Guitars

[Melonfish]

A note on songs especially if you're ever planning to play in front of people, practice, practice, practice and practice some more. on the day i guarantee you'll be either too scared or distracted and instead of forgetting things you'll have good old muscle memory to ease you through
saved my behind more then once!

also in the grand scheme of learning you'll mountain climb, as in you'll learn loads really fast and you'll climb a steep curve, then one day you'll plateau, you'll find you either can't play a piece because it's just too technical or you just find you aren't progressing like you used to, when you reach this stage chill out, step back, give it a few days and don't worry about it, just keep playing what you like and pass the time, go over some old lessons.
when you return to it later on you'll most likely find you can now play that darned thing you couldn't, you'll laugh and wonder what you were thinking having not be able to do it before. then you'll progress quickly until you plateau... ad infinitum, seriously. such is the life of the guitarist

 

[Plax]

Ok, so I have found a guitar tutor, had my first lesson the other day and am going to see him monthly just to make sure I'm not getting any bad habits with my technique etc (in the first lesson he did notice I'd restinged the Les Paul the wrong way on the B & E strings, which I knew I'd done but not going to bother changing until I restring it again). Also that I'd put my guitar strap on the wrong way around. Like duh!
Also many thanks to @Slim for the link to Justins site, I have started going through the beginners course and he is very good. Rocksmith is okay but I think I need something more structured. So I think I should be covered if I utilise all 3 (tutor, Justin & Rocksmith).

I have also decided that I hate the Westfield B220 electro acoustic that I have. It doesn't feel very nice to play and I have trouble playing chords on it. The Les Paul Special II is much nicer and I don't have as much trouble.
I know they say you should try out the guitars first, but does anyone have any recs for a beginners acoustic? I'm thinking of getting rid of the Westfield for another one. There is a music shop in town but when I went in to get some strings for the Les Paul there wasn't a very big selection of acoustics.
There is a Squier by Fender acoustic in Argos (http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5403420.htm), I think Fender are a good make but that does seem a bit cheap for a decent guitar?

 

[Slim]

Have a look at Thomann.de They are usually pretty cheap and have a very wide range of quality and prices. I bought this from them. It took around 3-4 days to get here.

 

[Cyclist33]

I've got a cheap 'n' cheerful Stagg left handed classical guitar I bought in April and can't really play because I don't do any practice.

 

[jazzkat]

Check out the Yamaha acoustics, they are great for the money, much better than the fender acoustics IMHO (I am a self confessed fender geek!)
I'd recommend the fg700 (got one myself), don't know where your budget sits though
http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/guitars/yamaha-fg700s-27312
http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_fg_700s_nt_gloss.htm

 

[BigonaBianchi]

 

[Plax]

It's good to see @BigonaBianchi doesn't have an N+1 problem.

 

[Stephen C]

Ok, so I have found a guitar tutor... I think Fender are a good make but that does seem a bit cheap for a decent guitar?

Good to see you are getting on! I've never had any lessons, just tried to learn songs I like, Ultimate Guitar is a good resource, as is youtube, I've followed a guy called Rob Chapman for a bit, some of it is way above my head, but generally very good. This probably means my technique and theory knowledge is rubbish, but I can make a good sound.

As said before, look at Thomann's, I played one of their entry level Harley Benton basses, much better than any Squier I've played!

 

[jazzkat]

It's good to see @BigonaBianchi doesn't have an N+1 problem.

Ha ha, In my experience guitar N+1 (known as GAS - Gear or guitar Acquisition Syndrome) is far worse than the bike N+1 rule.
I daren't show my guitar family

 

[Plax]

I think I shall see if I can try out a Yamaha FG700. I've been keeping an eye out on eBay but nothing has come up yet. I'll see what is left my bonus in January and might pick up a new one if there are enough pennies left over.

