looking to upgrade to a full-size dreadnought whereas a young girl may be moving from a 3/4 size guitar into a more professional grade small bodied instrument – a guitar that will last her right through to adulthood.

Acoustic vs Electric

When you’re first starting out, choosing either an electric or acoustic guitar is a major consideration and will be directly related to your own taste in musical style.

Are you drawn more to acoustic oriented music? Or does the electric vibe suit your senses better?

There’s no right or wrong answer.

In comparison, acoustic guitars are a superb choice for beginners due to their simplicity. Being self-contained, you’re ready to go right out of the box.

Electric guitars on the other hand need extra purchases like an amplification and hook-up cables.

One important point to make between acoustic and electric guitars is the fact that some electric oriented songs don’t translate well to acoustic guitar. But an electric guitar can cover acoustic material rather convincingly with the right approach.

In a sense, you get the best of both worlds.

Having said that, there is the acoustic-electric type of guitar which, as the name implies, has one foot in each sonic camp as well. Though they do tend to lean more towards the acoustic side in terms of body style.

Overall Sound

Ultimately and as mentioned, the biggest deciding factor will be your music taste. Your sense of what speaks to you as a female guitar player has an impact.

If you want to thrash and noodle with high-gain metal, you’ll have to go electric.

With electric guitars, a major consideration is in the pickups. Being the engine of an electric guitar, they’re responsible for reproducing the the natural energy of the guitar.

Variations in different pickups types will produce more or less bottom, midrange and high end, while others will centered around warmth or modern clarity.

Plus endless combinations of all possible features designed to satisfy virtually any musical taste.

If your musical tastes lean more towards the lighter side, such as folk, you might want to go acoustic.

With acoustic guitars, the tonewoods themselves, particularly those used for the top of the instrument, become the major driving factor in sound.

Traditional top materials such as solid sitka spruce, cedar and mahogany will influence the natural tone of the guitar.

Depending on the structure of the guitar, the sound can vary from full and rich, to something like a tissue box with rubber bands!

Either way, regardless of whether your guitar is electric or acoustic, it should sound reasonably good to you.

Body Style

The design, size, and color of the guitar body, being the largest element, can make or break a decision.

Since beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder, it makes sense that your choice is based on visuals. Whatever your gender, you want it to look good!

Editor’s note: I’ve personally passed on some incredibly great playing and sounding guitars – near perfect 10’s – just because they were butt-ugly!

Style Factors Worth Considering:

Body Size: Depending on your own body type, the best size guitar for a woman can be slightly different person to person.

While most women can easily adapt to with a full-sized guitar, you might want to consider the various body styles mentioned above.

The different shapes, scale lengths, and necks are all factors that contribute to buying a guitar you’re sure is comfortable for you.

Body Type: Most female beginners will generally find a more natural fit with relatively small bodied electric guitars.

If you’re leaning more toward acoustic instruments, Parlor guitars, Concert size guitars, and Auditorium guitars would be most comfortable.

Dimensions: Body width and contour will have a significant impact on comfort. Edges that dig into your ribs or are uncomfortable under your elbow can be a deal-breaker.

Performance Style: Are you more of a rhythm player or go for leads? A guitar body with a cutaway will help you gain easier access to the upper frets allowing you to play higher notes in a killer solo.

Tonal Versatility: Do you need sonic variety? If you want versatility, consider guitars with controls that modify the output of the guitar.

With more switching combinations, you’ll have more opportunities to shape your tone.

Playability

Many factors contribute to a guitar’s playability. For instance acoustic guitars use heavier strings which, compared to electric guitars, are much stiffer to play.

Along with build general build quality, there are a few inherent properties that have a direct impact on what helps qualify a good guitar for a woman.

Scale Length

A guitar’s scale length, which is the distance between the nut and the bridge, is very much associated with the size and style of the instrument.

Generally speaking, the smaller the guitar ,the shorter the scale length.

Technically speaking, a scale length below 24.75″ can be considered a short scale, whereas a long scale would be 25″ and over.

Here’s a few examples of common guitar scale lengths:

24″ – Fender Jaguar and Mustang

24.75″ – Most Gibson and Epiphone models

25″ – PRS, Carvin, and Danelectric models

25.5″ – Most Fender, Squier, Ibanez, Jackson, Kramer and Schecter models

30″ – Short scale bass guitars

34″ – Standard length bass guitars

“What difference does scale length make?”

Simply put, the scale length will have a huge impact on how flexible the strings are to play.

Compared to long scale lengths, shorter scale lengths will feel more “slinky”. In other words the strings will feel more loose.

A short scale length combined with a smaller body style can in many cases, make a perfect size guitar for a woman.

Neck Size and Radius

The neck radius, which refers to the curve of the fretboard, is much less important than the overall shape of the neck itself.

For someone with smaller hands, a slender neck will be much more comfortable.

