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Re: What kind of guitar should I buy???

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Posted by Daddy Long Fingers (from: ) on August 12, 2002 at 11:54:34:

In Reply to: What kind of guitar should I buy??? posted by Lainee on July 28, 2002 at 20:25:50:

I think you are being steered in the right direction. It may be tempting to buy an inexpensive electric, around $200, but cheap electric guitars have been made cheap by cutting cost on setup and materials. Poorly setup electrics are impossible to play. If you pass that hurdle and DO learn, it is probably going to sound like crap because of the cheap pickups. Keep in mind, you'll also need a resonable amp and cable...$100 bare minimum. Thus you've spent $300 on stuff it is not practical to take out and gig when you do learn to play. In short, even if you bought an electric, you'll need to buy another.

The thing is, $300 will by an excellent acoustic, Shoot, $200 will by a good one, used or new. The real key for someone who does not yet play is to visit all the music stores in your area and talk to people. Get a feel for who is really honest. You'll find that these stores will have very inexpensive asian made guitars, maybe even $150, which they have properly setup anticipating you will RETURN to buy that shiny electric. These acoustic won't sound the best but they will play...that is the most important feature of an entry guitar.

One more trick that I have had great success with students is to restring new acoustics with super light electric strings. This eliminates buying a nylon string guitar. The tension is really low and makes learning to play an encouraging experience. It won't sound the best, but it is better than using a guitar as a dust collector. As your fingers stretch and strengthen, return to the proper guage. When you do return to an electric with those light strings, you'll find you'll be smokin' fast!

One final thing, don't focus on brand, focus on first playability and second sound. Don't fall in love with the purty guitar either. You're looking for something solid and reliable. Brand is important when looking at resale value, but a $200 guitar will not have great resale or trade in value anyway.

Adrian

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: I think you are being steered in the right direction. It may be tempting to buy an inexpensive electric, around $200, but cheap electric guitars have been made cheap by cutting cost on setup and materials. Poorly setup electrics are impossible to play. If you pass that hurdle and DO learn, it is probably going to sound like crap because of the cheap pickups. Keep in mind, you'll also need a resonable amp and cable...$100 bare minimum. Thus you've spent $300 on stuff it is not practical to take out and gig when you do learn to play. In short, even if you bought an electric, you'll need to buy another. : The thing is, $300 will by an excellent acoustic, Shoot, $200 will by a good one, used or new. The real key for someone who does not yet play is to visit all the music stores in your area and talk to people. Get a feel for who is really honest. You'll find that these stores will have very inexpensive asian made guitars, maybe even $150, which they have properly setup anticipating you will RETURN to buy that shiny electric. These acoustic won't sound the best but they will play...that is the most important feature of an entry guitar. : One more trick that I have had great success with students is to restring new acoustics with super light electric strings. This eliminates buying a nylon string guitar. The tension is really low and makes learning to play an encouraging experience. It won't sound the best, but it is better than using a guitar as a dust collector. As your fingers stretch and strengthen, return to the proper guage. When you do return to an electric with those light strings, you'll find you'll be smokin' fast! : One final thing, don't focus on brand, focus on first playability and second sound. Don't fall in love with the purty guitar either. You're looking for something solid and reliable. Brand is important when looking at resale value, but a $200 guitar will not have great resale or trade in value anyway. : Adrian

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