I want a guitar

[iplagolf]

I'm 57 years old and always wanted to play the guitar. When I was 13 my folks bought me a Stella, but wouldn't pay for lessons. Had a friend who played base and tried to help me. Didn't work out. After a year or so my mom gave the guitar to a relative and I never saw it again. I've known my wife for over 30 years. Just found out she was an award winning flute player in high school. You think you know someone? I bought her a flute today. She's going to play and teach me too. This is where you can insert flute jokes. Doesn't have a damn thing to do with this, just thought I'd throw it in. I played trumpet for years. In the 60's it wasn't cool, guitars were. Well, there was Chicago. Anyway, I have a little bit of a music background. Question, what guitar should I buy to learn on? I saw an Epiphone C40 on CL for $70. Korean made, plastic strings, looks ok, is there something better that I'll want to keep when I become famous? Thanks

[redstrosekNic]

If you want electric, a Fender Squire Strat is a great guitar. Acoustic, I'm sure the Epiphone you found would be fine. Go to a music store and try out a variety of guitars to fine the feel you like. If you learn to play on a really crappy guitar with high action, you'll be able to physically play anything. I learned on a POS Esteban acoustic guitar when I was in High School. When I eventually got my Squire, then my Fender Strat, they were a dream to play.

[iplagolf]

I think I want a acoustic first. I've been told to look for a guitar that has the strings close to the neck and frets, easier to play? Any help here would be great. Thanks, Fritz

[911dean]

I think you should first figure out if you want an acoustic or an electric guitar.

If you want an electric, Epiphone makes a decent inexpensive guitar and can be improved upon. You will also need an amp. I scored a really nice silver face fender champ on craigslist. It's a small tube amp.

I'm 46 and been taking lessons for about 4 months now. Luckily I had an Epiphone dot I purchased back in the late 90s I never played.

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by iplagolf

I think I want a acoustic first. I've been told to look for a guitar that has the strings close to the neck and frets, easier to play? Any help here would be great. Thanks, Fritz

Yeah, the strings close to the neck provides an easier playing experience, but can create buzzing problems if you start playing aggressively. Like I said in my previous post, if you learn on a guitar that is difficult to play i.e high action, you'll be able to play anything. Your fingers will hurt, but that will only last for a couple days if you keep playing. I can go weeks without playing and my fingers aren't in pain when I play again. Once you build up the calluses, you'll be fine.

[RWebb]

my guitar wants to kill your mama

[VaSteve]

The $70 guitar you describe sounds like a classical guitar. If so, it would have a really wide neck. If you're looking to play rock and such, get a steel stringed guitar. My first acoustic was a Yamaha, I paid $200 at a pawn shop. It was probably not a $200 guitar but what did I know. There's a lot of good stuff people are dumping on CL all the time. Yes, lower action (strings) will make it easier. Easily adjusted by a shop.

We have a chain around here called Music and Arts Center. They have a lot of student instruments that are very inexpensive. Maybe you have something like that near you?

[iplagolf]

Red and VaSteve, called a bud of mine in Tampa he said the same thing, thanks for the come backs. RW, mom died a year and a half ago at 92 years old, don't really know what you're talking about, do you??? Some times I wonder why I even post on the web. Lots of good folks, then a stinker...Did I miss something???

[iplagolf]

"my guitar wants to kill your mama" Are you ****ing insane??? You know what, I don't care if I EVER post or lurk here again. Where in the hell does that come from??? What does it even mean??? I see you have over 34,000 posts, do you even have a life??? I'm here for my car, lots of good minds here. I like the off topic site, ditto on the good minds, but "my guitar wants to kill your mama?" Back away from the pipe man...If this is some kind of joke I don't get, shame on me, but if not...**** you!!!

[RWebb]

you are apparently not familiar with contemporary American composers

try cutting those pills in half next time

[iplagolf]

I still don't have a clue as to what the hell you're talking about. If you're tongue in cheek let's put it green...Like I said, if it's a joke on me...

[Don Ro]

Well, we know that your skin is thin...what about your fingers?...are they fat - as in big? If so, you'll probably want a wider than normal neck at the top.
Good luck.

[iplagolf]

Don...I don't have thin skin...Do you know what this guy was talking about? I'm a college educated guy, doesn't mean I know everything. Just posted here to get info on a guitar...I think I'm going to delete internet sites like I did satellite TV. Too much for too little.

[RWebb]

it is the title of a song by Frank Zappa

[AFC-911]

Watch and learn. My guitar wants to kill your mama played by 3 guitar icons.

ERIC JOHNSON, STEVE VAI & JOE SATRIANI - My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama G3 - YouTube

[Rick V]

Dude,

[Les Paul]

Get a good used Fender Strat. Americans will be higher but Mexican or Japanese are just fine. Or get a Les Paul whatever. All pretty decent. Or whatever really trips your trigger visually. That way when you decide you don't have the time or patience you buy a nice wall hanger for your den and hang it up on the wall. When friends come by you can tell them you were an old rocker back in the day.

[AFC-911]

Les Pauls are heavy compared to an Ibanez RG or an S series. It is so much more noticeable after I broke my collarbone.

[Les Paul]

Not like he will be playing a three hr gig on the stage. He just needs a cool prop unless he gets serious then he can get an SG.

[Aragorn]

I would suggest that you try a few guitars in a pawn shop or your local music store. I wouldn't suggest you buy new just yet. A nice used guitar like a Schenker or even a Squire can be had for under $100.00 used. Play a few and see which feel comfortable in your hands. If you are not comfortable playing it in the store, you probably won't practice on it at home.

Save your cash for when you start to get better. Then move up and get better equipment.