If you haven’t already started your guitar collection (and yes, it will be a collection one day) and you are looking at the myriad of choices out there for your first (or second, or third) guitar, it’s pretty overwhelming.
Especially if you don’t have the option of a large music store nearby… buying one site unseen is pretty daunting.
So let’s see if I can’t help out a little bit and get you going in the right direction.
Beginners:
The main question here seems to be, acoustic or electric. The answer is very simple – which one do you want to play?
There’s an old wives’ tale that says you should always start on acoustic which is total baloney. Acoustics are actually harder to play that electrics (the strings are heavier and the bodies are bigger) so if you want to end up playing electric anyway don’t start with an acoustic just because someone said so.
The advantage to acoustic guitars is they don’t require an amp. DO NOT practice on your electric without an amp. You can’t hear it well enough and you’ll play much too hard. At the least you’ll develop some questionable technique… at worst you’ll hurt yourself.
If you get an acoustic – before you leave the store get a set of extra light strings put on if you’re a beginner. Do your fingers a favor and make it a little easier now.
Now as for brands and country of origin – you don’t have a lot of choice here. Most everything in the sub $200 market is overseas made and often in the same factory with different logos on the headstocks.
For some reason I’ve always had the best luck with Yamaha guitars over the years at the entry level. Epiphone (Gibson’s low end) and Squier (Fender’s low end) have often been some of the worst as far as quality.
Granted, that’s not always the case, and there are plenty of good ones out there. Just from a consistency standpoint that’s what I’ve noticed.
Everyone:
The main thing I can say is to play as many guitars as you can get your hands on. Learn what makes one you like the one you like.
Different guitars have different pickups, scale lengths (the distance from the bridge to the nut,) different woods… the variations are pretty mind numbing.
If you find you like Strat style guitars more often than not, then go with that. If you’ve truly never played… it really doesn’t matter what you get as long as it plays reasonably well. You’re going to adapt to it and a year from now you’ll likely move on so don’t make it too big of an investment.
And set a budget before you walk out the door. There are guitars that range from $200 to $10,000 on that wall at your local store. If you don’t set the budget before you leave the house there’s no telling what you’ll have to answer for when you get home 🙂
One last thing… it’s rare that this guitar is the last one you’ll buy. You might think it is now, but chances are it’s not. Keep that in the back of your mind. You want one that feels so great you know you could never buy another and be happy – but know that it’s probably not the last guitar you’ll ever buy.
Your tastes will evolve and change… what you want to hear and what you are able to hear will also change. So take your time but understand it’s not the end of the world.
And if you must buy something mail order make sure there is a good return policy… quality control is far from perfect and no 2 of the same guitar will feel and sound exactly the same no matter how mass produced they are.
Good luck and happy hunting!
177 replies to "What to look for in a guitar"
My first guitar was a Supro (yes Supro) 3/4 scale in 1963. It was not too expensive at all. Then I got a Supro made of fiberglass or some sort of plastic with 3 pickups one of which was in the wooden bridge that was a pickup and made it sound like an acoustic electric. My teen dance playing band did a lot of Beatle’s songs and that pickup had a great sound for those tunes especially played through a 1964 Fender Bassman piggyback amp(sweet amp, wish I;d never sold it) Later had a Harmony acoustic 12 string. In ’84 I bought a used D28 martind for $410. A bit beat up but still have it today.
Wow what a crazy subject my advice if it matter is spend money in your FINGERS learn how to play the guitar u don’t have to spend a fortune on a guitar because of the name on the headstock find oe that your comfortable with and practice practice practice i have many guitars i love them all there kind of like my kids all different doesn’t matter what one i have in my hands i love them all try to get as much info as u can from someone that knows what there talking about not the nitwits @ guitar ctr thx griff for all your helpful info i love playing guitar it’s a blessing to be able to play a musical instrument ONLY ONE THING WILL MAKE YOUR GUITAR SOUND BETTER THATS PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
I love guitars and have a few ( a few too many if you ask my girlfriend). I have several acoustics and several electrics. I also am building my first acoustic at a luthier’s shop. I go back to basics with guitars- wood, metal and electronics. If I were buying my second guitar, I would get it off of ebay or craig’s list (a tele or strat) and wouldn’t pay more than 400.00. Then I’d tear it apart and build the guitar I want with my idea of good sounding pickups. I’m fortunate that I have the best guitar builder/repairer in the SF Bay Area (Bennie Rodriguez) to help me when I have questions or need professional help. Usually for about $700.00 I can put together a great sounding guitar, much better than you could buy new for twice that price.
I’m interested in a 2nd acoustic guitar , I currently have a freshman Apollo boutique model and love the sound she produces, the one I’ve got my eye on although would unfortunately have to be mail order is a Zagar guitar as being in the U.K. the returns policy would be expensive if I gamble wrong, has anyone any personal experience of playing a Zagar guitar, they seem to be very well represented on there web page .
Cheers to all from the uk
Steve
There’s a Chinese brand called Tanglewood. Awesome quality for price.
For acoustic.. Forgot to mention that..
ok. grab a coffee/tea n pull up a chair. I am 57 yrs old, played since 18 (if you can call it playing.well I dont ha ha )
Guitars and choice I could write as much as you have read in replies allready. had that many axes, accoustic/electric/3/4/6 and 12 strings.usa Gibsons and fenders(the latter is my personal fave) all the way down to an OLD catalogue guitar that had a floating bridge on it that would come off if you took the strings off , complicated for a novice I would think. enough about that .
The point I wish to make is this. the quality of a guitar is one thing the setup is another. In regards to both ease of playing and quality of sound.
Many yares ago I had a bad bike crash (yup “sorry m8 didnt see you” ) my left arm was paralised for 2 years , gutte was I ansd so depressed.I sold all my guitars and equipment for a pittance (like stupid cheap) to just get rid as it all felt like it was haunting me…lo and behold 2 years later I couuld move a finger and so on . I thought ” I might be able to play axe again, so I went to shop and picked one up tried and was like begining all over again, I had to learn to control my fingers AGAIN.but persistance paid off . I can scream out some blues.Rock ,grunge etc…. because I had “bin there dun that ” I knew what a good axe sounded like in my hands. I bought (as I was like incredibly skint) a guitar and amp set from asda one christmas a few years back I just noticed it as I walked by and it was 25 pound. YUP 25 brand new ????? they are designed for kids ffs. still it had 6 strings and I could practice. it was a fender strat copy wit a lil useless battery amp. So I took it home plugged it in and played. it didnt sound terrible,action a bit high. pickups all wrong. BUT it had great sustain, trem was ok didnt go out of tune when whammy yanked etc…. so I decided a small upgrade and some adjustments. which was what I call Man strings 11s (no offence) I started off for years swearing by 8s and 9s… so I put on strings adjusted trem setup as heavier guage. I even went for a while with no trem bur a hardwood wedge driven in the back to lock the trem, was bril for sustain as it goes, I set up the picups to where I liked them, BUT I decided on tilting my neck rather than dropping tail, It worked beautifully . and when I put it through a good amp WOW it was solid , I played for hours on it before it needed tuning . every note sang, dear god I thought for 25 was 100, I gotta beaut here.
To me it proves beyound doubt. money AINT everything, what you hold in your hand and are comfey with and you like the sound of it, play it..I went to Jam with some lads a while back an I plugged it in Kinda sheepishly (cos of the make etc) but cranked it up got stuck in and the other guitarist said ” that guitar sounds well sweet what is it” when I told him that story, he wouldnt believe me. that speaks loads to me.
I admit I can pro setup learned years ago.I advise things like Graphite or bone nuts, I advise that you keep your eye on the nut so the strings dont go all trhe way in . (halfway is correct as in putting a card over half a penny , that halfway I mean,) I advise to buy an extra 1st string (the thin 1) and stretch your strings well before 1st tuning, oh and DONT overwind ( dont use to much string ) a tip…Dont have string crossed on machine head just a smooth wind.Finally get a string winder lol
I could say ooooh so much more, but not my site I dont have one anyway sed more than enough, your only buying a bloody guitar ,ha ha
be lucky stay safe an peace
PLAY LONG AND PROSPER
Ady
So I just recently started playing guitar again. this time electric. I inherited an old Memphis guitar from my son. It was not an expensive guitar to begin with and I think it was made in Korea but I have to say I love playing this guitar. It just feels good in my hands and sounds pretty good. I know I will step-up to a more refined guitar @ some point but happy for now. so just goes to show that what everyone is saying is true cost is not the issue but how you and the guitar get along is more improtant
My first buy was a Fender Squier Strat for about £120 ($200). It was not very well made out of the box but a £30 professional set-up by a Strat expert turned into a beauty that I still play 28 years later. Moving on I wanted an acoustic that I could pick up and play with no fuss because I needed to practice my BGU course bought from Griff! This time the best deal seemed to be Fender CD 60 mahogany top dreadnought. Amazingly this was also only £120 and is beautifully made. It even comes with a quality control slip showing that the action height has been measured and is spot on as shipped.
I put on lighter gauge strings (10 gauge) to help with bends, adjusted the truss rod over the first few weeks as the wood settled, and now have another seriously good guitar for not much money. I did also lower the bridge a little but only by 1mm to get the action down by 0.5 mm at the 12th fret.
You really don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good guitar.
When I bought my first guitar a few months ago, I didn’t even know what to look for. I knew I wanted an acoustic, but that’s it. The only criteria I had was I wanted just enough quality that it would be in tune anywhere up the fingerboard. I thought I wanted a Taylor but ended up buying a Martin of the same price because a couple of people in the store said the Martin sounded better. I was a beginner and couldn’t tell one from the other and the main reason was because other customers were playing in the same soundproof room. Finally things got quiet enough for me to hear just enough difference in the bass that I went with the Martin, but now after 8 months, I think the bass strings are too strong so I end up palm muting them most of the time. Which goes to show what Griff says…buy something to get started but you’re fooling yourself if you think it’s going to be your last one.
ps: I don’t know how you could ever judge a guitar in a guitar store, with the tremendous noise from all those kid rockers that never seem to go home.
Let’s leave guitar brand name dropping aside and lay down a few simple truths.
1) A $3500 guitar us not going to make you play any better than a $100 guitar – for the most part. The only thing that can make you play better is you, and playing more often. A good friend and co-worker was a semi pro golfer who got there using a starter set of clubs for most of his life. His wife bought him a $1500 set of clubs for His 40th birthday and he told me it shaved an average if a stroke and a half off his game, because by then he had honed his skill set.
2) The best guitar is the one near you that you will pick up and play. If that means having one in your guitar room, one on your porch, one in the garage, one at the cottage and one beside your living room chair – so be it. A few beaters spread around that are handy to you when you need them are better than none. At some point I guarantee you’ll want to have more good guitars, but that’s another story. If for some reason you find yourself not playing a guitar, figure out why. If it’s about the guitar then replace it.
3) Don’t let anyone tell you that that pointy, bright green shredder axe with bat inlays that the neighbour kid is selling isn’t suitable for you or the type of music you want to play. The real issues are: is the guitar comfortable to hold, easy to play, cranks out the kind of tones you like to hear and gets you into the mood. Have some fun with guitars and buying and selling, finding out what you like and don’t like, learning about guitar features by experience. Most modern music genres don’t require a particular guitar style, especially blues, played on more guitar styles than you can count.
4) It’s really hard to properly audition a guitar in the sterile and intimidating environment if a guitar showroom with 16 year old virtuosos all around you, especially if you are easily intimidated. Find a store with a good return policy. I have a local pawn shop that lets me take a guitar home for a few days at a time. Try it out with your amp, your stool, your strap, in your room listening to your music, etc. give yourself time to get a feel for what that guitar will do for you, without pressure sakes tactics.
Typos! Damn ipad autocorrect
Thanks again Griff, I’m enjoying reading all these great comments…
I bought a new Takamine back in 1978 that looked exactly like a Martin (even the lettering on the headstock matched Martin’s). Sadly, I didn’t learn to play it until 4 years ago but the musicians I’ve managed over the years have all taken turns playing and recording with it…to a player, they all swear its one of the best sounding guitars they’ve ever played and end up asking to buy it…now that I’m playing myself, I’d never sell it (though I do lend it out for our guitar players to record with)…I’ve looked for a “second” guitar for awhile now but can’t find another one that sounds better (including Martin, Taylor, Gibson, etc). This article and forum has been very helpful in putting together a list of instruments to investigate; so a big thanks to those who’ve shared their own experiences in buying quality instruments.
