Hello, I've been wanting to play the guitar for a while now and I think I'm ready to go ahead and buy my first guitar. I have no clue about guitars whatsoever so I'm trusting you guys' opinions here.. so should i go acoustic or electric and which guitar should I get?
Beginner Guitar player- acoustic or electric, and which guitar ($300-500)
- Thread starter quirky
- Start date
go acoustic, definitely. Even if your ultimate goal is to play electric, still start on an acoustic. Ths skills you learn will be invaluable later on. In terms of what guitar to get, go to your local music store, play them all, and get the one you like the best. Taste in guitars is a very subjective matter. In the price range you mentioned, I would buy either an ovation (stay as close to $500+ as possible) or a Seagull. If you want to go a little more expensive, you could get a Taylor or a Gibson. I've heard very good things about Tacoma, but have yet to play one myself so caveat emptor.
Any cheap acoustic will do. I started with a $50-100 Raven, and I played that for 4 or so months. I then borrowed a Hondo electric for a year... Does it really matter how nice a chord sounds on a guitar when it takes a couple seconds to make a chord change? Just go with the cheapest you can get until get the basic chords and scales down pat.
I agree with Feanor727--start on an acoustic (if your eventual goal is to play both). It's too easy to pick up bad habits if you learn on an electric.
I also agree that you'll need to play a bunch and pick one that sounds and feels good to you. But I must say that Seagull guitars tend to have teriffic sound at a fantastic price. They're all handmade in a little Quebec town. I have an S6+ CW in Tobacco Burst that I absolutely love playing. Yeah sure I'd love to pick up a Taylor or Martin, but for my skill level I can't really justify such a huge expense.
Just stay away from Johnson guitars--they suck.
And be sure to christen your new baby with a name. Have fun!
l2c
I also agree that you'll need to play a bunch and pick one that sounds and feels good to you. But I must say that Seagull guitars tend to have teriffic sound at a fantastic price. They're all handmade in a little Quebec town. I have an S6+ CW in Tobacco Burst that I absolutely love playing. Yeah sure I'd love to pick up a Taylor or Martin, but for my skill level I can't really justify such a huge expense.
Just stay away from Johnson guitars--they suck.
And be sure to christen your new baby with a name. Have fun!
l2c
Fritzo
Lifer
- Jan 3, 2001
- 41,920
- 2,161
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I second that....start on an acoustic. It will build up your finger strength and you'll be able to develop calluses needed to play (no joke! You need these or your fingers tend to hurt). Once you've played for six months or so on an acoustic, try an electric.
A good cheap acoustic brand is Ovation (if they're still around). Whatever you get, make sure the tuning nuts are tight and can keep the strings in tune. Good luck!
A good cheap acoustic brand is Ovation (if they're still around). Whatever you get, make sure the tuning nuts are tight and can keep the strings in tune. Good luck!
I started out on an acoustic, a Takamine G-series dreadnought. Excellent guitar, very much in your 300-500 dollar price range. Mine was a G330S. The only thing that I didn't like was that it wasn't acoustis/electric - there were no pickups installed so I could plug it in for performance.
But if you're just playing at home and have no desire to perform then a standard acoustic will do the trick. Playing an acoustic will help strengthen your fingerings because generally they are harder to play than an electric (thicker strings, generally). Plus you don't have to plug it in.
But there is a real difference between playing an acoustic and playing an electric. To be a complete guitar player, you should learn both, but learn the one that will keep you interested first, whichever you like better. It is tough to stay interested in playing because when you're first starting out you suck for a really long time. I've been playing for just over a year now, and am finally getting good enough to start showing off in concert. But it was a long road.
I now play a Taylor 614ce, which is my baby
Awesome guitar. Once you play a Taylor you won't want any other brand. They are THAT good, IMO. I've never liked Ovation guitars because they have a rounded plastic back, which is entirely unique. They are really big on the East coast, I hear. And they sound absolutely beautiful when amplified, but I think they sound very thin when played as an acoustic. My suggestion would be to go with a cheap Takamine acoustic to start out. I know a guy that swears by a Washburn acoustic, too, so you may want to check those out.
