Thread: Might get a guitar

Nix the 7-string. Not a good guitar to start on. The extra string is little more than a gimmick, anyway. Not recommended.

Between the other two, Ibanez is the more reputable brand, although I'm not personally familiar with either of the models. As a beginner you're not going to be able to tell much difference in sound/feel, but the ESP has extra-jumbo frets while the Ibanez has regular size frets. As a beginner, you want regular frets - jumbo frets make it easy to apply too much pressure and cause the note to go out of tune. It's generally considered an "advanced" feature because it takes a while to develop the perfectly balanced light touch they require (and you don't really get much back for the effort, to be honest).

In short, I recommend the Ibanez.

Originally Posted by DuB

In short, I recommend the Ibanez.

Seconded.

There's nothing wrong with a 7 string. but maybe not for a begginer. but yeah, seven string guitars aren't a gimmick. it actually suits my neo classical style perfectly.

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

Seconded.

Third'd

Well, I had an Ibanez back when I was a little less advanced (and into more hard rock)- the necks on them are definitely nice and easy to play for a beginner, but bear in mind they are quite wide (small hands might mean trouble). Secondly, the ibanez looks to me to be the most versatile with it having both singlecoils and humbuckers, so if you think you're going to branch into different styles (never a bad thing) I'd go with the ibanez. So, my ranking is: Ibanez, ESP, Dean. It's good that you're choosing some relatively nice guitars to start on, trust me, a 3/4 sized classical is a pain in the ass to learn on

In terms of other recommendations: the yamaha pacifica has come up in recent years as a nice, high quality and versatile beginners electric. Good value too for what you get. But, judging by the choices you made, I'm guessing you're quite metal/heavy rock/neo-classical (?) orientated, so the ones you suggested would be good. Oh, and finally, make sure to get a decent amp. Nothing worse than a crappy 5-watt no name practice amp to start on. I'm not saying spend loads, but try find something that will give you a nice sound.

What kind of genre are you in to NeoSioType? Also have a lot to say when buying a guitar ^^

My first purchase (and the guitar I still use today), is an epiphone les paul which you'll find mostly in the hard-rock/blues genres. Epiphone is owned by Gibson (the original les paul maker company), and so the epiphone is excellent quality for its low prices! Les pauls have the catch that their necks are quite thick, and reaching the high frets will take some big fingers and some getting used to

Originally Posted by SomeDreamer

What kind of genre are you in to NeoSioType? Also have a lot to say when buying a guitar ^^

lol i guess that was directed at me, I just got a bit carried away. But, yeah, let us know what genres you're into, will help a lot with recommendations

I learned on an acoustic, which personally helped so very much. I've heard it said that the worst thing you can do to a guitarist is to teach him to play on an electric. That said, I recommend an acoustic unless you already play. Switching from electric to acoustic is difficult, switching from acoustic to electric is easy. There's my two cents.

And I ^5454 the order: Ibanez, ESP, Dean. Dean guitars are really just a gimmick based off of their shape. Personally, I think they look stupid and don't sound good enough to make it worthwhile.

Originally Posted by Lord Bennington

I learned on an acoustic, which personally helped so very much. I've heard it said that the worst thing you can do to a guitarist is to teach him to play on an electric. That said, I recommend an acoustic unless you already play. Switching from electric to acoustic is difficult, switching from acoustic to electric is easy. There's my two cents.

And I ^5454 the order: Ibanez, ESP, Dean. Dean guitars are really just a gimmick based off of their shape. Personally, I think they look stupid and don't sound good enough to make it worthwhile.

Yeah, I initially learned on an acoustic (after the 3/4 sized classical), which I think helped my technique a lot, you have to work a lot harder to get a good sounds, so, as you said, it's easier when you switch to electric. I personally find playing acoustic a little more satisfying when you're not in a band situation. But, judging by his choices, I'm guessing he won't really be able to play the sort of music he's into on an acoustic easily, which may lead him to give up learning for good (*note to OP: DON'T GIVE UP!!!!). Then again, I might just be judging a book by it's cover . All I'll say is, try buy something that would look good on a 40 year old as well as a young person, that way if your tastes change you'll be less likely to dislike it in the future.

Oh, and SomeDreamer, I second the Epiphone LP idea, again, great guitars for the price and pretty versatile. Can be back-breakers though!

