I want to buy my first guitar - what do you recommend ?

[TOTO]

Hey falks. I've gotten the urge to buy my first Guitar and learn to play.


Can people in the know tell me what is something good for a beginner ?

I've been browsing reTradeMe and have seen that there are quite alot of not so expensive Guitars on offer.


Anything specific that I should avoid as a beginner ?

Electric VS Non-electric ?

I see there are guitars with plastic strings and with steel strings. Which is better ?

Is an older guitar a good choice for a first guitar or should I go new ?

Are there any shops that you buy your guitars from that you recommend ?




Thanks guys :wavey:

[Kittyhawk]

Depends on your pocket, what sound you are after and what style you will most likely want to play.


Anything specific that I should avoid as a beginner ?
If you are looking at 2nd hand guitars check the neck where it joins the big part of the guitar for cracks, check tuning knobs (at the end) for cracks and twist them to make sure they turn easy both ways. If they are seized or the lugs are cracked this is up for replacement

Check the bridge (opposite end of the neck) where the end of the strings are and look for signs of movement or if its crooked etc.

Make sure the guitar has no dents dings or patch up jobs around the sound board or inside the hole. This can lead to intonation weakening of the structure and dosent look the best if ya trying to impress ya mates.

Check the strings, if they are steel string check for unraveling, and worn out ones, nylon, will be thinner in places so either way youll need to replace them. AS stupid as it sounds make sure the guitar has 6 strings and the correct strings. Each string has a different size and if you see two the same then someone has replaced it with the wrong one.

Im sure I've missed some stuff....


I see there are guitars with plastic strings and with steel strings. Which is better ?
Depends, If you are wanting to play predominantly rock then a beginner electric guitar and amp are the way to go. If its classicial music then maybe nylon depends on what sound you are looking for. Electric guitars sound twangy but you can do so much to change the sounds using pedals etc.

Steel string guitars are crisp in sounding and great for finger picking, dynamicially you can do more with it as in getting harmonics, more clearer for recording as well. Normally you'd either fingerpick or use a pic to play one as the strings are hard on the flesh of your fingers.

Nylon guitars are alot more softer and mellow in sound,. you dont need a pic all the time to play, but are harder to get harmonics you need to press harder on the fret board to get a note compared to a steel string as they are more sensitive. They are slightly wider in the neck and the strings are thicker too.

Is an older guitar a good choice for a first guitar or should I go new ?
Depends how serious you are. If you are going second hand you can have more problems like anything you buy second hand. If you are wanting something to last I suggest brand new.

Are there any shops that you buy your guitars from that you recommend
The music shop in Panmure has cheap steel string and nylon string acoustic guitars steel string ones are $120 I think and nylon ones are under $100. They were last time I wondered past. Most of their gear is aimed at the beginner - intermediate musician price wise and they have a whole wall full to choose from (oh and have a hot pink Pearl drum kit **druels)

The Rock Shop on K road sells some decent gear but its more for the serious musician and more expensive. There is also Mainline Music, I havnet been in there for ages so have no idea on what product or price range they have. There's Lewis Eady on Great South Road just out from Newmarket, they are aimed more at the intermediate - pro like the Rock Shop.

Consider getting a step by step book, they are awesome! Teaches you how to look after your instrument, how to tune it properly, change the strings correctly, learn to read music and some books have an accompanying cd. I strongly suggest get one with a cd or even a dvd if they have them.

Apparantly TAB is part of the cirrculium in schools now. But with TAB (do a google search on this for definition) if you have never heard the music before you are unable to read it and play it. it does not show the rhythm of the notes. Learn to read music notes and chords as its the gate way to reading any piece of music you come across. And is translated to any instrument. Tab is easy to pick up and you can do that at any stage.

Shall we go shopping??? :2thumbsup

[munterk6]

I've been playing guitar for 30 years and general rule of thumb is to start on a cheap(ish) acoustic guitar with light gauge steel strings.
Cheap...coz you may pack it in after a short time.
Not too cheap...coz the really cheapo ones are actually harder to learn on than middle of the road priced guitars.
Get a new Ibanez acoustic for around 400 to 600.
Get a teacher you like and can relate to, it makes the learning experience so much easier.
All the best and good times ahead!!

