Any recommendations were I can buy a guitar?

Lexus1976

Hi,
I've decide to learn how to play the guitar. Any good muisc shops on the Northside or in Dublin 15?

How much should I spend and can you recommend any good makes suitable for a novice?

Thanks

The Freeman

you'd be better off to buy something off the net(cheaper).if your strating off i take it its acoustic that your after ya?, if so you have 2 options classical/spainish guitar(easier on the fingers cos of nylon strings) or regular acoustic(metal strings)..its easier to start on the classical, but the more common is the acoustic..

bluto63

Don't get an electric first of all. It costs more and it's harder to learn on.
That leaves you with an accoustic and a nylon. Definetly go with the nylon. It's much easier on the fingers and usually cheaper. Buy the cheapest guitar you can so you can find out if guitar is for you or not.

I would head around around Wicklow street if I were you. There are a few shops around there. Waltons just off Wicklow street on Georges street has a good collection on nylons and accoustics

Karl Hungus

bluto63 wrote:

Don't get an electric first of all. It costs more and it's harder to learn on.
That leaves you with an accoustic and a nylon. Definetly go with the nylon. It's much easier on the fingers and usually cheaper. Buy the cheapest guitar you can so you can find out if guitar is for you or not.

Congrats on giving the absolute worst advice possible, aswell as spouting some ridiculous crap. Harder to learn on an electric? Is that a joke?

Lexus1976 wrote:

How much should I spend and can you recommend any good makes suitable for a novice?

First of all, it depends on whether you want to play electric or acoustic. Huge differences there. So if you want to play Electric, then for the love of god ignore anyone who tells you that it's best to start on an acoustic. For someone who wants to rock, starting on an acoustic is one sure-fire way to put you off guitar for good.

I know a lot of people who had the intention of learning guitar, followed bad advice and got an acoustic, only for it to be left in the corner of their room gathering dust, because it was really electric that they wanted to play.

Bottom line:

If you want to learn acoustic, start on acoustic.
If you want to learn electric, start on electric.

Ignore anyone who advises you different.

Voodu Child

bluto63 wrote:

Buy the cheapest guitar you can so you can find out if guitar is for you or not.

Have to disagree 100%. A cheap crappy guitar will just frustrate you. Ive seen young lads buy cheap guitars, have problems (crackling jacks, sharp saddles, high action) and just get fed up with them. Aim to spend enough to get something well made.

vengeance52

voodoo_child wrote:

Have to disagree 100%. A cheap crappy guitar will just frustrate you. Ive seen young lads buy cheap guitars, have problems (crackling jacks, sharp saddles, high action) and just get fed up with them. Aim to spend enough to get something well made.

the truth is spoke. When i started i bought a cheap electric is music maker, it was called a spectrum or somethin. heavin, bad tone and the leads were sh*te. Then bought an Ibanez RG of my mate Beecher and never looked back.

I learned on it and loved it.

-V-

steveland?

vengeance52 wrote:

the truth is spoke. When i started i bought a cheap electric is music maker, it was called a spectrum or somethin. heavin, bad tone and the leads were sh*te. Then bought an Ibanez RG of my mate Beecher and never looked back.

I learned on it and loved it.

-V-

Haha, was it a lovely Les Paul knock off, doesn't stay in tune, pickups keep just... falling out?

That was my first electric too

Got myself a Maverick F1 (from a mate for e170... think he's regretting that price tag now...) and never looked back.

Still planning on doing something with my Spectrum though...

vengeance52

steveland? wrote:

Haha, was it a lovely Les Paul knock off, doesn't stay in tune, pickups keep just... falling out?

That was my first electric too

Got myself a Maverick F1 (from a mate for e170... think he's regretting that price tag now...) and never looked back.

Still planning on doing something with my Spectrum though...

Yup thats the one. couldnt keep in tune, lucky enuff the pickups didnt fall out, but the input jack was dodgy.

My mate now has it, replacing the jack, puting actual Les Paul pickups in it cos it has sentamental value to me, plus should be a laugh.

Well after a got my RG, I picked up a schecter few months ago and an Ibanez AEL20 semi acoustic.

