Noob Needs Guitar Help

[AllAboutSkins08]

I have this new infatuation with guitars (might be the weeks of playing Guitar Hero) and I'm strongly considering just buying an electric guitar and learning how to play. I've been singing for a long time and I've regretted never learning how to play an instrument. I've been thinking about learning the piano, but now I'm leaning toward the electric guitar.

So basically, I wanted to know if you guys have any suggestions for what brand of guitar is good for beginners and if you guys could let me know anything that I might need to know as someone who knows nothing about guitars. Thanks.

[kevinklein]

I would suggest going down the Fender path, probably being as I've always been a Fender guy myself.

You can find a Mexican built Stratocaster for about $350 if you look. That's the guitar I learned a lot on, and it really took me to the next level.

I also have an Ibanez Artcore, which is hollow body, and is also quite audible when not plugged in. I still play it, and love it, and this guitar also only runs around $300.

Worse comes to worst, just go with Squire, even though they're abysmal.

[thehogs]

I have this new infatuation with guitars (might be the weeks of playing Guitar Hero) and I'm strongly considering just buying an electric guitar and learning how to play. I've been singing for a long time and I've regretted never learning how to play an instrument. I've been thinking about learning the piano, but now I'm leaning toward the electric guitar.

So basically, I wanted to know if you guys have any suggestions for what brand of guitar is good for beginners and if you guys could let me know anything that I might need to know as someone who knows nothing about guitars. Thanks.

whatever you do dont get a guitar that is cheap! nothing worse than learning a musical instrument with something that is only fit for match wood! in the UK, a typical reasonable quality guitar would be Yamaha, Epiphone, Ibanez...all pretty well known names. Gibson/Fender etc are much higher priced (i assume you know some of this with your singing background?). An Ibanez RG370 or something like that is good fun for doing metal/heavy rock, so RG or S/SA series Ibanez could suit ('Prestige' series are expensive); Epi's of course have that Gibson 'thing' and you could always leap around the room in your Jimmy Page Dragon suit (what do you mean, you dont have one! ;) ). Jackson do some 'RAWK' types like Ibanez.

Some of these at least have reaonable pick ups for a sound you can run with combined with reasonable build quality in terms of the neck of the guitar, tremolo if it has one, tuners etc.

Amps are a universe to themselves and there is a huge range of 10w/15w practice amps by Marshall/Orange/Laney/Peavey etc etc up to small gig/permanent deafness level. This is more difficult and will depend on if you are playing on stage at some point or just needing a small practice map for around the house. As with guitars its all to easy to cut corners and end up with an amp that sounds like sh*t. Without going crazy with money you could look at stuff like Digitech and Boss for distortion/overdrive pedals. Again, the list is endless.

Personally, I play through a Peavey 65w (at home, the family love it....:doh: ), with a Washburn WI66 PRO and Boss GT-8 for effects. I am mighty impressed by Washbrun and the quality of guitar you get. If you see one you can afford I would recommend them above an Epi.

I'm sure there are people on here that know tons more than I do.

:2cents:
:helmet:

(saw the other response recommending Fender - over here that would be a fair price hike, if you can get stuff like that cheap then certainly consider it. $350 is about £170 UK!! for a Fender!! I can only dream!)

[AllAboutSkins08]

I would suggest going down the Fender path, probably being as I've always been a Fender guy myself.

You can find a Mexican built Stratocaster for about $350 if you look. That's the guitar I learned a lot on, and it really took me to the next level.

I also have an Ibanez Artcore, which is hollow body, and is also quite audible when not plugged in. I still play it, and love it, and this guitar also only runs around $300.

Worse comes to worst, just go with Squire, even though they're abysmal.

Squires are really that bad? Just asking cause I saw some value packs for beginners (guitar, amp, case, etc.) for $200.

[philal0102]

Start with a Fender. I have a couple that have done me real good. Now if you do go with a Fender, try the Stratocasters.

Strat- The have a wide range of sound, and have a beautiful clean tone (imo the best).
Mexican- ($400-$800)
American-($800-$2,000)

Like KK said, you could probably get one for 350. I know that lately Guitar Center has been giving good deals on American Strats, so I would check there if I were you. The difference between the Mexican and American guitars are the finger board and the hardware (pickups). Plus, I've seen that American models lasted me the longest. In terms of taking them around and gigging.

Telecasters- nice, just too trebly for me. (thery're great if you play country)

Now if you don't want to spend that much, there are Squire's. Fender makes squire, so they do have Squire Stratocasters, and Telecasters, and they go from $100-$300. They won't last you that long, and the hardware is horrible.

BTW.... There are more Fender guitars than Strats, and Tele's. Those are just the most widely known. The others are, Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Esquire, Mustang, and a couple of others that I can't remember right now.

Now..... if I had my way, I would have been learning on a Gibson from the start. They have such a thick tone and when you really crank the gain on the amp up, it gets so nasty (a good nasty).

Les Pauls- by far my favorite Gibson guitar. They bring big ass kicking sound when you want it, but they can also bring the softer side of you out.
($800-$4,000)

Les Paul Double Cutaway- The have the best clean tone out of any Gibson solid body out there, while still carrying some of the heavier tones from a Les Paul.
($1,200-$1,700)

SG- Eh, I've never liked them. It's something about the finger board. But hey, if you like some Angus Young, or Tony Iomi, then by yourself one with a nice amp, and your on your way. ($700-$1,800)

Most Semi-hollow guitars are best when playing jazz. ($1,500-God only knows)
I'm not a big jazz player, but the rythym guitarist in my band is, so I can get some info on them if you're into jazz.

Now like the Squire brand with Fender, Gibson has Epiphone. They make the same models, with cheaper hardware and wood, for a much cheaper price. ($300-$800)


Gisbon. THE best guitars I've ever played.



Then you have to get into amps :doh: . I'd get a nice little Crate if I were you. You could probably find a nice one non tubed 50 watts for 75 bucks. Then move up to Marshall's, Bogner, and Orange.....

Also, there are many more brands of guitars. These are the one's the I play. So I don't know that much on any other's.

The only other guitar that I own that's not a Fender or Gibson is a acoustic Taylor.

The most important thing, is that you feel good playing it. If you don't feel comfortable playing, then you won't want to learn anymore. So make sure it feels good on your hands.

[thehogs]

Squires are really that bad? Just asking cause I saw some value packs for beginners (guitar, amp, case, etc.) for $200.

If its an 'Affinity' series Squire I wouldnt touch it. Real bottom-end Squire guitar.

[JerseyBach]

My son started with a Squire Bullet, he bought it about three years ago for around 125. It is nice little guitar, but he prefered to play my 68 Gibson goldtop. Since that is a rare treat he recently purchased a Epiphone LP special 2, he paid around 180. Of the two he prefers the Epi. I am biased and go Gibson all the way. If you have a GuitarCenter near you, you should go in and check out what they have. My local GC has great people there, very knowlegable and will take all the time you need to make a decision. Thats really the best way for you to hear the different qualities of the guitars. They also run specials and have used gear. Good Luck, and listen and feel for yourself, you will know best what you like.

[AllAboutSkins08]

Thanks for all your info guys. I haven't made a decision on getting a guitar yet, but all your info has helped. I'm going to go to a local GuitarCenter and peruse around and get a feel for some of the brands you guys mentioned. Thanks again!

[81artmonk]

I would strongly recommend learning piano first. I started on piano and guitar came to me like second nature after that.

I would secondly recommend a cheap beginner guitar from your local music shop. Don't drop bank on some high end guitar just yet.

I would go with a fender strat. Or even Carvin has some nicely priced starter guitars.

[One Shot]

Depends on your price range/style of play. Based on the fact that you were inspired by guitar hero, you probably want a heavier sound than the mellow and bluesy tone that you'd get from a hollow-body.

If you want pure rock sound, go for a Gibson or a Fender. Once you narrowed it down to that, check your budget. You still have a lot of options at that point. But if I were you, get something cheap, just in case you never get into it. I've seen people buy 1500$ guitars, then never play a chord. That's just a waste of money. Get something that costs between 15-350 dollars.

Then if you really get into it and start getting good, take it to the next level.


Or you could or you could just start with an SG Double-Neck.:cool:

[RIPSean]

If you have the money, I'd try to find a Fender American Strat or basically any Gibson in the $500-650 range. FENDER Strats are great guitars that you'll enjoy both as a begginer and as you become a more serious player. Ultimate-Guitar.com is a good site for guitar related info and once you start playing, tabs.

[redskinsfan17]

DO NOT BUY A SQUIER!!!

Sorry for the caps, but that's the cheapest pieces of crap you could play.

Get an Epiphone Les Paul standard...It is a high quality instrument at a low price.

[E-Dog Night]

In case you don't take to it like you think you will, I wouldn't spend too much money. At the same time, you'll want to get something that at least decent quality, because it is more difficult to play a low quality piece of equipment.

I would pick a trusted brand like Fender or Gibson and go with their less costly brand lines (i.e. Squire and Epiphone, respectively). You could probably pick up a decent used Fender Squire for about $100 on eBay. Or wait until you local guitar shop has a sale and just pick out something that feel right in your hands. At your stage you really don't need to break the bank.

A word of caution, and I hate to say it -- truly don't want to dampen your enthusiasm -- but 20 years old is a little late in life to begin playing an instrument, in terms of becoming proficient at it. Unless you are some sort of prodigy, it will take years (assuming you practice every day) to get really good.

If your track record of being patient is, in general, not very good, I would strongly suggest buying something inexpensive.

I've never played guitar hero, but I imagine that it is substantially less difficult than the real thing. This may lead to frustration at the amount of time it takes to become good, and that guitar will become a "for sale" item before you know it. I've just seen it happen too many times to believe otherwise.

Progress at guitar comes slowly, and as you get older, you don't completely immerse yourself in something like you did when you were 12 years old. However, I wish you the best, and if you do go for it, find a good teacher and think long term.

[RVAbrendan]

I would drop about $200 for a guitar if youre just starting out. Fender, Ibanez, and Epiphone have some good deals in that range...you don't need anything 'better'. I learned on a peice of crap, and eventually got something a little better and was able to appreciate it.

