ABOUT GUITAR START PACKAGES

My son and 2 or 3 of his friends have become interested in guitar.  Most of the parents, myself included, are ecstatic that their kids are interested in music BUT, most parents have a list of the "new hobbies" their kids tried and abandoned.  Consequently, most parents are reluctant to dive too deep into the guitar pool.  So, these packages make sense on many different levels.  Yes, it is great that parents won't forget an integral component, but more than that, the equipment in these packages is more than adequate for a beginner to guage his/her interest in music.  If their devotion wanes, then the money spent was minimal, if they stick with it and show lasting interest, THEN the parents and kids can upgrade the equipment.  My son started with the a Strat Pack and is really devoted to guitar.  When the time came, I had no problem upgrading him to a Mexican Fat Strat.  My nephew has the Ibanez starter pack.  He is invovlved in sports 12 months out of the year.  He likes guitar but just doesn't have time to play, so the Ibanez is there when he wants to play, but it really is all he needs now.

So, to me, it's really not so much about if the bundled gear is a good deal based on price, it's more about the bundled gear being good enough for a beginner to determine his or her commitment.

I guess the way my parental friends and I look at it, is that if the student uses it for 2 years we paid about $10/month for the package.  Plus, if a child REALLY shows interest in music, then it really was money well spent.  If you have young teen kids, there is a market for selling the equipment from the packages to their friends.  My son sold his Strat pack equip to a friend for $75.  I have found that the Ibanez and Strat gear of more than adequate quality to encourage beginners rather than disourage.  Remember, I'm talking real beginners here. 

Hey, I play my Taylor 810 almost exclusively but I still have a Strat Affinity that I play about 5 times a year.  That is not a bad piece of gear too pick up used if you are an acoustic player and want an electric just for kicks and grins.  Most shops have a used Strat Affinity for about $100.  I plug mine into my Crate acousitc amp and off I go.  For 5 or 6 times a year, it's great.

I have always assumed, justly or not, that "package" deals usually contain inferior products that have been lumped together to sell.

I usually don't trust them, and buy my stuff separate.

(so there!)

I picked up guitar a year ago at the age of 40 and the player pack made economical sense to me at the time.  My wife and I didn't have $1000+ to throw away if this was a passing thing I didn't end up liking so I bought the Epiphone LP Special II pack. 

Now the downside is because I have totally taken to the guitar I want better equipment.  I have already purhased a new amp, an acoustic/electric guitar, and am beginning to look for a new electric.  But I consider my initial $200 money well spent as a sort of test.

39 year old newby, got my first guitar in Nov '07, Yamaha FG700.  I wanted to explore electric playing and didnt want to invest too much money so I bought a Strat Pack, Squier HSS.  Maybe I will upgrade pickups, amps, but for now it suits my purpose.  I play both daily.  The setup on the Yamaha out of the box needed nothing but tuning, but the setup for the Squier took much more time, loose or crooked screws on pickguard and bridge and then the standard setup on the bridge needed to be done.  I know it wont ever sound the best, but for now just getting better on my part is most important.  When I do upgrade, I am sure both guitars will stay with me.

Rich