A Guide for New Guitarist.

[happyguy]

I wrote a guide to help out new people that want to buy a guitar.
I hope everyone likes my guide..

I wrote this helpful guide for beginner guitarists so they will have
an easier time in choosing a guitar, then listening to so called “guitar experts”.
I have about 20+ years of writing and playing music... and no, I do not think
that I am a expert by any means, however I do have the following experience
that I would like to share with you.

You do not have to spend a lot of money for a good guitar, no matter if it is
acoustic or electric. It's true.. Keep reading, and you'll understand.

The first.. is a big common mis-perception, is that so called “guitar experts” l
ike to tell new guitarists to buy an expensive guitar. You do not have to go
out and buy a “$1000+” guitar. Your target range should be between $50.00
to $350 dollars. If you pay more then $500, then that is “way” too much. You
can get “equal playability and sound quality” from a cheap guitar. Also, don’t
worry if the guitar that you are buying is made in this country or that country
.. that does not matter.

Also a higher price tag on a guitar, still does not mean that the guitar will never
have repairs. ALL guitars, will have some type of repair in their life time.
So called “guitar experts” like to tell people, to only buy expensive guitars
just to stoke their own ego’s. If you have “money to burn” sure..
buy a $1000+ Martin or Taylor or Gibson or Fender. The only thing that you’ll
be getting is fancier woods. “That’s it”.

The second thing to remember is that these so called “guitar experts” will
also tell a new guitarist to go down to a music store to try out different guitars..
“and don’t forget to buy from a local shop..” well that is just that.. some of
these “so called guitar experts” are local shop owners… you’ll find that local
music shop prices are “way overpriced”. By all means.. try some guitars in
the price range again, between $50.00 to $350 dollars (you’ll probably won’t
find any in the $50 range.. but “you will” on the internet!) then after making
some notes.. say thank you to the store help and walk out and then buy your
guitar on the internet.

Even guitar accessories.. like guitar stings are cheaper on line. I can buy 4 sets
of acoustic guitar strings for $8.00 dollars and buy only one set down at the
local music shops for the same price! Way overpriced.. and again you’ll always
find that these so called “guitar experts” will tell you to shop locally.

Another thing you should also be aware of.. is basic setup and minor repair of
guitars. A lot of local music shops are even more “overpriced” when it comes
to basic setting up of a guitar neck or saddle or string nut. Try to find a solo
repair shop.

Basic guitar setup should only cost you $20 bucks.. “That’s it” when you get
more experienced in guitars, you’ll be able to set up your own guitar after
purchasing, trust me it is “not“ hard to do.
I had an acoustic guitar and it’s bridge needed to be re-glued. I did not have
any wood cauls (clamps) so I went down to the local music store. The guy
gave a estimate of “$50 minimum”.. and I know.. He was going to charge me
into the “$100’s”.
This job should have been a “maximum” of $50 dollars, period… not a “minimum”.
So after I told him how he could fix the bridge, “step by step”..to kind of tell him
in my own way.. that I knew how the repair was done, he said.. “well… sorry but
that’s what the store owner tells me to charge.. I know it is overpriced labor..”
Nice huh?
Again.. try and find a solo, honest repair person.

 

[TelePaul]

I wrote a guide to help out new people that want to buy a guitar.
I hope everyone likes my guide..

I wrote this helpful guide for beginner guitarists so they will have
an easier time in choosing a guitar, then listening to so called “guitar experts”.
I have about 20+ years of writing and playing music... and no, I do not think
that I am a expert by any means, however I do have the following experience
that I would like to share with you.

You do not have to spend a lot of money for a good guitar, no matter if it is
acoustic or electric. It's true.. Keep reading, and you'll understand.

The first.. is a big common mis-perception, is that so called “guitar experts” l
ike to tell new guitarists to buy an expensive guitar. You do not have to go
out and buy a “$1000+” guitar. Your target range should be between $50.00
to $350 dollars. If you pay more then $500, then that is “way” too much. You
can get “equal playability and sound quality” from a cheap guitar. Also, don’t
worry if the guitar that you are buying is made in this country or that country
.. that does not matter.

