Wanted: Guitar Heroes

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Risto the Great

Self taught.
But I had the good fortune to play out with some brilliant (trained) musicians for quite a while. I learned fast in order to keep up with them!

Cole Clark are also an Australian guitar company and make some fine acoustics.

I have a Martin that I would never sell.

I love the fact that so many guitarists (especially the guys that I know) are largely self taught

RtG, what do you think is a reasonable starting point $ for a 'good' guitar...

[Origin]

Hi Pheonix, im in the market for a new acoustic myself, and have honed in on the higher end Maton's. Australian made using local woods, and definately hold their own compared side by side with much more expensive Martin's or Taylor's (though id kill for a high end Martin)

You definately dont want anything dirt cheap, it wont inspire you to pick it up all the time, and won't hold any real value if you want to sell or trade it later on. My advice is to play alot of these guitars instore (or wherever) and find one that 'feels right' physically and aurally. Also, remember to check for defects - buzzes, knocks/dings, warped neck etc etc

hope that helps mate

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Origin

Hi Pheonix, im in the market for a new acoustic myself, and have honed in on the higher end Maton's. Australian made using local woods, and definately hold their own compared side by side with much more expensive Martin's or Taylor's (though id kill for a high end Martin)

You definately dont want anything dirt cheap, it wont inspire you to pick it up all the time, and won't hold any real value if you want to sell or trade it later on. My advice is to play alot of these guitars instore (or wherever) and find one that 'feels right' physically and aurally. Also, remember to check for defects - buzzes, knocks/dings, warped neck etc etc

hope that helps mate

Hi Origin, thanks for the advice...I tend to agree with avoiding the crappy, dirt cheap models and brands advice...I guess my dilema is at what price level do I go to enter the 'better' guitar range...?

You don't seem to get too much change out of a grand for much of the Maton range, which is looking a bit steep for a beginner I think...

[Risto the Great]

Nothing wrong with second hand gear btw.
But the key is to have a solid top on an acoustic guitar.
Whatever that price point works out to will make the difference.
I think around $750 at that point.
Please talk to me before you do it .. you have my number.

I love the fact that so many guitarists (especially the guys that I know) are largely self taught

The musicians I played with used to freak out about how unorthodox my playing style was. It was nothing like they were used to and totally related to being self taught. I was the "stunt guitarist" for the band and we used to start off the night playing jazz ... then disco ... then hendrix and zeppelin by the end of the night ... great times!

[Risto the Great]

Origin's dad sent me on this evil path of music appreciation.
;-)

[TrueMacedonian]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I'd like to learn to play the guitar, I have a good friend who I can learn a few things from but my question relates to buying a guitar that will suit a beginner...

I'm of the view that you get what you pay for, so I'm not interested in getting anything that's dirt cheap (as new)...

I'm only intersted in acoustic but I'm leaning toward acoustic/electric mainly because of the ability to use applications like Apples 'Garageband' to record and add other tracks.

Does anyone recommend a particular brand, body shape, type of strings or other considerations for a beginner...?

I only want to nail 2 songs for now, Joy Division's, 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and 'Ceremony'...I've got a handle on the keyboards to 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', I just need to learn the guitar parts

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Fender. I used to own one and it is a perfect beginners guitar. It's not too expensive and the quality is excellent. The only strings I ever use are D'Addario's (9 gauge).

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by TrueMacedonian

Fender. I used to own one and it is a perfect beginners guitar. It's not too expensive and the quality is excellent. The only strings I ever use are D'Addario's (9 gauge).

Thanks TM, yeah I've been looking at some of the Fender range on the net...I love the look of their dreadnought cutaway range, how they sound and play is another matter...still researching but getting some great help from everyone on this thread.

Thanks again to all....and yes RtG, I have your number bro.

[EgejskaMakedonia]

I can sell you a plastic guitar and a copy of guitar hero if you want Phoenix...other than that I don't really have anything to contribute...

I'll ask my mate about it, he knows quite a bit when it comes to different types of guitars.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by EgejskaMakedonia

I can sell you a plastic guitar and a copy of guitar hero if you want Phoenix...other than that I don't really have anything to contribute...
.

lol...the plastic guitar might be a cheap option when I'm fustrated and decide to do a Pete Townshend number on the fuckin thing...

