what do you guys think of the musicman luke? i was looking to buy myself a graduation present after playing classical for many years prior and it felt like fucking honey, so i ended up instantly buying it for a shitload. i've always felt bad though i didn't really look at any other guitars in that price range, and i guess i'm worried about not getting good value.
also, where do you learn all the little things about gear? just from playing on them? for example, when people discuss what x guitar on x amp with x pickup setup etc etc will sound like i'm just totally lost. do you have good websites or guides to start learning?
Oh and listen to lots and lots of music...just immerse yourself in your favorite guitar music, it beats reading and learning from a book.
I agree, listening to lots of music is key, but this only holds true so much. Try learning anything about jazz without reading anything, it's fucking hard.
what do you guys think of the musicman luke? i was looking to buy myself a graduation present after playing classical for many years prior and it felt like fucking honey, so i ended up instantly buying it for a shitload. i've always felt bad though i didn't really look at any other guitars in that price range, and i guess i'm worried about not getting good value.
also, where do you learn all the little things about gear? just from playing on them? for example, when people discuss what x guitar on x amp with x pickup setup etc etc will sound like i'm just totally lost. do you have good websites or guides to start learning?
Oh and listen to lots and lots of music...just immerse yourself in your favorite guitar music, it beats reading and learning from a book.
I agree, listening to lots of music is key, but this only holds true so much. Try learning anything about jazz without reading anything, it's fucking hard.
Listening is always more important. Even jazz can be figured out by ear if you are really dedicated (plenty of people have done it). Not saying it's easy, but many of the greatest guitars who ever lived supposedly never read a instruction book or took lessons (some claim they never even learned scales)
That said, sitting down and reading books (or taking lessons) is a way to speed up the process, if you are a normal human being. Just remember that its possible to learn music without extensive book study, but not without extensive musical exposure.
Nice guide. My sister has an old classical guitar, maybe I should learn to play it. One question though, what exactly is the difference between classical and acoustic? Does the classical have to be played like in the video posted by Kentor or can you play it in other ways?
haha what convenience! my guitar arrived today (esp ltd viper 400) it's used cuz it got discontinued 2 months ago T_T i already have an amp from a previous beginner pack.. but im thinking of the roland microcube
On June 10 2009 10:05 Siefu wrote: Nice guide. My sister has an old classical guitar, maybe I should learn to play it. One question though, what exactly is the difference between classical and acoustic? Does the classical have to be played like in the video posted by Kentor or can you play it in other ways?
You pretty much have to play classical guitar that way. The size of the neck, among other things, is designed in such a way that the guitar becomes difficult to play unless you hold it properly.
Classical guitar has nylon strings which are very soft and are meant to be picked by fingernails. If you try to strum a song on classical guitar, it'll song really dull and dead compared to steel string acoustics.
Acoustic guitar is better for popular music, or more modern music. In my opinion, its a better "casual" instrument. classical guitar will bring you back to that violin/piano/etc. mindset
i think that to master acoustic guitar takes the same amount of time as electric guitar, maybe more. acoustic guitar isnt all about strumming simple chords,
sorry if you werent implying that, but thats the message i got
maybe I wasn't completely clear. I meant that many people want to see results when they start learning something like guitar. With acoustic guitar, you'll see at least some kind of "results" as soon as you master open chords, which can take as little as 1-2 months. With electric guitar, the same open chords won't get you nearly as far, you need to learn a lot more before you'll sound decent.
On June 10 2009 10:05 Siefu wrote: Nice guide. My sister has an old classical guitar, maybe I should learn to play it. One question though, what exactly is the difference between classical and acoustic? Does the classical have to be played like in the video posted by Kentor or can you play it in other ways?
it's pretty much meant to be played that way, but sure you can play it the steel string way although it's "bad posture"
No offense but your description of acoustic guitar sounds like it's coming from someone who plays electric or just learned basic stuff with acoustic. There are many really difficult and really sexy techniques that you didn't mention.
On June 10 2009 11:35 ShaperofDreams wrote: No offense but your description of acoustic guitar sounds like it's coming from someone who plays electric or just learned basic stuff with acoustic. There are many really difficult and really sexy techniques that you didn't mention.
You're right, I only mentioned very basic things about acoustic guitar. On the other hand, I also only mentioned very basic things about electric guitar. I don't see why it's bad that I omitted "difficult" acoustic guitar techniques in a beginner's guide.
If you want a guide for acoustic stuff like harp/artificial harmonics, tremelo picking, slap techniques, spanish tap guitar, and etc., then you probably shouldn't be looking in this forum.
On June 10 2009 10:36 JohnColtrane wrote: i think that to master acoustic guitar takes the same amount of time as electric guitar, maybe more. acoustic guitar isnt all about strumming simple chords, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn1d5DmdMqY
sorry if you werent implying that, but thats the message i got
what do you guys think of the musicman luke? i was looking to buy myself a graduation present after playing classical for many years prior and it felt like fucking honey, so i ended up instantly buying it for a shitload. i've always felt bad though i didn't really look at any other guitars in that price range, and i guess i'm worried about not getting good value.
Musicman make great quality guitars. As you said, the neck on those guitars are absolutely amazing, sooo comfy. If I remember correctly the Luke has EMG pickups, so they are active pickup (more gain with less noise, powered with batteries), which are supposed to be quite versatile. Some say that those pickups have a cold sound being active, but imo they are really good (I don't want to start a debate on active vs passive pickups PLZ). And dont worry about not getting a good value, you made a great choice (no I'm not jealous at all :o )
Any tips for what to watch out for when buying used gear? I don't enjoy dealing with shop rats shoving their shitty overpriced wares on me, so I'm just browsing for people selling squiers/epiphones/mexico strats and there's a ton in the 150-200 dollar range (canadian). Seem like good deals but I was wondering what are some common defects and stuff.
By the way, great guide. My buddy who plays approves.
edit: do you mind if I pm you with links to used guitars I'm considering buying? :p
EPT
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Playing along with the entire Continuum album is quite fun.