Most women would find guitars made Ibanez and Taylor, and many others, produce excellent instruments with player-friendly necks that are easy to get used to.

As for the neck shape, the most comfortable guitar neck profile for a woman would be the modern “C” and “D” shapes.

General Setup

When you first pick up a guitar, it should at least be playable right from the start.

A good setup will ensure the guitar is easy to manage – for instance the strings aren’t too high, and that all the controls are functioning properly.

Better guitar suppliers will offer this service for free. Plus many of the better manufacturers make sure their guitars leave the factory in great playing condition to start with.

Still, regardless of quality control, it’s not uncommon for guitars to need adjustments after the fact.

The beauty of this is, as a female guitar player, you can have the instrument tailored specifically to your playing style.

Build Quality and Materials

A guitar’s build quality can be directly related to, but not exclusive to its price point.

The brand name will also have a huge impact on the quality and materials used – and warranty.

Generally speaking, established brands like Gibson, Fender, Taylor, PRS and others exercise higher standards of quality control to ensure their customers get a better built guitar.

Whether the guitar is made in north America or overseas, you can find the right combination of quality, materials and price point that works for you.

For instance, Fender’s Squier Classic Vibe series offers an excellent value dollar for dollar. But the Squier series is not necessarily made in North America.

On the whole, look for trusted brands and buy from reputable, recommended sellers.

Price

Like the saying goes – “You get what you pay for.”

Still, there are some great deals out there. In a highly competitive market, better guitar companies want to make sure their customers are getting a good bang for the buck.

Most major guitar manufacturers will have their signature brand guitars as well as sub-brands that cover lower price points.

Here are a few examples of major guitar companies and their related brands:

• Gibson – Epiphone
• Fender – Squier
• Ibanez – Ibanez GIO
• PRS – PRS SE
• C.F. Martin – Sigma Guitars
• Takamine – Takamine G-Series
• Ovation – Jasmine

And many more.

If you’re just starting out, you might want to stick to a relatively low budget – somewhere between $200 and $400, or around the $300 mark. This is the “sweet spot” for entry-level acoustic and electric guitars.

If you have a little more to spend, the next level would be around the $600 price point.

Looking to upgrade? There are many fine and professional grade instruments starting in the high hundreds and going well up into the thousands.

Acoustic and Electric Guitars for Women – Treasure Hunting for the Eyes And Ears

Our Top 3 Acoustic Guitars for Women

1. Yamaha FG800 Dreadnought

Known for building excellent quality instruments for nearly every price any price point, Yamaha’s FG800 represents one of the greatest values in beginner acoustic guitar.

Featuring a solid top, it delivers a rich, full-bodied tone usually found in more expensive acoustic guitars.

The smooth feeling neck is extremely playable and comfortable – perfect for players just beginning their musical journey.

2. Martin LX1E Little Martin Acoustic Guitar

With well over 150 years of experience, Martin certainly knows how to build acoustic guitars. The small bodied LX1 is no exception.

Though it’s not full size, it still projects a powerful full tone, plus it benefits from Martin’s expertise in building quality instruments.

With two versions to choose from, one with electronics and one without, the LX1 hits a home run in the lower mid-hundreds sweet spot.

3. Taylor GS Mini-e Mahogany Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Not that long ago, Taylor set the bar much higher for the competition. Using innovative build methods combined with superior materials and design elements, it’s no wonder the GS Mini gets the acclaim it does.

In terms of sound and projection, this little powerhouse easily stands up to instruments sporting larger bodies, plus it plays like a dream.

Better yet, thanks to forward thinking design, Taylor guitars are also very easy to maintain compared to more traditional acoustic guitar construction.

Our Top 3 Electric Guitars for Women

1. Squier Bullet Mustang HH

Considering its entry-level price point, the Squier Bullet Mustang is without a doubt one of the best electric guitars for women looking to start playing.

With its broad sounding electronics and relatively small size, it’s fully capable of providing a truly enjoyable – and fun, playing experience.

As a well established brand under the umbrella of guitar manufacturing giant Fender, Squier is known for making electric guitars tailored to smaller budgets, and the Bullet Mustang is no exception.

2. Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster

Squier’s Classic Vibe Telecaster is hands down one of the best values in a vintage-style guitar you can get.

With it’s traditional styling and high levels of quality control manufacturing, this electric guitar represents an excellent value right out of the box.

Since its parent company, Fender, had the good sense to use really good pickups to start with, there’s very little you need to upgrade to get an instrument literally worth twice as much, plus It’ll easily last a lifetime!

3. PRS SE Standard 245 Electric Guitar

Paul Reed Smith guitars are known for exceptional build quality, astonishing playability and killer sound. The PRS Standard 245 Electric holds true to that ideal.

Though it is a more cost-effective version, the company sourced one of the absolute best offshore firms to reproduce its iconic designs to maintain the standards the PRS customers expect.

