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guitar buying help
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dronebabo
10866 Posts
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blabber
United States4448 Posts
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Divinek
Canada4045 Posts
you dont really need any specifics, it's all personal preference | ||
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dronebabo
10866 Posts
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skyeyesattelite
Canada56 Posts
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ltiy
107 Posts
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Shattered
United States267 Posts
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Fumi
529 Posts
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prototype.
Canada4202 Posts
On April 29 2010 08:34 dronebabo wrote: what do you recommend i get? i heard starters are cheaper and i don't really hear a difference when i start anyway so it's better to get one? i'm willing to spend a lot tbh prob 2k easily. i'd like to play post-rock style music or even pop...not metal or of the sorts Any guitar over 1k is most likely a good guitar. If you can't hear the difference, I suggest just buying from well known manufacturers such as ibanez, esp, fender, blahblahblah... Personally, I prefer ibanez guitars because of their thin necks. Makes it a lot easier for me to play. | ||
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dyren
United States260 Posts
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roronoe
Canada1527 Posts
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Archaic
United States4024 Posts
And I encourage you to try them out! Don't just pick one. Try them all out, play as many as you can get your hands on. Then pick the one you like. | ||
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benjammin
United States2728 Posts
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AyeH
United States534 Posts
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ZoW
United States3983 Posts
As for an actual guitar, Gibson Les Paul should fit to your liking. Might even score bonus points for you since its the one yui uses  | ||
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Atom Cannister
Germany380 Posts
I recommend as the previous posters state that you should buy a cheap one and then see if guitar interests you so that you don't waste a HUGE amount of money. Then when eventually you decide to buy an expensive guitar you should most certainly go to a guitar shop and see how each style of guitar feels and perhaps later buy online if it's cheaper. I play a strat and can't stand Les Paul's just because they don't feel right... Anyway, gl and hf in learning and don't give up! | ||
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JohnColtrane
Australia4813 Posts
or guy an electric + a nylon string :D you can get a cheap takamine for a few hundred dollars and they are pretty solid (acoustic) | ||
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benjammin
United States2728 Posts
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Try
United States1293 Posts
OK, now for the actual guitar DO NOT LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TELLING YOU TO GET ESP/IBANEZ/SCHECTER, these are all metal based guitars. What you probably are looking for is a 22 fret guitar, and I would highly recommend getting an AMERICAN Fender Stratocaster (the 1k kind, not the 500 dollar mexican one), or a Gibson Les Paul Studio (a cheaper version of the Standard Les Paul, which is over 2k). If you are going the cheap route, I recommend getting a Epiphone Les Paul (made in Korea) or just get a Mexican Stratocaster and do some modifications. Remember: Always spend more on your amplifier and effects than you spend on the actual guitar. Edit: Repost your OP into a guitar site like Ultimate-guitar or something, you'll get ALOT better advice there. | ||
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Try
United States1293 Posts
On April 29 2010 08:46 Archaic wrote: Paul Reed Smith makes some beautiful guitars. Top of the line quality, for a very reasonable price (Generally 2-3k). However, I'd suggest you to spend half on the amplifier, and half on the guitar. After all, with electrics, amplifier is half of the sound. And I encourage you to try them out! Don't just pick one. Try them all out, play as many as you can get your hands on. Then pick the one you like. PRS guitars are extremely overpriced. And all of the 10-tops are over 3k$. Your "try them out advice" doesn't work cause dronebabo has never played guitar, so how would he be able to tell between the sound of high end guitars? | ||
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NuKedUFirst
Canada3139 Posts
Edit: 100th | ||
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condoriano
United States826 Posts
esp m401 | ||
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Ilikestarcraft
Korea (South)17727 Posts
I understand how you're feeling right now. There's like hundreds of different brands and hundreds of different opinions everywhere and how they seem to contradict each other at times. Its overwhelming. You start to notice some patterns though. | ||
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ella_guru
Canada1741 Posts
You can get a guitar for your beginniner-intermediate needs for 300-450 dollars. I reccomend a strat knock off. But really, get something that you think looks cool, and feels like its going to your hands. Check to see if any notes buzz, and the 'action' isnt too high. There is absolutely no need for a high end instrument to start with. | ||
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ZoW
United States3983 Posts
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Aukai
United States1183 Posts
By a cheap 100 dollar guitar and a small watt amp, learn to play guitar. If you're still interested a few months/ a year down the road, by then you will know -If you want to play with other people (Upgrade to a half stack or something) -Learned enough songs/listen to enough music to figure out what type of sound you want ( You can now buy a higher end guitar because you better understand what sound/tone you truly want) | ||
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HazMat
United States17077 Posts
