guitars for beginners

[Samsacks]

What you get isn't all that important. My first guitar was a real piece of shit. The strings were shit. Wouldn't stay in tune. Ugly. If the kid develops the love and desire to really learn to play, drop some dough on the second guitar. 7.5 times out of 10, it will end up in a closet, unused. There is so much information on the web as far as chords and tabs and songs to play along with. Get a good chord book anyway. Some song books with some classics in it and hope for the best.

Agreed. My first was a piece of junk Kay with a bowed neck - 1/4" action at the 12th fret! Didn't matter - you couldn't get it get it out of my hands.

When I was single, I had many lovely guitars - Gibson, Fender, Takamine, Ovation, Yamaha. Had to sell them over the years to pay for family life. Now I have an Esteban acoustic - it's really pretty good once you put decent strings on it and adjust the neck.

When I was coming up, you had top of the line and crap - Hondo, Memphis, etc. These days, you can get a decent, solid instrument for $100 if you look.

 

[girlsmiley]

that is a beauty. grandma has an older, very nice guitar that she would gift, if someone in the family really got into it. i have a feeling it's worth something, and not a beginners guitar.

Was a beauty. 1954 I think. Ivory keys. No matter.

I nearly had a heart attack when I saw Walk The Line for the first time. I was like Hey, that's my old guitar!

0.34
http://youtu.be/SyxhlrU7doY

 

[Que]

I agree on the suggestion about an electric. It will be "cooler" with his friends, as well. Since most amps can accept an earphone jack (make sure the earphone jack kills the main speaker) he can practice almost silently. He will be able to rupture his eardrums while not offending yours.

Look for ones that the strings are close to the frets that still don't buzz against the frets, the bigger the gap, the hard it is to play and usually poor construction. If I could not play the guitar and only could measure things that would be my best indicator of quality. Are the strings a uniform distance the whole length of the neck.?

All of that is even more important on an acoustic, since acoustics tend to take more finger strength to play, and tough finger tips. I used to grip and saw my fingertips on the the strings while watching TV or whatever to build callouses. I used the edge of my desk at school as well.

I am a fan of Yamaha acoustics for affordable and really rich sound. Good construction. Ovations are funky looking but play nice and sound really mellow. Gibson Martin, and Fender should have good resale value. They have lower price-point versions that are imports. I think squire is a fender import.

Martins I like best in an acoustic, but every guitar is different.

You don't have to know how to play to strum one and see if your ear likes the sound. Press the strings...if you as a non-guitar player can make nice sounding notes (does not matter which note) it will be easy to play. If the frets "buzz" and you have to press really hard, its harder to play.

Lighter gauge strings for a beginner is a good idea.

On an acoustic go with nylon strings for a beginner.


"I got my first real six string, over at the five and dime. I played it 'til my fingers bled; it was the Summer of '69."

 

[cowslinger64]

Was a beauty. 1954 I think. Ivory keys. No matter.

I nearly had a heart attack when I saw Walk The Line for the first time. I was like Hey, that's my old guitar!

1.54
http://youtu.be/SyxhlrU7doY

The guy that played Luther Perkins, Johnny's guitar player... is a friend of mine from Detroit..Dan Miller.

I watched the movie mostly because I knew he was in it.. lol

 

[AKS]

I have bought many guitars over the last 15 years. It is true that the electric fret easier.

 

[girlsmiley]

The guy that played Luther Perkins, Johnny's guitar player... is a friend of mine from Detroit..Dan Miller.

I watched the movie mostly because I knew he was in it.. lol

Oh for real? Cool.

Good movie. Witherspoon was brilliant in that.

 

[cowslinger64]

Oh for real? Cool.

Good movie. Witherspoon was brilliant in that.

Yep.. This is him and his band.. and he gave Jack White of the White Stripes his start, tho I think White blows..

Hot Women(Cold Beer) - Goober and the Peas


Better quality of the song..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1O2CnGb1HA

 

[SkAoUt]

I don't play but i've seen numerous links to http://www.justinguitar.com for free lessons. The reviews seem mostly positive.

 

[neci]

I agree on the suggestion about an electric. It will be "cooler" with his friends, as well. Since most amps can accept an earphone jack (make sure the earphone jack kills the main speaker) he can practice almost silently. He will be able to rupture his eardrums while not offending yours.

Look for ones that the strings are close to the frets that still don't buzz against the frets, the bigger the gap, the hard it is to play and usually poor construction. If I could not play the guitar and only could measure things that would be my best indicator of quality. Are the strings a uniform distance the whole length of the neck.?

All of that is even more important on an acoustic, since acoustics tend to take more finger strength to play, and tough finger tips. I used to grip and saw my fingertips on the the strings while watching TV or whatever to build callouses. I used the edge of my desk at school as well.

I am a fan of Yamaha acoustics for affordable and really rich sound. Good construction. Ovations are funky looking but play nice and sound really mellow. Gibson Martin, and Fender should have good resale value. They have lower price-point versions that are imports. I think squire is a fender import.

Martins I like best in an acoustic, but every guitar is different.

You don't have to know how to play to strum one and see if your ear likes the sound. Press the strings...if you as a non-guitar player can make nice sounding notes (does not matter which note) it will be easy to play. If the frets "buzz" and you have to press really hard, its harder to play.

Lighter gauge strings for a beginner is a good idea.

On an acoustic go with nylon strings for a beginner.


"I got my first real six string, over at the five and dime. I played it 'til my fingers bled; it was the Summer of '69."

turns out he's been eyeing an acoustic. this is going to be a fun adventure.

I have bought many guitars over the last 15 years. It is true that the electric fret easier.

thank goodness for headphones.

I don't play but i've seen numerous links to http://www.justinguitar.com for free lessons. The reviews seem mostly positive.

thank you for this link! i am sure it will come in handy.

 

[neci]

i will let you know what i go with. it won't be until the end of the week, until anything is decided on or purchased.

 

[pink]

I have always wanted to learn electric guitar and be a rocker chick.


I think I am better off being someone's whore.