Author Topic: Musicians: Need beginner e-guitar advice (Read 846 times)

Cougar68 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2005, 12:48:25 PM »

If you want to compare it to drumming (which I did for 10 years before playing guitar), playing a cheap acoustic is like using drum sticks wrapped in sand paper. It's needlessly harsh and difficult.

As for cheap guitars and cheap amps always sounding cheap, that's a common misconception. There are guys that will spend thousands of dollars picking up the exact gear that their idol used to try and get that sound. What most don't realize is that 90% of the sound comes from your very own hands. Hand SRV a knockoff strat and a practice amp and it'll still sound like SRV. If you learn how to pull good tone out of sub-pro equipment, playing on the good stuff is gravy.

Yeager · « **Reply #16 on:** July 02, 2005, 01:18:50 PM »

check out

jay turser guitars.

Made in china so they are cheap but surprisingly well made.

nirvana · « **Reply #17 on:** July 02, 2005, 03:16:15 PM »

Standard Fender Strat somewhere around $350, good to start with, not too expensive, and can usualy be easily modified. Got my crate 15 watt amp for $99.99. Look around and don't settle til you're sure.

Nash · « **Reply #18 on:** July 02, 2005, 03:18:00 PM »

Unless you plan to do this for a living or something, I come down on the electric guitar side also. Just more immediate gratification... more fun.

uberhun · « **Reply #19 on:** July 02, 2005, 03:55:40 PM »

Having played for 30 + years this is my advice to you based upon my experience and reading the responses to your question. The acoustic approach for a newbie is the correct approach. It will teach you the proper fretting techniques and build your hand strength. Second it will teach you the proper picking tecniques because acoustics can be less forgiving. Now having regrettably worked for (Guitar Center as a manger) for a short and regrettable period of my life, let me tell you a little bit about the grind in the purchase of your new instrument. They will sell you any crap that generates profit for them. (All stores including the online variety do that). Now with that being said what do you do?
You make up your mind why do I want to play an instrument? Is it because I want to learn how to play? I have to much time on my hands? Something to do when I'am flying bombers on AH2:rofl ?
If it is the first one (learn how to play guitar) Buy the one that looks good to you, has a nice rich sound, and a solid non laminated top. Get a case for it and a dampit and sign up for some basic lessons and practice your bellybutton off! After you have done that send me an email and if you want to go electric, I will walk you through that minefield.

uberhun · « **Reply #20 on:** July 02, 2005, 04:27:47 PM »

Trying to post image having hard time, how about some help here guys.

Rolex · « **Reply #21 on:** July 02, 2005, 05:50:48 PM »

That's a good point, Nash. He never said he wanted to play well.

Nash · « **Reply #22 on:** July 02, 2005, 05:56:13 PM »

But that's something, right?

I mean... I would never talk someone into going directly to electric guitar if they were young or serious. I don't think that's the case here.

SirLoin · « **Reply #23 on:** July 02, 2005, 08:46:08 PM »

What ever you do..dont buy any guitar without having played it..And bring an experienced player so he can look for what you can't see is potentially fugged.

Yamaha,Peavy,Fender Squire,Hammer...all great priced guitar that have good pickups/hardware(and easily upgadable)

Happy Pickin'!

hyena426 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 02, 2005, 09:35:47 PM »

Quote

I'd recommend starting with an electric. There's a huge difference in playability between a cheaper acoustic and a higher quality one

yup..i teach guitar and bass..im a light and sound tech for a music store..been in music for 20years..play every weekend in a local bar band for 6 years now..i recomend starting electric...if you start some one who never played a guitar on a acoustic..i normaly find they progress much slower..harder to play..harder to make sound good..and harder to learn your cords on..they tend to give it up much faster..electric much easer to play...you can play acoustic on electric..plus play dirty<~~which most kids wanna play anways....kids and people tend to give up easy..best to start them off with the easiest playing..then move them up..kinda like a game..start on easy and move up to hard

i like acoustic and electric..there both fun to play...i got a nice nippon gekkii classical i enjoy and a old carlos..played a few martins in the store..there very nice acoustics....but for 3 to 500 bucks you will find a nice electric in most any music store..even japan made fenders are good anuff....the argument about acoustic and electric can go on and on...best thing is to get what you want!! and from the name of the thread sounds like electric

aztec · « **Reply #25 on:** July 03, 2005, 04:21:43 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Cougar68
. There are guys that will spend thousands of dollars picking up the exact gear that their idol used to try and get that sound. What most don't realize is that 90% of the sound comes from your very own hands. Hand SRV a knockoff strat and a practice amp and it'll still sound like SRV. If you learn how to pull good tone out of sub-pro equipment, playing on the good stuff is gravy.

This is so true...a talented guitarist can make the worse piece of crap on earth sound great, I've seen it done many times.

aztec · « **Reply #26 on:** July 03, 2005, 04:28:44 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by nirvana
Standard Fender Strat somewhere around $350, good to start with, not too expensive, and can usualy be easily modified. Got my crate 15 watt amp for $99.99. Look around and don't settle til you're sure.

Yep....recently picked up a standard Fender Telecaster for my daughter...mint con. used $199.00. Now this *cheap Tele* plays and sounds so much like it's 800 dollar American big brother it is hard to beleive.
I've been giving beginner guitar lessons for many years and of course what to buy is an oft asked question. Electrics do fret easier than acoustics, (for the most part), but something I tell my students is...it's gonna hurt for awhile so you've got to want to do it.
Bottem line, value for dollar you cannot go wrong with Fender's entry level guitars.

AWMac · « **Reply #27 on:** July 03, 2005, 08:20:23 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Manedew
Learn to play an acoustic

Get big callouses and strong fingers .... or you'll play like a hack, like most do

Alvarez Acoustic. The strings lay close to the neck.

Karaya

Amen!

Go Acoustic first... if the need to play electric then buy an Ovation. There's nothing better than the sound of an Acoustic played well that a Electric slamed hard with no talent...

Ovation
1962 Yamaha
3 piece back Terada

I play a lil.

Mac

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #28 on:** July 03, 2005, 09:46:38 AM »

Get an acoustic. It will still work after the breakdown of modern society due to the upcoming nuclear holocaust.

uberhun · « **Reply #29 on:** July 03, 2005, 07:40:56 PM »

Yea Acoustic way to go. So is a bunker for the hollocaust.