DeadSkin

Lexus,
This is how I started out around this time last year.
Went to my local music shop, told the man I wanted to take up the electric guitar.
For 250 euros I got an Aria STG electric guitar and a Marshall MG15 amp, he also threw in a set of strings and a teach yourself book,[Had I discovered Thomann at that stage I probably would've gone
down that route].
The Aria is alright for starting out, my only problem over time was the action kept gettin higher.
Then a few weeks ago, I got in touch with these guys here and they pointed me in the right direction.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055019063

Lexus1976

I've no idea about guitars so not too sure what I'm really looking for. Was looking at these guitars today.

http://waltons.ie/shop/product_info.php?products_id=9992


http://waltons.ie/shop/product_info.php?products_id=10572

Are they good deals...and considering I have never played a guitar before should I be looking at an electric or an accoustic?

Karl Hungus

Lexus1976 wrote:

Are they good deals...

No.

Lexus1976 wrote:

and considering I have never played a guitar before should I be looking at an electric or an accoustic?

It depends on whether or not you want to play acoustic or electric.

Voodu Child

Karl Hungus wrote:

It depends on whether or not you want to play acoustic or electric.

Karl answered this already Lexus, I agree with his point 100%. Read the thread again if you dont understand what he's getting at.

Lexus1976

Thats were the problem lies....I have no idea....
I decided I wanted to play a musical instrument next year...And figured out I wanted to play the guitar. Inspired my Michael Franti and Spearhead...but as far as accoustic and electrical are concerned I have no idea! The only thing I know is that electric's are louder then accoustic ....I know its pathetic..

So perhaps I should buy a good quality accoustic as my neighbours wont appreciate my early practices on the electric.

Right! now what make would you recommend from the following!

Epiphone
SX
Gibson
Gitane
Oakman
Blueridge

Will be spending approx 200 euro more then likely in Waltons

Voodu Child

Well, if you dont know whether youd prefer to play electric or acoustic I cant help you. Its up to yourself to decide.

I wouldnt buy a 200 euro guitar in Waltons, youd get a better quality instrument if you took E200 worth of fivers, scrunched them up with wallpaper paste and fashioned a papier-mache guitar with elastic bands for strings :rolleyes:

But seriously..;) Im not a fan of waltons, and i'll leave someone else to recommend you an acoustic. If you decide to go for an electric, the Yamaha pacifica is the official beginners guitar of boards.ie
http://www.thomann.de/ie/yamaha_pacifica_112x_yns.htm

Beecher

I completely agree with Voodoo here, Pacifica's are amazing guitars for the money. Alternatively Instrumental in town did (and possibly still do) have a second hand Squire 51. I havn't played a 51 I wasn't really impressed with and they are a great base for upgrading/modding (much like the pacifica actually).

TempestSabre

Lexus1976 wrote:

Thats were the problem lies....I have no idea....
I decided I wanted to play a musical instrument next year...And figured out I wanted to play the guitar. Inspired my Michael Franti and Spearhead...but as far as accoustic and electrical are concerned I have no idea! The only thing I know is that electric's are louder then accoustic ....I know its pathetic..

So perhaps I should buy a good quality accoustic as my neighbours wont appreciate my early practices on the electric.

...

An electric will be quieter, because you can use headphones with it.

Lexus1976

Good Point Tempest !!!!

But I think I'm going to Start on an Acoustic guitar and then move on to an Electric. I'm assuming once you can play an accoustic there's no difference in playing an electric apart from the volume???

Can anybody recommened a good accoustic to start on?

TempestSabre

IMO Quite different. Why not go into a shop and try a couple of each. Electric, steel string acoustic and nylon string classical.

Voodu Child

Why not go into a shop and try a couple of each

It will be the OPs first guitar from what i can tell by his posts. Trying out guitars wont be much help to him if he doesnt know how to play...:rolleyes:

He's better off asking for advice from people with more experience, which is what he's done here. I dont have any opinion on beginners acoustics, but im sure someone will post with a suggestion shortly.

TempestSabre

voodoo_child wrote:

It will be the OPs first guitar from what i can tell by his posts. Trying out guitars wont be much help to him if he doesnt know how to play...:rolleyes:

He's better off asking for advice from people with more experience, which is what he's done here. I dont have any opinion on beginners acoustics, but im sure someone will post with a suggestion shortly.

Most people choosing their first quitar can't play, its their FIRST guitar :rolleyes They still can express preference about the colour and design of a guitar. I'd say most people pick a guitar that their favourite band, guitar player uses. or perhaps a guitar that is usually used to play their favorite music.