Overall the PRS SE series is, without a doubt, one of the best imported electric guitars you can get for the money – period.

Final Words

Regardless of your inspiration, guitars for women come in wonderful combinations of different body shapes, scale lengths, and necks.

All of these features should be considered to ensure you’re buying a guitar that’s the right fit for you.

All of these factors should be considered to ensure that when buying a guitar, you’re getting one that’s the right fit for you.

The post Guitar For A Woman – How To Find The Perfect Fit first appeared on GuitarNiche.

Considered as one of the major manufacturers, Ibanez is a guitar brand with a strong reputation in the industry. But compared to the competition, are Ibanez guitars good?

If we take a snapshot of the brand’s best qualities, Ibanez guitars are easy to play, comfortable, and dollar-for-dollar, offer excellent and consistent build quality.

In short, we can say yes. Ibanez is a very good brand of guitar. But let’s have a closer look at what makes the Ibanez brand tick.

What Makes Ibanez Special?

Over the years, Ibanez has managed to gain an exceptionally strong following by developing their own trademark.

The brand offers unique designs, a continuous commitment to quality, and like any smart guitar manufacturer, fosters relationships with artists.

They’ve also managed to make user-friendly improvements to their predecessors original designs such as:

• Easier to play comfortable necks
• Ergonomic design
• Extended tones through electronics
• Lightweight construction
• Consistently great build-quality
• Affordability

You’d be hard pressed to find all of these qualities offered to the same degree by one of the more established brands.

Where Did the Ibanez Brand Come From?

It’s a matter of fact – the Ibanez brand is actually older than Fender, but not as old as Gibson or Martin.

Back in 1935, Japanese manufacturer Hoshino Gakki (the literal translation being “Hoshino Musical Instruments”) decided to leverage the name “Ibanez” in tribute to Spanish luthier Salvador Ibanez.

The newly launched brand name was then used for the production of their spanish guitars.

In the late 50’s , the Ibanez brand was used to promote instruments hitting the emerging and energetic electric guitar market.

Around that time though, imported Japanese products had a reputation for inferior quality. A result of a defeated country trying to rebuild its manufacturing industry after the ravages of WWII.

In terms of perception by the average North-American consumer, the 60’s was a time where “Made in Japan” was very similar in meaning to “Made in China” today.

The “Lawsuit” Years

As the 70’s rolled around, Japanese guitar manufacturers sensed an opportunity as major North American brands, such as Fender and Gibson, became more interested in siphoning off corporate profits instead of reinvesting in the companies and maintaining quality levels.

Thus, the Ibanez brand, along with others such as Greco, Aria and Tokai, were able to gain a foothold by offering guitars that were very well made and reasonably priced by comparison.

Of course, American guitar manufacturers (particularly Martin, Gibson and Fender) became concerned about the influx of copies such as Ibanez’s Destroyer which was a blatant reproduction of Gibson’s Explorer.

The long and short of it is, Gibson sued the distributor of the Ibanez brand (Elger) during the late seventies.

But Ibanez had already decided to shift production to their own designs such as the original Artist Series and popular Iceman designs – which are still in production today.

Is Ibanez Popular?

A brilliant decision to create their own designs, along with a commitment to building quality guitars, was the official launch of Ibanez becoming popular and considered as one of the better guitar brands available.

The interesting thing is, this rise to mainstrem popularity happened only a couple of short decades after the inception of the Fender brand.

To this day, the Ibanez brand is still considered by many to be “the new guy”, which essentially gives them license to design and do whatever they want.

The additional benefit is that this gives Ibanez the stylistic freedom to freely pivot and easily maneuver through changing market pressures.

In contrast, iconic brands such as Gibson, Fender and Martin are still heavily dependent on their historically original designs, which are often perceived as expensive.

Where Are Ibanez Guitars Made?

The majority of Ibanez guitars come from factories located in Japan, China and Indonesia.

Cheaper Ibanez guitars, such as the GIO and S Series which make up a large portion of overall sales, are produced in Indonesia and China.

Meanwhile, high-end Ibanez guitars such as Prestige Series are produced in Japan and Korea.

Furthermore, just as major competitors such as Fender have Custom Shop instruments developed for individual artists and promotional purposes, custom Ibanez guitars are often made in the US.

Why Do Metal Players Use Ibanez?

As mentioned, Ibanez as a brand is a relative newcomer to the guitar landscape. In a similar sense, metal is a relatively recent addition to the musical landscape.

Even though a lot of time has passed since these inceptions first came about, they happened to be born within a few short years of each other.

Whether or not the guitars were intentionally designed to appeal to emerging metal players is debatable. But considering the timing and the affinity the two share, the connection is highly probable.

It’s also easy to point out the visually sharper Ibanez guitar aesthetics perfectly compliment the harder audio edge that comes with metal music.