So cheers to Takamine, the very cool BGU commenters, and to you, Griff; truly appreciate your time and expertise. And best of luck to all those in search of their dream axe.
LOL 🙂 After reading the Zen guitar book where the author assures you that you should buy the guitar that’s right for you–I noticed that Ken Miller’s “Little Star” parlor guitar was on the market for over a year. I decided to buy it & cleaned out my bank account to buy it. Since I’m not a guitarist, Ken Miller was extremely surprised when I bought Little Star. It was not made for me–but after it was first finished–Ken handed it to me to admire because I just like beautiful musical instruments. Then almost every wonderful flat picker in the country played it, wanted to buy it–but just didn’t–just walked away or bought another Ken Miller guitar–or had one made–but with different woods 🙂 Ken thinks the guitar bonded with me during those first moments.
I still just play Zen Guitar on Little Star –but it has such a beautiful voice & it fingers so easy & it sounds much better than most vintage Martins. LOL 🙂
I’m a bass player who likes to twiddle on a guitar as well. Now, I’ve been through plenty of basses. First, it was what I could afford – Peaveys, Squires, Schecter and the like. As you play, you learn what you need and what you like. What do I mean by what you need? For instance, if you have smaller hands, you may prefer Gibson basses over Fender. I have bigger hands, so I enjoy the wider string spacing on the Fenders. You may find the weight of your bass needs to be lighter for your back (basses can get HEAVEY!). You may need a certain type of bass due to the music style you play ( some basses are better than others for rock, jazz, country, etc.). You will certainly develop your taste for what you like but as folks have already stated, your tastes will change…and hence the collection! For the music styles I play, I gravitate towards Fender Jazz bass or copies of. I have a Fender Precision because, well, you gotta have at least one, right?! I currently play a Lakland Daryl Jones (jazz bass copy) and a Lakland 55 -01 five string. They are both Skylines – Korean built but US assembled and set up. I also have a Musicman Sterling and a Yamaha Nathan East. The NE is great for fusion, jazz and mellower stuff. The Sterling is more a punk, funk and rock unit. My amp is an SWR900. More than I need but the price was right! As for guitars, I found used Yamahas are sweet for the price. You can get into some used higher end stuff for $400 – $600 (I’m talking LLs here). Be aware that most guitar manufactures do customs, limited runs and one offs for a variety of reasons and many times dealers will take them used and sell at a low price, not knowing what it is. I picked up a Yamaha LX-15 acoustic for $350 with case. Researching the critter, I found it had the top of the LL series with laminate rosewood sides and solid rosewood back. The neck was a custom binding. Never saw another like it. I also have a used Takamine cutaway acoustic w/pre and, of course… a Yamaha FG-370 beater that I bought used as well. I have played Taylors and they are sweet but a bit pricey for me just to plink. I did splurge on my electric though – a 2000 Fender US Deluxe Stratocaster HSS LT. Bought it used and love the thing. My amp is something I picked up on Craigs List – a cherry Fender Cyber Deluxe for $275 complete with pedal and cover. The bad habit you’ll also have as a guitar player (at least for electrics) is collecting pedals. The Cyber Deluxe solves some of that by having amp and speaker modeling along with effects, kinda like a Line 6 or such. It won’t cure your disease but it can slow it down…lol. I have found that there are plenty of ways to justify your guitar/bass/amps/peadals hoarding…uh… I mean habit to your family… They can make nice wall decorations and conversation pieces for the home! They will eventually become vintage collectables demanding higher prices (if you pick the right stuff…this is very true)! Your kids can get a music education right in your own home without all those expensive lessons! The kids will some day inherit these fine musical instruments when you pass on! And finally… your wife will support your blues/rock/whatever shinanigans in your own home, even allowing you to have your own dedicated sound proofed room for you to wail away in (because it’s easier to keep an eye on you at home instead of bailing you out of jail cuz you end up playin’ in the biker bars around town)!!! Been there, done it…
A hundred years ago I owned/played a Gibson ES335 through a Vox Super Beattle. I don’t need an amp that big any more, but loved that sound of that combo. Any suggestions..?
Good advice. Low end guitars are far better bang for the buck than in the past. 40 years ago, I started with a $60 acoustic and it sounded like sh__ and was hard to play. I stuck it out and when I was sure I was going to stay with playing guitar, I mailed all the major companies for information (no internet then). I started with $200 budget, but as I played I moved up. Ovation was new on the scene and many artists were performing with them. Thought I would go with that. Then I played a Guild D-50, the perfect tone I was looking for given the songs I played. Also played it against a Martin D-28. (At that time Martin had lost aged woods to a fire and were not quite as tonal as they could be). The Martin was much lighter and a very bright projected sound. Very good for Blue Grass. The Guild was heavier and had a more warm clear tone, much like John Denver sound. The ovation did not compare. After two days of going to the store and playing the Martin and the Guild, I decided on the Guild D-50, about $700 with case. The Martin was about $50 more. My advise to those beginning, looking at acoustics, think about $200-$300. Take lessons and once you are sure you will play for a while, then think of buying a life-long guitar $1000 (Eastman) to $3500 Martin, Guild, Gibson. I recently bought an Epiphone Dove, $299. Much better than the old Epiphones. Kind of my picnic guitar. However, I play it often. Good action and much better tone and projection than I expected. That and the Hummingbird are good intro guitars. However, in that price range most are about equal and much better bang for the buck than in the past. The right guitar is one that sounds good to you and plays well, should not be hard to play open chords at the nut. Griff’s advice is right on. I am just telling my story. Now I have acoustics and electrics of diverse styles and quality. A Gibson electric LP is quite different than a Fender Strat.
Hi Griff – great article – have seen a few recently about “starter” guitars – having started myself some 4 years ago its a journey, one which is part of this hobby of ours. Personally I am not a supporter of “cheap” guitars. There are many out there that are probably resonsible for 1 in 7 households having a guitar (mostly in the cupboard)! and dont get me talking about set-up specialists…Currently I own no Fenders or Gibsons – but at least I know (for now) what I like and dont like. Keep practising and playing and try every axe you can get your hands on – your special one(or more) will find you
Not lookin’ to pick a fight, or anything. But I gotta stick’ up for Epiphone, here. I currently own 5 Epi’s. Including a Riviera, a Riviera Custom P93, an SST Studio, and a couple “cheapo” acoustics. (a.k.a “beach” guitars) Have not been disappointed with any of them. Even those cheap acoustics look, sound, and play better than guitars that cost hundreds more.
Well Griff, You have started a Guitar Craze with the BGU members. I played a real Fender Strat back in the 60’s in a school Pop band Rhythm Player So I would imagine buying guitars that have a high reputation with the world’s leading guitarists would definitely inspire guitarists. But since taking up playing Electric Guitar as part of my Bucket Lists and Rock n Roll such as Johnny B Goode, and Blues like Sweet Home Chicago and Kansas City, and most of the Blues that you teach us Griff, it all comes down to what sound you want to achieve for each song. I have 5 Electric Guitars & a 100 Watt 101 FX Marshall AMP. My first electric guitar in 2013 is a Suzuki -Japan Telecaster Sun Burnt and it is my favourite for sound $499 reduced to $100 as new. Then I bought a les Paul & BB King replica LTD in White with dual Humbuckers sounds like LP. Then I ordered an Epiphone Dot in Cherry red like Chuck Berry – Hand Made in China dual humbuckers and my Music Teacher who is sales manager at the Music store gave me a great deal including the Case for $699 greatly reduced ( as I am learning a lot of Chuck Berry songs)I have 0.10 heavy strings of Elixir to get the gutsy sound. I have also a Squier Bullit Strat just to work out IF the sounds are good. I have an Electric Accoustic which I purchased used about 20 years ago for $1,500 & have 0.10 strings and they are very hard to bend. From what I can gather price is not that important Sound & Quality is so maybe Griff you could provide some guidelines on what you have chosen for BGU that might help us all to follow your choice as we are all learning and following your lessons and sound.
Michael – Sydney Australia
I have always wanted a Gibson Les Paul but could never justify the price being just an amateur home player. After reviewing a lot of alternatives on YouTube and other sites, I went and bought a Vintage V100 Paradise. The guy at the music store said ‘take it home and play it for 3 months, then bring it back and we’ll re string it and set it up”. I did just that . It’s now fitted with Elixir strings and sounds and plays great. Best of all it was about a third of the price of a genuine LP. There are some good demos on YouTube.
Griff,
In 2009 I WAS IN BEST BUYS AND I DISCOVERED THAT THEY HAD A MUSIC AREA IN THE BACK OF THE STORE. INSIDE THIS AREA WAS A SOUND ROOM WITH ABOUT 30 ACOUSTIC GUITARS HANGING THERE. I PLAYED A FEW GIBSONS WHICH RETAILED FOR $2500 AND THEY WERE OK. I SAW THE MARTIN BUT FIGURED I COULDN’T AFFORD IT. AFTER TESTING A FEW MORE BRANDS I FINALLY PULLED DOWN THE MARTIN AND IT SOUNDED SO GOOD AND JUST FELT AT HOME IN MY ARMS. THE PRICE WAS JUST $500. I WAS AMAZED. IT OUT PLAYED ALL THE OTHERS AND WAS AFFORDABLE. I BOUGHT IT ON THE SPOT! WHEN ITS RIGHT ITS RIGHT!
After playing bass guitar (a 65 ampeg dan armstrong plexi clear body)I decided to switch to 6 string. The first guitar I bought was a Epiphone Joe Pass for $500, and I did change the strings real quick. The second was a Schecter Diamond series (SG style) for $200 from a pawn shop. My third is a Peavy Preditor for $130. It depends on the song I’m working on, I use them all, and their great and sound great going thru my Fender Frontman amp.
Every one of these stories are great
and inspiring.
I to have to many guitars.
Don’t be afraid of a crack head stock.
I bought a Les Paul Studio with a Gibson
case for $150.00.
The case alone is worth that.
Had the neck fixed.
I changed the picups to busrstbuckers
I found on craigslist. Changed the capasitors.
Same electronics as a 59 reissue.
I’m in it about $375.00
I like it better than my 92 Les Paul Standard.
Im the second owner of the 92 Les Paul.
Also bought a used repaired Gibson Chet Atkins SSt
for $500.00
Never out of tune.
Also found my favorite, a sg 61 reissue with a repaired neck.
lookout Dereck Trucks for slide.
The repaired ones, if they are done right are a steel.
Griff really enjoy all you do.
I to live in So Cal.
I’ll come see you one day.
I have a Baby Zager EZ-play and it is small enough to use for practice at my desk while watching videos. It has good action so it is great for beginners and minimizes sore fingers. I’m a rock person so I had to move on to a PRS Orianthi signature and that led to an Epi Les Paul. (My first was a Fender Starcaster Strat that I got free with credit card reward points). A good practice amp is a Danelectro Honeytone Mini. You can turn down the volume or use headphones. It even has a clip so you can hang it on your belt. Guitars are like potato chips………..you can’t stop at just one!
Hi,
My first guitar, a student size acoustic, was bought for my 12th birthday. I used to strum away in a church choir (I was a nice boy back then), hymns printed on a sheet with the chords over the top. Eventually, the neck became so bent the action at the top end was about 3/8″ so I just keep it for the sentiment.
26 years ago I wanted to take it up again so my wife to be bought me my first electric guitar. I’d always fancied a strat since all my heroes played them but I didn’t want a proper expensive one since we were saving up, so she bought me a Hohner strat copy. I built a small practice amp out of a speaker box powered by a nine volt battery. This served me well since I was never dedicated enough to play all the time and I knew nobody who could teach me so I was always rubbish. Last year, I bought your Blues guitar unleashed DVD and a whole new world opened up for me. Last Christmas, my wife bought me a fender amp and this summer marked our 25th wedding anniversary so I am now the proud owner of a proper Gibson Les Paul guitar which sounds awesome. I still ‘play’ the strat tending to swap between them to compare sounds.
Oooohhh, it’s play as many as you can, not buy as many as you can. I get confused…LOL. All kidding aside, my two favorite guitars are a $150 Ibanez acoustic and a $900 Gretsch. It all depends on how they feel when you wrap your arms around them.
