Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
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hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
I started on an acoustic. When I was about 14 I taped an old microphone to the sound board under the bridge and plugged it into my stereo - my first "electric".
I agree that playing acoustic makes you a better electric player. But you could argue the reverse as well.
If someone is starting out they should have an instrument they will love to play, bond with and pick up often. It doesn't have to be great, any halfway decent guitar can do more than you ever can as a player.
That being said -
+1 on Epiphones, I always recommend an Epiphone SG as the ideal electric starter.
I started on an acoustic. When I was about 14 I taped an old microphone to the sound board under the bridge and plugged it into my stereo - my first "electric".
I agree that playing acoustic makes you a better electric player. But you could argue the reverse as well.
If someone is starting out they should have an instrument they will love to play, bond with and pick up often. It doesn't have to be great, any halfway decent guitar can do more than you ever can as a player.
That being said -
+1 on Epiphones, I always recommend an Epiphone SG as the ideal electric starter.
Matt42
New member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
The Vintage Modified series is very solid for the money. I have a VM Telecaster that I have been gigging regularly for about 3 years. It stays in tune really well, sounds good, plays great. It's a great choice.
RE: Acoustic vs. Electric
I think playing acoustic as much as I do absolutely makes me a better electric player. That being said, if I'm practicing an electric guitar song, I grab my electric guitar, never my acoustic.
The Vintage Modified series is very solid for the money. I have a VM Telecaster that I have been gigging regularly for about 3 years. It stays in tune really well, sounds good, plays great. It's a great choice.
RE: Acoustic vs. Electric
I think playing acoustic as much as I do absolutely makes me a better electric player. That being said, if I'm practicing an electric guitar song, I grab my electric guitar, never my acoustic.
Godin15
New member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
I disagree that an acoustic makes you a better player. Can't see how any one could say that. I started playing on electric a Squire Affinity Strat good starter guitar for the money and I still enjoy playing it, even though I have 2 other axes that are better quality. I also play my electrics with a small amp that plugs right into the guitar when I play at campfires. It's called Amp U Plug N Play Next Generation to me anyone who has electric should have one. Its small and handy as can be also good for practising. Don't want to get off topic here. If you want acoustic go for it. I believe when learning going Electric will keep you more in the game, and in turn more enjoyment.
I disagree that an acoustic makes you a better player. Can't see how any one could say that. I started playing on electric a Squire Affinity Strat good starter guitar for the money and I still enjoy playing it, even though I have 2 other axes that are better quality. I also play my electrics with a small amp that plugs right into the guitar when I play at campfires. It's called Amp U Plug N Play Next Generation to me anyone who has electric should have one. Its small and handy as can be also good for practising. Don't want to get off topic here. If you want acoustic go for it. I believe when learning going Electric will keep you more in the game, and in turn more enjoyment.
Matt42
New member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
The reason I say it is because when I started playing acoustic guitar more seriously, I noticed a big improvement in my finger strength and dexterity, and my picking accuracy. I don't think it had much of an effect on my style or anything, but I definitely noticed an improvement in my technique as the amount of acoustic I played increased.
The reason I say it is because when I started playing acoustic guitar more seriously, I noticed a big improvement in my finger strength and dexterity, and my picking accuracy. I don't think it had much of an effect on my style or anything, but I definitely noticed an improvement in my technique as the amount of acoustic I played increased.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
To the OP, I think all your choices are good. But don't rule out a tremolo. A Jingo block turns a negative into a positive.
Or a flea-market. Don't know if they have those in the OP's neck 'o the woods.
To the OP, I think all your choices are good. But don't rule out a tremolo. A Jingo block turns a negative into a positive.
Pawnshop.
Get a couple...
Or a flea-market. Don't know if they have those in the OP's neck 'o the woods.
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
+1
If you play on a guitar that requires you to use more finger strength, you will build up more strength all things being equal.
If you play on a guitar requiring more attention to make the notes sound out clearly, you will develop this as a natural thing.
People's (and muscles) overriding trait generally is laziness.....mainly in that you only develop the specific strength and agility you train. This has been shown with athletes the world over.
Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.
+1
If you play on a guitar that requires you to use more finger strength, you will build up more strength all things being equal.
If you play on a guitar requiring more attention to make the notes sound out clearly, you will develop this as a natural thing.
People's (and muscles) overriding trait generally is laziness.....mainly in that you only develop the specific strength and agility you train. This has been shown with athletes the world over.
Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.
treyhaislip
New member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
Totally should have recommended the Jackson JS series! Awesome guitars!
Seems like we have a new forum bro major disagreement similar to do tonewoods matter–are acoustics good for practicing! lol Several forum bros have mentioned from experience that playing/practicing acoustic made them better on electric–if you disagree thats fine, but its not BS–it is real world experience.
I think a guitar player loses out on a lot of great tones and experience by forgoing acoustic. I mean, even Robert Trujilo enjoys an acoustic every now and then
Totally should have recommended the Jackson JS series! Awesome guitars!
Seems like we have a new forum bro major disagreement similar to do tonewoods matter–are acoustics good for practicing! lol Several forum bros have mentioned from experience that playing/practicing acoustic made them better on electric–if you disagree thats fine, but its not BS–it is real world experience.
