First Electric Guitar
Discussion
Hello All,
Long time poster on PH but my first time posting here in the music forum.
I've intended to learn at least the basics of playing electric guitar for many years but have never seemed to find the time to do so. As I'm now approaching 40 and I've got more time on my hands I've decided if I don't do it now I probably never will. Also my 9 year old son is showing a lot of interest so would be a great journey to share with him.
Not looking at spending big money initially as don't want a hugely expensive guitar shaped ornament sitting around getting no use if I don't take to it or circumstances change.
I'm a big LP fan as prefer the weight and tone they offer and have been looking at this as a decent starter setup, possibly with the addition of one of these
Any thoughts, opinions, advice gratefully received.
Long time poster on PH but my first time posting here in the music forum.
I've intended to learn at least the basics of playing electric guitar for many years but have never seemed to find the time to do so. As I'm now approaching 40 and I've got more time on my hands I've decided if I don't do it now I probably never will. Also my 9 year old son is showing a lot of interest so would be a great journey to share with him.
Not looking at spending big money initially as don't want a hugely expensive guitar shaped ornament sitting around getting no use if I don't take to it or circumstances change.
I'm a big LP fan as prefer the weight and tone they offer and have been looking at this as a decent starter setup, possibly with the addition of one of these
Any thoughts, opinions, advice gratefully received.
Edited by SWoll on Thursday 29th August 14:40
I've been.learning for the past two and half years and I've just bought my third guitar.
Its a Gibson LP and plays better,sounds better and looks better than the other two I owned.previously.
Like you, I didn't want to spend a fortune in case it didn't work out.
My Gibson cost me about £200 more than i spent and lost in cheap guitars...
Its a Gibson LP and plays better,sounds better and looks better than the other two I owned.previously.
Like you, I didn't want to spend a fortune in case it didn't work out.
My Gibson cost me about £200 more than i spent and lost in cheap guitars...
Particularly for a first guitar I really wouldn't buy online, and you don't need an effects pedal kit. Do you know anyone that already plays? If so, get them to go with you to a local guitar shop and try lots of different guitars in different styles, and buy one that suits you rather than hoping a £150 guitar and amp kit will have a realistic LP sound.
I love my LP, but it's not an easy guitar to play, particularly for smaller hands, and could be very offputting for a beginner. Real ones are also _properly_ heavy, to the point that an 8 year old probably couldn't support one. But a lot of the sustain and tone comes from that mass. Some kind of Strat inspired guitar is a safer starting point IMHO, perhaps a Squire or a Yamaha Pacifica.
I love my LP, but it's not an easy guitar to play, particularly for smaller hands, and could be very offputting for a beginner. Real ones are also _properly_ heavy, to the point that an 8 year old probably couldn't support one. But a lot of the sustain and tone comes from that mass. Some kind of Strat inspired guitar is a safer starting point IMHO, perhaps a Squire or a Yamaha Pacifica.
They've got a Yamaha Pacifica kit for not much more - I like my Pacifica (though mine is a 112, which is a bit more money).
I've also got a Zoom multi effects pedal like this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoom-G2-Guitar-Multi-Effec...
An effects pedal isn't at all essential, but if you are trying to learn a particular piece it's nice to actually be able to get roughly the same sort of sound as the recorded version. It will increase your enjoyment, IMO.
I've also got a Zoom multi effects pedal like this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoom-G2-Guitar-Multi-Effec...
An effects pedal isn't at all essential, but if you are trying to learn a particular piece it's nice to actually be able to get roughly the same sort of sound as the recorded version. It will increase your enjoyment, IMO.
Tom-most modern LPs are weight relieved these days. Mine is actually lighter than the Squire Tele it replaced.
OP, the other I meant to say in my earlier post - a good guitar will always be worth more and easier to sell should you decide it's not for you.
If you want a great LP for great money, I was offered on by a PHer that might work for you. I can pm if required.
OP, the other I meant to say in my earlier post - a good guitar will always be worth more and easier to sell should you decide it's not for you.
If you want a great LP for great money, I was offered on by a PHer that might work for you. I can pm if required.
I have just recently purchased my first electric guitar as I am starting lessons very soon.
I got a Squier affinity telecaster in the end with a roland microcube amp, I think I paid around £165 for the guitar and £50 for the amp.
I didn't want to spend a huge amount as I am only learning and won't be able to make use of an expensive guitar. I can always get a new one later.
As people have mentioned already if you can visit a shop to try out the guitars first that would be best and if you can take a friend who plays with you that would be even better.
I got a Squier affinity telecaster in the end with a roland microcube amp, I think I paid around £165 for the guitar and £50 for the amp.
I didn't want to spend a huge amount as I am only learning and won't be able to make use of an expensive guitar. I can always get a new one later.
As people have mentioned already if you can visit a shop to try out the guitars first that would be best and if you can take a friend who plays with you that would be even better.
Hi,
My thoughts are to learn the guitar buy a decent acoustic first to learn both picking and fingerstyle, then move onto electric later, acoustics have a much nicer sound and no need to use a noisy amplifier in the home annoying others with your repetitive learning,
Good luck and remember it's not a competion, just enjoy the playing and it will take time,
Martyn.
If this sounds like a good idea i would recommend a Taylor GS mini approx £400. It is a smaller body acoustic so younger people can hold it comfortably, it's by a quality manufacturer and you can buy a pick up for about £60 so you can plug it into a amp if you like,
My thoughts are to learn the guitar buy a decent acoustic first to learn both picking and fingerstyle, then move onto electric later, acoustics have a much nicer sound and no need to use a noisy amplifier in the home annoying others with your repetitive learning,
Good luck and remember it's not a competion, just enjoy the playing and it will take time,
Martyn.
If this sounds like a good idea i would recommend a Taylor GS mini approx £400. It is a smaller body acoustic so younger people can hold it comfortably, it's by a quality manufacturer and you can buy a pick up for about £60 so you can plug it into a amp if you like,
Edited by Martyn-123 on Thursday 29th August 20:12
Thanks for all of the replies and advice everyone, very much appreciated.
Just wanted to respond to a few of the points/questions raised in the posts.
I'm usually one for buying decent midrange kit when I start out with any new hobby/interest so was looking at budgeting perhaps £500 or so. Unfortunately current circumstances dictate that I reign that in a bit in the short term so was looking for something of reasonable quality to get me started. The concern being that if I wait a few months until I can afford the £500 setup I'll perhaps not have the time etc., "strike while the iron is hot" and all that...
I'm not so keen on the strat styling, sound or feel TBH and as I'm a pretty big chap (6.4" and 15 stone) the weight and size of an LP style guitar is actually preferable. Plus I love they way they look and the sound from the dual humbucker setup.
I'm going electric rather than acoustic as it suits my musical tastes better, and I get the feeling I'd lose interest a lot more quickly if learning on acoustic.
I've been looking around on ebay quite a bit but TBH there is so much available, and my knowledge is so limited, the thought of buying something used worries me.
Unfortunately I don't have any guitar playing friends so no help there.
Just wanted to respond to a few of the points/questions raised in the posts.
I'm usually one for buying decent midrange kit when I start out with any new hobby/interest so was looking at budgeting perhaps £500 or so. Unfortunately current circumstances dictate that I reign that in a bit in the short term so was looking for something of reasonable quality to get me started. The concern being that if I wait a few months until I can afford the £500 setup I'll perhaps not have the time etc., "strike while the iron is hot" and all that...
I'm not so keen on the strat styling, sound or feel TBH and as I'm a pretty big chap (6.4" and 15 stone) the weight and size of an LP style guitar is actually preferable. Plus I love they way they look and the sound from the dual humbucker setup.
I'm going electric rather than acoustic as it suits my musical tastes better, and I get the feeling I'd lose interest a lot more quickly if learning on acoustic.
I've been looking around on ebay quite a bit but TBH there is so much available, and my knowledge is so limited, the thought of buying something used worries me.
Unfortunately I don't have any guitar playing friends so no help there.
Let me tell you the single biggest impediment I see with beginners. Bearing in mind that a crappy guitar can be sold I.e the problem can be fixed - so discounting that as an issue for now, what I have seen again & again is people chucking it in because they don't get anywhere with it within a week or two.
It is hard as a beginner, hard & confusing. Nothing makes sense, you can't get your hands to do what you want & your fingers hurt.
The best advice I could offer is to stick with it, accept that gains will be incremental but when they do come, very satisfying. It's a bit like learning to drive - you can't do it, you can't do it, then you can do it, then you wonder how you couldn't do it before.
