independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > General Discussion > Beginner guitar
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Page 2 of 2 <12
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Reply #30 posted 05/12/09 3:50pm

peacenlovealwa
ys

avatar

RodeoSchro said:

I hope I'm not too late, but I have different advice.

Do NOT buy a cheap guitar! Spend another $100 - $200 and buy a GOOD guitar. Here's why/how:

1. Go to a guitar store. Guitar Center is fine, or find a local shop that's big enough to offer a decent selection.
2. Tell 'em what music you want to learn.
3. Tell 'em you want a med-to-high quality guitar.
4. Tell 'em to set it up to make it as easy to play as possible
5. This means they should re-string it with .08 or .09 gauge strings (thin strings that are easier to play)
6. This also means they should adjust the string height so that the strings are as close to the neck, but don't rattle/ buzz when played
7. Buy some Finger Ease. It's a spray lubricant that - again - makes it easier to play the string. Easy is better!
8. Finally, you want to buy a GOOD, not CHEAP, guitar for two reasons: (A) if you like playing guitar, then you don't have to spend more money to upgrade - you're already there; and/ or (B) ifyou don't like playing, you can sell it and get most of your money back. You can't do that with a cheap guitar.

Hope this helps and is timely!

8. Finally, you want to buy a GOOD guitar for two

lol yes you are...I actually bought a cheap one...just to practice on until I get better...thanks a lot of your advice! thumbs up!
unlucky7 reincarnated
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #31 posted 05/12/09 3:52pm

peacenlovealwa
ys

avatar

usedtobebliss said:

peacenlovealways said:


I didn't get it yet...still thinking about paying more for something better.



if i was going squier... i'd at least go to their affinity range
http://www.sweetwater.com...ratAffRMB/



or standard if you want to spend a little more http://www.sweetwater.com...ratSSRCSB/

or more asgain... the classic vibe series
http://www.sweetwater.com...ratCV60SB/


as stated... epiphone waould also be a solid first choice

Thanks! Honestly I bought a cheap one....I gave in...when I master that guitar I guess I will buy something better if I'm still into the guitar.
smile
unlucky7 reincarnated
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #32 posted 05/12/09 4:09pm

NDRU

avatar

I hate to see someone buy a cheap guitar, but then most people never learn to play it. So why have a Gibson, right?

I started with a cheap guitar, too, and 20 years later I finally have my real Gibson & my real Fender. smile
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #33 posted 05/12/09 4:26pm

peacenlovealwa
ys

avatar

NDRU said:

I hate to see someone buy a cheap guitar, but then most people never learn to play it. So why have a Gibson, right?

I started with a cheap guitar, too, and 20 years later I finally have my real Gibson & my real Fender. smile

biggrin nice!
unlucky7 reincarnated
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #34 posted 05/12/09 4:58pm

abigail05

peacenlovealways said:

RodeoSchro said:

I hope I'm not too late, but I have different advice.

Do NOT buy a cheap guitar! Spend another $100 - $200 and buy a GOOD guitar. Here's why/how:

1. Go to a guitar store. Guitar Center is fine, or find a local shop that's big enough to offer a decent selection.
2. Tell 'em what music you want to learn.
3. Tell 'em you want a med-to-high quality guitar.
4. Tell 'em to set it up to make it as easy to play as possible
5. This means they should re-string it with .08 or .09 gauge strings (thin strings that are easier to play)
6. This also means they should adjust the string height so that the strings are as close to the neck, but don't rattle/ buzz when played
7. Buy some Finger Ease. It's a spray lubricant that - again - makes it easier to play the string. Easy is better!
8. Finally, you want to buy a GOOD, not CHEAP, guitar for two reasons: (A) if you like playing guitar, then you don't have to spend more money to upgrade - you're already there; and/ or (B) ifyou don't like playing, you can sell it and get most of your money back. You can't do that with a cheap guitar.

Hope this helps and is timely!

