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The reason I haven't tried playing guitar...

L

lancestorm

Platinum Member
I don't know what a properly tuned acoustic guitar sounds like. I'm worried that if I begin playing on one, then I will have to re-learn on a properly tuned guitar. I also don't want to be taken advantage of at a guitar store. These are the reasons I have never tried playing guitar...

So recommend me a couple popular beginner guitars in the under $250 price range. Lower is better, so that if I turn out to really love it, I can buy a much better one.
 
Originally posted by: pulse8
You don't have to know what a properly tuned guitar sounds like. That's why they sell tuners.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Don't worry, though, I would guess 75% of guitar players don't know what a properly tuned guitar sounds like, either.
 
You can pick up a tuner for $20 or so.

I recommend a Takamine or a Rogue from www.musiciansfriend.com if you're set on acoustic (although, depending on dealers around you, I picked up a Norman acoustic guitar for ~$250 and it plays and sounds as good as any guitar under $1000)

If you're just looking for a guitar, I'd recommend an Epiphone Les Paul beginners pack. It comes with an amp, cable, strap, picks, tuner .. basically everything you need.

 
Yar, but is it even possible to properly tune a cheap beginner guitar? And also, do you have some brands/models I should be looking at??
 
you will love it...but still stay under 300 for your first guitar. spending less than 150 can lead to annoyances and you not liking playing as much as you could (this happened to a friend of mine)
 
Originally posted by: pulse8
You don't have to know what a properly tuned guitar sounds like. That's why they sell tuners.
Click to expand...

very true. Besides, even if they are properly tuned - for electrics, anyway; I assume acoustics would act similarly - different guitars from different makers are going to sound a little different. Find one that sounds good to you, and have fun 🙂

Nate
 
Originally posted by: JDub02
You can pick up a tuner for $20 or so.

I recommend a Takamine or a Rogue from www.musiciansfriend.com if you're set on acoustic (although, depending on dealers around you, I picked up a Norman acoustic guitar for ~$250 and it plays and sounds as good as any guitar under $1000)

If you're just looking for a guitar, I'd recommend an Epiphone Les Paul beginners pack. It comes with an amp, cable, strap, picks, tuner .. basically everything you need.
Click to expand...

Very nice link.
but shouldn't I learn acoustic instead of electric?
 
Learn whatever you want, although, I found that the better I got with an acoustic, the easier it was to play the electric.
 
If you just want something to mess with, start with this

Rogue

It's a starter guitar. It'll play and sound fine, but it's not going to be a Taylor or Martin.

It's my understanding that Rogue is a generic type brand made for Musicians Friend by regular manufacturers. I've heard nothing but good about the quality.
 
Originally posted by: lancestorm
Originally posted by: JDub02
You can pick up a tuner for $20 or so.

I recommend a Takamine or a Rogue from www.musiciansfriend.com if you're set on acoustic (although, depending on dealers around you, I picked up a Norman acoustic guitar for ~$250 and it plays and sounds as good as any guitar under $1000)

If you're just looking for a guitar, I'd recommend an Epiphone Les Paul beginners pack. It comes with an amp, cable, strap, picks, tuner .. basically everything you need.
Click to expand...

Very nice link.
but shouldn't I learn acoustic instead of electric?
Click to expand...

Most people say to learn on an acoustic first b/c an acoustic is harder on your fingers, so you get used to it. I myself went from an electric (Fender Strat) to an acoustic last year (Takamine) and didn't notice a difference really, but I'd been playing for a few years. I miss my electric 🙁

And yes, you can tune even a cheapo guitar. You need to stop worrying about stuff you know nothing about 😛
 
If you do play acoustic, I recommend a Hohner HW640. I did a lot of research before purchashing mine for $150 from a going out of business sale and I haven't been disappointed one bit. You can find them around the internet for $220-$270.
 
Electrics are usually easier to learn proper fret techniques on, and are easier on your fingers, because of the lower action (rise between the strings and fretboard). But acoustics are nice because you get a nice sound without investing in an amp.
 
