want to learn to play the guitar...which guitar?

heyyo · 20-08-2007, 22:40

can anyone help?
what do i need to buy to get me started, looking to buy it off the net as it will be cheaper...

any advise will be appreciated..

h

MrJDGaF · 20-08-2007, 23:05

Look here http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=a...&hl=en&show=dd for acoustic or here http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=e...&hl=en&show=dd for electric, remember Google is your friend.

**Rob M** · 21-08-2007, 07:06

Do yourself a really big favour.....

Visit your local music store, talk to the guys there, and try a couple of guitars.

Pick them up, feel the weight, ask the guys there to show you how to hold it and how to play a couple of notes. Try as many guitars as you can. Repeat this process in a number of stores, over a number of weeks. Then work back through all the stores again.

Then.....when you've tried as many guitars as you can, as many times as you can, in as many different stores as you can.....

Buy the one that felt the most comfortable, the one you felt most at home with, the one that fits you best.....and buy it from the store that you felt the most at home in.

You may have to wait a while longer while you try them all out, and you might have to pay slightly more to buy from a shop (although a lot of places will try to match online prices if they can), but you'll be happier with your guitar and you'll get better service.

Delta Whiskey · 21-08-2007, 10:12

You don't say whether you're looking for an acoustic or an electric guitar and how much your budget is or what style of music you are intending to learn. These variables will make a difference to any recommendation. I agree with Raistlin, you really need to get a feel for a guitar before you buy it. A visit to a local guitar shop is a good idea, you might be able to pick up a good second hand guitar for a very reasonable price.

One thing to look our for is the 'action', that is the height of the strings above the fretboard. If it's too high then you'll find it hard to hold down a chord or play up the neck, this is more of a problem on acoustic guitars. http://webpages.charter.net/bricli/E.../saddlact.html

Minbu · 21-08-2007, 23:09

Excellent advice from Raistlin!

budwieser · 22-08-2007, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyyo

can anyone help?
what do i need to buy to get me started, looking to buy it off the net as it will be cheaper...

any advise will be appreciated..

h

Get yourself a 1958 Les Paul. Then you will learn to play it.!!!!!

Uncle Peter · 22-08-2007, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by budwieser

Get yourself a 1958 Les Paul. Then you will learn to play it.!!!!!

And hopefully you would quickly learn not to drop it!

Personally I would go for an acoustic to learn the very basics. For one you won't need to fork out for amplification, secondly you can learn to be precise without the distraction and temptation of effects and various other talent booster techniques.

as DW has pointed out do make a mental note of the string action when you are auditioning various guitars... a horribly high action can be enough to put even the most determined beginner off learning altogether.

jtwn · 25-08-2007, 20:16

Don't go overboard with your first guitar. The realisation of the time and effort needed to be put in to get to a point where you may want to be may just be asking too much when it comes to it.

Delta Whiskey · 25-08-2007, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtwn

Don't go overboard with your first guitar. The realisation of the time and effort needed to be put in to get to a point where you may want to be may just be asking too much when it comes to it.

True enough, it was why I mentioned buying a good second hand guitar. My local guitar shop has some nice acoustics for £50-£80 including a well looked after Fender six string (I almost bought it myself, but four is all I have room for).