8. Finally, you want to buy a GOOD guitar for two

lol yes you are...I actually bought a cheap one...just to practice on until I get better...thanks a lot of your advice! thumbs up!



so...what did you get?
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #35 posted 05/12/09 5:01pm

ZombieKitten

NDRU said:

I hate to see someone buy a cheap guitar, but then most people never learn to play it. So why have a Gibson, right?

I started with a cheap guitar, too, and 20 years later I finally have my real Gibson & my real Fender. smile


yes nod
my first guitar was $10, bought it from a classmate at school. Once I had learned a bit I got a better one or two redface
but I never kept it up, so I'm really glad I never spent $1000s on gear whew
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #36 posted 05/12/09 5:13pm

NDRU

avatar

ZombieKitten said:

NDRU said:

I hate to see someone buy a cheap guitar, but then most people never learn to play it. So why have a Gibson, right?

I started with a cheap guitar, too, and 20 years later I finally have my real Gibson & my real Fender. smile


yes nod
my first guitar was $10, bought it from a classmate at school. Once I had learned a bit I got a better one or two redface
but I never kept it up, so I'm really glad I never spent $1000s on gear whew


And it's nice to have something to look forward to while you play a cheapo guitar.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #37 posted 05/12/09 5:21pm

ZombieKitten

NDRU said:

ZombieKitten said:



yes nod
my first guitar was $10, bought it from a classmate at school. Once I had learned a bit I got a better one or two redface
but I never kept it up, so I'm really glad I never spent $1000s on gear whew


And it's nice to have something to look forward to while you play a cheapo guitar.


nod
my guitar might only have been $10 second hand, but I think my friend's parents had spent a lot of money on it boxed: it was actually a very nice classical guitar.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #38 posted 05/12/09 5:29pm

usedtobebliss

peacenlovealways said:

Thanks! Honestly I bought a cheap one....I gave in...when I master that guitar I guess I will buy something better if I'm still into the guitar.
smile



cool ... have a ball

if you need help along the way feel free to pm me

are you going to buy an amp?
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #39 posted 05/12/09 5:34pm

Shawnt26

The next time you buy a guitar check out used guitars(I would say Epiphones are pretty good beginner guitars) on ebay. I will never buy a new guitar again--unless it is specially made for me. If you do not like the guitar, you can always put it back up on ebay and get back around the same amount you payed for it. Provided you didn't vastly over pay.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #40 posted 05/13/09 5:42am

peacenlovealwa
ys

avatar

abigail05 said:

peacenlovealways said:


lol yes you are...I actually bought a cheap one...just to practice on until I get better...thanks a lot of your advice! thumbs up!



so...what did you get?

ahhhh! I'm so stupid....I thought I bought a package omfg ....anyway I bought this
http://www.sweetwater.com...BulletBLK/


A Great Starter Strat!
The Squier® Bullet® Strat® solidbody electric is a great guitar for beginners and experienced players alike. Phenomenally affordable and great-sounding, the Bullet Strat is easy to play, which is essential to keep the interest of those just getting started on guitar. It features a basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, plus three single-coil Strat pickups and a 1-volume/2-tone control arrangement just like its big brothers. A cool tremolo bridge and 5-position pickup switch round out the great features on the Squier Bullet Strat®.

Squier Bullet Strat Features:

* Color: Black
* Body: Basswood, slim profile (42mm)
* Neck: Maple
* Fingerboard: Rosewood 9.5" radius (241mm)
* Frets: 21 Medium-jumbo
* Scale length: 25.5" (648mm)
* Width at nut: 1.650" (42mm)
* Hardware: Chrome
* Machine heads: Covered tuners
* Bridge: 6-screw tremolo with six block saddles
* Pickguard: 1-ply white
* Pickups: 3 Single-coil Strat pickups
* Pickup switching: 5-position blade
* Controls: Master volume, tone 1, tone 2
* Strings: FENDER® Super 250L, (.009 to .042)

Now, what else am I going to need? neutral
unlucky7 reincarnated
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #41 posted 05/13/09 5:46am

peacenlovealwa
ys

avatar

usedtobebliss said:

peacenlovealways said:

Thanks! Honestly I bought a cheap one....I gave in...when I master that guitar I guess I will buy something better if I'm still into the guitar.
smile



cool ... have a ball

if you need help along the way feel free to pm me

are you going to buy an amp?