Originally Posted by Lord Bennington

I learned on an acoustic, which personally helped so very much. I've heard it said that the worst thing you can do to a guitarist is to teach him to play on an electric. That said, I recommend an acoustic unless you already play. Switching from electric to acoustic is difficult, switching from acoustic to electric is easy. There's my two cents.

A lot of people won't stick with it unless they get to rock out on an electric guitar, though. When I started playing guitar I was really into Metallica. If I had been given an acoustic guitar to start out, I doubt I would have lasted more than week before tossing it aside. But I wasn't - I was given an electric, which fueled my interest and kept me practicing. That's worth making the later switch to acoustic - which, let's be honest, is not that difficult.

Another thing to point out is that switching from acoustic to electric isn't exactly a walk in the park either. You really have to rethink the way you play and learn to play lightly, coaxing out only the notes that you want. The switch may be easier on the fingers, but to call it a simple transition is misleading.

Originally Posted by DuB

Another thing to point out is that switching from acoustic to electric isn't exactly a walk in the park either. You really have to rethink the way you play and learn to play lightly, coaxing out only the notes that you want. The switch may be easier on the fingers, but to call it a simple transition is misleading.

Very true, come to think of it. Acoustic requires much heavier attack. And, to be honest, a lot of techniques are completely specialised for each. I know the OP is a beginner, so won't be using these techniques, but sweep picked and tapped runs generally don't work on acoustic, and harp harmonics won't really sound good on an electric.
In other words DuB, I agree.

Originally Posted by DuB

When I started playing guitar I was really into Metallica. If I had been given an acoustic guitar to start out, I doubt I would have lasted more than week before tossing it aside.

That's a poor way of expressing it... when I started playing guitar I was into Metallica, as well (one of the main reasons why I started). I had an acoustic guitar, and only an acoustic guitar, and learned just about every metallica song I could. I never tossed it aside - in fact, I played it hours a day. That was about four years ago, and I'm still playing.

It depends on the person, not the instrument. Getting a guitar for the sake of getting a guitar is stupid, so you better be willing to learn/teach yourself. The transition from acoustic to electric, however, was just as tough as it would be from electric to acoustic.

As much fun as it is to shop online for guitars I would recommend going out and trying some at a music store if possible. You can still buy online if you prefer that but as a beginner the was different guitars feel can be very different from how you imagine them feeling.

I also think that anything in the price range you are looking for will be fine if the reviews seem decent.

I know my third electric guitar was basically the Washburn equivalent of that Dean and I loved having a 7-string to mess with. You don't really need a 7-string right away unless your main focus would be bands that require them but learning on a 6 string is probably easier.

Also keep in mind that you are going to need an amp so maybe look for some guitar-amp bundle packs.

Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed

That's a poor way of expressing it... when I started playing guitar I was into Metallica, as well (one of the main reasons why I started). I had an acoustic guitar, and only an acoustic guitar, and learned just about every metallica song I could. I never tossed it aside - in fact, I played it hours a day. That was about four years ago, and I'm still playing.

It depends on the person, not the instrument. Getting a guitar for the sake of getting a guitar is stupid, so you better be willing to learn/teach yourself. The transition from acoustic to electric, however, was just as tough as it would be from electric to acoustic.

Well, I'm not sure that most new players are as devoted as you lol. You've got to admit, it is easier to get a metallica-type sound on an electric. Although starting on an acoustic will probably give you better technique, I don't think technique would necessarily be the main focus of a beginner. I think it is more to have fun, and to sound like their idols. Oh, and also, I second what the guy said about going to the music shop.play before you buy, even if it means just playing the model in a music shop and then ordering it online later. You need to find what feels best for you.

New players better be as devoted as I was or they'll never get anywhere, progress-wise.

It's easier to get the Metallica-type sound, but come on... I learned everything from Fade to Black to the majority of Master of Puppets on the acoustic. If people want to sound like their idols, they have to actually learn how to play first.

Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed

New players better be as devoted as I was or they'll never get anywhere, progress-wise.

That's not only not true, but it makes playing guitar sound like some sort of exclusive club. It doesn't take herculean devotion or some sort of innate skill to play guitar - just practice. Whether that practice comes from strict determinaton or simply a desire to mimic one's idols is irrelevant. As long as one is challenging themself by learning new material, they will improve - simple as that.

