T-Nation Guitar Players' Thread

Off Topic
581

[quote]Crushed_Idiot wrote:
Time to chime in on this one. Here are my ‘babies’ that I rarely play anymore but can’t seem to part with (well, I could part with the Mexican Strat as it never really felt right - but it has a cool alien sticker!)

[photo]39465[/photo]

Here’s my Jem Universe. Yes, I killed one of the Loch Ness Greens. I was young and stupid but I had to have a 7-string (for which I rarely use) but I hated the green and I didn’t have the sense to actually order what I wanted.

[photo]39464[/photo]

As you can see it’s been modded somewhat and I plan to do a lot more to it. It had a buzzy 13th fret on the high E that I finally had dressed. Only does it rarely buzz. 10-52 D’Addarios. It wasn’t bright enough so I pulled the tone knob and replaced it with a black three-way switch to split the bridge into parallel, series humbucking and the yellow coil, I believe.

The paint job is a hack. The original paint was like armour and I probably damaged the body trying to scrape it off. It’s a speckled green on black texture paint out of a spray can. Neat texture but I think it deadens the tone even more and I never protected it with a clear coat so it’s wearing off where the strap makes contact.

Future mods will be to replace some of the aging hardware, shim the nut properly as there’s a bit of buzz I don’t like down in nut land. Going to add a Tremol-No so I can lock down the bridge when I don’t want it to float. I know, sacrilege.

Edit: I forgot to mention the others in the collection. On the left is a no-name fretless bass. Very fun to play. After the Universe and Mexi-strat is my Ovation. Don’t remember the model number - 17 something. Lastly is my Alhambra classical. Lovely sound. Very bright as I don’t do the long nails on the right hand.[/quote]

What kind of ibby fan doesnt want a green JEM Universe??

582

So what would you guys recommend for someone who wants to start? Product and advice?

583

Don’t get a cheap guitar.
Beg, borrow, or buy something that is easy on the hands.

584

[quote]treco wrote:
Don’t get a cheap guitar.
Beg, borrow, or buy something that is easy on the hands.[/quote]

This was recomended to me.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Takamine-G-Series-EG340SC-Cutaway-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-512207-i1487352.gc

585

Cant go wrong with a Taylor or Martin either.

586

[quote]Waittz wrote:
So what would you guys recommend for someone who wants to start? Product and advice? [/quote]

Buy quality strings. Even with entry-level instruments, just replacing the factory strings will make your guitar sound better.

587

[quote]Waittz wrote:
So what would you guys recommend for someone who wants to start? Product and advice? [/quote]

What kind of music do you want to play?

588

Actually I have a Takamine acoustic myself that I have enjoyed.
FYI that guitar you linked can plug into an amp, but would never sound or play like an ‘electric’ - in case someone is saying that.

And SteelyD is correct for starters

589

@SteelyD I would like to play a broad range of rock eventually. I dont see myself really playing metal or too much heavy rock, more acoustic and ballads generally with the ability to play some Incubus/RHCP or just jam for fun. I want to learn acoustic first and then progress onto an Electric when the time comes. From what I have been told by multiple sources it will be better for me long term to go this route, that and I can see myself playing more acoustic than electric when just doing it for fun in my down time.

@Treco I am aware. I wanted an acoustic electric mainly for tuning purposes etc. Depending how I progress my second purchase would be an eletric.

Planning on going shopping this weekend with my friend who is a musician with similar taste and the wifey is going to buy me a few months of starter lessons for the holidays.

590

Sorry to intrude again, but this may be the best cover of the 2nd comfortably numb solo I’ve heard. She is like really “feelin” it. I even like the totally wrong cry baby, faster runs and tapping toward the end. It is just a tad wooden in a very short spot or two where it looked like she was trying to decide what to, but hey.
I’ve never heard of this lady. She’s not real young either and has been around a while too, Pretty good I think.

591

[quote]Waittz wrote:
@SteelyD I would like to play a broad range of rock eventually. … From what I have been told by multiple sources it will be better for me long term to go this route, that and I can see myself playing more acoustic than electric when just doing it for fun in my down time.
[/quote]

I don’t agree with the “start on acoustic because it will make you better on electric” philosphy.

However, if you want to play acoustic guitar, then play acoustic guitars.

The two are not mutually exclusive, either.

592

Tirib:

593

[quote]SteelyD wrote:

[quote]Waittz wrote:
@SteelyD I would like to play a broad range of rock eventually. … From what I have been told by multiple sources it will be better for me long term to go this route, that and I can see myself playing more acoustic than electric when just doing it for fun in my down time.
[/quote]

I don’t agree with the “start on acoustic because it will make you better on electric” philosphy.

However, if you want to play acoustic guitar, then play acoustic guitars.

The two are not mutually exclusive, either.
[/quote]

I always though people just said that because acoustics are simpler in what they require to be played (and sound like they are supposed to). Simple= more practice time for most. If you are annoying your parents, roommates, whoever, you can just grab your guitar and go somewhere more private, no extra pieces.

594

[quote]SteelyD wrote:

[quote]Waittz wrote:
@SteelyD I would like to play a broad range of rock eventually. … From what I have been told by multiple sources it will be better for me long term to go this route, that and I can see myself playing more acoustic than electric when just doing it for fun in my down time.
[/quote]

I don’t agree with the “start on acoustic because it will make you better on electric” philosphy.

However, if you want to play acoustic guitar, then play acoustic guitars.

The two are not mutually exclusive, either.
[/quote]

Agreed. Ive never understood that logic. It might make your hands stronger at first, but that is akin to “beginner gains” and will not ultimately make you a better electric player in my experience.