I'm also having another guitar lesson on Thursday with a different tutor. Thought I'd have a couple of lessons with each to see which one I prefer. This one seems to prefer acoustic so I am taking my hated Westfield to that lesson. The other prefers teaching electric guitar. I'll take more of an interest in what acoustic guitars that they have I think!

 

[andyfraser]

Check out the Yamaha acoustics, they are great for the money, much better than the fender acoustics IMHO (I am a self confessed fender geek!)
I'd recommend the fg700 (got one myself), don't know where your budget sits though
http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/guitars/yamaha-fg700s-27312
http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_fg_700s_nt_gloss.htm

I second Yamaha. I have the much cheaper F-310 (I've seen them for around the £100 mark) but it sounds good and has taken a lot of punishment over the years.

 

[Plax]

I have put the Westfield up for sale, and bought myself a Yamaha F310 for £110. I'm very pleased with it. Much nicer to play. Took it to my guitar lesson and it got the thumbs up. Think I'll stick with this tutor as well, he was so much better than the other one.
Now I am on the hunt for a guitar bag because I stupidly didn't think to get one and the bag I have for my classical guitar is a smidgen on the small side for it.

 

[Black Country Ste]

I have a Yamaha Pacifica 112, which I bought with a practice amp for £250 at least a decade ago. Didn't really know what I was doing and didn't really start learning to give up in the first place. All I ever did was noodle on it, then less often until it was gathering dust in the corner, then packed into the loft.

I dug it out last year and though I only ever pick it up for five minutes at a time now and then I can at least play a few chords, really badly.

 

[jazzkat]

I have put the Westfield up for sale, and bought myself a Yamaha F310 for £110. I'm very pleased with it. Much nicer to play. Took it to my guitar lesson and it got the thumbs up. Think I'll stick with this tutor as well, he was so much better than the other one.
Now I am on the hunt for a guitar bag because I stupidly didn't think to get one and the bag I have for my classical guitar is a smidgen on the small side for it.

It sounds like you are well on your way. Nice one!

 

[SteCenturion]

I have quite serious GAS (Guitar Aquistion Syndrome).
Can't do links so here goes the list.
1. 1971 Dan Armstrong Plexi Guitar (1 pickup missing & needs attention).
2. Dan Armstrong Plexi Bass - re-issue.
3. Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom 'flame' - (think Justin Hawkins of The Darkness) - Pearl & abalone 'flames' inlay up the fret board.
4/5/6. - 3x Fender Custom Shop Strats - ice blue metallic - copper & gold sparkle.
7. Fender Strat - Orange sparkle (humbucker in bridge position) - made in Mexico.
8. Dusenberg DTV 'Outlaw' (mock black crocodile skin top) - as played by Keith Richards.
9.PRS Custom 22 - 20th anniversary Artist pack - (Brazilian Rosewood etc).
10. PRS SC 245 - 57/08 Ltd edition.
11. Takamine small body acoustic (cheap from Thomann) does the trick.
12. Epiphone Korina Flying V bass Ltd edition. (Thomann)
13. Epiphone Korina Explora bass Ltd edition (Thomann)
Six Amps.
Still on hit list (will have them one day in the distant future)
1. Gibson ES 355
2. Gibson Les Paul Gold top
3. GIBSON Les Paul 59 re-issue
4. Fender telecaster (own spec)
5. Ibanez 20th anniversary Steve Vai Jem (plexi-glass)
6. Gretsch - White Falcon (double cut) re-issue
7. Gretsch - White Penguine re-issue
8. Gretsch - Duo Jet
9. Collings OM acoustic.
10. Santa Cruz OM acoustic.
11. Patrick James Eggle Om acoustic.
12. Another PRS
13. Another PRS
14. Another Gibson Les Paul Custom (in blck).

Please don't hate me too much - a lot of suffering went into the owning of these guitars - (drove a 12 year old car - live in a tiny terraced house - unwanted inheritance etc).
I don't earn a fortune & forego much to acquire them - I am also selling one to fund next bike.
Love the post/topic.