Reading a bunch of posts saying weight is an issue, I can relate to that in a big way. I was in a truck accident and found myself sitting around with nothing to do, had my left shoulder broke quite badly. I figured I’d be on the shelf for a couple months tops, so to fill my time I bought a new Hagstrom Swede tremo. The guitar sounded awesome, fit pretty good, and way to pretty for my talent. Only problem was it weighed a ton and I needed to sit in an armchair to hold it up. Didn’t improve my playing one bit in spite of hours upon of hours of trying and picked up way too many bad habits.
World’s worst avid guitar player here, doncha know.
After about a year, my shoulder got worse instead of better so I parted company with the Hagstrom. My acoustic just doesn’t do it for me on a steady basis, so I looked for something on Kijiji. Found an Ibanez Artcore AM73T at a really decent price and absolutely love this guitar. Its light, sounds great, makes me look good, which is always important when you sound bad. Might take a while to shake off the bad habits, and still the world’s worst avid guitar player, but bear with me its only been 45 years – with Griff’s guidance I could get there yet.
Got a new PRS SE for Christmas last year. I prefer my Guild D35 simply because it’s so easy to move around. And it still bugs me that I can play the PRS but hear it over there. I also have an Alverez that I bought for $50 that I use as my boat guitar. It’s a little smaller than the Guild and easy to play. But, the sound quality just isn’t there.
One of my favorite guitars is a $20, yes $20, Johnson that I bought at a yard sale. My intent was to hang it on the office wall for decoration. It’s now a barn guitar, but I prefer it to my Taylor 310 in some ways (base response)
It has great tone, playability and stays in tune. MY point is PLAY BEFORE YOU BUY! you don’t have to spend alot if you find the right guitar.
One important thing for me when buying a guitar is the fret board radius. I find the 7.5″ or 9″ easier to play than the 12″or 14″ especially when chording. Another thing is there are several neck shapes to try out, C,D,V, etc. This stuff will drive you nuts but its a riot doing the shopping. GRIF YOU’RE TEACHING METHODS ARE AWESOME. I HAVE SOME OF YOUR COURSES, REALLY OPENEDUP MY PLAYING. THANKS KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK
Hi there, you are so rite about the first guitar you buy not being the last, I bought my first guitar back in 1957 , it is a Framous arch top acoustic,it cost £17.00 back then and I was only earning £3.00 per week. I still have it, alas after a couple of years I lost interest and it stood redundent until about 7years ago when I bumped into an old friend that had done a similar thing and I got interested again and bought a cheap strat style guitar complete with practice amp. Since then I have now a collection of 60 or more guitars plus various amps. You will have worked out from the dates above that I am no spring chicken, I have now taken up making acoustic guitars (OO style), I attended a coarse at Newark College England and find it very rewarding. however still can’t play but keep trying. All the best Griff I find your emails very helpfull. John
I have 9 guitars from custom Fender, Epiphone, Squier etc to realy cheap Harley Benton and all of them are nice to play. Many are bought used at lov price so test and try and you can find à good guitar verk cheap
Just bought a PRS Studio -very happy with tonal range.Also have an Ibanez AS 63 Semi-acoustic a Gibson Les Paul Standard and encaustic PRS Angelus.The Studio and the Ibanez are is easier to play than the Gibson,which is very difficult to play at the top of the neck.
It is very interesting to see how many over 60’s are turning back to guitar.There is something in music which transcends all the problems of the world!
Griff – Keep up the lessons and blogs,they are much appreciated
Alan
Another thing I think a person should be aware of and that is that acoustics are much lighter than most electrics. For me the extra weight of an electric solid body is a definite minus. Now there may be a light weight electric available but I just haven’t been able to find one as light as an acoustic.
I bought a 1957 Les Paul Gibson when I was 17. I am 74 now and stll have it. The May 20 tornado in Oklahoma destroyed my house and tore the neck off. I had Ron Lira in Oklahoma City restore it for me. It is now worth about a 4th of what it was worth before the tornado. I also own a 1960 fender acoustic. But my 2008 Gibson SG is my favorite to play. I installed Bixby tail pieces on both Gibsons. I play every day. Don in Oklahoma City
I have several guitars. A Gibson SG, Seagull 25th anniversary electric acoustic, a cheap Carlo Robali (Sam Ash) guitar that I love, a PRS CE-24 with a GK-3 pickup with a Gr-33 synth, a Texas shaped guitar that I built, a Martin 12 string and an Ernie Ball 5 string fretless bass. I love them all and play them a lot, but over the past year or so, I have been building cigar box guitars. I have built 18 so far and still have most of them, but have sold some. I am totally blown away by them. Facebook has a site for Cigar Box Guitar enthusiasts. These are the most amazing things and are loads of fun. Most of what I have cost me no more than $40 each including electronic or magnetic pickups. I pay only about $17 for the pickups. Are they $200 to $1000 guitars? No, but they sound great and everywhere I play them people go wild over how much music you can get out of 3 strings. Yes, just 3 strings. I also built a 4 string cigar box bass guitar. So, I still perform with 6 and 12 string guitars, but it is the cigar box guitars that garner the most attention, and isn’t that what we most value when we play before a crowd or just a few friends. By the way, the cheap $100 Carlo Robali acoustic (all mahogany) sounds so good that I bought a $180 pickup for it and installed a hybrid bridge saddle from Obbilgato Inc. Now it is one of my favorite guitars.
First Guitar was a $5 “Stella” flat top that took the skin off my finger tips. Guitar Teacher sold Harmony Guitars and I wound up with a Harmony Blond Arch top “Patrician”. Not bad, but no truss rod and a slow warp made it unplayable before long. Harmony again, an early Harmony Solid Body set neck electric painted with a bronze paint that came off on your hand. That warped before long and became very hard to play. Finally, I went to a great “Musicians” Music Shop and ordered a Fender Duo-Sonic about 1958. Fantastic American Made Fender 3/4 Scale guitar & Forerunner of the Mustang. It is still great and my Daughter has it 56 years later. I have a full stable of guitars now of the major & minor brands. I have only purchased one new guitar since 1958 and that is a Guild F212 NT 12 string Acoustic which has wonderful sound and playability and that was purchased about 25 yeas ago. Since then I have purchased all used guitars and I feel that has been the best for me. I have found most through networking with other musicians. Some were from collectors that had to sell some for various reasons. Many were new & unplayed, but I did not buy them new. I think the first Guitar should be electric with an easy to play neck along with a small amp with a few effects. No big investment until your sure the person has a real interest then, I would move up in small steps, but try to buy something with resale value. When the student definitely becomes serious, I would then purchase something better, but unless they are making money there’s no way I would pay over $1000 for a new guitar.
I agree with Griff that you should start with an electric if that’s the way you want to go. But I favor the subtlety of the acoustic and there are so many choices these days that there is no supreme way. Under $200 I favor Yamaha or Takamine. But premium guitars take many directions. If you don’t count the low-output individual high quality luthiers, I favor Collings of Austin and James Goodall of California. Properly set up, these guitars have fabulous twangy sound, great action, and chords hang together. I also have an ancient Gibson J45 and a 1927 Martin with an amazingly perfect neck. For an individual luthier you should carefully examine Grit Laskin of Toronto for lovely sound, solid build, and simply unbelievable inlay. For offbeat yet fabulous guitars, look to Joe Veillette of Woodstock NY, especially his engineering marvel known as a Gryphon. Tuned an octave above with 12 strings, it operates at the outer limits of the strength of wood and bracing, and has a haunting sound, maybe a bit away from optimum blues. Wow, I can go on…so many great acoustics out there these days.
Jeff
I got rid of 3 Martin Guitars that have a cult following and purchased 3 custom made guitars made just for me. All three are acoustic. Only one is a cutaway.
I own 2 fenders and two Gibson Les Paul’s that are simply fabulous as well as good looking. I put Duncan Seymour’s in the 1994 Slash. Wow, on my 1968 Peavey tube amp with the Slime Green tube screamer foot pedal I can rock with anyone……Yes anyone.
I also have a couple of Taylors but the truth is I have a lot of guitars because I can afford what I want and will accept nothing less than exactly what I want.
All this talk about pickups and hollow body.solid body/acoustic is humdrum boring.
Get what you want because it sounds and looks good. You can take a pig to the prom if you dress it up and put lipstick on it but it is still a pig.
Start out at the top and accept no less. By starting at the top I mean at the extreme limit of your finances.
Be Blessed;
Johnny Cache………….:)
Yes, Jim R.! I think it’s more the type of pickup than whether the body is solid or semi-hollow.
With the exception of a couple of American Strats purchased for my oldest and youngest sons (I made them take lessons and practice for a YEAR or I wouldn’t refund the hefty “deposits” I held from each), I’ve never spent more than $300 for any of the ten guitars in the house.
I used to play Fenders, but now my favorite player is a rare first gen Vintage Blonde/white guard Squier 51 I purchased new for $99 about nine years ago! I have seen them with up to $500 asking prices online. It has never been adjusted or set up, every pro tech I’ve asked to examine it and make suggestions has pronounced it perfect. It also turned me on to maple fretboards after 40 years of rosewood, so THAT’S why Clapton plays them, your fingers just glide around easily!
Aside from Squier and Epiphone, I also recommend Danelectros to new players on a budget. My third (middle) son was a long way between between Christmas and birthday when he wanted to turn electric from his Washburn acoustic in 1998. I asked how much he had to spend and he said $200.
We went to a Guitar Center and I told him to try a few and see what he liked. After he took off, I noticed this turquoise color across the room. It was a brand new Dano U56, a brand-new reissue 50 years later. I took it to my son and said. “Plug this into any amp, I think you’ll like how it sounds.” He tried, liked, took it home and had a great time with it. He’s currently living and working on Maui, so I get to play it whenever I want. It gives much of the Rickenbacker jangle tone at one-tenth the price. And they have a new “Hodad” model with FOUR pickups that can be hummed or split in 12 different combinations, that one’s on my wish list.
For amps, my personal go-to brand is Vox. The transistor Pathfinder 15R, for $120, could produce AC30 sound at lower volume. The vast majority of home players are better off with solid state equipment that is light and low (heck, zero) maintenance IMO. Sadly, the Pathfinder was discontinued a couple of years ago after over a decade on the market. Another first amp I recommend is the Microcube, especially if the buyer wants heavy metal sounds, no add-on effects necessary!
My advice for beginners is to learn a simple three-chord song you like on a borrowed or rented guitar (and amp, if you’re going electric). Once you have that teeny bit of “feel”, you can begin shopping with a much better perspective and frame of reference than simply “That one looks pretty!”.
I see a lot of poeple have opions on what guitar make to get ,. Go to a few pawn shops sometimes they have no idiea what there saleing, you can get a good deal,how it is set up means everything , I dont know why luthiers charge so much to adjust a guitar neck , my freind here in orange texas had a cinder block set up with a 25 1/2 inch scale 22 fretts one humbucker, he made it to make a point . your scale and action is critical and your ability to play , GATEMOUTH BROUN played it and was impressed
I live in orange , texas. Have not played in years. Did not know anyone in orange knew griff. Would like to meet you.maybe you you could get me started bacteria to playing. E-mail address jdaltonz71@aol.com,
I’ve been playing for almost 8 years now (still learning and enjoying the ride), and I’ve got 4 guitars! After the second one, and also the third, I’ve tried to convince myself that it would be the last… Now I know. There’s no ending to this! Once you’ve started, you’re hooked! Started on a very basic acoustic Yamaha FD-01 that my wife got me for Christmas. I still have it and still play it a lot. Then I got my dream guitar, a Gretsch 6120, love this guitar. Even more when it came back from a luthier! Then I got a Godin Velocity. It has an HSS pickup config. For the price, it beats all the strats I’ve tried. Then I bought an Epiphone Dot. Probably the “cheapest” guitar I own (except for the Yamaha), but it is the one I come back to most often. The feel, the size, the sound, …, this guitar is just great!
Now I would like to get a good acoustic, but haven’t found one that just “fits right” yet – besides, got to convince my wife that I need another guitar! She just don’t seem to understand why I would need yet another one… After all, I can only play one at a time!
Mostly interested in a jumbo or folk, but I have a hard time finding one that sounds right just acoustic, not plugged to an amp! I want to be able to plug it, but I want it to sound good not plugged! Guess I would have to go for more expensive guitars…
Played a Martin, a Norman, a Seagull, a Gretsch Rancher, a Takamine, a Gibson J200 (wow!, but too pricey), a Boucher, and a few others, but none seem to fit… either too expensive, or does not like the sound, or something just don’t feel right… Want to try a Yamaha AC3M, heard a lot of good about it, and also a Guild. So many choices, but so much fun!
