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Post subject: Your 2 Cents...
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:58 am
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Hey everyone! Just had a quick little question. I've been sleeplessly researching fender strat guitars and some accoustics for a little while now. I'm actually looking to purchase my first guitar. I just wanted to know if you guys think it would be better to learn off an accoustic first or if I should just purchase my first strat as my first guitar. Also, if some of you do think I should purchase a strat first, I basically have 3 choices, I could order a bunch of parts and put together a Frankenstein of my own, or I can pick-up a Mexican or American made strat. Obviously it seems like the American may be the best choice but scowering youtube and these forums I see that a lot of people love the MIM strat and I'm not sure throwin around a few g's would be worth it for me in the end. I know I'm going to stick with this and I do want a well made guitar that will last but I'm just unsure of what I should to, your input will really help! Thanks fender people!!


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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:02 am
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Welcome to the Forum!

I find electric guitars easier to play. In my personal opinion a MIM Strat would make an excellent first guitar. You can always upgrade later.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:03 am
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That choice depends on what your want to learn most - electric or acoustic style music?

If you really want to play rock, or blues, or more electric type music it won't help your playing as much to get an acoustic. And if you want to play mellower stuff and folk, then a strat probably shouldn't be your first choice.

Think about what style you want to play MOST (of course you'll probably say all styles - eventually).

And, go to the store and play a lot yourself. Find some that FEEL good to you. I've been playing over 25 yrs, and I still need to find guitars that feel good when I play them. Sure, I "can" play on any guitar, but when you sit down with then, you'll feel whether that one really speaks to your or not, whether it feels good in your hands, whether the body feels good to sit with, and how easy it is FOR YOU to play.


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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:05 am
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I personally am of the opinion that beginners should learn on an acoustic guitar. After learning on an acoustic moving to an electric is much easier as it is physically harder to chord an acoustic guitar and to make the instrument sound clean. If you must insist on an electric guitar, I would recommend a Fender Telecaster as opposed to a Stratocaster, the reason, is that a Tele has less pickup settings and is easier to use to get the sound you want. Also since there is no whammy bar, the static bridge helps to keep the guitar in tune. The MIM models are great, if, you take the time to find one that is of excellent quality in fit and finish. It took me exchanging two of three Teles to finally find the one that was near perfect. In contrast, my MIM Stratocaster was excellent from the get go after I got a professional setup on it.


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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:23 am
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An acoustic will eventually limit your stylings but a MIM Stratocaster, you won't outgrow. Besides, the MIM Stratocaster is the best bang for the buck out there!

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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:40 am
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I would go and look at few Strats. Electric guitars are easier to learn on then accoustic in my opinion as well. I do beleive in the saying buy the best you can afford as your first guitar because in most cases you get what you pay for. I am not saying all low cost guitars are bad but you are less likely to find the quiality that you will want as you learn and begin to understand what a guitar is supposed to feel like and sound like. It is hard for someone to pickup a guitar who has never played one and tell if this is a good one or bad but once you start learning you will begin noticing the difference.

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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:43 am
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+1 to all the above, but I'll add this...

The one thing I would recommend you not do from the choices you listed is to go the Frankenstein route. You need a certain level of experience to know if your project has issues with it.

As for acoustic or electric, I would say you make this choice based soley on the type of music you want to play. However, if you are still on the fence, then go electric as an electric is easier to play and learn on.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:49 am
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If you got with a strat or tele, I'd recommend the MIM as well. I have an MIA and a MIM. While I like the MIA better for a number of reasons, the MIM is a great guitar and a great value for the money. For someone that's starting out, you won't notice or appreciate the difference that the MIA (and it's price tag) will have.

As a reference point, you could have an entire, professional musical career with that same MIM you buy - without a doubt. IF - like what already noted - you find a good one that feels good to you.

IF you end up buying an acoustic, make sure it has a "solid" top. "Solid" being THE GOLDEN word. This will sound much better, getter better the longer you have it, and will have a good tone that will keep you happy for a while...

- Mahogany top
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- Select Spruce top
- Cedar top

^^ if the magic word "solid" is not in there, it means nothing - don't buy it.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:56 am
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chucksolo69 wrote:
I personally am of the opinion that beginners should learn on an acoustic guitar. After learning on an acoustic moving to an electric is much easier as it is physically harder to chord an acoustic guitar and to make the instrument sound clean.

I agree!

But whatever you choose to learn, get a good teacher for the beginning and you'll love it!!!

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:09 pm
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chucksolo69 wrote:
I personally am of the opinion that beginners should learn on an acoustic guitar.

I don't agree. What you learn on should be based on the type of music you want to play. Some one wanting to rock out will not find an acoustic very satisfying. However, the comment made above by chucksolo69 that "playing an acoustic makes you better" is completely true.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:18 pm
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I have a MIM strat that I think is great. I haven't been playing that long and it was an upgrade from an Epiphone Special II. A thousand time better. Stays in tune well and I find it easy to barre chords on.


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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:18 pm
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01GT eibach wrote:
...However, the comment made above by chucksolo69 that "playing an acoustic makes you better" is completely true.


I've seen the opposite though. It may make you a better ACOUSTIC player, and strummer. I've seen a LOT of acoustic-only guitarists that play very well, and sound great on acoustic, but you give them an electric and they can't play, don't know the "electric" way to play, and you hear tons of noise and unclean playing.

So, I think acoustic CAN make you better, IF you already know how to play electric, and use the acoustic to train your hands harder. Playing most "acoustic" stuff won't make you any better of a rock or blues player though.

They're a totally different feel, and I think you need to get the one that fits your main style the best.

There is a difference, though when you get to a certain stage in your playing, that line fades more.


Last edited by dgonz on Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: strat..new player...
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:31 pm
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The MIM is a fine guitar for the $$$...a great value.

The Custom Shop craftsmen created Classic Player's Stratocasters are really nice.

But if you do want an U.S. made strat, the Highway One is a wonderful nitro finished guitar. It has a satin finish, though it can be buffed to make it shinny.

They are all strats, so the differences are subtle. Though I would expect a better quality guitar as move up through the line.

Again, the MIM will sound and play like a strat that it is.
Bottom line, it just depends on what you want to spend.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:33 pm
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Go electric to start. If you start on acoustic i think you will have more good habits but just might get frustrated


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:34 pm
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welcome to the forums,all of the advice given above is good,without being redundant to whats already been said ,i will say i was in your position 2 yrs ago .i ended up buying an Eric Johnson strat,to this day i am so happy i made that decision.i have also aquired an acoustic for a group class that i attend,but electric is what i like and enjoy playing the most,rock on dude whatever you decide your playing guitar and thats what matters


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