[TOTO]

Cool :D

Another thing that spinged to mind...


Are there cases with straps that I can carry the guitar on my back(as oposing to the shoulder ones) while riding my bike ?

[Mikkel]

A couple of questions:

1. What kind of music do you want to play?

2. What kind of setting would you like to do your playing in?

3. How much have you got to spend?


There are plenty of softpacks that will allow you to carry the guitar as a backpack. I don't own an instrument I'd be keen on doing that with however...

A decent quality electric guitar with a cheap amp is probably the most encouraging setup to learn on. You don't have to have callouses and finger strength to depress the strings before it can sound alright. Also, a lot of the advanced techniques are much easier to do on an electric compared to an accoustic. E.g. doing the intro to "Fade to Black" is rather challenging on even a high-end accoustic for a fairly experienced guitarist. Pretty easy on a decent electric.

[eliot-ness]

Hi Toto, What guitar you need depends on the type of stuff you want to play. A solid electric won't be much good for strumming along at the campsite singsong but an accoustic/electric can be used anywhere, anytime.
There are two good music shops on the shore. The Rock Shop on the corner of Wairaou and Barry's Point road have a huge selection of makes, styles and prices. My favourite, Mainline music, Wairaou road have the same, I've bought several guitars from them. Ask for Al. he'll give you good advice and a demo on any style. I bought four Ashton guitars for the grandkids, two solid electrics and two accoustic. All beginners instruments and at the cheaper end of the range but excellent quality. They often come as a beginners package, solids with amplifier and bag for around $350 and accoustics with bag $220. Lots of other makes to choose from at similar prices.
Some good guitar forums on the net. "Guitar for beginners and beyond" has lots of free lessons for all levels and with 75,000 members you can get knowledgable answers to any questions.
Get yourself a good book to start with. Progressive Guitar Method is one of the better ones. Start with book one. That'll give you all the basic chords, strumming patterns and first steps in reading music. If you know anyone who plays, get together with him/her regularly and compare notes. It's much easier to have someone around to point out mistakes before they get too ingrained.
Last, but not least. Look after the guitar, If you find the one you picked isn't right for you, take it back. I've returned a few to Mainline after a couple of months and got a full refund against my next choice. Try doing that at a bike shop.

[CookMySock]

don't buy a cheapie that is hard to play. you wont like it and shortly you will give up, and you will be stopped before you are even started.

DB

[fridayflash]

ANGUS YOUNG series gibson SG of course!!! lol
....or what munterk6 said...

[bully]

cant go wrong with ibanez, like they said cheapies are crap.look for big frets too(jumbos) i also like a double locking tremelo too, you maybe able to carry your guitar on ya bike, but the amp would be a struggle, choose a good brand amp too, peavy have a good sound and cheap, if you cant afford marshall or simalar, the thing with a amp is small ones dont really have a very good sound, big is good, and the nieghbours love it too.

confusing huh. theres lots more to it than one can wright in a email.
your pick is your friend.:headbang:

[Gubb]

I've got an Ibanez + Case + Marshall Amp that I don't really use anymore.

Can come over, have a look, and make me an offer.

[Kittyhawk]

if you go electric, watch out for noise patrol lol. I ran rehearsals in my lounge, they turned up twice...wasnt our fault we cranked amps up and played all night. :innocent:

[Kittyhawk]

I've got an Ibanez + Case + Marshall Amp that I don't really use anymore.

Can come over, have a look, and make me an offer.

hope you dont come as part of the package deal..:(

[ZeroIndex]

Go electric... as soon as you learn how to do stuff on an acoustic guitar you'll want to buy an electric. There are a lot of immitation Fender Strats, most of these are good. Budget for what you want and a guitar shop (the Rock Shop for example) will try meet your needs. For a guitar amp, you could go for a practice amp, but soon you'll be wanting to upgrade to something bigger, so I'd recommend something around the 20-30W range. Get the salesman to demo some amps playing some clean and distorted "chords", not those impressive "wails" they always do. Go with what makes you feel happy.

