Guitar thread

[Daniii]

Originally Posted by Joseph Maniaci

If you've got an iPhone, I'd highly recommend the Guitar Toolkit app. It has an unbelievable chord reference that allows you to strum and hear them, a metronome, and a pretty decent tuner. It's only a few dollars and it's amazing software.

Or better, plug in the headset and listen to someone who actually knows how to play.

[Snapper]

Originally Posted by rajflyboy

Well

I have a new hobby. I'm just learning to play the guitar.

Let me guess... something to do while the bike's holed up due to cold and snow, eh?

Me too

Late 40s and don't know a thing about reading music, so I'm starting from dead scratch. Tried to follow some of the internet/youtube stuff, and dummy/idiot books, but it was too all-over-the-place for me and I could see I was diving into immediate bad habits.

Need my hand held like a 3rd grader, step-by-step DVD program "Learn & Master Guitar." Yup, that's about my speed...

[rajflyboy]

Originally Posted by Snapper

Let me guess... something to do while the bike's holed up due to cold and snow, eh?

Me too

Late 40s and don't know a thing about reading music, so I'm starting from dead scratch. Tried to follow some of the internet/youtube stuff, and dummy/idiot books, but it was too all-over-the-place for me and I could see I was diving into immediate bad habits.

Need my hand held like a 3rd grader, step-by-step DVD program "Learn & Master Guitar." Yup, that's about my speed...

I feel the same. I'm starting to think a few lessons might be worth it. Although I do enjoy the Marty Schwartz guitar lessons on youtube. This guy can play and he can teach!!

[spagthorpe]

Originally Posted by Joseph Maniaci

If you've got an iPhone, I'd highly recommend the Guitar Toolkit app. It has an unbelievable chord reference that allows you to strum and hear them, a metronome, and a pretty decent tuner. It's only a few dollars and it's amazing software.

THanks for the heads up. I have a chromatic tuner somewhere, but can never find the damn thing.

I know they probably aren't the greatest amps in the world, but I've seen some Line 6 amps, that have tuners built into them as well. Little 7-segment LCD that shows you the note. Nice to have something all built together.

[S_Palmer]

One of the guys that works for me has invented an electric guitar that
never goes out of tune. He thinks he can sell them for about $600.
What do you guys think, does he have a winner?

[* SHAG *]

Originally Posted by S_Palmer

One of the guys that works for me has invented an electric guitar that
never goes out of tune. He thinks he can sell them for about $600.
What do you guys think, does he have a weiner?

[mdubya]

Stick with your starter electric for a while. It will be much easier to learn on. Learn some simple songs that are fun to play (Can't Explain, Wild Thing, Summer Time Blues) so that you can enjoy it. Youtube is great and you have already discovered it, so that is a big plus.

[Josephvman]

Originally Posted by spagthorpe

THanks for the heads up. I have a chromatic tuner somewhere, but can never find the damn thing.

I know they probably aren't the greatest amps in the world, but I've seen some Line 6 amps, that have tuners built into them as well. Little 7-segment LCD that shows you the note. Nice to have something all built together.

I've got some nice amps, but the one I use most is a little Vox with a bunch of built-in effects. It's a great sounding amp at low to average volume, takes up hardly any space, and cheap (around $120). It would be ideal for starting out. Get a decent guitar that's setup correctly. You can find MIM (made in Mexico) Strats on Craigslist for between $200-300. If you give it up you can usually sell it for about what you paid for it, and most "beginner" guitars play like junk, and it's no wonder so many new players give up learning when you see what they're fighting with.

[Josephvman]

Originally Posted by S_Palmer

One of the guys that works for me has invented an electric guitar that
never goes out of tune. He thinks he can sell them for about $600.
What do you guys think, does he have a winner?

If it sounds like a vintage Martin, then yes!

[Daniii]

Electronic tuning is possible. You adjust the strings to be within the range of the tuner circuit, and software does the rest. It will be hard to replicate the sound of a Les Paul with that rig, though.

[S_Palmer]

Originally Posted by Daniii

Electronic tuning is possible. You adjust the strings to be within the range of the tuner circuit, and software does the rest. It will be hard to replicate the sound of a Les Paul with that rig, though.

No electronics, his design is all mechanical, he claims that temp. humidity,
and use will not affect the state of tune. He just got a patent and is looking
for investors to get into production.

[beyondhelp]

Originally Posted by S_Palmer

No electronics, his design is all mechanical, he claims that temp. humidity,
and use will not affect the state of tune. He just got a patent and is looking
for investors to get into production.

Sounds like Rainsong Guitars, that's their claim as well. An all carbon / graphite guitar.
from their site:

Impervious to Humidity and Temperature changes the inherent strength of graphite means a guitar that can survive travel and changes in the environment, while the stability of graphite means a guitar that will stay in tune, evidenced by the fact that all RainSongs are shipped from the factory tuned to concert pitch. The all-graphite soundboard will not belly, sink, or crack and the all-graphite neck will not warp with changes in climate. Light in weight, with a proportioned balance that makes it comfortable to cradle or stand with, RainSong is the ultimate combination of workhorse and racehorse for the professional musician.

[DaveBro]

Originally Posted by beyondhelp

Sounds like Rainsong Guitars, that's their claim as well.

It'll probably sound like a Rainsong too -- like playing a cardboard box. Acoustic guitars need to be fairly lightly built in order to resonate and sound good. Guitars that are "stable" just don't seem to have that resonance.

To the guys who bought an entry-level acoustic and are thinking about stepping up to a better guitar: Think hard about getting a guitar that is made from all solid woods. Most guitars under $800 to $1000 are made from laminated wood ("plywood"), and they just don't sound very alive. At the very least get one with a solid-wood top.

Once you can play some, go to a good guitar store and play a low-end (but still all solid-wood) Martin or Taylor. It might really surprise you how much richer they sound. Can be really inspirational to your playing!

(And by the way, a quality guitar will stay in tune better than a cheap guitar too. With a decent axe and an electronic tuner, it's no big deal to keep a guitar in tune.)

[rajflyboy]

Peavey $95 dollar amp rocks! This thing is awesome. As loud as you could ever want an amp to be for practicing.

[FPGT72]

I am doing the same thing, mid 40's...what is it with guys in their 40's....I went out and bought a POS electric and little amp am playing with it. Got one of those learn the guitar dvd's from half price books and am doing some of the youtube stuff. I don't much like the sound of the guitar I bought, but it was cheap and I figure if I stick with it a month I will get something I like the way it sounds...I want a Gretsch, can't justify a 6120 but the 5120 sounds close enough for this guy.

I too am thinking about talking to a teacher, hit my knuckle on my left hand with a grinder and lost part of the bone and that finger does not work quite right, also have some nerve damage in the left arm that bothers me a bit. Need to talk to someone with experence about different ways to put my left hand...it just will not move in the way the DVD says to.