Also a higher price tag on a guitar, still does not mean that the guitar will never
have repairs. ALL guitars, will have some type of repair in their life time.
So called “guitar experts” like to tell people, to only buy expensive guitars
just to stoke their own ego’s. If you have “money to burn” sure..
buy a $1000+ Martin or Taylor or Gibson or Fender. The only thing that you’ll
be getting is fancier woods. “That’s it”.
The second thing to remember is that these so called “guitar experts” will
also tell a new guitarist to go down to a music store to try out different guitars..
“and don’t forget to buy from a local shop..” well that is just that.. some of
these “so called guitar experts” are local shop owners… you’ll find that local
music shop prices are “way overpriced”. By all means.. try some guitars in
the price range again, between $50.00 to $350 dollars (you’ll probably won’t
find any in the $50 range.. but “you will” on the internet!) then after making
some notes.. say thank you to the store help and walk out and then buy your
guitar on the internet.

Even guitar accessories.. like guitar stings are cheaper on line. I can buy 4 sets
of acoustic guitar strings for $8.00 dollars and buy only one set down at the
local music shops for the same price! Way overpriced.. and again you’ll always
find that these so called “guitar experts” will tell you to shop locally.

Another thing you should also be aware of.. is basic setup and minor repair of
guitars. A lot of local music shops are even more “overpriced” when it comes
to basic setting up of a guitar neck or saddle or string nut. Try to find a solo
repair shop.

Basic guitar setup should only cost you $20 bucks.. “That’s it” when you get
more experienced in guitars, you’ll be able to set up your own guitar after
purchasing, trust me it is “not“ hard to do.
I had an acoustic guitar and it’s bridge needed to be re-glued. I did not have
any wood cauls (clamps) so I went down to the local music store. The guy
gave a estimate of “$50 minimum”.. and I know.. He was going to charge me
into the “$100’s”.
This job should have been a “maximum” of $50 dollars, period… not a “minimum”.
So after I told him how he could fix the bridge, “step by step”..to kind of tell him
in my own way.. that I knew how the repair was done, he said.. “well… sorry but
that’s what the store owner tells me to charge.. I know it is overpriced labor..”
Nice huh?
Again.. try and find a solo, honest repair person.

I highlighted the bits I personally don't really agree with.

 

[Codmate]

I would take issue with a few of your points.

The first is that, personally I would never buy a guitar online.
Instruments vary so much within any given model (with most manufacturers), that you may only have a vague idea of what you will actually get.

Then you have the hassle of sending it away if there is something wrong, rather than taking it back to the store.

I also think that it is very important to support good local music shops and local luthiers/workshops.

Do you really want to have to send your guitar away ever time you want a professional set-up (and anybody who is playing seriously will want a pro set-up at some point).

Not such an issue for the beginner, but local musical communities are being hurt by online sales

BTW - I don't work in a music shop - I'm currently a computer programmer (although I'm leaving the rat race to concentrate on the guitar at the end of the year ).

It's certianly true that you don't need to spend a fortune though. My advice to a beginner would be to take somebody with you who knows how to check that intonation and a few other essentials are OK.

I've seen too many beginners put off by poor instruments that they just can't tune, and that can't be tuned

 

[happyguy]

I highlighted the bits I personally don't really agree with.

Even though you and I do not agree,
I appreciate your respectful reply.

 

[happyguy]

I'm currently a computer programmer (although I'm leaving the rat race to concentrate on the guitar at the end of the year ).

Thanks for your comments..

I'm in IT also... good luck on your guitar endeavors.. that's awesome.

 

[muttley600]

I highlighted the bits I personally don't really agree with.

Me too..

I wrote a guide to help out new people that want to buy a guitar.
I hope everyone likes my guide..

I wrote this helpful guide for beginner guitarists so they will have
an easier time in choosing a guitar, then listening to so called “guitar experts”.
I have about 20+ years of writing and playing music... and no, I do not think
that I am a expert by any means, however I do have the following experience
that I would like to share with you.

You do not have to spend a lot of money for a good guitar, no matter if it is
acoustic or electric. It's true.. Keep reading, and you'll understand.

The first.. is a big common mis-perception, is that so called “guitar experts” l
ike to tell new guitarists to buy an expensive guitar. You do not have to go
out and buy a “$1000+” guitar. Your target range should be between $50.00
to $350 dollars. If you pay more then $500, then that is “way” too much. You
can get “equal playability and sound quality” from a cheap guitar. Also, don’t
worry if the guitar that you are buying is made in this country or that country
.. that does not matter.

Also a higher price tag on a guitar, still does not mean that the guitar will never
have repairs. ALL guitars, will have some type of repair in their life time.
So called “guitar experts” like to tell people, to only buy expensive guitars
just to stoke their own ego’s. If you have “money to burn” sure..
buy a $1000+ Martin or Taylor or Gibson or Fender. The only thing that you’ll
be getting is fancier woods. “That’s it”.

