Electric Guitar question for the Experts

TokyopunK said:
Wait you have to tune an electric guitar! What's up with that! I don't have to tune my computer or my TV!
:cry:
Click to expand...

man, when you said you didn't know anything about guitars you literally meant NOTHING.

i agree with BG. for a beginner, a cheap 200 dollar fender squier will be perfect. once you actually learn to play, then you can upgrade and get better equipment such as better amp/guitar/effects pedal. i think you're getting way ahead of yourself talking about equipment, it seems as if you want the exact equipment that pat stump from falloutboy has, which you definitely should not get.

find a cheap guitar (100-200 dollars) and a good cheap amp (80-150 dollars) and that's it. learn how to play first! learning how to play like that guy in the youtube video you posted will definitely take time, and like most have said here, a lot of beginners tend to quit because it's not as easy as they thought.

again, LEARN to play FIRST.

if you're learning tennis for the first time, you do not need the newest and up to date k factor or 120 dollar barricades, you just need a decent racket and some athletic shoes.
 
The alternative to a Squire Strat or Tele is an Epiphone Les Paul. They have some cheap $100-$150. These obviously won't be top quality, but they are more than good for a beginner. If you're overly rich, than buy a Gibson just for the hell of it, but if you're like most of us, stay under $200. Also, just get a cheap, small amp to start with.
 
yodudedudeyo said:
man, when you said you didn't know anything about guitars you literally meant NOTHING.

i agree with BG. for a beginner, a cheap 200 dollar fender squier will be perfect. once you actually learn to play, then you can upgrade and get better equipment such as better amp/guitar/effects pedal. i think you're getting way ahead of yourself talking about equipment, it seems as if you want the exact equipment that pat stump from falloutboy has, which you definitely should not get.

find a cheap guitar (100-200 dollars) and a good cheap amp (80-150 dollars) and that's it. learn how to play first! learning how to play like that guy in the youtube video you posted will definitely take time, and like most have said here, a lot of beginners tend to quit because it's not as easy as they thought.

again, LEARN to play FIRST.

if you're learning tennis for the first time, you do not need the newest and up to date k factor or 120 dollar barricades, you just need a decent racket and some athletic shoes.
Click to expand...

I get what you're saying.

But lets say this was tennis, I don't want to start training with a Wal-mart racquet and dead tennis balls....... so I don't want to get a real cheap guitar and do bad with it and get discouraged.

But I get what your saying....... yah I kind of idolize Patrick Stump like some people like Federer and want all his gear.........

Do you think I can teach myself online?
 
yes you can teach yourself online. i know a lot of good players who are self taught, but if you have the money (lots of it) then get lessons to start off, then after you get the hang of it drop the lessons and teach yourself from there. i only mention money because guitar lessons are expensive; depending on where you live, prices can range from 20-30 dollars per half hour.

again, any squier will be a good starter guitar. they're high quality for the price. they're not comparable to Walmart rackets at all. a walmart tennis racket would be like a guitar under 110 dollars.
 
SlapShot said:
Not necessarily. I've taught a lot of beginners a lot of songs, and if they put in the work, a lot of songs can be "easy" songs.
Click to expand...


First off all, Fender HSS strat models are not nearly as preferred in the general guitarist community as its not a standard "stratocaster." I had an HSS for awhile and would never use the 3 single-coils after playing it. YES, single coils are designed for blues, thats why they lack that overall crunch that humbuckers have. Who is those artists you mentioned?

Lastly, you name me one song that uses strictly power chords with no solo and explain to me how there can be ANYTHING easier than "fly away."
 
besides, all those artists were HEAVILY influenced by blues.......to the OP, make sure you get the guitar set up properly too, many (not all) have a poor set up from the factory.
 
If you get one of the Jackson Warrior models the chicks will be all over you.
EG00787.jpg


some of the lower end ones can go for around $300 while the high end ones upwards of $3000.
 
Last edited:
i didn't see anyone mention jumpstart packs... most of these include an electric guitar, amplifier, some accessories and a beginner's dvd/book/cd to help you get started (there are acoustic guitar jumpstart packs also)... fender squier, gibson epiphone and ibanez are the most popular ones... behringer's the cheapest, but i think you'll only get a chord chart with that and the guitar that comes with it isn't the best... you could go to websites such as musiciansfriend.com, music123.com, zzounds.com, samash.com, harmony-central.com, and many others to search for guitars and read customer and expert reviews, but testing the guitar in person at a guitar store is still the best way to choose the right guitar for you... good luck!
 
