dinozoa
SENATOR BABYHEAD  Posts: 319 Registered: 7/18/2004 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 20:45 |
I'm in that phase of my life where it's really important that I have an electric guitar to mess around with. I had this phase when I was younger, but my sister took my guitar to college with her and I've never seen it again.
So, now that I have mad monies from a job, I wanna buy myself a cheap-o electric guitar and teach myself how to play.
Did anybody else here teach themself how to play on a cheap-o guitar and amp? If so, what kind did you use/was it good, or what?
I have less than or equal to $500.
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ghostrider
liberal exit   SSHOLEPosts: 2446 Registered: 7/29/2004 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 20:51 |
I learned to play on a $99 guitar and amp combo from Sears. I was very good from the start so the cheap shit only cut it for about 6 months, I needed tone, goddamnit. $350 will get you a reasonable basic stick, and spend $100 on a 25 watt Peavey at your friendly pawn shop.
Rock On, Chaka Khan 
[Edited on 4/11/2005 by ghostrider]
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I build plastic bonfires on the beach and skip batteries into the lake ~ Cockroach |
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Phlebas
SENATOR BABYHEAD  Posts: 227 Registered: 7/29/2005 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 20:59 |
On a whim, I bought an Ibanez Artcore for around $350. It was cheap and I wanted a semi-hollow body with a tremolo bar to yank around on. It turned out to be nice sounding gitfiddle.
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"Thought: Why does man kill? He kills for food. And not only food: frequently there must be a beverage." |
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Uart
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 1228 Registered: 3/5/2005 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 21:47 |
ghostrider: I learned to play on a $99 guitar and amp combo from Sears
[Edited on 4/11/2005 by ghostrider]
That dude from the White Stripes still uses his $99 Sears amp... |
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vasudeva
Bad Taste in your Mouth  SSHOLEPosts: 4464 Registered: 3/8/2002 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 21:48 |
This thread is like hot dripping sahlgoode bait.
Hope you boys brought your traps. Bad eatin' tonight, hooowheee!
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slippedhole> I am on to you and your evil intentions. I am the true protector of this website and am willing to do battle with you. |
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JohnLenin
Putting the semen in amusement  SSHOLEPosts: 1048 Registered: 7/8/2005 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 22:02 |
I learned on a $135 Danelectro and a $25 1Watt amp. Well, I also learned on a vintage hollowbody jazz Teisco Del Ray. I later ditched the Danny for an Ibanez (one of the best guitars I have played). But I got rid of all of that to become a bassologist. I almost have my PhD.
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ghostrider
liberal exit SSHOLEPosts: 2446 Registered: 7/29/2004 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 22:04 |
Where the fuck did you get a $135 DanElectro? you are about 22 or so, right? I bought a DanElectro in high school (1983) at a yard sale for $30 and sold it 5 years later for $500.
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I build plastic bonfires on the beach and skip batteries into the lake ~ Cockroach |
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Heather
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 612 Registered: 11/24/2004 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 22:46 |
The hubbin says spend $400 on the guitar and $100 on the amp. Pawn is a good resource. DO NOT DO EBAY (that's my $0.02). He almost put us in the poorhouse with dat sheet.
Fender, Ibanez or ESP ltd are good.
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jwalker
Token Discordian  SSHOLEPosts: 949 Registered: 8/6/2005 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 22:56 |
Enjoying learning to play is important - get something at least half-way decent.
Also, you might want to look at this; it is quite useful: Guitar Chord Finder
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To the dog who has money, men say "My Lord Dog". |
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wolfer
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 455 Registered: 12/1/2003 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 23:07 |
You can get a nice kit from fender for $300
Check it out
ThisIsTheClickableWord
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DonQuixote
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 641 Registered: 4/22/2005 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 23:18 |
I learned to play on the shitiest fucking strat copy that my parents would buy me. It was OK, wouldn't hold a tune and the electronics broke alot. Now I have a Vintage Strat and a vintage Ovation (not electric combo I hate those). I use a Crate amp, I used to have a MArshal mini but its too big to lug around.
My suggestions.
1. Go to your local guitar shop (as long as your not in NY or LA) and poke around. NOT GUITARCENTER. I mean a mom and pop store type deally. If you can find a vintage shop GREAT! Ask for the cheapest vintage strat they have. There should be one with a clear maple finish body and a maple fret board. Some call it the players guitar. Its around $500 (list price). You get two things here. A guitar that will intonate correctly and give really good sound as well as sell fro more than you buy it.
2. If you can get a Tube amp. The sound is warmer. Fender makes some nice ones but look around and I think you'll find one for cheap enough. Now if you can't afford the Tube amp go with a Crate. Not Peavey. PV's are popular but not the best sounding amps. Crates are relatively cheap and have crystal clear sound. (cept if you have single coil pickups but that's the same for any amp) I think my tiny little crate cost 50 and I've had it since I was 13. Never had a problem with it.
3. DO NOT TAKE LESSONS. Most guitar teachers are failed musicians and will try to force their style on you. Fuck that. Get a chord book and what most musicians know as "The Fake Book". You'll understand when you see it. Now if you like punk or grunge, start with that. Something with 3 chords and little or no solos. Learn the power chord
E --|---|---|-X-|---
B --|---|---|-X-|---
G --|---|---|-X-|---
D --|---|---|-0-|---
A --|---|---|-0-|---
E --|-0-|---|---|---
BTW This is TAB (0 are fingers x's are mutes means don't play the mutes or soflty cover the string with one of your finger probably the one barring the third fret) You'll need to learn to read this stuff cause everything on the net is usually in TAB. Remember Jimi Hendrix learned from tab and never learned to read music so don't be ashamed or intimidated by gay as pat metheny enthousiasts. Imagine it like the fret board is facing away from you just like you'd hold it. Anyways, This chord can move up and down the board and even move the index finger to the A string and keep the same shape and you have more power chords. Once you know this chord you can play half the shit on the radio. You can also start writing your own songs immediately. Which is a great thing to do cause it will keep you VERY interested. They can have words or not. It would help if you learn these chords too. E, Eminor, C, A, D, B is a maybe and G. If you are looking at a chord book use the version that is closest to the nut (little thing on the head of the neck that holds the strings in place). These are the most common chords.
Also you can go with old Beatles tunes cause they are easy and everybody knows em.
Anyways, You need to develope your finger muscles and the pads on the tips of your fingers.
- Use alcohol on your finger tips to toughen them up.
- When you get strings, ask for 9's. I use Blue Steel but those may be a bit pricey, they keep a brighter sound longer. Anyways, you DO NOT want heavy guage strings right now. You can get carpal tunel or just plain make it too hard to play the chords you want and you won't be able to play as long at any one time.
After you have all this and you have a copuple songs under your belt. Learn the pentatonic scale or blues scale. Very common for blues and rock. Learn it all the way up the board. Then you can start fooling around with solo's/melodies etc. Remember the root of the main chord you use
If you have the cash go for the cheapes PRS (Paul Reed Smith) you can find. They have a very versital tone and will also sell for more than you paid.
Ibanez is also a good way to go. You can beat the shit out of an Ibanez and it will still play pretty good.
Lastly, but not least, start a band. Learn some tunes and rock out!!!
Peace
SFW
____________________
( . )( . ) <--- Boobs. |
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DonQuixote
DARTH MENSES Posts: 641 Registered: 4/22/2005 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 23:20 |
New American Standrad Fender Strats and their lesser brothers Squires are pieces of shit. The electronics suck and the wood they use for the body is kiln dried, makes for shitty sound. They are mass produced and just plain crappy. With fender its vintage or no fender at all.
Just sayin......
____________________
( . )( . ) <--- Boobs. |
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dinozoa
SENATOR BABYHEAD Posts: 319 Registered: 7/18/2004 Offline
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11/4/2005 at 23:29 |
Everybody who mentioned going to a pawn shop: I am all over the pawn shop. I was planning to go scope the local neighborhood jew-ry out tomorrow, if I have time.
I will report back with my findings.
kthx
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ghostrider
liberal exit SSHOLEPosts: 2446 Registered: 7/29/2004 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 00:16 |
dinozoa: Everybody who mentioned going to a pawn shop: I am all over the pawn shop. I was planning to go scope the local neighborhood jew-ry out tomorrow, if I have time.
I will report back with my findings.
kthx
don't matter what you get, if you have the soul, the music will shine through. As dumb as this may sound, yer music heart will light the path. Be creative, you can't play a chord that hasn't been played before, so play it your way and make it your own.
Peace Unto You
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I build plastic bonfires on the beach and skip batteries into the lake ~ Cockroach |
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sahlgoode
SENATOR BABYHEAD  Posts: 254 Registered: 7/6/2005 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 00:32 |
vasudeva: This thread is like hot dripping sahlgoode bait.
