For a while now I've wanted to buy a guitar to learn on, but I'm just so damn unsure of what I should get. Is there any harm or foul of buying a 30-50$ acoustic off craigslist to learn off of, or should I spend a bit more for my first? Anyone else have some tips on learning? I'm pretty damn unknowledgable on the subject, but I can read music and I did play the drums for 5 years so I have at least some sense of rhythm. I don't really plan on taking lessons for the guitar, I find I learn a lot faster on my own, will that apply to the guitar as well or should I consider lessons? Any advice GC?
I wouldn't start on an acoustic, unless you're sure it's the right instrument for you. For me, as well as some others, find it easier to learn on an electric since it's easier to play in general. You'd be able to bend strings without making your fingertips bleed for one and the sound is always varied, while acoustic only comes with one tone. I'd look into maybe a Squier? I started on a B.C. Rich starter kit (Warlock and an Amp) and now i'm a very advanced player. But whatever your choice is, have fun learning to play this beautiful instrument!
Alright, I play guitar and started off on a $50 acoustic myself (it was a POS, however it got the job done) I then have gotten way better and bought new, higher quality guitars. But which type of guitar you should get depends on you. I honestly did not listen to acoustic music before a bought an acoustic guitar, I mostly listen to Sublime, and other punk rock bands. I chose to get an acoustic, because i just liked the look and feel of them. I still do, and have never regreted it, but you need a guitar that fits your style. (I also have a les paul original - 2 humbuckers - that i play for my rock stuff, but just feel right at home with my acoustic) For electrics I recommend a $200 Ibanez. I do not own one myself, but my friend has one that i burrow often and i love the thing to death..i can honestly say, its up to par with my les paul. I suggest a cheap guitar. If you want a great acoustic guitar, for cheap..look up Austin guitars, and check out the dreadnaught. This was my first "real" guitar and I love it. DO NOT SPEND OVER $200 IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LEARN! People say "electric is easier" and such, but this is not the case. You get what you put into it, and the chords are the same on either electric or acoustic. You just cannot change the sound of the acoustic to as great of an extent (such as distortion, wha wha and chorus effects) I personally suggest starting off on acoustic. You will learn to move and shape your fingers a lot faster then on electric. Electric guitar (genre: rock - where electric is most often used) is based off of barre chords, in where you just hold down a certain number of strings on a fret. While this is effective, and doesn't sound half bad, it is mainly used in Rock, and anywhere distortion is needed. Acoustic covers the entire spectrum of music, youtube acoustic guitar videos and "cover" songs, you will see what acoustic is all about. Acoustic, though said to be "harder" actually just throws you into more difficult chords quicker, you do not use as many barre chords, and so it seems harder. So...if all you listen to is rock, punk, or metal this electric your best bet. However Learning guitar is something that you want to do. The inspiration to practice and to learn only comes from within yourself. All the lessons, and training in the world will not make you better if you do not want to teach yourself. Which is the hardest part about learning an instrument, you must be able to practice, and have patients. I think the biggest concern with guitars is as soon as someone see's one, they think they can play it. Obviously this is not the case. I personally am an advanced player, however this has only been obtained after 4 years. You must play and practice everyday to get good. Oh yea, with the youtube thing, search some of your favorite songs...say you like "what i got" by sublime...go to youtube and search "what i got acoustic cover" and see if you like the sound (you will get results guaranteed with this, there are billions of acoustic covers out there). Then try searching up some of your favorite rock songs to see how they come out on electric. ps. Pinacolaaadas states "you'd be able to bend strings without making your fingertips bleed" My fingers have never bled, and i've been playing for years. You will get calased fingers, but not bleed..couldn't you also just tune in flat so the strings aren't so tight?
oh, and pina suggested B.C guitars. This company is kinda jankity with there stuff...their expensive stuff is almost unreal at the quality, whereas the cheaper stuff that i have played has been trash. Although this is a somewhat biased opinion as I have only played old models, and am not sure if they have turned themselves around...Fender in my eyes is in a similar situation, their guitars are getting shitier by the second. That B.C starter kit may not be a bad idea...here are some other "budget" brands: Electric: Most of these also have expensive counterparts Les Paul - they do have new budget guitars coming out, if you can get the full metal humbucker for under $200 take it! Ibanez Fender Gibson Acoustic: Again, expensive counter parts to all of these Austin Yamaha < shitty guitars, cheap as hell! Ibanez = good stuff, i actually like their acoustics although I have heard others complain Epiphone - go with more expensive models, steer clear of under $200 ALWAYS GO TO THE STORE, AND TRY THE GUITAR BEFORE YOU BUY IT Judge its: weight feel size fret board - very important, as you play more and more guitars you will see these change quite a bit pickups buy good stings - NO OFFBRAND - ask any musician at local guitar place they know whats up...i personally play D'Adarrio on both acoustic and electric..love 'em..expensive though Inlays tuners - these do make a huge difference as well, make sure they are in good quality bridge - not as important, but professional guitarists will tell you that the better a bridge, the better the sound (this is the white thinger, right under the sound hole that the strings lay on)
my first was a fender squire, about 9-10 years old, it's now more advanced than the squires are now and is no longer really an entry-level guitar. it worked great for me to start on, you could consider that
I couldn't disagree more. After Fender was bought out from CBS in the '80s their quality has improved significantly. And if by some chance you do become dissatisfied with a Fender, they're the most interchangeable type of guitar out there...any amateur could replace the pickups and pots to achieve a more satisfactory tone.
