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Behringer GPK844 Electric Guitar Package
This Package includes a 10 watt amplifier and all the accessories you will need in just one box!
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Manufacturer's Description for Behringer GPK844 Electric Guitar Package
The Behringer GPK844 Electric Guitar Package comes ready with all you need to enter the world of Rock Guitar! The GPK844 Guitar package is a versatile tool in practice and recording. This package is loaded with playability. The Behringer iAXE393 USB guitar has a standard 1/4 inch input jack coupled with a built in USB output to connect straight to your PC or Mac with the supplied USB cable.
The Behringer iAXE393 is a high quality guitar with a maple neck and 3 screaming single coil pickups controlled by a 5 way switch. A built in headphone jack enables you to connect headphones straight into the guitar so you can jam to your favorite CD or practice your licks without any outside interference.
This Package includes a 10 watt amplifier and all the accessories you will need in just one box!
Features Behringer iAXE393 Electric guitar with: - 22 fret maple neck - 3 single coil pickups - 5 way switching - Vintage style vibrato bridge - Headphone jack - USB port
Rock House Instructional DVD
Software CD-ROM
Instrument cable
USB cable
Powerful 10 watt amplifier with 6.5 inch speaker
Sturdy nylon strap
3 Guitar picks
Padded Gig Bag
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Behringer products.
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Sound:
The sound of this amp is not bad, but it is not great either. It does, however, have a lot of different combinations you can choose by using the 3 switches on the amp. These tones range from a clean, jazz tone, to a buzz tone resembling heavy metal guitars of the 70's. Don't expect this amp to get too loud, as the feedback on this amp does not allow it to go past about level 6, before a high pitch tonebegins to squeal out of it.
Feature:
This product does contain a lot of accesories, but many of them are pure garbage. Those accesories include the strings, if which don't break after the first time you use them, they will quickly lose their tone. I recommend just replacing them right away (Ernie Ball strings seem to work the best). You are also going to want to ditch the amp chord as well, because it will quickly break inside and produce a horrible buzzing noise. The whammy bar does work, but the threads on the inside will easily strip to the point where the whammy bar can no longer screw in. Also, the bridge is very hard to get the strings out. The ends on almost every brand seem to get stuck in the bridge, and need a very careful application of a hammer and nail to remove it.
Ease of Use:
It is quite easy to use and modify to the sound you want, but it is next to impossible to keep in tune during a single session/gig. And, obviously, in comparrison; it is no Fender or Gibson for its playability or reliability, but it actually better than some guitars I've played.
Quality:
The quality is not good on, really, any aspesct of this kit. This is not a road friendly guitar at all. In all, it will probably be fuctional for 3 years tops.
Value:
It is a good value (due to poor quality) for all the equipment you do get in this kit.
The Wow Factor:
This guitar just looks like a poorly copied Fender Stratocaster, although the headstock on this guitar does look quite a bit better than some copyrighted headstocks on big brand names. But by no means is this guitar for showing off, it is simply a technical guitar.
Overall:
Like the title says, this is for beginners as a first guitar. As soon as you can afford to get a better quality guitar, I recommend doing it.
Style of Music: All types of metal
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"I've taken up the torch for this--a few of us don't believe it's that bad these days. It's good for PC-savvy children and their"
Sound:
It has the strat-copy sound. I have the Epiphone Les Paul, Jr., also--the Behringer certainly is different from that. I like the "Whammy" bar; it makes a difference--of course, it "un-tunes" the guitar. The combo software allows easy recording on a PC--it helps one determine the type of sound desired and, perhaps, which gear to purchase later on to achieve it more realistically. As mentioned below, get the Ernie Ball strings mentioned by the previous reviewer. (I used the Extra Slinky type.--it makes a great difference in helping to keep the instrument tuned.)
Feature:
The amp is better than most kit amps--most players with this likely will purchase a beefier "combo" type solid-state amp as their next step up in amps. In addition to the USB jack for PC connection, the guitar does have the standard "Fender Strat" type of jack, and, a 1/4" headphone jack.
The player gets to choose, and then use, one of the three Guitar Combos for playing--gratis: Then, the user plays through the guitar's USB jack and a Windows or MAC computer. The Guitar Combo amp-modeling software is put out by Native Instruments, a German-based company, as is Behringer: Native Instruments also is the developer of the popular "Guitar Rig" and related amp-modeling software. The other two combos are available to registered users for nominal charges of $15/per combo. As for the the two combos not chosen, they may be used in "demo" mode for 30 days. The combos obviously are intended to introduce budding players to the company's "Guitar Rig."
