einhjer, there is no shame in playing guitar. As I said, the guy at my church plays the most incredible songs I have ever heard in my entire life on guitar. Everyone likes it, so why not play it? It's easy to learn the basics, and it's entertaining. This is a stupid argument, that one only plays guitar for the sex appeal, etc. It's a musical instrument. I mean, I play the Pennywhistle for heaven's sakes, because it's fun and entertaining. It is basically a glorified Recorder. Chill out man. One who looks down on others as nothing more than a bunch of plebians, and glorify themselves at the "plebians" expense, don't make friends very quickly, and they tend to be having problems themselves.

You think I actually give a rat's behind about his little "argument"? You're fooling yourself. Besides, you've already prooved for me that I was right, so there's no point in trying anymore.

I was not going to interfere with this.. BUT!

You kidding?? :blink:
Taking clarinet to campfires, beach, whatever?
Well, if your goal is to ruin it, then okey!

If that suggestion was pointed at the Void, then.... The current temperature where he is now is -2°c. Colder than Iceland. Taking a clarinet outside in that cold is.. DUMB!
(Would you take your bassoon outside in that temperature?)

I started playing guitar because I was bored. I was bored, had nothing to do, and saw a guitar. Not because I thought it was cool or anything. I don't think guitars are any cooler than other instruments.
But it's undoubtably easier to pick up a few chords, which can be used to play pretty neat songs, than to learn to play a song on clarinet. Or english horn, oboe, whatever.

Anyways, I'm not going to argue about this. Those were my two cents.

That, and you can play more than one note at once, allowing for harmonies, unlike woodwinds, brass, etc.

Also, you forgot to mention classical. Classical music can be played on guitar.

Actually, just about anything can be played on guitar.

And a guitar is much more portable than a keyboard or a xylophone or harpsichord.

How bout we compromise, though?

Instead of learning guitar, we can learn the zither:

http://americanhistory.si.edu/notkid/images/zither.jpg

Same basic functionality as guitar, portable, and unlikely to be considered trendy.

How's that? :D

Ok, after all this discussion, i just have few things to say:

For that money TheVoid is willing to spend, he CAN'T buy original high quality american Fender Stratocaster (and other original models as well) unless he is willing to spend about 1000 Euros (at least!!!). You must make a difference between original Fenders and Korean models, which are lower in quality. The thing you mustn't do is get carried away when you see guitar labeled Fender in your local store, take a look at the price... Most of the stores won't even have original Fenders in stock... I'm not stating that those cheaper Korean models are bad, they are still much more better than some of the Yamaha's (which are low and middle-end classic), Maxtone's or some similar so calles manufacturers... But the thing is you can buy much better guitars for that price - some of the Ibanez classics is good choice. But you must also consider difference in style, preferences are different...

And now, for the Squiers...I completely agree that Squier isn't Fender - it's a cheaper copy, as it says on the all of Squier's guitars - Squier, by Fender! But you can also find quality middle-end Squiers which are much more better than those cheap Fenders. I would personally recommend Squier Stagemaster :Stagemaster . I own black Stagemaster and have been playing it for about 2 years now, it is a very good guitar. When i bought it from local store, I payed about 500 euros for it, and I don't know how much it costs at the moment but I guess it should be much more cheaper considering new models been released!

@TheVoid : Ask steff in your local dealer store to plug in amp guitar you're interested in, try them all out, see which lies best in your hands, consider the price, the design and material, and you will make the right decision! :ok:

First of all: thank you very much for the quantity and quality of advices you provided, I've now clearer ideas.

@einherjar and mentor= no need to start a fight on this.

I (or should I say we) want to buy an electric guitar because I enjoy playing it 'till now (I've had occasions to try a friend of mine's B.C.Rich Warlock Platinum Pro), and think that I'll enjoy it even more, the more expert I become with it.

Besides, I got no "favorite nu-metal/death metal/EMO/hardcore bands who can't play anything BUT guitar riffs", because that's not really my genre of music. Nor have I a "guitar god" to emulate. I just like to play guitar.

I already have a piano at home, but it's not in my plans to learn how to play it. I leave it to my bro who has a degree in it. I'll maybe try it in the future, who knows.

As for the model, I heard nothing but good about Ibanez, I could probably go with one of those, unless I can find some good second-hand one (the store has got quite some).
As for the money, that is the money I'm willing to spend, but nothing forbids me to raise it a bit if I can find a higher level guitar at a good price :ok:

let me assure you that ibanez won't dissapoint you!!! :ok:

but, no matter what decision you will take, inform us about your new baby
as soon as you have it, won't you?

I'd say that the fender strat is better for blues playing, that's why ya see Eric Clapton playing one, the ibanez is far more of a rock guitar and there's the 7 string which Steve Vai plays and he's more of a metal/rock guitarist.

I play guitar because I like it and I don't need some dork over the net telling me something else, if he(The Void) is interested in playing guitars, let him play, why should he play a freakin' clarinet or whatever, if you don't like guitar, that's OK, but you can't go on bulls**ting to other people so STFU!
And goths don't even play guitars they sample the sound....(commercial bands), and they act on stage...
Einherjar, your only implying to mainstream, but guitar isn't so mainstream anymore, many kids do fruity loops and sample a few beats for rap...

Void is a guy ;)

Al, good luck finding the "perfect match" ;)
When you see the right one, you'll know it! :bye: