I want to get a guitar. Tell me anything

[HeeBGBz]

I don't know how to play one but I want to teach myself.

Any suggestions?

[kcwayne]

1. Buy the best guitar you can afford

Cheap guitars have bad tone that you will get tired of, and are hard to play. A good guitar will be easy to finger, in that you won't have to put a lot of pressure to get a clear note. This helps a lot when you are first learning.

Electric guitars have a lot of options for differing sounds, but an acoustic with a pickup can do a lot of neat things as well.

You can buy a good electric for $400+, and you need an amp. The small Crates are good starter amps for under $200.

A good acoustic will run $700.

You can pay $100 or less for a guitar. If you are serious and really get into playing, you will toss it in 6 months an get another.

I would buy one at a retail shop, where you can play it before buying it. I would only buy online if you know exactly what you are buying. For example, you have played the specific model, and you know how it plays and what it sounds like. The one you buy online might still sound different because of worn frets or other repair or setup issues, so even if you think you know what it is, you may still get disappointed when buying without the opportunity to play it first.

[HeeBGBz]

2. I don't really know what I'm looking for

Because I don't know how to play it yet.

[Zuni]

5. yep. Don't waste your cash on a cheap electric

save up for a decent one. Epiphone makes cheap copies of Gibson classic like the Les Paul models (I recommend the Les Paul Standard, my personal fave, with dual humbucking pickups)---they sound great and are not cheap guitars, although their price is much, much lower than the Gibson models. They sound fantastic.

You could get a decent Fender (I recommend a Telecaster over the more popular Stratocaster, which I am not a fan of)

[Floogeldy]

3. Hook up with a friend that already plays

Your friend can play the guitars you are looking at and advise you. It is very important that you start out with a guitar that is easy to play. Since you do not play yet, you need someone with experience to guide you.

A guitar salesman may not be your best bet in this regard.

B-)

[bertha katzenengel]

10. " "A guitar salesman may not be your best bet in this regard." Uh, that's

quite an understatement! LOL

[Zuni]

4. My faves

acoustics---Martin

Electric solidbody--Gibson Les Paul Standard, Fender Telecaster

Electric Partial Hollowbody-- Gibson ES-335 series, Epiphone Sheraton, perhaps a Rickenbacker

[RetroLounge]

6. Gibson Les Paul Custom

'nuff said...

RL

[Floogeldy]

7. For a beginner?

Great guitar, but a little on the high end. No?

B-)

[RetroLounge]

9. It was my first guitar

and 20+ years and 20+ guitars later, it's the only one I still own.

High end? Yes.

Nothing will kill an aspiring guitarist's drive like a shitty guitar...

RL

[Zuni]

15. you can say that again

Is it a Black Beauty with three pick ups?

[RetroLounge]

21. Close.

Black Beauty with two pickups, chrome harware.

I have the headstock symbol tatooed on my arm...

RL

[Floogeldy]

24. Was that your first guitar?

B-)

[RetroLounge]

40. Sort of my first.

I had a LP Copy for a few months and it was so bad I sold my truck and bought the Gibson.

RL

[HeeBGBz]

13. It's just gonna be a sittin on the porch kind of guitar

I figured I could pluck n plink on it so by the time I'm 70 I can be my own entertainment.

[Zuni]

11. I personally prefer the LP Standard

my favorite guitar in the world tone wise

if he is gonna buy a Les Paul (which is as good an electric as you can get), he should go for the Epiphone version, which has a great sound but is not nearly as pricey

[HeeBGBz]

16. I be a she

If you're talking about me.

[Zuni]

31. I apologize

I'm sorry. I was speaking of you, but I will update my files to show you are a lady.

Don't take it to mean anything derogatory

[HeeBGBz]

37. No need to apologize, Zuni

Just felt I should mention it.

[RetroLounge]

22. Agreed on the Epi.

Actually, I had a LP copy in highschool for a short while, a Memphis. It sucked so bad, I sold my truck to buy the LP Custom.

