Playing Guitar

[SLAYER]

Re: Playing Guitar

Most AC/DC and Black Sabbath riffs are disgustingly easy, but pretty damned good as well. Some of the solos aren't too tough, either.

[DXZeke]

Re: Playing Guitar

Most AC/DC and Black Sabbath riffs are disgustingly easy, but pretty damned good as well. Some of the solos aren't too tough, either.

This isn't meant to be offensive to some of hte more technical bands out there like Dream Theatre or even my man Zakk Wylde of Ozzy and Black Label Society fame.... but all that technical mumbo jumbo of how fast you can blaze up a scale in a minor or penatonic means nothing to your average music fans. The songs that people remember is the EASY songs to play since it's all catchy.

Granted this train of thoughts leaves less guys trying to be amazing guitar players, but really, if you can't write a good catchy song IF you're trying to get signed or recognized locally, forget about it. If you want that ability for personal satisfaction or to have a band that won't be given a shot, then learn to be some crazy guitar player.

[SLAYER]

Re: Playing Guitar

Hence me singling out Sabbath and AC/DC. Classic, easy riffs. Most memorable riffs in rock & metal are pretty easy. "Smoke on the Water", "Enter Sandman", etc.

I still enjoy a lot of "crazy guitar players" and their respective bands, though.

[WhiskeyD0G]

Re: Buying an acoustic guitar

I'm wanting to learn to play guitar and have decided to purchase an acoustic guitar, I am wanting to stay in the $100-$200 range. Any recommendations on Make and Model ? Also should I purchase a 6-string or 12-string?

[eXperiment63]

Re: Buying an acoustic guitar

6 string... 12 strings are a pain in the *** to string and tune, and aren't exactly an everyday player guitar. They have their purpose, but are not meant to be used all the time.

You could try and find a used Ibanez Talman, they are pretty good for the money.

Or you could go for a lower-end washburn, they are pretty nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Washburn-OG10CE-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Thin-Body_W0QQitemZ290166464891QQihZ019QQcategoryZ47064QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Just remember... Don't expect any lower-end guitar to be very playable out of the box, you need to take it in to get it set up professionally so it sounds and feels it's best. That means another $40-60 depending on where you go.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, you should go for an Acoustic/Electric(both i suggested are A/E). Because if you ever want to record, unless you have a good instrument mic, it will be damn near impossible to get a good recording off of a regular acoustic.

You should also go for a cutaway, ad it's eaiser to get the higher frets.

[WhiskeyD0G]

Re: Playing Guitar

I like to shop on amazon. Any particular items that would be recommended ?

[ubernoob]

Re: Playing Guitar

Check if you have any Guitar Centers near you. That shop is just amazing, and they can cut you some sick deals.

I just started to play electric, and I got an Epiphone Les Paul, Line 6 Spider III 15w amp, and a gig bag for under 300.

[KENYON06]

Re: Playing Guitar

A metronome is a nice tool to help you start out.

[coffeeholic]

Re: Playing Guitar

In the words of Spinal Tap...Have fun always
And for craps sake-get the best amp you can. I've played through some crappy rigs and having the right amp sures inspires good playin'

[DXZeke]

Re: Buying an acoustic guitar

I'm wanting to learn to play guitar and have decided to purchase an acoustic guitar, I am wanting to stay in the $100-$200 range. Any recommendations on Make and Model ? Also should I purchase a 6-string or 12-string?

6 String first and foremost.

I also prefer that people learn on an acoustic at first mainly because it tears the hell out of your fingers in the first couple months. Then when you go play an electric it's VERY easy on the fingers... yet you'll be able to bounce back to an acoustic in no time.

I know people that only play electric and never touch acoustics mainly for the reason that their fingers aren't used to the acoustic strings which are a thicker gauge.

6 string... 12 strings are a pain in the *** to string and tune, and aren't exactly an everyday player guitar. They have their purpose, but are not meant to be used all the time.

You could try and find a used Ibanez Talman, they are pretty good for the money. Or you could go for a lower-end washburn, they are pretty nice.

Just remember... Don't expect any lower-end guitar to be very playable out of the box, you need to take it in to get it set up professionally so it sounds and feels it's best. That means another $40-60 depending on where you go.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, you should go for an Acoustic/Electric(both i suggested are A/E). Because if you ever want to record, unless you have a good instrument mic, it will be damn near impossible to get a good recording off of a regular acoustic.

You should also go for a cutaway, ad it's eaiser to get the higher frets.

For starting out to see if you'll even like playing guitar. A Washburn works out pretty well... that was my first beginner guitar.

The only downside to an electric acoustic is that it won't have the Bassy Booming sound of a pure acoustic guitar. That's the only downside. Now if you end up doing home recordings at some point an acoustic/electric is a nice thing to have.

Agreed on the Cutaway!


As for extras...

An electronic Tuner is a good thing to have! ONLY IF you want to keep your guitar in tune.

[Hooe]

Re: Playing Guitar

I saw this thread get bumped not too long ago, so I'll bump it again with a question.

Will installing a tremolo / whammy bar (whichever it's called, the equivalent of the Whammy Bar on a Guitar Hero controller) onto my guitar hurt it in any way? Obviously strings are more likely to break, but I was advised against installing the thing when I originally got my guitar by my uncle, who helped me pick out my guitar (a Fender Stratocaster, by the way).

[eXperiment63]

Re: Playing Guitar

Well to install one is a bit of a bitch. Most Strats have tremolo bridges, but if you have one with a hard tail bridge... You are better off trading it for one with a tremolo bridge.

[Hooe]

Re: Playing Guitar

Well to install one is a bit of a bitch. Most Strats have tremolo bridges, but if you have one with a hard tail bridge... You are better off trading it for one with a tremolo bridge.

Yeah, I wasn't about try to change any of the guts of the guitar myself. My Strat came with one of the whammy bars and has a hole for it (which is currently covered up by from what I can tell is a silver sticker...), which I'm guessing means it has a tremolo bridge. I was just wondering whether putting the bar in and using it would screw anything else up.

[Kramer5150]

Re: Playing Guitar

Yeah, I wasn't about try to change any of the guts of the guitar myself. My Strat came with one of the whammy bars and has a hole for it (which is currently covered up by from what I can tell is a silver sticker...), which I'm guessing means it has a tremolo bridge. I was just wondering whether putting the bar in and using it would screw anything else up.

Putting the bar in won't screw anything up,but......IF you're not familiar with setting up guitars,using the bar on a standard strat bridge WILL cause you more headaches than it's worth.
A "properly" set up strat tremolo,is only designed to give "subtle" effects,due to it being a "non-locking" system.

If you're wanting to be aggressive with the bar,you'll need a "double locking" system.....one which clamps the strings at the bridge and at the nut. The Floyd Rose trem system (imo) is the best out there,as you can dive bomb the hell out of the strings until their completely slack on the fretboard,and come back out in tune.

If this is what you have in mind...I wouldn't attempt this on a standard strat trem,I would just buy a guitar with the type of trem that suits your style.

Good luck.