Originally Posted by DuB

It doesn't take herculean devotion or some sort of innate skill to play guitar - just practice.

By playing hours a day, I meant just that... practicing. Obviously aspiring to become ones idol will assist in that process, but to actually sound like the idol will take a hell of a lot more than just picking up a guitar and strumming it a few times.

Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed

By playing hours a day, I meant just that... practicing. Obviously aspiring to become ones idol will assist in that process, but to actually sound like the idol will take a hell of a lot more than just picking up a guitar and strumming it a few times.

Yeah I know that, but you can't say that it's not easier to sound like a band who plays electric guitar almost exclusively when you play an electric guitar. I too practiced for hours a day (and learnt on acoustic), but I don't think that if I had just practiced for 30 mins a day, I would have given up, or been a bad guitarist. I just wouldn't have been as advanced. It's not like you need to practice for hours a day to have fun and sound good.

Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed

New players better be as devoted as I was or they'll never get anywhere, progress-wise.

It's easier to get the Metallica-type sound, but come on... I learned everything from Fade to Black to the majority of Master of Puppets on the acoustic. If people want to sound like their idols, they have to actually learn how to play first.

Whoops, sorry, didn't see you said this Scrap the first part of my last post. Not the second part though

I'm not really sure what genre I'm going to go for but I know it's not jazz.

I've been checking reviews from some other too. I'm guessing Basswood is cheap, agathis a little bit better?

My greatest inhibitor in learning guitar is the embarrassment of having others hear me at such an early stage. My progress pretty much halted when we got a roommate who didn't leave for work until 11:00 AM. I usually practiced in the morning and left at 11:20 AM. I plan on buying a headset for my amp to fix this problem. Probably something I need to get over all together though.

Luckily this summer I've got only four things to do: Play paintball, work (to fund paintball), play video games, and, most importantly, play guitar.

Well, since nobody is home I'm off to practice right now on the suggestion of this thread. Could take me forever to get good, but goddammit, I'M NO QUITTER!

Edit: Well it seems I can't find a pick...

Originally Posted by Black_Eagle

Probably something I need to get over all together though.

This is definitely something you need to get over. There are only a few types of people that are going to have something to say about your early-stage playing.

1) Experienced musicians, who will understand that you are just starting out. You won't become a great player overnight, and neither did they. If they give you shit about how you sound, you can bet that they went through the same stage, and probably only played while locked away in their rooms, because to make such a fuss over your playing means that it was something they were apparently anxious about, when they were learning, which is why it's important enough for them to criticize you over.

2) People who don't play instruments, and have no idea what the learning process sounds like, or how hard it is to actually learn to play an instrument. Some of them will be inherently understanding that you're still learning, but there are others who will try to put you down because you don't play like their favorite celebrity guitarist - to whom you can simply dismiss for their ignorance with a middle finger or a few choice words.

Originally Posted by Black Eagle

Edit: Well it seems I can't find a pick...

You have picks all around you. Anything can be a pick, from a key to a quarter to the corner of a credit card.

Listen to O; he's right on the money about the audience for your early guitar playing. When I first started, I was extremely self conscious about my playing as well. I would lock myself in my room and turn my amp down very low while I practiced. I think this has as much to do with that teenage insecurity as it does with the embarrassment of being "bad at guitar." As I got older I cared less and less about what other people thought--today I commonly play guitar and sing at parties--although to be fair, it's not clear how much of this was due to becoming more mature and secure, and how much was due to just having less to be embarrassed about. But personally I suspect that it was more of the former than the latter. Certainly I'm still no great singer, but it doesn't really seem to matter to me anymore.

Originally Posted by DuB

Listen to O; he's right on the money about the audience for your early guitar playing. When I first started, I was extremely self conscious about my playing as well. I would lock myself in my room and turn my amp down very low while I practiced. I think this has as much to do with that teenage insecurity as it does with the embarrassment of being "bad at guitar." As I got older I cared less and less about what other people thought--today I commonly play guitar and sing at parties--although to be fair, it's not clear how much of this was due to becoming more mature and secure, and how much was due to just having less to be embarrassed about. But personally I suspect that it was more of the former than the latter. Certainly I'm still no great singer, but it doesn't really seem to matter to me anymore.

I agree completely, been through the same stages myself, just try not to be too self-conscious. And don't, as dub said, practice with your amp all the way down, because every guitarist knows it sounds better when it's louder