The second thing to remember is that these so called “guitar experts” will
also tell a new guitarist to go down to a music store to try out different guitars..
“and don’t forget to buy from a local shop..” well that is just that.. some of
these “so called guitar experts” are local shop owners… you’ll find that local
music shop prices are “way overpriced”. By all means.. try some guitars in
the price range again, between $50.00 to $350 dollars (you’ll probably won’t
find any in the $50 range.. but “you will” on the internet!) then after making
some notes.. say thank you to the store help and walk out and then buy your
guitar on the internet.

Even guitar accessories.. like guitar stings are cheaper on line. I can buy 4 sets
of acoustic guitar strings for $8.00 dollars and buy only one set down at the
local music shops for the same price! Way overpriced.. and again you’ll always
find that these so called “guitar experts” will tell you to shop locally.

Another thing you should also be aware of.. is basic setup and minor repair of
guitars. A lot of local music shops are even more “overpriced” when it comes
to basic setting up of a guitar neck or saddle or string nut. Try to find a solo
repair shop.

Basic guitar setup should only cost you $20 bucks.. “That’s it” when you get
more experienced in guitars, you’ll be able to set up your own guitar after
purchasing, trust me it is “not“ hard to do.
I had an acoustic guitar and it’s bridge needed to be re-glued. I did not have
any wood cauls (clamps) so I went down to the local music store. The guy
gave a estimate of “$50 minimum”.. and I know.. He was going to charge me
into the “$100’s”.
This job should have been a “maximum” of $50 dollars, period… not a “minimum”.
So after I told him how he could fix the bridge, “step by step”..to kind of tell him
in my own way.. that I knew how the repair was done, he said.. “well… sorry but
that’s what the store owner tells me to charge.. I know it is overpriced labor..”
Nice huh?
Again.. try and find a solo, honest repair person.

 

[TelePaul]

Me too..

Did you and light trade places for the day?

 

[WhiteStrat]

Happyguy--I don't where to begin. Muttley covered it well. Look I'm no gear snob, but I own about 15 guitars. Some of them are very expensive. Some of my favorites (for playability, not just sentimental reasons) cost me less than $200 to buy. Then lots of hours and a few more $$ to improve.

But my point is this: as a beginner (who you're targeting your advice to) I'd have never known enough to determine a diamond in the rough. It's sadly ironic, but you really got know your stuff--which beginners, by default, don't--in order to find a sweet guitar at a beginner price. (Unless your just plain lucky).

And by the way, I'm talking electrics here. They're far more "improveable" for an average hack like me than an acoustic. For example, my brother recently wanted to start playing. He wanted a cheap acoustic, and he wanted pretty. He also wanted new--lots of potentially bad calls, but hey I thought it was a fad for him. So with my help, and I know my stuff fairly well--he got a guitar that met all his requirements.

Guess what? A year later and he's really taking it seriously (to both of our surprise). Guess what else? He hates his guitar. He loves mine. And if he were younger/poorer or didn't have some experience folks around him--he'd likely just quit. Instead he's gonna buy an acoustic like one of mine.

Too often this is where people say "This sucks. I don't play well." or "It sounds bad" and quit. No, a beginner probablyl shouldn't spend $2000, but they sure shouldn't take your advice either. They should probably listen to a trusted "guitar expert" (that you keep deriding) who can instruct them in the balance of cost and quality and help them find the guitar that fits their needs.

Jeez I said more than this was worth. Should've just let Muttley's clever response be the end of it...

 

[jimistone]

As far as a beginner goes...they should play some expensive pieces like les pauls and american strats. They should see what turns them on in terms of feel and tone. Then once they know what they want they should familiarize themselves with the price range on that instrument. They should know what is a good price and what is too high. Then they should shop for used instruments in the "for sale" section of the newspapers and so on.
Once they have done that and found a great price on what they want they should take a "guitar expert" with them to look it over.


On the other hand....

There is alot to be said for becoming a valuable customer of a local music store that really values your business and offers you personal service.
I am willing to pay more for the instrument to get that....I WANT them to make money because I value their services.
when you get ready for something else you can trade in a previous purchase if it's still in good shape and a nice axe.
I have found that using that approach it comes back to me 10 fold.
They know what I like...so when they trade for something they think I may be interested in they call me before it hits the sale floor. They fix little shit for me and don't even charge me alot of times...so on and so fourth.

my 2 cents on buying a guitar.