Who Plays Ibanez Guitars?

Here’s a short list of popular guitar players who use Ibanez guitars:

• Paul Gilbert
• Lari Basilio
• Munky
• Ichika Nito
• Noodles
• Joe Satriani
• Paul Stanley
• Nita Strauss
• Fredrik Thordendal
• Andy Timmons
• Steve Vai
• and many, many more

Ibanez vs Gibson

Is Ibanez better than Gibson?

It would be better to consider each brand as neither better or worse, just different with their own strong and weak elements.

Everybody has an opinion and, depending on many factors such as musical taste, budget and style, will prefer either one over the other.

Regardless, there are some objective points that can be pointed out:

As you can see, for every benefit there’s an equally important drawback.

If we could nail down one particular item that separates the two, it would have to be price points in the higher-end instruments.

As the price goes up, Gibson products (and Ibanez as well) will have more refined, expensive and labor-intensive cosmetic elements.

Pricier Ibanez guitars will also incorporate more diversity in electronics and sonic output.

The other key factor is a Les Paul will pretty much always sound like a Les Paul – which is a trademark tone many players desire.

Ibanez on the other hand, has a much wider sonic footprint and can reproduce nearly any tone you’re looking for.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you as to which one you prefer.

Which is Better Ibanez or Fender?

As with comparing Gibson and Ibanez, each brand will have it’s own sweet spots and corresponding detriments.

For the sake of taking a different approach, let’s compare two popular models offered by each brand to see where they really differ:

Ibanez vs Fender Comparison

Are Ibanez Guitars Good Quality?

Being a production made instrument using the most modern engineering methods ensures Ibanez branded guitars stay within tightly controlled specifications.

But, like any product that’s made using such processes, the end product is subject to the quality of the materials being used and the training of those who actually put the product together.

Depending on the price-point, you can expect to see minor variations or little imperfections. This is true for virtually any major guitar manufacturer.

Within just a few seconds of research (especially on social media channels) you’ll easily find complaints from those buying anything from a relatively expensive Gibson Les Paul, to a reasonably priced guitar made by Fender.

To answer the question directly, in terms of dollar-for-dollar quality, you can’t go wrong with Ibanez.

Are Ibanez Acoustic Guitars Any Good?

Ibanez acoustic guitars, as with their electrics, are feature design innovations that make them stand out.

Many models feature eye-catching finishes and body styles, with quality electronics found on their acoustic-electric models.

For the most part, Ibanez acoustic guitars tend to lean more towards the affordable range. Hence, many of them are laminate construction. Still, they do offer acoustic instruments using traditional tonewoods and solid tops for better resonance.

If you’re looking for an acoustic guitar design that’s stylistically a little off the beaten path, Ibanez acoustic guitars are definitely worth looking at.

Are Ibanez GIO Guitars Good?

When you consider these entry-level guitars cost no more than a nice night out over dinner, it’s hard not to be impressed.

in comparison, the Ibanez Gio Series is to the Ibanez brand what Epiphone is to Gibson and Squier to the Fender brand.

Designed to provide a versatile range of guitars for beginners, the Gio series offers new players a reasonably priced and very well made instrument that easily satisfies a look, sound and budget.

By keeping costs under control through material choices and cosmetic appointments, the Gio range is an ideal Ibanez guitar for any newbie player.

This also makes it a great choice as a second instrument for those just starting to add new voices to their guitar collection.

In terms of overall quality, you get the usual comfortable and very playable Ibanez neck, plus the excellent build quality.

If you’re in the market for a budget guitar from a recognized brand, you can’t go wrong with in Ibanez GIO.

Are Ibanez Guitars Worth the Money?

This is where the rubber meets the road. Regardless of your personal taste in musical styles, there are a few points that make Ibanez guitars stand out:

Excellent Playability

Fast, thin necks and innovative extended range designs are hallmarks of the Ibanez brand.

Their electric guitars in particular aren’t just great instruments, but strong competitors compared with similar offerings from other brands.

Sonic Versatility

Known for being creative with electronics and tonal shaping, Ibanez is not shy about offering factory options you’d normally find on custom built or electronically upgraded instruments.

Great Price Points

From entry-level instruments to signature guitars of exceptional quality (and everything in between), you’ll have no trouble finding an Ibanez model that both fits your budget and looks good.

The post Are Ibanez Guitars Good? (And What Makes Them So Special?) first appeared on GuitarNiche.

There are many makes and models of guitar, but two dominate the market. The most famous guitar players typically play on Les Paul or Stratocaster guitars.

Both the Les Paul and Stratocaster have been around since the 1950s: the Les Paul since 1952, and the Stratocaster since 1954.

Les Paul vs. Stratocaster: Is There a Clear Winner?

Since their inception, they’ve had entirely different paths and manufacturing strategies.

Hence, it’s nearly impossible to have a Les Paul vs Stratocaster battle and expect a clearly dominant winner.