SlapShot said:
I don't agree with this one bit. If you want to learn how to play electric guitar, you'll have an easier time staying interested on an electric - not to mention the smaller gauge strings and easier necks.
Click to expand...

staying interested is another matter..

but what are we talking about here, open chords and bar chords? the fundamentals? he is a beginner.. you will learn to play better initially playing an acoustic, forming chords correctly, building strength in the hand.. there's no distortion to cover up your mistakes..

smaller guage strings? helps typically with lead, but chords arent that hard.. i've played many acoustics with smaller necks then some electrics
________
Marijuana news
 
Last edited:
aimr75 said:
staying interested is another matter..

but what are we talking about here, open chords and bar chords? the fundamentals? he is a beginner.. you will learn to play better initially playing an acoustic, forming chords correctly, building strength in the hand.. there's no distortion to cover up your mistakes..

smaller guage strings? helps typically with lead, but chords arent that hard.. i've played many acoustics with smaller necks then some electrics
Click to expand...

Even chording is easier with an electric guitar strung with 9's as opposed to an acoustic with 12's.

My Breedlove acoustic has a really nice neck (it's in the Taylor line of style), and my SG has a bigger neck, but the fact that my SG is strung up with 10's and my Breedlove with 13's means that the SG is much easier to play for extended periods of time without fatigue, and I've been playing seriously for a little while.

CaveMan said:
First off all, Fender HSS strat models are not nearly as preferred in the general guitarist community as its not a standard "stratocaster." I had an HSS for awhile and would never use the 3 single-coils after playing it. YES, single coils are designed for blues, thats why they lack that overall crunch that humbuckers have. Who is those artists you mentioned?

Lastly, you name me one song that uses strictly power chords with no solo and explain to me how there can be ANYTHING easier than "fly away."
Click to expand...

You're kidding, right?

I know a LOT of professional guitar players who have found the HSS Strat setup to be the most versatile. There's a reason that companies like Suhr, Tom Anderson, and Melancon have made their mark building "superstrats" - they're incredibly versatile.

Single coils weren't designed "for blues". Single coils were designed because prior to that, there was no such thing as an electric pickup. The humbucker came AFTER the single coil, and was actually asked for by the "blues" players who didn't like the 60hz buzz of the single coils.

Go listen to the Who's "Live at Leeds" and tell me that Pete Townshend sounds like a blues player. His tone was BUILT around the P-90, which was one of the "original" single coil designs.

And as far as songs with power chords and no riffs, I've taught beginners stuff by Green Day, the Foo Fighters, etc. Hell, the first song I spent time learning was Master of Puppets. It comes down to the person playing the guitar - any song can be a first song to learn if you're willing to put the time into it.

stormholloway said:
I suggest a mexican Strat. They're making pretty good guitars down there.
Click to expand...

I'll +1 this sentiment - the Mexican Fender stuff now is definitely one of the best values on the market. You'll be able to play that for a long time without needing to upgrade. Wanting to upgrade, on the other hand.......;)
 
Last edited:
SlapShot said:
Even chording is easier with an electric guitar strung with 9's as opposed to an acoustic with 12's.

My Breedlove acoustic has a really nice neck (it's in the Taylor line of style), and my SG has a bigger neck, but the fact that my SG is strung up with 10's and my Breedlove with 13's means that the SG is much easier to play for extended periods of time without fatigue, and I've been playing seriously for a little while.
Click to expand...

The breedlove neck must be pretty small, i recall picking up an SG in a shop and the neck wasnt that big..

I dont dispute more fatigue playing an acoustic, but your hand does eventually adjust to it. It can also do wonders for your electric playing too.. If youve only played electric, then play an acoustic exclusively for a couple weeks, then go back to the electric, it feels amazing as you can play it with ease

all im saying is a bit of persistence with the initial difficulty playing an acoustic will benefit your playing in the long run.. like i mentioned, its as raw as you can get and all mistakes are revealed
________
COLORADO MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES
 
Last edited:
aimr75 said:
The breedlove neck must be pretty small, i recall picking up an SG in a shop and the neck wasnt that big..
Click to expand...

