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Aldi Guitar and Music Sale "Special Buys", Semi-Acoustic Guitar $99.99, Electric Guitar $79.99

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Once again - here it is. On the 8th of March - Aldi is once more doing their seemingly once a year guitar gear sale. Be there early in the morning; or it'll be all gone - these things fly off the shelves.

On sale:
+Semi-acoustic Guitar $99.99
+Acoustic Guitar $49.99
+Electric Guitar (strat style) $79.99
+30w Twin 6" Amp $99.99

+Wireless Guitar Bug +$99.99
+Guitar EFX Pedals $29.99 ea (chorus, delay, heavy metal, distortion, overdrive, flanger)
+Instrument Tuner $19.99
+Assorted Stands $19.99 ea


the deals from a guitar player's perspective:

I'm a long time guitar player - and whilst the quality of Aldi guitars don't quite stack up to a nice low-end Epiphone acoustic (obvious considering the aldi/livingstone guitar is plywood built compared to something like solid spruce) - it's quite remarkable what you can get for the money - the acoustic guitars particularly. As a beginners guitar, these are the best bang for your buck you can possibly get.

And to top it off - a word of warning about the guitar effect pedals. Six pedals to buy - with only one being actually worth buying. Everything except the delay and overdrive sounds terrible; and no matter how much of an OzBargainer you may be - they're not worth the price you pay for them ($30 - but still). The delay is understandable. Decent-ish tone - and considering a proper BOSS delay will run you at least $150 - it's a good buy (then again - compared to any decent pedal it's crap). An overdrive on the other hand - is not most certainly not worth the $30 especially considering a proper BOSS OD2 Overdrive can be had for $70 which produces a much better tone - in fact - a much superior tone.

Link to paper catalogue

Related Stores

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closed Comments

  • +2

    Did anybody get one of the electrics last time they were around? I'd be keen to know what they're like to play. I'm looking for a cheapo to play some Rocksmith with, but with a nice low action on the strings.

    I got one of their acoustic/electrics a couple of years ago, and with a new set of strings it sounds pretty good and is easy to play.

    • I got one of the electrics 2 years back. I've been playing acoustic since the 70's but this is my first electric. Being used to steel string acoustic I had trouble initially with the extremely light guage of the strings (pressing with my normal pressure was more that enough to 'bend' the stings). I put on a set of D’Addario 'regular light guage' (.010 to .046) and the improvement was dramatic. The build quality is very good (much better than the Monterey from JB HIFI for example). The only real problem was the supplied lead which was faulty. Overall I'm quite happy with it - it has got me back to playing regularly.

  • What about the wireless guitar bug? From 1 to 10 (10 being the best) of value vs money, where does it lay?

    • If you're using it for gigs/studio it definitely wouldn't be recommended, but for around the house it would be okay, it would probably have slight white noise and wouldn't have the clarity of the quality "bugs". It's a pretty good price for a single channel guitar system (you'd be lucky to get a second hand shure one for $150), so wouldn't mind someone chiming in if they have used it.

    • Intellitouch Wireless is a better deal; roughly $100 second hand on eBay.

  • +8

    The guitars are worth to buy ONLY for school kids. If you are serious to learn and play guitar in the long run, ignore the ALDI guitars and buy some proper ones, like YAMAHA, Fender, Gibson , Epiphone, etc. Some of them are not that expensive as you think, and you can play and keep them for your entire life.

    • As a long time guitar player…. agree with jva's comment 100%

      Even a well kept second hand brand name guitar is almost always going to be much better than a generic guitar.

  • Would anyone know if the amplifier is phono input ?

  • +6

    The same junk can be had on almost any website for cheaper (and for sale more than once per year)! Why people keep posting ALDI specials here when its just the same cheap chinese use-once crap you can find anywhere is beyond me. eg I own a crazysales guitar which came with stand, case, & digital tuner for $60.
    Edit: Yeah yeah for the 60 day no hassles warranty.

    • +1 . Buy them and they depreciate by 60% before you walk out the door. The same could be said for most below par chinese made instruments. They're not even for beginners as it feels tacky and sounds crap. You would be better off stringing up a vb carton and playing it.

      Good epiphone and squiers cost as little as $170. Far better proposition.

      • -1

        to be honest, I'd probably recommend the crazysales guitar I had for beginners. steel string, keeps tune, all the frets work and cheap. sounds a bit like bob dylan threw up in it but we had great fun singing 'Forget You'. No one plays it anymore and it sits in the garage.

  • +1

    Hey dont forget the bongo drums, so retro…

  • +9

    FWIW: I'm a pro guitar player and have been for 30 years. Save your money - these are all complete junk and not even worth the $60. I bought them all and tested them for my students. I took them all back, including that useless little Livingstone amp, within the day. If you want to derive even the SMALLEST amount of pleasure from playing guitar, particularly if you're a beginner, put the 60 bucks towards a 2nd hand Fender Squire Stratocaster or similar off Gumtree etc - probably cost $200. The difference is enormous.

    • -1

      Reasonable points, but this being OzB, there is a huge difference between $60 and $200 for most people.

      If someone gets into playing guitar because they can only afford $60, I think that's better than them not buying something because they can't afford $200, irregardless of quality.

      Not to stir the pot, but sure, to some people a $200 bottle of Johnny Walker Blue is a much better bargain than a $60 bottle of Johnny Walker Black.

      • Yeah I agree totally. A good guitarist can make a bad guitar sound good and a bad guitarist can make a good guitar sound bad!