I consider myself a guitar connoisseur, and if I were starting out today, I would order online from Rondo Music. They supply very decent guitars at extremely low prices. They would make a wonderful beginner guitar that could be easily upgraded. The actual guitar you buy, however, is largely dependent on the type of music you want to play. Let me know what music you're into, and I'll do my best to suggest a guitar. The only thing is that you will need to have your guitar professionally set up, as this is a must with ANY new guitar. It will run you about 20 bucks. Here is the rondo music site: http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar.html
nothing on my american is stock except the wood and the red paint. ive tweaked it over 9 years to the perfect sound machine.
i play bass, and for me and all the people i know- get an acoustic first, if you can't figure it out its not worth all the extra money for an electric and the amp. plus, even if you do get good and end up wanting an electric, the only thing that happens is you have an acoustic and you know you wont waste your time or money on the electric get a cheap nice one, just go to guitar center or whatever, walk around, pick them up, feel them out, and buy one thats right for you, i bought my first one for $300 and made the most progress learning on it because when you get an electric, you just mess around with the settings and get tabs and stuff, with an acoustic you can't hide the sound behind the volume or your amp
Yeah I'm not really interested in an electric, I listen to a lot of acoustic stuff, like foo fighters, sublime, etc. Thanks a lot for all the great replies guys, probably going to go and pick up an acoustic this week.
Well, you can get a good solid top acoustic for pretty cheap, OR you can get an electric. Theres some pretty good stuff out there right now, Affinity Squiers are quite good, as are Epiphones (NOT the low end, like the G310, but starting from the G400). Low end Ibanez are quite good but be careful about what trem they come with, I don't know much about them apart from you should stay away from IIRC edge 2s ? And remember most of your tone comes from your amp if you play electric, so you need to remember to set aside money for an amp to match your guitar. No point getting a 1000$ guitar if you only spring 100$ on an amp. The stock response is buy a tube amp, but they're not perfect for everyone. However if you do decide you want one I highly recommend the one I have - Blackheart LittleGiant (comparable to the Epiphone Valve Junior, and the little Fender that I can't mind the name of) My advice would be if you have any guitar playing friends talk to them about what you want, and once they have a fair idea go to the shop with them. Also, please don't get a spider They're alright I guess but you can get better solid state amps. Don't let the shop assistant 'persuade' you into getting anything. By all means let them explain things, even ask them to demonstrate (great to put them on a spot if they're ranting about varied tones.. "prove it") /e: Just realised you said you're thinking acoustic. In that case.. I'd recommend Alvarez and Seagull. I've had experience with both and they're both great brands. The S6 (i think) seagull is a great priced guitar, and my AD60 alvarez is awsome too and also at a reasonable price. Yahama are quite good, surprisingly, too, as are Washburn, but I've not played much on either of those brands.
In that case head to your local Guitar Center, local store, etc. Stay away from Guitar Center if you can, they're like the Wal-Mart of guitar stores. Just make sure the place you go to has competitive prices. Try a bunch out and go with instinct as to which one you like best. Good luck!
Oh sorry I didn't completely explain what types of Fenders... I was trying to give him the begginers package (under $200) Fender's are. The Fender's i've played under this ammount sucked completely, and i was not impressed. However on one of their more expensive models (such as the link at the bottom of the page) I was very impressed. Their cheaper mass produced guitars are getting lower in quality then what they once were, compared to the other brands in this price range (example: Ibanez starting package, which i thought had much better pickups then the strat of a similar price range (under $200). Alveraz - I was actually going to put this as one of the better guitars but I forgot how to spell it lol. Very good electric - full body acoustics. Thse things sound awesome with acoustic amps WOW. heres the strat i played...
Yeah, well that makes more sense. I take it you're probably referring to Squiers because Fender itself doesn't offer anything cheaper than $400.