Hope you boys brought your traps. Bad eatin' tonight, hooowheee!
ko.......      {bbastard
[Edited on 5/11/2005 by sahlgoode]
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Closed indefinitely in accordance with the Digital Milennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998 |
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JohnLenin
Putting the semen in amusement SSHOLEPosts: 1048 Registered: 7/8/2005 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 01:36 |
ghostrider: Where the fuck did you get a $135 DanElectro? you are about 22 or so, right? I bought a DanElectro in high school (1983) at a yard sale for $30 and sold it 5 years later for $500.
Guitar Center, dude. I bought a black Hearsay 6-string (the one with built in distortion effects) for $135 (on sale from $180). Danelectro still makes guitars and pedals, and they're still cheap. Oh, and I'm 19.
____________________
[Clavis_A] he's one of the few people i've ever seen that bear a striking resemblence to their own dick |
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Dumbskull
I'm assuming the position!  SSHOLEPosts: 1902 Registered: 4/22/2004 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 01:49 |
The ball and chain just sold his Gibson Les Paul so he could buy a telescope. Sigh. I did not want him to sell the guitar, but the telescope is fucking awesome. Now if only we could have clear night....
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Easier to get into than a community college. |
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ghostrider
liberal exit SSHOLEPosts: 2446 Registered: 7/29/2004 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 01:53 |
Dumbskull: The ball and chain just sold his Gibson Les Paul so he could buy a telescope.
Kill him in his sleep. srsly.
____________________
I build plastic bonfires on the beach and skip batteries into the lake ~ Cockroach |
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LORDKAHUNA
Don't make me fuk your moustache  SSHOLEPosts: 1622 Registered: 8/5/2003 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 02:13 |
I started with a cheapo 1st gen Takamine acoustic with bridge pickups, my first "amp" was a hyooge sheet of plywood with 20 or so car speakers mounted to it, they were in turn, wired to an old Kenwood reciever.
I'd switch that fukkr to "aux", plug my patch cord into the "mic" outlet, and make the most shitty/loud/bowel-disrupting noise ever.
It was beautiful.
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the rice I had yesterday came out practically verbatim |
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Dumbskull
I'm assuming the position! SSHOLEPosts: 1902 Registered: 4/22/2004 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 02:16 |
ghostrider: Dumbskull: The ball and chain just sold his Gibson Les Paul so he could buy a telescope.
Kill him in his sleep. srsly.
He sold it for dirt too along with the amp and all the other stuff. Kinda makes me sick to think about it.
____________________
Easier to get into than a community college. |
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ragoo
We are not amused.  SSHOLEPosts: 663 Registered: 9/4/2004 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 03:22 |
This thread is 102% interesting for me. I was a singer growing up, but I've always wanted to learn to play. In fact, I told my wife for the umpteenth time just yesterday. Now I'm thinkin Christmas present!
Any thought on whether it's beneficial to learn on an acoustic vs. electric?
____________________
Interjections show excitement or emotion. They're generally set apart from a sentence by an exclamation point, or by a comma when the feeling's not as strong. |
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LORDKAHUNA
Don't make me fuk your moustache SSHOLEPosts: 1622 Registered: 8/5/2003 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 03:25 |
My personal fav, acoustic.
No need for amp, gives you a good ear for tone.
____________________
the rice I had yesterday came out practically verbatim |
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Acidburn
I am El Chupacabra  SSHOLEPosts: 777 Registered: 8/1/2004 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 03:43 |
http://www.as-seen-on-tv-top-products.com/esteban-guitar-lesson.asp
This dude will teach you.
____________________
No you can't have my rights. I'm not through with them!
You got Down Syndrome so bad you probably have up,left and right too.
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
This is Rabbit. and it kills everyday.
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Phlebas
SENATOR BABYHEAD Posts: 227 Registered: 7/29/2005 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 03:55 |
sofickingwat: I learned to play on the shitiest fucking strat copy that my parents would buy me. It was OK, wouldn't hold a tune and the electronics broke alot. Now I have a Vintage Strat and a vintage Ovation (not electric combo I hate those). I use a Crate amp, I used to have a MArshal mini but its too big to lug around.
My suggestions.
1. Go to your local guitar shop (as long as your not in NY or LA) and poke around. NOT GUITARCENTER. I mean a mom and pop store type deally. If you can find a vintage shop GREAT! Ask for the cheapest vintage strat they have. There should be one with a clear maple finish body and a maple fret board. Some call it the players guitar. Its around $500 (list price). You get two things here. A guitar that will intonate correctly and give really good sound as well as sell fro more than you buy it.
