Thread: Guitar help ---AND ITS NOT GUITAR HERO THIS TIME

So as the title below my name says, I like to know a little bit about everything. Well I've learned very little over the years about a lot of stuff, but no music. So I've decided I'd like to learn to play the guitar! Since I dont know If I'd like it enough to stick with it, I've decided to set my budget for 100-150 bucks. I know this is chump change when it comes to guitars, but I really cant afford to spend a whole lot of money if this isnt going to be something I will stick with..

So my question is! can I even get a decent beginners guitar for that much? Tomorrow I plan on going to a place called GeorgesMusic(only place I know of near me), I've checked their website and this looks like the best deal I can find. http://www.georgesmusic.com/productDetails.cfm?id=51

Yay? Nay? Maybay?

Thanks fella's.

well, i play both bass and guitar. i like fender better but its like a yoyo, its all in the eyes of the beholder. but fender is more expensive. but you can never go wrong with fender! epiphone aint to bad.

this one is 200 but the sound is good. i know this because my dad was like you. so for his birthday i bought him this. i play it more than he does because i dont have an acoustic. Yamaha isnt bad wither now that i think about it

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ack?sku=510705

theres the link

grant
btw that package is a good one. youll need extra strings and maybe a capo too.

I wouldn't get a new guitar, if I were you. Used ones are much cheaper and just as good.

Just shop around for a bit of the used ones, and see what they have in stock. Personally, I'd just get a used guitar, a stand, maybe a gig bad, picks, and possibly a tuner. Although tuning by ear is a good thing to know.

I got a great guitar early this year for $90.

Yep, if that's your budget get a used one and (if it needs it) have it setup at a guitar shop with proper gauge strings and setup.

Check LOCAL classifieds in your area, especially free online classifieds. You'll be amazed what pops up below $200, especially for acoustics.

If you can, I'd try to find one with a solid top (not laminate), that will make a big differece in sound. Yamaha and Washburn are very common used brands in this range that are good.

i personally don't like fender that much. i like deans, but they are out of ur price range.
u can find like beginner packages with an electric guitar like a fender strat or some other brand with the same shape with and an amp for ur price range.
my first guitar was a $100 yamaha acoustic. so yeah
Epiphone= afforable Gibson. Gibson's are expensive like they start around $1000

i say go to the music store and play different guitars for a few hours and find something that feels nice in ur hands and that looks good to u.

my dad plays also and he likes fenders, but i like deans its all a matter of preference.
(i like the raised bridge that u will find on gibson and some dean guitars. i don't like the bridge on the fenders)

Oh, don't forget to practice your "metal face". It is essential to learning guitar.

Originally Posted by Kaz

So as the title below my name says, I like to know a little bit about everything. Well I've learned very little over the years about a lot of stuff, but no music. So I've decided I'd like to learn to play the guitar! Since I dont know If I'd like it enough to stick with it, I've decided to set my budget for 100-150 bucks. I know this is chump change when it comes to guitars, but I really cant afford to spend a whole lot of money if this isnt going to be something I will stick with..

So my question is! can I even get a decent beginners guitar for that much? Tomorrow I plan on going to a place called GeorgesMusic(only place I know of near me), I've checked their website and this looks like the best deal I can find. http://www.georgesmusic.com/productDetails.cfm?id=51

Yay? Nay? Maybay?

Thanks fella's.

My son is learning to play the guitar, so I picked the brain of a friend of mine who is a musician (guitarist and has been for about 30 years), and he recommend this. I got this for him for Christmas, it is a nice starter pack and comes with everything that you could need to get started. It's an Epiphone, which is a Gibson brand and at $ 199.99 you won't be spending to much if you decide it isn't for you. If you don't what to order online, you can get this exact player pack at Guitar Center (if you have one near you).

http://www.music123.com/Epiphone-SG-...50173.Music123

Originally Posted by [<<KJ>>]

i say go to the music store and play different guitars for a few hours and find something that feels nice in ur hands

Like others have said, go and play some used ones.Find one thats feels good to you and is set up (or get it set up).If it doesnt feel good to you, or isnt set up, it will be a big turn off while learning.Once you get it you will play it no matter how it feels or sounds.Later when the initial "I just got a new guitar" feeling goes away itll be much much harder to keep playing if you dont like something about your instrument.

