I think youâre talking about a different kind of kit (build kit vs guitar + amp kit)?
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Yeah, I donât think the OP was looking to build a guitar.
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Donât buy a âstarter kitâ where a really cheap guitar is packaged with an even cheaper amp. Most of them are pretty bad. Youâll be happier picking out the guitar and amp separately, and youâll end up with gear that youâll be able to use for years and years.
For a guitar, go to a guitar store - if you can - and try out lots of guitars. Donât worry about how they play (because that can be adjusted via a setup) or sound like (adjusted via amp), just go by how they feel to hold in your hands, what kind of body style and neck feel good to you, what guitar catches your eye. Basically any major guitar brand - Squire, Epiphone, Ibanez, Schecter, Jackson, Yamaha, etc - make good entry-level guitars for $200-$300, so you just need to find a body and neck design that feel good to you and a guitar that looks good to you. Donât underestimate looks - a guitar you like the look of will be a guitar youâll be more likely to pick up and play.
For the amp, I highly recommend getting an actual amp over a headphone amp - I find it much more pleasant to play through an amp, and an amp is much more versatile letting you play along to music, play with other people, etc. And most amps have a headphone jack so you always have that option.
As for the amp itself, it doesnât have to be big or take up much room. The Boss Katana 50 is a great choice thatâs quiet enough for home use while being loud enough to jam with a band. The Katana 100 is another great choice - a little bigger and heavier, a little louder if you turn it up, and adds an effects loop (where you can put a looper or modulation pedals) and supports a much better footswitch (the GA-FC controller). And since theyâre so popular, you may be able to find them used at a discount.
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You could look at Jet guitars, very well made and inexpensive. Or Artist, similar, or Squier.
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I did this not long ago- value amps Iâd look at Monoprice.com. They have some surprising small super affordable tube amps.
Guitars- I ended up with a Squier Classic vibe. It was FAR superior to all the other squires. It was hard to find as Guitar Center doesnât stock them in the stores-probably because people would buy them instead of Fenders. Seriously, theyâre that good. Also, donât be afraid of used. GC has extensive used gear, especially guitars, and it all has a 45 day no questions asked return policy. You may have to go through a few cycles of buy/return before you find what you want, but first get into a store to see what you like. Things like neck width and depth, scale length, fret size; all have an impact on feel. I got a nice guitar for $200, less than a third of new price, but itâs a hollow body Ibanez so not super popular and a good value. I love this thing, and can play it unplugged as well. For quiet/personal playing I have a Fender Mustang micro+ headphone amp that plugs into my guitar. Thereâs several on the market. I canât stop listening to the driven deluxe on mine- it is so sweet!
Lastly when you find the guitar you like pay the money to get it set up. It can make or break the playing experience.
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I think itâs an electric guitar, with amp kit. I thinkâŚ.
It is. But I replied to a post which has been deleted since, about a guitar build kit.
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Canât go wrong with a Squier. For 500 you can get a really good guitar and amp that will last you a long time.
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