The combos (and competitor's products) allow the modeling of famed, often-vintage, amps and differing pedals. Many players indicate correctly, that such software, as with various modeling amps, can't totally or faithfully duplicate a famed tube amp's tones--which are analog, not digital (neither are they generated via solid state electronics found in modeling amps). Often, too many unnecessary, unpleasant distortion tones are present for most players. The modeling tones are flawed....
(Players serious about using the PC or laptop, modeling software, and a guitar (via USB) will not likely use a guitar amp nor a preamp--instead, they want to use a tube-type home-theater amp with better speaker cabinets intended for guitar, or a better PA system (or, maybe a keyboard amp). Guitar amps generally are too "dirty" sounding and/or the "clean" (or "rhythm") channel doesn't offer good power. So, forget about trying to use the included amp with the USB connection, the combo software, and and a PC.)
This guitar, as with most lesser models, is made in the PRC (China). The tuning pegs likely could be better. The wood lacks "class"; better guitars generally are made with better wood. (American--especially famed vintage guitars--incorporate the best wood--what do you expect, here, for $130+?!)
Ease of Use:
Ease of Use:
4 for the average adult
7 for youths and the PC inclined
1. Interesting sounds are much easier to obtain than with most other beginner kits, given the "Guitar Combo" software. Teaching aides are very good, also. A separate tuner and metronome are not included--these are incorporated, instead, into the combo software. It's best for the user to get an adequate, separate tuner, as well (relatively inexpensive these days) for use with the amp and when their PC is dead.
2. Using the combo software with other guitars: Given a separately purchased (non-proprietary) USB connection for "analog" guitars, using the combo software is relatively easy with virtually any electric guitar (after PC config). The combo software was sold separately for a time. Of course, the amp is usable with other guitars (again, it has nothing to do with the combo software).
3. Learning curve: Given that computers are necessary, many people will consider that a hurdle and have more trouble than usual. Getting the driver to work correctly--and, with sufficient speed--may require bedeviling, sometimes uncertain, reconfiguration of one's PC. I've never owned one, but MACs are reportedly easier to config, given their media-friendly nature. With Windows, the ASIO USB driver, from Behringer.com, must be configured correctly. "Latency" (PC delay) may be a problem with older PCs and laptops. If one sets up another (traditional analog) guitar for the combo software, the Behringer driver will not work anymore. Then, the ASIO4ALL general-purpose "catch-all" driver must be downloaded and installed. Since this driver isn't proprietary for the Behringer guitar, latency increases--making the setup less likely to be workable. PC and setting re-config and streamlining to increase speed then becomes necessary (or, overclocking or, perhaps better yet: rebuilding towards a better PC). This can be very frustrating.
4. How to: Appropriate amplification with the PC and combo software: Some people wonder how to get the guitar, PC, and software to work through their home theater sys, instead of merely listening through headphones. One way is to purchase or "put together" a cord with a stereo 1/4" guitar jack on one end and a stereo PC jack for the soundcard on the other: Insert this into the "line-in" jack of the card. If this proves too noisy, purchase a special cable with the 1/4" stereo jack and dual RCA plugs, and, insert the RCA plugs directly into receiver/home theater amp analog inputs.
5. The USB port that communicates with the USB part of the guitar must be a well powered USB port. Front PC ports or others not on the back panel of the PC mainboard or installed into a card in a PCI/PCI-EX-1 slot may not "cut it." If the blue light is on in the USB area of the guitar, the port is powered.
6. Which manual? Disks for the combo software have their own documentation. Many important parts make up the whole. Lot of documentation is available--it can't answer all questions likely to pop up, however (given the nature of PCs).
Quality:
1. Fit and finish: OK. I bought this well after many others, who complain about problems, bought theirs. It seems to me that quality control has improved--maybe Behringer actually listened to complaints and took action. Fit and finish seems to be very good. The frets, neck, and action are pretty good--yet, not as good as American/Mexican Fender, Gibson, PRS, Schecter, better Ibanezs or Deans, Gretschs, etc. (Isn't that a little unreasonable?) I haven't had any trouble with pickups, etc. I think it sounds very similar to other Strat copies. I think it represents "Strat" as well as my Ephiphone represnts a true Les Paul, Jr. I like noting this difference in "philosophy," if you will....
