Guitar?

[IBM]

thinking of trying to learn to play the guitar, so was looking for someone to point me in the right direction. Looking for a basic acoustic guitar, maybe a decent tutorial...don't want to spend a fortune...save my pennies for if I actually do learn and want to buy something more expensive. Suggestions?

[Norky]

If you're an absolute beginner, you should really learn on a cheap electric. Beginners have real problems with steel string acoustics, they shred your fingers.

[Dav0s]

yes they shred your fingers, but there is no betetr way toughen them up

mine have just really started to toughen up properly, they look a mess most of the time but at least it doesnt hurt anymore.


i learnt most of the basics from a mate, and doing it that way will be a lot better than online/dvd tutorials. if you know anybody, ask them nicely

i got a cheap acoustic from ebay, sounds ok but it was a pain to play initially, had to sand the saddle down. i recommend going to a guitar shop and picking up a bargain there rather than online.

the otehr option is to go down your city centre and offer a tramp £20 for his guitar. my mates dad did this and turned out the guitar was worth £500!!

[IBM]

Yup, I'd heard about the finger shredding occurance with steel strings, but as Davos says, it's the quickest way to get the skin toughened up...

I'll see what there is in the way of guitar shops near where I am. I could pop into Tottenham Court Road, there's a fair number of decent shops down there, but I don't have the time....

As for a cheap electric, how much would a simple guitar and amp cost? I'd rather have an acoustic, but I'll keep my options open.

[BlackDwarf]

For tutorials and the like, theres some at mxtabs.net, and the guys at Sputnik Music Forums will help you out

[Knoxville]

A cheap yet decent electric set up would set you back between £200 and £250, theres all in one packs cheaper than that but for a guitar that stays in tune and a reasonable amp you have to spend a little more.