Complete newb wanting to play!!

Brett · #1 February 22nd, 2004

Hey!

Last year at about September or so, i saw my friends play their guitars, and I wanted to play them, i was reasearching for a while about what to buy. I sort of forgot about playing until this weekend, i saw my friend play again and now i'm inspired to play. I 'm just afraid its too hard, I dont want to buy a guitar ( i want to play electric) and an amp to just to not play it. But I did have fun just strumming my friends lil bro's Ibanez acoustic he got for his bday.

I've been reading here and I've learned some of the basics, cant really pick up well on the chords and actually playing the guitar, since i havent played one much.

I saw a Squier Affinity for 150 and a fender amp for like 70 off on music123.com. I could arrange to buy these soon ( turning 16 tomorrow hehe, so a job is nigh) Or would you reccomend buying one from a pawn shop, i might stop by my local music store and see what they have.

So are these good choices for a COMPLETE newb like myself. I'm not going to go all hardcore and join a band, i just want to play some music with friends etc.

What other things should i pick up with the guitar and an amp? And where should i start once i get a guitar? Some people online said to just play around with the guitar for a week or two, let some callice build up on my fingers. Then seek lessons. Hows this sound? And whats some beginners tips that will help me?

And how hard is it to learn all the finger positions and stuff?
Sorry for my newness, I hope you guys welcome me with open arms, and any help is greatly appreciated, thanks for your time guys!

Kirk Lorange · #2 February 23rd, 2004

Hey Brett.

Your enthusiasm is your strongest asset for your upcoming foray into the world of guitar twanging, so keep it bubbling away.

Starting out on an electric is probably the hardest, because not only are you learning the workings of music, getting your hands coordinated but you've also got to get a good sound. Electrics and their amplifiers do not automatically sound good, you've got to work on it a bit. Acoustics are easier to start on.

As for learning how to play, I agree, experimenting on your own is the best way to begin. Get it into your brain how it is tuned, how one string takes over from the next; how to get a clean sounding note by fingering the string close to the fret wire, etc. ...

If you can find someone to teach you the basics, do. There's no better way to learn than to watch and listen to someone who can play, up close.

No it's not hard, it's not easy ... it just is. Some of us find it as natural as taking a stroll, others find it's like pulling teeth. I reckon your enthusiasm for it puts you in the first batch.

Go for it!

Brett · #3 February 23rd, 2004

Alright! Thanks, so what are some nice beginners acoustics for under 150$ ( if there are any worthwhile)

Kirk Lorange · #4 February 23rd, 2004

Sorry Brett, can't help you there. I don't really keep up with brand names or that kind of thing, but there are many, many companies making very good quality guitars these days. Shop around a bit, try a few out.

Brett · #5 February 23rd, 2004

Ok thanks anyway!

joeski · #6 February 25th, 2004

Hi Brett,

I too, recently got the urge to learn guitar. I did a bunch of research then purchased a Washburn D-100B acoustic guitar which I love. I won my guitar off eBay and got a great deal but I recently saw D-100's on sale at www.musiciansfriend.com for a $100 brand new. It's beautiful and the sound is awesome! Spruce top, mohagany sides and back, rosewood fretboard and bridge. I love to play this guitar, even though I have no clue what I'm doing

I practice a few chords (G-D-Em-C) over and over and try putting them together then add a new chord after a few days of practice. It's getting easier each day.
When I saw your request for an acoustic guitar under $150 I though I'd share my experience with my D-100 and where you can get one if you wish. The Washburn D10S I'm told is an even better choice if you can spring for $199. Enjoy learning, regardless of which guitar you choose.

Kirk Lorange · #7 February 25th, 2004

Thanks for that input joeski. Strangely enough, I was reading a whole rave about Washburn D-100 at another forum today. Whoever it was had the same good things to say as you.

Brett · #8 February 25th, 2004

Yeah, thanks for the input joeski, but yesterday I bought a Rogue RA-100 Dreadnought acoustic for about 50$(before I saw this post), it's new, looks good and definatly a price for my tastes, I also got a Warner Bros. video on guitar basics for about 10$

I am eagerly awaiting its arrival!

