Looking for some help with guitars... - Saxperience

Audrey_D · 3rd August 2009, 11:28

Hey guys,

Righteo, im looking at learning to play the guitar.

I've been looking on ebay and came across a few cheapish ones but i presume these will have a pretty poor sound.

I think my 'first guitar' will probably dictate if i keep at it or not so im thinking im better spending the extra bit of money and getting a half decent one to do me at first.

Any advice on what make/sites/books to get/use would be greatly appreciated

I'm a complete noob so i dont have a clue

Audrey x

ps should also add it'll be an acoustic

Alanapone^p · 3rd August 2009, 11:35

Just get a cheap one, that way if you don't like it you havent wasted a lot of money. my old guitarist had a cheap on from ebay i think it was only about 70/80 quid, It was a blue electro-acoustic, i can't remember the make though. We played loads of gig's with it and it sounded great. Most acoustics will sound good with a good set of strings on so get your guitar, play it fro a bit and ignor the sound of it until you can play it, Then get some better strings, then maybe a better guitar.

Good luck

Audrey_D · 3rd August 2009, 11:40

Im not talking about spending hundreds on a guitar. There's some good deals on a yamaha f310 but i suppose anything i play is going to sound sh!t at first...

Scott^p · 3rd August 2009, 12:02

head into guitar guitar or you rlocal guitar shop and have a chat with the guys that work there. They are usually sound and will give you good advice

AlexN · 3rd August 2009, 20:25

plenty of tab sites on the net you can use for music, also take it slow when you start practice makes perfect haha

Craig_B · 3rd August 2009, 22:36

loads of guitars out there.

my first guitar was shit. but built up to newer ones and better ones.

carnt go wrong with a strat. squire one to start of with.

gd16 · 4th August 2009, 00:14

Used to be a Sound Control in Dunfermline - not sure if its still there. Likewise there's a guitar place in Perth i think.

Best bet is to go in, and basically say what you have above - that you're thinking of learning, and what is the best things to look out for.

Cheap-ish guitar, half decent strings, and spend the savings on a few guitar lessons

Audrey_D · 4th August 2009, 09:27

Well once i've learnt the basics i'll get my other half to help me out. Amazing guitar player. Just wanted to learn the beginner bits without him knowing

Think im swaying more towards an electric guitar now as the advice i got was that it might be easier to play for a complete noob (smaller body, string distance etc)

Scott^p · 4th August 2009, 09:53

i would say start on acoustic, its harder granted but will build up better finger strength and tougher skin

then add electric

Audrey_D · 4th August 2009, 11:47

Thats what i initially thought but if its more difficult i may get bored quick if im finding it difficult...hmm...

Scott^p · 4th August 2009, 12:22

Well you can practise with your acoustic anywhere, whereas with an electric you have to have the amp, lead and amp with you and a power source...

pinin_prestatyn · 4th August 2009, 12:36

Hi Audrey, I've Just started lessons and I'm on my third week now. I play about half an hour every night. The first week was very frustrating and your fingers HURT, but stick with it, once you learn the open Chords and can strum along to a few songs, you start to really enjoy it!
I bought the guitar in 2007 along with a starter pack, but without weekly tuition or a fiend to play along with, like many things it just lay there in my cupboard whilst I "got round to it" A mate started lessons so I tag along with her now, I'd really recommend lessons if like me you find it hard to get motivated. This is the pack I started with

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-New-Acou...d=p3286.c0.m14

My tutor and the local guitar shop both said my guitar sounds really nice for the money, and I love the colour! You get a box with it that has a full set of spare strings, Two books, a DVD and accompanying Guide, plectrum and a tool to fit new strings. That link is for second hand but I think it's great for the money.

Good luck!

Matt (Aka Slash yeah right)

HaZz · 10th August 2009, 20:49

Go for an acoustic

I have been playing guitar for about 4 years now and have gone through many guitars and amps to get to what i use now, The problem with electric is the cheap ones are usually crap, there are some real nice budget guitars though! but then you have a problem with an amp... for example if you spend £100 on an electric guitar and then £100 on the amp you will be left with 2 VERY basic and not very good sounding equipment! however if you spend £200 on an acoustic you will get a MUCH better sound and feel of playing guitar! Acoustic can be hard at times! but for when your learning just playing simple chords you will get a MUCH better sound out of playing one

Audrey_D · 11th August 2009, 14:58

Ok, decided on acoustic!

If i get the hang of it i can ask for an electric for birthday/christmas

There's a yamaha f310 in argos - it has pretty good reviews on alot of sites and apparently good for beginners. Not bad at £100

HaZz · 11th August 2009, 16:53

Don't get one from argos or anywhere like that... yeah they are cheap but they come straight from a factory and put in a box if you get one from a guitar shop your more likely to get one which has been set up

which will make it sound and feel 10x better.

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/81980

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/fender-cd-100/69407

or if you can push to this one:

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/g220s-ns/69037

Takemine do VERY nice acoustics

Audrey_D · 11th August 2009, 17:27

The yamaha has really good reviews on the guitar sites for a beginner guitar - didnt think it'd matter where i got it from though...hmm!

I shall defo look at the links when i get home, just heading out of work

Danr · 11th August 2009, 17:47

I had a yamaha electric for my first guitar and it was pretty good. Better than what squire had to offer anyway.

If your other half is amazing on guitar why not speak to him and see if you can go in together on a decent acoustic. I play an ovation. Love it to bits. Was £450 but i'll probably use it for years to come.

Lew_C · 11th August 2009, 18:13

for all my tab/music i use www.ultimate-guitar.com

Matty_VTR · 11th August 2009, 19:20

I would recommend Tanglewood for a cheap acoustic guitar, and they are really good.. Just recently bought a good electro acoustic one (mini jumbo model), and is fantastic. Been playing guitar for 9 years now, and had all sorts of guitars, and this is by far my favorite one.

Also when you decide to get an electric I would go for a Squire to begin with as they actually really good and I still play about on my Squire Strat loads. But I would recommend buying a slightly more expensive model and getting a Humbucker on it (twin pickup at the neck) as the single coil ones on squires are terrible.