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Post subject: First electric guitar
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:46 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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I bought my first electric guitar on Labor Day. It was a Fender Squier Strat value pack. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-SE-Special-Strat-with-Squier-SP-10-Amp-Value-Pack-104486238-i1177837.gc I got it in Brown Sunburst.

I got it for 99 dollars. Since I've always wanted to play electric guitar and I have smaller hands (yes, I'm a gal), I decided to go for it. I have a Yamaha classical guitar but it's hard for me to play because the neck is so big. (For me the sound is way better on a Yamaha, but for a starter electric, I'm pleased with the Fender Squier) I think I'm paying more in accessories than the actual value pack. LOL I replaced the strap with a Batdz-Maru one (which is quite comfortable) and got a shoulder pad because of my back injury.

I never had electric before, so I was wondering about that hole at the top for adjusting the neck and the smaller one for the strings. When should I use these since I have no directions for them? Plus, the low E string makes a buzzing noise if played a little hard unlike the other strings which don't do that. How do I get rid of the buzzing noise in the low E string?

Thank you.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:03 pm
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Professional Musician
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Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Hello LadyVandettaAngel,

Welcome to this forum and the world of the
electric guitar.

99 bucks and your in the club---Wellll,
I gonna sugest you take it to a tech and have it
properly set up, ask if you can watch so you'll
be able to do it in the future. It's not hard at all
numerous Youtube vids on the subject but nothings
better than watching a person live where you can have
immediate questions answered. Set up cost will be between
$30 and $50.

Always remember, all us members love a photograph.

Cheers.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:12 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Since electric's are new to you I wouldn't suggest you making any changes yourself but if there is a music store that you do business with ask them about having them set it up for you along with a new set of strings. If its a good shop they will do a few minor adjustments for less than 25 bucks including the strings. If you do feel like trying to do some of this stuff there are some articles at fender.com about setting up your guitar and what and when you adjust some of those "holes" you asked about


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:27 pm
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Rock Star
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Location: Magnolia, Texas (just north of Houston)
Welcome to the Forum. Welcome to the world of electric guitars.

As mentioned before, there are several vids on youtube to show you what ou want to know. And I agree that you should take it to a shop that has a good luthier/technician on hand to do a professional st-up/intonation.

Some shops will not let you watch. I wanted to watch my tech adjust my truss rod. (I have been playing for almost 20 years and I still do not mess with the truss rod). I guess that he figures I will keep seeing him every 2-3 years when I decide to make a major change or buy a new guitar that will require a major set-up.

Have fun and we do like to see pics of guitars.

RK

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:21 am
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Thanks! I'll post a pic soon when my camera cooperates. LOL

I have a store near me (well, there's only one store by me at all). They replaced the strings on my classical guitar for 20 dollars including the strings (don't know if that's a good price but since they're the only ones in my area, no choice really).

Been trying to find a time to practice but my dad suffered a huge injury in 2008 and is now a paraplegic so taking care of him and doing my job takes up most of my time. Hopefully he'll walk again. I'm going back to guitar because he bought me my first one (Yamaha) when I was a kid so I figured I try to go back to it. Doing it for dad. I know I'll never be a rock star (too old for that LOL) but it's just fun.

Again, will post a pic soon and thanks for the advice.

EDIT: Here are my guitar pics. click to make bigger.

Image
Image
Image
Image

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:33 am
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LadyVendettaAngel wrote:
I'm going back to guitar because he bought me my first one (Yamaha) when I was a kid so I figured I try to go back to it. Doing it for dad. I know I'll never be a rock star (too old for that LOL) but it's just fun.




You may not be a Rock Star but it sounds like your already a REAL Star

I'll keep you and your Dad in my prayers


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:21 am
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Hi,
Congratulations on the new guitar!

Despite what some gear-snobs will say, the Squier guitars are really good guitars for the money. Heck, they're just good guitars. As for the buzzing, sometimes all it takes is new strings to get rid of. Other times you have to get the truss rod adjusted by a luthier/guitar tech. Sometimes, you need a new nut. And sometimes you need to have the frets levelled. So start with the new strings. If that doesn't take care of it and it bothers you, take it to a pro and have it set up. It should play great after that.

I know you've already bought your guitar, and I know you'll be happy with it, but I would have suggested you try out one of the Squier Affinity Series strats. The necks are narrower and therefore better suited for people with smaller hands (women and children). Some guys like the narrow necks too.

If you try an Affinity out and like the narrow neck, you can usually grab one off ebay or craig's list for $80-100. You could sell yours or swap it. I have an Affinity Strat myself and can tell you that the neck is appreciably narrower.

Good luck with everything!


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:32 am
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Crud, should've asked more questions before buying. Ah well, live and learn. At least I didn't spend a lot to get what I needed though. I can play most of the chords now (the G is a little rough but I think I need to get more practice since I keep muting the A string a little). Thanks for the tip. Next time I'll try out those Squier Affinity guitars and see the difference. I can't get out of the house unfortunately due to taking care of dad so I just decided to pop for a cheap one. I asked some guitar people online and they said that this Squier should suit my needs for the money.

Thanks alot for the tips. I'll be saving some money.

BTW, I have two sets of strings already (one I got for free with my Squier as a Labor Day promotion and one I got with a care pack).
1. Fender Nickelplated Steel Super 250s (250 L)--.009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042

2. Musician's Gear Electric Guitar Strings (same numbers as the Fender strings) "made from a nickel-plated steel wire wrapped around a platinum hexagonal steel core"

If I have the strings swapped, which set should I use or should I get a different set. I didn't pay for them since one was free with the guitar and one was free with a care pack.

Thanks again!

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:38 am
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i would think either set of strings will be fine.

question: does the low E string buzz only when played open? or does it buzz when you play it at different frets?


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:04 am
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So far, just when it's open. When the E is pressed, it doesn't buzz. However, it sounds like the low E is "out of tune" when pressed and very noticeable on the G chord. I've tuned the E string and it sounds fine, but when pressed, sometimes it sounds out of tune. Maybe it's just me. Does the whammy bar have any correlation to the tuning of the strings?

EDIT: When i press the E string too hard, it gets out of tune. Just noticed while playing. hmm

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:09 am
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a new E string might solve this problem.

if not, my guess is that it's the nut. perhaps the groove is cut a little too deep. i had that problem on one of my Squier Bullets. Replaced the nut and it's fine.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:45 pm
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that's a great package to begin with! congrats!
nice to see more gals rockin'!

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:56 pm
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*High Fives Wild_Rose*
*plays air guitar*

Now all I have to do is learn how to play it well. :lol: A lot of it is coming back to me though.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:49 pm
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When you mentioned a G-chord it brought back a few memories. When I first went from acoustic to electric I had a tendency to put to much pressure on the strings and push the low G out of tune on the g chord. you might try a little heavier guage. they make a custom light that has this combination. One other trick I've shown players over the years is to use 2nd, 3rd and pinky fingers on the G chord you will find this will make switching to a C chord alot smoother. and for a variation hold both G's with your 3rd and pinky and rotate your 1st and 2nd fingers between the G and C chords. Have Fun :D


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:44 pm
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Welcome to the forums! It's nice to know there's another girl on here now. :D

I have a Squier too (my first guitar) and it's still one of my favorites. I also messed around trying to make adjustments to it a lot when I was starting out... Which was really not a good idea. :lol:

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