595

Maybe it is said because there are fewer tricks, no gear, etc which can hide some deficiencies to the casual listener.

I mean we play and I would guess really listen to the guitar parts closer and know if some guy is really getting busy, regardless of genre.
For instance, I never really gave props to jazz players until the last couple of years. And while some is tired and wimpy, some of those guys scream and play some freaky technical stuff.

I agree there is overlap, but I personally sound much more proficient on acoustic than electric, grrrrr hahaha

596

[quote]audiogarden1 wrote:

[quote]SteelyD wrote:

[quote]Waittz wrote:
@SteelyD I would like to play a broad range of rock eventually. … From what I have been told by multiple sources it will be better for me long term to go this route, that and I can see myself playing more acoustic than electric when just doing it for fun in my down time.
[/quote]

I don’t agree with the “start on acoustic because it will make you better on electric” philosphy.

However, if you want to play acoustic guitar, then play acoustic guitars.

The two are not mutually exclusive, either.
[/quote]

Agreed. Ive never understood that logic. It might make your hands stronger at first, but that is akin to “beginner gains” and will not ultimately make you a better electric player in my experience. [/quote]

Did some more research online and offline after reading Steely’s comment and I now would have to agree that I disagree with the logic. I’m now leaning towards going electric to start. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with a Yamaha Pacifica for a beginner electric?

597

[quote]Waittz wrote:

[quote]audiogarden1 wrote:

[quote]SteelyD wrote:

[quote]Waittz wrote:
@SteelyD I would like to play a broad range of rock eventually. … From what I have been told by multiple sources it will be better for me long term to go this route, that and I can see myself playing more acoustic than electric when just doing it for fun in my down time.
[/quote]

I don’t agree with the “start on acoustic because it will make you better on electric” philosphy.

However, if you want to play acoustic guitar, then play acoustic guitars.

The two are not mutually exclusive, either.
[/quote]

Agreed. Ive never understood that logic. It might make your hands stronger at first, but that is akin to “beginner gains” and will not ultimately make you a better electric player in my experience. [/quote]

Did some more research online and offline after reading Steely’s comment and I now would have to agree that I disagree with the logic. I’m now leaning towards going electric to start. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with a Yamaha Pacifica for a beginner electric?

[/quote]

People mostly think acoustic will make your hands stronger and therefore make you a better electric guitarist.

I guess from the ‘simplicity’ point of view, yes, an acoustic is just the guitar. An electric guitar is actually a guitar, a cord, and an amplifier.

In the very, very beginning, honestly, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re learning chords, notes, and training your ear (ie. PRACTICING).

Just from a motivation point of view, you should begin playing on the type of instrument that is used to play the type of music you like to play. I’ve had students who come in with acoustics and asked “When can I learn Iron Maiden? When can I learn Van Halen? When can I JAM?”

Anyway…

Waitzz— what’s your budget for guitar and amp?

Edit: These days, you can bypass the amp completely if you have an iPod, etc.

598

[quote]SteelyD wrote:

[quote]Waittz wrote:

[quote]audiogarden1 wrote:

[quote]SteelyD wrote:

[quote]Waittz wrote:
@SteelyD I would like to play a broad range of rock eventually. … From what I have been told by multiple sources it will be better for me long term to go this route, that and I can see myself playing more acoustic than electric when just doing it for fun in my down time.
[/quote]

I don’t agree with the “start on acoustic because it will make you better on electric” philosphy.

However, if you want to play acoustic guitar, then play acoustic guitars.

The two are not mutually exclusive, either.
[/quote]

Agreed. Ive never understood that logic. It might make your hands stronger at first, but that is akin to “beginner gains” and will not ultimately make you a better electric player in my experience. [/quote]

Did some more research online and offline after reading Steely’s comment and I now would have to agree that I disagree with the logic. I’m now leaning towards going electric to start. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with a Yamaha Pacifica for a beginner electric?

[/quote]

People mostly think acoustic will make your hands stronger and therefore make you a better electric guitarist.

I guess from the ‘simplicity’ point of view, yes, an acoustic is just the guitar. An electric guitar is actually a guitar, a cord, and an amplifier.

In the very, very beginning, honestly, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re learning chords, notes, and training your ear (ie. PRACTICING).

Just from a motivation point of view, you should begin playing on the type of instrument that is used to play the type of music you like to play. I’ve had students who come in with acoustics and asked “When can I learn Iron Maiden? When can I learn Van Halen? When can I JAM?”

Anyway…

Waitzz— what’s your budget for guitar and amp?

Edit: These days, you can bypass the amp completely if you have an iPod, etc.
[/quote]

The wifey is going to buy me the guitar for christmas/hannukah with both of us knowing that I will not be playing this guitar after september of next year(i’ll explain) when I will be buying a new one so we want it to be a low budget thing just to have fun on and learn to play the basics. Swung by the music store on my break today with a buddy who is a musician to test out the Pacifica and we both were pretty impressed with it for the price range.

I made only a few references to it in some other thread but I am running a rock music cruise ship charter in 2014 and I’m going to bring the guitar onboard and get the bands I have hired for it to sign the guitar i learned on and then retire it to the wall. So like I said I wont be playing it after 9 months and will at that point be buying something where ill be spending between 500-1000k. Right now it looks like I’ll have Hoobastank, Fuel and two other in the metal genre(that I cant legally say until next week) who will be headlining signing my learning guitar which is going to be pretty freaking cool.

599

Got a new web cam! This thing is awesome - 1080p, can go direct or has a built in mic (this is direct using my POD UX-1 ).

600

[quote]SteelyD wrote:
Tirib:

I think I smell a little Micheal Hedges influence in there.