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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:44 pm
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Roadie
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Oh, dear. You haven't even had your first lesson and you're getting drawn into the "Fender vs Gibson", "single coil vs humbucker" debate snake-pit...

Some sage advice I saw here when I was first starting is that every guitarist needs at least three guitars:

Stratocaster
Telecaster
Gibson Les Paul

So that's my objective :-) One of each, living in harmony.

But let your ears and your own hands guide you.

And also, btw, what a great song list! Pride and Joy and Dazed and Confused are definitely on my favorites list as well. Keep these in front of you as goals and you will get better in no time.

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2002 LP Special Ebony Faded
2008 G-Dec
'59 Reissue Bassman 4x10 combo
TS 808
DS 1
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:51 pm
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EllenW wrote:
Oh, dear. You haven't even had your first lesson and you're getting drawn into the "Fender vs Gibson", "single coil vs humbucker" debate snake-pit...

Some sage advice I saw here when I was first starting is that every guitarist needs at least three guitars:

Stratocaster
Telecaster
Gibson Les Paul

So that's my objective :-) One of each, living in harmony.

But let your ears and your own hands guide you.

And also, btw, what a great song list! Pride and Joy and Dazed and Confused are definitely on my favorites list as well. Keep these in front of you as goals and you will get better in no time.


+1...especially about letting your ears and hands guide you.

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2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head


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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:45 pm
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Yes, once I learn how to play proficient enough that I am learning on my own, then I am sure I will be stepping up to higher quality instruments, and I doubt that I will be stuck on one company. I like too many different styles to pick one and stick with it I think.

So who knows where I will be 5 years from now.

Anyways, this has been really great. I didnt expect so much free flowing knowledge.

I have some more questions.

First, I was looking for a mag to subscribe to and found Guitar World and they offered a free issue, which I have signed up for. Are there any other mags I should look for?

I would also like too know what sites everyone here frequents. Anything and everything I can read will help me out a lot. I have read a few articles on how to read tabs and some other articles. Any advice on reading materials would be great.

Thanks again everyone.
Havn't even purchased a guitar yet, and feel part of a community.


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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:19 am
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Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas (San Antonio, y'all)
Carbonite, welcome to the forum and welcome to the world of guitar! I've been playing for just a little over a year myself, and--while I clearly have no innate musical talent--I am having a blast.

I bought a Squier Standard Stratocaster ($200 from World Music Supply) and a Roland Micro Cube amp ($125 from Sam Ash). I've been very happy with this set-up. The Squier starter pack you're describing is very similar. I would definitely recommend that you go for the one with the G-DEC Junior amp. It's not much more expensive than the others, and I think you'll get a lot more use out of it in the long run. Consider spending about $50 to get the guitar properly set up at your local guitar shop--this will vastly improve the playability of the instrument.

One thing you'll discover is that there will always be someone who will look down his nose at your equipment. You could buy the $15,000 Eric Clapton Crossroads Antigua Strat, and someone would find something to criticize. But the first time you strike a chord exactly right and it rings out true, you'll be hooked--no matter what instrument you're playing.

If you don't plan on taking lessons, I recommend picking up a copy of the Hal Leonard Guitar Method book. It will give you a solid foundation and a structure for learning.

http://www.amazon.com/Hal-Leonard-Guitar-Method-Complete/dp/0634047019/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233490496&sr=8-1

Once again, welcome to the world of guitar, and have fun! 8)

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm. :wink:


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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:06 am
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I can comment on the magazines, because I've just been asking people the same question. I ended up going to a local bookstore and picked up a whole bunch of things to check them out. Guitar Player and Guitar World seem to be the standard ones, and were bot good. They also had a copy of Guitarist which I think is the UK version of Guitar World, and that was great - different articles and all different guitarists referenced than you see in the US. And then I splurged and got a copy of "Fretboard Journal" but that looks a bit high-end and specialist for my current purposes, and seemed to focus on more classical and jazz players than rock.

The advice my teacher gave me about magazines was "Look at the ads." That's how you can tell the market that the magazine is aiming at, and that will be an indication of the kind of information you can get in it. Let's just say the ones with lots of bikini girls weren't for me, but I realize I occupy a very small niche in the overall guitar market...

_________________
2008 MIM Strat w 3-tone sunburst
2002 LP Special Ebony Faded
2008 G-Dec
'59 Reissue Bassman 4x10 combo
TS 808
DS 1
Gretsch 6120DS (on loan)


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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:37 am
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Carbonite wrote:
First, I was looking for a mag to subscribe to and found Guitar World and they offered a free issue, which I have signed up for. Are there any other mags I should look for?