But if you're just playing at home and have no desire to perform then a standard acoustic will do the trick. Playing an acoustic will help strengthen your fingerings because generally they are harder to play than an electric (thicker strings, generally). Plus you don't have to plug it in.
But there is a real difference between playing an acoustic and playing an electric. To be a complete guitar player, you should learn both, but learn the one that will keep you interested first, whichever you like better. It is tough to stay interested in playing because when you're first starting out you suck for a really long time. I've been playing for just over a year now, and am finally getting good enough to start showing off in concert. But it was a long road.
I now play a Taylor 614ce, which is my baby
Awesome guitar. Once you play a Taylor you won't want any other brand. They are THAT good, IMO. I've never liked Ovation guitars because they have a rounded plastic back, which is entirely unique. They are really big on the East coast, I hear. And they sound absolutely beautiful when amplified, but I think they sound very thin when played as an acoustic. My suggestion would be to go with a cheap Takamine acoustic to start out. I know a guy that swears by a Washburn acoustic, too, so you may want to check those out.Ovations are good, but they are not really a standard acoustic, what with the rounded back. I think they sound thin without amplification. When amplified, though, an Ovation is one of the sweetest sounding guitars available.
I remember asking the same question about 5 years back. A friend of mine (excellent guitarist) told me... "Get a cheap guitar, and play it until you understand why it is cheap."
I did, and I now understand, and shopping for my 2nd guitar has been fun as heck.
I did, and I now understand, and shopping for my 2nd guitar has been fun as heck.
Fritzo
Lifer
- Jan 3, 2001
- 41,920
- 2,161
- 126
I found their distinctive round backs to be easier to play standing up (BTW----DO THIS Learn to play standing up as opposed to sitting. You'll thank me later
). The round back was designed to reflect more of the sound through the hole. I think it does nicely.I started playing on my friends fenders(american strat and Stevie ray vaughn strat) and his Gibon LesPaul. Its no fun playing on a cheap guitar any more :/
i guess i'm the only one who started to play on an electric. It may not give you the same skills (though i think there's no diff, in fact you get more experience play solos and emulating effects), but its a hell of a lot more fun. Though it can be more expensive if you are just picking up a cheap acoustic. I just got me an american Strat (i had an old mexican) and I love it sooooooooo much.
oh and electrics will probably be easier on your fingers, cause the action is lower.
if you do decide on an electric, looking back i'd go with an epiphone SG. Its not gonna last you, SGs are notoriously breakable and epiphones are never as good as the gibsons, but it sounds good for the price, and is easy as hell to play. In 2 years or so you could move up to something better.
oh and electrics will probably be easier on your fingers, cause the action is lower.
if you do decide on an electric, looking back i'd go with an epiphone SG. Its not gonna last you, SGs are notoriously breakable and epiphones are never as good as the gibsons, but it sounds good for the price, and is easy as hell to play. In 2 years or so you could move up to something better.
My picks:
Acoustic:
Seagull: link either the M or S series. They sound really good, but if you have small hands or fingers the wider neck will take some time adjusting
Carvin Cobalt link I haven't played these, as they're only sold mail order and in CA, but like the Seagull they are also handmade and use good materials. A lot of people say they are easy to play and sound great
Electric:
I would personally go with a Fender Standard Strat or Tele (made in Mexico). Around $300-350. Other good choices include Ibanez guitars (easy to play) or Epiphone (their versions of the Gibson Les Pauls). You'll also need extra for an amp and some effects, I would consider a 20-30W amp, Fender Champion, Peavey Classic, Vox Cambridge, or Marshall MG series between $200-300, and Boss effects pedals (usually between $50-100 each)
Acoustic:
Seagull: link either the M or S series. They sound really good, but if you have small hands or fingers the wider neck will take some time adjusting
Carvin Cobalt link I haven't played these, as they're only sold mail order and in CA, but like the Seagull they are also handmade and use good materials. A lot of people say they are easy to play and sound great
Electric:
I would personally go with a Fender Standard Strat or Tele (made in Mexico). Around $300-350. Other good choices include Ibanez guitars (easy to play) or Epiphone (their versions of the Gibson Les Pauls). You'll also need extra for an amp and some effects, I would consider a 20-30W amp, Fender Champion, Peavey Classic, Vox Cambridge, or Marshall MG series between $200-300, and Boss effects pedals (usually between $50-100 each)
i will follow in the steps and say start with acoustic. You'll learn more and won't start with the bad habits =). Also, learn to use a pick too. That's important. Couple of my friends didn't learn to use a pick properly and can't use one.