The SG in question is an SG Classic, and the neck is about as big as Gibson makes (the only one I've played that was bigger is the RI '58 LP). My '61 SG has a slimmer neck, as is part of the original design.

The Breedlove is pretty slim as acoustic necks go - it's not tiny, but it's definitely not unlike a Taylor in having a psuedo-electric neck. I love that guitar, though.
 
SlapShot said:
The SG in question is an SG Classic, and the neck is about as big as Gibson makes (the only one I've played that was bigger is the RI '58 LP). My '61 SG has a slimmer neck, as is part of the original design.

The Breedlove is pretty slim as acoustic necks go - it's not tiny, but it's definitely not unlike a Taylor in having a psuedo-electric neck. I love that guitar, though.
Click to expand...

If the breedlove sounds like a Taylor, then i'd love it too :)

funny you mention the 58 RI, that is the guitar i currently have.. i also used to own a 57 RI.. if we are talking baseball bat necks, the 57 takes the cake.. they are big
________
Mercedes-benz sprinter history
 
Last edited:
Yeah - the R7 is a monster guitar. Haven't played one - I'm actually more of a fan of the late 60's LP Deluxes myself.
 
SlapShot said:
Even chording is easier with an electric guitar strung with 9's as opposed to an acoustic with 12's.

My Breedlove acoustic has a really nice neck (it's in the Taylor line of style), and my SG has a bigger neck, but the fact that my SG is strung up with 10's and my Breedlove with 13's means that the SG is much easier to play for extended periods of time without fatigue, and I've been playing seriously for a little while.



You're kidding, right?

I know a LOT of professional guitar players who have found the HSS Strat setup to be the most versatile. There's a reason that companies like Suhr, Tom Anderson, and Melancon have made their mark building "superstrats" - they're incredibly versatile.

Single coils weren't designed "for blues". Single coils were designed because prior to that, there was no such thing as an electric pickup. The humbucker came AFTER the single coil, and was actually asked for by the "blues" players who didn't like the 60hz buzz of the single coils.

Go listen to the Who's "Live at Leeds" and tell me that Pete Townshend sounds like a blues player. His tone was BUILT around the P-90, which was one of the "original" single coil designs.

And as far as songs with power chords and no riffs, I've taught beginners stuff by Green Day, the Foo Fighters, etc. Hell, the first song I spent time learning was Master of Puppets. It comes down to the person playing the guitar - any song can be a first song to learn if you're willing to put the time into it.



I'll +1 this sentiment - the Mexican Fender stuff now is definitely one of the best values on the market. You'll be able to play that for a long time without needing to upgrade. Wanting to upgrade, on the other hand.......;)
Click to expand...



If you re-read what I said, I agree that the HSS is 100% better, I owned one myself. A lot of guitarist feel though, that you take away from what makes a strat a "strat" by adding the humbucker. I know you are smart enough to know that single coils are used PRIMARILY by blues players, and that those who use it for a more rock-esque sound will use it with a lot of gain and a lot of distortion. The singles just have that twang that gives them that edge.
 
and for the first song there, all of those will have some sort of a solo. Every player i've ever taught, and its been quite a few new, has instantly wanted to learn something to impress their friends. Give a power chord lesson, show them Fly away, and they've learned a whole song in 30 minutes.
 
CaveMan said:
If you re-read what I said, I agree that the HSS is 100% better, I owned one myself. A lot of guitarist feel though, that you take away from what makes a strat a "strat" by adding the humbucker. I know you are smart enough to know that single coils are used PRIMARILY by blues players, and that those who use it for a more rock-esque sound will use it with a lot of gain and a lot of distortion. The singles just have that twang that gives them that edge.
Click to expand...

It really, really depends on the single coil and the player. David Gilmour's tone is hardly twangy (and he's hardly a blues player), nor is Pete Townshend's, or Hendrix's, or Page's on LZ I or II.

CaveMan said:
and for the first song there, all of those will have some sort of a solo. Every player i've ever taught, and its been quite a few new, has instantly wanted to learn something to impress their friends. Give a power chord lesson, show them Fly away, and they've learned a whole song in 30 minutes.
Click to expand...

Most Green Day songs don't have solos, and I can name probably a dozen Foo Fighters songs that don't have any sort of lead lines.