Got a Fender Super Champ XD amp. It’s a hybrid (lamps and solid state). Gread sound, very versatile. Would love to get a Blues Junior. Played one, but still on my wish list. Got a few pedals as well, but I prefer the cleaner sound, just a bit of overdrive for that bluesy sound…
Thanks Griff! Love your style! Have a few of your courses and having a blast with them! Always looking forward to getting stuff from you. It is always like getting a gift!
Guitars do have a way of piling up don’t they? I own 8 of them now. 2 are Epiphones. ES335 DOT Neck & Les Paul plus top pro. They Play smooth & easy. Both sound great. Build quality is exceptional for the price point. Total cost for both including H/S cases was about $1000. I had to sell my Gibson’s but I’m happy with the epiphones. I Bought my Mexi-strat from a guy that spent a lot of money on upgrades. locking tuners, new tremolo, custom shop pickups, fully insulated cavity and Hand rolled edges on the neck. plays and feels like a million bucks, Paid $325. My pride and joy is a 1986 G&L ASAT Black on Black with ebony fret board. What a great Axe.
My point is, since I don’t play the clubs anymore my wants and needs are pretty far apart these days. Don’t feel like you need a $3500 guitar to be a good player. Buy what feels good to you. Something you can afford. Expensive instruments do not make you a player. Time and effort will yield the results that will have you loving playing your guitar. Isn’t that what we all really want?
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone, Bluzsinger
Why buy a new guitar when there are 1000s of them out there that are near new for 1/2 price? And why buy a guitar and switch out all the parts (for the same reason as before, unless you are very knowledgeable)?
Right on! From the 4 I own, 3 were bought used, for a much lower price than a new one, but still in great condition. Besides, I believe that guitars should be played! So even if they show a small mark here and there, as long as it does not alter their integrity, that’s fine! Mine are all in really great condition, but they are certainly not in showroom condition.
Basically there are 3 types of guitars. Fender Straocaster, Fender Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul. Most are copies of those or mixtures of those. For an electric guitar, try a Yamaha Pacifica.(used $150, a mixture guitar). Some come with HSS, that is humbucker bridge and then two single coil with a 5 way switch (#1,humbucker, #2, hum and middle single #3, middle single #4, middle and neck #5, neck). The tone knob pulls up to split the humbucker to a single coil. In the #2 and #4 position the singles are usually reversed coiled so they act just like noise canceling humbuckers (they buck, or remove the hum found in single coil pick ups).So what you get is a Fender Stratocaster looking guitar (with wammy bar) with the ability to split the bucker so as to have a traditional strat SSS, OR, the humbucker which is like a Gibson AND two positions where you are playing single coils that don’t hum. It gives you BOTH sounds. What more versatility do you want?
I’ve owned $2000 Paul Reed Smith guitars to cheap Squiers. Got rid of the PRM because it was better than me and was so pretty I was always afraid I’d hurt it.
You must pay attention to the radius of the neck. Ones that curve the most (7 1/2 in.) are best for chords ( they more easily fit the arc of your fingers in barr chords, while 12 in (the flatist) are best for bending. Then there are the 9 in. which is in between. Neck radius means that string 3 and 4 are higher than 2 and 5 which are higher than1 and 6 because of the neck arch (bottom to top, not tuner to bridge) . If you like bending and you push string 1 up to string 4, on a 7 1/2 incher, the string will hit the fret and stop vibrating (fretting out). So flatter is better for that type of playing. Many people have no idea what radius they have, nor do most store sales people who sell them. Used Laguna guitars follow the same Yamaha Pacifica pattern but are heavier and usually prettier. Strat type guitars also contour the back of the guitar which I think all guitars should have.
Anthony, thanks for the info on the radius. I’ve really had it explained before. Do acoustic necks have the same variability?
Griff; perfect topic for discussion. Like everyone else I have GAS Guitar Acquisition Syndrome. I have a basic Yahama acoustic, a mexican fender, a crossover acoustic/electric and while I’m traveling abroad(now) a Traveler Escape. I’ve been dreaming and researching about a Gibson Les Paul. I’ve seen Les Pauls here in So France and researching them online. I’m interested in spending about $1000 to $2000 and have seen T models with e-tuning and various humbuckers available. I would like to hear what each have to offer me. I don’t know much about them. I’ve seen attractive guitars from $800 and up. I’ve been playing for 10+ years with both Griff’s instruction plus a regular teacher at home for about that time. I’d be interested to hear from other players what their thoughts are.
I started with a Costco version of a cheap Fender Starcaster. $150 complete.
After I played around a while and decided to keep up with the lessons, it was time to trade up.
Local guitar shop showed me a PRS SE Bernie Marsden and it was LOVE at first touch.
Cost a bit more, $700, but well worth it.
Fit and finish are perfect, wide-fat neck and single cut body style.
Korean made, and made very well.
Then I bought a Luna acoustic guitar, which has a nice action and sound.
$200 for the Luna.
If you can swing something in the $700 price range, take a look at the PRS SE models.
If I keep up and earn it, I’d like to get a PRS SE Angelus Standard acoustic.
Gotta earn it first. I’ll know when…
I started playing when I was 68, bought an Alverez for $300, it was very difficult to play and the action was high.
I then bought some other cheap model,can’t remember the name, and that didn’t work either, but by then I had toughened up my finger tips.
Then, I went to Guitar Center, and bought a $2,500 Martin, …..and several other Martins after that, selling and buying. Even a Collings, which I loved. So sorry I sold that guitar. My favorite now is a Martin D18A….love the light weight, wonderful bass and delicate high notes. It’s my guitar for life. I am now 72, write my own songs, and am recording.
My advice, if you can afford it, or have a credit card, go for the best guitar you can, you won’t be sorry and you’ll have a friend for life. Beats paying out to the psychiatrist or having dementia setting in.
Neets
I have a number of guitars from nylon string classicals to solid body electrics. My current favorite is an old Gibson ES 150. I love this thing! I can pick it up for a few minutes and play it unplugged and get an electic neck feel on an acoustic. The reputation of the P-90 pickup is well deserved. I can plug it in and play it low and is sounds almost like an acoustic with a pickup, clean and sweet. I can crank it up a bit and get some distortion and sustain that is great for the blues. If I turn it up to 10 I have a great rocker, but I have to be careful of the feedback. All in all, if I had to get rid of my collection and retain one instrument there is no doubt which one it would be!
I have gained 5 guitars while studying Griff’s courses. I picked up learning a few years ago when I bought a $180 Squire Tele, it was good in it’s day(I gave it to one of my sons for Christmas last year, and yes he is learning to play). I had bought a drum set for my son when he was 16, more my idea than his, and he never really got into it, so I bought it back from him. Wife didn’t want me playing drums so I sold the kit and got a Michael Kelly V55, a really rare guitar as it turns out and one that you are not likely to see. A friend of mine, with 30 years of professional guitar playing under his belt, was impressed when I had him help me set it up. told me how he had to pay a luthier $800 to reset his neck on his Martin, my V55 has a neck that allows you to adjust the height of the fretboard with an Allen wrench. He thought that feature right there was worth $800 what with his experience with his Martin. All I know is that acoustic guitar was the most beautiful object I had ever owned up to that time, and as far my humble opinion so far is that it sounds really nice, and plays nice to, I just am not quite worthy of it yet. Last summer I came into a little bit of money so decided to up grade my electric and bought an Epiphone Ultra 339. Real nice guitar, once again in my humble opinion. It has both electric pickups and an “acoustic” pickup, it is semi-hollow. Sounds pretty good stock, but eventually I expect I may upgrade the humbuckers to Seymour Duncans or something. Plays and looks great though.
Last winter I won an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Pro with the coil splitting humbuckers. Really nice! I have never had a flagship guitar, but, if they get better than this Epi they must play themselves as well. This thing sounds amazing and plays slick as butter, but hey!, I’m still learnin’. I got mine for free, but for the money….. Then there is my Washburn Rover, a travel and student steel string, that my wife got me for my b-day, because I was looking for something I could play “around the campfire.” She got it used from a neighbor who wasn’t using it. After playing it for awhile I have real mixed feelings about it. It sounds nice, plays nice except for the body, because of it’s size, being weird and the weight of the neck makes it unstable while you play. You adapt to that, but, it’s weird. Then my wife(bless her, what level of accomplishment are you at, Griff, when your wife tells you that you “sound pretty good.”) bought a Korean made nylon string guitar for me for $15(brand new in the box, but never used and years old)at a garage sale. I like it and strangely enough it fits right in with the others. So as far as I am concerned, I have my collection, and I really don’t care if it changes all that much for a good long time. Though I keep entering contests.
Look at Godin elect. and Norman acc.
I have a 1978 Gibson SG and a $100 Epiphone Jr. trash guitar. I play the $100 guitar a lot more than I play the SG. It usually isn’t plugged in so I don’t have to listen to sound of the tin foil pickup and I don’t care if I drop it, bang it, whatever. It hasn’t caught on fire yet.
Hi: I am not exactly a rookie I have been playing guitars of one kind or another for over fifty years. Some acoustic some electric. I have had Harmony acoustics and Yamaha. My first electric was a Fender Mustang I bought in 1961 along with a Vibrolux Twin tube amp. That is my biggest regret getting rid of that guitar and amp combination. It was much later in life I was introduced to a local Luthier and that is my most recent story. I had a Fender Stratocaster Squire I purchased about 15 years ago and I recently bought an Epiphone Les Paul. I took both guitars to this Luthier and he completely redone them. New pots, wiring Orange drop capacitors, jacks and best of all new awesome pickups… Humbuckers for the Les Paul and Texas Floods for the Stratocaster…. it is unbelievable the difference in those two guitars… I am not going to say it was cheap it cost me more to rebuild them than it did to buy them but worth every single penny. I love my guitars now both have unique sounds and the action is great as well probably marginally better on the Stratocaster but I love the bluesy tone of the Les Paul. Don’t be sucked in by high end brands I think an earlier post had it right…. if it feels right and sounds great to you….. it is the right guitar. Thanks Griff great post!
You only need one guitar, a Peavey T-60, if you can find one. I bought mine in 1982. Very easy to play and you can get a lot of sounds out of it. Made in America. There are a few on Ebay , prices are starting to go up on these as more people appreciate them. Just play one, and you will see what I mean.
I have a Peavey T-30 with original plastic case, it is a very playable and very nice looking guitar, the best thing is what Griff stated, play a ton of them but not too many at a time, just go pick out a couple three IN YOUR BUDGET and then whittle down to the one of the three, next time go get that one and two more, that is six guitars maybe nine on another trip but I think that is too many,
I bought a Fender knock off and the thing plays as well as a $1500 Jazzmaster, work your way up you will change guitars if you stick with it,
I have one, love it. It can get a bit heavy but worth the weight. I also have the T-40 Bass and that is way under rated too. Guitar is natural finish and the Bass is red. I wish I could have fund the bass in natural as I like to “see the wood”. Factory cases on both.
Thanks Griff. I bought an Epiphone DR-1 as a beginners guitar a few years ago now, and they are as you have said, perhaps not the best in quality. I spent a few bucks to upgrade the nut, the saddle and the bridge pins with “bone substitute” products from Graph Tech . True enough that some companies make huge claims about improving tone with this, that and every other thing, this actually worked . I also had the neck adjusted. The saddle replacement raised the strings enough that I don’t get string buzz on the 12th fret on the low E, A, and D strings anymore, the tone is that much ..purer? I swapped out the strings and over time have found that the Ernie Ball Slinky for acoustics works well but am swapping those out for the newer Ernie Ball Phosphor Aluminum Bronze. I use Ernie Ball Cobalt lights (10-42) on my electrics, but thats another story. Do I plan on getting another acoustic down the road ? Hell yeah ! I sat in a guitar store one afternoon and noodled around and although some of the boutique guitars like Takamine, D’angelico, higher end Gibson and Fenders , etc. sounded nice, I found a couple of acoustics by Seagull that sound that much sweeter.You do have to sit down and try them. Soundbytes are good, but the instrument has to fit your hands, and your body. Thanks again for the post Griff, and to those in the community for shariing a lot of info and tips. =)
I think Brian’s comment was the best…the best guitar is the one you pick up and play. I would humbly add, always go for the best guitar you can afford. You’re not doing yourself any favors by starting out cheap “to see if you like it”…you won’t.
