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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:53 pm
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russianracehorse wrote:
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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Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 11:43 pm
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Hello everyone.

Well here is where I stand.

I have been to local shops numerous times and have made my way to a Guitar Center closest to me a few times as well. I have played a few chords and listened to others play a few chords on many different guitars.

I have found, as I thought I would, not a single instrument by either Fender or Gibson displeased me. I can now tell the difference between them when they are played without even seeing them. This was important to me. Anyways, what I have found is that, I will likely end up owning both a Fender Strat and a Gibson Les Paul in the long run. I believe that with owning both of these guitars I will be able to play anything on the planet to my liking. There are also a couple other models by these companies that I like, and a couple by some less well known companies that I like as well.

To be perfectly honest, for my own personal preference, the tone of a Les Paul is for me. They feel a bit more throaty. Something I like when paired with solemn music. Which is the type I would likely try to write and play. And before someone says something, I am not joining some camp of one side vs. the other. As I said, I like both the Fender Strat and the Gibson Les Paul. I am merely choosing the Les Paul as a personal preference. In fact, I think that selecting only one instrument could really hamper creativity.

Anyways, so I have decided that I will start with one of two options.
I am either going to get that Stop Dreaming pack with the G-Dec Junior, or I am going to get an Acoustic Guitar.

At my local shop they carry the packs and will get me any color I like (Metallic Blue), and will match the online prices I have seen.
They also have these inexpensive Fender Acoustics (149.99) that sound just fine for learning.

My uncle whom I called says that learning on an acoustic will build finger strength and let me know whether or not this is for me. (Its for me, I already know that.) Plus it will be a less expensive entry to the guitar because all you need is the guitar.

I am still a bit torn, because for me, the sound of an electric is what gets me, but I do like the idea of building finger strength and starting off really cheap and then being able to save for something nice while I am learning.

I am leaning a bit towards the acoustic, because it will also give me time to find my own preferences on neck profile, string gauge and type, pickups, amps and a myriad of other options with electric guitars all the way down to whether I like to use pedals and if I do what kind, and what sort of pick feels right to me.

So there it is. In fact, typing this out has sort of pushed me even closer to the acoustic start. lol

All this back and forth has really gotten me even more excited to play and I can't wait to bring home my first instrument and start becoming truly familiar with it.

Anyways, that is where I'm at. Let me know what you guys think and thanks for all the help and advice you guys have given already. This has been very a very enjoyable experience.

EDIT: Wow, sorry that got so long. Thanks again.


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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:31 am
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Carbonite wrote:
My uncle whom I called says that learning on an acoustic will build finger strength and let me know whether or not this is for me. (Its for me, I already know that.) Plus it will be a less expensive entry to the guitar because all you need is the guitar.


My personal opinion here ... unless you WANT to play acoustic it really makes no sense to get an acoustic when you know in the end you want an LP electric.

Finger strength? So what - you'll develop the strength you need for the electric just the same.

Less expensive? Not in the long run because you'll be putting out money for all of an acoustic, an electric, and an amp.

I would say stick with electric. Get an Epiphone LP to save some money.

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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:46 am
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tomk62 wrote:
Carbonite wrote:
My uncle whom I called says that learning on an acoustic will build finger strength and let me know whether or not this is for me. (Its for me, I already know that.) Plus it will be a less expensive entry to the guitar because all you need is the guitar.


My personal opinion here ... unless you WANT to play acoustic it really makes no sense to get an acoustic when you know in the end you want an LP electric.

Finger strength? So what - you'll develop the strength you need for the electric just the same.

Less expensive? Not in the long run because you'll be putting out money for all of an acoustic, an electric, and an amp.

I would say stick with electric. Get an Epiphone LP to save some money.

I agree. It sounds like you know what you want, so go for it. What's the point of buying an acoustic that you never want to play because you're secretly pining for an electric? Better to buy the electric guitar you really wanted in the first place and play the hell out of it!