2. If you can get a Tube amp. The sound is warmer. Fender makes some nice ones but look around and I think you'll find one for cheap enough. Now if you can't afford the Tube amp go with a Crate. Not Peavey. PV's are popular but not the best sounding amps. Crates are relatively cheap and have crystal clear sound. (cept if you have single coil pickups but that's the same for any amp) I think my tiny little crate cost 50 and I've had it since I was 13. Never had a problem with it.
3. DO NOT TAKE LESSONS. Most guitar teachers are failed musicians and will try to force their style on you. Fuck that. Get a chord book and what most musicians know as "The Fake Book". You'll understand when you see it. Now if you like punk or grunge, start with that. Something with 3 chords and little or no solos. Learn the power chord
E --|---|---|-X-|---
B --|---|---|-X-|---
G --|---|---|-X-|---
D --|---|---|-0-|---
A --|---|---|-0-|---
E --|-0-|---|---|---
BTW This is TAB (0 are fingers x's are mutes means don't play the mutes or soflty cover the string with one of your finger probably the one barring the third fret) You'll need to learn to read this stuff cause everything on the net is usually in TAB. Remember Jimi Hendrix learned from tab and never learned to read music so don't be ashamed or intimidated by gay as pat metheny enthousiasts. Imagine it like the fret board is facing away from you just like you'd hold it. Anyways, This chord can move up and down the board and even move the index finger to the A string and keep the same shape and you have more power chords. Once you know this chord you can play half the shit on the radio. You can also start writing your own songs immediately. Which is a great thing to do cause it will keep you VERY interested. They can have words or not. It would help if you learn these chords too. E, Eminor, C, A, D, B is a maybe and G. If you are looking at a chord book use the version that is closest to the nut (little thing on the head of the neck that holds the strings in place). These are the most common chords.
Also you can go with old Beatles tunes cause they are easy and everybody knows em.
Anyways, You need to develope your finger muscles and the pads on the tips of your fingers.
- Use alcohol on your finger tips to toughen them up.
- When you get strings, ask for 9's. I use Blue Steel but those may be a bit pricey, they keep a brighter sound longer. Anyways, you DO NOT want heavy guage strings right now. You can get carpal tunel or just plain make it too hard to play the chords you want and you won't be able to play as long at any one time.
After you have all this and you have a copuple songs under your belt. Learn the pentatonic scale or blues scale. Very common for blues and rock. Learn it all the way up the board. Then you can start fooling around with solo's/melodies etc. Remember the root of the main chord you use
If you have the cash go for the cheapes PRS (Paul Reed Smith) you can find. They have a very versital tone and will also sell for more than you paid.
Ibanez is also a good way to go. You can beat the shit out of an Ibanez and it will still play pretty good.
Lastly, but not least, start a band. Learn some tunes and rock out!!!
Peace
SFW
____________________
"Thought: Why does man kill? He kills for food. And not only food: frequently there must be a beverage." |
| |
Phlebas
SENATOR BABYHEAD Posts: 227 Registered: 7/29/2005 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 04:14 |
dAMN IT.
Sorry, I dinnit mean to do that to a fine thread.
I was trying to quote SFW's comment on not taking lessons. I feel that the smartest people I know figured their most important and creative things out on their own. Great point SFW.
On Guitar Center, if you choose to buy from them, make sure you check Mucisian's Friend first - they are the same company. If you find a deal in one, the other will tend to go under the other's price.
However, a guitar (as with any instrument) sounds better if it has been taken care of and played.
Another of SFW's points, the one on tube amps - Yes. Tube amps have a richer sound than solid state (it's like the difference in the sound of great old records when you put them on CD, you just lose something). There is, however, a definite drawback: tubes die out. Buy Sovtek if this happens.
A guitar is a way to increase your life through expression.
Go forth and play.
May your chords ring and your fingertips ache.
[Edited on 5/11/2005 by Phlebas]
____________________
"Thought: Why does man kill? He kills for food. And not only food: frequently there must be a beverage." |
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Phlebas
SENATOR BABYHEAD Posts: 227 Registered: 7/29/2005 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 04:20 |
Also, on LK's acoustic over electric, keep one of both in your living room.
____________________
"Thought: Why does man kill? He kills for food. And not only food: frequently there must be a beverage." |
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DonQuixote
DARTH MENSES Posts: 641 Registered: 4/22/2005 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 04:56 |
Phlebas: Also, on LK's acoustic over electric, keep one of both in your living room.
I Concur. However, You may find it easier to play (at first) on an electric. You can have a much lower gauge set of strings (much easier on the fingers, but not much sustain or brightness in the sound). Hmmm I feel a good vs bad coming on
Acoustic -
Good - Portable. SRSLY! I took my Ovation along with me to the Grand Canyon. We ran out of gas on the way back in the Mojave Desert on rt 66. Called roadside service and waited. We just made up songs. Tons of em. One having to do with eating dead babies.
