@Ohdang , that guitar is definitely a nice beginner choice. Outside of what other people have suggested, if you go to ultimate-guitar.com you can buy something called Guitar Pro which lets you slow down any song you want to learn while providing you with (sometimes) accurate tablature. I was a pretty shitty player for a bunch of years until I bought it about 3 years ago. I'm still not "good" by any means but I went from being "shitty" to "decent" in a quick period.
@Marcus what year is your LP? She looks like a beauty.
I am probably going to buy a used Orange Tiny Terror combo. They go for like $500, which is hella expensive, but I've really been saving. I played one awhile ago and have been saving ever since, lol.My LP is a 2014. Since it's a Studio it wasn't as expensive as a standard - cost me $1200 I think, as opposed to the $2K+ that you would spend for a Standard.
Unfortunately I don't really have a good amp to really take full advantage of its range of sound. Right now I'm either plugging my guitar into my Mac and using GarageBand or using an old Line 6 Spider and Line 6 pedal. Like you, I'm looking to upgrade my amp yesterday.
Would certainly love to get an Orange or Marshall combo amp when finances permit. I don't really need a separate amp head or cabinet or anything like that. Could also use a new pedal and a good wah pedal, as well.
How long have you been playing for? What kind of strings?
I am probably going to buy a used Orange Tiny Terror combo. They go for like $500, which is hella expensive, but I've really been saving. I played one awhile ago and have been saving ever since, lol.
I played from about 2006 until 2010. I took a "forced" break between 2010-2011 and resumed in mid-2011. I've been playing religiously since that point. You?
On my Firebird I use Ernie Ball 10s with an 11 on the low-E and on my telecaster I use 9s with a 10 on the high-E. You?
I've been looking at some tube combo amps, particularly just Orange or Marshall. Think I'd prefer a Marshall, although Orange might be a little more versatile.
That's about when I started, too. I've been playing on and off the last few years based on whether I am actually able to be at home or not (used to travel around a whole lot and couldn't bring a guitar with me, about to be in that same boat again soon). I taught myself in high school, but didn't pick up my first acoustic guitar (the Fender) until 2011.
On my LP I've been experimenting with different strings. I usually stick with 9's, but sometimes I use 10's. Right now I am using Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt 9's. They sound great and they feel great. They were $10 I think, but they are a great value for how much use you can get out of them.
On my Fender acoustic I use Elixir Lights (80/20 Bronze, .012 on the high E) with PolyWeb coating. They were pretty expensive ($16 a pack) but they last a super long time without losing their tone at all. They took a little getting used to because the coating made them somewhat slippery at first, but I've gotten used to them and they are great. The only issue I have is that I've noticed some of the coating visibly starting to come off. It doesn't really affect performance or sound, but it does look a little funny.
The Marshall JCM 800 combo is one of my dream amps, along with a variety of Mesa Boogies, but I can't find any used like I can with the Orange Tiny Terror, which is a fantastic amp in its own right.
I actually have a Baby Taylor acoustic, which is kind of a crappy sounding acoustic, but I can bring it everywhere I travel. Guitar has been there for me for two rough patches, hence why I do enjoy the acoustic.
I used EB Slinky 9s on my Telecaster for the longest time, but, now that I have started using different thicknesses they were too expensive. I like the D'addario nickel wound 9s as an alternative.
I use the exact same strings, haha. They are perfect for my use. I also re-string once every 2-3 months so the coating peeling does not bother me too much.
One of these days I am actually going to try and join a band again. My first experience was great (though, how much we were a band is debatable) but I realized towards the end I needed to improve. In all my high school glory this resulted in me all but quitting guitar. I started playing again in college when I could afford an amp and shortly sold both of my guitars (PRS SE Custom and Fender MIM HSS Strat), combined it with some leftover cash, and bought the Telecaster. I've played almost every day since.
@Ohdang what kind of guitar are you getting? Brand, model, etc.
This is the exact one I bought:
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_...&utm_medium=11051853&utm_term=VigLink-2470763
Won't be here for a few days though. I've already been reading up on justin guitar and had my first music reading lesson. I'm anxious to get started.
You're a lefty?
Not bad for a beginner guitar. Can't beat the price. Should be enough to tide you over long enough until you decide whether you want to get something a little more high end.
Yeah. If it weren't for being left handed I'd have probably learned a long time ago. I had plenty of access to right handed guitars and was told left handed guitars were too expensive to buy unless I was serious about playing, so I should just learn right handed. I tried and hated the way it felt.
Well, for $150 I got what seems to be a really good beginner guitar and rocksmith to help me learn a little. Pretty small investment and most importantly I won't be learning in a way that feels unnatural. Not too bad, I think.
I'm sure you are a great player. I also would agree that a lot of "tone" comes from the artist's fingers. But you are assuming all tools are the same. A Gibson Les Paul and Fender Strat sound totally different, regardless of the musician's talent.You guys are focusing on the tool rather than the artist and his composition.
My guitar is a joke and people pay me to play.
Your money though
Someone told you to switch hands? That's pretty ridiculous. You have to be comfortable while playing, too.