I had started with acoustic . then low end bargin basement no names . Had borrowed a gibson 1959 sg what a beauty turns out today it is worth 1,7500.00 . had a les paul custom I should have never parted with but we know what love can do . I had a harmony electric cound not stay tuned for long .Found a kramer 1000 studio a 70s with a basement floyd rose on it bought it for the floyd rose was going to put it on a new ibenez.All the while I play a Avalon acoustic hand made in ireland if you can find one buy it factory went out of biz. then I got a yamaha played it for years played it so much had to have frets recrowned . Also the yamaha has great tone almost like a fender strat . Got a epiphone les paul its ok it had seymore duncans installed so its a big screamer . the tonation is almost perfect . I also have a kramer 2000 that has seymour duncans on it with the 70s floyd rose on it and it is an okay sounding guitar . had a squire strat for awhile played w/o a amp because it just sounded real bad . recently found a new old stock on e bay in ct. 2002 fender strat re issue I bid on it just for the heck of it an no takers . Well it needed some love when i got it strut rod adjustment fender bullet strings why fender bullets if you snap a string and you dont have a second guitar it may take awhile to get the new one in if using the brass ring type . Oh yeah its a mexican strat was told long ago that they sound pretty good as far as tone goes. Also replaced the pick guard the one it came with was a single layer and just too cheezy looking.I play thru a marshall valvestate amp with eiether a didgetech rp 80 or a rp 7 . Old school stuff but the rp 7 has a tube in it and gives a nice tone,Also has a neat feature learn a lic and the other has a drum player . If new to all this i suggest that get a guitar that sounds good to you dont spend alot because if you decide not to play it will wind up in a closet then put up on e bay for sale . GUITARS SHIPPED TO YOU WELL, IF YOU DONT SEE IT WITH IT IN YOUR HANDS BEST TO KNOW A PERSON WHO REPAIRS AND SELLS GUITARS UNLESS YOUR LIKE ME A COLLECTOR. Alright hope this may help anyone who reads this . B-)
I have 30 guitars as of right now. I have a Kalamazoo SG and a Nashville Les Paul, and there is a difference in build quality between the two of them. I also have a few Epiphones which IMHO are just as good as the Gibson’s they emulate.
I also have Fender and Squire guitars, and again there is no difference in quality between the two of them. I also own have Dean, Ovation, Jackson, Charvel and Washburn guitars. I have set all of my guitars up myself and all play great and with the pickup changes I have made, all scream through my tube and solid state amps.
I am currently in the process of hot rodding an Omega guitar which has a 24 fret,rosewood fretboard, mahogany body with a maple cap, set neck, gold hardware, blue with cream binding I bought for $169.00 from Rondo Music. As it is now, it is a total screamer, but I would like to have a little more scream. So I am changing the pickups (Seymour Duncan bridge, Bill Lawrence XL neck), 500K push pull pot and a Sprague orange drop capacitor.
Really, it doesn’t matter what another person’s opinion is, YOU need to go and play guitars at your local music store and make up YOUR own mind as to what YOU like. Guitars are somewhat like clothes and shoes, whatever makes YOU feel comfortable and feel good is what YOU should get. Forget whatever some yo-yo’s opinion about guitars as they may not have a clue.
Unless of course it is someone such as Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy or someone else that knows what they are doing. Otherwise, find out for YOURSELF what makes YOU happy.
I have been playing over 44 years and I still get a big bang out of playing. I was lucky enough to buy a 1971 Gibson SG for my first guitar. But be that as it may, it isn’t the name on the guitar that makes it, it’s what YOU can do with it that matters.
MAN ARE yOU SERIOUS ABOUT THE DIFFRENCE BETEWEEN THE SQUIRE STRAT AND STRAT . FOR ME ITS THE DIFFRENCE BETWEEN A VW BUG AND A PORSCHE .BOTH FROM GERMANY BUT NOT THE SAME AT ALL . THAT GOES FOR THE SQUIRE MADE IN CHINA AND MEXICO (THE JAPAN MADE ONE IS A DIFFRENT STORY . SOUGHT OUT BY COLLECTORS) ive been playing and collecting ,repairing even refinishing modifing for over 40 years . (ITS JUST MY OPINION)
Like some of the other folks here, I’m trying to get back into playing after several years layoff. I could no longer play my 1970’s Gretsch acoustic. I’m 60 years old, and my hands are wrecked from physical labor and abuse. I had a luthier look at the Gretsch, and it needed the neck reset–$200-300 minimum, and no guarantee I’d like the results. I decided to buy new, and set a $300 budget. I researched extensively on-line, and picked out several I wanted to try: Epiphone, Fender, Ibanez, etc. They ALL played hard and sounded mediocre. In the meantime, I sold the Gretsch as-is for $100 and upped my budget. I tried a $399 Taylor Big Baby, and a $420 Seagull S6. The Taylor’s sound blew me away, and I was all set to buy. A friend who owns a music store told me he no longer carried Taylor because he had problems with them cracking. He got me a good price on the Seagull S6, and I am very happy with it. It’s made in Quebec, has a solid cedar top and Canadian wild cherry back and sides. It’s gorgeous, sounds great, and is a dream to play. Do yourself a favor: stay away from Chinese junk, spend a little more, and get an instrument you will really want to play for the rest of your life. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but you do have to look a little outside the mainstream!
Just a few quick comments if I may.
Firstly the Mexican made Fender gear is very good now. I have FSR Butterscotch Tele which is as good as my MIA 2012 Tele. I swapped Texas specials into the MIM tele and its now perfect. I also have a 2010 MIM strat which I swapped fat 50’s pickups into and I love it and will never sell it. I’m not keen on Gibson electrics not going to slam them though them but just prefer Fenders. I will probably buy 1 more strat just waiting for something to really stand out and play as well as the MIM one I own.
As for acoustics I have 4 a Bourgeois OMC, a Gibson J45, an Eastman Parlor E20p and an Eastman Drednaught E20d. Without doubt the Eastman E20d is the best playing guitar I have it’s the Bourgeois ranks 2nd the J45 3rd and parlour 4th. Eastmans are hand made in China by artisans and the build quality ranks up there with my Bourgeois. I have backed to back my Eastman Parlour with a Collings parlor and found them to be near identical in quality and even prefered the Eastman tone so I returned the Collings. I don’t like Martin acoustics and am not going to say why I just don’t. I have plenty of money and can buy top shelf if I wish.
I recommend for acoustics in this order for beginners Eastman or Blueridge BG series, Yammaha then Epiphone Masterbuilt series. The Eastmans can be a but pricey but they are worth every penny. The Gibson J45 sounds lovely with a great wood selection it’s a pity they don’t take the same care when assembling them. Unsanded braces, glue spills obviously mass factory built.
Great site Griff and love your material and sensible approach to learning and progressing with guitar playing.
Paul Jarman
The best guitar is the one you pick up and play.
If you are just starting out … I mean still can’t play “cowboy” chords or bar chords, then you flat don’t know diddly about what kind of guitar you’re going to want or need down the road. Your fingers are going to go through the “hurt” stage no matter WHAT guitar you have, but they ARE going to hurt MORE on an acoustic than on an electric. All the finer points of what makes this or that guitar a “good” guitar are usually subjective (meaning a matter of preference). But since you don’t even know which end of the guitar is the neck yet, all of that is MOOT. These days even the cheapest electric guitar will play plenty good enough for any beginner. So my advice is just find one for as little money as you can find, that has pretty paint on it, make sure all the switches and knobs actually WORK, pay the man, and start practicing.
My first guitar is a Epiphone Les Paul Special II, my second guitar is a Fender Starcaster Strat. My third guitar will be a Epiphone Les Paul 100. Yes, all are on the low end of the price range, but I love both my guitars that I have. I’m just learning at age 52 and am having a lot of fun, and that is the key to learning to play guitar. If you can’t have fun and enjoy playing, then what’s the point?
have an lp 100 that a long time friend (50 yrs) wants to bur from me because it’s used, and i tweaked it. not selling, but might give it to him. a thought to you is the epi genesis le. basically a double cutaway lp. push-pull pots, set neck instead of bolt on, and is a nice looking and playing axe. comes from the epi custom shop, whatever that is, and not much more money. yes made in china, but ….so what?
Hi GRiff,Interesting comments,I started out with a 1968 Gretsch country gentleman,it had a lovely leather cover on the back,to protect from belt buckles,dual mufflers,Chet’s idea,had it personally autographed by Chet,even though his name was on the pick guard from the factory,sorry I sold it a few years ago,dumb me,since then I have had and sold 9 gits,i am down to a martin acoustic and a Ibanez electric,they both are right on,up to the 15 fret,but I have had to study about 30 pages of intonation help,but its worth it at the end,problem I still can,t play worth a darn,or know where to put in the mode cords etc.,Len.
Hi Griff, I am into the banjo and some of the guitar chords can be applied to the banjo. I have a cheap old Gretsch open back for a beginner but am looking for a Deering Sierra to move up to. I play mostly solos but sometimes attend jam sessions and I’m the only banjo player there. 4 or 5 guitars, a fiddle and a base fiddle. I like guitars but I’m an old country boy and like banjo’s also. I love your lesson sessions.
I have a 4 string banjo I have been trying different tuneing not just open cords and try a slide ,this thing has an unbelevable sound ,the scale is 25 inch. 22 fretts strange scale ,what you think ?
I’ve played a Tenor Banjo for over 50 years using the high 4 string tuning of the guitar. Several years were in a marching string band, and 7 or 8 were where I used it in a country band for several numbers each night. The string band playing was strictly chords and the country band was 90% melody/lead, and I could play most of the music I used with the 2+ octaves available with that tuning. I use standard Tenor strings. This worked well for me and I didn’t need to learn another instrument fretboard, just the different strumming patterns. If Banjo had been my main instrument I would have went with the common tuning, but for my uses this worked well and my 1920’s Gibson Banjo still sounds wonderful.
the best playing electric guitar i have is a 1957 silvertone my hero my dad gave to me and his 60s dobro ,iam no luthier be any means but my dad could play anything with strings on it .he was one of those old cajuins that had to build your own guitar if you wanted one he died at 90 15 years ago .He showed me what he knew and I took many lutier classes , I made a maple neck for the silvertone guitar,, action is so low it plays itself! almost I dont think I will buy a guitar anytime soon,I have about 15 electric ,and banjos, 3 steel guitars from the 40s I make one acustic or electric are both guitars, one a year and I give it away when I find someone that acts like they love it,. I give it to them, that what dad did!
Wow sounds like your into the cool way…my grandpa tought me. Instruments come and go but the music is permanent.
Great attitude Curtis T. I hope that whoever you pass them to plays them long and well. I have acquired a few this way and I will never forget the people that gave them to me and try to do them proud.
There are NO ‘learner guitars, no ‘beginner guitars; don’t fall into that pit.
You always get the best equipment possible! Whether its guitars, cars/hot rods, surfboards, girls (especially girls), do yourself the favor; get good equipment.
What do you want to do, play a guitar with atrocious tone and telephone-wire action?!
Hell, if you’re trying to learn, you won’t be trying long! And then you’ll be stuck with that albatross.
…or a chubby, not too cute girl, who is NO FUN! Don’t do it to yourself.
Next, you play the guitar you’re going to buy, before you buy it.
No, you don’t play one, or two, and then ask the salesman to get you a new one from the back-of-the-haus because you want a cresh one.
You buy the one you actually like.
If you’re new to the game, you bring a friend who knows about such.
It’s ALL about the woods, the woods talk; the neck and the body have to be compatible.
Some guitars actually fight you. The ones you want are the guitars that welcome you into your arms; they’re cordial, and gracious, they want to be played.
Later in life, you’ll know a great electric without even plugging it in.
Hot girls will come, if I can say that.
