Buying and starting playing the guitar...

[Powerslave]

So I'm gonna rush this. I think I'm gonna head out and buy the first cheap guitar/combo I can find. I have hold this off for too long. A really cheap starter-set to get the hang of playing guitar should be enough for me I believe. I really don't feel like investigating this shit any more, I've done it a little while ago and it was just too overwhelming.

few questions.

1. Do I need an amplifier or can I also just jack the guitar in my laptop soundcard? Are there "digital amplifiers" ? A software that just emulates an amplifier with it's distort settings etc? I just want to hook it up to my laptop and play it through my speakers. I don't know if I'm making any sense...

2. Ok so where the hell do I begin? I know absolutely nothing about guitars or playing them. What I need is a really really basic tutorial on how to get the hang of things, and just learn some of the absolute basics. (tuning and playing)


I think there are a couple of guitar gods here on EB, I'd appreciate any help.

[bagofeyes]

You should probably start off playing on an acoustic guitar (unless you only want to play metal or something). I think there are a lot of amp modelling software you can get though.

You can learn the basics here:

http://www.justinguitar.com/

[Powerslave]

No I definitely want an electric guitar.

I'm thinking of picking this one up:
http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=TOZgSIbWhSR.WbURca0000000000NDMrfmGW?CatalogVideo=&ProductUUID=8RTVqHzmNfMAAAEXT2xgyFiu&CatalogCategoryID=_sPVqHzlRz4AAAEVeBxWf70R&JumpTo=OfferList

It's cheap and doesn't look too shabby. What do you think?


anyone can answer my other questions please?

[Cormacaroni]

I played one of those about 20 yrs ago (quite serious about that). it was ok then. not a patch on the real thing but should be fine for a 1st guitar. that's what it was designed to be. I have no idea how it stacks up against the competition these days though.

I must say, i love your panicked tone, like if someone doesn't answer you in the next 5 mins, your dreams of being a guitar hero will be forever shattered Learning to play guitar takes a serious amount of time, even if you don't want to play lead...i would take my time and try out a few guitars in stores first. Even if you can't play, you can ask one of the clerks to play something on a few guitars for you, so you can get a feel for what sounds you can get out of them. Or just hang out and listen to all the dudes playing Stairway

[Powerslave]

nice observation

but really, I've been wanting to play guitar for a while now, and I've reached the point where I don't care which one I want. I'm not paying for anything above 100 euro. Maybe 120.
What I want to know more, is if I can hook up the guitar to a soundcard, thus eliminating the need for an amp. And of course getting to learn the basics.

[Cormacaroni]

You can hook it up to a soundcard, yeah. You could probably get a nice little effects-rack-in-a-box (Zoom, for example - http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/g1/index.php) thing that would work with any kind of speakers or headphones. I used a regular hi-fi system as an amp for years - it was awesome 'cause it was in stereo! They tend to sound much toppier than a real guitar amp, but it's perfectly good for learning.

You should be able to download all kinds of software amp modelers and effects set-ups. I'm sure there's plenty of tutorial software too. Tuning functions will be built into anything like that.

[Tauntaun]

WTF man you're german how did I not know this?  What type of music are you interested in playing?  You don't necessarily need to get an acoustic to start out but they do build up callouses and finger strength pretty good.  Just read some more about you now wanting an amp and an acoustic might be a better route for you to go because you don't need an amp with one. 

Here's a Fender acoustic package for 115 euros.
http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=TOZgS6SfaObm0000000000000000nVT2YJV5?CatalogVideo=&ProductUUID=4tzVqHzmhLoAAAEXTAMa1aB2&CatalogCategoryID=f7LVqHzlWnQAAAEVfh1Wf70R&JumpTo=OfferList

[Powerslave]

lol I'm not german dude. That was the first site that came up when I googled stratocaster.
And I really, really don't want an acoustic guitar. Like I pointed out, if there's a way to hook the guitar up to my laptop, I'll do great, since I got a good soundcard/speaker set-up

[Tauntaun]

lol I'm not german dude. That was the first site that came up when I googled stratocaster.
And I really, really don't want an acoustic guitar. Like I pointed out, if there's a way to hook the guitar up to my laptop, I'll do great, since I got a good soundcard/speaker set-up

Oh, well make sure it's an american site then because you'll pay less for guitars built here, let me check Guitar Center for ya, one sec.