Simply put – there isn’t one. However, there’s plenty of evidence that they’re both individual winners in their own right.

In this article, we’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions that come up regarding the most prominent features of these iconic instruments.

* Made in North America excluding special models and custom shop instruments.

Common Questions About Les Pauls and Stratocasters

The fastest way to learn more about the Les Paul vs. Strat debate is by asking the relevant questions. Buying a good guitar is no small feat, nor is it an insignificant investment.

Regardless of which you choose, you’ll need at least a few hundred dollars. If you’re considering a Gibson Les Paul instead of Epiphone, that number raises to thousands.

Let’s dive into the necessary information to help you see each side of the Gibson Les Paul vs Fender Stratocaster argument.

Is a Les Paul Easier to Play Than a Strat?

Right off the bat, the question doesn’t have a straightforward answer. However, in terms of playability, we have to consider several crucial characteristics.

First, the guitar body types play a significant role. But how do size and shape make a difference in the Les Paul vs. Stratocaster reckoning? Well, the Strat has a slightly thinner body, which makes it much easier to play for many.

In comparison, Les Pauls might feel like large chunks of wood if you compare them directly to Strats. But, in actual fact, modern Les Pauls aren’t as uncomfortable compared to the vintage models.

Then, we have to consider the scale length, one of the most prominent differences between the two and relevant to playability. The Les Paul scale length is 24.75 inches, and the Strat scale length sits at 25.5 inches.

The shorter scale length of a Les Paul has makes the strings a little easier to play, but the light weight and body contours of a Strat make it more comfortable.

Many professional guitar players prefer a Les Paul due to its shorter scale because it allows greater ease of use. Generally, the Gibson scale length for all models is the same as for Les Paul guitars.

Likewise, Fender scale length is always the same on Strat’s – with few exceptions.

Finally, we have to mention the string tension which directly affects playability. As mentioned, a shorter scale length equals more string elasticity.

Les Paul wins in this round as it has a lower string session than a Stratocaster.

Is a Les Paul or a Stratocaster Better?

Considering that both guitars are incredibly well-made and come in various finishes, specs, and styles, it’s impossible to say outright whether one is better than the other.

Much like an individuals taste in music – it’s entirely subjective.

Whether you think a Les Paul or Stratocaster is better is a matter of opinion, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. When in doubt, play it out.

Perhaps the question of whether Les Paul is superior is related to the fact that it’s typically more expensive. In addition, the Les Paul weight, usually between 9 and 12 pounds, is another reason many assume it’s a better guitar.

The Stratocaster weighs around 7 to 8.5 pounds, making it lightweight compared to a Les Paul. But a Les Paul is heavier because the mahogany body typically weighs more than alder or ash.

What Is the Difference Between a Fender Stratocaster and a Gibson Les Paul?

There are some similarities between these two fantastic guitars. For example, both can have have rosewood fingerboards. However, the differences are much more notable.

The Stratocaster has a built-on neck, whereas Les Paul’s is set and glued. We already know the differences in body and neck tonewood material.

When it comes to pickups, a Les Paul has two “hum cancelling” humbuckers and a Strat three single-coils, which can be noisy at times.

In design, the Stratocaster features one volume and two tone controls with a five-way switch for electronics. By contrast, Les Paul has two volume and two tone controls, with a three-way switch.

In sound, the Strat is highly versatile thanks to its electronics design which enables a wide tonal palette. By comparison, a Les Paul is sonically more limited, but packs one heck of a punch in output due to its dual coils.

Why Are Les Pauls More Expensive Than Strats?

Essentially, the two main reasons why the Gibson Les Paul guitar is pricier than Stratocaster are the materials used, and the build method applied.

Historically speaking, by the time Gibson started manufacturing electric guitars, they had already dominated the market with acoustic guitars and mandolins.

To this day, the emphasis on meticulous hand-crafted construction is evident in the Les Paul guitar.

With the addition of time consuming cosmetic features such as binding and inlay work, the price goes up accordingly.

Furthermore, mahogany is one of the most expensive types of wood on the market, and a standard for many custom-made guitars.

In contrast, Fender guitars, Strats included, were meant to be mass-produced from the get-go using readily available materials for every detail.

Why Did Eric Clapton Switch to Fender?

In the 1970s, Eric Clapton replaced his Gibson SG for a Fender Stratocaster and further fueled the war between the two guitar communities.

Many still wonder why he made the change, as we all know Gibson makes some of the best guitars on the planet.

While we can’t say with 100% accuracy, the standard explanation is that he was influenced by Jimmy Hendrix and his bandmates to switch to a Strat.

He famously named his first Strat ‘Brownie’ due to the color of its finish.

He then bought six more Strats and gave one to George Harrison, one to Steve Winwood, and one to Pete Townshend.