If you want a similarity for what I'm saying, say you have your full motorcycle license but you haven't ridden for a long time and you're wanting to get back into motorcycles... buying a 250 would be an uneducated buy considering in a month or two, you'll be looking at a 400-600cc bike. I'm not saying go out and buy a Hayabusa, but don't restrict yourself before starting.

[musicman]

Hi Toto, What guitar you need depends on the type of stuff you want to play. A solid electric won't be much good for strumming along at the campsite singsong but an accoustic/electric can be used anywhere, anytime.
There are two good music shops on the shore. The Rock Shop on the corner of Wairaou and Barry's Point road have a huge selection of makes, styles and prices. My favourite, Mainline music, Wairaou road have the same, I've bought several guitars from them. Ask for Al. he'll give you good advice and a demo on any style. I bought four Ashton guitars for the grandkids, two solid electrics and two accoustic. All beginners instruments and at the cheaper end of the range but excellent quality. They often come as a beginners package, solids with amplifier and bag for around $350 and accoustics with bag $220. Lots of other makes to choose from at similar prices.
Some good guitar forums on the net. "Guitar for beginners and beyond" has lots of free lessons for all levels and with 75,000 members you can get knowledgable answers to any questions.
Get yourself a good book to start with. Progressive Guitar Method is one of the better ones. Start with book one. That'll give you all the basic chords, strumming patterns and first steps in reading music. If you know anyone who plays, get together with him/her regularly and compare notes. It's much easier to have someone around to point out mistakes before they get too ingrained.
Last, but not least. Look after the guitar, If you find the one you picked isn't right for you, take it back. I've returned a few to Mainline after a couple of months and got a full refund against my next choice. Try doing that at a bike shop.

+1

The Rock Shop (http://www.rockshop.co.nz/) and Mainline Music (http://takapuna.musicworks.co.nz/) on Taharoto Road in Takapuna are 600m apart and a good place to start your search, I haven't been there in a while but I remember they do beginner packages, and they have books.

[Gubb]

hope you dont come as part of the package deal..:(

I am the deal.

[Laava]

http://www.yewknee.com/_img/blog/blog_guitars.jpg

[fireliv]

HI

I started playing a few years back. I went to Music works, got a guitar, bag, strap, extra set of strings, beginners cd and picks for about $200. I think they still run that kinda deal, and also run it with an electric guitar and amp for a bit more. The guitar is your standard guitar and I have had no probs with it.

Good luck whatever you decide

[CB ARGH]

Anything specific that I should avoid as a beginner ?
Shit guitars.

Electric VS Non-electric ?
Depends what you want from it. If you get an electric are you just going to stand infront of the mirror all day pretending to be a rockstar?

I see there are guitars with plastic strings and with steel strings. Which is better ?
If you go electric, most of the guitars (99.99999999999%) are steel strings, I've never seen a nylon stringed electric guitar (apart from an acoustic electric). If you go for an acoustic guitar, choose the nylon/plastic strings, as the metal ones will make your fingers hurt like shit, and you'll end up not wanting to play it because of this.

Is an older guitar a good choice for a first guitar or should I go new ?
No offense, but they're fuckin cheap brand new these days, don't waste time buying second hand, just go for a basic packaged deal for around $500 bucks from the local music store, a guitar, amp, strap, lead, and bag package deal, tuner also if you're lucky.

Are there any shops that you buy your guitars from that you recommend ?
Go West Music store... a.k.a Music Works... Wouldn't go anywhere else.


I hate the guitar, I perfer drums. I have owned three guitars (2 elec, one acoustic). Much perfer the electric.

[musicman]

http://www.yewknee.com/_img/blog/blog_guitars.jpg

Oooooh those are nice! I wonder where one can buy one of those...