Couple monthsa go, i picked upa Fender acoustic and its sounds warm and nice. Also gotta take into account the guitar you buy might not sound the same when you play it in your room. The physics of the room are different. So don't be alarmed. I always thought my guitar sounded good but when i brought it over to my friends place, it sounded better =)
I've also play acoustic on a Gibson and Takamine and those are awesome. If i can remember the electric i played on, i'd say so. But i play mainly on acoustic .. so .. Gibson and Fender .. not many people talk about Takamines .. don't know why .. :shrugs:
Couple monthsa go, i picked upa Fender acoustic and its sounds warm and nice. Also gotta take into account the guitar you buy might not sound the same when you play it in your room. The physics of the room are different. So don't be alarmed. I always thought my guitar sounded good but when i brought it over to my friends place, it sounded better =)
I've also play acoustic on a Gibson and Takamine and those are awesome. If i can remember the electric i played on, i'd say so. But i play mainly on acoustic .. so .. Gibson and Fender .. not many people talk about Takamines .. don't know why .. :shrugs:
if i were you I'd definitely buy a cheap sub-100$ acoustic guitar to begin with since you don't even know whether you're gonna stick w/ it or not... a Johnson is a good brand to go with if you decide to get a cheap one... just my 2 cents...
Lithium381
Lifer
- May 12, 2001
- 12,452
- 2
- 0
Go acoustic for now....heh(i'm not the 80th person to say that) ..
i bought my first guitar about 9 months ago, fun experience......i was on a pretty bad budget(about 300)
I ended up with a Samick....not very well known, but i like it. Although i've played lots of nice guitars that are about $500.....which i kick myself for since i could have gotten one of THOSE, but i didn't have a job at that point.....bah, oh well. Play what you like, and then bring a friend who has been playing a while around with you, get some advice, and have fun! good luck!
i bought my first guitar about 9 months ago, fun experience......i was on a pretty bad budget(about 300)
I ended up with a Samick....not very well known, but i like it. Although i've played lots of nice guitars that are about $500.....which i kick myself for since i could have gotten one of THOSE, but i didn't have a job at that point.....bah, oh well. Play what you like, and then bring a friend who has been playing a while around with you, get some advice, and have fun! good luck!
Definitely start with an acoustic. It's the best to learn on - electric will seem like a cakewalk when you pick it up later. Also, start with fingerpicking so you know how to do that (try learning some classical music), but don't completely ignore learning to use the pick.
Girls also like a man who can play an acoustic guitar
The best thing you can do is go shopping for a guitar (at music stores, pawn shops, etc...) with a friend who knows how to play guitar WELL. He'll pick out the best acoustic guitar for the money.
As for electrics, keep in mind that you also have to buy an amp, which can be very pricey. For the actual guitar, I happened to find one the other day that shocked me: the new Mexican-made Fender Stratocaster.
Most lower-end strats aren't very good. However, the brand new Mexican strats are great! They play and sound great.
For the amp, a decent beginner's practice amp is the Peavey Rage (or Blazer) 158. It's the generic amp for all beginner guitarists. It does a clean (acoustic) sound or distortion (overdrive). It's a good one to start with, although you can't really use it for anything other than practice. You can find them on Ebay for pretty cheap. Make sure you search for "Peavey" and "Peavy" (everyone spells it wrong).
