The Guitar Thread

[Wlfwnd91]

So OrganisM and I were in another thread that involved a band and somehow ended up talking about guitars, so Mal decided to be indirect and say "There should be a guitar thread, huh." So... Here it is. Since I'm sure any experienced players can talk about favorite guitars, guitarists, or even guitar parts, here's a thread to talk about it. If you're a n00blet to the guitar world and have any questions, feel free to ask, I'm sure there's plenty of people on the forums who can help, or if you're planning on starting guitar and want some advice on anything, go for it. Soooo, here it is. I'll get it started with a pretty basic question and after that it can evolve.

What's your favorite guitar? Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, Jackson, Schecter, PRS, or any other guitar you can think of.

EDIT: OrganisM came up with the idea to add some helpful links and FAQ to the first post, so here it goes. If anyone thinks anything should be added let me know and I'll post it up here. I'll start off with some links that can help ya out whether you're getting started or an intermediate stuck between that and advanced.

http://www.myguitarsolo.com/ -

This is a great website, and has a lot of what you'll need if you're someone who can learn from reading things. It even has a suggested practice routtine to get the most out of the time you get with your guitar. Overall a great website. Only downside is that there's no instructional video which can be helpful.

http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/ -

This site is a great reference for any guitar scales, chords, chord progressions, a glossary of just about every musical or guitar term you can think of, and even an online metronome and tuner. It has an index of songs, a jam machine so you can create your own chord progressions to play on their own for you to write a lead over, and a bunch of other fun toys.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ -

This is a site I came across just recently, and it has just about every form of lesson you can imagine with every style you may want to learn, from beginner to expert players. And if you've been around the block a few times and know your way around the neck, you can even send in a lesson and they'll pay you for it if you did a good job. Basically, this is a site you'll have to check out for yourself, cause there's no way to explain the content in a short summary.


I'll add more links as I find more quality websites.

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Now onto the FAQ. I'll try and answer a few of the questions I hear all the time in here, if any of my answers are wrong, lemme know, I'll look into it, and correct it, since I'm sure there are people here who have held a guitar longer than I have.

Probably the most popular question I've heard from people wanting to try guitar

Q - What kind of guitar should I get when I'm just starting out?

A - There's a few factors that would determine what kind of guitar you should get, and how much you should invest. If you're someone who has been involved in music for a few years and are heavily into it (Have been playing piano for 2937497 years or something like that) and just want to expand to a different instrument, then I'd recommend getting a nicer guitar on the $4-600 scale, since you've already shown devotion and discipline in learning an instrument. What KIND of guitar on the other hand is a different matter. For acoustic, I'd highly recommend Ovation or Martin, but there's worlds of other guitars out there, and the best way to find out which is best for you is to go to your local music shop and try out every guitar you can find that's within your budget. If you're into electric, then genre you want to play is a huge factor, and I could go into what each brand is typically used for, but the best idea would to ask someone working at your guitar center, sam ash, or just local music store, and they'll be sure to point you in the right direction.

Now, if you have absolutely no musical background and thought, "Hey, guitar might be fun." Then I'd recommend getting a starter pack. There's a nice Ibanez electric guitar starter kit that you can get at most Guitar Centers, and you'll also be able to find a Fender acoustic pack for around $200 if you're for that sound. Most of these packs will come with a guitar, amp (if it's electric) a tuner, picks, learning books and dvds, headphones so you don't piss your parents or room mates off, among other things that are great for anyone starting. That's what I'd recommend if you don't want to make a huge investment.

Q - Why do different guitars sound different? Aren't they all just wood with magnets in them?

A - Some of this has already been answered in the thread, but I'll address it here. EVERYTHING about a guitar affects the way that it sounds. The neck, the bridge, the wood the body is made of, the cut of the body, the strings you use, the pickups in it, and even the PAINT affects how your guitar will sound. Just buying a hunk of wood and putting amazing pick-ups in it, will NOT give your guitar a legendary tone. If you want a nice guitar, it's best to invest in something that was made out of good wood, with good craftsmanship, etc. etc. And if you're a well-worn veteran you can even build your own guitar and pick out everything yourself. But, no, the pick-ups just transmit the sound, they don't create it.

Q - How should I get started?

A - There's a bunch of ways to get started, and though you could likely find a great teacher in your area, if you're low on cash and dried your wallet with your guitar then you can find some great lessons on the internet that will tell you exactly how to start off. Try some of the links posted in this post and you oughta find exactly what you're looking for.



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Ok, people, I'm exhausted. It's time for me to go to bed. I'm sure there's more to add, so if anyone has any suggestions let me know. I'll probably do more tomorrow, but it's nice not to have to think, so help out if you can. Thanks!

[g4z33b0]

Ibanez or Jackson, because I have an Ibanez and a Jackson. All of the companies are great though.

[Wlfwnd91]

Originally Posted by g4z33b0

Ibanez or Jackson, because I have an Ibanez and a Jackson. All of the companies are great though.

