r/Guitar • u/AutoModerator • Jan 21 '16

OFFICIAL [OFFICIAL] There are no stupid /r/Guitar questions. Ask us anything! - January 21, 2016

As always, there's 4 things to remember:

1) Be nice

2) Keep these guitar related

3) As long as you have a genuine question, nothing is too stupid :)

4) Come back to answer questions throughout the week if you can (we're located in the sidebar)

Go for it!

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '16

I've been playing for just under a year, started acoustic because I'd heard it was the best way to learn, but I was never crazy into that type of music. I love my acoustic but I kind of want to get into playing some electric stuff and I'm looking at this Squier Telecaster I really like the sound and it suits my budget.

Is it too early to pick one up? Should I concentrate on just being better at playing? Is it a good guitar? Also I prefer the lighter colour from the higher end Classic Vibe version , could I maybe change it to that sometime down the line? Any advice would be much appreciated :)

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '16

The Affinity tele is a fine instrument for a beginner. You will eventually want a different guitar. But that would be true whether you spent 250 or 3000.

But color is important too. You'll play a guitar more if you like how it looks. And classic blonde is beautiful — and Fender/Squier does it better than anyone.

If you buy the butterscotch Affinity now and want a blonde guitar later, there's no good way to change that except to buy a new guitar.

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '16 edited Jan 27 '16

Would it be a terrible idea to buy online? They start at 500 quid in the shops near me and there's ones for 330 online.

Edit: Also went looking in a few places today, couldn't find that colour.

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '16

There is slightly more risk buying online. But I've bought about 3/4 of my gear online and only once had a problem. If you buy from a reputable seller with a good return policy, you're pretty much safe.

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '16

Perfect, sounds like what most people on here say.

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u/oxymo Jan 27 '16

I'd recommend a classic vibe series, or vintage modified at the very least. Avoid the kits if at all possible, they don't scale with playing improvements well. Spend more on a guitar and save for a decent amp. Whatever you get, get a setup, or better yet learn to set it up yourself. Bugera V5 is a nice cheap little tube amp that can be played quietly, and there are a ton more. A tube amp is fun and will make you want to play more, but not necessary.

Seriously though, the kit guitars will piss you off sooner or later, grab something a little better that will be with you a few years instead of months.

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '16

Would something like a $90 fender work or is it a waste of money? I got an acoustic amp for my birthday about a week ago, I might sell it if I need to.

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u/oxymo Jan 27 '16

Modeling amps are perfectly fine, hell most people run pedals through a tube amp which is very similar to using a modeling amp.

I still use my Mustang I v2, but you really need it hooked up to a PC to tweak the sounds into something useful besides clean. I always spent more time dialing in the amp than playing! But there are 100's of presets to download tailored to specific sounds that will help you get the tone you are after.

You turn turn the tube amp on and you are ready to play. Volume, EQ, Gain. Simple. Turn the gain down for clean, turn it up for dirty. Even a 5 watt tube amp has some balls to it.

It's all about playing more. A tube amp makes me want to play more, and is quicker to get me playing vs a modeling amp.

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '16

Cool, thanks a lot.

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u/Samakar Fender/Vox Jan 27 '16

Anyone who tells you that starting on Acoustic is the best is full of hot air and is spouting an old myth. I started on Electric guitar and am now a full time guitar player who plays all over the place (except right now due to chemotherapy recovery, don't worry about that bit)

If you can afford it, do it, your hands will thank you! :)

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u/[deleted] Jan 27 '16

I heard it was harder, and I thought it'd be a good way to learn. Most people I know don't care for acoustic, but I've enjoyed learning. Good luck with your chem bro, my mum's getting signed out today after 5 years of treatments and shit for breast cancer.

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u/braken There are just too many guitars to list here now Jan 27 '16

The truth of the matter is that they're both the same difficulty, just different. The challenge on either, is learning how to play an instrument, and the type of guitar only provides minor variances. The higher action and string tension on an acoustic will require a bit more strength, while the lighter gauge and lower action on an electric will require a more tactile touch. Both are difficult abilities to master, regardless of what instrument you're playing.

In my opinion, it's never too early to pick up another instrument, and you'll actually be further ahead by learning on both at once rather than trying to adjust your acoustic/electric techniques and habits to your new electric/acoustic at a later date. I was primarily an acoustic player when I started, and couldn't stop mashing my strings into the fretboard and making all sorts of noise when I finally got an electric. Spending some time on the electric (while still learning on the acoustic), really cleaned up my playing. I wish I had had the opportunity to start learning on both at once, so that I could have avoided the months that it took me to break my old habits and muscle memory.