He then used the best parts of the remaining three Strats to build ‘Blackie,’ another famous Fender Strat.

Are Les Pauls Good for Beginners?

It’s essential to point out that beginners can learn how to play either a Les Paul or Strat as long as they practice.

But, as mentioned, they both have their benefits and downfalls in terms of ease of use.

For most players just starting out however, budget is a major consideration. For this reason, entry level models from the sub-brands Epiphone and Squier make more sense.

When you’re a complete novice, every guitar will seem overwhelming at first.

However, Stratocasters are lighter, have a C-shaped neck, and are often better for beginners.

What Is the Best Fender Stratocaster for the Money?

Even though they are far more affordable than Gibson Les Pauls, Strat guitars come in a wide range of prices and specs.

In terms of a meat-and-potatoes, everything you need in a US-made Strat, the most affordable option is the Fender Player Stratocaster, priced around $800.

A high-end Strat can cost up to $2,000, as is the case with the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster HSS.

It is worth noting, at the risk of stepping outside the context of true Fender USA made products, an excellent guitar that combines quality and value for money is Fender’s Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster with a price tag of around $500.

Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Stratocaster

Why Are Les Pauls So Heavy?

Gibson Les Pauls are heavy because they’re slightly thicker and made from relatively dense mahogany.

Only the best mahogany is used for the bodies; the necks can be made with the same material or maple.

This in not to say that Fender products are feather-weight either. We’ve seen some, particularly from the 70’s, that were ridiculously heavy.

Over the decades, specific gravity tolerances used for body materials have been relaxed in order to make production more cost effective.

The result is that, in some cases, Fender guitars that aren’t as light as they could be.

Can a Stratocaster Sound Like a Les Paul?

This is a great question. Les Pauls and Strats feature two very different sounds. A typical Stratocaster footprint has the thinner and brighter sound, some would express it as “sharp sounding”.

A Les Paul is all about thicker, darker tones and focuses on mid-range frequencies. But is there a way to make them sound similar?

You can make significant changes by adjusting the amplifier settings, using an EQ pedal, and opting for the neck pickup, but we’ll explain it like this:

Through modifications you can get a Stratocaster to sound very close to a Les Paul, but, because of its inherent construction, a Les Paul will never produce a convincing Stratocaster sound.

Is Gibson or Fender Better?

Again, the question is subjective and almost impossible to answer. The Fender vs. Gibson comparison comes down to personal preference.

Gibson is an older guitar maker with a different history and intense focus on details. On the other hand, Fender makes Stratocasters which are incredibly popular and more affordable.

Also, Telecaster vs. Strat by Fender is another challenging comparison to make.

Les Paul vs Stratocaster: A Breakdown

We’ve covered the main questions about these two brilliant instruments, but we have to touch on several other specific categories.

This will give us further insight into the Les Paul and Stratocaster legacies and what they represent to guitar communities.

The History

The Gibson company was founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is undoubtedly one of the most well-known guitar manufacturers in the world.

When they started making electric guitars in the 1950s, and their best-known models were the Les Paul and SG, along with the Flying V, Explorer and Moderne though with limited success.

To this day, every “authentic” Gibson guitar is made in the US in one of the Nashville or Montana factories.

The first Fender guitar, Telecaster (originally Broadcaster), was introduced in 1950, and the Stratocaster came a mere four years later in 1954.

They were both designed by Leo Fender in California as marketing products used to support his amplifier business.

Today, these practical, every-day-working-man guitars are synonymous with professional guitarists.

Musical Styles

If you know what you’re doing, you can play any musical style with any guitar – talent is truly in the hands of the player.

However, due to the style, tone, and general comfort, Les Paul and Stratocaster are divided based on musical styles.

While a Strat can be used in any genre, it’s considered one of the best blues guitars ever. The low levels of gain make it suitable for country, pop and R’n’B music.

With Les Paul guitars, it’s all about the hands that play it. It’s original inception was to be an affordable electric guitar for jazz musicians.

Therefor of course it can be an excellent jazz guitar, but it found incredible popularity among, blues, rock and heavy metal musicians too.

Price Range

A Gibson Les Paul guitar is gorgeous, sturdy, durable – and expensive. No doubt that it’s a fantastic investment that can turn into an heirloom.

But it might not be the best option for a budget-minded person in need of a new guitar. Even the cheapest Les Paul is over $1,000. For that money, you can buy a reasonably high-end Stratocaster.

Ultimately, it’s about what you’re looking for and what will work for you. Besides, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard is much cheaper and shares incredibly similar features.

Les Paul vs. Stratocaster Pros and Cons

By Gibson

By Fender

Les Paul vs. Stratocaster: Which Guitar Is Better for You?

If you don’t know anything about guitars, it’d be nearly impossible to choose between the Les Paul and the Stratocaster.

You would probably be inclined to make a decision based on looks.