You are so right!!!! I started on an old Stella that spanked my fingers big time. Guess I was 9 or 10, I’m 69 now. It sure didn’t invite me to practice more often or longer for quite awhile. I’ve had lots of guitars and just bought a USA Jaguar. It’s still in the box as I have a Tele and and an Epi Les Paul Florintine sitting by the couch plugged into an OLD tube Fender Twin Reverb 100 watt. My Fender Dual Showman is too large for my living room.I’ve got strats and several acoustics.That Jap made squire strat with Tex-Mex pickups is a winner. Try it you’ll like it BIG TIME. My favorite acoustic is my Gibson Songwriter. Easy to play and terrific sound. Guess I’ve got 15 or 16 or 17. My wife wonders why I have so many guitars and I wonder why she has so many shoes. In High School we had a Rock n Roll Band, 4 some. I played Bass. My first bass was an ole Kalamazoo Kay short neck, right off the Pawn Shop Wall. It disappeared while I was in South East Asia 1967/1968. Never liked my 1965 Mustang very much. My favorite bass right now is the Gibson SG short neck. I have Fender Precisions, Long neck Gibson SG and several others. Gonna give my grand daughter my Fender Flat Top Box for Christmas WITH new #9 strings so she doesn’t loose interest because of the finger tip damage. Bought my other grand daughter a new Yamaha 3/4 size for her Christmas. Guitar collection is a disease. One of my ole band mates had a saying, “The One Who Dies With The Most…..Wins.” Well catch ya later, guess I’ll reach over and flick a switch and pic a little Willie n Waylon. Happy Thanks Giving from us South Texans.
sorry too inform,..that i can only use my friends Guitar when he is not useing it thats why it’s taking me so long to practice the Guitar,.i can’t afford a Guitar at this point and time,..trying too finish paying my Dentist for all the work that was done on my teeth,$10,000 Dollares,..been paying for one year so far,..two more years to go,..Looking forward too own a Guitar some day,..i will stay in touch,..thanks for all the Information on buying a Guitar,..Bob
Bob, I have found several $5 & $10 wonders at yard sales. Good Luck.
Stay the course. I started playing again at the age of 75 after 45 years of layoff.
I am having the time of my life and learning every day (and remembering what I practice).
I have only one electric guitar, an American Deluxe Strat, and enjoying every fret of it.
I am thinking of buying a steel guitar for around 3K, but I don’t know…
Hey Griff,
I enjoy your lessons. I have a really cool Reverend semi hollow body. Great guitar. I also have a Hagstrom Deuse F and I love it. I am partial to hollow bodies, but I own two Telecasters. A “road worn” and a Squire with the Bigsby. A new pick up and a little neck work, and it is almost my favorite. Thanks . Happy Holidays
I have 22 guitars. Including 3 Gibson’s and 2 fenders. The rest are all epiphones including 335 dot, pro,sheraton and Lucile. Epiphones sound and quality is as good as my Gibson’s. In fact, the quality control and consistency is better on the epiphones. And yes they are all made in china.
Correction. One of the commentators said all Epiphones are Chinese….from what I understood….in his comment. I have one, just a few years old. Body made in Japan, Hardware made in the U.S. by Gibson, for Epiphone. The price is still this guitar….cuz I don’t play most of My Guitars…. The price $1,999.00 + Tax. It is Guitar #2 for value, Gretsch Gountry Gentlemen Chet Atkins Model is #1.
I have a few guitars. All from U.S., Japan, Sweden, Korea, and Indonesia. Not fond of Chinese….if they can cut corners, they will and they do….but, in some cases, they are improving.
Griff, a few years ago, we e-mailed about our Taylor guitars. Yours is a 400 series, and mine is a 300 series. I have had mine since 1999, and it sounds better than ever. Check out the Voice and see how many Taylor guitars that are used. As others have said, it is the way it feels and plays for you that counts. Thanks Griff . Mike Z.
…The Voice…?!
You’re a guy? …and you have a guitar?
Quote: “it’s rare that this guitar is the last one you’ll buy. You might think it is now, but chances are it’s not. Keep that in the back of your mind.”
Excellent advice…broken fingers…shoulder/elbow problems…changing from standing to sitting…changing genre…are a small few of the factors that could mean a different guitar.
And for what it’s worth…I like Gretsch!
I bought an Epiphone DR-100 acoustic last year at Christmas and I sincerely wish I hadn’t. Actually the first one I got had a crooked neck. I took that one back and exchanged it for another one. Even with extra light strings I get big-time discouraged whenever I try to play it. It hurts my fingers something fierce. The action is terrible. I may see if anyone sells Yamaha guitars in this city.
A yahama, as a start up guitar, is the way to go. Also, a Takamine, has a pretty good quality price relationship
I have 3 electric guitars a Godin lgx ($1400), a Squire Bullet Strat ($140) and a Squire Telecaster Butterscotch Blond ($400) and the one that I prefer is my Squire Telecaster Butterscotch Blond. The quality of the neck is amazing and it’s sound great.
The Godin guitar neck give me a lot of problems. I will never buy another Godin.
The Squire Bullet Strat is not a bad guitar for the price but you got for what you paid. I hope this will help.
PS: My next electric guitar will probably be a G&L (made in USA).
Griff,
Excellent advice.
My first guitar was a Fender strat and a “beater” copy – from the 60’s – both great to play on, but long gone. Now I have an Epiphone Dot and a copy of an ovation (a smaller one with a plastic bowl back). Both are fun to play and have easy actions. Beginners need light, easy strings, and friends who can hang out and play.
Don’t get discouraged, and look at acoustic music by Eric Clapton and others on youtube, to see what the pro’s do. (see both the acoustic version of Bell bottom blues and the Studio version, it will open your eyes). (also look at “Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel).
Thanks and Happy Playing!
Howdy,
Any thoughts on finding a wider neck? I have big fingers and have major issues forming chords. It has been recommended that I’ve looked into a wider neck.
I have seen those with almost a 2″ width in a hollow body electric, but that is a $pecial order.
One size does not fit all. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Bill
Hi Bill, I have a buddy who is ordering a guitar from Big Lou Guitars. I haven’t seen one, but my big fingered buddy is pretty excited about it.
Try this link…pretty cool. Good luck!
http://www.biglouguitar.com/products.htm
Thanks for the tip! That is a great resource. I have the Fender Starcaster, aka, the Costco special- but was always asked why I got kids guitar? ~meh
After much gnashing of teeth, I ordered a Zarley. It’s a Semi hollow body, Humbuckers and looks like the Gibson ES 300. I am very satisfied with it and for those of the ‘sausage finger’ set, the wider nut is well worth the investment.I cant believe I waited so long. My ability to chord and transition is up 100%, with frustration down to zero. Big Lou has some nice looking styles and will be on my list for the inevitable “next guitar”.
I appreciate the help.
Bill
go-to guitar Ibanez AS103BM. Bought used-replaced tuners (B/E Detuned easily)
Fit and Finish are absolutely top of the line.Playability is fantastic.p/u’s
are custom 58’s-sound pretty close (imo) to gibson classics.play thru blues jr, and sounds really good. Tone is whatever you want, from rich and smooth to gritty blues.Play primarily blues /Jazz influences.Guitar works great for both. Kinda rare, though, this is only one I’ve ever seen. Way nicer than regular artcores, although more expensive, still a lot less than major brand names (you know who I’m talkin about).Funniest thing tho-it says made in China. I played it- I bought it-no regrets at all, just surprised guitar this nice from there.Who knew?
Thank you Griff..After looking at your videos for quite a while, I purchased the solo blues. I am so pleased with it. I have learned so much already from the first part of it, and I have been taking lessons for three years. I really am so happy with your teaching..I have bought other DVDs from others, and they are always so fast in showing how they are playing, it is hard to keep it in mind. Thank you so much. I am looking forward after I learn the solo blues, to getting the Blues Unleashed for a present for myself!
Epiphone will be the most disappointing guitar you will ever buy, they’re all Chinese (as off the last few years) and are incredibly poorly made. They fall apart quickly and have a zero resale value. Same with Squire unless your getting a Squire Classic Vibe Telecaster in Butterscotch and NOT the White or any other color because only the butterscotch comes with Alnico V pickups and it’s only $379. The Squires are horrible and most come right out of the box ready to rip your fingers to shreds. I believe in my 40 years of playing, 20 as a professional,That the Mexican strat is the best buy on the market, I have played Mexicans that held their own with any American made strat I could compare it too. I think it is the best buy on the market bar none! If you have to have an Epiphone Les Paul scour Craigs list for a Korean made Epiphone. They are 3 times what Epiphone puts out now and it will probably less expensive and by far the better buy. Good luck what ever you chose but try to stay away from the “off” brands like Dean, AXL,Stagg,SX or any other non popular brand you will never get anywhere close to what you paid for it when your ready for a real guitar. Don’t let a salesman talk you into anything, most aren’t paid commission but they do get a bonus depending on how many they sell so be aware regardless of what they tell you.
I like my Dean. It is a very good sounding and easy on the fingers. I would recommend this for a “First Guitar.” I might have got an exceptional one but “mine” is a great guitar.
Hey Griff, thanks for all your great info. I have an Agile Dauntless, made in Korea. It was $250. Sounds great and is easy to play. Agile has several different guitars too.
and none have any resale value
had my share of differant guitars for that last 40 years of playing. i custom made my own electrics and did t from scratch . just bought the necks. one has a cedar top and emg pickups. i took it to guitar center and they compared it to a #3,000.00 gibson and it played and sounded better. i have a 1976 strat . had it since then. i love my gibson blues hawk. i own ibanez. i change out the pickups and put roller sadel string bridge. set up the action and intonation and i have a guitar close to steve vai. i read some guy trashimg squiers. there damn good for a beginner and the sound comes from your amp not the guitar. china makes good gear now. back in the 90’s they where crap. my guitar collection alone is worth over 10k. sad part is, artritist in my left hand now. so i don’t play as much as i wish i could.
Grif, I love your info, I wish that it was young and starting over but still had the late 60s music coming out. Anyway, my nephew wanted a guitar and for some reason trusted my advice. 12 years later he Loves that guitar. His dad thought a beginners package would be the thing, but I found a good older strat and used amp for the same money. The strat increased in value and I’m sure the beginner setup is in the trash heap by now. Just a thought.
Does anyone own a Epiphone ES 335 Pro? It’s been one I’ve really been considering buying. With a Gibson 335 costing about $2,000 more I’d like to think it’s a much better deal. Hows the quality of the guitar?
Dan I have a Pretty red ES 335 pro and I love it. The coil spliter is a nice feature. I paid $500.00 for it and the hard case from GC.
I also have a EJ 200ce Epi acoustic, I got from Sweatwater Music, $400.00.
Hey Dan,
Hey Dan, I don’t think my last one went thru. Anyway, I have a 335 although it’s not an Epiphone. However, I do have several Epiphones and in my opinion they are made as well and sound as good as their Gibson counterparts. I have 2 Epi Firebirds. One studio version and one is the mark 5 or 7 I think. They don’t produce it anymore in the starburst color scheme although I think you can still get it in black, white and red. It has the 3 mini-humbucker set up whereas the studio just has 2 regular humbuckers. Regardless, they both sound fantastic! My luthier even has dibs if I ever sell the mark 5 or 7 model which ever it is. I also have a Les Paul vintage 60’s the even came with Gibson pick-ups. Cost less than half the price of a Gibson and plays and sounds everybit as nice. Epiphone is making some very nice quality stuff. I’m not as sold on their aqoustic guitars though. While seemingly well made, they don’t project like I think they should. Still, fit and finish are fine and tone is very good, just weak on volume. (my other acqoustics are a Washburn timberline series, A guild -40 and a Martin D-16. All really project, great tone, well built, good craftsmanship etc. The Epi meets all of those standards, just not the volume/projection as well as the others. Hope this helps.
Bill
dan kay. there crap. the gibson is not woth the money. ibanez make a “anm 73B simi hollow body with a bloch in thre center. the action an intonation out of the boxs is professional. cost the same as an epiphone. sounds better too. i have one, and changed out the pickups fpr alinco 5 hot wound. there GPL’S and sound better than a duncun pickup for half the price. put a string roller brodge and that gave me more sustain. good luck bro.
I have an Epiphone Dot 335. I liked the look (sunburst)a lot, and I wish I had known enough about guitars to make a choice on some different criteria, but I didn’t. I’ve had trouble with it staying in tune. I found that the pickup selector switch was flaky too. A quick switch from the neck to the bridge often resulted in no sound through the amp at all unless you jiggled it a few times. I replaced the switch myself – a challenge to say the least. I haven’t given up on the guitar yet, because I have one more thing to try – which I should have done in the first place – and I haven’t heard mentioned in this thread yet: I’m going to take it to a good shop and have it set up. Yea, it may cost 25% of what I paid for it, but one of two things will happen. I will either get back a guitar I like and will play, or I will be told by someone that knows what he’s talking about that it isn’t worth either the effort or the money to keep messing with it.