Fly Away isn't rocket surgery, but I knew a drummer who could hack his way through quite a few Green Days songs, and if you've met the drummers that I have, you'd know that that is a feat. ;)
 
Last edited:
I think a lot of its based on what effects their running to their head. Hendrix had that octavio pedal as well as that fuzz.
 
lets also be honest in saying that most of these players we are talking about have far more than 1,2 or 3 guitars and have a vast array of pups are their disposal
 
CaveMan said:
lets also be honest in saying that most of these players we are talking about have far more than 1,2 or 3 guitars and have a vast array of pups are their disposal
Click to expand...

Gilmour is pretty well known for his original (Serial # 001) black Strat, which he played on all of the classic Floyd albums. He used a lot of fuzz and delay, but the basic tone is totally Strat. He went to EMG's in the past, due to noise issues, but I believe has gone back to passive single coils in recent years.

Another great example, if you're into heavier rock, is the first song on Thrice's "Fire" disc - that's a Tele into a Rat into an AC30, and it's hardly what most would call twangy. I'd go so far as to say it's pretty heavy. ;)
 
bluegrasser said:
...and what i'm saying is the new squiers are much improved & fine for a beginner also the epi les paul juniors are also good. I've played some myself & with a $100 SS amp you're in business.

I guess we'd all like to have a new Les Paul ( $2,000 - $3800 ) or a new AS Tele or Strat ($700 - $900 ) + a great tube amp ( $500 min. ), but investing that kind of coin into something you're just feeling out is stupid in my opinion.:)
Click to expand...
Improved for pu$$ies!
 
shwetty[tennis]balls;2306033 said:
Are yo crazy?! He should go Gibson Les Paul. Fenders are for pu$$ies!
Click to expand...

So he should pay about twice as much for half the instrument? :confused:

<I own 2 Gibsons that are GREAT guitars, but not all Gibsons are great, nor are all of them worth the money the command.>
 
SlapShot said:
So he should pay about twice as much for half the instrument? :confused:

<I own 2 Gibsons that are GREAT guitars, but not all Gibsons are great, nor are all of them worth the money the command.>
Click to expand...
Why the hell not! If he's serious about the guitar. The investment will keep him serious about it. Plus, playing a gibson will keep him from being a pu$$y. If he only wants to be a half a pu$$y he can buy an Epiphone Les Paul. Money is not the issue here, it's about not being a pu$$y!
 
shwetty[tennis]balls;2307809 said:
Why the hell not! If he's serious about the guitar. The investment will keep him serious about it. Plus, playing a gibson will keep him from being a pu$$y. If he only wants to be a half a pu$$y he can buy an Epiphone Les Paul. Money is not the issue here, it's about not being a pu$$y!
Click to expand...

I am probably going to get this one
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-SG-Special-Electric-Guitar-517260-i1149258.gc

or possibly this one
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Jackson-WRXT-X-Warrior-Electric-Guitar-512240-i1147629.gc


I know, I know....... if I quit it will be a waste of money.......... but that is why I have planted money trees in my backyard.
 
The Gibson isn't a bad investment, but shop used - you can find used ones for $500-$600, and if you do decide guitar isn't for you, you can usually sell it for what you have in it.
 
SlapShot said:
The Gibson isn't a bad investment, but shop used - you can find used ones for $500-$600, and if you do decide guitar isn't for you, you can usually sell it for what you have in it.
Click to expand...

Cool.

Oh and here is stupid question #395....... so do I use the whammy bar like you do in Guitar Hero......... like move it up and down when I hold a note?
 
TokyopunK said:
Cool.

Oh and here is stupid question #395....... so do I use the whammy bar like you do in Guitar Hero......... like move it up and down when I hold a note?
Click to expand...

You'll find that real guitar bears no resemblance to Guitar Hero.

So not really. It's a different feel.
 
if you're going for the one with the floating tremolo (the jackson) for your first guitar... good luck re-stringing! it has a pretty decent bridge though, so i don't think you'll have as much frustration with it as other low end tremolos...
 
TokyopunK said:
Hello Experts,

I have never touched an electric guitar before, and would like to learn how to play one. I saw some have 4 strings and some have 6, etc.

What kind should I get if I eventually want to learn how to play the guitar parts of this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR0-eHhfe2E in the beginning.

