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[brianlove84]

So i am just starting to playing guitar and i am ready to buy my first.

Any suggestions?



-Brian
Fontana

[WildMusicMan]

Just starting out I would suggest an Epiphone SG or Les Paul, due to the fact that they are priced right and sound great! and if this doesnt fit your style then I suggest an Ibenez guitar such as a Geo.

[yourockradio]

Wildman, you are so right on the money I could spit! That's what I would have said too. Brand names and everything.

If you buy anything, I suggest traversing the pawnshops. Try to buy a guitar that is 5-10 years old rather than a new Guitar Center special. Reason? They mass produce guitars today by the millions. In the old days they used aged wood. Vintage guitars are so sought after for this reason. Now they use green wood. I usually like 10 years or older, if the neck was going to warp, it would have done it before that 10 years. And don't be afraid of a non-big named brand. Get a guitar that you LOVE and it will love you back! Just because it is a Fender or Gibson does not make it yours.

Also, if you are going electric, plunk on it on all frets dry with no amplification. Even pro's just plunk, so don't be intimidated by not being a virtuoso. Hit every string on every fret at least once. Minimal buzzing and if it sounds good without amplification, it will sound great once you are hooked up. If it sounds dead, move on. Just strum it open string, no fingers anywhere and listen. It should ring and fade or sustain gradually. If it just kind of stops, hand it back, you will not like the tone later no matter what gizmo you attach to it.

If you are going acoustic, thump around the body with your thumb. If there are dead spots, don't buy it. It should resonate in all parts and sound good not flat or dead. Strum it as mentioned above. No chords, just put one finger on a string and plunk all around. If you know a few chords and what they should sound like, play them one at a time and reference your memory as to what it should sound like. If you like the sound, buy it. If you have any reservation, skip it. You have not found your guitar yet.

Scratches and dings on a used guitar are no big deal, battle wounds, character. Check the hardware and wiggle stuff around. If the tuning pegs are loose feeling or things are shakey, it does not rule the guitar out, but should be a consideration as to whether you can remedy it easily or if it is something you do not want to bother with. I like fixer uppers, not everyone wants to mess with it. I get a better relationship with an ailing guitar, but that is my bag.

There are a zillion variables, and you will learn them all one day and then you will learn some more. And listen to NOTHING a salesman tells you. Your guitar has YOUR name on it, it knows you, it was made for you, it is yours. You will know her when you meet her. Just don't go with the first one you meet and call it love, love will find you.