I have one – great value. I can’t tell it from the Gibson. My teacher also has one (I think he might have the dot). We love then. I’m large and it also suits my bigger frame.
Thanks for the helpful info. Reading up on the the ibanez artcore 73b and while it’s a nice looking guitar the reviews seem to be a bit mixed, in terms of tone and ability to stay in tune.
I bought an Epi ES335 pro last Xmas and I love it. I had a Gibson 335 that I had to sell (sigh) however the Epi is a great guitar for the money. The finish is beautiful (mine is cherry) and I love the mini block fret board. The humbuckers (Alnico) are real close to the 57s that were on my Gibson.
Now having said that, I wasn’t entirely happy with the finish on my frets, but a little time and some CAREFUL polishing took care of that one issue.(Gibson has a great tech site with some helpful tips on fret dressing). I would say that if you have a guitar store nearby go check it out and play several if possible. These days especially it seems no two are exactly alike, but when you find the one you’ll probably know it. Sorta like love, I think. Don’t be afraid of a nice Epi.I have several. Dan
I’m 78 and two months ago gave in to a lifelong yearning to play acoustic guitar, bought a Yamaha at the top end of the beginners range. A torn rotation cuff in an accident has brought things to a stop for perhaps a month, that and fat fingers, but any words of encouragement/support from similar late starters would be hugely appreciated.
I, too, started out with an acoustic Yamaha….I have a photo of me and that guitar from 40 years ago….wish I still had the guitar….I traded it in for a Martin D28 ….the Martin was nice, but very difficult to play compared to the Yamaha….I eventually sold the Martin and bought a Takaminie….much easier to play and just as loud….don’t fret (pun intended) over the fat fingers….there are many, many fat fingered guitar players….in fact, that would make a nice name for your band!
Hi Robert I picked up the guitar again after over 40 years at 59 and have now built up a small collection of electric guitars. Before this I injured my left ring finger and I have to find other ways of playing some basic open chords like G because I cant curl it properly.This also can cause problems with some barre chords and this is something I have to work on.I am naturally a southpaw but have always played right handed but I wont change now.Keep at itnothing succeedes like success. Regards Rob
Speaking of fat fingers. Check out http://www.stubbyfingers.ca to see what can be accomplished with fat fingers. Btw My first box was a Yamaha 450. I use nothing but Martin SP lights. Every person who has ever tried it, (guitar) has commented on the sound and the feel. The strings are awesome. My electric is a Korean made Cort 850. Love that guitar as well. Both bought by my wife.
Thanks for all you do Griff
Don’t worry about fat fingers. ALL beginners find fault with their hands – they think their hands are too big, too small, too long, too short, etc. And they are ALL wrong. Learning to play guitar is a few hours theoretical work (and many players skip this for a long time), and endless hours of practice. It is the practice that develops guitar muscles, and there is no substitute. Practice when sitting on the porch, when watching TV, try, try, try to always have a guitar in hand or within reach. And while there are a few other short cuts – like music lessons, just practice will get you where you want to go.
I’m 73 and bought the Beginners course and a used Japanese Vantage acoustic guitar that has been modified to play left handed as I have a damaged middle finger on my left hand.
Having to play left handed (although I have NEVER played guitar before) somehow still feels very awkward.
The stiff old sausage fingers and poor memory has conspired to turn this venture into a nightmare to the point of me starting to think of quitting. I simply can’t seem to memorize the simplest licks for more than a day or so and I seem to have to start all over again. So I think we all have some beginners woes and I will just have to hang in there and practise, practise, practise. After all, I’m retired so I have time and nothing to lose.
I do think Griff has the very best learning system out there, so it is all up to us.
Hi Robert: I’m 73 and started writing songs and performing about 5 years ago, after a hiatus of almost 40 years. Spent quite a few years in the 50’s and 60’s playing rock ‘n roll, then gave it up to to raise a family and go to university. Got a PhD. After retiring from academe I started writing what I call “post academic blues” as an old guy having fun. Call myself “Dr Eclectic” to capture my diverse taste in music.It’s been and continues to be a blast. Hang in there. I know that it’s pretty tough, but keep the faith and good things will come. By the way, I play a Godin Coastline Grand SE which I converted to acoustic/electric. Love it. Also play a PRS Singlecut, and a very early CORT acoustic/electric (lovely guitar once set up properly)…big dreadnaught sound.
Robert, hey, that sounds exactly like me, right down to the Rotor Cuff. Please be patient with that….before surgery the pain in just holding the guitar was excruciating, Took about 3 months to play again, had a 12 fret short scale so was MUCH more comfortable. 6 months later it’s pretty good, I’m back to a 14 Fret, but like you, I’m a late bloomer, and everything comes slower now, but it really is the journey, not the destination. Griff puts a foreword in his lesson books that says, “always remember you’re making music, one of life’s greatest joys”. Spot on. Good luck! Oh, and ps, I’ve got a Seagull S6- amazing guitar, and award winner, for well under 500.00. Good choice for anyone!
Robert S,
I am a 75 year old with multiple health issues including Multiple Sclerosis I purchased A Ibanez Electric/Acoustic with the intention of learning to play but my health problems increased and I stopped trying now I am going for it again with success as my goal I purchased Steve Krantz Gibson guitar course here I go again time to toughen up the fingers. So keep on trying and we can all achieve. Have a good one
Robert,
I’m sure that you will be inundated with responses on the subject so I’ll keep it short. There are lots of old blues warhorses out there at various stages of learning as well as challenges and as long as you’re happy, keep goin’ and by the way take a look at Keith Richard’s hands some time, that sure speak volumes.
By the way there is a great book re: inspiration and guitar. Zen Guitar is the title and no, it won’t teach you how to play, (chords,etc.) but it has a lot to say about why and motivation.By the way, there is this guy called Griff Hamlin that might have a word or two on the subject.
Dan M.
Hi Robert, I’m not a late starter, but I’m in your age bracket. Hopefully uou’ll get the rotator cuff repaired. Before I ever started playing Guitar I shattered my right forearm and have 2 plates and 8 screws, and a very limited wrist action in that arm. I had many arguments with my first music teacher because I could no way hold the arm in the proper position. I went on to play guitar and some banjo in marching string band and various ther bands for about 10 years, then had my own band for 7 years. I cut my left hand little finger bad and had no feeling in the tip for 7 years. Popped a tendon in mt right hand middle finger which limited my finger picking ability, and most recently a dog bite that did some nerve damage to my left hand. Anyway, I’m still playing, and now do “Open Mikes” a lot. File back those left hand fingernails and toughen up the fingertips by making chords on the guitar, even if you can’t strum r move much right now. Do Finger exercises every day, bending the fingers back and spreading them every day (find exercises on Google). If your fingers are really stiff try putting your hands in a heating pad for 10 minutes before playing, (Les Paul had to do a heat treatment in his later years to be able to play), Wear gloves when the Temperature is below 45 Deg. If you feel that your fingers are still too big try out a 12 string as they have a wider fretboard. YOU CAN DO IT. OLD GUYS RULE.
I have a Crafter moonlight anniversary edition guitar . I chose it over the Gibson SJ300 . This is a Korean made guitar with solid spruce top and rosewood or mahogany sides and back I paid $750 verses the $3500 they wanted for the SJ300 and has twice the sound, I’m very pleased with it. …. If all crafters are this nice and sound as nice as mine … they would all be a definite keepers.
This is called pride ignorance. NO $3500 Guitar is comparable to a $750 guitar. It has no where near the quality of wood or the hand made craftsmanship a $750 guitar cost, which is made by mostly machine with much cheaper woods.
Steve, I have owned and still have and play a lot of guitars. I bought my son a Crafter acoustic-electric, and it is great guitar. It is not made in the giant Korean factory that makes most of the Korean guitars out there. To generalize that a $3500 guitar must be better is BS. Check out the Korean Crafter factory vids on Youtube. They are as hand made as any Gibson by long time employees (craftsmen) of the Crafter factory.
If you think you need to pay $3500 for a great guitar with superior woods, you sir have never seen or played a Carvin.
I’m 87 and have too many guitars but my favorites are a Epic Les Paul Custom Pro and a Epic Dot 335 and a self made copy of a Fender P Bass.
Hi Griff,
I always liked your insight in different avenues of playing guitar, tone, sound, what have you. I, myself own several Fenders (2 Strats and 2 Tele’s) and Gibsons (Standard, Custom, SG). I own a couple of Epiphones, in my opinion, if you get some work done to them, they can sound really good. I own a few others, such as a 1983 Charvel Jackson and a 12-string. I have a 30 year-old Yamaha acoustic that still plays and sounds good and a Takamine. My pride and joy (Pardon the pun)is I finally purchased a Martin DR51 that I love. All my guitars are left-handed. My point is I use them all depending on what I play and what kind of tone and sound I want. Again like you said, the last guitar you buy is not necessarily your last. Being limited to what I can buy because of selection at the guitar store, due to being left-handed, I continued to listen and even play a right-handed guitar, upside-down, to find the right one for me and order a left-handed model of the same guitar. Keep searching what is best for you, as well as sounding good and feels good to play. Again, Griff, thanks for your lessons and insight.
All advise you said is true and correct.
I have had many guitars over several decades.
The last one is an Epi-LP. It was 99% good however, I had a Trusrod issue. I could not get the neck to “backbow”. So being I’m a Lutherie I forced it to backbow. A carpenter 3ft. level bar, a couple of cauls, wood blocks that were “just” thin enough to lay on the fret board (not the bars) and one clamp to push bar towards board. This allowed me to get the strings at 0.010 from the bars. This is my preference on low action.
This was a old timie method used to adjust necks that did not have a truss rod.
PS, guys… If you feel you need to do what I did, bend the neck backwards in small incriminates. *don’t do it in one shot* The neck needs to get used to the bending. Doing it in one shot could crack the neck!! Be gentle and it will allow your hands to assist the change.
Another reason not to buy an Epiphone, poor build quality by the chinese
I don’t know whether its the nature of the business or what, but an awful lot of these posts including Giff’s are way too vague for a beginner “Get a Yamaha” ? Here’s my recommendation for what you can go out and buy RIGHT NOW as a good entry level acoustic. Epiphone EL-00 Small body (important for beginners) with plenty of sound, great action (easy on the fingers), very well made and relatively “cheap” ($269 for the “Pro” model which has a built in pickup, but have seen as low as $215 on ebay), the “non Pro” model is even less but hard to find which means they may not make it any more. You cannot go wrong on this guitar and it is much easier to play than what most of us learned on. Most people just don’t realize that generally speaking the cheaper the guitar, the harder it is to play.
I just replaced a Gretsch-G5122DC Electromatic which frustrated me for about 2 years trying to obtain jazz quality clarity of the strings. I ended this with the purchase of a Gibson Les Pal slim line Less+ with Zebra pick-ups and now have chords that sound true. My final decision to trade was the result of finding out that the fret placement was incorrect. This was determined by using the fret calculator at http://www.stewmac.com/FretCalculator/. My Taylor guitar lined up very well with these calculation. I recommend this check when buying any low end guitar. The other determination I believe to be true is the totality of what construction has on tone. I am now leery of ever buying a low end semi hollow body because I believe what come back up to the strings through the bridge contributes to the overall tone that is passed to the magnetic pick-ups. That contribution can be either positive or negative depending on design. Which the electromatic I believe it was very bad. This is a Korean made guitar. I received total disbelief from Gretsch and 2 guitar stores that the frets could be placed wrong. That cemented my decision. To check fret placement does require a precision ruler. I finally found a 24 inch caliper at Harbor Freight for 10 dollars which does adequate, if you use the centimeter scale and calculations in the StewMac calculator.
Griff,
Good article.
I have an American Strat as my main guitar. There is also the Gibson Les Paul, the Martin acoustic and some other stuff.That is the market, and the other stuff is trying to be one of the three.
I have a an older strat-type Samick made in Korea (not like the later ones made in Indonesia), a Fender strat assembled in Mexico, an Epiphone Les Paul assembled in China or somewhere, and a Washburn acoustic. They’re all good guitars, and do the job. I think today’s best Gretch guitars now come from Japan, so it’s a changing world. Damn Federal government laid into Gibson big-time for some asinine reason, so don’t be surprised if all of them come from out of the country before long.