Thank you for your assistance.
Click to expand...
Listen to the ORIGINAL version of Beat It. Much better and the guitar part is played by Edward Van Halen. You may learn how to play that part, but you'll probably never be able to play it like HE did.
 
jc_rex said:
if you're going for the one with the floating tremolo (the jackson) for your first guitar... good luck re-stringing! it has a pretty decent bridge though, so i don't think you'll have as much frustration with it as other low end tremolos...
Click to expand...

Wait I have to restring a guitar too!!!!!!!

Can I just put it on my Eagnas and use natural gut? Or is poly better?
 
TokyopunK said:
Cool.

Oh and here is stupid question #395....... so do I use the whammy bar like you do in Guitar Hero......... like move it up and down when I hold a note?
Click to expand...

depends on the type of bridge you have... there are floating tremolos (like the floyd rose or the ibanez edges), you could pull it to make the pitch go higher, or depress it to make it lower... there are non-floating tremolos like the ones you see on a standard strat where you could only depress the whammy bar to make the note go down -- floyd roses can be modified to be like this so that you can only depress the bar which offers more tuning stability... guitars with fixed bridges like the tune-o-matics on the les pauls and sgs, can't be bent like the ones i previously mentioned... i haven't played guitar hero yet so i can't comment on how the real guitars with whammies compare to guitar hero guitars lol...
 
SGs always sound muddy to me, but if you want a crunchy sound, it's a good guitar. It won't have tremolo, but that's OK--it will just throw you out of tune. You should also look at the Epiphone SGs. With what you save, you could buy a Line6 PODxt Live. That will give you every pedal you could ever want, a great tuner, and a USB interface in case you want to record on your computer.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line-6-POD-XT-Live-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Pedal?sku=150394
 
I've never found SG's to be muddy, myself. They're definitely different tone from your typical Les Paul/Tele/Strat, but they are also a very clear sounding instrument in my experience.
 
SlapShot said:
I've never found SG's to be muddy, myself. They're definitely different tone from your typical Les Paul/Tele/Strat, but they are also a very clear sounding instrument in my experience.
Click to expand...

.


only thing that ever bothered me about SG was how thin it was and how light.
 
CaveMan said:
.


only thing that ever bothered me about SG was how thin it was and how light.
Click to expand...

Thin and light are actually good things if you're playing 3.5 hour gigs, moving around on stage (wireless), putting on a rock show. And that's after hauling all of your gear to the bar/club, setting up, and soundchecking it. I mostly play acoustic in my band, but for a while I was playing electric on some songs. I quickly switched from a LP to a Gretsch, but the Gretsch was a little nice for bars, so now I play my old Strat, which has already taken a beating.
 
Oh another dumb question......... do I play electric guitars with a pick...... and can I use the same pick as I did for an acoustic guitar?
 
TokyopunK said:
I am probably going to get this one
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-SG-Special-Electric-Guitar-517260-i1149258.gc

or possibly this one
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Jackson-WRXT-X-Warrior-Electric-Guitar-512240-i1147629.gc


I know, I know....... if I quit it will be a waste of money.......... but that is why I have planted money trees in my backyard.
Click to expand...

I think they're both sexy (except the Jackson is for pu$$ies 'cause it's owned by Fender). I like your style. Don't listen to these other goobers about Fenders and anything other than Gibsons. They're just jealous because they suck and can't handle the raw power and kick-assness of Gibsons.
 
Last edited:
shwetty[tennis]balls;2310466 said:
I think they're both sexy. I like your style. Don't listen to these other goobers about Fenders and anything other than Gibsons. They're just jealos because they suck and can't handle the raw power and kick-assness of Gibsons.
Click to expand...

You do realize that Jackson is owned by Fender, right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Best way to learn how to play guitar?
Replies
25
Views
2K
max
max
T
For all the musicians (specially Guitar players)
Replies
29
Views
1K
Teh_pwnerer
T
paul500w
Babolat Play VS RockSmith Guitar
Replies
0
Views
457
paul500w
paul500w
YULitle
Guitar Hero can't compare
Replies
9
Views
712
ShooterMcMarco
ShooterMcMarco
R
Best guitar licks... post them up!...
Replies
18
Views
2K
anirut
anirut
Back
Top