Advice on Electric Guitars

[Pistons < Spurs]

All of you guys are talking about all these things and I'm lost I don't know the language yet.

Electric Guitar Buying Guide

[Obstructed_View]

In case you was in a hurry and did not see the dates of my guitar fetish days it was 1979-1985 you could buy a new Gibson for 900.00 all day long. and the pawn shops had them for 350.00 all day long.

So the OP needs a time machine in order for your post not to be stupid. Got it.

There is at least 4 pawn shops here in San Antonio that have one or more Gibson deluxe model guitars for 450.00

and there are a few on craig's list

There are four of them currently on San Antonio craigslist. The only one under 1200 dollars sold immediately.

And here is one you can bid on if you have US $305.00 dollars,

That is a made in Japan knockoff, and that auction's probably going to be cancelled because Gibson never made Les Pauls anywhere but the US.

[/QUOTE]

That one didn't meet the reserve. You need 400 dollars just to be told "sorry".

[SA210]

Electric Guitar Buying Guide

Thanks!

[DarkReign]

Good choice. Make sure you drop a little more to have the guitar set up properly. It's worth it.

Ack...I feel noobish, but I have to ask. What do you mean?

I went to the Wiki page on electric guitars and learned all I could from there (just the basics obviously, types of wood, designs, never knew a "whammy" bar was actually a "tremelo" or "trem").

As I was reading, I made a list of possible configurations

Neck: Maple/Ash/Mahogany - Bolt-on or Set-in (as opposed to Neck Thru)
Body: Alder/Swamp Ash/Mahogany/Poplar/Basswood
Pickups: Humbuckler (a must) with corresponding 2 single coils
Tremolo: Standard 2 point
Solid body guitar

Obviously, this list doesnt pertain to my purchase for good reason. A lot of these preferences move a beginner like me into a $$ commitment I am not ready for (yet).

But it did provide me a small education on some of the questions I should be asking and the expectation from a starter guitar.

Anyway, you said "drop a little more to have the guitar setup properly".

Please explain.

(sorry to hijack your thread, SA210)

[SA210]

Ack...I feel noobish, but I have to ask. What do you mean?

I went to the Wiki page on electric guitars and learned all I could from there (just the basics obviously, types of wood, designs, never knew a "whammy" bar was actually a "tremelo" or "trem").

As I was reading, I made a list of possible configurations

Neck: Maple/Ash/Mahogany - Bolt-on or Set-in (as opposed to Neck Thru)
Body: Alder/Swamp Ash/Mahogany/Poplar/Basswood
Pickups: Humbuckler (a must) with corresponding 2 single coils
Tremolo: Standard 2 point
Solid body guitar

Obviously, this list doesnt pertain to my purchase for good reason. A lot of these preferences move a beginner like me into a $$ commitment I am not ready for (yet).

But it did provide me a small education on some of the questions I should be asking and the expectation from a starter guitar.

Anyway, you said "drop a little more to have the guitar setup properly".

Please explain.

(sorry to hijack your thread, SA210)

Not a problem, I had the same question. You're helping me out. I like the one u found, I want an experts opinion on what it is compared to the Gibson.

[Obstructed_View]

http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster.php

Setup involves adjusting the truss rod to make sure the neck is straight, adjusting the intonation and adjusting the string height above the frets. With all these properly setup (and you can do it yourself with some simple tools) almost any guitar will play well.

[Mr. Peabody]

Anyway, you said "drop a little more to have the guitar setup properly".

Please explain.

(sorry to hijack your thread, SA210)

When you initially purchase a guitar, the guitar may not be set up for the best playability and sound. Think of a guitar like a car. A guitar set up is like a car tune up. You want to make sure that everything that can be adjusted (neck, string action, etc.) are adjusted properly so that your instrument is playing as well as it can.

The difference between a properly set up guitar and one that is not set up is like night and day. I've actually purchased great guitars at a discount because the owner is like "It plays like crap" and it turns out all the guitar needed was a good setup.

Its well worth the money.

[S_A_Longhorn]

I bought an Epiphone Les Paul 100 last year. Bought a Les Paul since I'm a big Slash/GNR fan, so that was the guitar that I've always seen. Real Gibson Les Paul guitars are <$1,000, but the Epiphones are lower priced. I've been learning on my own and with the help of some YouTube videos.

