Electric guitar for noob

[MileHighGrowler]

(01-12-2022, 05:27 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Not sure what you want to spend, but if you are looking for a comfortable electric to play while seated, you can't beat the Stratocaster. I have a room full of acoustic and electric guitars, and one of my favorites to play is the cheapest guitar I own. It's a Made in Mexico Fender Blacktop Stratocaster (Blacktop just referring to the pickup configuration) Get you a Mexican Strat, they can be had new for about 400 dollars, and play exceptionally well. I have several friends who worked in the industry, and they turned me onto them when I was looking for an American made Srat. Lots's of touring musicians have expensive guitars but take their Mexican Strats on the road. I got mine with a maple neck and love it. (only maple neck I own.)

Can you still find a new MiM for that price?  I bought mine in 2001 for $350.  I think they're over $800 now (it's the "player's" model now instead of the "standard").  Which is crazy.  But the MiM are fantastic.  Yes, the pickups are a little cheaper and sometimes the frets aren't always dressed perfectly.  But I'd say on mine, it's felt the same as an American made.  Frets were perfect, no issues with wiring or hardware.  I swapped the pickguard but otherwise it's stock and going strong over 20 years later!