Curse

Neo Nugget · Jul 25, 2008, 01:26 AM // 01:26

I was thinking about learning to play guitar(because sax is too easy).

But what is stopping me from getting one, is i have no clue which ones are good, and which ones aren't worth my money.

Suggestions would be nice

Kattar · Jul 25, 2008, 01:38 AM // 01:38

Well...depends on what you want to learn. Electric, acoustic, or classical are your basic choices. Pick one of those first. They each have their advantages. Acoustic is good to learn on, since it's a little harder than electric (if you're learning), so if you want to move to electric later, it would be no problem. Electric to acoustic is a little tougher.

After that, I'd pick up a starter pack. There's a few companies that sell them - Fender, Yamaha, some others. These normally have the guitar, strap, picks, tuner, an instructional DVD, and some other stuff. They're good beginner guitars. If you're just starting out, there's no real downside to getting one of these prepacks.

Brand doesn't matter so much, since all starter guitars (if you buy one of the major brands at least) are about the same.

My .02 cents.

DarkFlame · Jul 25, 2008, 02:47 AM // 02:47

Yeah, I wouldn't suggest splurging on a new guitar. I picked up an Ibanez when I started, cause it was the cheaper of the starter guitars kits. They're pretty much all the same, with the exception of the left handed ones. You can expect to pay ~$100 US for them. And also pick up a new set of strings(if the kit doesn't have a set too) and some soft picks(the kits usually come with a variety of them) while you're at it.

You can worry about buying a better sounding guitar after you've learned to play(and after your fingers have calloused over and you've decided you don't quite hate playing it).

fenix · Jul 25, 2008, 03:39 AM // 03:39

Ibanez electric guitars are pretty solid, and pretty good quality.

That is, unless you want to spend big money on a good guitar, in which case buy a PRS. And buy me one while you're at it D:

Etta · Jul 25, 2008, 08:47 AM // 08:47

1990s Epiphone Riviera with Gibson P-94 pick-ups or a classic '54 Les Paul with gold top.

lol just kidding.

Seriously though, start off with a decent acoustic set. Any decent guitar shop will have a beginner section for you to pick out. After you're comfortable with it then you can switch to electric.

Snograt · Jul 25, 2008, 12:26 PM // 12:26

Buy a cheap piece of crap to learn on, then once you have the confidence, go to a good guitar shop and try them out. Find one that you're comfortable with and that you like the sound of. Don't buy an acoustic unless you're a hippy or a classical nerd. Or Spanish. Or....

Kanyatta · Jul 25, 2008, 04:54 PM // 16:54

I started off with renting a Yamaha acoustic guitar, I don't remember the actual name of that guitar, just the brand, after learning the basics, I bought a Fender Starcaster starter pack, came with the guitar, a crappy amp, and a chromatic tuner (a tuner is the #1 thing you're going to want when you're learning guitar). It's a decent enough guitar where it's inexpensive and gets the job done. After playing that for a year I upgraded to a Fender Telecaster (from back when I idolized Elliot Easton, he had that pink Tele when he played at Live Aid, which I loved) which I still have, it's a nice enough guitar, it's no Les Paul or anything, but I like it. I've been thinking of buying an acoustic guitar though, because trying to play songs written for acoustic guitar on an electric guitar usually sounds really bad.

Whatever you do, don't buy an electric guitar made in Mexico. I don't know what it is, but it seems Mexican-made guitars are pieces of crap compared to the Asian-made ones. Not racist or anything, that's just what I've noticed, and everyone I know who plays guitar or bass says the same thing.

Oblivion99 · Jul 25, 2008, 05:15 PM // 17:15

Well I play guitar a lot, its rlly the only hobby I have besides video games, which yes I know is pretty sad

I payed with my own money for a Jackson USA Soloist electric guitar, and I have to say that for an intermediate priced higher-end electric guitar, it is pretty kickass (you can find them for around 1000 bucks used on ebay). Ofc they arent cheap, at around 1000 bucks used, but they are made in the US and im pretty sure are built by hand rather then machine (not certain on this tho). PRS guitars will cost you 2500 bucks at the least, starter kits 100-300 bucks (those are crap tho rlly, if you plan on rlly playing). If you want to go somewhere in the middle, Id highly recommend Jackson guitars. They also have some nice made in japan guitars for around 500-800 dollar range. HF and GL with the instrument, I myself played sax b4 I picked up the guitar and I am so glad I switched, hope you are too ^^

Kanyatta · Jul 25, 2008, 05:23 PM // 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oblivion99

starter kits 100-300 bucks (those are crap tho rlly, if you plan on rlly playing).

