My Monthly Guitar Question

[Sleeping in EQ]

Fantastic guitars, Shaka.

[Shaka]

Fantastic guitars, Shaka.

Thanks. I discovered a run when I as sanding away the orange peel. It looks like I'll be respraying the back starting with the basecoat. In other news I've got a body and neck coming from USA Custom Guitars next week. They have a long lead time so I forgot I ordered them. I'm going to build a replica of The Edge signature model strat only it's going to have an LR Baggs X-Bridge trem in it. The X-Bridge has piezo's buried in each saddle so you can get sort of make it sound like an acoustic. Mostly I combine the electric and piezo pickups to achieve articulation in ambient sounds.

Also I ran into a supplier that has a line on cheap necks and bodies. I ended up purchasing four necks to see if they were decent and a couple of the bodies. Surprisingly the necks have some fret issues (just like the necks on every Gibson and Fender I've ever purchased) but no other problems. I'm going to do a fret level/dress on the necks, plug them into the bodies, and sell them as student guitars. Most likely they will be comparable to a Standard Mexi Strat for $150 less. We will see if they are up to snuff when I get put together.

It's more fun to actually build the necks and bodies so I'll be doing three or more Teles over the winter.

[Walter Sobchak]

We got our son a bass guitar and amp for Xmas.

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Wife wanted to buy lessons also, but son says he'll just learn on YouTube... which is OK I guess?

[hostile]

We got our son a bass guitar and amp for Xmas.

[ATTACH]8430[/ATTACH]

Wife wanted to buy lessons also, but son says he'll just learn on YouTube... which is OK I guess?

Dude. Sid Vicious never took lessons.

[Shaka]

We got our son a bass guitar and amp for Xmas.

[ATTACH]8430[/ATTACH]

Wife wanted to buy lessons also, but son says he'll just learn on YouTube... which is OK I guess?

It's a great way to learn.

[old_gregg]

Dude. Sid Vicious never took lessons.

true. he also couldn’t play the bass.

[Moliere]

Picked up a Yamaha fgx800c for my Xmas gift this year. I got a cheap Takamine 20 years ago from my mom and only played it on and off u til around 3 years ago when I bought a guitar stand. Now it sits in the front room and I end up playing it a lot since it’s accessible. The action is really high on it and it has always been difficult to play, especially barring. I finally decided to get a better guitar. I’m a big hack on the guitar so I don’t need anything nice and the Yamaha was a great guitar at only $299.

Now my home will be filled with more Oasis, Radiohead and Beautiful South music.

[Commando]

We got our son a bass guitar and amp for Xmas.

[ATTACH]8430[/ATTACH]

Wife wanted to buy lessons also, but son says he'll just learn on YouTube... which is OK I guess?

What's more important is the time he puts in of actual practice. Daily practice is crucial- not just once in a while; daily. If he picks it up every day- even for 10 minutes- he'll be progressing. Muscle memory development is the essence of learning an instrument and you can't get that without daily sustained practice. The rule of thumb is that any musician worth his salt practices for 4 hours a day.

[Commando]

Picked up a Yamaha fgx800c for my Xmas gift this year. I got a cheap Takamine 20 years ago from my mom and only played it on and off u til around 3 years ago when I bought a guitar stand. Now it sits in the front room and I end up playing it a lot since it’s accessible. The action is really high on it and it has always been difficult to play, especially barring. I finally decided to get a better guitar. I’m a big hack on the guitar so I don’t need anything nice and the Yamaha was a great guitar at only $299.

Now my home will be filled with more Oasis, Radiohead and Beautiful South music.

Yamaha FG series is fantastic. That was my first guitar and, while not my easiest, most playable guitar, it has probably the best resonant sound.

[Sleeping in EQ]

What are the best ways to store guitars?

I've been told that it's not good to leave them vertically, in stage stands, both for stress on the neck and for dust.

I've been told it's best to store them in their cases and horizontally.

I'm thinking about shelves, so that they're not taking up half of my loft.

[Joe Public]

My 11-year-old wants a guitar for Christmas. She has never played, but she will be taking lessons come January. Does anyone have any recommendations on a first guitar for someone her age? I don't know anything about guitars. We'd like to get decent quality (for a first guitar for someone who may or may not stick with it).

[USUC]

My 11-year-old wants a guitar for Christmas. She has never played, but she will be taking lessons come January. Does anyone have any recommendations on a first guitar for someone her age? I don't know anything about guitars. We'd like to get decent quality (for a first guitar for someone who may or may not stick with it).

I'm not an expert on acoustic guitars, which is usually the first guitar people learn to play on, but I would suggest going used with an intermediate level guitar.

From my experience, the most important thing to a first guitar is the ability to easily stay in tune. My first guitar was a cheapo that rarely stayed in tune past a few strums. I didn't know any better and neither did my parents. I almost quit several times out of frustration because I just thought I was a terrible player. It wasn't until I played a good guitar that I figured it out.

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[Sleeping in EQ]

My 11-year-old wants a guitar for Christmas. She has never played, but she will be taking lessons come January. Does anyone have any recommendations on a first guitar for someone her age? I don't know anything about guitars. We'd like to get decent quality (for a first guitar for someone who may or may not stick with it).

My recommendation is to take your 11-year-old and try a number of guitars. The way a guitar fits a player's hands can make the difference between someone staying with guitar, and someone who puts a guitar away forever in a few months.

A coupon under the Christmas tree is a good idea, as guitars are cheaper in January.

[Joe Public]

Thank you, gents. Are there any particular brands to seek or avoid? Should I trust the local school band instrument supplier, Guitar Center, someplace else?

[USUC]

Thank you, gents. Are there any particular brands to seek or avoid? Should I trust the local school band instrument supplier, Guitar Center, someplace else?

Is Shaka still around? He would be the best person to ask. What price range are you hoping for?

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