I want to take up guitar. Where do I go and what to buy?

cantdrv55 · 10-13-2016, 11:00 PM

Please advise where to buy and what. I don't want to go cheap and get something that's difficult to tune but I also don't want to spend $$ unecessarily either. Also, please recommend a diy beginner's course. I've been on Justin Guitar website. Dude makes learning to play look easy. Is he legit or not?

Thanks!

ledhedsymbols · 10-14-2016, 01:38 AM

I've been taking lessons for about a year now. It's been money well spent in my opinion.

For online lessons, I like this website.
https://guitarlessons365.com

I have used Justin Guitar for a few things, and I thought he was a pretty good teacher too.

Gear depends on what you want to play. I bought an acoustic to start and make sure I was going to stick with it at first. After a few months struggling on my own, I asked around for a good teacher. It's been nice to have structure, and it has helped keep me accountable and stay on track.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

I've picked it up again. I like apple's GarageBand for its tuner and chord training. Nothing beats a real human, but my life isn't structured enough at this time to be able to keep appointments.

HardDrive · 10-14-2016, 02:58 AM

For an acoustic, I would recommend a Yamaha FG700S. Very popular entry level guitar. You'll be able to play it for a long time before your skills (and ear) will dictate getting a more expensive one. About $199 anywhere. Solid spruce top. You can get the more colorful FG720 for about $80 more.

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-FG700S-Acoustic-Guitar-Natural/dp/B000FIZISQ

T77911S · 10-14-2016, 03:10 AM

if you want an acoustic, takamine makes good entry level guitars. spend 4-600. get a nice solid spruce top. Yamaha made good entry level guitar but I have not looked at any in a long time. acoustics are good for building strength...and calluses.
electrics are a lot more forgiving as far as what you buy since they are easier to play off the rack and easier to set up. then you need an amp.

what I played at home was a line6 POD pedal board. I ran it thru a small Yamaha mixer. then I ran my computer into the mixer and played with headphones.
I used an audio program off of Roxio CD creator that I could loop sections of songs.
back in the day it was dragging a needle across a record and hoping to hit the right spot.
the pod is about 400, mixer was about 140. I never liked the clean sound from the POD but it was convenient. also does not bother anyone in the house.

livi · 10-14-2016, 03:29 AM

Looking forward to your first Youtube clip a la Docfluffer!

OK-944 · 10-14-2016, 04:17 AM

As a longtime player of a Martin 12...I'd recently wanted to upgrade my 6 string to a Martin also - but was blown away by the sound and playing qualities of guitars made by Eastman, priced at less than half (sometimes much less than half) that of the Martin "equivalents."

And so...as someone who "does not want to go cheap," I strongly suggest that you take a look at the Eastman line of acoustic guitars. While my Eastman E-20D (rosewood/ebony/adirondack spruce) set me back about twelve hundred bucks four years ago...they have great models starting at about half that - and I'm sure that you won't be disappointed!

tevake · 04:51 AM

I've been at it for a couple of months now myself.
Have a neighbor that has been teaching for most of his life.
He is very generous with his time, and we are both enjoying the process

We both play acoustic guitars that we searched out on Craig's list. It took quite a while and checking out many, to find the guitars we wanted.
He had been playing electric only for some time.

Mine is a nice steel string G75 Yamaha from the early 70s, cost me $175 including new strings and nice newer case.
His is VERY nice niylon string Takamine with great tone, also from the 70s, he found a good deal on a quality, pristine, well made instrument with original case for $360.
Really the spacing of the of the fretboard of the nylon string makes for a bit easier time getting clean chords. I'm a bit green about his Takamine, just didn't want to spend too much at first.

Things to look for in a guitar are condition, good action, and good tone or sound.
Lower cost instruments are usually made with laminated wood for the body, which doesn't seem to have the sound quality of good solid tone wood bodies of more expensive guitars.

It's a slow process getting those clumsy fingers of the left hand to do as you tell them.
I'm working on five or six chords at this time. It's making the changes in a timely manner thats taking a lot of practice.
just got introduced to bar chords, whoa quite the challenge there.

I'm enjoying the experence, just a little frustrated with how slowly it's going. My teacher is encouraging me, saying it takes a while and plenty of practice to get the coordination and limberness going in the hands.
90% perspiration, 10% inspiration is the current mantra.

Cheers Richard

don gilbert · don gilbert's Garage

Go to your local pawn stores and play them until you find one that is pleasing to your ear and touch. I have found many a gem in the Memphis shops. Be careful though, could end up like this.

tevake · 10-14-2016, 08:01 AM

WOW don Gilbert, going by your guitar picture and your sig line, Bro you really do get into things you love!
Good on ya!

Need to see some pics of that 75 targa.