[peasea]

On a lighter note, and this is the key thing, don't get anything that's too highly strung, it'll make you fret, but that's a bridge you'll have to cross without sticking your neck out or going for a slide. Just watch your tailpiece and pick it carefully. After that, adjusting your knobs will come easily.

[musicman]

Don't get a guitar, get a ukulele - more fun and more portable!

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[TOTO]

I like an acoustic more than electric.

Will check out the shops you guys recommended.

Cheers for the info.

[Big Dave]

If an Ibanez or Yamaha is within what you want to spend - it's hard to go wrong.

Don't discount a second hand one either. They don't wear out - they wear in.
Struggling musician + pawn shop= happy toto.

My last one was a Good classical from Lewis Eady Gt Sth Rd.

[Laava]

Don't get a guitar, get a ukulele - more fun and more portable!>

Good find,awesome! That was you though wasn't it Michael?:sunny:

[CB ARGH]

If an Ibanez or Yamaha is within what you want to spend - it's hard to go wrong.

Don't discount a second hand one either. They don't wear out - they wear in.
Struggling musician + pawn shop= happy toto.

My last one was a Good classical from Lewis Eady Gt Sth Rd.

Is Ibanez really that good?

I got a cheapo package for $500 retail. Guitar, amp, strap, cord etc... Buzzed like crazy, and tbh a shit guitar.

Unless it was a clone? :dodge:

[bully]

If an Ibanez or Yamaha is within what you want to spend - it's hard to go wrong.

Don't discount a second hand one either. They don't wear out - they wear in.
Struggling musician + pawn shop= happy toto.

My last one was a Good classical from Lewis Eady Gt Sth Rd.

on a steel string frets wear out, and you get buzzing.:Punk:

[Mikkel]

Don't bother with brand names... As with motorcycles find something that you like the feel and sound of. Try and find one that doesn't rattle too badly and has been regularly serviced (finger board hasn't dried out too badly).
As with anything else, you get what you pay for - but you can easily pay too much! There are guitars out there that are both cheap and good, go talk to someone who's enthusiastic about guitars - e.g. a luthier if you have one nearby.


On a lighter note, and this is the key thing, don't get anything that's too highly strung, it'll make you fret, but that's a bridge you'll have to cross without sticking your neck out or going for a slide. Just watch your tailpiece and pick it carefully. After that, adjusting your knobs will come easily.

:niceone:

[Big Dave]

on a steel string frets wear out, and you get buzzing.:Punk:


I have an Ibanez steel string that is about 30 years old. Apart from self-inflicted bruises, is in as-new condition.

Frets perfect - neck straight as.

Moderate use. Fingerpicking. Although the Hippie has just had it for 12 mths so it's had some strenuous work too.

You get what you pay for.

My Alhambra semi electric classical is a truly bewtiful thang.

[musicman]

Good find,awesome! That was you though wasn't it Michael?:sunny:

Haha, I wish! Unfortunately I can't play the uke at that level... nor the guitar. :weep:

[Mikkel]

Come on guys. Since we're talking about the guys first guitar I didn't bother with comments like:

"My Fender Stratocaster Ultra doesn't seem too bad. I could however do with a little bit more sustain on the parallel setting for the dual Red Fender Lace Sensor pickups."

or

"I am quite pleased with the tone and action of my Taylor 814CE... however, I find that the piezo-electric pickup doesn't pickup all of the nuances of the sound."

All of the established brands makes some good guitars - and all of them make some cheaper entry models. Shopping for guitars is a lot more fun than shopping for t-shirts - just go out there and do it. Just remember that the most important thing in order to enjoy it is a bit of patience - learning any instrument takes time and you never know for sure whether you'll enjoy it before you've had a go.

If you can, borrow a decent guitar from a mate and have a few lessons before buying an instrument for yourself. If you were in Chch I'd be happy to lend you one...

[chrisso]

Whatever you buy make sure the neck is straight( not warped ) & it will stay in tune with new(ish) strings.Rock On!