Page 1 of Any musicians offer some advice

I`m thinking of starting to learn to play guitar and I could stand a bit of advice as to what to go for and where to get it. On a pretty tight budget at the moment so I`ve been looking at the starter packages on offer and intend to drop a large hint to the other half as I`ve a b`day in September.
I`d prefer an acoustic steel string and intend to use either DVD or some of the thousands of tuition sites in t`internet as private lessons are a bit too pricey.

Actually I`d like a Stratocaster and a stack the size of a house but I don`t think thats fair on the kids or the neighbours ( Though it would be a pleasure to upset those on one side ).



Snaps

Depends how much you`ve got to spend...

Some of the budget guitars these days are superb... gone are the days of paying £100 and getting a yard of plywood....

I have a Stagg electro acoustic... copy of the Ovation.... I can`t fault it... They cost about £100 to £130 ish....

Piccy

I`m a bass player by trade, but can play a little guitar too. I picked up the Squier Acoustic Pack from tescos the other week, absolute bargain at £39.99, shame its not at that price now!
Its a fantastic starter guitar, feels really nice and easy to play. Its steel strung, and comes with a cheap case, pitch pipes (to tune the guitar), plecs and a strap, along with a book that shows you how to play some easy chords.

Listed at £79.93 now, but still a good price and decent quality.

Failing that, go for a Yamaha F310 here. Its £74.99, but I`m sure you could have a hunt and see if its ay cheaper. Yamaha are also quality at this price level.

Bloody hell HMDR, I am struggling to see much difference between that and my Ovation at "several" pounds more.



Dr 42%er


Care in the football community is proved not to work.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

Ebuyer sometimes have cheap guitars. I know nothing about them just seen them on the web. Maybe someone with knowhow can tell you if they are good for a beginner or complete tosh.

NB I think they maybe electric though. Though there is one classic one

ebuyer guitar

This item was edited on Monday, 2nd June 2008, 13:47

I really would go to your local shop if you have one. They as a rule will be musicians rather than a computer. They will know what works well with what you want. And if you do have any issues they are there to help you.

I have my dads old banjo (around 100 years old) but it would not keep tune. I took it along to my local shop and they fixed it there and then, showing me how to do it if it went again. No charge. Would you get that off the net?

Dr 42%er


Care in the football community is proved not to work.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

the epiphone lp special is a very good indtrument for only £100 but you would need to get an amp, you can get a marshall mg10cd for aroudnd 50 and the two make a fairly good combonation.

i have been playing for around 8 years and i currnetly have a dean dime-o-flage, epiphone sg 400, a 1955 martin d28 that has been passed down trhough my family, around 4 really crap acoustics and a guiar i built my self called ` the gimp`. for amps i have a zack wylde signiture mini sc=tack and the mg10cd i mentioned.for effects i use a zoom 505 and a digitec d12.

if you are only just starting out eko are quite cheap so you dont loose too much money if you decide you dont want to play or you dont have time.
guitar does take a lot of time and effort to learn.
best of luck, hope you get good.

This item was edited on Monday, 2nd June 2008, 15:12

Quote:
Bloody hell HMDR, I am struggling to see much difference between that and my Ovation at "several" pounds more.

Bet the finish on yours is miles better.... and probably sounds a tad better...

BUT... my stagg cost less than £100 (got a great deal) and sits in an Ovavtion bag!... so in poor light....... it looks the part :D

Quote:
I really would go to your local shop if you have one. They as a rule will be musicians rather than a computer. They will know what works well with what you want. And if you do have any issues they are there to help you.

I have my dads old banjo (around 100 years old) but it would not keep tune. I took it along to my local shop and they fixed it there and then, showing me how to do it if it went again. No charge. Would you get that off the net?

Couldn`t agree more ....especially as a beginner you could really do with the advice. Generally though, the more you pay for a guitar the better it will be ....and often easier to play on those tender fingers!

Thanks for the advice folks. I`d seen the Squiers and the Yamaha 310 listed around various sites and Stagg seem to have some in that range as well.
It seems as HMDR said that there are some quite reasonable products around for less than £100 which to be fair is around my budget.
I appreciate the comments about looking for a local store but from my starting point I think that may be for any second purchase once I know I`m going to stick to it.

Unless anyone knows of a good dealer in Merseyside?


Snaps