r45 4 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I've decided to learn how to play the (electric) guitar. Always wanted to, never had one and never taken the plunge but it's time now. Anyway been looking online at guides etc and getting overloaded with info. So I thought I'd ask the sjcollective (the ones who play guitar anyway) what might be a good one to pick up. Don't need anything fancy - I might be crap - so just something basic. I was hoping that 30,000 yen might get me going with what I need. Any thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites
skier1 0 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Hello. I like play guitar. I recommend starting out with something like Epiphone Les Paul Heritage + amp.... I think you can maybe do that for around 40,000 yen and it is decent guitar and you can have a lot of fun. Go into a big shop and have a play! Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Some of the Yamaha brands -like Yamaha Pacifica - are cheap and pretty good. Japan makes good cheap guitars (and good expensive ones too). Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 This is something I want to do as well. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 You can have fun on an electric but try to pick up a cheap acoustic somewhere too to learn the chords properly. Practice like a madman for a few months so that you get over the initial hurddles and keep up your motivation. Link to post Share on other sites
yoroshiku onegai shimasu 2 Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Don't listen to him... he lives on Shikoku When I learnt I went straight in to electric as I just wanted to play that. Not sure if it's best to start on acoustic.... even though ger does live on Shikoku, he seems like a knowledgeable chap. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I started on acoustic and ended there. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Originally Posted By: yoroshiku onegai shimasu Don't listen to him... he lives on Shikoku Just hedging a bit. Or maybe just false modesty. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Buy whatever guitar you like, but make sure you get a tuner. Little digital ones that clip on the head are the coolest. I think electrics are easier to play, but ymmv. With an electric, a little USB gizmo will let you use a computer with decent speakers as an amp. You can buy/acquire software that'll emultate every great amp and effects pedal ever made. Put the right effects on, pick a Bm or D chord, and you can sound like the Edge, for example. The music shop Shimamura looks like it has some New Year deals on, so go and have a look if there's one nearby. Link to post Share on other sites
bobby12 0 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 elec guitar is easier than acoustic. avoid classical guitar at all costs, as it is harder than a regular acoustic. (classical has nylon strings, wider neck). buy a hand execsizer thing that bodybuilders use, it will increase you hand/wrist muscles when u not playing due to sore fingers. do not buy an amp higher than 50W, it will be too loud. even 50W is excessive for home use. use PC speakers as sugested or buy a crappy 20W cheapo job at first. that will sound crapper than an acoustic though, so if you are after quality sound then maybe better to go with acoustic from the start. myself i have only played acoustic for the last ten years, its less hassle, no need for amps etc, perfect volume for singin along. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 The guitar world is a bit backwards. Tubes > transisters > microchips. And analogue > digital. Playing through your PC might be a quick way to get started at first but I'd get an amp and effects peddles. Start with a cheapo digital multi-effects peddle, but keep in mind - effects might be fun at first but in the end it's all about the music. Actually, I'd get an acoustic (steel string) for sure. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Originally Posted By: bobby12 avoid classical guitar at all costs, as it is harder than a regular acoustic. (classical has nylon strings, wider neck). Wider neck makes it easier to play individual notes without interferance from other strings and nylon strings are much easier on the fingers than steel so I wouldn't say it's harder to play. The wider neck might be a bit cumbersome when you're learning how to wrap your hand around it but the bottom line is: steel string guitars are better for playing chords - they sound better, and most of the acoustic guitar that you hear on your favourite rock albums are steel string, so if you want to sound like Slash strumming away on 'Patience' then get steel string, not nylon. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Been looking into this, might make the move this month into the idea. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 you been round the guitar shops in Ochanomizu Scouser? My sister's bfriend picked up a good pedal very cheap in the summer. Most of it is second hand I think so prob a lot of bargains to be had....and if you get bored you could walk around the corner and into all the snow sport shops!! Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 OK so I have got meself a new (Epiphone Les Paul) electric guitar, small amp, picks (?), stand and tuner. All for just around 35,000 yen. So now I have to learn how to play the thing. Looks great though, I'm just enjoying looking at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 that was quick Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 When I set my mind on something, I want it NOW!!!!! It even annoys me sometimes, but I just get something in my head and can't let go. It helps to get things done quickly because if I didn't my mind would be consumed with it and wouldn't get much else done. So it's a period of intense research followed by purchase. Got the whole lot from one shop so it wasn't a huge hassle. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 What kind of stuff do you want to play? Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Had a look last week TB. Interesting. I need to read up more though to get more of a clear idea. Good on you r45. Let us know how it goes. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Originally Posted By: ger What kind of stuff do you want to play? you always start with House of the Rising Sun Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Enjoying learning and got a few chords going on. But my fingertips are sure feeling it! Only a certain time I can do this each day before they shout at me. Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 Having fun. There's a LOT to learn and I'm doing it slowly. But having fun. Gambarimasu! Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted January 27, 2009 Author Share Posted January 27, 2009 My fingers hurt! Guitar players - how did you learn? I have a recommended book that I am slowly taking in. Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Got any friends who are learning or helping you out? It's good to play with others who are learning or maybe a bit better than you... A little friendly productive competition. Got friends who are in a band? Watch them rehearse. See what it's all about. ....Watch as much live music as you can too and as many types of music as you can. Maybe there's a bar with an open-mike acoustic night or something. You don't have to get up and play but go and watch other amatures get up and play and see if you can follow what they're doing. It's a language. If you sit at home and learn with a book, it's like learning Russian in your living room. If you're in the scene though, it's like going to Russia and hanging out with hot Russian chicks. You still have to study on your own too but it keeps you going and gives you something to shoot for. It's fun! Link to post Share on other sites
r45 4 Posted January 27, 2009 Author Share Posted January 27, 2009 Alas no. On my own. I have been watching some music vids and noticing how they play their guitars more. (And be a bit overwhelmed at the same time!) Gambarimasu Link to post Share on other sites
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