dev · #9 December 19th, 2004

hey all,
im dev, and im from india, its just kinda weird to know how u guys gettin an acoustic for like $100.. I worked it out and a brand new acoustic out here costs like $35!! (nice quality). I got a nice electric with 2 single and 1 double pickups for like 4000 rupees.. (around $85) and amp for around 20$.. You guys should really come out here and buy your stuff... lol. anyway i've been learnin the guitar since i was in 6th grade.(around 6 years now) but unfortunately, the idiot who taught me, did so at the progress of a complete retard! I still don't know how to read notes. And im stuck on the barre chords! Nevertheless im still a lead vocalist for a band, but the guitar still intrigues me most. I melt with the solos and all! Again, there are not many good techers out here/ i dont have much time due to my boards! so i figured it'd be awesome to learn over the net, any advices anyone?? Please HELP! SOS.
regards
dev

imjustspecial321 · #10 December 21st, 2005

Hey wassup? I just wanted to add my two cents. If you don't mind starting on acoustic (which I suggest) do what I did. Go 2 www.musiciansfriend.com and then look up rogue dreadnought (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...ue+Dreadnought) and look at some of the selections i got the top one (i just started) and it's working great. Acoustic is a great way to start out, so if you don't like it, you didnt drop 2000 dollars to start playing.

allthumbs · #11 December 22nd, 2005

Yikes 50 bucks. Keep in mind you get what you pay for. You may find there will be durability problems down the road. Still at that price, you can move up later without taking a big hit.

missileman · #12 December 22nd, 2005

My only fear is if the quality is too low that it will be a hard to play guitar, which for someone just starting out is not what you want.
I am not saying that model is bad but I certainly would like to try before I buy.
Spending more for a better and easier to handle model would have resell value so you still wouldn't be out alot if you quit.

Alfcarguy · #13 January 11th, 2006

Hey Bret you don't live that far from ME

Allthumbs My first guitar was a $50 acoustic that I bought off my brother's friend and I must say it was the best acoustic that I had ever bought. But I had paid like 2-3 hundred one time for and electric acoustic and though it was a nice guitar but I really didn't care for it to much. But these day's I play a $80-$100 acoustic that I still need to get the pictures up so people can look. But the same $80-$100 acoustic I bought at the music store I found the same acoustic in a pawned shop and only paid $65 and the sound of it was alot better than the one I paid in the music store, though I think it was just the strings they had on it gave it more of a crisper sound. But I don't know if you remember those dixon electrics, but thats what I learned on they were crap guitars for beginners. I wouldn't give up on that guitar it was my favorite, even though I had a Washburn seating on the side. I never played that much I was stuck on my dixon. I believe the sound wasn't that great either. But to me it didn't matter what kind of guitar I had I'd play anything. It really didn't hinder me. Until I pick up my buddies electric one day and his action was sooooooo high I don't know how he played guitar

and we played in a band together. But I look at guitars like cars. You see those people with there junkie $100 car they bought ( thats ME

) than you see those other people with there $80,000 Vipers. The sad thing about it is I can build a faster a better car than the viper for alot cheaper with my $100 car. That theory goes with guitars, like cars you can add better things, for the guitar to make them better. But better doesn't mean your going to play any better.
When I was in high school there was the rich kid with his Corvette and his $100,000 house he lived in with his parents. I knew the guy alittle bit I didn't hang with him, we talked here and there. He tried to give me rides home but I didn't take. I was living in a rent house that probably needed to be torn down, LOL. We were totally different class of people. But he ended up building him a guitar for like $1500-$1600 and then I had my $100 dixon guitar and we ended up playing the talent show at school one year and the response by the audience told it all, so to me it really doesn't matter how much you spend on a guitar, its how to play it.

RockaBilly · #14 January 18th, 2006

There's an online store that's based in new jersey that's got some good stuff at a good price. With a little research like google or harmony central you'll get a great deal at a good price. I am one of their satisfied customer and I'm a proud owner of an agile al3000 prestige les paul type guitar ($369). They are guaranteed for a year and the owners are not going to ignore you at all. My guitar is korean made and sometimes there some minor flaws like my nut was slightly offset where my bottom string would mute at around 12th+ fret. I could've sent it back easily but I had an extra nut that came with it and I installed and regulated it. After I installed a GFS hot nashville pup in the bridge my friend with his $1000 gibson sg are peed off that my guitar played better.

www.rondomusic.com

Have a browse around and look at all the gorgeous guitars.

Jean · #15 January 18th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett

Alright! Thanks, so what are some nice beginners acoustics for under 150$ ( if there are any worthwhile)

Welcome to the forum Brett!
I would probably suggest a Karina C-6 if you have them in your country

anyway I started on one like this, its a nylon guitar, but I put steel strings on it for a better sound, this guitar is really great for a beginner even if it is a "noname" brand, (start with some nylon strings) and just learn the basics on it... Ultimate Garage Band will know more than I do, just send him a private message!

Goodluck with your playing!