RuthCass said:

SammaB said:

If U buy an electric guitar you'll also need to think about what sort of amplifier ur going to buy, cause the type of amplifier really effects the sound of your guitar. I think it's best to just go to a few guitar stores and listen to the different sounds of the guitars and amplifiers.

I started to play the guitar one year ago and I'm playing on an Ibanez Gio:

[img:$uid]http://profile.ultimate-guitar.com/profile_mojo_data/6/7/0/2/670224/pics/_c520235_image_0.jpg[/img:$uid]

I like this guitar but it was my brother's old guitar so I didn't choose it myself. If it was up to me to pick my first guitar I would definately pick a telecaster model, because you can play a lot of different styles on a telecaster.

When you're just starting to play the guitar and you also want to play the solo's with the bends in it I would recommend thin strings, because that's easier and less painfull.

I'm always using these strings:

[img:$uid]http://www.allmusic.co.nz/9.jpg[/img:$uid]

What's better a Stratocaster or telecaster?

I would prefer an electric that I can play different sounds

one needs to learn to walk, before they can run.

buy an inexpensive guitar first. have you checked pawn shops? flea markets?

it's your money....buy a gibson les paul...or a fender stratocaster.....it will sound just as bad until you learn how to play.

BlackAdder7 said:

RuthCass said:

What's better a Stratocaster or telecaster?

I would prefer an electric that I can play different sounds

one needs to learn to walk, before they can run.

buy an inexpensive guitar first. have you checked pawn shops? flea markets?

it's your money....buy a gibson les paul...or a fender stratocaster.....it will sound just as bad until you learn how to play.

You can buy an electric at a flea market? Yea, this is gonna take me awhile to find the right one lol

RuthCass said:

But guys I REEEALLLYYYY want an electric guitar!!!!!!!

If it is what you want then buy it, you wouldn't buy a Toyota if you really wanted a Ford would you

RuthCass said:

What's better a Stratocaster or telecaster?

I would prefer an electric that I can play different sounds

Neither are better, Teles and Strats are totally different sounds, though on a cheaper model Guitar that won't be as recognisable as say a Proper Fender model. Though I have heard that the Squire Strats are fairly close to a real Strat sound. Never actually heard one myself.

Starting off with acoustic will probably be better for your technique and feel of the instrument, rather than turning the gain and sustain of an electric guitar up and playing rockstar all day long, because, as a matter of fact, it's easier to make an electric guitar sound "good" at least.

Still, technique will come with time either way. What's most important is that your instrument is well-tuned and that you simply start to understand how it works, how chords work, how melodies work, what sounds good on your guitar and why. It's more about musicology than actual instrumental practice.

Then, after you started to understand the instrument, you can go and take care of your quickness, technique etc. and that's when you should buy a more expensive guitar.

Until then, if you're an absolute beginner, a "normal", well-tuned guitar will suffice.

RuthCass said:

What's better a Stratocaster or telecaster?

I would prefer an electric that I can play different sounds

Neither is better or worse they are different. ANY electric guitar can play different sounds. That is about more how you play and the amp/effect settings you use.

But there are differences in the sounds because of design differences. I play a Stratocaster which I love, however, I would probably switch to a Telecaster at this point because it is a little more basic in it's electronics.

Not that a tele is not versatile like a strat, but the strat has pickup settings that I never use. This is probably not specifically useful info to you, but you see the differences are not just about better or worse, it's personal choice.

[Edited 10/17/11 10:45am]

RuthCass said:

BlackAdder7 said:

one needs to learn to walk, before they can run.

buy an inexpensive guitar first. have you checked pawn shops? flea markets?

it's your money....buy a gibson les paul...or a fender stratocaster.....it will sound just as bad until you learn how to play.

You can buy an electric at a flea market? Yea, this is gonna take me awhile to find the right one lol

I probably would not buy one at a flea market (at least not the ones I see around here) Pawn shops sometimes have decent cheap stuff, but most guitar shops also sell used gear so IMO you might as well go there.