I bought a squier bullet strat....no amp....what other things will I need to buy for the guitar? thanks!
unlucky7 reincarnated
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #42 posted 05/13/09 6:26am

iinthesky85

avatar

peacenlovealways said:

usedtobebliss said:




cool ... have a ball

if you need help along the way feel free to pm me

are you going to buy an amp?

I bought a squier bullet strat....no amp....what other things will I need to buy for the guitar? thanks!


Besides the amp? Cable, picks, strap (if it didn't already come with it).

And on the side, A Digitech Bad Monkey, Boss Super Chorus, Boss DD3 delay pedal, A Dunlop Crybaby, and maybe a Milkbox.
So this is limbo.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #43 posted 05/13/09 6:48am

usedtobebliss

peacenlovealways said:

usedtobebliss said:




cool ... have a ball

if you need help along the way feel free to pm me

are you going to buy an amp?

I bought a squier bullet strat....no amp....what other things will I need to buy for the guitar? thanks!



i think something like a roland microcube or a vox DA5 would be good choice of amp.... or for more money the vox valvetronix series
they have different amp models (so differnt sounds... like nice cleans to fairly heavy distortion)... they also come with built in effects... such as delay... reverb... phaser etc..... enough toys to experiment with while you're learning

you'll need a tuner... cable and picks too
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #44 posted 05/13/09 6:50am

abigail05

I'd say an amp is pretty crucial now. You're in luck because there are a ton of great modeling amps now for less than $150. How about a Peavey Vyper or a Line 6 Spider?

Sounds crazy but I'd almost warn you to watch out for too many features on an amp. The point is to learn to play, not fiddle with the chorus effect for 45 minutes and then get bored.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #45 posted 05/13/09 6:51am

usedtobebliss

iinthesky85 said:

A Digitech Bad Monkey,.



cool pedal... haven't used mine in a while but i like it for a boost... i crank the treble and bass all the way.... and have the gain at 0.... often tubescreamer clones have a lot of emphasis on the mids (not that that's a bad thing)... i find cranking the treble and bass makes it thick and creamy
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #46 posted 05/13/09 7:27am

RodeoSchro

peacenlovealways said:

abigail05 said:




so...what did you get?

ahhhh! I'm so stupid....I thought I bought a package omfg ....anyway I bought this
http://www.sweetwater.com...BulletBLK/


A Great Starter Strat!
The Squier® Bullet® Strat® solidbody electric is a great guitar for beginners and experienced players alike. Phenomenally affordable and great-sounding, the Bullet Strat is easy to play, which is essential to keep the interest of those just getting started on guitar. It features a basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, plus three single-coil Strat pickups and a 1-volume/2-tone control arrangement just like its big brothers. A cool tremolo bridge and 5-position pickup switch round out the great features on the Squier Bullet Strat®.

Squier Bullet Strat Features:

* Color: Black
* Body: Basswood, slim profile (42mm)
* Neck: Maple
* Fingerboard: Rosewood 9.5" radius (241mm)
* Frets: 21 Medium-jumbo
* Scale length: 25.5" (648mm)
* Width at nut: 1.650" (42mm)
* Hardware: Chrome
* Machine heads: Covered tuners
* Bridge: 6-screw tremolo with six block saddles
* Pickguard: 1-ply white
* Pickups: 3 Single-coil Strat pickups
* Pickup switching: 5-position blade
* Controls: Master volume, tone 1, tone 2
* Strings: FENDER® Super 250L, (.009 to .042)

Now, what else am I going to need? neutral


Patience! Nah, just kidding. Guitar is not hard to learn. LEAD guitar takes some time, though.