[Tomche Makedonche]

Zdravo Phoenix, just to add my two cents, taking up music as a hobby and sticking with it is most likely going to burn a pretty big hole in your pocket, it's one of the most expensive interests there is, you have been warned...

Having said that, if you're only looking at picking up an acoustic guitar to have a muck around with once in a while then to be honest, as a beginner I wouldn't be looking at spending that much on it, in reality you can pay up to $9,000 for an acoustic and still turn around one day and not be happy with it (trust me it happens). So my advice would be as a beginner to look at something about the $500 mark, probably a nice Yamaha with an integrated pick up, Yami are involved in the making of a variety of acoustic instruments so they've got a bit of know how behind them plus they're range includes some nice finishes so if it ends up being one of those show piece items around the house it will fit that criteria too. I know Epiphone also make a couple of low end acoustics' as well so they might be worth a look at (Epiphone is associated with Gibson).

I think Origin is on the mark though, primarily you should have a go at a couple of them out in the stores, although being a beginner its sort of hard to really know what you're looking for, that's why I recommend going for something like a low range Yamaha first and if you get hooked then you will have a bit more of an idea on the kind of guitar you're really after and therefore be better placed to spend some proper cash for something more to your liking, cause in the end that's what it's all about, finding something which you personally feel comfortable with playing that goes best with your particular technique, style of playing and tone you're after.

If you can get your mate with you to check out the quality of the build of whichever one you fancy that would be good too so that he can check for defects, most of this stuff is fixable but it could turn your $500 guitar into a $1,000 if it seriously has some bad glitches, so best to try and pick up one with the least amount of stuff you may have to muck around with. If you get into it you will be making your own mods to the guitars and tailoring them the way you like them anyway. Make sure you plug it in an amp and test the electrics before buying.

If you're still looking at initially spending some extra cash to get something with a bit of quality, then I'd agree with Riste's recommendation and look at probably purchasing a low end Maton, they are a pretty decent guitar and made in AUS, although they outsourced the electronics to Asia in the early 2000's which initially saw a reduction in quality but they are better now (if you can grab a second hand Maton pre 2000 for about the same cost grab it). Takamine also made a couple of decent models in that bracket. Definitely look for something with a solid top, preferably spruce, it should add to the overall tone the older it gets. Again if you can have your mate there to check for defects it will be beneficial. Also if you plan on mucking around more above the 12 fret (high octave solo's), then look at a cut away as well otherwise you will be struggling.

In regards to string gauges, this will alternate the more you get into it cause you will end up finding which gauge suits your playing best, as a beginner I would suggest a lighter gauge at first simply because it will be less strain on your fingers until you strengthen them up, if you find you tend to be a bit more heavy handed then you can try some heavier gauges.

Starting with an acoustic will definitely refine your technique, particularly in finger work, if you want to find out how good an electric players technique is, you give them an acoustic, having said that though, electrics, in my opinion, are a lot more fun. If you're starting to lean towards an electric, if Riste is willing to part with one of his Strat's for half price, I'd definitely look at that as an option, they are a great guitar, especially to learn on (like TrueMac said), after that it comes down to personal style, sound and choice. I'd be looking at something with a straight through neck though, bolt on's don't carry tone that well and you need to pay attention to weight distribution as well, there's nothing worse than playing a neck heavy guitar (both of these factors relate more to the cheaper electrics). To be honest I could probably go on for a couple of pages that's why my best advice first would be to get something not too dirt cheap but modest cheap and once you work out what kind of player you are, then look at getting something that suits your style best, trust me, you will have a heaps better idea on what your after at that stage and your money will be spent more wisely.

Originally Posted by Risto the Great

I am a stratocaster man (have about 7 of them)

Sounding like a text book Fender fan there mate (boardering Fender Fetish), let me guess a different Strat for each day of the week?, please tell me you at least crank them through something like a JCM 800 and not a Deluxe Reverb or Super Reverb, otherwise I'm going to start calling you "Risto's got the Blues" hehe