RL

[bertha katzenengel]

8. A suggestion that other guitarists may pooh-pooh. I suggest you start

out with a nylon-stringed guitar; that is, a classical-style guitar. I make this suggestion for two reasons:

1. Steel strings make learning to play very painful. Your fingertips are bruised, and the skin gets very raw and sore. (I really hope that doesn't put you off, but it's a fact that can't be avoided.) It takes weeks for callouses to build up on the fingertips, and starting w/ nylon strings makes it easier.

2. The fret board is wider on a classical guitar. New guitarists sometimes have a hard time forming chords because they're not used to the things their fingers/fingertips have to do. On a wider fret board, you have a little more room. In my experience teaching beginners, it makes things just a little easier.

You don't have to play in the classical style if you choose to learn on a classical guitar. Remember, it's for getting used to the pain caused to your fingertips. Once you've played on nylon strings for a while, your fingers will have built up a bit of callous and going to steel will be a little easier.

I taught myself. It can be done and you can get really good! You will have a blast too.

When you're ready for the best, IMO go C.E. Martin.

Good luck & break a leg!

[Zuni]

12. I love nylon strings

but I play very little music on a nylon string. I am primarily a bassist when I play with others, although I own acoustics and a Epiphone Les Paul Standard

[agates]

18. I'll second this

The pain from beginning on a steel-stringed guitar is awful. Blisters and bloody finger tips. Also, the wide fret board on a classical guitar really does help while learning.

Best of luck and enjoy your new musical hobby.

[Floogeldy]

20. Again, I disagree

If someone is bleeding from learning to play on steel strings, they are playing WAY TOO MUCH.

The stretching required with the fret space on most nylon string guitars is more discouraging, in my opinion.

B-)

[agates]

26. I had blisters and bleeding fingers

after three days of playing for 30 minutes a day. Was I pressing too hard? Probably -- self taught on the guitar. This after playing/practicing piano 30 minutes a day for 6 or 7 years. I thought my fingertips were pretty tough but I found out otherwise.

You are right that stretching on a wide fret board can be a problem, especially for a child or an adult with small hands or short fingers.

If you have larger hands and/or longer fingers, the wider board allows more precise finger placement.

One solution is to borrow or rent a guitar for a month or two. That would allow the beginner to learn enough to adequately try out guitars before purchase.

[Zuni]

32. If you are bleeding

you should play less at each sitting until your fingers callous

[Floogeldy]

19. I disagree with #2

The wider neck of most nylon string guitars makes the beginner have to stretch the fingers further apart to clear the fret bars. This is very difficult. It is the last thing a beginner needs, because it is taxing to stretch the fingers, i.e., to make a first position C chord, on a standard electric.

The steel strings hurt more, yes. But the scale of most nylon string guitars is too much for the beginner.

Now, depending on hand size and age of the player, I would have no problem with you recommending a 3/4 scale nylon string guitar.



B-)

[bertha katzenengel]

23. I see your point. The extra stretching to make the chord can be hard.

In the long run, I think it gives the player more confidence as s/he moves to a narrower neck. But I guess that depends upon the dedication level.

I hope our budding guitarist is taking all our opinions into account! And is not scared off! There's nothing that's more fun thank making your own music.

[Floogeldy]

28. It depends on age and hand size

B-)

[Blue-Jay]

25. I learned on a classical guitar.

Couldn't believe how easy it was to play when I moved to a nice acoustic.

[gmoney]

27. Take some lessons

Getting a few months worth of lessons will help motivate you, teach you the right way to handle and play the instrument, give you some insight into the music theory that goes into the guitar... once you learn these basic basics, teaching yourself will be a lot more productive.

If you buy from a music store, ask if they'll throw in a few starter lessons... or check your local independent newspaper to find a guitarist in your town is giving lessons.

Wylld Stallyionz Rule!

[KitchenWitch]

14. electric or accoustic?

[HeeBGBz]

17. Acoustic

I'm getting old

[Trajan]

30. Hee ? ...

I know you have gotten LOTS of good advice here from many DU members .... not all of it is going to suit you, obviously ...

It is good that you limited the discussion to 'acoustic' guitars, so you dont have to worry about paying $2000.00 - $3000.00 for a Gibson Les Paul ..... Its GOOD to save some money ....