        • +1

          Not just the sound though. Anyone can learn to set up the instrument to sound good.
          Will it go out of tune easily?
          Will it break strings because of sharp edges?
          Will the electronics hold up?
          Will it snap like a twig if you forget to use strap locks and drop it?

          Buying a cheapie's one thing, living with it quite another.

        • My 10 yr old has had an acoustic Livingstone since Christmas, it has been tuned once and is still in tune. Been knocked over a couple of times, still in one piece, is still straight along the neck, no warping anywhere. Never changed the strings so far. Has lessons and is coming along. I am happy with the cheaper guitar in this situation, it won't be for everyone. Other kids have more expensive guitars in the music class and from what their parents say, it doesn't make them practice more, which is really the best way to learn.

        • -1

          Necks aren't meant to be straight. A straight neck on a guitar is appalling. Pleased your child's still playing then. Fingers crossed. When he moves on to his next guitar, ask a pro luthier to set it up professionally for him.

        • +1

          Haha some peeps are never satisfied. It is straight where it needs to be straight. She will need to be playing like Nancy Wilson before she gets a new guitar, let me tell you.

  • +1

    If you want a good cheap OD, try the Daphon E20OD. I got mine for $30 off eBay brand new. Really great sound. Uses the same circuit as the Tube Screamer.

    They make one with a plastic housing and one with a much, much tougher metal housing (that's the one I have), but as far as sound goes they are both about the same.
    http://www.swamp.net.au/daphon-e20od-overdrive-guitar-effect…

    Edit: The one in the video sounds a bit noisy, but mine's very quiet.

  • +2

    The nylon guitar is so-so. One of my students has one, but with a descent set of strings its acceptable. Its solid, and doesn't bow like other cheapies

    The amp is not too bad for $100. I lend it out to students, and its taken a beating travelling around. Not my main amp, but seems acceptable.

    The effect pedals are plasticky, but again I've got my Boss setup, so these are for students to play with. They used to be $20 from memory, so $30 is a bit of an increase.

    The pick of this, funnily enough, is the music stand which is REALLY solid. A few of my friends have them and at that price they're quite good.

  • I've been a learner of guitar for a year now using an Epiphone Les Paul Junior (got from Rocksmith game bundle), so my opinions don't mean much since I'm a newbie…But I personally think these guitars here aren't worth the money. You'd rather spend a tiny bit more, and get a heck of a lot more.

  • Anyone checked out the stands?

  • +2

    As a music teacher, I would strongly recommend NOT buying these guitars, even for a school student. Beginner students need all the encouragement they can get to practice, and if they are hearing the poor quality sounds produced by these cheap instruments everyday, it is not going to encourage them to practice and continue playing for very long.

  • For effects, try to find a Zoom G2 or G3 if you can stretch. It's worth it for the limitless patch combos (if you choose to). The factory presets sound great too.

    I've had a G2.1u since 2006, still going strong but just home use.

    • I'm using the Zoom G2NU right now. Amazing unit. I plug my headphones straight into it and practise. Don't need to let anyone else in my home hear my crappy playing just yet. Still have much to learn :)

      • Don't think I'll outgrow it either!

        I just discovered today that you can also power it via USB.
        And did you know HN sells them?. Bit pricey though.

        • When I purchased mine it didn't come with any batteries or DC adapter, so I've only ever used USB. It works out quite convenient to change the effects through Zoom Edit&Share software on my computer instead since I'm always using downloaded user-made patches/effects (too noobie to configure anything myself atm). Not often do I actually use the buttons on the G2NU itself.

        • Lucky you.
          I'm forced to do it old skool. The Edit&Share doesn't work with mine.
          Gave up trying to output via Zoom USB for Rocksmith. Should be possible right?

        • Any interface works with RS - provided you have the PC version (no-cable exe/patch is required; just set it to the default mic after that).

          Zoom G5s admittedly are nice in terms of modeling pedals and amps. (axe-fxs are even better; but perhaps not ozbargain suitable)

  • The steel string looks a bargain for a beginner to learn with and build calluses on.

  • I wonder if they do left handed guitars?

  • Just as a point of reference I bought an Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar (came with a cheap amp) for $200 delivered and the neck pickup on the damn thing has worked a total of maybe 10 minutes since I got it in December last year.

    It's been repaired once (it's still under warranty) and it worked momentarily afterward but now it's broken again. I'll probably need a new pickup and a complete replacement of the internal wiring at this rate.

    I'd definitely aim for a little bit higher than $200 for a beginner guitar.

  • Picked up one of the cutaway steel string acoustics for $99 - agree it is not a very nice guitar. Obviously very cheaply made, the lower E string buzzes, and in general does not feel very "nice" to play. Not sure what I expected…

  • Hi All I understand the sentiments about the quality of the Aldi guitars and pedals - you get what you pay for. The Livingstone semi-accoustic guitar I bought few years ago from them was OK as a backup but would never be anybody's first choice if money was no object. I just wanted to say however that I bought the wireless guitar bug yesterday for $99 as there is not much else around like that at that price point. Have checked Ebay etc. I have had my share of dud stuff from them but have to say the guitar bug worked well first go with not much noise beyond what the amp normally puts out itself. Seems to work best with semi accoustic guitars and ukes but also worked well with my harp mics - shure green bullet and shaker madcat. Reproduced the tone with no indication of any drop out in signal as I moved around. There is not much information around as they are a new product but I hope this gives some the confidence to try it out. Keep your docket and return it you don't like it. I most definitely have no association with ALDI. Cheers

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