As I mentioned in a previous thread my wife and I recently decided to learn to play guitar. I picked up a used Taylor Big Bany first and have been on the lookout for decent used electric for a good price.

I recently stumbled on an Amazon listing for a Dean Vendetta, used, from a third party. It was about $100 including shipping. I like the look and they seem like they have a solid reputation in that entry level guitar arena, so I ordered it.

It showed up today and while I am no expert by any stretch I was able to see that it is a 7 string guitar (even though it only has 6 as one is missing). I figure I must have missed something in the posting so I went back and looked, but it is clearly listed as a 6 string on Amazon.

So, here is the question.... should I return it or send it back? Is it a bad idea to try and learn to play on this thing? Is it worth $100 or was I snookered?

Is this it?

https://www.guitarcenter.com/D...g-Electric-Guitar.gc

Think so

A quick search shows they sell between $199-269. Not an expensive guitar but you got a deal for #100. Not a surprise if it is used if the previous owner didn't put the 7th string on.

I think that unless you are an experienced guitarist who knows he wants a 7 string (and knows WHY he wants a 7 string), having a 7 string as a primary instrument is a mistake. Especially if you're just starting out.

Even if you don't use the 7th string, the wider fretboard will make things harder, and with or without the 7th string you'll learn habits and muscle memory that might cause you problems when you pick up a normal guitar.

When I think "7 strings", I think Meshuggah (HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY progressive Metal band). Since you're starting out, return that thing and and go with 6 strings.

Adding to Maladat's thoughts, go to a guitar store and hold a variety. Learn one chord and try that on multiple guitars. Some will just feel better than others. Then make your best deal.

Don't try and learn on that. You can buy new Fender Squiers for that and be in much better shape. If not described correctly return it as long as you do not have to pay shipping. Sell locally if you do.

Kinda what I thought you’d all say. I’ll get it gone and take another swing at this.

I've got an offer for a straight trade for an Epiphone Les Paul... I'm assuming the entry level one.

Sound like a good idea?

"Dual naked humbucker pickups pump out huge chunk and searing sustain."

Sounds like a line out of a 70s porn movie.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
I've got an offer for a straight trade for an Epiphone Les Paul... I'm assuming the entry level one.

Sound like a good idea?

Can you try one locally? If you play seated mostly, you may not like how the LP sits. The LP would be easier to buy and sell, just not sure about values.

As the owner/player of 21 (currently) guitars, here's my take.

The Dean may not be a bad choice for the money. I have a 12-string guitar I used as a 6-string for many years. The neck is less than 1.5" at the nut and the fingerboard ebony, which makes it a smooth-playing guitar either way.

Buying guitars online without knowing much about them is risky. As a beginner, I daresay you haven't yet had a chance to learn what neck radius works best for you. Les Paul guitars typically have a 12" radius, which makes them wider and flatter, whereas other electrics range from 7.5" to 9.5 radii. The other side of the neck shape is the "C," "D" or "V", which can be thought of as the "bulge" of the back of the neck.

My advice would be to find a local guitar shop and try a few shapes to see what feels comfortable. Also, Les Pauls have a tendency to "neck dive" due to their long, heavy necks. The Internet is rife with stories of broken headstocks when the guitar decided to take a header!

Pricewise, you can get a brand-new entry-level guitar for under $200. It might be easier than surfing the 'Net for something that looks nice, but you have no way of knowing what kind of tinkering has been done to a used guitar.

The entry level Epiphone guitars are a bit discouraging to use to start out. It's the amenities that you'll notice and not the lack of fancy tonewoods. The tuners are pretty bad and the nut and bridge saddles will bind. This manifests as tuning instability. All that can be fixed but when you put $250 into a $100 guitar you may as well have started with an Ibanez with a locking nut. That would be infinitely more stable than even the upgraded Epiphone.

https://www.sweetwater.com/sto...-dreadnought-natural


I would highly recommend this guitar. The FG800 sounds really good for the price. Sweetwater is a good company to deal with. I ask for Dustin when I call.
Earlier IIRC you were looking for an acoustic.

I second this. I still have one.
If it has to be a electric, an entry model Yamaha Pacifica is also a fine choice.

quote:

Originally posted by rtquig:
https://www.sweetwater.com/sto...-dreadnought-natural


I would highly recommend this guitar. The FG800 sounds really good for the price. Sweetwater is a good company to deal with. I ask for Dustin when I call.
Earlier IIRC you were looking for an acoustic.

quote:

Originally posted by Gambit:
I second this. I still have one.
If it has to be a electric, an entry model Yamaha Pacifica is also a fine choice.

quote:

Originally posted by rtquig:
https://www.sweetwater.com/sto...-dreadnought-natural


I would highly recommend this guitar. The FG800 sounds really good for the price. Sweetwater is a good company to deal with. I ask for Dustin when I call.
Earlier IIRC you were looking for an acoustic.

I believe he and his wife have already picked up an acoustic and are now looking to add an electric.

Suggest going to a guitar store, like GC, hopefully talk to a person who knows their stuff and likes to talk about it. See what they steer to towards and if you like it. Chances are, that same store will be easy to upgrade with WHEN you are ready—and you will be.

I saw this little deal if you prefer an LP over a Fender. It's a simpler version.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Epi...llinktype=10&veh=aff

Nice little package.

I have owned Gibsons, Fenders, Ovations and Rickenbackers. In my mind, a very nice inexpensive guitar is made by Jay Turser. You can buy a knockoff ES335 for about $200. This is a semi-hollow electric and is my favorite, inexpensive guitar. I have owned 4 or 5 Tursers in the past 10 years including clones of Stratocaster, Les Paul, 12 String and Telecaster. They all played and sounded great without any setup.

I ended up trading my 7 string Dean for this:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/E...o-Electric-Guitar.gc

It’s got some scratches and a chip, but overall I think I did pretty well considering my total investment is about $90