Cheers Richard

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

I have always liked the DVD's put out by Fred Sokolow. I know there are a lot of free lessons on Youtube but Fred's stuff will have you playing in no time. If you pick up the "Frequently bought together" package on Amazon you'll have a very good lesson in the basics....
https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Blues-Guitar-Fred-Sokolow/dp/B0009GV9J6

As far as guitars go, you can't go wrong with a Seagull S6 for dreadnaught or go with a 00 which is smaller for a couch guitar.
https://www.amazon.com/Seagull-S6-Original-Acoustic-Guitar/dp/B000RW0GT6
https://www.amazon.com/Epiphone-Parlor-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar/dp/B009WU5SV0

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-14-2016, 08:48 AM

It's pretty hard to go wrong these days. Even $200 guitars are pretty damned good. We're living in something of a golden age of guitar quality.

scottmandue · 10-14-2016, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don gilbert

Go to your local pawn stores and play them until you find one that is pleasing to your ear and touch. I have found many a gem in the Memphis

I have found some nice stuff in pawn shops... although around here the selection and prices have gone sour (prices are up, quality is down).

I have good luck with craigslist... a lot of people start and lose interest then sell off their guitar for cheap... kinda like exercise equipment.
There are some good deals out there.

T77911S · 10-14-2016, 09:38 AM

stick with a name and a guitar shop unless you have someone that plays that can go with you to play one. I have shopped the pawns but I know what I am looking at and know (new) the prices.
you get something with hi action that cant be set up and you are screwed.
also have the intonation checked before you buy, you need a tuner for that.
like I said, takamine is a great entry level. taylor is a great step up but you are looking at 1500+.
as an ex-front of house sound engineer, taylor was ALWAYS a great guitar plugged in. never had to EQ one. we use to have this guy come in and play that had a washburn, I HATED that guitar.
we also had a guy that played an expensive Gibson, never could compare to the taylor plugged in.

berettafan · 10-14-2016, 09:45 AM

I am NOT qualified to give any guitar advice but I thought i'd mention the free app 'yousician'

my son (a guitar student) uses it from time to time. impressive.

scottmandue · 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S

stick with a name and a guitar shop unless you have someone that plays that can go with you to play one. I have shopped the pawns but I know what I am looking at and know (new) the prices.
you get something with hi action that cant be set up and you are screwed.
also have the intonation checked before you buy, you need a tuner for that.
like I said, takamine is a great entry level. taylor is a great step up but you are looking at 1500+.
as an ex-front of house sound engineer, taylor was ALWAYS a great guitar plugged in. never had to EQ one. we use to have this guy come in and play that had a washburn, I HATED that guitar.
we also had a guy that played an expensive Gibson, never could compare to the taylor plugged in.

I know some guys that play Taylor guitars and they sound really, really, really, nice.

I have an old Epiphone acoustic made in Korea (don't be afraid of Korean or Mexican guitars they make some good stuff) It played okay but sounded great, I took it in for a setup and now it is much easier to play.

I am a rank amateur but have been goofing around with guitars for +20 years so I know a good guitar when I play it... I have less experienced friends ask me to go guitar shopping with them. If you know someone knowledgeable about guitars that will go shopping with you I would highly recommend it.

cantdrv55 · 10-14-2016, 05:15 PM

This place never ceases to amaze. Thanks for all the input, guys!

Don Ro · 10-15-2016, 03:09 AM

I have a new (registered) Martin HD-28V that I purchased ($2,654) to see if I could overcome the effects of my stroke - lost my "quick-twitch" muscles in my hands.
No deal...I'll never play again so I'm going to sell it.
Martin's best case, several packs of new strings, two tuning forks, a Shubb capos, an electronic KORG GT-1 tuner, Martin's polishing cloth, humidifier, etc.
Anyone interested? I'll fetch a Martin guitar shipping box...
PM if so.
.
Serial # 1579xxx - Registered with Martin & Co.
.
https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/marquis-collection/hd-28v/

tevake · 10-15-2016, 04:51 AM

Damn sorry to hear that Don.
It's hard adjusting to the loss of the ability to do the things that have brought pleasure into your life. Can you still Sing? That may be a way to keep some muisic happening?

I'm still looking for something I can do to fill the stoke that surfing and especially windsurfing used to bring me.

I'm hoping if I ever get thru this beginner stage with guitar that it may bring me some joy.
What is that radio station from Prescott that you mentioned earlier that you enjoy so much?

Cheers Richard

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

The width of the nut is an important consideration. Especially if you have fat clumsy fingers like me. I have a Martin N-20 from 1971. Been playing for about 3.5 years. Practice makes better, far from perfect at this point. But I do enjoy the sound, and there is pleasure to be found in improvement. I found fretboard exercises help a lot in the beginning.