OK, here's what I think you should do now:

1. YOU NEED A NEW G-STRING. When the guitar comes in, take it to a guitar shop and ask them to re-string it with very light-gauge strings (.08 or .09, called "8's" or "9's" by players). I promise you, the strings that will come with the guitar are NOT good strings, so invest $15 in new strings that are strung correctly.
2. EASY IS GOOD. And ask them to set the guitar up for ease of play, meaning you want those light-gauge strings as close to the fretboard as possible, but not so close that they rattle on the frets when you play them. Combined with the light gauge strings, this makes playing the guitar - i.e., pressing on the strings to make notes - as physically easy as possible
3. SLIPPERY WHEN WET. Buy that Finger Ease stuff. It's a lubricant that you spray on the strings, and it makes them slippery. That makes it easier to go from one fret to the next.
4. FIND A GUITAR TEACHER. Tell him/her EXACTLY what you want to be able to do. Do you want to learn lead licks? Or do you want to be able to play the rhythm part and sing along? (I recommend the latter at first.) I teach guitar, and what I do is ask new students what their favorite song is. Then we learn it. As we learn it, I teach them what chords are, how they're formed, etc. I believe that someone who just says, "OK, here are some scales and a chord diagram. Learn these first" is gonna bore the tears out of a new student. So I do it song by song, picking out different songs that teach what a guitarist needs to know. I do NOT recommend buying a "How To" DVD as a beginner. There are good DVDs out there, but in the beginning, nothing beats a real human sitting next to you, IMHO.
5. PLAY A LOT. It's the same as everything else - the more you play, the better you'll be. If you have a friend that can play, see if he/she will sit in with you sometimes. That's how Prince learned - by sitting in with Sonny T.
6. GET A METRONOME. Or a drum machine. Or whatever, but you need something that can keep time. And VERY IMPORTANT - learn to tap your foot in time with the beat. It's not hard to do, but you've gotta stay on the beat and this is how you learn to do it. If you can count to 4, you're already half-way there! smile
7. PICKS. Buy a bag of thin and a bag of medium picks. Thin are easier to strum with, but harder to play licks with. If you're learning chords first, thin is what you'll want to play with. If you're learning lead licks, then medium picks will work better. You can strum with medium picks too, but not quite as easy. Eventually, you'll probably play exclusively with medium picks, but learn on the easy thin ones first.
8. SPEAKING OF STRUMMING, the right hand is at least as important as the left hand (assuming you're right-handed). What makes the guitar sound good comes mostly from the right hand. Think of it like drumming - if all you could do on the drums is go "Boom.....Boom.....Boom.....Boom" it would sound boring, right? Same with guitar. Think of your strumming hand as a percussive instrument. The best way I've found to do this is to do two things: (A) When holding the pick, let the three unused fingers hang down. Don't curl them up, because IMHO it's harder to strum that way; and (B) Play standing up. Hey, you're going to be standing up onstage when you blow the roof off the house, right? Well, start standing up NOW! It's easier to get funky when you're standing up.

Rock on!
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #47 posted 05/13/09 7:54am

abigail05

I love it when people pick up guitar for the 1st time. Takes me way, way back. Good memories.

most important, enjoy yourself! you'll probably be awful for a while but always keep in mind that in 2 years you'll almost certainly be better than Madonna.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #48 posted 05/13/09 8:29am

usedtobebliss

abigail05 said:

I'd say an amp is pretty crucial now. You're in luck because there are a ton of great modeling amps now for less than $150. How about a Peavey Vyper or a Line 6 Spider?

Sounds crazy but I'd almost warn you to watch out for too many features on an amp. The point is to learn to play, not fiddle with the chorus effect for 45 minutes and then get bored.