 

[muttley600]

Did you and light trade places for the day?

Thats tomorrow..

You not seriously telling me that I'm wrong again are you?

 

[Gear_Junky]

the problem is: beginners rarely spend a lot of money and just about anything they buy they will regret at least a couple years down the road (and want an upgrade), so anything that is playable and doesn't hamper learning will have to do.

in my experience (without helpful guidance from a friend who knows) the first purchase of guitar/amp is almost always NOT a "keeper" instrument. Some people "keep their first guitar" out of some ritualistic superstition (sorry if it's too strong a wording) but it doesn't mean that it's justified.

my first acoustic (bought new with my own money) was a really nice ibanez - a true step above the garage sale junk i was playing, but... a couple years later i came to realize that it's merely a plywood guitar, playable at best.

my first electric was an all-black "strat" which looked great but just didn't sound too well (as I realized later).

the problem is, beginners (without help from a friend) just don't know any better - they tend to go on looks they want and price they can afford.

and to compond it - people who don't know much about guitar pickups are intimidated by the term "guitar electronics" (i.e. - me before I learned to solder/upgrade pickups - I felt totally "screwed" if a guitar didn't work, while now it's a matter of opening it up and maybe resoldering a joint, etc.).

So they may be told that american fenders have "superior electronics" (which is just pickups, wires and pots and also questionable if they're really all that great) but if you pick out a good MIM strat or a bass, you can replace the pickups with even better ones and be better off.

so until one learns to do these things, the initial few purchases are usually doomed, but it doesn't mean the beginner's progress is doomed. A $50 walmart guitar is not the way to go, but a $350 one by a quality brand, whether acoustic, electric or bass can be a fine starter.

 

[mikemorgan]

For someone who has been playing for 20 years, you haven't learned much.=, or at least what you have learned has been tainted by your bad experiences. By your logic, new guitar players should buy a "whatever" guitar from mail-order companies and get somebody who thinks he knows what he's doing to set it up. Not a wise investment in oneself IMHO. I'm glad I had advice from some pros.

 

[DrewPeterson7]

Basic guitar setup should only cost you $20 bucks.. “That’s it” when you get
more experienced in guitars, you’ll be able to set up your own guitar after
purchasing, trust me it is “not“ hard to do.

I'm just going to latch onto this peice, because everyone else seems to be doing a pretty good job on the rest.

I totally agree that setups are a lot easier than people who don't know how to do setups think. However, 1.) it takes a while to get really good at it and it is a skill, just like everything else, and 2.) even though once you get the hang of it it's not hard, it takes a while too get right.

Now, consider a guitar with a floating bridge, and even something as simple as the owner wants you to put heavier strings on it, but not change tuning. You need to first take off the old strings, replace the new, and then get the bridge to float at a correct angle, a damnable balancing act that was probably turned out by the same Inquisition shop that gave us the Iron Maiden. I've gotten lucky and done this in as little as 15 minutes before - a half hour is probably more what you want to plan on if you're relatively comfortable with the process, and if it's your first time, don't be shocked if it takes an hour or two. Next, you need too dial in the truss rod, which has undoubtably shifted due to the increase in string tension. This, coupled with any slight changes in bridge angle, may or may not necessitate a bridge height adjustment, which will then possibly require a slight bridge claw spring tension adjustment to get it back to zero again. Then, honestly, you want to let it sit for a bit to allow the neck to get used to the tension, and again check neck relief when everything's said and done.

This is pretty rudimentary, and you're already talking 30-45 minutes of work plus another 15 or so when all's said and done just to make sure that the neck hasn't shifted any further, over the span of a day or so. And when you consider that the practice of charging an hour minimum is not uncommon or, I would argue, unfair, you're essentially saying that $20/hr to be split between the shop and the guy doing the repair is "too much."

That's crazy.

MY tip would be to simply do what a bunch of my guitarist friends do - find a friend who kind of enjoys the work and is pretty good at it, and every once in a while drop by his place with a six pack or bottle of booze and a guitar.

 

[WhiteStrat]

MY tip would be to simply do what a bunch of my guitarist friends do - find a friend who kind of enjoys the work and is pretty good at it, and every once in a while drop by his place with a six pack or bottle of booze and a guitar.

Great advice! I don't even drink (anymore!) and still do this for friends just for the fun of watching their faces when they play 'em. For me setting up is like chess--a minute to learn, a lifetime to master. I'm still improving and I've been doing it for years.

