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should I start with an acoustic or electric?

S

SleepWalkerX

Platinum Member
I'm thinking I should start with an acoustic first. I heard its very easy to learn how to play an electric guitar once you've learned how to play an acoustic guitar.

Also I kinda get the feeling that I want to start playing songs i know as soon as possible or i may get discouraged and that it'll be harder to correctly play songs on an electric guitar. I dunno, in the end I want to play the electric.

should I jump straight to electric or start learning with an acoustic?
 
Ultimately, whatever keeps you playing is better, but I would tend to recommend an acoustic to get you to focus on proper technique.
 
I'm going with Frog on this, it's good to know how to play with more than just three power cords.

Plus, you can still get your rock on with a acoustic. 😉
 
the transition from acoustic to electric is much easier, so I'd start with acoustic. It builds more finger strength and encourages proper technique
 
I started on an electric, but I wish I would have started on an acoustic. You will develop a lot better skills start out on acoustic first.
 
I don't think it matters that much really. I started on an acoustic and found it difficult to play at first since it required a lot more pressure on the strings to stop buzzing and had a high action as you got closer to the bridge. Going from that to electric was easy. But, you could learn on electric just fine and then move to acoustic, which might take some getting used to because again of the strings.

Whatever works for ya. I prefer electric because of the ability to switch between distorted and clean sound with the flip of a switch.
 
Cool, yeah I guess the general consensus here is to start at acoustic.

Right now I'm looking at musiciansfriend and is there really a wrong way to go? I assume I don't want to get a really cheap guitar. Its interesting to see that almost everything is like 50% off. Washburn, Epiphone, and Yamaha good? Or does it depend on the model?
 
Start with what you ultimately want to play. If you want to rock out on an electric guitar, that's what you want to master, so that's where you'll start. And Yamaha's suck, at least, from my experience 🙂.
 
I'm no guitar expert, but I'm wondering why people are saying you develop better technique and skills if you start on an acoustic first. If you follow proper form or instruction, does it matter what type you start out on?
 
Originally posted by: SleepWalkerX
Cool, yeah I guess the general consensus here is to start at acoustic.

Right now I'm looking at musiciansfriend and is there really a wrong way to go? I assume I don't want to get a really cheap guitar. Its interesting to see that almost everything is like 50% off. Washburn, Epiphone, and Yamaha good? Or does it depend on the model?
Click to expand...

Overall, I'd recommend Yamaha. I learned on a Yamaha acoustic, and currently own a Yamaha electric. Not sure I've ever played a bad one.
However, I don't know that I've ever heard an unkind word about the guitars from Rondo Music, and now I have a bass from them that cost $150, and plays just as well or better than a Charvel bass that I paid twice that amount for ten years ago.
 
Originally posted by: clamum
I'm no guitar expert, but I'm wondering why people are saying you develop better technique and skills if you start on an acoustic first. If you follow proper form or instruction, does it matter what type you start out on?
Click to expand...

I suppose not, but it's going to be more obvious if you're using bad technique on an acoustic.
 
Originally posted by: SleepWalkerX
I'm thinking I should start with an acoustic first. I heard its very easy to learn how to play an electric guitar once you've learned how to play an acoustic guitar.

Also I kinda get the feeling that I want to start playing songs i know as soon as possible or i may get discouraged and that it'll be harder to correctly play songs on an electric guitar. I dunno, in the end I want to play the electric.

should I jump straight to electric or start learning with an acoustic?
Click to expand...

i would say electric along with this guy that i work with. let me know if the link doesnt work, it should. long download i think.

playing an acoustic will hurt your fingers quickly if you are not used to playing at all. Given, it is easier to go from acoustic to electric, but it depends what you want to do/play. If you are into strumming and such, play accoustic.... nevertheless, if you want to learn more and do riffs/sweeps/finger tapping and all that rock stuff, play an electric. Either way, i would pick up an electric to learn on and go to acoustic once you get the easy stuff down. That way your fingers will allow you to play more than 15-30 minutes and such.
 