But you never know, you might find something nice.

Or you can try craigslist, that is a great resource. I have bought/sold good stuff from there.

[Edited 10/17/11 10:54am]

BlackAdder7 said:

RuthCass said:

What's better a Stratocaster or telecaster?

I would prefer an electric that I can play different sounds

one needs to learn to walk, before they can run.

buy an inexpensive guitar first. have you checked pawn shops? flea markets?

it's your money....buy a gibson les paul...or a fender stratocaster.....it will sound just as bad until you learn how to play. in fact, be a love and do your neighbors a favor. make sure you get an electric guiter. with the headphones jack. that way, no one will need to hear you as you bumble about in the way all beginners do. good luck, and ORGnote me for tips.

i well remember the long ago day when grandma finally cracked and told me to shut the hell up, stop playing that goddamn piano! she took me by surprise. i'd only been working the same few chords for three straight hours on the piano. not nearly long enough to savor all of the possibilities. true, it was over ninety degrees in the shade but that was the first time i ever really heard grandma cuss like that. headphones could have spared us all, that afternoon.

[Edited 10/17/11 14:39pm]

itsnotallover said:

RuthCass said:

But guys I REEEALLLYYYY want an electric guitar!!!!!!!

If it is what you want then buy it, you wouldn't buy a Toyota if you really wanted a Ford would you

RuthCass said:

What's better a Stratocaster or telecaster?

I would prefer an electric that I can play different sounds

Neither are better, Teles and Strats are totally different sounds, though on a cheaper model Guitar that won't be as recognisable as say a Proper Fender model. Though I have heard that the Squire Strats are fairly close to a real Strat sound. Never actually heard one myself.

Yea electric is sooo much better! I just don't know what one to get that has a good sound I don't want to get a crappy one :/ Also I don't even know the difference of what it should sound like, so I'll be FU*#ED!

Dave1992 said:

Starting off with acoustic will probably be better for your technique and feel of the instrument, rather than turning the gain and sustain of an electric guitar up and playing rockstar all day long, because, as a matter of fact, it's easier to make an electric guitar sound "good" at least.

Still, technique will come with time either way. What's most important is that your instrument is well-tuned and that you simply start to understand how it works, how chords work, how melodies work, what sounds good on your guitar and why. It's more about musicology than actual instrumental practice.

Then, after you started to understand the instrument, you can go and take care of your quickness, technique etc. and that's when you should buy a more expensive guitar.

Until then, if you're an absolute beginner, a "normal", well-tuned guitar will suffice.

You can say that again!

NDRU said:

RuthCass said:

What's better a Stratocaster or telecaster?

I would prefer an electric that I can play different sounds

Neither is better or worse they are different. ANY electric guitar can play different sounds. That is about more how you play and the amp/effect settings you use.

But there are differences in the sounds because of design differences. I play a Stratocaster which I love, however, I would probably switch to a Telecaster at this point because it is a little more basic in it's electronics.

Not that a tele is not versatile like a strat, but the strat has pickup settings that I never use. This is probably not specifically useful info to you, but you see the differences are not just about better or worse, it's personal choice.

[Edited 10/17/11 10:45am]

So you would rather have a Telecaster...

NDRU said:

RuthCass said:

You can buy an electric at a flea market? Yea, this is gonna take me awhile to find the right one lol

I probably would not buy one at a flea market (at least not the ones I see around here) Pawn shops sometimes have decent cheap stuff, but most guitar shops also sell used gear so IMO you might as well go there.

But you never know, you might find something nice.

Or you can try craigslist, that is a great resource. I have bought/sold good stuff from there.

[Edited 10/17/11 10:54am]

I might just go to a music store. I don't trust craigslist you never know with some people

RuthCass said:

itsnotallover said:

Neither are better, Teles and Strats are totally different sounds, though on a cheaper model Guitar that won't be as recognisable as say a Proper Fender model. Though I have heard that the Squire Strats are fairly close to a real Strat sound. Never actually heard one myself.