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:53 am
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'Agree. And if you want to eventually play acoustic, do as you are now and (then) get a decent one.

As said many times in this e-place, "Life is to short to play *** gear."

Best of fortune.


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Post subject: Re: Just starting out! Your thoughts?
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:54 pm
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Carbonite wrote:
What’s up everyone? This is my first post here and I have a few questions and need a lot of help from those that know their stuff.

I have always been a musical person, but have never ever picked up a Guitar, never learned to read music nor learned to play any instrument.

I mention all of this because I am going to, within the next two months, pick up an electric guitar, take some lessons and learn to play. I quickly realized I have a TON of options when it comes to guitars. Not just in brand but in style and sound. Well, I talked with the guy at the local shop and I came away a bit more knowledgeable but no less confused as to what I need.

I am not looking to buy a lifetime guitar or something that a professional artist takes on stage daily, but I definitely do want something that sounds decent and not some toy box sounding guitar. I just want to learn on something that will sound correct when I play a song. I am one of those people that knows when something doesn’t sound right and simply can’t stand it. lol

Anyways, what the dealer recommended was a strat boxed set. I can’t remember a model or anything but I am pretty sure it was a squire strat of some sort. But he says I won’t be able to play some of the stuff I told him I really like.

For instance, I told him that I do want to be able to play Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson and he said that I would need this other guitar in the store for that. I then asked him if I could play Black magic woman on it and he said I would have to go back to the other guitar. Label me confused.

So in the end, I want to learn guitar. I want to get myself a good guitar to learn on. I want something that sounds good. I am willing to sacrifice a little more money for something that will give me a bit more sound quality but I don’t want something to expensive. I am hoping to, all told, spend about 300 to 500 dollars on something to start. If that’s not possible, let me know.
I really like Eric Johnsons stuff, I like Santana too. I also like Slash's stuff as well, specifically Paradise city, sweet child o mine and welcome to the jungle. (I do realize Slash plays a Gibson) But I should also say, I like pretty much anything that has electric guitar in it. I enjoy listening to most of the stuff out there, and probably wouldn’t mind playing all of it lol.

Anyways, please help me out here. Give me some advice. What should I get? What should I definitely stay away from? Any tips? Anything and everything you could tell me would be great. If I can get through buying one in the first place, I am sure I can play it.

Sorry this got so long. Thanks in advance guys.

EDIT: I do realize that the stuff I mentioned is stuff that I wont be playing for a long time and after a lot of practice. Its the way the songs sound is why I mention them mostly.


I'm going to toss my $.02 worth in here...please take it for what you feel it's worth. I haven't read all the responses here (at least not in depth) so please forgive me if I add anything terribly redundant.

I saw mentioned here that you're looking for a guitar so that you can "sound like Eric Johnson" (and or others) and the music store suggested that you "need this other guitar". Let me say first and foremost that this is really b.s. on the music stores part. I'm not trying to start a pissing match with anyone here, but very simply the great part of your sound....regardless of who you wish to sound like, is going to come from -you-. To use one of my favorite examples, here, let's take a look at Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton sounds like Eric Clapton because he -IS- Eric Clapton. It is as simple as that. It really wouldn't matter if he played a Les Paul (which he has), a Tele, a Gretch, an SG, etc....he would still sound like Eric Clapton. The reverse is true as well...many people go out and buy an Eric Clapton Signature Series Strat for example thinking they are going to "sound like Eric Clapton" but they end up sounding like John Smith...because they -are- John Smith. John Smith could play Eric Clapton's personal gear and he would still sound like John Smith. Any given guitar players sound comes from their fingers, their style and their heart. Please keep this in mind as you enter into your journey :D.