$20??? Free for someone when I care enough to help. Beyond that I wouldn't touch it for $20.

 

[happyguy]

For someone who has been playing for 20 years, you haven't learned much.=, or at least what you have learned has been tainted by your bad experiences.

I can respect people's own opinions, as the majority of people on this thread is respecting mine.. for the most part..
however, personally bashing me.. without really knowing who I am, my playing ability, ECT.. really isn't right..
Even if I don't agree with you.. I will always respect people's right to have a opinion, without flaming them.

 

[WhiteStrat]

I can respect people's own opinions, as the majority of people on this thread is respecting mine.. for the most part..
however, personally bashing me.. without really knowing who I am, my playing ability, ECT.. really isn't right..
Even if I don't agree with you.. I will always respect people's right to have a opinion, without flaming them.

C'mon dude, you threw out some rather strong statements. You were basically coming from the position of "don't listen to experts, they're ripoffs. Go online, go cheap. Knowledge doesn't matter." And you were saying so with a tone of authority.

Given how seriously folks around here take their music and their gear (from beginners to old pros) I'd say you got off pretty easy.

(Seriously, how much of this forum did you read before you posted that? Did you have any feel for the tenor on such topics? I doubt it, or you probably wouldn't have posted that. On the other hand, if you did spend any time reading up here before you posted that, you should have expected some backlash. And that's all it was backlash--it was hardly flaming.)

 

[muttley600]

I will always respect people's right to have a opinion, without flaming them.

In that case you are in the wrong place offering the wrong advice on the wrong subject.

Your advice is, ill-informed, naive, insulting, ignorant and not even an informed opinion. You post here where there are a lot of very experienced musicians and a fair few experienced luthiers and techs all of whom know better from experience and expect we should all just say..."jez that guy has hit the nail right on the head."....Tosser.

You don't have the first idea about the subject for one simple reason. You dont have a clue what it costs to do a simple setup. You sir are a joke! Go and troll somewhere else. Try the cave.

 

[lpdeluxe]

As a multi-instrumentalist who gigs with guitar, harp, bass, Dobro...

...the only advice I can give a beginner would be something along the lines of "find a store you can trust" [i.e., not online], "buy the best guitar you can afford" and "expect to trade up." (There's also the old favorite, "buy with your ears and not your eyes," but good luck trying to enforce it, even with experienced musicians.)

Looking back on my first guitar purchase (1971!) I have to say that, had I followed the OP advice, I would have had a different experience, but I don't think it would have been better. I have learned how to play, how to choose and to set up and modify guitars through, geez, 37 years of doing it, and everyone follows the same path.

What's the answer?

There really isn't one. Learning to perform music is endlessly complex, and doesn't respond to the making of simple rules. Sorry.

 

[Roguetitan]

 

[happyguy]

C'mon dude, you threw out some rather strong statements. You were basically coming from the position of "don't listen to experts, they're ripoffs. Go online, go cheap. Knowledge doesn't matter." And you were saying so with a tone of authority.

Given how seriously folks around here take their music and their gear (from beginners to old pros) I'd say you got off pretty easy.

(Seriously, how much of this forum did you read before you posted that? Did you have any feel for the tenor on such topics? I doubt it, or you probably wouldn't have posted that. On the other hand, if you did spend any time reading up here before you posted that, you should have expected some backlash. And that's all it was backlash--it was hardly flaming.)

LOL!

You must be really assuming that I am some young kid..
sorry buddy, I’m not..
I’ve played and recorded music for a long time.. I’ve met a
lot of people in my time.. from major recording artists to indie’s and
I’ve always listened to people opinions that are different then mine,
because that is just the respectful thing to do, between fellow musicians.

Here’s the real skinny and the shake down:
The “only reason” why some of you have a problem
with what I wrote.. is because it is 100% true… maybe the
“so called experts” saying, in my guide above.. was too familiar with
some of you? Maybe it was the overpriced store and labor that got
some of you, being store owners?

If the shoe fits.. wear it.

I’ve lurked around here for some time now.. and there is lot
of members here that feel the same way.. it’s because of
the “group” of you, that gangs up and says: “FLAME ON”
when others really share their opinions that differ then your
own…whether about gear or other topics.
And that’s a shame, because there are so many talented people
around to share info with.

Ok.. now all of the “so called experts” can have more fun..
and retort.. and prove that my comments directly above
are correct… again.. and again.. and again…