Ok, so I will stop being the worrier about all this stuff and do it. But someone has to convince me one way or the other as far as doing electric or accoustic first. I do plan to take some classes at some point, but will use videos and books to get started if that makes any difference. Also my fav type of music is things like Smashing Pumpkins, etc.
 
I've seen many say that starting out on an accoustic will make playing an electric seem that much easier.

I'd say start with what you think will be the most fun. You don't want to get discouraged because you don't like your instrument or anything like that.

Seriously, goto that website I posted. It has thousands of guitar lessons in it, a forum, articles, reviews...
 
Well, I like to play acoustic more because it's easier to have a good sound from just one person. It also makes girls swoon if you can play the acoustic well for them because it makes you seem sensitive. 😛
 
Originally posted by: lancestorm
Originally posted by: JDub02
You can pick up a tuner for $20 or so.

I recommend a Takamine or a Rogue from www.musiciansfriend.com if you're set on acoustic (although, depending on dealers around you, I picked up a Norman acoustic guitar for ~$250 and it plays and sounds as good as any guitar under $1000)

If you're just looking for a guitar, I'd recommend an Epiphone Les Paul beginners pack. It comes with an amp, cable, strap, picks, tuner .. basically everything you need.
Click to expand...

Very nice link.
but shouldn't I learn acoustic instead of electric?
Click to expand...



I'd actually recommend starting on an electric to get the basics. Much easier to play. Strings aren't as thick and there isn't nearly the tension or action. I could play an F on my electric way before I could barre on my acoustic. I go back and forth between the two depending on what sound I want.

BTW, I'm also a beginner. I've been taking lessons for 9-10 weeks. I've had my guitars laying around for a few years just messing with them, but I finally had the motivation to actually learn.

My acoustic is a Norman B20 and my electric is an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus through a little Marshall practice amp.

I plan on adding either an Epi AlleyKat or an Epi Sheraton II to the collection in the near future.
 
After a while of playing you should be able to come close to hearing if it is in tune or not. I have to look to see if I saved a document I wrote for a few people I was teaching guitar to... It helped them a lot when they began playing... I'll look to see if I can find it.
Meanwhiel I would suggest that you buy a tuner and check out http://www.tabit.net
I would say that the full version of tabit is well worth the small price, I will sit there some days and go over a song and play along with it then take away the guitar track and just play along with the drums and bass ect.... Also it is good for jotting down ideas for your own songs to hear what they might sound like.
 
Originally posted by: Kalmah
I've seen many say that starting out on an accoustic will make playing an electric seem that much easier.

I'd say start with what you think will be the most fun. You don't want to get discouraged because you don't like your instrument or anything like that.
Click to expand...
I agree. Staying motivated is more important than anything else. Pick a guitar that will allow you to play the style of music that made you want to pick up a guitar in the first place.
 
Originally posted by: lancestorm
Ok, so I will stop being the worrier about all this stuff and do it. But someone has to convince me one way or the other as far as doing electric or accoustic first. I do plan to take some classes at some point, but will use videos and books to get started if that makes any difference. Also my fav type of music is things like Smashing Pumpkins, etc.
Click to expand...

The pumpkins have some good stuff you can play on acoustic.. like Disarm.. but a lot of their big songs like Bullet with Butterfly Wings just aren't gonna have the same amount of balls if you don't use an electric guitar (I Know..). BTW the good news is many of the smashing pumpkins' songs aren't too difficult to play with the exception of solos.
 
Originally posted by: JDub02
If you just want something to mess with, start with this

Rogue

It's a starter guitar. It'll play and sound fine, but it's not going to be a Taylor or Martin.

It's my understanding that Rogue is a generic type brand made for Musicians Friend by regular manufacturers. I've heard nothing but good about the quality.
Click to expand...

Really? I've had my eye on a Rogue acoustic bass for some time, but didn't want to get shafted with one that would buzz like crazy all over the neck like my first cheap bass (I sold it many years ago).
 
Some people will recommend you learn on electric, and some will recommend acoustic. I recommend acoustic. That's what I started on. It will help you build up finger strength more quickly, and hopefully help you learn better form and technique--producing all the sound yourself rather than having FX to fill out your sound for you.
 
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