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Originally posted by: SleepWalkerX
Cool, yeah I guess the general consensus here is to start at acoustic.

Right now I'm looking at musiciansfriend and is there really a wrong way to go? I assume I don't want to get a really cheap guitar. Its interesting to see that almost everything is like 50% off. Washburn, Epiphone, and Yamaha good? Or does it depend on the model?
Click to expand...

Overall, I'd recommend Yamaha. I learned on a Yamaha acoustic, and currently own a Yamaha electric. Not sure I've ever played a bad one.
However, I don't know that I've ever heard an unkind word about the guitars from Rondo Music, and now I have a bass from them that cost $150, and plays just as well or better than a Charvel bass that I paid twice that amount for ten years ago.
Click to expand...

wow they seem very cheap. nothing to worry about though?
 
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Ultimately, whatever keeps you playing is better, but I would tend to recommend an acoustic to get you to focus on proper technique.
Click to expand...

I agree. 🙂

Electric and Acoustic are two different instruments played very differently.
 
Originally posted by: SleepWalkerX
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Originally posted by: SleepWalkerX
Cool, yeah I guess the general consensus here is to start at acoustic.

Right now I'm looking at musiciansfriend and is there really a wrong way to go? I assume I don't want to get a really cheap guitar. Its interesting to see that almost everything is like 50% off. Washburn, Epiphone, and Yamaha good? Or does it depend on the model?
Click to expand...

Overall, I'd recommend Yamaha. I learned on a Yamaha acoustic, and currently own a Yamaha electric. Not sure I've ever played a bad one.
However, I don't know that I've ever heard an unkind word about the guitars from Rondo Music, and now I have a bass from them that cost $150, and plays just as well or better than a Charvel bass that I paid twice that amount for ten years ago.
Click to expand...

wow they seem very cheap. nothing to worry about though?
Click to expand...

I bought from them based on recommendations I heard from others, and I'm quite satisfied with mine.
 
Originally posted by: DaShen
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Ultimately, whatever keeps you playing is better, but I would tend to recommend an acoustic to get you to focus on proper technique.
Click to expand...

I agree. 🙂

Electric and Acoustic are two different instruments played very differently.
Click to expand...

How are they played so differently?
 
I agree that you should go with whatever will keep you playing and practicing. If you don't have a clear preference, then probably acoustic. But electric isn't necessarily easier. Physically it may be easier on the fingers, but muting the strings becomes more important. Without decent right hand technique you'll sound like ass on an electric.

50% off sounds amazing on the surface, but keep in mind that everyday online prices of musical instruments are already about "30% off" in most cases (~70% of MSRP). And usually those doorbuster sales don't include the more desirable brands. There could be some good deals, I'm just saying don't automatically start buying based on MF's flashy (and frequent) sales.
 
My wifes friend gave me her Jasmine by Takamine. Is it a good one to start on? Ive also been using some online lessons to learn from. Its tough but I have to be willing to put the time in.
 
Originally posted by: new2AMD
My wifes friend gave me her Jasmine by Takamine. Is it a good one to start on? Ive also been using some online lessons to learn from. Its tough but I have to be willing to put the time in.
Click to expand...

Odds are that it should be a decent guitar to start on.
 
Originally posted by: new2AMD
My wifes friend gave me her Jasmine by Takamine. Is it a good one to start on? Ive also been using some online lessons to learn from. Its tough but I have to be willing to put the time in.
Click to expand...

Sure?

It's hard to say with us never hearing or seeing the guitar. I've played $300 guitars that played and sounded better than $1,000 guitars.
 
Definitely start with an acoustic. For me, it encourages you to practice since you can just grab the guitar and play whenever instead of dealing with an amp/cord/etc. Or get an acoustic/electric if you want to plug in now and again.

Musician's Friend is a good place to look, they have several very affordable basic acoustic guitars (and "starter packs") that get good reviews and won't discourage you with their crappiness like many cheap acoustics might. Don't worry about the price, look at the reviews on the site and at Harmony Central - even the Rogue RA-100D, which is only 80 bucks, is a decent guitar from what I've read.
 
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