Edit: lulz europeans. 

[Powerslave]

I'm not in America either. I live in Europe dude lol.

[Tauntaun]

I'm not in America either. I live in Europe dude lol.

titty dicks, where you live g? 

[Powerslave]

First we gotta have sex, then I'll give you my exact address, deal?

[Tauntaun]

First we gotta have sex, then I'll give you my exact address, deal?

      


Just the country you reside in would be good....or a nearby one since you could fit like 14 euro countries into 1 us state.    Knowing you're euro just adds so much more foreplay possibilities into our convos. 

[Powerslave]

This will be a groundbreaking change in our affair

[Tauntaun]

This will be a groundbreaking change in our affair

I feel international now.   So dude, I'd still probably get an acoustic because a) builds up your callouses and finger strength real good & b) you don't need an amp....c) you can still play ze metalz on ze acoustics.  

I will say this as has been said before, you will need to PRACTICE a lot. Just be forewarned, it is worth it though.

[Powerslave]

But I like the sound of electric guitars

[Tauntaun]

But I like the sound of electric guitars

What style of music do you want to play? 

[Powerslave]

Heavy Metal



of course that doesn't always mean fast and aggressive riffs/solos.  There are plenty of slow solos

[Tauntaun]

Heavy Metal



of course that doesn't always mean fast and aggressive riffs/solos.  There are plenty of slow solos

OH YEAH BABY!  Well lets see....hmm.  I mean you could get that electric that you pasted the link for, the Squire, but you're really going to want an amp to practice through g if you want to hear the electric guitar sound.  I would recommend a starter set like this:

http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=TOZgS6SfaObm0000000000000000nVT2YJV5?CatalogVideo=&ProductUUID=hzHVqHzldr4AAAEY6rg3ykA5&CatalogCategoryID=fcfVqHzlc.0AAAEVTBtWf70R&JumpTo=OfferList
Cheaper than an Ibanez beginners pack but the guitar has a humbucker in it, which you'll need for teh metalz.

[Powerslave]

wait haven't we just discussed with Cormaccaroni that it was possible to hook the guitar up to my comp and elliminating the need for an amp? 

[Tauntaun]

wait haven't we just discussed with Cormaccaroni that it was possible to hook the guitar up to my comp and elliminating the need for an amp? 

Yes but it will sound like crap unless you buy software and hardware to make it sound good.  Also, do you have good speakers and/or headphones cause then it'll still sound crappy even if you have the appropriate software/hardware. 

I can give you free mini lessons when you get your guitar too. 

[Powerslave]

Yes but it will sound like crap unless you buy software and hardware to make it sound good.  Also, do you have good speakers and/or headphones cause then it'll still sound crappy even if you have the appropriate software/hardware.

I don't think I have to worry about the software part heheheheheheheheheheheheheheheeh get it? 

but what other hardware do I need? I have an optical in/out on my soundcard and a BOOMING  speaker set-up. And besides, from what I heard most cheap amps suck ass and they have this everlasting zooming sound in the background.

I can give you free mini lessons when you get your guitar too. 

[Tauntaun]

Well if you've got some badass speakers and software then you should be ok, I just didn't know if you'd need a guitar processor or not to get some distortion.  If you're just looking to get an electric and that's it, based on the selection from the website you posted I'd get:

http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=TOZgS6SfaObm0000000000000000nVT2YJV5?CatalogVideo=&ProductUUID=EsLVqHzlYM8AAAEYUJgtF8Ei&CatalogCategoryID=_sPVqHzlRz4AAAEVeBxWf70R&JumpTo=OfferList#

or

http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=TOZgS6SfaObm0000000000000000nVT2YJV5?CatalogVideo=&ProductUUID=y6LVqHzmAGwAAAEX5YFgyFit&CatalogCategoryID=4zfVqHzlSHgAAAEVdhxWf70R&JumpTo=OfferList#

[Powerslave]

Those are way too expensive for me now boo :'(
I don't want to spend too much money on it right now, I'm planning to buy a PS3 in a while :'(


what's wrong with the guitar I suggested first?