Yea, I need to try out a few more Ibanez. Kinda sad Jackson was bought out by Fender, but still a great guitar. Best tremelo and action I've ever played on an off-the-shelf guitar.

[OrganisM]

Sweet. I was considering starting the thread but I thought I'd wait so there wouldn't be double-thread pwnage.

I think we should post lots of information and continually edit the information into the original post, sort of like a mini news/faq post... sound interesting?

I'm getting an audio card that costs $1500 and will accept many mic and line inputs, so I can record crystal clear sounds direct from my guitars or through effects pedals, stuff like that.

I've been going mad trying to decide what I'm doing about the hardware for my new computer. I've got most of it figured out, but it's a pain to deal with.

Software wise, though, I'm good: I'm buying an upgrade form my Cubase SX3, the new Reason, Colossus, and Sonar. Along with a $#@^load of VSTs, I'm ready to roll.

I just wish I had a broader palate of guitars though. I love my JEM and my Telecaster and the assortment of others I have, but I just don't have enough high-performance guitars.

Ah well, I can synthesize almost anything I don't have anyways.

[Tps222]

Ibanez.

[brothaice]

Gibson Explorer

[theinsomniacnimrod]

I play bass, and nothing beats a Fender - jazz or precision. I won't touch anything else.

[OrganisM]

Originally Posted by theinsomniacnimrod

I play bass, and nothing beats a Fender - jazz or precision. I won't touch anything else.

I'll grant you, the Fender bass guitars are wonderful. But my Ibanez Soundgear 5-string is godly.

Plus, you wouldn't knock Victor Wooten's basses, would you?

[jewpinthethird]

Cameo....because you ain't never rocked out until you've rocked out on a generic thrift store acoustic guitar.

[falcondude]

I've played guitar for about a month now. I bought a cheap Yamaha just to start me off.

[jewpinthethird]

I don't play the guitar, but I imagine it wouldn't be too hard of an instrument to get into considering some of the people who know how to play it.

[falcondude]

If you're good with anything musical, guitar is easy. FFR helps with finger speed XD

[lord_carbo]

This thread inspired me to go into my sister's room and start playing her guitar hehe.

Just a question... if I put my finger on the fifth fret, is it the same note as the string below it without my fingers on any of the frets? The guitar I was playing wasn't tuned perfectly but that's what it seemed like. Can I get some confirmation?

[falcondude]

Yes, it should be. One exception is 4th string (I think? 3rd from bottom) where the 4th fret is the same.

[OrganisM]

The 5th fret on a string should be the same note as the string after it played open, from the bigger strings to the smaller ones. The one exception is the third string on the right if you're looking at the guitar straight. Play the 4th fret on that one, then play the string after that open.

All of this is for nothing, of course, if you don't have the bottom E string tuned right. Otherwise the guitar will be tuned to itself but could still be out of tune.

Lucky me, I've got locking nuts on the top, but since I wank on my whammy bar so much, it puts them out of tune anyways.

I'm choosing the final components for my music composition computer! Wish me luck!

[lord_carbo]

K, thanks, I'm gonna go back and play again 8)

[Panic4Me]

well, im a guitar noob so i really dont know much about the brands and all tht good stuff, but i have been wanting to learn for a while now. i know my uncle has some old guitars, but we're not allowed to mess with them. anyway, what would be the best kind to use to start out with?

[seththelezzy]

I love Gibson Flying-Vs. Best guitars ever in my opinion, pretty much because most of my favorite guitarists use them. I think the sound is great on them and it sound great with a little bit of distortion.

[Popsicle Pirate.]

Ibanez basses are definitely my favorite, I have an entry-level Soundgear, and I've played some nicer ones, they have a great tone. Fender basses are nice, too, I just don't like them as much. And although I haven't played one, the Jackson Death Angel Archetop just looks FREAKING AWESOME.

[OrganisM]

Originally Posted by Panic4Me

well, im a guitar noob so i really dont know much about the brands and all tht good stuff, but i have been wanting to learn for a while now. i know my uncle has some old guitars, but we're not allowed to mess with them. anyway, what would be the best kind to use to start out with?

Cheap Ibanez guitars are terrible, even though the good ones are amazing. Schecter makes great starter level guitars, so I'd suggest spending about $350 on one of those, and get an amp with good clean sound and some distortion effects.

If you're not ready to spend more than a few hundred dollars on the guitar itself, save up. If you get a $99 Fender, you're going to regret it.

Don't bother drooling over Gibsons, they're expensive as all hell.

It depends upon what you want to play. I'd personally suggest that you get one with a flat and fast-playing neck, like the Ibanez and Jackson guitars use, instead of a Fender-type neck.

My first guitar was an Ibanez RG, about $500, and it was a really nice guitar. My amp cost another $400 or so. It was a Marshall, though I'd suggest something with a better clean tone.