Yea electric is sooo much better! I just don't know what one to get that has a good sound I don't want to get a crappy one :/ Also I don't even know the difference of what it should sound like, so I'll be FU*#ED!

Your ear has to develop along with your playing. I doubt most beginners could hear the difference between a cheap equipment and expensive equipment.

It takes time for the snobbery to really take hold!

XxAxX said:

BlackAdder7 said:

one needs to learn to walk, before they can run.

buy an inexpensive guitar first. have you checked pawn shops? flea markets?

it's your money....buy a gibson les paul...or a fender stratocaster.....it will sound just as bad until you learn how to play. in fact, be a love and do your neighbors a favor. make sure you get an electric guiter. with the headphones jack. that way, no one will need to hear you as you bumble about in the way all beginners do. good luck, and ORGnote me for tips.

i well remember the long ago day when grandma finally cracked and told me to shut the hell up, stop playing that goddamn piano! she took me by surprise. i'd only been working the same few chords for three straight hours on the piano. not nearly long enough to savor all of the possibilities. true, it was over ninety degrees in the shade but that was the first time i ever really heard grandma cuss like that. headphones could have spared us all, that afternoon.

[Edited 10/17/11 14:39pm]

That's another I want to learn lol

NDRU said:

RuthCass said:

Yea electric is sooo much better! I just don't know what one to get that has a good sound I don't want to get a crappy one :/ Also I don't even know the difference of what it should sound like, so I'll be FU*#ED!

Your ear has to develop along with your playing. I doubt most beginners could hear the difference between a cheap equipment and expensive equipment.

It takes time for the snobbery to really take hold!

Yea, see I need someone with a musical ear

NDRU said:

RuthCass said:

Yea electric is sooo much better! I just don't know what one to get that has a good sound I don't want to get a crappy one :/ Also I don't even know the difference of what it should sound like, so I'll be FU*#ED!

Your ear has to develop along with your playing. I doubt most beginners could hear the difference between a cheap equipment and expensive equipment.

It takes time for the snobbery to really take hold!

TD3 said:

NDRU said:

Your ear has to develop along with your playing. I doubt most beginners could hear the difference between a cheap equipment and expensive equipment.

It takes time for the snobbery to really take hold!

lol

What about something like this? http://www.guitarcenter.c...1177837.gc it's cheap and it's a fender!

or this....

http://www.guitarcenter.c...1432037.gc

RuthCass said:

or this....

http://www.guitarcenter.c...1432037.gc

or what about this? Lol

http://www.guitarcenter.c...1167511.gc

This is my Ibanez RG350 being played "Clean" (no effects) through a £30 Amp by my Neighbour who is a Professional Guitarist I kind of put him on the spot and handed him my Guitar and said "Play summat"

http://s99.photobucket.co...eo0013.mp4

This is the same Guitar being played with 3 different effects pedals Distortion, Compressor / Sustainer and Chorus through the same amp and played by me:

http://s99.photobucket.co...eo0006.mp4

not trying to sell the Ibanez brand btw lol

I bought the Ibanez because the neck felt comfy, its slim and has a flat fingerboard. I hate the Floating trem though lol.

itsnotallover said:

This is my Ibanez RG350 being played "Clean" (no effects) through a £30 Amp by my Neighbour who is a Professional Guitarist I kind of put him on the spot and handed him my Guitar and said "Play summat"

http://s99.photobucket.co...eo0013.mp4

This is the same Guitar being played with 3 different effects pedals Distortion, Compressor / Sustainer and Chorus through the same amp and played by me:

http://s99.photobucket.co...eo0006.mp4

not trying to sell the Ibanez brand btw lol

I bought the Ibanez because the neck felt comfy, its slim and has a flat fingerboard. I hate the Floating trem though lol.

How much did it cost?

If you're just getting into this for fun, get whatever you like and think you'll have a good time with.