As for the guitar, An Epiphone is at least a Gibson, more or less. All the others are made with who knows what? No reason you can't get an Epi for a couple of hundred quid or so. Basic common sense when buying - check the neck isn't a banana, or broken & repaired. The frets shouldn't be excessively worn, the action should feel usable, the pots shouldn't crackle & should actually do something & the tuners should turn cleanly - Les Paul guitars that have been dropped will have wonky tuning pegs. Anything else is wear & tear.
It is hard as a beginner, hard & confusing. Nothing makes sense, you can't get your hands to do what you want & your fingers hurt.
The best advice I could offer is to stick with it, accept that gains will be incremental but when they do come, very satisfying. It's a bit like learning to drive - you can't do it, you can't do it, then you can do it, then you wonder how you couldn't do it before.
As for the guitar, An Epiphone is at least a Gibson, more or less. All the others are made with who knows what? No reason you can't get an Epi for a couple of hundred quid or so. Basic common sense when buying - check the neck isn't a banana, or broken & repaired. The frets shouldn't be excessively worn, the action should feel usable, the pots shouldn't crackle & should actually do something & the tuners should turn cleanly - Les Paul guitars that have been dropped will have wonky tuning pegs. Anything else is wear & tear.
Thanks JC, I completely appreciate what you are saying with regards to having patience and giving it a chance, which is why I'm glad I didn't try and do it when I was younger TBH.
The guitar I linked to it appears to have been reviewed quite well and the components/materials look to be of decent quality. Of course for that money it is all Korean, but you can't really expect much else I suppose.
With regards to the Epiphone LP's, what is the difference between the Special, Studio and Standard models? (I'm very new to this as I'm sure you can tell, but very keen to learn)
The guitar I linked to it appears to have been reviewed quite well and the components/materials look to be of decent quality. Of course for that money it is all Korean, but you can't really expect much else I suppose.
With regards to the Epiphone LP's, what is the difference between the Special, Studio and Standard models? (I'm very new to this as I'm sure you can tell, but very keen to learn)
Standard is the main Les Paul model. Special has I think a 3rd pickup & a bit of bling & studio is a kind of pared down version without binding & flashy bits. All perfectly good guitars.
Ultimately the best guitar is the one that you like the most, so it's an idea to try a few hands on if you can. Like dogs, the right one will probably end up choosing you.
ETA: Just looked up the LP special & I see it was a budget model designed to sit between the junior & standard models. Reckon I was thinking of the custom.
Ultimately the best guitar is the one that you like the most, so it's an idea to try a few hands on if you can. Like dogs, the right one will probably end up choosing you.
ETA: Just looked up the LP special & I see it was a budget model designed to sit between the junior & standard models. Reckon I was thinking of the custom.
Edited by Justin Cyder on Thursday 29th August 22:22
Agreed about the Epi LP. But not the £119 ones. I have one and it is just not
nice to play.
http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars.asp
There is also Vintage which are reasonable.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-V100-AFD-PARADIS...
Website.
http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric.html
nice to play.
http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars.asp
There is also Vintage which are reasonable.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-V100-AFD-PARADIS...
Website.
http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric.html
blindmaninchains said:
Turn7 said:
Except the OP doesnt want a strat alike....
Well he should have said that in his OP then 
Justin Cyder said:
Standard is the main Les Paul model. Special has I think a 3rd pickup & a bit of bling & studio is a kind of pared down version without binding & flashy bits. All perfectly good guitars.
Ultimately the best guitar is the one that you like the most, so it's an idea to try a few hands on if you can. Like dogs, the right one will probably end up choosing you.
I know it sounds ridiculous, but as a complete novice the idea of walking into a guitar shop and handling a few different guitars seems a little intimidating TBH.Ultimately the best guitar is the one that you like the most, so it's an idea to try a few hands on if you can. Like dogs, the right one will probably end up choosing you.
What I was hoping to do was to pick up something decent for a few months until I've got some basic skills and understanding and then go and properly audition a few models looking for something for the longer term.
I'm already finding myself eyeing up Gretsch Pro Jet's and PRS Se's as possible Christmas presents...
I've played for 20 years & still get talentless mash fingered syndrome in guitar shops. They would very much like to take your money & have seen hundreds of guys like you, so explain where you're at & if they're still unhelpful then f
k them, you wouldn't want to spend there anyway.
Chances are though, they'll be helpful, accommodating, patient & pretty good really. Waynes world has a lot to answer for.
k them, you wouldn't want to spend there anyway.Chances are though, they'll be helpful, accommodating, patient & pretty good really. Waynes world has a lot to answer for.
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