The lack of contours and the weight of a Les Paul would make it an automatic “no” for some. However, others will appreciate those same features.

The playability factor is essential but shouldn’t be the defining factor.

You can learn how to play either of these guitars as long as you dedicate time and effort.

However, perhaps the better way to assess the better option is to focus on the preferred music style and pickup options.

The post Les Paul vs Stratocaster (What We Love, And Hate) first appeared on GuitarNiche.

Vox Mini Go 3 Portable Modeling Amp

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

We hope you find this article helpful, informative and unbiased. By using links on this page we may receive compensation at no extra cost. If you do use them, thank you so much!

Vox Mini Go 3 Review: Warning! This Portable Package Packs a Punch!..

Mini Go 3 Overview

While Orange and Marshall have defined the high gain “British Invasion” sounds that we know and love, Vox Amplification is arguably the king of English tone.

Known for their distinct “chime” and treble-rich sounds, Vox is the go-to amp for many guitar legends. Brian May, The Edge, and even punk icon Tom DeLonge have all used Vox amps throughout their career.

Providing a distinct guitar tone that has been copied by many, Vox now distills their legacy into an affordable practice amp.

However, this is more than just a Vox mini amp, with several classic amp voicings to choose from. It’s an impressive spec sheet for a battery powered, 3 watt amplifier! Let’s dig a deeper into the Vox Mini Go 3.

Vox Mini Go 3 Finer Points

Vox has taken a 3 watt, battery powered amp and essentially loaded it with options. Built-in amp voicings to choose from, limited EQ controls, and even some modulation and reverb effects to top it off.

The latest take on a modeling amp for the long time tube amp icon, Vox has quickly made a lasting impression.

Loaded with some of the latest creative must-haves such as a looper and no less than 33 built-in rhythm tracks, this Mini Go 3 is built to be a versatile, budget friendly practice amp for the modern player.

Perfect for playing at your desk during the day, or late into the night, the Mini Go 3 is an all-in-one amplifier solution.

Who Is This Amp Best Suited For?

Vox’s Mini Go 3 is a great amplifier option for very specific players. Whether you are a beginner or pro, it is a practice amplifier through and through.

If you want to practice in a small space, be it a desk or dorm room, this is the amp for you. With headphone outs, auxiliary in, and low wattage it is great for jamming along to your favorite songs.

Vox Mini Go 3 Watt Portable Modeling Amp

Likewise, it is ultra portable thanks to the small frame and battery powered construction. It isn’t a gig ready amp, and probably won’t suit your studio needs either.

It may not feel the same as some of the better small tube amps, but for pure practicing purposes, the Vox Mini Go 3 is hard to beat.

What’s In The Box?

Contrary to the loaded spec sheet of amp features, the unboxing process is fairly straightforward.

There aren’t a lot of extra cables, cabs, or accessories needed or added in the box. It comes with an included DC power supply cable to let you plug into a wall power supply.

When you want to take it on the road, you will simply need to grab some batters (that aren’t included) and you can get playing your new amp!

Vox MINI Go 3 Features

Vox’s MINI Go 3 can be powered by 6 AA batteries or by the included power supply.

This supplies 3 watts of guitar amp output that can be played through headphones or the built-in speaker.

You can choose between 9 amp voicings ranging from Vox AC15 chime to US-inspired high gain from the 1980s. Plus there’s 8 studio quality VET model effects including a vocoder for extra sonic fun.

You can then tweak each voice with gain, tone, and master volume EQ controls. A built-in tuner adds a beginner-friendly feature to the spec sheet as well.

Next, there are 8 studio quality VET model effects banks which can be used simultaneously – one for reverb/delay, one for modulation such as chorus etc.

Among the classic effects are tremolo, spring reverb, chorus, and many other classic tone shaping effects.

Auxiliary-in ports let you jam along to your favorite tracks, and a headphone in helps you play at low volumes into ear buds.

Lastly, a “mic in” port lets you add a vocal mic and use the amplifier as a small PA system for singing or speaking.

Highlights:

• 3 watts of power through a 1×5” speaker
• 9 built-in amplifier voicings to choose from
• Modulation, reverb, and delay effects built-in
• 40 second Looper
• Can connect microphone for vocal use

Getting The Most Out Of Your MINI Go 3

The Vox Mini Go 3 is incredibly user friendly, with such a wide variety of tones for you to mess around with. To get the most out of it, simply use it as a versatile practice tool.

Take it on the go to practice, play late at night through headphones, that’s what this amp wants you to do with it!

You don’t need any accessories to get playing, just plug it in or grab some batteries, and you are off.

Check out this demo below for more on how to use the Mini Go 3 from Vox.

Vox Mini Go 3 Review: Key Points

Check Out Some Alternatives

Final Thoughts On The Vox Mini Go 3

The Vox Mini Go 3 may have put together the most feature laden battery powered amplifier we have ever seen. However, it does come at a bit of a cost increase compared to other battery powered amps.