Girls also like a man who can play an acoustic guitar
The best thing you can do is go shopping for a guitar (at music stores, pawn shops, etc...) with a friend who knows how to play guitar WELL. He'll pick out the best acoustic guitar for the money.
As for electrics, keep in mind that you also have to buy an amp, which can be very pricey. For the actual guitar, I happened to find one the other day that shocked me: the new Mexican-made Fender Stratocaster.
Most lower-end strats aren't very good. However, the brand new Mexican strats are great! They play and sound great.
For the amp, a decent beginner's practice amp is the Peavey Rage (or Blazer) 158. It's the generic amp for all beginner guitarists. It does a clean (acoustic) sound or distortion (overdrive). It's a good one to start with, although you can't really use it for anything other than practice. You can find them on Ebay for pretty cheap. Make sure you search for "Peavey" and "Peavy" (everyone spells it wrong).
I gotta go against everyone here DON'T GET AN ACOUSTIC, NO WAY!!!
Just kidding, everyone's given you all the pointers you need. Get a cheap one to start. You might not like playing 2 months from now.
You need something to build up your strength, and something to learn some discipline on. An Acoustic will do this nicely! Someone said something about picking up 'dirty' habits, I couldnt agree more!
I bought my first cheap acoustic for $50 when I was 10. I bought my 2nd Guitar which was electric a year later(A cheap Kramer, all I could afford doing a paper route!), then my first Bass, and just kept trading in, and working my way up, until I was 18, (in 1991).
I then bought one of the first Mexican-Made '50's reissue strats. It was a great guitar for the money. I wheeled and dealed at the local music store and got it for $200. I still have my Mexican Jazz-Bass I bought in '94, I've beat the crap out of it, smashed on stage a few times, and just keep putting it back together! Not too bad for $225 (I don't know what they go for now). I wouldn't do that to my 'Cheap' Specter bass though!
Honestly someone else besides me could tell you what a new guitar goes for, I haven't shopped in 6 years. I found my babies ('73 Tele Deluxe, '71 Gibson Sonex-XR1 '95 Gibson Les-Paul Special w/REAL P-90's, and a '73 Les-Paul Deluxe w/PAF's added sometime) , and i'm perfectly happy with them, and would never dream of selling them!
Good Luck!
Just kidding, everyone's given you all the pointers you need. Get a cheap one to start. You might not like playing 2 months from now.
You need something to build up your strength, and something to learn some discipline on. An Acoustic will do this nicely! Someone said something about picking up 'dirty' habits, I couldnt agree more!
I bought my first cheap acoustic for $50 when I was 10. I bought my 2nd Guitar which was electric a year later(A cheap Kramer, all I could afford doing a paper route!), then my first Bass, and just kept trading in, and working my way up, until I was 18, (in 1991).
I then bought one of the first Mexican-Made '50's reissue strats. It was a great guitar for the money. I wheeled and dealed at the local music store and got it for $200. I still have my Mexican Jazz-Bass I bought in '94, I've beat the crap out of it, smashed on stage a few times, and just keep putting it back together! Not too bad for $225 (I don't know what they go for now). I wouldn't do that to my 'Cheap' Specter bass though!
Honestly someone else besides me could tell you what a new guitar goes for, I haven't shopped in 6 years. I found my babies ('73 Tele Deluxe, '71 Gibson Sonex-XR1 '95 Gibson Les-Paul Special w/REAL P-90's, and a '73 Les-Paul Deluxe w/PAF's added sometime) , and i'm perfectly happy with them, and would never dream of selling them!
Good Luck!
I started with a Fender Strat and I can attest to how difficult it is to play accoustic after learning on an electric.