If you're serious, i'd suggest starting with a decent, playable (based on your size, hands especially) acoustic instrument.
Do a little research and you'll find you won't have to spend a ton of cash.
These days, almost all guitars that are not name-brand (and even some that are) are computer cut in similar type factories outside the U.S.
This keeps the quality control relatively consistent.

What you will accomplish by doing this, is developing touch and strength in your hands and fingers.
Ultimately, this is where your sound and style will come from. It's less about the gear.

You'll also be able to tell more easily if you're actually making any progress with less stuff between you and the instrument.

Quick story.
A guitar tech friend had to set up an extra guitar rig for a last-last minute guest he was told would be sitting in.
The guest was a well known artist. The only amp he had available wasn't the greatest, nor was it the amp he knew this guy preferred.
However it was all that was available at such short notice. He set up the rig and then prayed the guest wouldn't show. He did.
The guest came up on stage, plugged in and played. You know what? He pretty much sounded just like he sounds anywhere else.
You know why? Because it's not about the gear. It's about the player and a player's personality/sound is in his hands.

I can tell you similar stories, subsitute names, but they always end the same way.

A couple of sites that might help you with your decision:
http://www.guitar-skill-b...itars.html
http://www.play-acoustic-...eviews.htm

Some of the models might be a bit dated but the general information is still valid.

Good luck.



Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

RuthCass said:

What about something like this? http://www.guitarcenter.c...1177837.gc it's cheap and it's a fender!

IMO the guitar is probably good enough, but the amp probably sucks.

The Telecaster (I don't know why they did not show the pic) would definitely be my choice, but it is way more expensive at about $500. But then, it's a real musical instrument, not a toy. Teles are the main guitars of a lot of great players, Prince [sort of because he plays a copy] included.

I am not a big fan of the Ibanez. Not that they are bad guitars at all, but to me they represent hard rock/metal, and that is not really my thing. However you mentioned Prince and Orianthi, and I could see either of them playing an Ibanez. Prince might not play clean funk on one, but he would rip a distorted solo on one.

RuthCass said:

NDRU said:

Neither is better or worse they are different. ANY electric guitar can play different sounds. That is about more how you play and the amp/effect settings you use.

But there are differences in the sounds because of design differences. I play a Stratocaster which I love, however, I would probably switch to a Telecaster at this point because it is a little more basic in it's electronics.

Not that a tele is not versatile like a strat, but the strat has pickup settings that I never use. This is probably not specifically useful info to you, but you see the differences are not just about better or worse, it's personal choice.

[Edited 10/17/11 10:45am]

So you would rather have a Telecaster...

Yes, right now I would rather have a Telecaster, but I used to want a Stratocaster. Now that I have played more in bands, I am attracted to the simpler Telecaster setup. Plus, less importantly, when you play a Stratocaster you sometimes look like you're trying to be Stevie Ray, Jimi, Clapton...

Somehow, even though the Telecaster is one of the most popular instruments ever, it does not tend to be associated with wannabes as much as a Strat. That doesn't keep me from playing my Strat, though, it's a great guitar.

NDRU said:

RuthCass said:

So you would rather have a Telecaster...

Yes, right now I would rather have a Telecaster, but I used to want a Stratocaster. Now that I have played more in bands, I am attracted to the simpler Telecaster setup. Plus, less importantly, when you play a Stratocaster you sometimes look like you're trying to be Stevie Ray, Jimi, Clapton...

Somehow, even though the Telecaster is one of the most popular instruments ever, it does not tend to be associated with wannabes as much as a Strat. That doesn't keep me from playing my Strat, though, it's a great guitar.

Yeah, with a Tele you only look like you're trying to be...

Prince (I know it's a Hohner, same shape)
Bruce Springsteen
Keith Richards
Albert Collins
Chrissy Hynde
Steve Cropper
Andy Summers

...





Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

NDRU said:

RuthCass said:

So you would rather have a Telecaster...

