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SolarNexus · 16-01-2005, 02:10

Me again, asking how to go about learning summit. This time how to learn to play an electric guitar.

Heres why I want to learn to play:
While on me' search for a keyboard, I downloaded a load of yamaha videos and in one there was this guy playing an electric guitar, which I must admit I really liked and would love to be able to play anywhere near that good (I'm sure it'd take years, but so what, its something to learn, something to do)

back to the subject of this thread, what are good beginners' guitars? I checked out the about.com's top 5 but I'm completely out of the loop as to the technology so dont know nuthin about fret boards, coils or anything else and would be unwise for me to buy something without asking someone who does know whats going on.

Beyond just buying one, is it hard to learn, I'd like to learn to play at the same time as learning the keboard but dont want to bite off more than I can chew.

Edit:
I was thinking about getting this: Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster

Karl Hungus · 16-01-2005, 09:51

That would be fine for a begginer. It's not going to last you forever, and you're hardly going to take the stage with it, but it's cool for learning your basics. You won't need to know much about the tech side of things, and you'll pick it up here easily enough. It's not too hard to learn really, just takes a while.

You should also get yourself one of these. Join the club.

qz · 16-01-2005, 12:02

I started off with a Yamaha Pacifica. I got a 10 watt Squier amp, a video, strings and a lead with it, all for only around €250. Very good beginnners guitar.

Nidge · 16-01-2005, 12:54

Well how easy it is to pick up all depends on how much time you allocate to it. Never ever force yourself to play, initially you will have to build up calluses on the tips of your finger to make playing the strings less painful, but then that only comes from playing the guitar. Either way, if you are trying to start two instruments it's going to be an uphill struggle. You may grow more attached to one than the other, short of missing a finger or two there is no reason why you couldn't pick up the guitar fairly quickly, one thing i believe, is you need to want to be good at, and from that want, practice.

Haha the cheese! But it's true

**feylya** · 16-01-2005, 18:26

Two things you should get regardless of the guitar - a pack a 9 gauge strings and a microcube.

The 9's should be lighter on your fingers and the MicroCube is the best sounding amp you can get for the price.

SolarNexus · 16-01-2005, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by feylya

Two things you should get regardless of the guitar - a pack a 9 gauge strings and a microcube.

The 9's should be lighter on your fingers and the MicroCube is the best sounding amp you can get for the price.

If I was to get the microcube, I guess that means stay away from 'beginners packages' ?

**feylya** · 16-01-2005, 18:54

I don't like beginners packs. The microcube is better than the amp you'd get in one imo and only for another €20 or so.

As for a guitar, seriously check out www.chrisguitars.com You'll get a fantastic second hand guitar for the price of a new beginners one. Plus, if you give up playing, you can sell it for at least cost

eoin5 · 17-01-2005, 09:36

do any of the music shops around dublin have microcubes you can try out? Prob still buy online but I would at least like to hear one before I do.

Doctor J · 17-01-2005, 09:53

They all should, they all stock Boss pedals, so they'll have Roland definitely. Musicmaker for sure.

Dave · 17-01-2005, 11:39

I'd suggest buying an acoustic first before you start onto electric. You won't have to worry about buying amps etc and you can pick a decent one up for cheap enough. Then if you do decide that you're sticking with the guitar move onto electric, it takes hardly any adjustment, the acoustic will have built up your hand and finger strength alot more than what's needed, and you'll find the electric easier to play. If you buy your electric first and then feel that you want to try acoustic it'll be alot harder.

Doctor J · 17-01-2005, 11:46

I wouldn't agree enitrely with that Dave. A new instrument is a tough thing to take up and the process of learning is greatly helped by being able to play whatever it is you're into. If that's rock music, then an acousitc guitar is not really the way forward. Plus, if finger strength is an issue, put a set of 12s or 13s on the electric, it'll build up strength same as an acoustic would but with a felxibility of tones and sounds available.

Dave · 17-01-2005, 13:27

Who said acoustic guitars can't be 'rocky'?

But I suppose it depends on how seriously how you want to take the learning. I'd always recommend picking up an acoustic first, because if nothing else it's always nice to be able to play acoustic. You'll always find something that sounds good on acoustic, regardless of the type of music you like.

**John** · 17-01-2005, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by eoin5

do any of the music shops around dublin have microcubes you can try out? Prob still buy online but I would at least like to hear one before I do.

Musician Inc definitely have them. I've been eyeing one up after all the glowing reviews.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

I'd suggest buying an acoustic first before you start onto electric.

