Well, I think I'm headed out to do some window shopping tonight.

Some of you said to go to a guitar center and try out a few guitars. Only problem is that I have never played a guitar a day in my life. How the heck am I supposed to try something in which i don't know how to use?

just do it and who gives a **** what you sound like

if i were to buy a starter guitar i'd probably spend a little more and get an American Made Highway 1 series Fender Strat (or Tele). it will be a collectors item years from now and much better quality than Squier or Mexican made Fender Strats.

i heard the ibanez starter packs are a good bang for the buck... nice guitar.. lil amp and instructions.....

Well, went shopping and found some good info.

Fortunately I was able to find a local music store, and actually was able to get some good advise. The name on the guy'* business card also happened to be on the front of the store, which made me think he'* there cause he wants to be there, not cause he has to. Kinda nice having someone who knows the product and cares about the customer for a change.

After narrowing down the basics (type of guitar, general price range, type of music I'm into etc.) he recommended a Squire (can't remember if it was a '51 Special or Affinity) model. Tried it out and it felt good (at least I thought it did).
Price was $170 for the guitar, and with everything included was about $280. This included guitar, small Peavey amp, carrying case, and the necessary accessories.

Looked up the '51 model on Musiciansfriend and it got good reviews, and is $70 less than the store.

Thoughts?

I hear a lot of bad things about Squire, but I dont have any firsthand experience with one.

If its got a lot of good reviews then it cant be just downright horrible, see what kinds of people are reviewing it as well, are they professional type musicians or guys just like you who are just starting out and have never heard another guitar in their life?

At the end of the day YOU will be the one who is playing the guitar, so as long as you like it who cares what anyone else thinks? If you like the style, color,sound, whatever, then buy it!

As for ordering from Musicians Friend ive ordered from them several times and am extremely impressed with them. Fast shipping, excellent customer service, basically theyre the NewEgg of musical stuff as far as Im concerned.

Ive also ordered a few things from Music123.com who is a big competitor with MF, and can sometimes be a little cheaper, especially for me, since I have to pay sales tax on things I buy from MF because they have a warehouse in KC, MO.

It doesnt hurt to spend a little money on your first guitar, its much easier to stay motivated to practice and play a lot when you have a higher quality instrument that sounds good to you and those around you.

But I wouldnt go out and buy something too expensive, because if 2 months into you decide you dont want to play, youll be kicking yourself because now you have a 6-stringed paperweight that you cant do much with besides give away, pawn, or maybe sell for quite a bit less than you paid for it.

For an all in one package, this is a pretty good deal. I myself have owned many guitars, and for its price this is whati would go with if I were starting all over again. It feels easy to play and sounds pretty clear.


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ack?sku=513156

btw what kind of music are you looking at playing? this can also determine which guitar to go with.

thats a really good deal, its amazing if you're just starting out. I'd hit it.
It will take you years to outgrow ( skillwise) that guitar, and it will last you a lifetime. i believe its a replica of a gibson!

remember you just gotta practice- in 6 months time ur gonna be amazed with everything you can do.

i have an epiphone special customshop ( customshop cus its got goldplated humbucks and hardware)
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?...CollectionID=6
extact finish

my friend has a ephinone Standard
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?...CollectionID=6
exact finish.

hes is a much nicer guitar he paid close to 600$CAD for it. I paid 250$CAD for mine. Hes is much much more smoother and creamier, and can sustain notes for way longer than i can plus it never goes out of tune. hes board is narrower so its eaiser to shredd on it.
this is what im going to upgrade to in summer time
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?...CollectionID=6

IMO gibson and fender are brands for performers or studio play, plus if ur good, the companies will just give you guitars.
298783737_img.jpg

You really should learn on an Acoustic. A slightly wider neck helps with the frustration of keeping your fingers where they belong. When it comes to entry level ones most name brands are about same/same. Yamaha makes alot of the other brands entry level. I have a $350 Washburn Acoustic that can be had at alot of music Stores for $200 and some change that I really like the sound of and have gotten alot of compliments for it'* sound/price. Added a Martin Gold pick up down the road that really makes it sweet hooked up to an amp. Neighbor has an Ibanez in the same price range that sounds good also.

I would agree, but an acoustic is harder to play, especially if you dont have naturally strong hands. The strings on an acoustic are harder to push down to make a clean sound, so if you dont have naturally strong hands, it takes some practice. This is especially true if youre playing barre chords like this:


You might do fine holding down one string with one finger using an acoustic, but its much more difficult to hold down 3 or 4 or even all 6 using one finger turned at a weird angle like that. BUT if you can effectively do it on an acoustic, you can own it on an electric.

They both have their own perks, I would like to get both at some point, to take advantage of both.

Practice till your fingers hurt, dont push it much farther than that, or youll develop blisters, and that will kill your practice for a while, you want callouses, but blisters are a whole nother story.