[Tauntaun]

Nuthin, just get that, was just makin some suggestions, didn't know about the PStriple.    Let me know when you get your six string and I'll holler.

[Powerslave]

I love you so much..

[Tauntaun]

I love you so much..

You can write me a metal song about how you love me so much you tore the heart out of some random stranger you met on the street then burned it and pissed on the ashes.  

[Powerslave]

Hey Taun, won't that guitar sound shitty though?

[Tauntaun]

Hey Taun, won't that guitar sound shitty though?

Which one?

[Powerslave]

the one I suggested of course 

[Tauntaun]

the one I suggested of course 

My first electric was a mexican strat that I played for YEARS before getting a better electric guitar.  It won't sound horrible but don't expect to have it sound like a $1200 guitar going through a $2000 amp system or something.    It'll be fine until you get good and realize your need to shred.  Then you shall buy a nice guitar and an ENGL or Mesa amp.

[Powerslave]

It won't sound horrible but don't expect to have it sound like a $1200 guitar going through a $2000 amp system or something.   

did you just describe your own set-up? 

[Tauntaun]

It won't sound horrible but don't expect to have it sound like a $1200 guitar going through a $2000 amp system or something. 

did you just describe your own set-up? 

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I'm getting this soon:

[close]

I also finally found a metal guitarist to jam with and we're gonna get together this week and rawk out on some Death.

[Robo]

Is the Fender CD100CE a good starter acoustic, or would you recommend something else?  I would prefer an acoustic/electric combo, but straight acoustic is fine so long as the body isn't gigantic.

[drew]

That mexi strat is a good starting guitar.  It's good for practicing (which you'll be doing) while not knowing what the fuck you're doing (which you won't) and banging the thing against a ceiling fan.  Sound is going to be shit compared to a nice setup, easy fix:  once you can play and want to record just slap in a better set of pickups.  voila.  It's still not going to naturally sound as nice as a $1000 guitar, but you can fix that with effects etc, etc.

http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=TOZgS6SfaObm0000000000000000nVT2YJV5?CatalogVideo=&ProductUUID=y6LVqHzmAGwAAAEX5YFgyFit&CatalogCategoryID=4zfVqHzlSHgAAAEVdhxWf70R&JumpTo=OfferList#

edit: WAIT, gimped ibanez total.  No wykd trem or lock on neck?  what a fucking abomination.

[Powerslave]

^ok cool

can you comment on what I'm planning to do by using my soundcard/speakers instead of a true amp? Do you have experience with this or can you link me to an article about this?

[Tauntaun]

Is the Fender CD100CE a good starter acoustic, or would you recommend something else?  I would prefer an acoustic/electric combo, but straight acoustic is fine so long as the body isn't gigantic.

Seems pretty good from what I see, if you're going to spend $250 on an acoustic/electric though I'd go with an Ovation for only $50 more, just because you're looking for a guitar with a small body.  For instance:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ovation-Celebrity-CC24-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-513279-i1148074.gc

[Tauntaun]

That mexi strat is a good starting guitar.  It's good for practicing (which you'll be doing) while not knowing what the fuck you're doing (which you won't) and banging the thing against a ceiling fan.  Sound is going to be shit compared to a nice setup, easy fix:  once you can play and want to record just slap in a better set of pickups.  voila.  It's still not going to naturally sound as nice as a $1000 guitar, but you can fix that with effects etc, etc.

http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=TOZgS6SfaObm0000000000000000nVT2YJV5?CatalogVideo=&ProductUUID=y6LVqHzmAGwAAAEX5YFgyFit&CatalogCategoryID=4zfVqHzlSHgAAAEVdhxWf70R&JumpTo=OfferList#

edit: WAIT, gimped ibanez total.  No wykd trem or lock on neck?  what a fucking abomination.

truff bout the pickups.

also I was just recommending a start up guitar, if I was recommending a serious shred guitar I'd recommend him a Jackson, Dean or Ibanez. 

[drew]

Holy shit it's been like 4+ years since I played, I always just used small Peavey.  I always wanted this though:  http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crate-GLX212-120Watt-2x12-Combo-Amp-with-Effects?sku=487689&src=3SOSWXXA (ps: musician's friend is pretty much the best site to buy from)

It is fuck awesome.

