At some point, you should consider buying a real guitar.

**Alakaiser** · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 4154 Location: Cambridge, MA

So yeah, I'm really considering it. Here's the story.

I have some excess funds in my account right now. Why? I'm saving up for a Wii. Like, once preorder start around here, I had every intention of smacking down every dollar necessary to pay it off.

However...

I've been kinda curious to learn how to play a real guitar. I've been told I could get a cheap acoustic for around the amount of money I was saving for a Wii (250-300), and I know you don't need anything spectacular to learn on.

I've been really thinking that learning the guitar would be quite fun, and probably more rewarding than a Wii. I already have an Xbox 360, PS2, Gamecube, DS, GBA...you name it. My gaming collection is huge.

Thing is, I really don't play that many games anymore, and when I do, I generally only play in short little blurbs. I know this is blasphemy to think around here, but I kinda feel stupid praticing Guitar Hero. But a real guitar...I'd see real improvment where I could do more than what the limitations of the game would let me.

What would you do in my shoes?

**Leitmotif** · Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 86

Get an Epiphone Gig Pack. The cheap Epiphone guitars are really good for the beginning guitarist. A gig pack should come with the guitar, a small 10-20 watt amp, a strap, and a case.

I've been playing guitar for 6 years and still bust out my old Epiphone every once in a while.

**Alakaiser** · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 4154 Location: Cambridge, MA

**Squirrel** · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 5:49 am Post subject:

**Alakaiser** · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 4154 Location: Cambridge, MA

**Shadow** · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 329

I'd still get an electric if I were you. Without an amp it's not as loud as an acoustic but it's still loud enough for you to hear it, and as your skill develop, you'll only need a better amp with effects and/or a pedal, so you could use it as an "acoustic"... I'm quite sure that you'll eventually start craving for more than 12 frets, too. ;P

**schzoidbaka** · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:25 am Post subject:

You should get an acoustic. They're teh beez-neez.

I started out with an acoustic, and it's a lot better. Since the strings aren't as soft as an electric, it's better for building much need callauses in your fingers. It also makes playing an electric easier when you switch.

I got a Yamaha acoustic bundle pack for half the price you're naming. It came the guitar (duh), softcase, learning book, learning dvd, extra strings, string winder, and a tuner. Oh and a guitar stand too.

Eletric acoutics are pretty rad. It's just an acoustic that you can plug in to an amp if you want, and my friend's one comes with a built in tuner. Pretty sweet if you ask me.

Besides, you cant properly bum money off the street by singing song with an electric guitar and amp.

(p.s. I used to play trumpet too!!)
_________________

"Good Lord, son, if your brain was a buffet, we’d all be starving."

**popemobile** · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 3879

I like my Alto Sax, thank you very much

**HylianHero** · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 4673 Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Haha, is it sad that I took the game's advice and got a Squire Strat pack for my birthday this year?

...No? Well, is it sad that the color of my guitar looks suspiciously like the SG controller?
_________________

-- My Kaizo Mario (savestate/rewind-less!) LP - through Level 3!

**schzoidbaka** · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:30 am Post subject:

maybe because every other "starter" electric, is the color black?
_________________

"Good Lord, son, if your brain was a buffet, we’d all be starving."

**HylianHero** · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 4673 Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Not necessarily. I could've gotten a red, blue, white (patriotism ftw!), or black one. Unfortunately, I wanted the white and they were out...I wanted the red and they were out...and my friend has a blue one, so I didn't wanna cramp his style.

I love my Squire though. I don't really play with the amp too often though...since I'm not terribly good at the guitar yet, and I don't wanna amplify suck.
_________________

-- My Kaizo Mario (savestate/rewind-less!) LP - through Level 3!

**Alakaiser** · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 4154 Location: Cambridge, MA

**schzoidbaka** · Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:30 pm Post subject:

**rabies** · Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:00 am Post subject:

**Alakaiser** · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 4154 Location: Cambridge, MA

*jots down notes for more good feedback for Yamaha*

Also, wanna hear something fucked up? There was a guy in my class who was an amazing trumpet player, but could only play with his retainer in. He got his braces off early in HS, but had to play with his retainer every single time he played. Ever. Soooo fucked up.