What guitar are you getting?

[MossPoh]

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Pretty cool...here's Brad on Letterman. This songs shreds.

That tele is awesome. I want it...

Of course, I want a les paul, american strat, tele, and about any other model of guitar around...

 

[MDROCKSTAR]

Oh I know. I sanded down the saddle a little bit, but takamine I have is weird. I adjusted the trussrod too, part of the reason I have it set up higher is because I use it for slide as well as the other stuff When I get the money together I am going to get a bone nut and saddle put in, maybe upgrade the tuners. My 12 string (actually 11, I rip off the octave G) has nice low action. If you know anyone that wants to buy a nice Takamine EG523SC with a hard case for about $450+ shipping just pm me. 😛

I am horribly broke now though as is. I had to skip a few meals to buy some strings.

It's not like you need real low action on an acoustic. You're not gonna be shredding on that.

 

[MossPoh]

It's not like you need real low action on an acoustic. You're not gonna be shredding on that.

There is a good balance. Too low and you get no volume and the random buzz...also kind of frets out when I use a slide, especially the brass one on my pinky since I have a bit of a tough time controlling pressure still. Too high and it is just a pain and I mute strings by accident. I'm not going to raise it up to bluegrass heights and throw mediums on for flat picking, but there is a noticeable height compared to most guitars one would pick up at a store even. It is especially noticeable as one gets past the 9th fret or so.

I do more than just strum on acoustic though. 😉 I have kind of been looking for an electric, regardless of the fact I have no money. First time I played one it felt like frickin lightning. I started on my Takamine with mediums and higher action, compared to that it is like there aren't even strings on the guitar. The medium guages actually caused one of my fingers to bleed when I played about a half hour after getting out of the shower. I can see where electric can be addicting. I can tell I'm going to be a gear ***** and will have to sell off everything else just to get that stuff though. I tend to like to do things right and splurge the first round.

If I weren't lazy then I'd take a pic, but I am...just take my word that it is still pretty high. The guy that owned the guitar before me evidently thought the truss rod was a cure all, which didn't help originally.

 

[MossPoh]

So,

I did some checking and I am terrified that the action is probably high because I need a neck reset. Needless to say, I'm not too happy. A neck reset runs almost as much as what I paid for the stupid guitar. I may just keep it around for the top 3 or 4 frets strumming kind of stuff, but who knows. If I can get my drumset sold then I'm going to get another acoustic soon. I need a 6 string. It is a lot easier to figure stuff out on and sometimes the jangle can be a bit much from my 12!

 

[doinmybest5840]

I've wanted to learn to play guitar for six years, and now that I've got a few months without school, this seems like a good time to do so. Does anybody have suggestions for where to get a cheap guitar for learning purposes? Also, how important are lessons? Is it possible to learn how to do it myself? Thanks.

 

[MossPoh]

I've wanted to learn to play guitar for six years, and now that I've got a few months without school, this seems like a good time to do so. Does anybody have suggestions for where to get a cheap guitar for learning purposes? Also, how important are lessons? Is it possible to learn how to do it myself? Thanks.

If you give a price range it really becomes much easier. My general advice is to add on about 50-100 dollars to what you think about paying for your first guitar, but I only say that because many people buy any piece of crap and then quit from the sheer difficulty of the instrument, the crap sound, etc. I can help you best with acoustic. The other guys are better with electric, but if you want suggestions for acoustics to look at then PM me. I can give you more details with all that stuff.

 

[MDROCKSTAR]

I've wanted to learn to play guitar for six years, and now that I've got a few months without school, this seems like a good time to do so. Does anybody have suggestions for where to get a cheap guitar for learning purposes? Also, how important are lessons? Is it possible to learn how to do it myself? Thanks.

If you want an electric I would recommend:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-IJX121-Metal-Guitar-Jumpstart-Package-518877-i1168767.gc

It's good quality beginner guitar pack.

You can totally teach yourself if you are ambitious. Seeing that you have been wanting to play for six years, it seems that you are. Start by learning the open chords (buy some books or dvds), then move on to barred chords, then learn to read tabs. You can learn a lot of songs through that. I get my tabs from http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/

 

[spazzz]

If you want an electric I would recommend:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-IJX121-Metal-Guitar-Jumpstart-Package-518877-i1168767.gc

It's good quality beginner guitar pack.