Go to Guitar Center on San Pedro. An awesome place where you can play all of the instruments and ask the knowledgable staff anything you want. My starter kit (including small amp, cables, strap, etc) was just under $400 with my guitar. The only three things I bought later was a distortion pedal (necessary for the hard rock sound), picks, and a Korg tuner.

Don't buy the entry price guitar. DO your research and buy the 2nd or 3rd level priced guitar. It will give a better sound while not costing too much money as a top-tier guitar. IF you continue playing, then go for the higher-end guitars once you've stuck with it.

[SA210]

I bought an Epiphone Les Paul 100 last year. Bought a Les Paul since I'm a big Slash/GNR fan, so that was the guitar that I've always seen. Real Gibson Les Paul guitars are <$1,000, but the Epiphones are lower priced. I've been learning on my own and with the help of some YouTube videos.

Go to Guitar Center on San Pedro. An awesome place where you can play all of the instruments and ask the knowledgable staff anything you want. My starter kit (including small amp, cables, strap, etc) was just under $400 with my guitar. The only three things I bought later was a distortion pedal (necessary for the hard rock sound), picks, and a Korg tuner.

Don't buy the entry price guitar. DO your research and buy the 2nd or 3rd level priced guitar. It will give a better sound while not costing too much money as a top-tier guitar. IF you continue playing, then go for the higher-end guitars once you've stuck with it.

Thanks. The epiiphone u got, was it this one?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone...70-i1150103.gc

And can u play G&R on this pretty good or U2?

[Obstructed_View]

And can u play G&R on this pretty good or U2?

You should be able to play either on it with no problems.

[z0sa]

Lot of good information here ..

I personally would recommend the Epiphone Special ii. Cheap, LesPaul model (thus, very cool and perfect pickups for your "style" of music), and still a very quality guitar for the price, probably < $230 with tax.

If you have the money, I'd also get a cheap keyboard. You might snag one on special for less than $100. It will do wonders for training your ear and understanding music theory, besides the plethora of sounds and beats that can now accompany your guitar playing and get you learning rhythm and time.

Thought I'd give my me-50 a plug =P



Definitely the easiest multi-FX pedal for me - those digital ones just don't do me justice. I'd rather play with the knobs to get the sound I want, much easier micromanagement, and the tones are nearly flawless for a $300 (relatively inexpensive) investment.

[The Reckoning]

don't get an electric until you're convinced you'll be playing for a long time and are pretty good at the accoustic

or else you'll fail numerous times, get pissed and leave it laying in the corner of your room to gather dust.

[mouse]

Thanks everyone. Great posts!

Mouse, man these 2 suckers get my attention. I believe they sound great if you say so, but man they also remind me of Slash's guitar. I'm gonna check out the one on ebay u posted but i won't get my money till Friday.

I play by ear.
I don't know any real chords, I am what the real guitar players call a two stringer.
index finger on top string middle finger in the air next finger on the next string down two frets over.




But with enough distortion no one can tell.

Some advise if you want to learn like I did.

First off : try to use head phones at all times. If you ever play guitar and someone is passing by and they make a face, or someone wants you to play at a lower sound level, you may get discouraged and maybe go play a PC game and you will lose valuable practice time. 90% of it is confidence.

With head phones on you can put your self on the stage at Woodstock and belt out a riff that will make Jimmy Hendrix see a purple haze.

Connect the Guitar to the stereo input or MIC jack so you can hear the LP and your playing at the same time.


Second: Use an LP that has easy repe ious chords that allow you to learn rapidly and have fun doing it I recommend Judas priest British steel album.




It has songs like

Grinder: A staple for the beginner guitar player, easy and very catchy tune.


You Don't Have To Be Old To Be Wise: Another easy classic that allows you to maybe do a little lead guitar as you feel the creative juices flowing. (rolling rock beer helps)



Breaking The Law: A classic tune that will remind you why you purchased the guitar in the first place, as you step off the deep end only to return from heavy metal world a little bit better than before.

And also Metal Gods: A song that if you can't master in 5 days give it up and learn to play a Tuba.


and more tunes follow....
Rapid Fire
Breaking The Law
United
Living After Midnight
The Rage
Steeler

I also recommend you listen to ACDC Powerage and High Voltage.




