I've got some money together and I'm looking for my first guitar. I have no idea what to look for or potential models, types, etc. Any advice.

rainman1985 said:

One question- do you want to play electric guitar or just learn the basics?

If you just want to learn the basics then I recommend an innexpensive acoustic guitar. Then you don't need anything else- no amp, no chords, etc. W/ an acoustic guitar (OK and maybe a strap and a pick) you can learn chords and find out if you are interested enough to persevere through the initial learning curve.

However if you know you want to go electric then I recommend a cheap tele. They can be had in the $100-200 range either by Fender or some other maker like Peavey. These are really great starter guitars for the money. They will play in tune and intonate well.

Of course you'll also need a small amp. I have a pignose and a little smokey but again depending on what you want to play you might want something with distortion. Headphone outs are also nice if you live w/ other people or in an apartment.

I hope that helps! Whatever you do get advice from musicians, not sales people. Some of them are good but most of them just want to sell you stuff, the more the better!

Do don't need much while you're finding out if the guitar is for you! Why blow $1k on a guitar, amps, pedals, etc only to find out you won't stick with it?

I'm almost on the complete opposite opinion as Krebsne.

Acoustic guitar strings are a lot heavier, harder on the finger tips. It's what kept me away from guitar for an extra 3 years. If you DO get an acoustic to learn on, make sure you put mad-crazy light strings on it. Well, no, cuz then, you'll be pushing the strings out of tune.

Personally, it was easier on me, (I made faster progress) with an electric and a crappy old amp. I could jam mindlessly with school friends, and I developed a LOT playing that way, (as opposed to sitting up in my room learning "Michael Row the Boat ashore" over and over.)

But that's me. If you're disciplined enough to practice on your own, yeah, get an acoustic. If you're mindless and just want to jump in and have fun, buy the cheapo tele and a slide, learn to tune to an open tuning, and play stones tunes. So easy a monkey could do it.

Um. unless you hate the stones. But WHO hates the stones?

otan said:

Otan- I think we're closer than you think, bro! We both said 'cheap tele's'!

It depends on what rainman's situation is. I also learned my basics on electric. It is easier on the fingers. But I didn't get really good until I spent a few years w/ my acoustic which is much less forgiving of technique. But that's not really the crux of my argument.

I am assuming a lot about rainman- namely that he/she is older and thus may have a family or neighbors or some other reason why amplification will be problematic. Most of the people I know who have started later in life have gotten hung up on the other stuff. The guitar was no biggie. But the amp, chords, pedals, noise, etc was just too much hassle for them. An acoustic simplifies this greatly. If you have a baby in the house you can just take your acoustic to the park!! That's all I'm saying. Its easier, more portable, and more versatile.

Maybe rainman lives alone and has free space to set up a guitar and amp and wail! If so, then you may be right. I was just going on my *guesses* based on the average age of people on this site (Prince fans).

The easier something is to do the more likely a person will keep at it. And you're saying that an electric is easier to play so that will keep them motivated. I agree. It all depends on what rainman's desires are. If he wants to play Blink 182 songs then he'll HATE the acoustic. If he wants to play James Taylor songs he'll HATE the electric.

I also agree w/ your advice to learn songs. That's what got me going. Playing songs. Something I knew, loved, and could sing. Agreed MICHAEL ROW THE BOAT ASHORE is of negligable value as a learning tool unless you WANT to be a singing church camp counsellor!!

Learn something you care about and will be excited to play. That will keep you going!

If that sort of music is primarily acoustic- get an acoustic. If its electric get a cheap tele and a small amp and go for it!

Don't rule out a Peavey Raptor. If you can find a Raptor 1 try it out!

otan said:

Yo, Rainman, here's the best advice all day

Acoustic is the best to learn guitar (correct finger work). if you can play on acoustic, afterwards electric will be much easier, and will sound better.

If it's a first e. guitar, there are many deals on cheap combos (guitar & amp) on 123music.com and musiciansfriend.com or any of those sites and stores.

If you want to start really cheap, get a nylon string acoustic. They';re easy to play and cheap.
But I'd go for a Squire tele or strat model or any model Hohner (they may not be making the Prince model tele anymore, but they're still suprisingly good for the price). Instead of a practice amp, get a Behringer V-Amp. It's got lots of effects to play with, you can use it with headphones or run it into your pc and use your pc speakers as a low volume, great sounding practice amp.

AND GET A METRONOME!

typo edit and while we're at it GET A DAMN METRONOME!
[This message was edited Tue Mar 23 1:08:48 2004 by hectim]
[This message was edited Tue Mar 23 1:09:19 2004 by hectim]

Buy any guitar that stays in tune and pratice

I'm 18, I live in a surburban house with my mother. My mates have been playing for about 2 years and are really good. They're going places and I want to go with them. I have lofty ambitous of what I want to able to play, ie anything. Living in Oz I don't know how useful those websites will be. Is 'tele' short for something or is that it? So Basically I want to "et real good, real fast or POW!" (Simpsonism)

rainman1985 said:

'Tele' is short for telecaster. Basically referring to the body style. Fender makes several different varieties that vary in prices from $300.00 US to over $1000.00. The one below retails for around 1200.00 US dollars.

