OLP Petrucci vs other guitar packs

[Jimothy JP7]

A friend of mine has a small recording setup in his bedroom. He sings in a friend's band and recently picked up acoustic guitar to work on simplifying vocal riffs, and has discovered that its hard to write lyrics for a heavy and driven rock band when you're playing everything pretty. So, he told me the other day that he was thinking about buying one of those Ibanez Jumpstart packages. I said "no" and suggested the OLP Petrucci pack.

the OLP Petrucci pack includes:
-6 String OLP Petrucci with:
* Basswood body
* Maple neck
* Rosewood fingerboard
* 2 black humbuckers
* Sealed, die-cast locking tuners
* Heavy mass trem bridge
* 24 jumbo frets
* Chrome hardware
* 25-1/2" scale
-Strap
-Picks
-Semi-Hard case

and can be seen here.

The Jumpstart includes:
-6 string Ibanez IJX121 "Metal Guitar"
*Strung thru body
*24 fret Rosewood fretboard
*2 black EMG lookalikes
*(Looks like) a 15w amp
*Cable
*Strap
*Headphones
*Picks
*Gig Bag and various other goodies

and it can be seen here.


He wants a guitar with an amp so he can play things more aggressively. Acoustic just isn't doing it for him. In terms of a deal, you get alot for what you pay for the Jumpstart kit, but I don't want him to buy crap. I've played the guitars that come in the jumpstart kits, and although they aren't the worst guitars I've played, I'd rather play an acoustic, and I'm sure he would too after buying it.

Therefore, besides the obvious differences above, how could I convince him that it's worth the extra money to get less? He's mainly a vocalist with no intentions of becoming a full time guitar player, so I don't think he really cares about the tone or the quality, but I want him to. I know it'll be worth his money for the OLP, but he wants an amp/guitar package, and I don't want him to waste money.

So, I'll hand it over to the experts. What do you guys think? If not one of these, which package would be most advantageous for him to buy?

 

[jagged]

I started with a starter pack myself, but made the mistake of buying a Squier starter pack.

The amp is pretty much useless for anything, it just sounds bad, and all it's good for is to make somewhat of an attempt to sound like a guitar amp.

What I think would be a better option for your friend is to get the OLP Petrucci starter. Depending on his recording setup, he has some different options with that. If he's recording through his computer, he can pick up an audio interface and some software that will allow him to play his guitar through his computer like Line6 GuitarPort, or the more expensive IK Multimedia Stealth Plug. If he's got a mixer and what not, maybe a multi-effect pedal can do the trick. Most of them can be used as a pre-amp.

 

[Sweat]

Yea when I first started I made the mistake of buying the Squier Starter, Amp was worthless, basically an AM radio, my suggestion is no starter packs, find a decent guitar and amp much better in the long run.

 

[BlackViper]

I agree that the amps in the starter packs are horrible so if he wants to be able to actually tell what notes he is playing he should buy and amp sepretly.

I got one of the OLP JP's just before i got my first EBMM and I thought it was good until I got my SUB. I personally think you could find better guitars for $350 but they probally wont look as cool. lol

I say you have him go to Guitar Center or any other music store and have hime try out guitars and amps and see what he likes.

 

[roburado]

I'm sort of anti-guitar pack. When I bought my first electric, there were no such things. There were Squiers, though, but I was having none of that. It had to be something that was a guitar I could grow into. I wanted it to be something that if I stuck with the instrument, I'd still want to be playing it years later. I wanted something that wouldn't embarass a professional. It ended up being a really good guitar. I still have it. I almost sold it (listed it on EBay and answered a few questions about it) to generate funding for a BFR JP until Radrock convinced me not to.

A really good guitar can be inspirational. The sounds man, can really help you get into a certain mood. I think a good guitar can help you write tunes.

If you buy cheap, you buy twice.

 

[Jimothy JP7]

Thanks for all the help! I agree that packs are pretty weak, so maybe I can get him to just ditch the package idea and go for a little Line 6 and a Hellraiser or something. Only problem is hes short on bills, but thats another story.


Thanks again, you all rule.

 

[Wide'Iwas]

Thanks for all the help! I agree that packs are pretty weak, so maybe I can get him to just ditch the package idea and go for a little Line 6 and a Hellraiser or something. Only problem is hes short on bills, but thats another story.


Thanks again, you all rule.

umm ok check garage sales!

 

[starsky]

A really good guitar can be inspirational. The sounds man, can really help you get into a certain mood. I think a good guitar can help you write tunes.

+1 on that, especially if it's an EBMM.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I would go with the JP pack. When he gets good, he will know what really good guitar to buy!

 

[Junior]

I started with a starter pack myself, but made the mistake of buying a Squier starter pack.

+1

 

[roburado]

Okay, I said I was anti-starter pack, pro-nice guitar.

I think you can get "beginner" guitars that are better than instruments from some of the more obvious sources.

Tell your friend to look at some Mom & Pop stores. Look for some stuff from brands like Samick. I think that Samicks are now going under the "Greg Bennett" brand. I got a $trat-style guitar in the Philippines that rolled out of a Korean factory (I bet it was a Samick factory) that I would put up against any $quier $trat. For those who don't know, Samick has made some guitars for some better known brands. They just say things like "F3nd3r," "$quier," "Wa$hburn," etc. on the headstock. Anyway, it stayed in tune. It was easy to play and quite comfortable. Cosmetically, it wasn't outstanding, but it sounded good. That was enough for my needs at the time. The guitar has since been stolen, but it was a good cheap guitar.

Anyway, a quick google search can find you some internet retailers to see if those guitars are in your friend's price range.

For an amp, tell him to get a MicroCube or the Vox equivalent.