Please give me an update before the summer I would like to know if my words of wisdom went to good use!

Good Luck!

[mouse]

Notice the easy and reputations chords to learn by. I have faith in you make me proud!

Grinder




Metal Gods





You Don't Have To Old Be Wise

[mouse]

It doesn't get any easer than this.

Rock N Roll Damnation by AC/DC







AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap





Sin City by AC/DC






AC/DC - High Voltage




And the greatest AC/DC song ever played................


ACDC's Live Wire!

You should be able to sing this one also!

[HeadBanger]

don't get an electric until you're convinced you'll be playing for a long time and are pretty good at the accoustic

or else you'll fail numerous times, get pissed and leave it laying in the corner of your room to gather dust.

I learned on an electric and then went to acoustic because I wanted to rock and it worked for me. Most begin with acoustic though.

[z0sa]

I learned on an electric and then went to acoustic because I wanted to rock and it worked for me. Most begin with acoustic though.

same. The electric has so many sounds, don't get caught up in trying to sound like every effects-laden guitar riff out there, just build familiarity with the instrument. After I got decent (in my eyes, God knows I've got a million areas to improve) I bought a cheap acoustic to travel/keep myself company with.

[mouse]

It's very simple do you want to be this guy?

























or this guy?

[Obstructed_View]

Thought I'd give my me-50 a plug =P



Definitely the easiest multi-FX pedal for me - those digital ones just don't do me justice. I'd rather play with the knobs to get the sound I want, much easier micromanagement, and the tones are nearly flawless for a $300 (relatively inexpensive) investment.

I have a V-Amp Pro. I can use it for both guitar and bass patches, the effects are nice, the distortions are excellent, and it's midi controllable so I can do everything from my computer. If you don't take your playing out of the house this is the rig to have, and with a decent midi pedal it would probably be gig-worthy.

[Whisky Dog]

Several years ago I would have never told anyone to by an Epiphone because they were total crap, but in recent times they have upped the quality to the point where I would suggest an Epiphone line Les Paul, SG, Explorer, or V as a good starter guitar. If you are just beginning, make sure to also invest in some form of lesson or help because just strumming aimlessly on it becomes old really fast. Learn chords and practice hitting them then becoming adept at progressions. Learn some scales and practice running them to get quicker. If you are interested in playing some hard rock and metal then you'll need to familiarize yourself with a lot of techniques such as gallop picking, palm muting, hammer ons, etc.

I purchased the Epiphone Zakk Wylde "Bulls Eye" model a year ago just for fun as I like pretty much everything Zakk has done, and it was a good guitar. Wish I had the $3K to $4K for the Gibson Custom Model.

[mouse]

I have a V-Amp Pro. I can use it for both guitar and bass patches, the effects are nice, the distortions are excellent, and it's midi controllable so I can do everything from my computer. If you don't take your playing out of the house this is the rig to have,

Isn't there some software that allows you to do all those effects on the PC?

I remember back in my Torrent days I downloaded some software called Steinberg Guitar i never installed it.

[SA210]

It's very simple do you want to be this guy?

























or this guy?

The second dude obviously.

Please give me an update before the summer I would like to know if my words of wisdom went to good use!

Good Luck! I have faith in you make me proud!

Thanks alot buddy, I'll take ur advice and let u know how it's going. I wanna learn some G&R, U2, and even like the solo to Crazy by Aerosmith. Love ACDC too, I'll work on those. I appreciate it.

[SA210]

On my way to Guitar Center to check some out.

[Desert Plains]

Take your camera with you so we know it's not all BS!

Duff McCartney, Manny and JT are big guitar freaks you should PM them for pointers. JT will even show up at your place with Guitars and amps if you want to have a mini session! I think JT has a few you tube videos out.

[Obstructed_View]

Isn't there some software that allows you to do all those effects on the PC?

I remember back in my Torrent days I downloaded some software called Steinberg Guitar i never installed it.

Amplitude and Guitar Rig will do it if you have a fast computer and more than $350 to spend, but the V-amp is $169 and has a PC front end and a digital output so you can do hard disk recording with it on a cheap computer with no noise. And all you need is a power amp and a cabinet and it's gig ready. , it's got a GREAT speaker simulator, so really all you need is a PA.