My first guitar was an American Peavey Predator. When I received it the action was very high and the intonation was terrible.I played with it for about a week then quit.About two months went by and my brother who also plays guitar came over and set it up for me. It felt like a totally different guitar.I couldnt put it down and have played ever since.
If it feels good you will want to play it more.If it doesnt feel good, what incentive do you have of picking it up and playing?
Just play some and you will more than likely find a guitar that feels good when you play it (you WILL be able to tell the difference), and is in your price range.

/ends late night rambling

Ahh thanks everyone! King D I really like the looks of that, I really didnt think I'd be able to get an electric guitar with my budget, but that could work! I also like the Idea of used, but since I really dont know much at all about guitars, I felt like my chances of getting ripped off were high.

I probably should have done this before christmas, prolly missed some nice sales.

If this works out expect to see quite a few nice yoyo's for sale in hopes of upgrades ;)

Thanks again everyone!

Definitely go used if you can, as others have said. I also think you were right to go acoustic, since you won't have to worry about buying an amp or any other electrical equipment, and also because if you don't want to play in a band or get serious about playing, an acoustic is more fun to just pick up and accompany yourself with or just play some basic chords. Don't worry about brand if you just want something to pick up and mess around with a bit. Just go to a store and find all the guitars in your price range and start trying guitars out. They will be happy to let you try them if you tell them you are thinking of buying one. Find one that you like that is cheap, and get it. Then learn some basic chords, and if you can sing it helps. You'd be surprised how much playing and singing really basic songs can impress non-musicians, and it doesn't sound like you are interested in becoming a serious musician. If you are, this isn't really good advice, but for what it sounds like you want, this is what I would do.

Oh, also, thin picks are easier to use. You probably won't play enough to develop a preference for thicker picks, so I'd just go with the thin, unless you try different gauges at the store and like a thicker one better.

What type of music inspires you most?

I like 60-70's rock, stuff thats pretty 'clean/clear' and catchy sounding.
Although youtube has really turned me onto video game music :P

I didnt go to the shop today, Ive got a big wood floor job the week after next so I decided to wait until then when I'll have some more money. Also gives me some more time to do some more research online.

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Kaz

I like 60-70's rock, stuff thats pretty 'clean/clear' and catchy sounding.
Although youtube has really turned me onto video game music :P

Then you should probably look into an electric starter pack. Many new players find it a little more inspiring when they can almost get the same tone as well as playing the right notes. When they can sound like what they are learning, the drive to learn more often takes over. In other words, you don't want an acoustic if your favorite music is death metal and vise versa, a Les Paul with a couple 100watt Marshall stacks is overkill for campfire songs.

As for the type of electric, Strat vs. Les Paul, etc., take a look at some of the tunes that interest you on youtube. Watch what the guitar players are using in those videos. Next step is look at your budget, then go to the music store. Try as many guitars as you can that fit your budget. The right guitar will become obvious to you when you pick it up.

I got my first guitar at a thrift shop.

Originally Posted by Bride of Cow

I got my first guitar at a thrift shop.

That sounds like me!

I bought a beat-up six-string, in a second hand store. I didn't know how to play it, but I knew for sure, that this one guitar, felt good in my hands,it didn't take long, to understand, that just one guitar, slung way down low, was my one way ticket, and there was only one way to go

So I started rockin'. I Ain't never gonna stop. I Gotta keep on rockin'. Someday I'm gonna make it to the top

And be a juke box hero


That song is FTW!

I think that you should tilt the guitar up

you get better points. BETTER I SAY

Oh yes, it should also be noted that dropping your pants does not deploy Star Power ;p