Any little amp will do.

[MSB 21]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/electric-guitars

Good reference site.

Wide selection and price range.

I bought my daughter an acoustic from here and was satisfied w/ the services and the product.

[philal0102]

I've never played guitar hero, but I imagine that it is substantially less difficult than the real thing.


Psht.... I've been playing guitar for 16 years, and i can't finish a damn song in guitar hero:doh: .... Try it for yourself.

[JerseyBach]

Psht.... I've been playing guitar for 16 years, and i can't finish a damn song in guitar hero:doh: .... Try it for yourself.I agree, I have been playing for almost 30 years and cant manage GH. I dig your sig. Eric, Jimi, Jimmy, and Saul. Rockin.

[The Brave Little Toaster Oven]

I have a Triburst Mexican made Fender Strat and its pretty good. They were getting rid of their stock, so my guitar was orginally 750, but i got mine for 330 :D

http://www.musicmaniacs.nl/upload/3AE48655-0F99-4AD1-9EAC-7FDCEB2024D4.JPG

[E-Dog Night]

Psht.... I've been playing guitar for 16 years, and i can't finish a damn song in guitar hero:doh: .... Try it for yourself.

Why am I picturing something like this?

[Coach Williams]

you're a n00b for spelling n00b wrong:laugh:

[AllAboutSkins08]

In case you don't take to it like you think you will, I wouldn't spend too much money. At the same time, you'll want to get something that at least decent quality, because it is more difficult to play a low quality piece of equipment.

I would pick a trusted brand like Fender or Gibson and go with their less costly brand lines (i.e. Squire and Epiphone, respectively). You could probably pick up a decent used Fender Squire for about $100 on eBay. Or wait until you local guitar shop has a sale and just pick out something that feel right in your hands. At your stage you really don't need to break the bank.

A word of caution, and I hate to say it -- truly don't want to dampen your enthusiasm -- but 20 years old is a little late in life to begin playing an instrument, in terms of becoming proficient at it. Unless you are some sort of prodigy, it will take years (assuming you practice every day) to get really good.

If your track record of being patient is, in general, not very good, I would strongly suggest buying something inexpensive.

I've never played guitar hero, but I imagine that it is substantially less difficult than the real thing. This may lead to frustration at the amount of time it takes to become good, and that guitar will become a "for sale" item before you know it. I've just seen it happen too many times to believe otherwise.

Progress at guitar comes slowly, and as you get older, you don't completely immerse yourself in something like you did when you were 12 years old. However, I wish you the best, and if you do go for it, find a good teacher and think long term.

All of these were very good points. I was planning on doing some serious research on guitars and I was planning on talking to people who play guitar and get their opinion on how learning how to play was like before I purchase a guitar. I don't want to waste my time and money on something without knowing as much as I can about it. It does take a lot of time and effort to master it and while I'd love to be proficient and certainly feel like I have the drive for it, I realistically don't have the time to do it at this point (BUSY semester at school). I was thinking that I could take the semester to do my research and by the end of the semester, if my infatuation with guitars is still there and I feel like I really want to learn, then I will probably purchase a guitar.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Press the color coded buttons in the same order they appear on the path that's scrolling in front of you.

[Fan since a Fetus]

I would suggest buying an acoustic guitar first. I know that you will not be playing and Van Halen or Joe Satriani soon, so why not go with an instrument that will serve you better for learning. It is a little harder to play an acoustic, but the benefits are tremendous.

If you learn on an acoustic, your fingers will become stronger faster. I enjoy shredding, but I try to learn everything on an acoustic. That way when I pick up the electric it is so much easier to play that particular lick or riff and I feel like a god! My acoustic travels everywhere with me and I can practice at any time.

Also, with an acoustic you will be forced to pay more attention to clarity. If you mess up you can hear it so well. I say this because most people buy electrics and practice with the distortion cranked up, and this causes them to make tons of mistakes and they end up being sloppy players!

Also, get yourself a good guitar teacher and learn some darn guitar theory. If you are going to learn how to play, learn it properly. There are way to many players out there that know nothing about theory and they are usually poor quality players. At least learn the basics and some scales. Theory is a tool that will get you playing the way you want to faster.

Theory is much easier with a teacher than without. If you decide to teach yourself, just remember that their are a lot of bad resources on the web written by people that really have no business sharing their uneducated opinion. Just be cautious or you could learn improperly and you may set yourself up for failure.

Also, if and when you find a teacher make sure you discuss guitar safety with them. So many people injure their arms (from hands to shoulder) because they lack proper technique. For example: I stopped playing guitar for a while when I was in college and when I picked it back I was bending my wrist too much and developed a small cyst in my wrist. It is fairly painful, but too small for the docs to pull it out. So, I have to where braces on my wrists when I play and I can not do the unbelievable stretches that I used to be able to.

If you can make it past the first four months, you should be o.k. The first four months is when I find most people quite playing. It is very strenuous on the fingers and mind. If you pull through then you will play forever. Be patient, you are not going to play like a rockstar overnight.

I know this does not answer the "what kind of guitar should I get" question, but I just wanted to share my two cents.