I think that those who recommend starting with a classical guitar (I.E. nylon string) are giving you good advice: yes .. they require a greater vertical stretch of your fingers (I.E. the greater width of the fingerboard on a nylon string guitar requires greater vertical stretching of your hand) ... But playing a steel string acoustic, while having a narrower neck, can also be tough on your hands, or more specifically, your fingertips ....

You could solve this problem by starting with a 3/4 scale classical, nylon stringed acoustic guitar .... they are cheaper, they are easier to play than steel strings (narrower fret widths, less finger pressure) , and the neck is less wide than full size guitars ...

3/4 scale guitars arent as glamorous, and they sound quieter and less 'sonorous' than full sized models, but a beginner usually plays by themselves anyways, and usually focus on other beginner issues, like posture, chordings and pick-strums ... Being a beginner, you know nearly nothing about any of that stuff, and that is what you will be learning as a budding guitarist .... Perfect tonal quality and glamorous looks isnt going to help you if you cannot afford it ...

I would recommend a 3/4 scale classical guitar, a decent strap to properly hold it up so you dont struggle with a loose guitar flapping around on your lap ... a BIG chord book (I used to have the 4400 chord book, it was well worth the 25 $ to be able to learn lots of those chords ) ... and a gig bag (canvas 'case') to protect it from scuffs and dings ...

You might also consider getting a song book with those songs which YOU want to learn .... If country is your bag, then many books are out there for you to learn from .... I personally liked "The Complete Beatles" as a beginning song book, since the songs are so well known and you probably already know the lyrics and stuff ....

BTW: IF you have long fingers, you dont have to bother with the 3/4 scale guitar .... but if you dont, the 3/4 scale model is MUCH easier to learn on .. and sounds nearly the same .... You could always trade up when you become more able to play ...

I would also recommend visiting http://www.musiciansfriend.com

Acoustic Guitars : http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=acoustic/content/cb/index

Classical Guitars : http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=acoustic/search?c=6255

Student Guitars : http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search?c=6253&c=4296



This guitar is an excellent quality 3/4 scale Yamaha classical with very decent tone ... and LESS than $150 ... Check it out at : http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/511070/ ...



This is the full size version of the same model type ... yeah .. it looks exactly the same: it is also priced at less than $150 ... check it out here : http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/511071/

Review them at : http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/content/doc_id=98025

Even if you dont buy from MusiciansFriend.com. you will at least know what prices are reasonable and honest when you go out to purchase ....

In any case: good luck ....

[HeeBGBz]

38. Thanks Trajan

I have to go to work this am but will read all this info later.

Oh, also mentioning I'm 50 y.o. and my fingers are not long/not short but somewhat arthritic on certain days.

[Algorem]

29. Get one of them 4-string ones that those other dudes in bands play.

[doublethink]

33. Okay I'll put my two cents in .....

Rule #1. Don't show up to Guitar Center on a Weekend. Rule #2. Don't pay the asking price at any Guitar center, you can always talk them down. Rule#3 Ask yourself if this is just a 'passing fancy' and the guitar will mostly just sit up against the wall as a decoration. In other words don't spend a lot of money on your first guitar. Just get one your comfortable with, go into the acoustic room at Guitar Center and pull them off the wall and have at it, Nylon string and Steele string guitars try them both. The Calais's on your fingers will develop more-so on Steele string. No pain no gain. Rule #1B. Should have been said earlier, what type of music do you want to play? Basic folk, get a Steele string, and use a pic, learn chords first. Learn some basic songs, guitar tabs online and a lot of free resources to be found before investing in lessons. Rule #4 Have fun !!!!!! Some of my favorite guitars are the cheapest ones because I can take them camping, bon-fires, bla bla bla and not have to worry much about them. Guitars are like girlfriends in way .... well we won't get into that ... :) Peace.

oh ps: You need to let us know your budget, how much you are looking to spend on this guitar. Then post another thread. Sure these guys and myself will give you some brand names to look into.

[bobthedrummer]

34. Consider acoustic before electric.

Whichever you chose invest in a good quality guitar and gear.

