Learning electric guitar - your thoughts please...

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

well fellas, I can honestly say I have never in fifteen years cut a finger playing steel strings. may have broke a few nails, as I don't use plectrums. My dainty girly fingers must be well hard compared to man hands They are however pretty scabby on the ends, feel like brick layers fingers!

If you still have your finger callouses then steel strings are fine. If, like me, you've not played for a decade or more and you pull your (very cheap) Les Paul copy out and muck about for half an hour, you'll find your finger tips hurt like hell. Can't say I've ever had cuts from them though...

By comparison the spanish guitar I got my daughter for her birthday this year is very easy on the fingers and I'm building up my resistance again nicely thanks to it's nylon strings. As a softy office worker I can vouch for the softer strings being quite a help to get going again.

On the accoustic v electric debate my school music teacher always banned us from bringing in the amplifiers until we could show her we could perform the set unplugged first. I found that learning on the less forgiving accoustic always helped in the long run.

Got to say that although I'm rubbish, and I'm never likely to use it outside the house any more, I have enjoyed picking up a guitar again.

[ophic]

Pansies! playing until you bleed is a rite of passage!

i too have just started, well september...wanted a guitar for my 42nd b'day...started with a cheap acoustic(£15 antique shop)...and very soon after my wife bought me a fender electro acoustic for my b'day......fingers have hardened nicely with no bleeding/cuts and 2 months in and can now play a few songs albeit not great but know 6 chords or so...and alot of songs are only 3 chords( i like johhny cash stuff)...so if i can learn at 42 im sure u younger lads/lasses will soon pick it up..wish id started many years ago

Thanks for all the advice peeps. I'm pretty determined I'm going to go electric straightaway rather than acoustic cos most of the music I like is rock/metal, and I figure I'm more likely to get better if I'm playing stuff I like. I can see what people mean about acoustic being better for technique though, so I will probably get one at some point in the future.

I might see if I can spend a little more on the guitar and get slightly better hardware, but then I originally wanted to not spend much so at least if I suck it won't cost me much!

Originally Posted by Ed

Andy no way are you 30 next year!! You really have surprised me, I'd have put you at 25 - 26.

Must be my boyish good looks Thanks mate that has made my day!

Originally Posted by Quiff Wichard

I recall my what I want to do by 30 list ! was ages ago and I achieved about 3 of 10 items..

While we're on the subject, #6 on my list requires 2 (preferably willing) lovely ladies & a LOT of custard. Any volunteers?

[anna]

Originally Posted by El Saxo

While we're on the subject, #6 on my list requires 2 (preferably willing) lovely ladies & a LOT of custard. Any volunteers?

I was just going to ask what else was on the list............








but now I think I will run away very quickly and not ask.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by El Saxo

While we're on the subject, #6 on my list requires 2 (preferably willing) lovely ladies & a LOT of custard. Any volunteers?

What is it with blokes and custard

Good decision - if you want to play electric guitar get an ELECTRIC guitar. You can still, if you so desire, fit heavier strings/tune half a step up and raise the action to get the extra finger work-out. The right hand technique on an electric guitar is different (pinch harmonics, more palm-muting) and you will at some point need to find how to get a sweet tone through the amp. Also, if your guitar has a good, easy action you are less likely to get hacked off and quit! Good luck - and don't forget - practising scales and chord changes is boring but vital to progress! (in other words, do what I didn't and don't try to be a god before you can fly!)

Any recommendations for an SG?

Originally Posted by thedonal

If you can stretch to it, i'd consider looking a little bit higher in the price range if you can (about £100ish more for an Epi. Les Paul Studio)- purely because you'll get a guitar that'll have longevity as you get better- ie the build quality, pickups and wood will be much better.

I just looked up the Les Paul Studio's - the black/gothic ones are bloody lovely!

I might see if I can get one on the Arts Council's interest-free scheme that I just found out about. 30-odd quid a month at 0% for a nice guitar & amp is VERY tempting!!

I think I am going to go for a Spider as well. But what guitar? The Studio does look nice. Maybe discount for a pair?

Any details of the Arts Council scheme?