I would also like too know what sites everyone here frequents. Anything and everything I can read will help me out a lot. I have read a few articles on how to read tabs and some other articles. Any advice on reading materials would be great.


Welcome, and good luck on your journey!

I personally prefer Guitar Player - Guitar World seems too shred/metal oriented for me.

As far as sites? Well fender.com of course! As you have found, there's lots of great info here and we're a friendly bunch as well. You'll find this is probably the best place to ask questions and get great no-nonsense answers ... :)

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http://www.bluesrepublic.org/

2008 Fender American Stratocaster
2008 Fender Deluxe Telecaster
Fender Power Jazz Bass Special 1987 (MIJ)
Egnater Renegade Head
Egnater Tourmaster 2x12 cab


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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:18 pm
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Location: Central PA
I started on electric guitar in July of '08. I was set on a Les Paul(sorry guys!). Fortunately I shopped before I bought. The LP just didn' t feel right to me. When I picked up the a Mexican Strat, I knew it was what I had to have! I've had no regret since buying it. In hindsight the only thing I may have done differently would be get the HSS model. I also purchased a Fender G-den Jr amp and have been very please with it. It is a pretty versatile little amp wiht some cool features. Surely you would probably want something a little bigger if you get to the point where you start gigging. Good luck! Hope this was helpful. :D


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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:32 am
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Location: Winnipeg, MB
I've been playing for coming up on two years. If I can offer some suggestions based on my own experience:

- The guitar you choose is almost immaterial as long as it's well set-up (easy to play) and sounds good. There are great guitars in every price range. I have a really cheap guitar that sounds fantastic, and plays like a dream. You don't need to spend a thousand or even five hundred dollars to get a good guitar.
- In terms of sound, a good amp is much more important than a good guitar. Something with a headphone jack might be useful, and if you're starting out, make sure whatever you get sounds good at low volumes, not just at 11.
- Take private lessons if you can afford it. A good teacher will be able to teach you things that could take ages to learn on your own, and will be able to correct mistakes in technique, etc., which in turn will allow you to progress faster.
- Learn to read standard music notation. Learn to read tab. Learn pieces by ear. And don't neglect any of the three of these.


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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:46 am
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Location: Illinois, USA
little bro',
Guitar Players Rule #1, there are no rules.
so, keep your guitar in sight at all times, even if you have to carry it with you (within reason mate), hope to jam with you sometime.


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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:33 am
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Ok guys, well here is the story.

I called a few places around me and found a place that sells Mexican Strats. He quoted me a price of 399 for one and about 200 for a good quality amp. So I am looking at about 600 before taxes to get one of these Mexican Strats many of you are raving about.

Is this price good, bad or ugly?

Thanks for the magazine tips. I thumbed through some good stuff at a local shop now too.


And yes guys, definately plan on taking lessons. I dont think I will even play around with the Guitar until after my first lesson. Dont want to start any bad habits. There are some great players at the local shop that give lessons.

And russianracehorse, when you say the first time you strike a chord exactly right and it rings out true I will be hooked. I absolutely believe that. I know that this is something that, once I know how to play, I probably will not stop for the rest of my life.


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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:00 am
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Location: metro Chicago USA
Hello Carbonite.

'Am riding with the "MIM Stratocaster Gang." A G-Dec 30 with a MIM will push you a little higher, but it's in this opinion, way, way worth saving for.

The joy and contentment of having something of high quality stays with one long after the pain of extra cost wears off.

Or, from Rolex, "Things of quality do not fear the passage of time."


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:18 pm
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Location: Central New Jersey
~ $600 sounds about right. What amp?

You could also look for used to save some $$$.

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2008 Fender American Stratocaster
2008 Fender Deluxe Telecaster
Fender Power Jazz Bass Special 1987 (MIJ)
Egnater Renegade Head
Egnater Tourmaster 2x12 cab


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Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:20 am
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Ah well, I am torn now. Been talking with my uncle.
Starting to hang around at the local shops a bit more.

Starting to learn some preferences of my own.

Will update when I make a decision.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:01 am
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Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas (San Antonio, y'all)
Carbonite, by all means take your time and make a decision that you're comfortable with. It sounds like this is something you're going to enjoy and stick with for a long time, so you may as well start with an instrument that really speaks to you. We on this forum really like Fenders, so we'd be proud to have you in our numbers. But choose what moves you, whether it be a Fender or something else. Most of all, have fun! 8)

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm. :wink:


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:40 am
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Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:56 am
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Location: metro Chicago USA
As those great late-20th century philosophers, Fleetwood Mac, said...

"You got to go your own way."

Best of fortune. Feel for a vibe between you and the instrument, and in this opinion, the player is at least half the total sound, with the guitar and amp sharing the other half equally.


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