My advice to you as a beginner is to find an instrument that you are physically comfortable with...something that feels good to you as you hold it and play it. The sound of virtually any electric guitar can be easily changed by simply replacing the pickups (which -MANY- of us do) however if the guitar isn't comfortable for you to play, it doesn't matter how good it sounds or how expensive it is...you're not going to want to play it. For many people (including myself), Les Paul's for example can be quite cumbersome...they tend to be quite heavy and rather awkward. As I've said in another thread, to me playing a LP is like trying to strum on a pregnant woman's belly! LOL!!! Not something that's going to inspire me to sit down and practice... Of course, you may feel completely different and may find one to be quite comfortable...but only -you- can decide that.

Should you decide that a Strat is right for you, my advice to you based on what you said you are looking for and your budget, would be a Squire Standard. Barring any price change, right now they are still going for around $200 at most Fender authorized dealers. Clearly there are folks in this thread who disagree with this, but simply the Squire Standard is a much better value for the money than an MIM Standard. I have an MIM Standard and while it is a wonderful guitar, the quality you can get from a $200 Squire Standard is simply amazing....I now have 2 of them to go with my MIM. This would also leave you a bit more money for a better amp than getting an MIM which based on your budget, really won't leave you much at all (which apparently most of the pro-MIM folks didn't read). Very simply here, practice or otherwise, having an electric guitar without an amp really doesn't do you much good. It's kind of like having a really nice car without an engine...looks nice sitting in the driveway but it doesn't get you very far. Personally I would avoid the "pre-packs". The pre-packs tend to have Affinitys which are ok for what they are (which is an entry level instrument), but the Standard is much more of a "pro" level instrument and will likely be with you for many years to come. Also, the amps that come with those pre-packs are often the Squire SP-10's and they really are not very good amps at all...I've seen -many- of them on places like Craigslist "for parts or repair". I'd really suggest something like a Peavey or Marshell MG series or other "practice amp" instead. At the very least, play a Squire Standard and see what you think. Definitely compare one side by side with the instruments in the pre-packs and you'll see (and feel) a distinct difference.



Alrighty, again this is just my $.02 worth!
Good Luck!
Jim


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 1:11 pm
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Too many options eh :)

I'd agree about buying separate, not a starter pack thing.
Either a squire strat and a small g-dec
or a "Made in Mexico" strat and a small Roland CubeX amp (where I started :) with electrics)
will go a long way to getting you going.

More importantly is finding a good teacher if you plan to take lessons.
Then practice till your fingers get up and walk out on you :D :D

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:55 pm
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Well, way to make me take another step back. lol

Well, I will see how it goes.

I will update again with new info as it happens.

Thanks for the input guys, you can always expect people to be up front here.


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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:22 pm
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I've come into this a bit late but I'll give you my 2 cents as well. Hey why not, everyone else has so here goes.

You seem to be pretty settled on electric so as others have said, get the one you like now. I believe there's no point getting something like an acoustic to start off with if what you really want is an electric. It'll probably hurt your fingers and frustrate you and that's a sure fire way of making you lose interest. Whether you go for Gibson or Fender that's entirely up to you. But from what you say you'll probably end up with a bit of a collection over the years anyway. Some people even say that Gibson's (or any shorter scale guitars) are nicer to learn on due to the lower string tension.

I'd say just get the one you believe will give you the most sounds you are after (until funds allow you to get all the other guitars you want).
And enjoy yourself along the way.

Cheers.


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Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:36 pm
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mac67 wrote:
Hey dude, welcome to the Fender Forums.

I would suggest a Mexican Stratocaster (I would have suggested my personal preference, the Telecaster, but none of those artists you have named play them), but unless you want a tiny, cheap amp (for I'm assuming the amp and accessories are included in the price range) don't get it.

Your best bet, as far as I know, if you are looking for a strat, is a "Stop Dreaming, Start Playing" pack with an Affinity Squire Stratocaster and G-Dec Jr. amp (etc). It is listed on Musician's Friend at $350.

My uncle just got a G-Dec Jr., it's pretty cool. It has a bunch of rhythm settings, digital effects... It's nice, but I haven't had to much time on it.


Same here.


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