^ yep

have heard good things about the vypers.... have you played through one?

i like peavey gear... some people rag on it but my classic 30 has been a reliable solid amp for years
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #49 posted 05/13/09 12:47pm

iinthesky85

avatar

usedtobebliss said:

iinthesky85 said:

A Digitech Bad Monkey,.



cool pedal... haven't used mine in a while but i like it for a boost... i crank the treble and bass all the way.... and have the gain at 0.... often tubescreamer clones have a lot of emphasis on the mids (not that that's a bad thing)... i find cranking the treble and bass makes it thick and creamy


I will definately try that! Thanks!!!
So this is limbo.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #50 posted 05/13/09 2:06pm

abigail05

usedtobebliss said:

abigail05 said:

I'd say an amp is pretty crucial now. You're in luck because there are a ton of great modeling amps now for less than $150. How about a Peavey Vyper or a Line 6 Spider?

Sounds crazy but I'd almost warn you to watch out for too many features on an amp. The point is to learn to play, not fiddle with the chorus effect for 45 minutes and then get bored.



^ yep

have heard good things about the vypers.... have you played through one?

i like peavey gear... some people rag on it but my classic 30 has been a reliable solid amp for years


I haven't, but they seem to like it at Musician's Friend. I've got a Classic 50 that has always been good to me, but now it makes a terrible rumble/squeal when it gets hot. I'm thinking...new transformer? Just a simple tube swap?

when I was learning guitar, we played through Gorilla amps, and liked it! lol
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #51 posted 05/13/09 2:21pm

usedtobebliss

abigail05 said:

usedtobebliss said:




^ yep

have heard good things about the vypers.... have you played through one?

i like peavey gear... some people rag on it but my classic 30 has been a reliable solid amp for years


I haven't, but they seem to like it at Musician's Friend. I've got a Classic 50 that has always been good to me, but now it makes a terrible rumble/squeal when it gets hot. I'm thinking...new transformer? Just a simple tube swap?

when I was learning guitar, we played through Gorilla amps, and liked it! lol



maybe one of the tubes has gone micro-phonic?

i recently bought a marshall 1962 bluesbreaker reissue combo..... i am so in love with this amp right now
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #52 posted 05/13/09 2:37pm

abigail05

usedtobebliss said:

abigail05 said:



I haven't, but they seem to like it at Musician's Friend. I've got a Classic 50 that has always been good to me, but now it makes a terrible rumble/squeal when it gets hot. I'm thinking...new transformer? Just a simple tube swap?

when I was learning guitar, we played through Gorilla amps, and liked it! lol



maybe one of the tubes has gone micro-phonic?

i recently bought a marshall 1962 bluesbreaker reissue combo..... i am so in love with this amp right now


nice! I haven't had a Marshall yet. :envy:
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #53 posted 05/14/09 11:45am

peacenlovealwa
ys

avatar

Thanks everyone...just got it today...it's beautiful touched Candy came in the box too. I won' eat it though. Thank you all for your help.
unlucky7 reincarnated
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #54 posted 05/14/09 11:46am

iinthesky85

avatar

peacenlovealways said:

Thanks everyone...just got it today...it's beautiful touched Candy came in the box too. I won' eat it though. Thank you all for your help.


Have fun!!!!
So this is limbo.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #55 posted 05/14/09 11:47am

peacenlovealwa
ys

avatar

RodeoSchro said:

peacenlovealways said:


ahhhh! I'm so stupid....I thought I bought a package omfg ....anyway I bought this
http://www.sweetwater.com...BulletBLK/


A Great Starter Strat!
The Squier® Bullet® Strat® solidbody electric is a great guitar for beginners and experienced players alike. Phenomenally affordable and great-sounding, the Bullet Strat is easy to play, which is essential to keep the interest of those just getting started on guitar. It features a basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, plus three single-coil Strat pickups and a 1-volume/2-tone control arrangement just like its big brothers. A cool tremolo bridge and 5-position pickup switch round out the great features on the Squier Bullet Strat®.