You can totally teach yourself if you are ambitious. Seeing that you have been wanting to play for six years, it seems that you are. Start by learning the open chords (buy some books or dvds), then move on to barred chords, then learn to read tabs. You can learn a lot of songs through that. I get my tabs from http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/

honestly, just save some money and get a strat made in america. It's the honda accord of guitars that will never lose it's value. I tried to trade in my beginner's ibanez a few years back, the guy said he'd give me $50 for it, forget that...

 

[MDROCKSTAR]

honestly, just save some money and get a strat made in america. It's the honda accord of guitars that will never lose it's value. I tried to trade in my beginner's ibanez a few years back, the guy said he'd give me $50 for it, forget that...

I like how you said "made in america" --one could infer that based on what you said, made in america means high quality and everything else sucks. --and then you go on to make the comparison to a honda accord-- which is highly japanese.

He mentioned that he wanted to buy a cheap guitar--- packs are the best way to go here. Strats will run at least 400 bucks, then you have to buy an amp. You should be a decent player before you upgrade to better gear, in my opinion. ...but you still shouldn't get a piece of crap for a first guitar. I hardly think there is anything wrong with ibanez guitars.

 

[SingeMagique08]

I agree, the guitar packs are the best way to go for a beginner. Hell, I started with a 125 Squire pack about five years ago, and it has served me well. Cheap guitars are also good for the times you get bored and start practicing throwing it over your shoulder 😀

If you're looking for a decent acoustic, both Washburn and Takamine make decent builds for ~100-200. Actually a favorite of mine (and around 250) is the Washburn D10SCE acoustic electric. It has woderful sound and construction for the price, but you'll probably have to lower the action a bit.

 

[fisko82]

I've wanted to learn to play guitar for six years, and now that I've got a few months without school, this seems like a good time to do so. Does anybody have suggestions for where to get a cheap guitar for learning purposes? Also, how important are lessons? Is it possible to learn how to do it myself? Thanks.

If you're looking for a decent acoustic, both Washburn and Takamine make decent builds for ~100-200.

👍 Totally agree on those two choices. Another good beginner acoustic guitar is a Seagull S6. You can find some good Seagull guitars around 200-400$ range. Their guitars are well-made, sound good, and are pretty user-friendly (easy to play) for beginners. This is a good site to look at guitars and their price ranges. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

What you want to avoid is getting say a 50$ acoustic from Sam's Club to learn on. The guitar will suck, produce a terrible sound (whether you're good or not), and will most likely be difficult for a beginner to play on. Why they even sell those things, I don't know. Just don't buy those type of starter guitars because you'll end up hating to play.

 

[doinmybest5840]

Okay, so I went out to the guitar store yesterday and this is what I got: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-FG730S-Solid-Top-Acoustic-Guitar-519049-i1150361.gc What are your thoughts?

I also got a tuner, 12 picks, and a case I don't like and will be exchanging tomorrow. There's a place by where I got the guitar that gives lessons that I plan to set up tomorrow for the next month or so, but until then I printed off pictures of chords (C, A, G, E, D) as well as two tabs for the beginning of songs I like.

 

[Moshe Rabbenu]

Hofner Violin-Body Bass Gee-tar

I also have an AD50VT Vox amp

 

[digitlnoize]

Okay, so I went out to the guitar store yesterday and this is what I got: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-FG730S-Solid-Top-Acoustic-Guitar-519049-i1150361.gc What are your thoughts?

I also got a tuner, 12 picks, and a case I don't like and will be exchanging tomorrow. There's a place by where I got the guitar that gives lessons that I plan to set up tomorrow for the next month or so, but until then I printed off pictures of chords (C, A, G, E, D) as well as two tabs for the beginning of songs I like.

Excellent choice. I have a very similar Yamaha that I get compliments on all the time. You can hear it on the song "Silver" on our Myspace site: www.myspace.com/ladenangelrocks.

One of the best guitars you can get for the money. Good job.

 

[MossPoh]

That is a guitar that'll last you for a while. I am glad you splurged and got the solid top too! Yamahas tend to be known as a great bang for the buck in the acoustic world. That is a guitar that even after upgrading, you'll be able to use as a beater.