I don't know anything about running your guitar straight through a pc.  I would never have done that, I don't think it'd be as much fun and you couldn't play with other people.  That and it'd make me feel like some Moby cigarillo or something.   

[Tauntaun]

Holy shit it's been like 4+ years since I played, I always just used small Peavey.  I always wanted this though:  http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crate-GLX212-120Watt-2x12-Combo-Amp-with-Effects?sku=487689&src=3SOSWXXA (ps: musician's friend is pretty much the best site to buy from)

Hmm, crate's are bad news bears dude.  If you need to turn them up their sound goes to crap.  How serious are you about playing with other people?  Either way I'd recommend an all tube amp, you can get one in combo form like these:

Peavey ValveKing 112 Combo $399
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-ValveKing-112-Combo-Amp?sku=481442

or

Peavey ValveKing 212 Combo $599 ($521 for a barely used one which is the one in the link)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-ValveKing-212-Combo-Amp?sku=481443X

[cloudwalking]

I want to learn how to play guitar.  My dad builds his own guitars and they're really beautiful and sound great.  I can't even play a damned scale.

I fail as a son.

yeah i fail as a daughter too my dad's a huge guitar freak (although he doesn't build them) but he does collect them and has some pretty damn sweet guitars... i like his american strat

i can play a guitar scale and some really simple songs, but that's it.

[Tauntaun]

yeah i fail as a daughter too my dad's a huge guitar freak (although he doesn't build them) but he does collect them and has some pretty damn sweet guitars... i like his american strat

i can play a guitar scale and some really simple songs, but that's it.

   

[cloudwalking]

hey i won't argue that the yanks make superior guitars, just like the swiss make superior watches

[Tauntaun]

hey i won't argue that the yanks make superior guitars, just like the swiss make superior watches

   


swiss watches and army knives

[Powerslave]

I want to learn how to play guitar.  My dad builds his own guitars and they're really beautiful and sound great.  I can't even play a damned scale.

I fail as a son.

well at least you became a cool net poster

[drew]

Hmm, crate's are bad news bears dude.  If you need to turn them up their sound goes to crap.  How serious are you about playing with other people?  Either way I'd recommend an all tube amp, you can get one in combo form like these:

Yeah I know tube amps > solid state any day.  I didn't want that amp for bands or anything, it is however the perfect practice amp.  It has like 20 nobs with which my friend was able to replicate practically any sound you could want for playing covers.  Van Halen - eruption?  yep.  Stevey Vai?  yep.  Black Sabbath? mhmm, and on and on....2 x 12 is also the perfect size for you to sit on top of if you want to.

I don't know about Crate nowadays, but whatever the reputation of their other stuff they at least made one good amp.  My old friends I used to play with that swore by it know their shit, they are incredibly good...like "through the fire and the flames" good, depressingly good.   

[Powerslave]

We shall call ourselves Cool Netposters with lil' Pinkies

[Tauntaun]

Hmm, crate's are bad news bears dude.  If you need to turn them up their sound goes to crap.  How serious are you about playing with other people?  Either way I'd recommend an all tube amp, you can get one in combo form like these:

Yeah I know tube amps > solid state any day.  I didn't want that amp for bands or anything, it is however the perfect practice amp.  It has like 20 nobs with which my friend was able to replicate practically any sound you could want for playing covers.  Van Halen - eruption?  yep.  Stevey Vai?  yep.  Black Sabbath? mhmm, and on and on....2 x 12 is also the perfect size for you to sit on top of if you want to.

I don't know about Crate nowadays, but whatever the reputation of their other stuff they at least made one good amp.  My old friends I used to play with that swore by it know their shit, they are incredibly good...like "through the fire and the flames" good, depressingly good.   

Ah, just from what I've heard and experienced.  All the crates that I have played recently at guitar center sound awful and my friend who went to guitar/amp building school says they're the worst.  Just some friendly advice, if you find one that you like and suits your needs then get it.  I'm just trying to give you the best advice I can from many years of playing/buying.  Also tube always always > solid state.  You'd be able to plop a squat on the peavey 1x12 too.    <~~Smiley so you know I'm not pissed or anything.