I think a guitar player loses out on a lot of great tones and experience by forgoing acoustic. I mean, even Robert Trujilo enjoys an acoustic every now and then
Lovegun
Active member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
To the OP. I would recommend that if you have a guitar shop near you to go check out a few candidates. Check out the neck profiles. I mean the guitars suggested here have a wide range of neck profiles from the flat thin Ibanez to the thicker neck of the Epiphone.
To the OP. I would recommend that if you have a guitar shop near you to go check out a few candidates. Check out the neck profiles. I mean the guitars suggested here have a wide range of neck profiles from the flat thin Ibanez to the thicker neck of the Epiphone.
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
People are bringing up a good point. Are you "better" at playing because the acoustic has thicker strings? I've been using 56-13s on my (6 string) electrics for years.
That reminds me. I've got a pair of Fender Stratacoustics here that I got good deals on and have never touched. I think I'll sell them.
F___ acoustics.
People are bringing up a good point. Are you "better" at playing because the acoustic has thicker strings? I've been using 56-13s on my (6 string) electrics for years.
That reminds me. I've got a pair of Fender Stratacoustics here that I got good deals on and have never touched. I think I'll sell them.
F___ acoustics.
Godin15
New member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
More students learning guitar with acoustics quit.
This is one thing that always gets me. If someone told me to get an acoustic when I asked for advice on an electric, my reply would be GFY. Just because something works for *you*, doesn't mean it's for everyone, and doesn't answer their question. (I just
addressed this in a thread of my own.) The reason to get an acoustic is if you *want* an acoustic. If my first guitar was an acoustic, I *never* would have stayed interested.
To the OP - The Squier 51 is a great guitar. The Ibanez (also being
hardtail) would be a close second. Both of those would serve you well, and would be easy to upgrade in the future.
More students learning guitar with acoustics quit.
treyhaislip
New member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
Any stats/reference to back that up?
Any stats/reference to back that up?
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
The biggest appeal of acoustics is that you don't need an amp to be heard across the room. Less investment, less stuff to haul around...key selling points. The 'grab-and-go' free spirit thing. However, the thick wound strings and high actions are hard on tender finger tips. I suspect most acoustics spend most of their lives sitting in a corner, and not being played after the initial flurry. Anyone I know wanting to start guitar, I advise them to get an inexpensive electric. Much easier on the fingers. The average person isn't going to be a virtuoso, neither are the vast majority of members on this forum.
The biggest appeal of acoustics is that you don't need an amp to be heard across the room. Less investment, less stuff to haul around...key selling points. The 'grab-and-go' free spirit thing. However, the thick wound strings and high actions are hard on tender finger tips. I suspect most acoustics spend most of their lives sitting in a corner, and not being played after the initial flurry. Anyone I know wanting to start guitar, I advise them to get an inexpensive electric. Much easier on the fingers. The average person isn't going to be a virtuoso, neither are the vast majority of members on this forum.
regan
New member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
Gotta call bullsh*t on this
Gotta call bullsh*t on this
treyhaislip
New member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
Definitely not the biggest appeal to me bro–acoustics get tones that an electric can't get (acoustic simulators and piezos are cool but they don't do the acoustic sound to my ears.)
Thick strings and high action? I've played many electrics with thick strings and high action...can't label them all like that.
You are painting a very broad picture of acoustics here man...very broad indeed. Which, btw, did you watch any of those videos I included in post #17
Definitely not the biggest appeal to me bro–acoustics get tones that an electric can't get (acoustic simulators and piezos are cool but they don't do the acoustic sound to my ears.)
Thick strings and high action? I've played many electrics with thick strings and high action...can't label them all like that.
You are painting a very broad picture of acoustics here man...very broad indeed. Which, btw, did you watch any of those videos I included in post #17
regan
New member
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
Gotta chime in here, all those who think developing your technique on an acoustic making you a better electric player is BS is woefully naive
Would they argue learning how to sketch properly would not make you better at oil painting?
Gotta chime in here, all those who think developing your technique on an acoustic making you a better electric player is BS is woefully naive
Would they argue learning how to sketch properly would not make you better at oil painting?
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Need a cheap guitar just for practice. What's the best I can get?
Yes, nice playing but not what I was talking about. There are things you can do on an electric that you can't do on an acoustic, like deep, fast vibrato bends. Watch the Fleetwood Mac video of them live onstage playing 'Like it This Way'. Peter Green and Danny Kirwan are trading off riffs and doing one great bend after another. That's the style I play, that's what I practice: British blues. That kind of playing is what made Peter Green a legend. Again, I've never seen anybody do that kind of bending on an acoustic.
did you watch any of those videos I included in post #17
Yes, nice playing but not what I was talking about. There are things you can do on an electric that you can't do on an acoustic, like deep, fast vibrato bends. Watch the Fleetwood Mac video of them live onstage playing 'Like it This Way'. Peter Green and Danny Kirwan are trading off riffs and doing one great bend after another. That's the style I play, that's what I practice: British blues. That kind of playing is what made Peter Green a legend. Again, I've never seen anybody do that kind of bending on an acoustic.
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