Squier Bullet Strat Features:

* Color: Black
* Body: Basswood, slim profile (42mm)
* Neck: Maple
* Fingerboard: Rosewood 9.5" radius (241mm)
* Frets: 21 Medium-jumbo
* Scale length: 25.5" (648mm)
* Width at nut: 1.650" (42mm)
* Hardware: Chrome
* Machine heads: Covered tuners
* Bridge: 6-screw tremolo with six block saddles
* Pickguard: 1-ply white
* Pickups: 3 Single-coil Strat pickups
* Pickup switching: 5-position blade
* Controls: Master volume, tone 1, tone 2
* Strings: FENDER® Super 250L, (.009 to .042)

Now, what else am I going to need? neutral


Patience! Nah, just kidding. Guitar is not hard to learn. LEAD guitar takes some time, though.

OK, here's what I think you should do now:

1. YOU NEED A NEW G-STRING. When the guitar comes in, take it to a guitar shop and ask them to re-string it with very light-gauge strings (.08 or .09, called "8's" or "9's" by players). I promise you, the strings that will come with the guitar are NOT good strings, so invest $15 in new strings that are strung correctly.
2. EASY IS GOOD. And ask them to set the guitar up for ease of play, meaning you want those light-gauge strings as close to the fretboard as possible, but not so close that they rattle on the frets when you play them. Combined with the light gauge strings, this makes playing the guitar - i.e., pressing on the strings to make notes - as physically easy as possible
3. SLIPPERY WHEN WET. Buy that Finger Ease stuff. It's a lubricant that you spray on the strings, and it makes them slippery. That makes it easier to go from one fret to the next.
4. FIND A GUITAR TEACHER. Tell him/her EXACTLY what you want to be able to do. Do you want to learn lead licks? Or do you want to be able to play the rhythm part and sing along? (I recommend the latter at first.) I teach guitar, and what I do is ask new students what their favorite song is. Then we learn it. As we learn it, I teach them what chords are, how they're formed, etc. I believe that someone who just says, "OK, here are some scales and a chord diagram. Learn these first" is gonna bore the tears out of a new student. So I do it song by song, picking out different songs that teach what a guitarist needs to know. I do NOT recommend buying a "How To" DVD as a beginner. There are good DVDs out there, but in the beginning, nothing beats a real human sitting next to you, IMHO.
5. PLAY A LOT. It's the same as everything else - the more you play, the better you'll be. If you have a friend that can play, see if he/she will sit in with you sometimes. That's how Prince learned - by sitting in with Sonny T.
6. GET A METRONOME. Or a drum machine. Or whatever, but you need something that can keep time. And VERY IMPORTANT - learn to tap your foot in time with the beat. It's not hard to do, but you've gotta stay on the beat and this is how you learn to do it. If you can count to 4, you're already half-way there! smile
7. PICKS. Buy a bag of thin and a bag of medium picks. Thin are easier to strum with, but harder to play licks with. If you're learning chords first, thin is what you'll want to play with. If you're learning lead licks, then medium picks will work better. You can strum with medium picks too, but not quite as easy. Eventually, you'll probably play exclusively with medium picks, but learn on the easy thin ones first.
8. SPEAKING OF STRUMMING, the right hand is at least as important as the left hand (assuming you're right-handed). What makes the guitar sound good comes mostly from the right hand. Think of it like drumming - if all you could do on the drums is go "Boom.....Boom.....Boom.....Boom" it would sound boring, right? Same with guitar. Think of your strumming hand as a percussive instrument. The best way I've found to do this is to do two things: (A) When holding the pick, let the three unused fingers hang down. Don't curl them up, because IMHO it's harder to strum that way; and (B) Play standing up. Hey, you're going to be standing up onstage when you blow the roof off the house, right? Well, start standing up NOW! It's easier to get funky when you're standing up.

Rock on!

I bought a pick...I have no idea how to play...but I hope to learn soon.
unlucky7 reincarnated
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Page 2 of 2 <12
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > General Discussion > Beginner guitar