Yes, right now I would rather have a Telecaster, but I used to want a Stratocaster. Now that I have played more in bands, I am attracted to the simpler Telecaster setup. Plus, less importantly, when you play a Stratocaster you sometimes look like you're trying to be Stevie Ray, Jimi, Clapton...

Somehow, even though the Telecaster is one of the most popular instruments ever, it does not tend to be associated with wannabes as much as a Strat. That doesn't keep me from playing my Strat, though, it's a great guitar.

I just want something that I can get funky too! I like the Hendrix/Prince sound

Then also I have to feal with amps whew!!

theAudience said:

NDRU said:

Yes, right now I would rather have a Telecaster, but I used to want a Stratocaster. Now that I have played more in bands, I am attracted to the simpler Telecaster setup. Plus, less importantly, when you play a Stratocaster you sometimes look like you're trying to be Stevie Ray, Jimi, Clapton...

Somehow, even though the Telecaster is one of the most popular instruments ever, it does not tend to be associated with wannabes as much as a Strat. That doesn't keep me from playing my Strat, though, it's a great guitar.

Yeah, with a Tele you only look like you're trying to be...

Prince (I know it's a Hohner, same shape)
Bruce Springsteen
Keith Richards
Albert Collins
Chrissy Hynde
Steve Cropper
Andy Summers

...





Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

I tried looking for a Hohner...no luck so far :/

NDRU said:

RuthCass said:

What about something like this? http://www.guitarcenter.c...1177837.gc it's cheap and it's a fender!

IMO the guitar is probably good enough, but the amp probably sucks.

The Telecaster (I don't know why they did not show the pic) would definitely be my choice, but it is way more expensive at about $500. But then, it's a real musical instrument, not a toy. Teles are the main guitars of a lot of great players, Prince [sort of because he plays a copy] included.

I am not a big fan of the Ibanez. Not that they are bad guitars at all, but to me they represent hard rock/metal, and that is not really my thing. However you mentioned Prince and Orianthi, and I could see either of them playing an Ibanez. Prince might not play clean funk on one, but he would rip a distorted solo on one.

So would you suggest a Ibanez then? Lol

theAudience said:

NDRU said:

Yes, right now I would rather have a Telecaster, but I used to want a Stratocaster. Now that I have played more in bands, I am attracted to the simpler Telecaster setup. Plus, less importantly, when you play a Stratocaster you sometimes look like you're trying to be Stevie Ray, Jimi, Clapton...

Somehow, even though the Telecaster is one of the most popular instruments ever, it does not tend to be associated with wannabes as much as a Strat. That doesn't keep me from playing my Strat, though, it's a great guitar.

Yeah, with a Tele you only look like you're trying to be...

Prince (I know it's a Hohner, same shape)
Bruce Springsteen
Keith Richards
Albert Collins
Chrissy Hynde
Steve Cropper
Andy Summers

...





Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

Okay, okay, fine and add Joe Strummer, Jimmy Page, Dave Gilmour, and countless country players

Still, don't you think that if someone is trying to be Bruce or Prince or Chrissie Hynde, it's probably not to copy their guitar sound but rather to copy their songwriting or musical style? And people are not copying SRV's singing as much as his guitar tone.

But like I said, I am not ashamed to play my Strat. It's just an instrument and a classic one at that. Covering Jimi on one can make me a little self conscious though...

RuthCass said:

NDRU said:

IMO the guitar is probably good enough, but the amp probably sucks.

The Telecaster (I don't know why they did not show the pic) would definitely be my choice, but it is way more expensive at about $500. But then, it's a real musical instrument, not a toy. Teles are the main guitars of a lot of great players, Prince [sort of because he plays a copy] included.

I am not a big fan of the Ibanez. Not that they are bad guitars at all, but to me they represent hard rock/metal, and that is not really my thing. However you mentioned Prince and Orianthi, and I could see either of them playing an Ibanez. Prince might not play clean funk on one, but he would rip a distorted solo on one.

So would you suggest a Ibanez then? Lol

no, not really