2. Dependability: No problems so far--I enjoy toying with it.
3. Road Worthiness: Given that PCs aren't ready yet to be beaten up by tired musicians and roadies, and, PCs aren't totally solid state--Road Worthiness is not applicable. Neither would I like to count on PCs and the combo software--on the road--given the fickle nature of PCs, software, hard drives, and, the horror of likely ("on-the-fly") re-configuration . Instead, I feel that this is the best solution for junior to learn guitar--on a very limited budget--set up by his parents or his meager wages from a summer job.
4. Worst aspect of quality: Leaning the guitar on the USB cable jack/USB section of the guitar reportedly ruins that part eventually (the blue light goes dead). Otherwise, tuning pegs work poorly with the OEM strings. Ernie Ball Extra Slinkys seem to alleviate that greatly. Two to four years seems to be a reasonable life for the guitar--the amp will likely last a great deal longer.
Value:
Given one doesn't already own a very workable electric guitar--and, the complete setup--yes! The value is very good: This is far cheaper than other kits which incorporate the better modeling amps, which are wildly popular (and, such kits likely, include nicer guitars, also).
This is very good for a boy or, perhaps, some girls, who like toying with PCs all the time--those who have the patience, or can get needed help, to plow through PC problems with ASIO and/or ASIO4ALL or, perhaps, even with their MACs.
The amp with the guitar is OK--the amp is fairly loud, and the clean and distortion tones are good--given that it's a small, solid-state practice amp ( distortion tones are what most kids and adolescents want, so that's what's included--it's limited, however) .
If one has a workable electric guitar, and, one is also interested in PC amp/pedal modeling--purchase a USB connection device or proprietary USB setup (with modeling software from some key major amp and guitar makers) for use with your guitar instead. Behringer's USB converter device actually offers an unlock code for the combo software--so, one can get the combo software--via that purchase--without buying this setup.
Manufacturer Support:
N/A Mine seems to enjoy full function.
The Wow Factor:
One reviewer complained about the weird "cut" of the the wood--resulting in the body for this. I like toying with it--I'll likely keep it as long as I don't own a more decent strat copy (say Ibanez, Dean, Schecter--and, many other choices) or an actual Mexican or American strat version. Strats make certain unique tones that other guitars can't--they are very versatile (I always point to Dire Straits self-titled first album--only a strat can make such tones.)
I don't see much point in selling the Behringer--it wouldn't garner much--in the end, I may give it to my young nephew (whose parents purchased a used Fender bass for him for Christmas--so, he's head-first into this already--aren't most bass players into guitars, also? So, given the Behringer reputation for guitars, resale value won't pan out well....
Overall:
I'm searching now--I don't desire a lower-end strat copy, though (that is, under $200). So, this would likely "supplement" another better instrument like a Gretsch, PRS, ESP, Schecter, better Ibanez or Dean, or, a Danelectro, etc. (These are easier to play than most guitars at this level.) At this point, I really desire a better combo amp, instead.
Being involved with computers, the combo software really intrigued me. If the USB port fails, I'll have no problem using this with my Behringer USB adapter (which I got for use with the Epiphone) and ASIO4ALL or my JamVox (Vox's spin on modeling).
No reason exists for me not to continue to practice and improve with this and the Epiphone--I'm not Buck Dharma--I'm more interested in music itself and theory. Didn't metal end in the early '90s? (Answer: It's immortal with American youth.)
If the product disappeared and I was strapped, I would likely get the least expensive Dean Vendetta, instead. (I might re-purchase this again, also--given this price!) The Vendetta is an amazing instrument, given that price--it's really light, it sounds good, and, it's pickups and neck are good. Guys endlessly like to toy with it's easy action. Modding and otherwise fixing this model is very common. Flaws--it has a weird bridge, and some guys mention that it can't be effective with tube amps.
Style of Music: Dark Ambient (Northern Europe), New Age, Classic Rock/some metal
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Really. It's not a problem for us. In fact, we'll thank you
for the chance to live up to our lowest price guarantee!
It's fast and easy
Just tell us where you saw the lower price - another
website, an email offer, your local store - and we'll send
you our lowest price offer in a matter of hours.
Simply click the Seen it for less? link
Next to the item you want, or give us a
call at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637).
A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.