[Swamp Rat]

35. Get a nylon string classical/folk guitar

In high school I played electric guitar (Gibson SGs/Les Pauls) mostly because I was into Hendrix, Yes, Rush, Al DiMeola, Black Sabbath, Charlie Christian, Jethro Tull, etc. Years later I went to grad school for classical guitar... I've been playing a Ramirez and a Córdoba for the last decade.

Learn to finger pick! Get a nylon string. Learn to read music (NOT TAB! - later on, TAB may become of interest, but I suggest you first learn to read regular music notation) by practicing some easy Renaissance pieces or Beatles, or whatever you like. I like Villa-Lobos ('classical' composer) and Brazilian chôro music (kinda like ragtime jazz). Books and CDs are great and so is finding a good teacher. I originally taught myself and learned by ear. This a fun way to begin because you can experiment without any direct, outside influence.

Get a guitar and have fun. :)

[ArmchairActivist]

36. Different advice: Don't buy a guitar at all!

Seriously!

Especially not with an eye towards teaching youself. Borrow one instead (you've gotta know somebody that will loan you even a cheapo) and then take a class at a community college and see if you like it.

Then after a quarter (and what's ten weeks of classes anyways, in the grand scheme? Plenty of time to buy later...) you can see if the bug bites you or not.

Then if it does bite, you'll know a little more when you do go shopping. And if it doesn't, then you won't have plunked down a bunch of money for something that winds up gathering dust.

And be patient and dedicated in the class, if you can. (If the bug bites, there won't be any problem with this!) It really takes a good while before you can do much of anything with the thing, unless you're some kind of prodigy.

Oh yeah, and like others have said, definitely watch out for those salesmen. A lot of those guys can make a lousy instrument sound pretty damn decent...

-AA

[kanrok]

39. My personal favorite

Is the Gibson SG. My first guitar was a knockoff of this model:

I also like Fender Telecasters and Gibson Les Pauls, although the Les Paul is a fairly heavy guitar.

[Squeech]

41. My advice (and worth what you pay for it)

Actually my credentials for giving this advice are pretty good: I helped Matcom pick out his guitar, and as far as I know, he and Mrs. Matcom and the purple hippo are all happy with our selection. (It's a big body acoustic-electric with a cutaway, and I've already forgotten the brand name, because I don't actually think it's very important.)

The most important thing is, the guitar has to feel comfortable to you, like it truly belongs in your lap. Because if it doesn't, if it's an irritant in any way, you're not gonna play it. One of the (too many) guitars I own is a Gibson ES-335, a well respected instrument (and valuable too, I could probably get a grand for it). I never play it-- something about the neck just doesn't feel right to me.

Obviously, you can't judge this right now, since you don't have enough experience with getting music out of a guitar. So I endorse the advice above about bringing a friend with you to the guitar shop and getting his/her perspective on it.

There's another corollary: never buy a guitar mail-order, because you have no idea how it's going to feel until it shows up. Brand names are no guarantee in this regard either, since even the best engineered, most expensive guitar in the world could be set up haphazardly by an indifferent or hung-over tech, and rendered unplayable. (Things that may need adjustment on a guitar include, and are not limited to, the height of the bridge, the tension on the neck, and the depth of the notches in the "nut." These all have major impact on how the guitar plays and feels, and are best left to trained professionals. Differences in these subtleties are why two different guitars from the same brand line can feel and sound so different.)

I don't like Martin guitars much, I don't think they sound lively enough. My ideal acoustic guitar would be an old Gibson or Guild dreadnaught from about a generation ago, but I can't afford a vintage guitar like that. (Hmm, maybe I could trade the ES-335...) Meanwhile I play a couple of relatively cheap, but sturdy and responsive, Yamaha acoustics, and I definitely recommend checking out some of those. You can get them used for as little as $100, they sound good, they're fairly easy on your fingers, and they absorb a fair amount of abuse (which is important to me, since I love to practice on Who tunes).

And the other thing is, you kinda have to acclimate yourself up front to the idea that you're not really going to enjoy the way you sound on the thing until you've been woodshedding for the better part of a year. Sorry, but that's just the way it is. You need to build up the calluses on your fingertips (as mentioned above) and you also need to get your fingers to remember the chord shapes at a subconscious level. Then one day you will pick up the guitar and suddenly it will somehow seem easy, everything you know about playing with just fall into place, and you'll amaze yourself at how you sound. It's some sort of threshold effect, almost a religious experience, and it's the payoff for the last year of tedium and frustration. It's there in your future, so don't give up!