Some other beginner advice in no particular order:
* Regardless of whether you choose electric or accoustic, resist the temptation to use thin picks. They might seem easier at first but in the long run you'll be better off learning with thick picks. The 1mm nylon or ceramic picks are nice and last a long time.
* Don't get an expensive guitar as your first. Regardless of whether you get a cheap used guitar or an expensive one, it's going to sound like crap when you start. I'm a strong believer in the idea that your a first guitar shouldn't cost more than $300. Once you decide you like playing and get better, then look at upgrading. But if you spend alot up front and later decide you don't like playing, you've wasted alot of money.
* Pay attention to the shape of back of the neck. Not all necks are the same. Make sure it feels comfortable in your hand.
* If you start with electric, resist the temptation to play with electronics and pedals. Just a guitar+amp at first. Learn how to play before you start playing with electronics. If you get used to using, say, a noise gate, you're going to develop noisy technique that you will be able to hear if you're ever caught playing without a noise gate.
* Practice both standing up and sitting. I know, it sounds silly. I made the big mistake of always playing while sitting when I was learning. Then when I tried to play standing up with some people, I sucked. Things that I could play sitting down, I couldn't play standing up because the guitar wasn't in the same position!
Some other beginner advice in no particular order:
* Regardless of whether you choose electric or accoustic, resist the temptation to use thin picks. They might seem easier at first but in the long run you'll be better off learning with thick picks. The 1mm nylon or ceramic picks are nice and last a long time.
* Don't get an expensive guitar as your first. Regardless of whether you get a cheap used guitar or an expensive one, it's going to sound like crap when you start. I'm a strong believer in the idea that your a first guitar shouldn't cost more than $300. Once you decide you like playing and get better, then look at upgrading. But if you spend alot up front and later decide you don't like playing, you've wasted alot of money.
* Pay attention to the shape of back of the neck. Not all necks are the same. Make sure it feels comfortable in your hand.
* If you start with electric, resist the temptation to play with electronics and pedals. Just a guitar+amp at first. Learn how to play before you start playing with electronics. If you get used to using, say, a noise gate, you're going to develop noisy technique that you will be able to hear if you're ever caught playing without a noise gate.
* Practice both standing up and sitting. I know, it sounds silly. I made the big mistake of always playing while sitting when I was learning. Then when I tried to play standing up with some people, I sucked. Things that I could play sitting down, I couldn't play standing up because the guitar wasn't in the same position!
Triumph
Lifer
- Oct 9, 1999
- 15,031
- 14
- 81
Screw acoustic, get an electric. I've been playing guitar for 7-8 years now, and I can tell you that it won't really matter which one you learn on, acoustic or electric, down the road. I learned on an electric, and I learned just fine. Also, a decent electric can be had for cheaper than a decent acoustic, although that's without factoring in the price of the amp. I've found cheap acoustics to be JUNK. The action is usually horrible, the intonation is off, crappy tuning pegs, rough frets... But still, I'm guessing your young, and you probably like the type of music that requires an electric guitar. So look around, there are a plethora of nice guitars in your price range.
Many people here talk about proper technique and whatnot. It's funny, the number of guitarists who actually play with proper technique is probably like 10%. Many many many successful/good guitarists play with bad habits. Altho it does depend on the style of music you want to play. Punk rock requires no technique, shred guitar requires perfect technique on both hands, etc.
Many people here talk about proper technique and whatnot. It's funny, the number of guitarists who actually play with proper technique is probably like 10%. Many many many successful/good guitarists play with bad habits. Altho it does depend on the style of music you want to play. Punk rock requires no technique, shred guitar requires perfect technique on both hands, etc.
Hahahaha, excellent advise!
I wasn't saying 'Proper' tecnique, just getting rid of some bad habits. All the more reason to get a cheaper guitar IMHO, you learn to make that guitar sound good, and you can make any guitar sound good! 99% of your tone comes from your playing, and 1% from the equipment involved.
Just my .00002¢
Damn. Been playing for like 6 months and using paper-thin picks. It's so hard to play fast with a thick pick.
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