Guitar question

[Purdue89E30]

I've been wanting to learn to play guitar for a long time and I'm finally giving serious thought to buying one. I'm just looking for opinions of what to get. My friend is telling me to look at Epiphone Les Pauls and SG's and is steering me away from Fenders. I want a decent guitar but would like to spend $500 or less for it. What do you think? Thanks.

[Gr00v3]

start acoustic

best advice i can give.

i started with a cheapo yamaha from costco and i can't be happier. sure it's mediocre sounding, but the way i see it, i can make it sound good.
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Free Themes

[RCWells]

I prefer Acoustic guitars myself. I play a Taylor 610CE custom, and it't cool. But it cost $$$. I started with a Blueridge (no name really) acoustic 16yrs ago, and still have it to this day.

I would search Ebay for used acoustics. You can definitely find a sweet buy on a nice acoustic on Ebay. I would stick with the reputable makers though, and not some of the off-brand stuff. Or watch your local papers for ads.

PM me if you have any more questions in detail. If not, good luck. Stay at it, and it will pay off down the road.

[h0lmes]

get an acoustic Ibanez. btm4k got one with a pickup and it was like 260. 500 is WAY to much to spend on a guitar if youre just learning.

[MattE30]

500 is WAY to much to spend on a guitar if youre just learning.

Word. I spent $75 on a year old Ibanez pf4 acoustic to help curb a peer's drug habit in high school :?

Sounds pretty good, doesn't get out of tune unless I am wailing on it, and all in all suits me fine.

[BimmerKris]

depends what you want to learn, you cant really palm mute, or do harmonics or tweeks very well. i think starting on an acoustic makes the transition to end electric harder then to start with. learn to down pick everything and all your chords on an electric and it will build your musicles, then when you pick up an acustic you already know how to play it, and can make it sound great

[Purdue89E30]

500 is WAY to much to spend on a guitar if youre just learning

That's cool, the less I have to spend the better. Why do you say acoustic is better than electric for beginners?

[dwforum]

Electric can be easier to learn on as it requires less effort with your fingers. But then it involves an amp if you want to hear yourself well, which brings the cost up a bit more. Acoustic would definitely be a cheaper way to go

[Purdue89E30]

I have no problem buying an amp, I have the price of an amp considered in the amount I want to spend

[benDASHDASH]

Your best bet would be to go to your local guitar shop and tell them what's up. They should hook you up with all the info you need and answer any questions you have.

[thejimlab]

If your going to spend $500 get both. The acoustic is cool because you can play it anywhere, sitting on the couch watching tv, etc, just to screw around. I think an acoustic makes you an overall better player, you play different stuff on an acoustic, chord work, classic stuff, that teaches you finger work with both hands. And, an acoustic is a little tougher to play, you'll have stronger fingers so when you pick up the electric you can wail on it. Then you'll also have the electric cause it's just plain fun to make noise.

[trashcop 80s 80s]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/s=electric/search/detail/base_pid/519658/

$250 Free shipping, everything you will need to get started, choice of black, blue, or red. As with all instruments, getting a better sound can have many factors. You don't need to spend lots of money to get a decent sound especially for a beginner. Get good strings, learn how to tune, and work on your techniques and you can make it sound good even if it isn't the most expensive guitar. People compliment on the guitarist in my band all the time and he plays a cheap pawn shop peavey, but he has been playing for 7 years so he knows how to make it sound good.

[Jon325i]

I say start with an acoustic guitar first....preferrably with nylon strings. These are great for just starting out. Easy to play, affordable, and the softer strings won't be so brutal on your fingertips as you start out. Once you've gained enough skill with these (and built up some callous on your fingertips) then you can think about stepping up to a steel string acoustic guitar where you will start to use a pick. These are generally a little more expensive than nylon string guitars, but they do produce a much more cleaner and louder sound.

A few years back I dabbled in acoustic guitar....weekly lessons and all. I really enjoyed it and started to develop some good basic skills, learned to read sheet music and could play a few blues tunes. Then I got this crazy idea to back and finish up college....so guitar had to take a backseat for a while. I still have my 'nylon string wonder' in my closet. It was actually my moms which she learned on when she was a kid. I can't remember the brand but it was made around 1950. Its a funky lil number, but it works.

Jon

[bkelsey86]

Get a nice starter Ibanez or something....Don't spend alot of money on your first guitar. Once you can play it better and decide what sound you want or even if you wanna play more then get a better guitar. Guitars have many different tones and sounds which apply to different styles of music so getting a cheap guitar first is a good idea.

[trent]

Start with a decent electric. They are easier to play and you won't need to build up your fingertips as much as an acoustic. I now have a bitchin collection of electrics and acoustics now. :p

Depending on what kinda music you like buy an electric with a humbucker. Not a single pickup like a Fender. I hate Fenders. I play Gibson :)