GET FUCKIN ' ANYTHING THAT TAKES YOUR FANCY.
HIT THE MUSIC STORES,TOUCH PICK EM UP, ASK TO PLUG IT IN.BE CONFIDENT BROWSE; AND IT'LL CLICK. ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC, WHAT U WANT AFTER HANDLING SOME GEAR WILL BE OBVIOUS; OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LIMIT TO WHAT U CAN AFFORD, BUT GET SOMETHING THAT YELLS @ U,"GET ME" MAKE SURE IT'S A COMFORTABLE GUITAR FOR YOUR BODY.ENJOY THE SEARCH,ALL THAT CAN HAPPEN IS YOU'LL LEARN, DONT BE SCARED & GOOD LUCK DUDE!
ALSO TAKE HEED OF ALL THE GOOD ADVICE OFFERED BY THE OTHERS ON THREAD.
IF YA WANNA LEARN REAL FAST U GOTTA PAY A TEACHER .I'M IN MELBOURNE,BEEN PLAYING GIT 4 30 YEARS.GIVE US A HOY IF U WANT.
[This message was edited Sat Mar 27 5:40:12 2004 by FLUX]

Got one. A Squire Strat by Fender. Now next step.

The only thing I know about Guitars is I like how they sound when talented people play them. So where do I start, get a book or start getting lesons before I know anything?

If you can afford lessons with an instructor I'd go that route especially if you have no previous musical knowledge. Or, they do make guitar teaching software now, so that may be something else to look into. Did you buy an amp. as well, and when will you be posting a pic. of your new toy? :gigle:

rainman1985 said:

The journey has just begun.You should be wrapped @ getting a squire.Generic Fender.They're surprisingly good & cheap! Strat shape (double cut away) gives you access to every fret.Get a CHord chart & start practising the basic major chords, LIKE A / C / D /E / F / G / .....
MOST POP SONGS HAVE 3 CHORDS.BLUES IS GREAT, A..D..E.(& all the other keys) Get one of ur mates to help u learn a tune u like is good place to start! AMP.Your gonna need 1.Anyone who plays knows it takes a lot of dedication & hours to get there, but don,t be daunted.music is a endless journey that is infinite.enjoy yourself ;good luck with the squire,get out & hassle to learn off others.Try not to get stuck in ya bedroom.you'll waste many years.GO RAINMAN!!!

FLUX said:

Co-Sign on that Flux!

Those are great starters and yes, it requires a lot of blood, sweat and tears....

But its worth it!





Jshua

Stole my friends amp, haha he was moving house.

I think I'm gonna read this book I got, to familize myself with the names of things and basic chords then start lessons in a week or two.

Thanks for the positivity, I feel inspired now.

Oh yeah aint got a pick (and can't get one til the end of the week), my thumbs gets sore quick, any suggestions? I was using a coin but it has perforratted edges and I don't want to damage the strings.

otan said:

loooool

I bought an electric Ibanez Soundgear bass guitar over a year ago.. but I don't really know where to start with learning it. I have a background in basic keyboard.

Found some pics online that look like the same guitar (hmm not quite eg. its missing a knob):




Looks sexy but I can't play it (yet).
[This message was edited Tue Mar 30 4:34:19 2004 by CinisterCee]

CinisterCee said:

Have you had sex with it yet?
[This message was edited Tue Mar 30 5:29:26 2004 by LittlePill]

rainman1985 said:

A PICK, (PLECTRUM) IS WORTH ABOUT 50 CENTS.MAYBE U SHOULD BUY 1.SOMETIMES I'VE USED A BREAD TIE ; THOSE PLASTIC THINGY'S BOUT 1/2 INCH SQUARE THAT YA CRIMP THE TOP OF A PLASTIC BAG WITH. MAYBE U COULD ALSO GROW SOME FINGER NAILS ON UR RIGHT HAND?

CinisterCee said:

VERY SEXY! UHMM...TO PLAY BASS U CAN SIMPLY PLAY THE ROOT NOTE OF THE CHORD BEING PLAYED.THE STRINGS WHICH R DARN EXPENSIVE!, R THE SAME AS ON GUITAR.THICKEST 1 IS /E ,next / A , then / D , THEN / G. SAY UR PLAYING WITH SOME 1 & THE CHORDS R :A ;D ;E ,IT'S O.K TO COUNT IN UR HEAD 1..., 1/2;1...,1/2... i.e. Play 'A' FOR A COUNT OF . 1..1,2...1..1,2; THEN CHANGE NOTE; SAME COUNT 1...1,2 .U've Obviously gotta get the groove but i'm just trying to get u started. A IS IN THE 5/TH FRET ON THE FAT STRING(E);D is on 5/th fret on the next fattest string(A) & E IS IN THE 7th FRET ON THE SAME STRING.THERE'S HEAPS OF OTHER PLACES TO PLAY THESE NOTES BUT THESE R PRETTY EASY TO GET TO.HAVE A GO...JAM , IT'S A SHAME TO LET A BASS JUST SIT THERE DOING FUCK ALL! I HOPE U CAN GET SOMETHING OUT OF THIS(if u can ur a better man than me!)

hehe thanks y'all