Once you get your guitar, make sure not to get sucked into tabs! And, make sure you're always alternate picking so you don't get used to only down-strokes. | ||
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prOxi.swAMi
Australia3091 Posts
I personally much prefer playing my acoustic and I think they're better for learning. | ||
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dronebabo
10866 Posts
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Try
United States1293 Posts
On April 29 2010 09:45 prOxi.swAMi wrote: Just out of curiosity, why electric? I personally much prefer playing my acoustic and I think they're better for learning. Maybe he likes the distorted tones? You should play whichever one you like better. If you don't like the music you are playing, then you aren't going to practice. | ||
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benjammin
United States2728 Posts
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-Valvetronix-VT15-15W-1x8-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=483551 has some built-in dsp effects you can play around with and a line out for headphones if you don't want people to hear you plonking away at the beginning. i'd also recommend the epiphone valve junior, which is just a straight up low wattage amp but is a really killer sounding little thing for really cheap. fun to mod too. and yes, get a tuner! | ||
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Try
United States1293 Posts
On April 29 2010 09:46 dronebabo wrote: thanks for the advice everyone so the majority seem to think i should get a cheaper guitar to start out with and this makes sense to me i'm still not sure on the amp/effects processor part. is it ok for me to get just an amp or just an effects processor? i've heard that it's a good idea to get an effects processor and use headphones until i get better. i also think i need to buy a tuner? do effects processors have one built in? Well, amps are only necessary if you are preforming. Multieffects processors are complicated to work with if you want to make your own tones, but they usually also have preset tones. I would recommend the VOX Tonelab LE as a great effects processor for the type of music you want to play. Later, when you get an amp, you can plug in your Effects processor to get the same effects for performance. Some effects processors have tuners built in, but you can get a good tuner for 30$, so its not a big deal. Most important is to get a good teacher. Learning through youtube videos and online lessons might sound fine, but its no match for having a good teacher sit across from you and point out your mistakes. Try to find a reputable place that gives lessons, since there are plenty of shitty guitar teachers out there. GLHF and rock on! | ||
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benjammin
United States2728 Posts
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Shauni
4077 Posts
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zulu_nation8
China26351 Posts
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Infundibulum
United States2552 Posts
The All Purpose Guide 1. Go to a large store like Guitar Center or Sam Ash. 2. Spend some time just picking up the guitars there and playing them. Try different brands, plug them in, play - who cares if you aren't good. Try expensive ones. Try cheap ones. Try acoustics and electrics too. All brands and models feel different. Find the one or two that feel most comfortable to grip, to hold, and to play. Then find the cheapest one within your budget. 3. Write down the name of this brand/model and read some reviews online. 4. Go to your local, family run music shop and talk to them. Buy the guitar you are looking for at a good price and support local business. Local shops are a GREAT resource for repair as well. ***NOTE1 : Do not overspend on your first guitar. If you drop 2 g's on a gibson, and then 1 year later you don't like playing anymore, you will regret spending that money - you will not make all of it back when you try to re-sell the axe. ***NOTE 2: There is nothing wrong with buying used guitars. You can get a nicer guitar for a great price this way! | ||
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Infundibulum
United States2552 Posts
On May 02 2010 09:23 zulu_nation8 wrote: I'm looking to buy a Squier for my first guitar and was wondering if anyone has any tips. Also what are some cheap/good amp or headphone models? Thanks for help good cheap headphones - check out radioshack. I had a pair of panasonics that i really liked. Generally expect to pay around 30 bucks for the kind. you can also get the headphone jack adapters at radioshack. amp models - go shop around. The Roland Cube is an awesome cheap starter amp. i think they still make them. play different brands of amps though and see what sound you like best; all amps sound different. Brands I recommend are Roland, Fender, Vox, and Marshall. Don't buy a Line6. | ||
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madnessman
United States1581 Posts
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Coagulation
United States9633 Posts
but i also have a very neoclassical shred / melodic speed metal playing style The kind of music you listen to.. you would probably wanna go with either a fender or a gibson as said earlier.. DO NOT Spend a shitload of money on your FIRST guitar. I cant fucking believe people are suggesting this is a good idea. you need to learn how to play guitar and learn what sounds/style you like and what sounds /style you dont. Then when you are comfortable playing go spend some time trying out different guitars and shop around. you can buy a cheap fender or epiphone for about 200-300 that will be just fine for learning. also line 6spiders 15-25 watt entry level amps are good solid amps for like 100-150$ you get good features and decent tone compared to any other amp brand at that price range. HOWEVER i would never recommend anyone spend anything over 200$ on a line6 because there relative performance greatly deteriorates at higher price points. and also make sure to remember that your amp is only as good as your guitar and your guitar is only as good as your amp. make sure you can lay down about the same amount of cash on an amp as you spent on the guitar cause both are equally important | ||
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vlaric
