Beginner Guitars?

bbiggs
Posts: 6,965
I have two New Year Resolutions for 2019. One is to learn to play guitar at a basic level. So, I need a guitar to get started. Any suggestions out there? Acoustic or electric? A certain make/ model (moderately priced)?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Thanks in advance for any help!
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my first acoustic was a washburn d-1. solid guitar. i like it better than my martin.I'll ride the wave where it takes me......0
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Thanks man! I’ll look it up.0
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electrics are easier to play. whatever you do, don’t buy one of those Target, etc. Epiphone guitar/amp combos for $149.95If I had known then what I know now...
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^ No, no. I won’t. I’m not looking to break the bank, but I want something decent that will hold up. Good advice though.0
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go to the nearest guitar store in the chi town area and talk to the sales people. pick up each guitar and buy what feels right to you.I'll ride the wave where it takes me......0
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mcgruff10 said:my first acoustic was a washburn d-1. solid guitar. i like it better than my martin."A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory0
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If I were starting over again, I would have bought a used Mexican Fender Stratocaster, a cheap multi-effects pedal with a rhythm feature and headphone out and a used Fender Pro Jr. or Blues Jr. amp.
The guitar should be around $300.00, the amp between $250-$400 and a processor from Digitech, Vox or Zoom should be under $100.00.
The guitar and amp should be able to be sold for what you paid if you don't like them. If you stick with it, they can be modified to sound incredibly good if you want to go further.
Practing with a rhythm source will help immensely once you begin playing with other people and the processor will give you access to a lot of effects types and combinations for very little cost.
If you decide to buy an acoustic, I'd look into used Martin, Taylor and Breedlove guitars from their lower lines. Should be in the $400-$700 range. Again, you should be able to recoup all, or at least most of what you spent if you decide to move on.
Talk to a few shops, play lots of guitars and be sure to tell the salespeople that you're just starting out. You will undoubtedly encounter some that want to sell you a bunch of stuff you don't want or need. Don't deal with them. Ideally, you will find a shop that you can develop a relationship with. This will help you find better deals on gear down the road, as well as get you acquainted with the other musicians in the area, should you decide to play with anyone else.
Most of all, have fun and don't let yourself get bogged down by the multitude of options for gear, the competitive nature of some other musicians or of slow progress. You'll get to where you want to be if you put the time in.
Good luck!If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV0 -
Taylor GS Mini acoustic
They are cheap, have full size fret boards, sound good, but are smaller than full size so easy to handle and play on your couch. For the price range, it will sound better then any beginner Fender in that price range. And unlike a cheap beginner, you will still be playing it years down the road. The tuners are very good. Slap some Elixer nanoweb strings on it, spend a few minute stretching them, get them it tune and you are good for months.
Plus, if you do end up wanting to sell it at some point, the Taylor name will hold value.
I don't recommend starting off with an electric. To many options and settings that will likely frustrate you. You can take an acoustic anywhere and it will sound great. Electric limits you to one spot in your house and it's unlikely you will get the sound you are hoping for.Be Excellent To Each OtherParty On, Dudes!0 -
I have a mini Martin. It cost £350 a few years back and holds value well.
this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -0 -
I agree with Jason P, go acoustic. Not only that, but start by learning the chords, not notes. Learning scales is a waste of a beginner's time and 90% of people who start that way never actually learn to play a full song.
I would go with an entry level Fender acoustic. They fret easily, they sound great, and they are a true entry level price. Later, when you upgrade, that Fender will be the best "beater" guitar you could hope to find...I will say too, for low-priced guitars, I've played three Corts that were really comfortable to play, though not amazing sounding.
Honestly, the best starter guitar might just be the ukulele lol
Super easy to fret and nearly anything you do is a proper chord, there is almost no dissonance to be found in the instrument. The only problem with starting on uke is you might not ever move "up" to guitar at all!Monkey Driven, Call this Living?0 -
lastexitlondon said:I have a mini Martin. It cost £350 a few years back and holds value well.I'll ride the wave where it takes me......0
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Agree with learning chords first. You get instant gratification and focusing on five basic chords such as A major, E major, C major, D major, and G major will build up hand and finger strength as well as muscle memory and these chords are found in a large majority of popular songs.Be Excellent To Each OtherParty On, Dudes!0
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Yeah if you learn those five chords then you can play a heck of a lot of songs.I'll ride the wave where it takes me......0
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Acoustic....chords first is great advice.Be sure that the action is easy as you move up the neck.No, this is not about how you feel when you look at pictures of Mitch Trubisky....this is how much effort is required to easily hold the strings down close to the body of the guitar. An acoustic with shitty action will scare away many first time guitar playing folks.Also try to see if there is a buzz when you move up.Tip for once you get the guitar -- do not store in a super dry area or in direct sunlight.The love he receives is the love that is saved0
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F Me In The Brain said:Acoustic....chords first is great advice.Be sure that the action is easy as you move up the neck.No, this is not about how you feel when you look at pictures of Mitch Trubisky....this is how much effort is required to easily hold the strings down close to the body of the guitar. An acoustic with shitty action will scare away many first time guitar playing folks.Also try to see if there is a buzz when you move up.Tip for once you get the guitar -- do not store in a super dry area or in direct sunlight.0
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I remember the magical "holy shit" moment when taught to play my first chord and a guitar transformed from a box of wood and strings into a musical instrument that I could control.Be Excellent To Each OtherParty On, Dudes!0
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Jason P said:I remember the magical "holy shit" moment when taught to play my first chord and a guitar transformed from a box of wood and strings into a musical instrument that I could control.0
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Other small things that help starting off:
Snark tuner. They are $15 and make tuning strings simple. I'm sure there are apps, but this is a keep it simple, stupid tuner. Check to make sure your guitar is in tune every time you play. It's understated how a good tuned guitar will help motivate you to play early on
String winder: Under $10 and make changing strings 100x easier
Guitar stand: Under $20 and the accessible guitar is the guitar that gets played the most. Put that thing within arms reach of where ever your butt tends to land when you are at home.
Good strings: Elixer, Elixer, Elixer, Elixer, Elixer. Did I mention that Elixer makes good strings?
In regards to fret action, this too is uber important when choosing your first (and future) guitars. Watch some youtube videos to understand. If you bring this up to a salesperson that will help them distinguish you from a customer that wants to actually play and someone they can unload a cheap starter pack on that will go on to collect dust.
Last bit of advice: Trust no ones advice at Guitar Center.Be Excellent To Each OtherParty On, Dudes!0 -
Also, learn by reading guitar tablature (otherwise generally known as "tabs"). Google your favorite artist / song and tabs. They make logical sense if you don't have a background in music theory.Be Excellent To Each OtherParty On, Dudes!0
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