The OS Guitarists thread

[8]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

It's interesting to hear you guys say that. I have a guitar near me at all times outside of work. I even take one with me on vacations.

[TCM]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

It's interesting to hear you guys say that. I have a guitar near me at all times outside of work. I even take one with me on vacations.

I used to take mine everywhere too, I just lost the motivation to learn new things and I started to get bored with hearing myself play the same style things all the time.

Taking a break is definitely good at certain points though, it helped me get out of my ruts before and I don't see why it wouldn't do the same when I decide to pick it back up again.

[Vizen]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Hey, just wanted to share my soundcloud with fellow op sports members/guitarists here. I use Logic Pro X to write/record, all guitars are done using my Gibson Les Paul Studio, mainly through a Boss GT-001 ( look it up if you haven't seen it) and have a friend in the process of writing lyrics for most songs. She has recorded on some of them already. Anyway, feedback always appreciated and thanks in advance...

https://www.soundcloud.com/editeraseband

[Guffers]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Just for something different, I've finally started recording my practice more often. Apologies for the quality as I was at work and just used my iphone.

Anyway this piece is by the Spanish impressionist composer De Falla and he wrote this around 1919-1920 in memory of his friend Debussy who died in 1918. It's a very important piece as it marks one of the first major works for guitar written by a non guitarist.

Cheers guys, I hope you're all still enjoying playing the guitar.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kZRxa9zSkw0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://youtu.be/kZRxa9zSkw0

[Vizen]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Here is a new song I just mixed... Still a work in progress, but I am happy with it so far...

https://soundcloud.com/editeraseband/the-victim-rough-mix

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Can you plug headphones with a 1/4" adapter straight into a guitar or do you need an amp in between? Got my dad some nice headphones for Christmas and he wants to be able to connect them to his guitar. Is something like this what he will need I assume? http://www.guitarcenter.com/Headphon...-Amplifiers.gc

[CMH]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Glad this thread exists. But would be surprised if it didn't.

I've been telling my girlfriend for about a year now that I want to learn to play the guitar (I've been wanting to learn since I was a kid but just never did).

I'm more into an acoustic sound over electric. But as I started researching guitars, I see that there are acoustic-electric guitars? Is there a major difference or is it mostly for sound volume?

And does sound volume really matter much? Couldn't I just "plug" an acoustic guitar into an amp or apply something to pick up the sound if I was playing in front of a crowd (hey, you never know, maybe some day)?

Finally, while I want to learn, I do fear that I might give it up if I'm simply not built for playing. So I kind of don't want to spend a lot on a guitar to start with just so I can get the basics down.

I understand good instruments cost money, but I see guitars that are about $100 or so. Are they truly so bad? Somebody said his broke in about 2 years, but I figure I would want to move on to something better and more expensive in 2 years time anyway so that doesn't worry me.

[KingV2k3]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

I'm more into an acoustic sound over electric. But as I started researching guitars, I see that there are acoustic-electric guitars? Is there a major difference or is it mostly for sound volume?

And does sound volume really matter much? Couldn't I just "plug" an acoustic guitar into an amp or apply something to pick up the sound if I was playing in front of a crowd (hey, you never know, maybe some day)?

Finally, while I want to learn, I do fear that I might give it up if I'm simply not built for playing. So I kind of don't want to spend a lot on a guitar to start with just so I can get the basics down.

I understand good instruments cost money, but I see guitars that are about $100 or so. Are they truly so bad? Somebody said his broke in about 2 years, but I figure I would want to move on to something better and more expensive in 2 years time anyway so that doesn't worry me.

If you're into acoustics, then I'd stick to a solid acoustic and leave the acoustic / electric hybrids alone for now...

Those cost a bit more, because they have a pickup installed which you don't need right now...

You can always retrofit a pickup later or just use a mic, to amplify if / when the need arises...

I would get the best, most basic acoustic you can afford because:

1) Cheap guitars are the reason many quit out of frustration...they are simply harder to play because they don't stay in tune / the "action" (relationship of string height to fret board) is usually too high and the frets are often too high as well...

2) Buy a decent one now and IF you want another guitar down the road, you can get an acoustic / electric or an electric, because you're "covered" with the decent acoustic you already own...

The trick to getting a good guitar cheap?

Find a local guitar tech (a guy who sets up and repairs guitars) though a musician friend / bulletin boards when musicians congregate / through a music shop / internet / etc.

He can help steer you to a pawn shop / yard sale / Craig's List type bargain and set it up to play as well as it can...

Having it set up properly, with good strings is more important than the guitar itself...

Have fun, but realize it's something that you truly "get out of what you put in"...

[CMH]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Okay. As I research I'm going to drop links of acoustic guitars and ask for opinions. I'm going in really blind. I know nothing but the name Fender when it comes to guitars. And by that I mean I don't even know terms or chords.

So I'm as much a newbie as anyone might find.

sent from my mobile device

[KingV2k3]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Okay. As I research I'm going to drop links of acoustic guitars and ask for opinions. I'm going in really blind. I know nothing but the name Fender when it comes to guitars. And by that I mean I don't even know terms or chords.

So I'm as much a newbie as anyone might find.

sent from my mobile device

In general:

Fender is known for their electrics, more than acoustics...

Martin and Gibson are the standard bearers for acoustic, but might be out of your price range...

You're going to be better off trying to find someone to guide you through this process in person, because unfortunately, the "look" of a guitar or it's brand, etc. are less important than it's "feel" and condition...

The best values are found in resale situations, where the seller just wants / need to unload the thing at a value price...

[Madman55]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

In my experience, you can't go wrong with Epiphone (essentially a Gibson "knockoff", I have an Epiphone SG and an acoustic that I'm not sure of the model name) or Squire (Fender "knockoff", my first bass was a squire precision bass). Both Epiphone and Squire are cheaper versions of the real things and are definitely good starting guitars.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

I started off on my Dad's old Yamaha FG acoustic (which is the dreadnought style) that is older than myself. Honestly, for the first guitar, the most important thing is a set of good strings, keep it tuned, and make sure the action is set properly if you pick up a used one.

[CMH]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

What does "action" mean? Dreadnought style?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

Action is the height of the strings off the fretboard.

[sydrogerdavid]

Re: The OS Guitarists thread

This is a pretty good place to start. It pretty much answers all the questions a beginner could have.

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-00...nersCourse.php


In the videos, Justin mentions that it might be a better idea to buy a budget electric guitar over a budget acoustic guitar as they are of better quality and easier to play. He mentions Yamaha or Ibanez, but from personal experience, the Squire Vintage Modified series is also really good.

http://www.squierguitars.com/series/vintage-modified/

While it says retail is around $400, you can easily find these for no more than $250. My first guitar was the black 70s Strat because it is very similar to David Gilmour's. It sounds great and plays great, even better than my Mexican Strat.