I think it's down to preferance, I've had no problems switching to acoustic from learning on an electric.

16-01-2005, 02:10	#1
SolarNexus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 691 Adverts \| Friends	Learning to play the [electric] guitar Me again, asking how to go about learning summit. This time how to learn to play an electric guitar. Heres why I want to learn to play: While on me' search for a keyboard, I downloaded a load of yamaha videos and in one there was this guy playing an electric guitar, which I must admit I really liked and would love to be able to play anywhere near that good (I'm sure it'd take years, but so what, its something to learn, something to do) back to the subject of this thread, what are good beginners' guitars? I checked out the about.com's top 5 but I'm completely out of the loop as to the technology so dont know nuthin about fret boards, coils or anything else and would be unwise for me to buy something without asking someone who does know whats going on. Beyond just buying one, is it hard to learn, I'd like to learn to play at the same time as learning the keboard but dont want to bite off more than I can chew. Edit: I was thinking about getting this: Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster

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16-01-2005, 09:51	#2
Karl Hungus Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 29,038 Adverts \| Friends	That would be fine for a begginer. It's not going to last you forever, and you're hardly going to take the stage with it, but it's cool for learning your basics. You won't need to know much about the tech side of things, and you'll pick it up here easily enough. It's not too hard to learn really, just takes a while. You should also get yourself one of these. Join the club.

16-01-2005, 12:02	#3
qz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Skyrim Posts: 8,371 Adverts \| Friends	I started off with a Yamaha Pacifica. I got a 10 watt Squier amp, a video, strings and a lead with it, all for only around €250. Very good beginnners guitar.

16-01-2005, 12:54	#4
Nidge Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 548 Adverts \| Friends	Well how easy it is to pick up all depends on how much time you allocate to it. Never ever force yourself to play, initially you will have to build up calluses on the tips of your finger to make playing the strings less painful, but then that only comes from playing the guitar. Either way, if you are trying to start two instruments it's going to be an uphill struggle. You may grow more attached to one than the other, short of missing a finger or two there is no reason why you couldn't pick up the guitar fairly quickly, one thing i believe, is you need to want to be good at, and from that want, practice. Haha the cheese! But it's true

16-01-2005, 18:26	#5
feylya Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 26,426 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Instruments	Two things you should get regardless of the guitar - a pack a 9 gauge strings and a microcube. The 9's should be lighter on your fingers and the MicroCube is the best sounding amp you can get for the price.

16-01-2005, 18:54	#7
feylya Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 26,426 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Instruments	I don't like beginners packs. The microcube is better than the amp you'd get in one imo and only for another €20 or so. As for a guitar, seriously check out www.chrisguitars.com You'll get a fantastic second hand guitar for the price of a new beginners one. Plus, if you give up playing, you can sell it for at least cost

17-01-2005, 09:36	#8
eoin5 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,102 Adverts \| Friends	do any of the music shops around dublin have microcubes you can try out? Prob still buy online but I would at least like to hear one before I do.

17-01-2005, 09:53	#9
Doctor J Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pre-Mortem Posts: 11,580 Adverts \| Friends	They all should, they all stock Boss pedals, so they'll have Roland definitely. Musicmaker for sure.

17-01-2005, 11:39	#10
Dave Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Limerick Posts: 2,849 Adverts \| Friends	I'd suggest buying an acoustic first before you start onto electric. You won't have to worry about buying amps etc and you can pick a decent one up for cheap enough. Then if you do decide that you're sticking with the guitar move onto electric, it takes hardly any adjustment, the acoustic will have built up your hand and finger strength alot more than what's needed, and you'll find the electric easier to play. If you buy your electric first and then feel that you want to try acoustic it'll be alot harder.

17-01-2005, 11:46	#11
Doctor J Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pre-Mortem Posts: 11,580 Adverts \| Friends	I wouldn't agree enitrely with that Dave. A new instrument is a tough thing to take up and the process of learning is greatly helped by being able to play whatever it is you're into. If that's rock music, then an acousitc guitar is not really the way forward. Plus, if finger strength is an issue, put a set of 12s or 13s on the electric, it'll build up strength same as an acoustic would but with a felxibility of tones and sounds available.

17-01-2005, 13:27	#12
Dave Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Limerick Posts: 2,849 Adverts \| Friends	Who said acoustic guitars can't be 'rocky'? But I suppose it depends on how seriously how you want to take the learning. I'd always recommend picking up an acoustic first, because if nothing else it's always nice to be able to play acoustic. You'll always find something that sounds good on acoustic, regardless of the type of music you like.