That is pure BS. Gibson’s only problem was obtaining rosewood for their guitars which has since been resolved, Gibson is never leaving the USA
I have several guitars,each serving a different purpose,and I like them all. I really like my acoustic. It is a jumbo Weckter. Abe Wechter was a luthier for Gibson that went on his own. This one is all solid wood spruce top,Indian rosewood back and sides.I found it in a pawn shop and they were askig $500. I think new it was about $800. It played easy with nice tones,especially on the low end.I went home and found Wechter in a guitar book that I have and thought I better make an offer. I ended up getting it for $350,lightly used.I found a diamond in the rough. Pawn shops can be a good place to get a deal but you really have to look them over for cracks,bowed necks, pulled up saddles and such. Always offer less and they should deal.
I have gotten some great deals on returns or blemished models from online retailers. I usually can’t find the blemish or it’s so minor it’s laughable. I have an awesome luthier in town and when he’s done setting them up I’ve been completely satisfied with my purchases. I think the key is having a real expert to take them to.
I still have the first guitar my grandmother bought me. A 1959 Gretsch Clipper. Still plays great and being that “Muzzy” (My grandmother’s nickname) bought if for me, I would never get rid of it. I have another Gretsch, Duo Jet, two Paul Reed Smiths, a Gibson solid body acoustic which is a Chet Atkins Signature and no longer made. I have a Gibson SG Special, a 1975 Fender Telecaster, a Fender Power Deluxe Stratacaster, and a Fernandes Stratocaster. They range if price from $200.00 to $4,000.00. Guess what. My favorite to play is the Fernandes which was only $350.00 and made in Mexico when all the big name guitars were still made in the USA. I bought an Ibanez solid body electric for my wife who was just learning to play. Paid under $250.00 for it and I really enjoy playing hers. Don’t let price influence you. Don’t let what everyone else is playing influence you. A guitar is like a woman. If she feels good, sounds good, and you like her looks, it doesn’t matter where she came from.
I have the new Fender Coronado II(Gretsch type pickups), a high end Fender Strat made in Mexico and an Ibanez AS153… I have the claw on the strat anchored because I do not use the tremolo whammy bar.. They rarely ever go out of tune. I had a Gibson ES-335 made in Memphis, Epiphone es-335 and they both were impossible to keep tuned and the bridge on the Epi came apart. Talking $4000 here vs $2300. The neck and feel of the $3200 Gibson was awesome but I could never get it to stay in tune thru one of your lessons….
No two Stienways are the same, and that’s a selling point they boast about!!
For the money, I don’t think that you can beat a Zager EZ-Play acoustic. Pay hundreds instead of thousands and get a very high quality guitar.
Nothing worse than buying a cheap starter guitar!
Good advice Griff. Many people forget their neighbours, especially if living at home. And you can wake the family or children and really make their life a misery. So be a good bloke/girl and keep volume low.
Jimi Hendrix’s first guitar was his Dad’s broom that he played somehow with a wire connected. Then he got a one string ukulele type thing and used to turn the tuner up or down for different scales. So if you really want to play, it’s not always cos you ‘want’ to it’s like all Artists, it’s because you HAVE to.
if the guitar feels comfortable and you’re not just buying for looks, like a lot of the punks did, Griffs advice is spot on.
Regards all. Just play till your fingers bleed and you’ll be fine 🙂
I just bought a couple of really cool guitars online that I’m looking forward to receiving in a couple of weeks.
The first is a “Boho”edition from Bohemian Guitars. They make guitars from oil cans, with a normal guitar neck, electric pickups, etc. but with a retro looking oil can body! I bought the Boho Moonshine edition as they said it would be good for blues and has a slick looking black design. (I was tempted by the Surf Wax model which they said has a brighter sound.) I have other guitars (e.g., Fender Strat) but thought this would be both fun and light weight. I also bought the custom case.
After doing some research I also purchased (just today!) a Zager guitar, which is a hand-crafted type of acoustic guitar with an action and design that the makers say is easy on the fingers. Their website is very convincing, and they make a case that their guitars compare favourably with much more expensive models. I guess I’ll find out when mine arrives. In any case they have a 100 per cent money back guarantee, including shipping both ways! After exploring the website I chose the “ZAD50CE” model which is an acoustic guitar with built-in electrical pickup and tuning system. They recently redesigned some options on this guitar, incorporating features from some of their more expensive models. I like the cut-out in the body that will allow me to play notes at the very top of the fret board. I also bought their better-quality case with humidity control.
NOTE: I am not shilling for these companies and have no financial interest in sharing this info! I’m just a regular Joe and intermediate-level guitar player and thought other players might benefit from this information. You might want to check into these two companies, too, Griff.
I have bought a few, more precisely a load over the years, my current favourite is a mexican tele that I bought for £400 ish a few years ago but never even looked it for a coupe of years, lovely soft action, beautiful sore throat sound. Also have a 12 string suzuki electro acoustic which is a buggar to play but when you get it right whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
I have too many electric guitars- all price ranges…. They all action on all of them are very good to great….the less expensive ones might only have 90% of the sound of the better ones, but you can easily adjust that with your amp… Biggest difference- some of the cheaper ones go out of tune a bit more often (especially the g string.)
Don’t fear buying a respoably priced guitar…or a previously used one.
I sometimes wonder why Epiphones are often cast in a disparaging light. I have 6 of them and am thoroughly pleased. I also have a Gibson, a Collins, an Ibenez, and a Fender….I have been playing for 40 years….the Epi’s are by far and away my favorites….don’t get the wrong idea….I am a complete novice still, and I can’t explain why I have more guitars than I need….but I do know what I’m most comfortable with….
I agree with you! Back in 1966 I had enough $ to buy a guitar. The salesman showed me a Gibson and an Epiphone Texan. I chose the Epiphone cuz it just felt better and sounded great! Epiphone doesn’t deserve the negative attention it gets. [And btw, Griff is usually playing a Taylor acoustic in his lessons. How come Taylor never gets mentioned above?!]
hey guys I think the epi’s he’s talking about are entry level one’s you can find at guitar center and every where else. I my self play a epi resonater,that I just love. the casino model was one that john lennon in the last years of the beatles and john primmer (magic slim) plays the epi version of the 335 gibson
Griff, always good info, Ty. Before I took my Ibanez home, I bet I played 20 guitars in the sound room. I kept going back to the Ibanez, she spoke to me.
I’ve been “shopping” for my 4th guitar for about 20 years! I walk into the store, look around, and walk out – realizing that I can’t play the 3 I have at home!
Never leave two guitars in the same room alone. I did that and the next day there were six.
seven for me and probably one on the way. and two mandos!
I had a friend help me pick out my guitar to learn on. We together bought a Martin.
My friend plays real well, tried two before he said to me this is the one, you can play with or without an amp. So i purchased it and have been satisfied. Finding out that it is not the Guitar as much as me not knowing enough to play decent. This is no easy task as Guitar teachers try to imply. I now amp, 2 speakers, Mike with stand, Music stand, plenty of songs with cords, Assortment of picks, Hard case to carry Guitar, Plenty of learning DVD disks.
“I FEEL THAT I AM JUST TO DARN OLD TO LEARN TO PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT”
I’m 61 and still playing. You’re never to old to start. Did you know that Gene Hackman didn’t start acting until he was 48. He’s one of my favorite actors. It’s never to late to learn something new.
Jim, you may never become the next Jimi Hendrix, but you can certainly learn to play well enough to entertain yourself and friends. Once you hear something you like come from your own hands the “die is cast” as someone prominent has said go for it!
Thanks Bob. Been playing since I was nine and I’m not a great guitarist. I love playing though and that’s all that’s important. We all can’t be stars.
77 and they will have to “Pry My Guitar From
My Cold Dead Hands”.
Well Ive had many guitars ranging from low end to high end. Like you said the consistency is all over the place. Right now I own 3 and my favorite is my mexican Fiesta Red 57 strat reissue with a maple neck. It literally plays itself. The action is incredibly low and its very comfortable to play. I bought it a few years ago on ebay and all it required was a slight neck shim. I have hybrid 9s on it now and it rocks. My second favorite is my Epiphone Dot 335. Believe it or not I bought a Gibson ES 335 and it was a dog from the feel right down to the finish. I actually returned it to Musicians Friend and bought the Dot at a local music store. like Griff said the consistency is all over the board but just because a guitar is foreign made don t sell it short. Good old fashioned workmanship is not what it used to be.
Thankz Griff I think will go for gibson f hole guitar I like it so much
Hey Griff,
I don’t have a problem buying an electric online; in my opinion if u get a fairly reputable brand of electric, you can change out the pickups and get a better sound. As far as acoustic guitars, they are living, breathing entities. Their sound changes with temperature, age, wear, etc. When I choose to buy an acoustic, its because it speaks to me. I went into a shop recently, just to look around. I played around 10 or 15 acoustics. The one I brought home was the next one I played. It spoke to me. It’s in my living room now. It just connected with me.
Check out the quality of the
Epi ES339 and the Epi Les Paul Tribute Plus.
For the price ($400 and $650, respectively) they are incredible !
Good advice Griff specialy about not playing electric guitars unplugged. I have that disease , unfortunately neighbours are a problem.
Get a small amp that has a headphone jack !
Buy Good Earphones. Try & find some Old High Quality “Hi Fi” ones at a yard sale. They work great. DO NOT USE Dollar Store Junk.
Why don’t you plug some earphones into your amp?
We must have both been typing at the same time, Robert! :>)
If your amp has a master volume, turn that way down and control the sound with the channel volume. If you don’t have a master volume, there are attenuators out there that let you crank the amp up until the tubes a screaming and they reduce the volume that comes out of the speaker without affecting the tone or distortion. Headphones are no replacement for a fully cranked tube amp.
Agree with Lou on the epi 339. I have the pro model. Had a Gibson es339 and sold it. Much better sound from the epi. And $400. Considering another gibson the es 335 but will probably get something less costly.
IMO, the best part of the article was the reminder that the guitar probably won’t be the last one you purchase. That’s not just important when you buy a guitar. It’s probably even more important when you decide to mod it since so few mods allow you to recover your investment when (not if) you decide to sell it.
Thanks Griff.
I am currently shopping. Is there a direction you would recommend for ease of play and sound for electric, i.e. Strat or SG made in America
Mike. My replies to your question are two down. I hit reply to the wrong comment. SG or Strat, it depends on you trying both and some others as well and buying the one that feels and sounds good to you. One thing I do know for sure, high price does not necessarily equate to great quality. I saw a video of a guy who answers your question and he is all over the web. Look up “Best Guitars for the Money by Scott Grove. He’s all over the web with YouTube guitar videos. The bottom line is everyone has different tastes in guitars, their quality and their sound. You be the judge. After all, this is just the first guitar of many in your lifetime.
Personally, I would like an electric epiphone with a low oval rather than a modified oval…
Stay away from Gibson unless it’s a vintage one. Their quality control sucks. You can never go wrong with a Fender. But don’t limit yourself to those two. Go in with a price range in mind as Griff explained and play everything in that price range. Don’t worry about plugging into an amp and not being able to play like a professional. If all you know is three chords, play those on all of the guitars you try. Spend the afternoon if you have too. The sales people don’t care as long as you eventually buy a guitar from them. Ask questions and when you found “HER.” Your soulmate. You’ll know it and will be glad you spent the time searching.
I think you should stay away from fender unless you change the pickups some one gave me a used buzing fretts on a gibson maestro ,yea I know its called (crap) I put buffulo nut and bridge crowned the fretts adjusted the neek rod ,I put a humbucker pickup in the sound hole looks like it should be there!,I bet it sounds better than a epaphoneor any $400 acustic guitar ,it has electric strings on it now , you should hear the the hamer and pulles and slide it will scream though I have built about 15 electric and acustic guitars over the last 30 years, i dont like fender guitars ! sorry give me a genaric gibsop with humbuckers any day over a fender well make it sound good if we have to change the neck!
Eric Clapton started out on Gibsons and what does he use exclusively now. A FENDER. The point I was trying make was shop around and buy what feels good and sounds good to you. Gibson has a heavier sound because of humbuckers. Fender typically uses single coil. It all depends on what sound you like. If their was only one great guitar, we’d have only one guitar to pick from. Lastly, his choice doesn’t have to be between Fender or Gibson. There are a lot of less expensive guitars which play well, sound great, and are great starter guitars. Didn’t mean to step on your toes, I own two Gibsons. Have a great holiday season.