And best wishes. I love playing the guitar, I think it's just about the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

[HeeBGBz]

42. After all your good advice

Let me tell you what prompted my posting of this thread.

When I was about 8 or 9, my dad had an old guitar in the closet. Most of the time my mom wouldn't let me touch it. At some point, I got to play with it a little and I tried to teach myself to play. I did more of a skiffle thing with one string. I learned a couple of songs that way. No knowledge of chords or anything like that.

I don't know what happened to that guitar but that was the end of my self-teaching. Have often thought of having a guitar and learning to play for the last 40-some years, but never did.

Lately the idea has appealed to me to learn just to keep my self entertained and as a way to express myself emotionally. If I can master the art of making a tune, I would be most happy and would squash out that negative belief that I am not musically inclined.

I have an Amazon Affiliate link on my website. So anyone who buys anything after passing through the link, gives me a little dinero every quarter. I get paid with a gift certificate. I use these gifts to buy things I normally wouldnt splurge on. Last quarter I bought survival gear. A tent, some binoculars and a stun gun. (Ok, I'm a strange Granny, but I had my reasons.)

This quarter I thought I should buy a guitar and and learn to play it. If nothing else, it could be a lure to snag any passing guitarists who may cross my future paths.

My needs are cheapness balanced with a karmic blessing of more twang for the buck. Must be able to withstand Armageddon without a strain on the pocketbook.

So I looked up guitars and seem to be leaning towards this one.

Washburn D100 Acoustic Guitar, Black

I checked out price/discount and reviews. What do you think? Even though I know that you guys said I should touch and feel it first.

[Squeech]

43. Make sure

there's a decent guitar shop around somewhere, so if the instrument shows up in the mail and the strings are visibly a half inch off the fretboard, there will be a tech within reach who can set it up properly.

(We're lucky in Boston to have a gentleman named Jim Mouradian, who once built basses for Chris Squire of Yes. After he works on guitars, they practically float under your hands.)

I think Washburn is a reputable make. I almost bought one of their acoustic bass guitars. But at the last minute an Oscar Schmidt came in, and I liked that better.

Again, my advice is worth what you pay for it.

On edit: and best of luck playing it, I hope it's intensely enjoyable!

[HeeBGBz]

44. I think I know someone who may be able to help me get started

Like what to do with the freakin strings and how do you tune it stuff.

Thank you Squeech. Your advice is within my budget.

[ProfessorGAC]

45. First, Buy A Guitar!

Just kidding. You have to decide acoustic or electric. Obviously, you don't need an amp with the acoustic, so you might be able to spend more on the guitar if you don't have to budget for an amp.

Go to a store and talk to someone who seems knowledgeable. Make sure you get a guitar with a neck size and shape that fits your hand. (Smaller hands are not suited for a 15 inch radius and a thickness of 1&1/8th inches at the 12th fret, for instance. Too big for the hand.)

Listen to one REALLY good guitar (say a Martin, or Taylor) and get a sense of what a fine guitar sounds like. Then move down to your price range and get something that gives you some sense of tone that those great guitars will give. (Don't expect miracles, though.)

Depending upon your price range, the midline Fender's are essentially Guild guitars now (they bought all the design rights, templates and wood specs a few years back.) Takamine makes a broad range of prices and some of the upper mid and high line ones are wonderful guitars. Yamaha makes some nice guitars for the money too.

You don't have to know how to play to test them for tone. It's much better to have an attractive sounding instrument when you start out, because as soon as you learn something, it will sound like real music when you get some skills.

There are some good computer programs, that include MPEG's that show you step by step how to form chords, understand the notes and how the guitar works. Then you can teach yourself, learn the musical concepts, and the technique all at the same time.

PM me if you have any questions. There's some of us in the Musicians' Group that know quite a lot about guitars. (Toddzilla runs a guitar store.) If you can't get in there, PM me and i'll pass on questions in there.
The Professor