I know I told you in pm, but check out youtube. "Justin guitar" in particular. There is SO much information on the internet it now that it is a lot easier. I do the indirect lesson approach. If I meet someone who is better than me at guitar, which is near everyone, and I see them playing I simply go "Hey that was cool. can you show me how to do it?" Most people are glad to show you. It is also a lot of fun to hangout in the stores. You start to understand how someone can go there for 3 hours. I spend maybe 1 hour checking out guitars and 2 hours talking them. (or drums)

 

[digitlnoize]

Yeah...I never took formal guitar lessons. It's certainly helpful to have a good understanding of music: how to read rhythms, what notes are in chords and where to find those notes on the guitar neck. Once you know those, you're home free...

Lessons can be a good investment if you get a good teacher though...you will likely progress faster, but it will cost more $$$.

 

[MDROCKSTAR]

Yeah, the yamaha is pretty nice. The only downside is it is not a cutaway-- so you don't have access to the bottom frets.

 

[doinmybest5840]

Thanks for the input guys! I did look at some cutaways but I didn't really like how any of them looked, at least not in my price range. Luckily I got the price down by $100 for the guitar though, so that was good. Then again, maybe that sort of haggling is normal and I could have done better. Oh well.

 

[MDROCKSTAR]

Thanks for the input guys! I did look at some cutaways but I didn't really like how any of them looked, at least not in my price range. Luckily I got the price down by $100 for the guitar though, so that was good. Then again, maybe that sort of haggling is normal and I could have done better. Oh well.

lol-- I just found out you were female (from your mdapps)-- my bad-- Early I referred to you as a "He." It is always nice to see female guitar players. They have great street cred. Bands like heart paved the way. I love this song...

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUE5fc7eiWk[/YOUTUBE]

 

[t-funk]

lol-- I just found out you were female (from your mdapps)-- my bad-- Early I referred to you as a "He." It is always nice to see female guitar players. They have great street cred. Bands like heart paved the way. I love this song...

I love that song too I think it's awesome you mention Heart. I get pretty pissed when people don't give them the credit they deserve.

 

[spazzz]

I like how you said "made in america" --one could infer that based on what you said, made in america means high quality and everything else sucks. --and then you go on to make the comparison to a honda accord-- which is highly japanese.

He mentioned that he wanted to buy a cheap guitar--- packs are the best way to go here. Strats will run at least 400 bucks, then you have to buy an amp. You should be a decent player before you upgrade to better gear, in my opinion. ...but you still shouldn't get a piece of crap for a first guitar. I hardly think there is anything wrong with ibanez guitars.

I think you're overanalyzing it. Of course there isn't anything wrong with Ibanez, I have one. It's the one I started out on. But the "made in america" comment wasn't what you made it out to be. Obviously a honda is japanese. If you can find the old "crafted in japan" strats, you'll be getting better electronics than their USA made $2k custom shop pieces. I brought the fact of getting an american strat up because

#1 It's about as versatile of a guitar you can own. Rock, jazz, blues, etc, you can get the tone you want from it. From my experience with a beginner Ibanez, you'll be limited in the tone you have.

#2 Let's face it, just because you buy a guitar, doesn't mean you'll end up playing it for life. If you end up buying this pack, you won't get back the value of what you paid for it. The accord comment is related to this, not based on the country of make. Accords have relatively higher resale value, as do strats.

#3 Let's say you end up loving guitar and playing it for life, if you start midrange, you won't need to upgrade in 6 months when you realize the pack wasn't what you thought it would be. It's like everyone with turntables now, might as well buy the 1200's to avoid having to upgrade in the close future.

just my 2cents. Nothing wrong with either one.

 

[doinmybest5840]

lol-- I just found out you were female (from your mdapps)-- my bad-- Early I referred to you as a "He." It is always nice to see female guitar players. They have great street cred. Bands like heart paved the way. I love this song...

[youtube]QUE5fc7eiWk[/youtube]

Yep, I'm a female. 🙂 I hope that I can learn enough to really be considered a guitar player, as right now I'm just a girl with a guitar, haha. I really like it so far, even though my fingers get sorta tired after a while.

 

[doinmybest5840]

That is a guitar that'll last you for a while. I am glad you splurged and got the solid top too! Yamahas tend to be known as a great bang for the buck in the acoustic world. That is a guitar that even after upgrading, you'll be able to use as a beater.

