First guitar advice

[Saint Nick]

I love watching gypsy players, sometimes just to see the technique!

 

[Triumph]

I hate the idea of making people play on acoustics with acoustic sized strings, like 11's or even 12's. it's retarded. if you want to learn, learn on light strings, then build strength up to 11's or 12's if you want. if you want to build muscle you don't start with a 50 pound barbell and try to do 1 rep. you start with 20 pounds and do multiple reps, adding weight until you get to 50 pounds.

 

[coaster831]

If the material you want to play is electric, I'd definitely get an electric first. Being able to play the songs you want to play (e.g., Metallica) on an electric will be more satisfying than on an acoustic, and that will make you want to play more. Also, although the acoustic builds more hand strength and calluses, it also hurts more for a beginner, which can be a turn-off. I had both starting out, and always played my electric more... it's personal preference, though.

And even though you have to be near an amp to play it loud, an unplugged electric is still loud enough to practice with.

What's your budget? If pretty low, I'd recommend maxing your budget on either the amp or guitar (i.e., don't buy 2 pieces of low-budget gear -- buy a good guitar and then a cheap used amp) and then saving up for the other.

Also, just my opinion, but a moderate guitar through a great amp will sound much better than a great guitar through a moderate amp.

 

[Fritzo]

I hate the idea of making people play on acoustics with acoustic sized strings, like 11's or even 12's. it's retarded. if you want to learn, learn on light strings, then build strength up to 11's or 12's if you want. if you want to build muscle you don't start with a 50 pound barbell and try to do 1 rep. you start with 20 pounds and do multiple reps, adding weight until you get to 50 pounds.

I kind of agree with this. I learned on an Ovation acoustic with .12 strings- ugh. I would cry from my fingers hurting during practice sometimes. It took months to get callouses built up on my fingertips and I would get pissed if one tore off.

 

[lxskllr]

I kind of agree with this. I learned on an Ovation acoustic with .12 strings- ugh. I would cry from my fingers hurting during practice sometimes. It took months to get callouses built up on my fingertips and I would get pissed if one tore off.

I started on what were probably 11s on an acoustic. When i went to electric, it probably came with 9s or 10s. I bought one set of 8s, and promptly broke them. They also sounded way too thin. I started stepping them up, and settled on these in 11...

http://www.deanmarkley.com/products/by-subcategory/2-catalog/283-vintage-electric-re-issue

I especially like them cause they were kind of unbalanced. The bass strings were especially heavy, and it gave it a nice chunky sound. I'd swap the wound third for an unwound. I like heavy strings, and would have used 12s, but they were too heavy for me to handle.

 

[slightlyhuman]

OP, if interested i've got a great start-up package for you.

marshall amp(solid state) that sounds good low and can really put some hair on your balls with the crunch. 2004 white(maple neck) fender strat(mexican).. cables and picks and strings too. everything you need.

let me know.

 

[slightlyhuman]

You must have one heck of a long thumb . Thumb over the neck makes for easier bending of notes, ability to add base notes, more comfortable grip for some people. Lots of professional players adopt that grip almost exclusively (Hendrix was one example).

But, it restricts your reach, so wide chords are difficult if not impossible due to the angle of the fingers, and it makes it hard to do bar chords, because you can't physically wrap the thumb over the neck and bar a fret with your index finger. Players that combine both styles usually switch between thumb-over for open chords or picked melodies, and thumb on the back of the neck for bar chords.

i haven't always played like that. just noticed on a lot of drop d songs i can do my bar chords and add my thumb. also, it adds a different look/style. there's no wrong way to play guitar imo. if you're making music, you're good to go. just have to find out what works for you.

 

[Fritzo]

I started on what were probably 11s on an acoustic. When i went to electric, it probably came with 9s or 10s. I bought one set of 8s, and promptly broke them. They also sounded way too thin. I started stepping them up, and settled on these in 11...

http://www.deanmarkley.com/products/by-subcategory/2-catalog/283-vintage-electric-re-issue

I especially like them cause they were kind of unbalanced. The bass strings were especially heavy, and it gave it a nice chunky sound. I'd swap the wound third for an unwound. I like heavy strings, and would have used 12s, but they were too heavy for me to handle.

Try these. They may be what you are looking for:

 

[lxskllr]

Try these. They may be what you are looking for:

I don't really play anymore. Once in a blue moon I might pick a guitar up, but it's rare. I remember trying those, but don't know why I preferred the DMs. Maybe I like the heavier treble too :^D

I favored a fairly heavy twangy sound, with a natural overdrive. Think Texas blues, to country honk. Not so much the highly processed metal sound that was popular when I was playing.