United States412 Posts
For amplifiers, I recommend a Roland Cube (http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Roland-Cube-15X-Guitar-Amp?sku=487030&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=37162677). It has pretty good sound for a starter amp, unlike many others. You may also want to get a Fender Frontman 25R (http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-25R-Frontman-Series-II-Guitar-Combo?sku=480669#used). I personally started out with this amplifier around six years ago and you'll be able to get some mild overdrive and average clean tones out of it, which should fit your pop/post-rock style purposes well. For post-rock you'll definitely need an effects processor, however I would just get started with learning the basics of the instrument before you begin to delve into effects and more complicated things. | ||
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Radical
United States481 Posts
To the OP: Since you're just starting, you don't want to spend too much, because if you decide you don't like playing guitar in a couple months, you don't want to be down like a thousand dollars. So you'd think that would mean that you should go to Guitar Center and buy a Squier and a shitty solid state 8" combo amp. But it can actually be a better idea to spend more money on USED gear, because you'll end up with better gear, and if you know what you're doing, you can sell it later for pretty much the same price that you bought it for. The problem is that you don't know what you're doing, and until you've been playing for a while and actually know what you're looking for in a guitar (this will probably take a while), then the best you can do is go to a guitar shop, play some guitars, and buy the cheapest one that you can find, that you also like the feel and sound of. Same goes for an amp. If you limit yourself to like $500 for the amp and guitar combined, that will leave you $1500 to spend later when you actually know what kind of gear you're looking for. And $1500 can be quite a bit on the used market. I should add that you should do a search on Harmony Central. This question gets asked like 50 times per day over there. I should also add that if you do decide to buy a Squier new and not used, do yourself a huge favor and just get a Japanese or Mexican Strat used on ebay. They're far, far superior to American Squiers, and they're consequently worth far more if you want to turn around and sell it. Also to the guy who suggested you go to a "real" guitar site like Ultimate Guitar....Don't go to Ultimate Guitar. It's full of 13 year olds who are searching for the latest Linkin Park tab and don't really care about guitar or music in general. | ||
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madnessman
United States1581 Posts
On May 03 2010 14:26 Radical wrote: It seems that like 85% of the people who've posted in this thread either have no idea what they're talking about, or just don't play guitar. PRS makes top of the line guitars for $2-3k? ESP is "metal-based" (what the fuck does that even mean)? It's recommended that you learn on acoustic? You only need an amp if you're going to play live? What the fuck? If you don't know what you're talking about then don't post in this thread. To the OP: Since you're just starting, you don't want to spend too much, because if you decide you don't like playing guitar in a couple months, you don't want to be down like a thousand dollars. So you'd think that would mean that you should go to Guitar Center and buy a Squier and a shitty solid state 8" combo amp. But it can actually be a better idea to spend more money on USED gear, because you'll end up with better gear, and if you know what you're doing, you can sell it later for pretty much the same price that you bought it for. The problem is that you don't know what you're doing, and until you've been playing for a while and actually know what you're looking for in a guitar (this will probably take a while), then the best you can do is go to a guitar shop, play some guitars, and buy the cheapest one that you can find, that you also like the feel and sound of. Same goes for an amp. If you limit yourself to like $500 for the amp and guitar combined, that will leave you $1500 to spend later when you actually know what kind of gear you're looking for. And $1500 can be quite a bit on the used market. I should add that you should do a search on Harmony Central. This question gets asked like 50 times per day over there. I should also add that if you do decide to buy a Squier new and not used, do yourself a huge favor and just get a Japanese or Mexican Strat used on ebay. They're far, far superior to American Squiers, and they're consequently worth far more if you want to turn around and sell it. Also to the guy who suggested you go to a "real" guitar site like Ultimate Guitar....Don't go to Ultimate Guitar. It's full of 13 year olds who are searching for the latest Linkin Park tab and don't really care about guitar or music in general. Sound advice... Ultimate Guitar has been corrupted. It used to actually have a good pretty cool community but now it's full of preteens looking for tabs. Like the top two tabs are both Hey Soul Sister. wtf... Stairway to Heaven was the #1 tab ever since the site started... AND BABY ACOUSTIC-JUSTIN BEIBER IS HIGHER THAN WONDERWALL NOW! yeah... The site Musiciansfriend is usually one of the cheapest and they have a promo going on right now. | ||
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Powerpill
United States1692 Posts
Here is a review and pics of the nearly impossible to find blue transparent model (which I luckily grabbed off ebay brand new for 500$ a few years ago). I think cherry burst and amber are the only colors you can get now, but they all play the same. http://www.heartofaworshipper.com/Fender Telecaster Custom FMT HH Review.htm | ||
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Tal
United Kingdom1015 Posts
I would suggest spending around £400 (600-800 dollars? Not sure) to start with, and getting a friend to make sure it is all set up properly. The main disadvantage of starting with electric instead of acoustic is that you will find it considerably harder to play acoustic guitars, which tend to be what everyone has round their house/at a party. | ||
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