3 watts of output with incredibly tonal versatility from the built-in amp voicings, guitar effects, looper and rhythm sections is a pretty good value at the end of the day.

In fact, both beginners and pros should be interested in how many sounds are in this little box.

It remains one of the best options on the battery powered market if you’re willing to invest a bit more than the competition charges.

Check Today’s Vox Mini Go 3 Price! >>

The post Vox Mini Go 3 Review (One Colossal Little Modelling Amp) first appeared on GuitarNiche.

Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack

Overall Rating: 4.4/5

We hope you find this article helpful, informative and unbiased. By using links on this page we may receive compensation at no extra cost. If you do use them, thank you so much!

Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack Review: A Beginner Version Of The Beloved Les Paul

There are arguably no electric guitars more famous, influential, or beloved than the classic Gibson Les Paul.

From Jimmy Page to Slash, numerous icons of the guitar world have chosen this single cut model above others.

Likewise, thousands of amateur and student players have entrusted Epiphone to create this same guitar model for their needs.

This Epiphone Les Paul Guitar Player Pack is no different – specifically their Les Paul Special-II model which sits at the core; all the accessories and extras needed to get you playing guitar fast.

Overview of an Affordable Les Paul Guitar Package

Epiphone, a branch of Gibson that specializes in affordable models has long had a great reputation amongst guitarists.

Many players from the past 30 years started out on guitars from packages just like this.

In fact, this Les Paul Guitar Player Pack is likely one of their top selling products thanks to the affordable price tag and one-stop-shop deal.

Even for more experienced players who may own other guitars, this all inclusive package holds value.

Who Get’s the Most Out of It?

As with most guitar packages, this Epiphone LP offering is best suited for beginners and students. The combination of affordability and value is often too good to pass up.

This Epiphone Player package is very attractive for a few key reasons.

First off, it’s a classic guitar design and sound that many students will find their idols playing on stage or in the studio.

Next, the inclusion of the amp, cables, and other extras make it so truly easy to get home and play in minutes.

No comparison shopping for extras and accessories, just open the box and go. Furthermore, the smaller scale length of these Gibson-style instruments can be easier for some players to learn on.

What Comes in the Box?

So we’ve talked about how great it is that this guitar package comes with everything you need, but what exactly does it come with?

Each pack contains a brand new Epiphone Les Paul Special II and padded gig bag for it.

A 10-watt Epiphone amplifier is included as well with all necessary cables so that you’re ready to plug and play.

Other great extras include a strap for your new Les Paul, guitar picks, and a very hand clip on tuner.

While these are less essential than the amp and power cable, they will make your life easier.

These items specifically are things a less educated beginner or student may have trouble finding.

Features & Specs

There are several noteworthy features that make this Les Paul beginner-friendly. The flat top, thin body design makes it much less heavy than the typical Les Paul.

The Alder wood body construction, as opposed to Mahogany, further lightens the load.

The two humbucking pickups, a 700T in the bridge and 650R at the neck, also provide a more high octane sound than single coils found on competitors like Squier Stratocasters and Telecasters.

Plus, these dual coil pickups are far less noisy, meaning you won’t have as much buzz or hum coming out of your amplifier.

The 24.75” scale length also provides for a smaller neck, with less space in between frets. Compare this to the 25.5” scale length of most Fender or Ibanez guitars

Lastly, two finishes are available: a beautiful vintage sunburst or ebony finish gives this Epiphone Les Paul a classic, gig ready look.

Highlights

• High output humbucking pickups
• Simplified controls with volume, tone, and 3-way switch
• Comfortable Alder body
• Beautiful vintage sunburst finish
• Shorter scale length neck

How To Get The Most Out Of Your New Epiphone Pack

The beauty of the Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package is that it’s 100% ready to go out of the box.

Clip on your tuner and tune the guitar, throw the strap on, and plug in. The flat top construction and Alder body also make it lighter and more comfortable than most classic Les Paul models.

Check out this awesome demo of the Les Paul Special-II, the guitar featured in this package!

Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack Review: Key Points

Alternative Instruments for Comparison

Final Thoughts On A Timeless Guitar

If your love of classic rock music inspired you to pick up the guitar, it’s hard to not covet a Les Paul. Epiphone’s Les Paul Guitar Player Pack is designed to scratch that Gibson itch while still outfitting you with all the essentials.

The smaller scale length of the neck may make it more comfortable to inexperienced hands. On the other hand, affordable Les Paul’s are well known to have some tuning instability issues.

A quick tune up from a tech can help unlock the monster tones locked inside this classic body design.

Either way, the Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player pack is an excellent choice for new guitarists determined to play an LP.

Check Today’s Epiphone Player Pack Price! >>

The post Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack Review (An Easy Start On A Budget) first appeared on GuitarNiche.