I know I told you in pm, but check out youtube. "Justin guitar" in particular. There is SO much information on the internet it now that it is a lot easier. I do the indirect lesson approach. If I meet someone who is better than me at guitar, which is near everyone, and I see them playing I simply go "Hey that was cool. can you show me how to do it?" Most people are glad to show you. It is also a lot of fun to hangout in the stores. You start to understand how someone can go there for 3 hours. I spend maybe 1 hour checking out guitars and 2 hours talking them. (or drums)

Yeah, I went in and looked at the cheaper ones and they just sounded tinny and bad. The first thing I said to the guy that helped me was "Someone told me to get a guitar with a real wood top, not laminate, whatever that means." I didn't forget that lol.

I'm going to check out the youtube stuff tomorrow I think, thanks for the suggestion. The store was really cool, I can see how people could hang around there all day. I went straight to the acoustic room, I didn't even check out the rest of the place. An electric guitar would be awesome one day, but I want to really know what I'm doing before I drop that kind of cash.

 

[MossPoh]

Yeah, the yamaha is pretty nice. The only downside is it is not a cutaway-- so you don't have access to the bottom frets.

That just depends on a few things. Unless you are getting into upper level stuff one rarely goes that far up on acoustic. I do on my 12 string which is not a cutaway and do just fine. My fingers stretch all the way to the soundhole. I do like cutaways but unlike electrics which you really need to be able to fly all over the fretboard, acoustics just don't need to go down there very often. I know some serious fingerstylist that venture up there quite a bit, but at that point one will probably own a more responsive guitar for fingerstyle. 😉

My jumbo BOOMS. I hate the term "cannon" but it is essentially the Takamine version of the classic gibson jumbo. I took it to a bluegrass thing the other day and the guys were fairly impressed with the "big asian". (Most of those bluegrass guys go for martin and guild) I'm not any good, but I will take any opportunity to learn....especially that doesn't involve paying.

Whoever said to buy an american strat for the their first guitar is a bit on the crazy side. I do understand the sentiment of splurging and buying a quality intstrument that'll last, but even a used one is a lot of cash compared to what you could get. I have yet to spot a CONSISTENT difference between the MIM and American. Sometimes the american is greatly better, other times the mexican plays nicer. That is a crap load of money to throw down for a first instrument. In my opinion, the amp is just as, if not equally as important as the guitar. A great guitar will sound horrible through a crappy amp. So, lets say you can get a nice american strat for 600 or so used, and then you need the amp. We can't go too cheap with that, so I'll say 300. Then you need the cables thrown in, strings, picks, perhaps a case or gig bag, a stand, and heck maybe some effects. The cost begins to shoot up real quick. Pretty soon you're dropping over $1000 dollars to BEGIN playing an instrument. Those box kits aren't horrendous for starters. I considered one. I like people beginning on acoustic because it makes things a little more portable and even if you transition over to electric you'll have that acoustic for those songwriting moments. The good thing is that relative to a cheap/poor quality acoustic, a cheaper electric will not result in near the misery. Guitars are way too addictive. I pretty much constantly browse the internet looking at possible candidates.....and I don't even have money.

 

[digitlnoize]

I agree. An American Strat is basically a rip off. They are so "versatile" because of the pickup configuration, not where they are made.

An interesting story: A few years ago, the Fender Squier plant in Korea shut down due to a strike. During that time, Fender made the Squier (beginner strats, the same ones in the pack) in the American Plant, with American Parts. The only difference between a Squire made during these years (92-94 I think...might be wrong) is the logo.

I build myself a "strat" that sounds better than any guitar I've ever played, including many, many american strats. Total cost $300.

Don't get me wrong, Strats are good guitars, just not worth the money to a beginner.

 

[spazzz]

I agree. An American Strat is basically a rip off. They are so "versatile" because of the pickup configuration, not where they are made.

An interesting story: A few years ago, the Fender Squier plant in Korea shut down due to a strike. During that time, Fender made the Squier (beginner strats, the same ones in the pack) in the American Plant, with American Parts. The only difference between a Squire made during these years (92-94 I think...might be wrong) is the logo.

I build myself a "strat" that sounds better than any guitar I've ever played, including many, many american strats. Total cost $300.

Don't get me wrong, Strats are good guitars, just not worth the money to a beginner.

Again, quality is not necessily related to country of origin. I threw MIA out there for resale value, not necesarily quality. Like I said, some of the electronic configurations were better in the cheaper 80-90's japanese fenders than the MIA fenders, hence why the stopped production for a few years.