Voodu Child

TempestSabre wrote:

Most people choosing their first quitar can't play, its their FIRST guitar :rolleyes

Youre rolling your eyes at your own advice there...you told a guy who cant play to go and try a few guitars, not me

TempestSabre wrote:

They still can express preference about the colour and design of a guitar. I'd say most people pick a guitar that their favourite band, guitar player uses. or perhaps a guitar that is usually used to play their favorite music.

Id sooner pick a guitar based on knowledgeable advice rather than what colour it was. Most people might pick a guitar that their favourite band uses, but most people arent always right. That kind of advice is what sells so many crappy Epiphones to kids who think its what Slash plays :rolleyes:

TempestSabre

So what you are saying is, if you can't play a guitar you won't know if you want a Flying V, Strat or LP shape. Or you won't know if you want a Sunburst finish or a black on black with skulls. Thin body semi, dreadnought etc. None of that has anything to do with the quality of the guitar, and none of that requires any playing ability to decide. Personally I find most people have some idea once they start looking and handling a few. Obviously you lead them towards the better quality guitars. Who other than a sales man is going to suggest a chipboard plank. That doesn't mean you can't pick a guitar you like the feel of, fits your body, and you like the look of.

Its meant to be fun.

Michael Franti and Spearhead seem to be very song based and acoustic folk/ hip hop kinda vibe AFAIK. So a steel string acoustic would seem to be the best for that type of music. Perhaps something like a Yamaha's Acoustic (if possible with a solid top) as a starter. Been a while since I looked for an acoustic, so I wouldn't know where's the best place to look in Dublin. Musician? Theres a shop on Capel Street. But if you are in Dublin why limit yourself just to Norhtside and D.15? Don't think there's any instrument shops in D.15.

Voodu Child

TempestSabre wrote:

So what you are saying is.....

Alls im saying is....(and ill leave it here cos ive said it enough already)...

You told the lad to 'go try' a few guitars.

In my humble opinion (and thats all it is, an opinion), someone whose never played guitar, doesnt know anything about them, doesnt even know the difference between acoustic and electric is no judge of a quality guitar. They would be much better off listening to advice from other guitarists than walking in to waltons and sitting a guitar on their lap and fiddling with it.

I said nothing about 'not knowing if you want a Flying V, Strat or LP shape' or any of that other stuff you mentioned. I just want to make the point that theres a lot of sh*t guitars out there, especially in Irish shops, and telling a complete beginner to go into a shop and try a few is asking for trouble in my opinion.

Thats ALL im getting at, and none of the other stuff you said, which is fine advice.

TempestSabre

I said try not buy.

Karl Hungus

Lexus1976 wrote:

Thats were the problem lies....I have no idea....
I decided I wanted to play a musical instrument next year...And figured out I wanted to play the guitar. Inspired my Michael Franti and Spearhead...but as far as accoustic and electrical are concerned I have no idea! The only thing I know is that electric's are louder then accoustic ....I know its pathetic..

Ok, well Michael Franti plays an acoustic. So if that's the kind of music you'd be interested in playing, then go for an acoustic.

If you don't know what an electric sounds like, have a look at this.

Lexus1976

Thanks Tempest for the advice on the Yamaha's Acoustic. I will take a look around today. Any other recommendations on acoustic guitars.

Sofaspud

Lexus1976 wrote:

Thanks Tempest for the advice on the Yamaha's Acoustic. I will take a look around today. Any other recommendations on acoustic guitars.

For a good acoustic at lowlow prices, I'd recommend Tanglewood. For around €200, you can get a surprisingly good guitar, from what I've seen.

Also, a few days ago, my ma bought a cheap (60 feckin' euro) Encore acoustic for my da. Surprisingly, this one sounded beautiful, even though Encores are usually sheeee-ite.

adox

Karl Hungus wrote:

Bottom line:

If you want to learn acoustic, start on acoustic.
If you want to learn electric, start on electric.

Ignore anyone who advises you different.

Gotta agree with that sentiment.

I`ve only recently taken up guitar after never playing one in my life before(drums were my instrument of choice).

I turned 40 a couple of weeks back and asked the Mrs to get me a guitar.I thought about asking for an acoustic,but rock music is my great love and asked for an electric and practice amp instead.

I`ve already had hours and hours of fun with the electric and couldnt imagine an acoustic even coming close to fullfilling my needs.:D

She bought online,from some German site which I cant remember(sorry),but she got advice from a friend who is a guitarist and knew a bit about buying,especially when I`m sure she was on a modest budget,guitar wise.