Bad - Can sometimes be intimidating for a begginer. The gauge of the strings are heavier and it can feel big and awkward.
Bad - No FX or Gain boost. You can get a bridge pickup that insert into the hole, but it just doesn't feel as kewl.
Good - You WILL develope good technique. The size and shape of most acoustics will only allow you to play them "properly".
Good - Instant Chick magnet. SRSLY. If you pick one up and start playing some shit like "More Than Words". They will unzip your fly and beg to suck the sausage.
NOTE: Do not get a classical guitar unless you are planning on playing flaminco style or something with alot of finger picking. The neck is REALLY wide which makes it hard for beginners.
There's probably more but instant chick magnet is pretty damn good reason.
Electric -
Good - Much easier to start with.
Bad - Not portable. Unless you have a tiny amp like that little marshal that runs on batterys. But that thing sounds like shit.
Good - The songs you want to play, if they are rock and stuff, are going to need that electric with distortion.
Bad - If you get a shitty one, the electronics can break and then you have to take apart the body and re sodder shit.
Good - If you get a solid guitar and a nice warm amp. You feel like a GOD when you hear that wall of sound pushing you to play harder and louder.
Bad- Hard to get into situations where chicks will be able to hear you play, unless you have a band.
I prefer electric. But the bottom line is Ghostie is right. Get A guitar. Any guitar. Then Play it.
The sounds you make will propell you forward then you can worry about quality when you are proficient enough to really tell the difference between the sound of a Vintage Les Paul and a Vintage Strat and a brand new PRS.
Les Paul - Not as versitile. But great warm sound. The larger body gives it some real power.
PRS - The brightest sounding guitar you can buy. If you want to play and sound like PHISH this is the way to go. They are technically the most accurate guitars out there as far as intonations and tune. That's why Jazz guitarists love em so much. But they get flat wound strings and that's just weird.
Strat - A vintage American Standard Strat is probably one of the most famouse guitars out there. Doesn't matter what the finish on the body is like. The fat head and the shape give it away on sight and the instand Blues Based Rock sound is also instantly recognizable. Only downside...sigle coil pickups are noisy when you aren't even playing. You can put in some "better" ones but that would be sacrilige to do that to a VINTAGE STRAT. Literally I'd give my left nut for a cherry red '57 strat. (Funfact if you look at the serial number on the Heaed of the Strat the las two numbers are the year it was made in.) Also, Jimi played a strat (as well as a Flying V, gibson) and Jimi is the greatest that ever was or ever will be. He was doing shit that no one even does now. Of course he would put hits of acid in his bandana so that when he sweated during a set the acid would soak in and he would peak right about when he was going to solo.
Shit I'm totally babbling. Sorry, I just love guitars and guitar driven music. Chances are if it has a guitar I'll probably like it.
"NO NO DON'T STOP A ROCKIN'"
- Homer Simpson
Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll
SFW
____________________
( . )( . ) <--- Boobs. |
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government_death_robot
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 921 Registered: 4/23/2004 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 06:52 |
musiciansfriend.com
or
music123.com
I got my bass from musiciansfriend for $130 (list price $250). It came in good condition and stuff.
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bwned. |
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BeachGoat
DARTH MENSES  Posts: 431 Registered: 10/31/2003 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 10:21 |
I started playing in 1968 with nothing more than a "60 hits of the 60's" book and a chord chart. Still no lessons. I have never played for anything but my own therapy and pleasure, and have never been disappointed. i have hit several spots where I could not rise to the next level for several years...I just switched to another instrument (bass, piano, violin) until I felt the need, then went back, and it was an epiphany (that's like a silent angel fart).
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ragoo
We are not amused. SSHOLEPosts: 663 Registered: 9/4/2004 Offline
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11/5/2005 at 13:58 |
sofickingwat: Good - You WILL develope good technique. The size and shape of most acoustics will only allow you to play them "properly".
I have always thought this. I had a music teacher once who said I should learn piano before I try to play the organ, because the keys are harder to press, and I would develop a better feel and finesse. Plus, for some reason, I think I would have an unrealistic urge to sound awesome if I started out on an electric. Hence, if and when I fall short of expectations, I'll get discouraged and chuck the whole thing. I don't want that.
____________________
Interjections show excitement or emotion. They're generally set apart from a sentence by an exclamation point, or by a comma when the feeling's not as strong. |
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