Build the strat yourself for 300$, that's hardly advice for a beginner as well

 

[digitlnoize]

Again, quality is not necessily related to country of origin. I threw MIA out there for resale value, not necesarily quality. Like I said, some of the electronic configurations were better in the cheaper 80-90's japanese fenders than the MIA fenders, hence why the stopped production for a few years.

Build the strat yourself for 300$, that's hardly advice for a beginner as well

I didn't mean it as advice for a beginner. I've taught guitar lessons for over 10 years...I think I know what beginners should and shouldn't do. 🙄

My point was simply that I great guitar can be had for less than the 600-800 bucks (or whatever it is these days) they charge for a US strat.

And the production stopped because of a Korean strike. They moved the production of those models to the US plant. Straight from a Fender VP.

Besides, Guitars are not investments. There is NO guitar that will hold it's value well. They all lose money. Fender stock also sucks. Google is much better.

 

[spazzz]

I didn't mean it as advice for a beginner. I've taught guitar lessons for over 10 years...I think I know what beginners should and shouldn't do. 🙄

My point was simply that I great guitar can be had for less than the 600-800 bucks (or whatever it is these days) they charge for a US strat.

And the production stopped because of a Korean strike. They moved the production of those models to the US plant. Straight from a Fender VP.

Besides, Guitars are not investments. There is NO guitar that will hold it's value well. They all lose money. Fender stock also sucks. Google is much better.

Its funny you mention the korean strike actually (i didn't know it happened), simply because older squiers are actually playable (early to mid nineties is when I began playing, and squiers were closer to standards in price back then iirc). Is that around the same time they actually rebranded it as just SQUIER, instead of Fender Squier? As far as fender stock, who cares really, google is overvalued anyhows.

 

[digitlnoize]

Its funny you mention the korean strike actually (i didn't know it happened), simply because older squiers are actually playable (early to mid nineties is when I began playing, and squiers were closer to standards in price back then iirc). Is that around the same time they actually rebranded it as just SQUIER, instead of Fender Squier? As far as fender stock, who cares really, google is overvalued anyhows.

It was well before the rebranding. The biggest change I saw was the doing away with the laminated necks, which make the neck all smooth and glossy and easy to play.

IMO the biggest problem with the new "crappier" Squiers is just the crappy set up jobs being done at the factory or caused by shipping. I worked in a music store for 8 years and saw tons of crappy set ups. Once they're set up good, they actually don't play half bad for a sub $100 guitar. But the factory set ups are god awful...which is how they are hung on the wall at guitar center...

 

[MossPoh]

I agree. An American Strat is basically a rip off. They are so "versatile" because of the pickup configuration, not where they are made.

An interesting story: A few years ago, the Fender Squier plant in Korea shut down due to a strike. During that time, Fender made the Squier (beginner strats, the same ones in the pack) in the American Plant, with American Parts. The only difference between a Squire made during these years (92-94 I think...might be wrong) is the logo.

I build myself a "strat" that sounds better than any guitar I've ever played, including many, many american strats. Total cost $300.

Don't get me wrong, Strats are good guitars, just not worth the money to a beginner.

Hell man, PM me the details to build my own. THat sounds like a fun project. If I had the materials I'd do the Martin pack too.

 

[FENDERGUITARMAN]

I play a SRV artist series strat. I also have an olympic white strat. I have been using strats since I was 6. They can usually get you any tone that you need. If you use a Fender tube amp and a tube screamer you can get any Les Paul tone you would really want. Anybody agree that the Strat is the best all around electric?

 

[missmarymac8]

I'm planning on bringing my candied-apple red, Washburn Maverick series electric. I don't play very well though, and with a limited amount of space, I'm likely not bringing my amp. Anybody at Century Towers by KCUMB will appreciate that.😛

 

[guitarn247]

hey guys i just noticed this thread, surprsied i didnt see it sooner..

ive been playing for 10+ years, about to start med school in the fall at umdnj som and i have no intentions on slowing down my rocking out, or my band..
Im currently playing an epiphone les paul custom, ebony with gold hardware which is my absolute favorite thing in the world right now, a fender strat (mexican) and an ibanez acoustic.

its great to see other guitarists on the board who are going into medicine! keep rockin guys!