To me, for starting out, a starter kit is the way to go, even if they are kind of crappy. What if you start playing and find out you don't like it about 3 months into it? Guitar isn't everybody's thing. If you spent $1000 on a mid-range guitar and then another ~$75 on an amp, then you find out you absolutely hate playing it for whatever reason, with a starter kit, you're only out $200-300, with buying a thousand dollar Jackson, you've just outed yourself $1100.

Just my 2 cents

Steehl · Jul 25, 2008, 05:24 PM // 17:24

As fenix said, Ibanez has solid electrics and most standard Ibanez electrics are pretty inexpensive. Personally I prefer Ibanez and ESP electrics and Ibanez and Epiphone Acoustics.

My advice would be to locate a guitar shop around where you live (Guitar Center if you have one) and just go get a feel for different guitars until you find one you like. Choosing a guitar involves a lot of personal preference and the best way to decide is just go try them out.

Oblivion99 · Jul 25, 2008, 05:42 PM // 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanyatta

What if you start playing and find out you don't like it about 3 months into it? Guitar isn't everybody's thing. If you spent $1000 on a mid-range guitar and then another ~$75 on an amp, then you find out you absolutely hate playing it for whatever reason, with a starter kit, you're only out $200-300, with buying a thousand dollar Jackson, you've just outed yourself $1100.

Just my 2 cents

I agree with this, like I said a nice guitar such as a Jackson USA is rlly best if you seriously plan on playing. My whole family is very into music (my mom has been playing piano for over 50 years), and guitar is my 3rd instrument. I knew in the beginning that I would like guitar, because rlly as soon as I picked one up in the music store I knew I wanted to become a student of the instrument. Idk if you are like me, as everyone is different, but for me, I was certain I was in for the long haul before I even started playing seriously. If you are serious, buy a serious instrument now, and avoid having to buy one later. If you are just experimenting with it and seeing if you like it, I still would not suggest a starter pack tbh, but rather a guitar in the cheap side that feels good to you when you pick it up while trying it out in a store. For an amp on the cheaper side id suggest Line 6 products. I still use my first amp, a Line6. You can get one for around 100 bucks I think and they are pretty high quality for the price. anyways thats my 2 cents, again GL

AidinSwiftarrow · Jul 25, 2008, 05:52 PM // 17:52

I used to take lessons, I quit though because instruments aren't my thing at all, I suck at playing them.

But uhh, your BEST BET is to rent or buy a starter kit IMO. If you find out later that it's not your thing, you can return the guitar, or if you bought one, it was cheap at least. My 2 cents...too.

Kattar · Jul 25, 2008, 06:50 PM // 18:50

Imo, don't rent. Even if you don't like it, you could unload it and still get most of your money back. If you have the choice, just buy.

Neo still hasn't mentioned what he wants to play: acoustic or electric. So which is it?

the savage nornbear · Jul 25, 2008, 07:05 PM // 19:05

Epiphone>Squier if you decide to go for the starter electric kit. You can get a nice Guild acoustic for about 300 bucks. I would suggest going acoustic first.

Neo Nugget · Jul 26, 2008, 03:33 PM // 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsumi

Imo, don't rent. Even if you don't like it, you could unload it and still get most of your money back. If you have the choice, just buy.

Neo still hasn't mentioned what he wants to play: acoustic or electric. So which is it?

I bought an electric starter kit from Target(oh yeah) yesterday for $130 bucks. Was pretty good, since it came with an amp, strings, dvd, picks, strap, and an electric tuner.

It's pretty fun to play

Kanyatta · Jul 26, 2008, 04:09 PM // 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neo Nugget

I bought an electric starter kit from Target(oh yeah) yesterday for $130 bucks. Was pretty good, since it came with an amp, strings, dvd, picks, strap, and an electric tuner.

It's pretty fun to play

What brand/model?

Neo Nugget · Jul 26, 2008, 04:11 PM // 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanyatta

What brand/model?

mmmm Lyon i think.

Joe Fierce · Jul 27, 2008, 04:16 AM // 04:16

rule one when picking up on learning an instrument: always get the cheap piece of crap first.. i learned this the hard way after playing trumpet for a ska band for a year and realizing that i friggin didn't enjoy it, too tiring in comparison to other instruments.. then i started to play drums, which i found even more tedious than the trumpet, but fun as hell, then i picked up on the guitar a yamaha starter pack at about 150$ american, and though some would see it as crappy, that thing has served me well for about 4 years till last month when it got smashed... I had a few minor eletrics inbetween then fenders mostly, but honestly, that little crappy acoustic never failed me and would still be around today if a certain turn of events wouldn't have occured.

Aera · Jul 27, 2008, 10:28 AM // 10:28

/win

( payback for people boycotting GH topics

)

fenix · Jul 27, 2008, 01:05 PM // 13:05

Let's see you play a real one.