Grolschevik

For what it's worth, I started out playing a cheapo nylon string job, but always had it in my mind to move electric. It helped that I happen to also like folk music. First thing I ever taught myself was the vocal melody line from a Christy Moore song. Then I borrowed my brother-in-law's SG copy and amp, and that confirmed to me my need to go electric. That process took about 18 months. Then, after a couple of years, I bought my own: second-hand LP copy for £120 (subsequently turned out that it was a mid-70s Japanese lawsuit-type job with Di Marzios! Beautiful guitar!). It was in rag order, but, armed with a copy of The Guitar Handbook, I managed to set it up ok. Teamed that with a 50w Gorilla amp, and away I went... though the Gorilla didn't last too long!

DamoRed

I've had an acoustic for YEARS! I played on it here and there, but never really 'got it' But when I got an electric, it was an absolute revelation! A whole new world. It was like a totally different instrument, although strung and tuned the same way. There's a totlly different mindset. A different method. Different styles of playing on an electric that you could never achieve on an acoustic. But still, with a bit f care and a delicate touch, you can still simulate an acoustic on an electric, unlike the other way round.

I couldn't believe how much fun it was. I found myself doing stuff I never thought possible. Or maybe it was just that I thought about them and couldn't realise on acoustic. I feel liberated.

As a final word, I'll say buy what you feel comfortable with. But another vote for the incredibly versatile Yamaha Pacifica (it's not what I bought). Yamaha make great instruments, low end or top end and every point in between.


Damo

Sofaspud

DamoRed wrote:

I've had an acoustic for YEARS! I played on it here and there, but never really 'got it' But when I got an electric, it was an absolute revelation! A whole new world. It was like a totally different instrument, although strung and tuned the same way. There's a totlly different mindset. A different method. Different styles of playing on an electric that you could never achieve on an acoustic. But still, with a bit f care and a delicate touch, you can still simulate an acoustic on an electric, unlike the other way round.

I couldn't believe how much fun it was. I found myself doing stuff I never thought possible. Or maybe it was just that I thought about them and couldn't realise on acoustic. I feel liberated.

As a final word, I'll say buy what you feel comfortable with. But another vote for the incredibly versatile Yamaha Pacifica (it's not what I bought). Yamaha make great instruments, low end or top end and every point in between.


Damo

I can just imagine the national anthem playing, and a flag dropping behind you as you made that post. *gives a standing ovation*

TelePaul

Hey. Just thought I'd offer up some advice. Even if you can't play a note, you probably know someone that does. Call in a favour, and drag them along! My brother learnt from his friend, and gave my brother some tips. My brother gave me a hand in choosing my first guitar, and I helped out a friend when he had to buy his first acoustic. I wouldn't buy online - sometimes shop owners make the difference when you're buying a guitar. For that reaosn I wouldn't buy in Waltons on Georges Street; it's a shop that could benefit from a lot of TQM. On the North Side, Goodwins of Capel Street is an excellent shop. The Pacifica is a good electric, and yamaha do some nice, reaosnably priced acoustics. You really DO get what you pay for though. I own a few guitars, all coming in at about a grand each. But my first was a Yamaha for like, £200

TempestSabre

Where can you get the Yamaha's in Dublin. I had a look in the Yamaha store but they hadn't much stuff, some nice acoustics.

whiskeyman

voodoo_child wrote:

If you decide to go for an electric, the Yamaha pacifica is the official beginners guitar of boards.ie
http://www.thomann.de/ie/yamaha_pacifica_112x_yns.htm

Like DamoRed, I've had an acoustic for a few years, but have never really got into it as I really wanted an electric.
This post has finally made me bite the bullet and I'm gonna buy the above guitar from that site.
Anyone bought from that site before? It ok?
Any recommendations on an amp also? (for practice / novice).
Thanks for any more info.

Bratach Bán

TempestSabre wrote:

Where can you get the Yamaha's in Dublin. I had a look in the Yamaha store but they hadn't much stuff, some nice acoustics.

McCullough Piggot's on Suffolk Street stocks them.

Voodu Child

Bratach B&#225 wrote: »

McCullough Piggot's on Suffolk Street stocks them.

They closed down afaik

Doctor J

They're now on South William street, across the road from the exit of the Brown Thomas car park, I think.

TelePaul

TempestSabre wrote:

Where can you get the Yamaha's in Dublin. I had a look in the Yamaha store but they hadn't much stuff, some nice acoustics.

Try goodwins.

TempestSabre

Can't remember ever seeing them in there, but its been a while since I've in either shop. Thanks for the update.