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Guitar input wanted

Discussion in 'TV, Music and Movies' started by daphins, Dec 28, 2008.

  1. daphins

    daphins A-Style

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    I've ALWAYS wanted to play guitar but never really had the chance growing up (If I had been pushy about it as a kid I'm sure I could have gotten it doen but we were poor and I played Saxaphone so I figured that was good enough). The itch got worse throughout college as i wanted my ex's brother and my cousin pick it up (without any real experience) and become pretty damn good players...they won't ever front a band but they can pull their guitars out and play the songs they really like which is all I want to do. This chirstmas I spent quite a lot of time trying to find a new axe for my cousin (mom was looking for a deal on a better guitar mid-level) and the itch just got more and more.

    Now that I'm finally employed and have some time on my hands I was thinking this would be a great chance to pick up a guitar. So I snuck down to the Guitar Center yesterday and stumbled upon what I was thinking is a great deal.

    I'm looking for a durable guitar that sounds good to learn on. I'd rather buy an economically friendly mid-level guitar now than buy a cheap *** one and have to buy one again in a few years. I'm hoping to learn some glam metal and classic rock. I was initially looking at an Epi-Les Paul knock off but they had a deal on a Gibson X-Plorer for $499. I put half down (it's 100% refundable) and they're shipping in wall guitar (that's all they had) for me to look at.

    It's a hell of a lot different than a Les Paul style but it's supposed to be a great guitar and from what I can tell it's an incredible price. What do y'all think? I'm not high on display merchandise but I've been told (from buddies) not to worry about it and that they'd never buy a guitar that they couldn't play first anyway. My biggest worry is the finish the faded color (not very pretty and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with it as far as upkeep goes.

    Any opinions from guitar players? Anyone have experience playing these guitars? Opinion's on the cheaper Gibson's or this finish? Here's a link to the actual guitar

    http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Faded-Explorer-Electric-Guitar-518648-i1397089.gc
     
  2. TJamesW_Phinfan

    TJamesW_Phinfan New Member

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    Go to a guitar shop to try a few diiferent models out. See what feels most comfortable. Does the explorer feel good standing and sitting? How does the neck feel to you when fingering a chord compared to others? Gibson is good but also consider Fender, Ibanez, Carvin and others. Also consider starting with an acoustic or getting both types at same time.

    Guitar is a lot of fun whether serious or a just for fun hobby. Good luck with your choice. :)
     
  3. anlgp

    anlgp ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A

    Feel is most important to you. If you're not comfortable while playing it you will not play well. Also, don't hang the guitar low from the strap just to look bad ***. It is much easier and I believe more technically correct to have the guitar in a certain position.. and that's not down past your knees. Play sitting first.

    Make sure it's not too heavy for you.

    I've never played an explorer so I can't tell you much there but I would recommend that when you practice you don't have distortion on. It can cover up your **** ups and make you sound like god on the guitar. That's awesome when you're jammin with yourself or others but when you practice keep it clean.
     
  4. Phinperor

    Phinperor formerly In_Flames Luxury Box

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    Nowadays I only own B.C. Rich & Ibanez guitars and basses, but the guys above are correct. Feel is the most important thing, especially when searching for your first guitar. If interested in the Explorer, try out the Jackson Kelly as well. I used to own one and really enjoyed it at the time. I also tried out the Explorer but felt that the Kelly just felt better for me.
     
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  5. GARDENHEAD

    GARDENHEAD Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The most important thing in selecting your first guitar is how cool you look playing it. I'm not joking. Guys play guitar to get girls. Period. If you wanna express yourself, write poetry. If you wanna get laid, learn to play guitar. It really does work like a charm.

    That Explorer is badass. Get it and don't look back. If you've never played guitar before, how will you know if it feels right? You won't. But you damn sure will know if you look cool.

    When I was 15 I bought an Epiphone Les Paul, because I wanted to be Jimmy Page. I didn't pull as many birds as him (of course), but it sure helped! You really can't go wrong with a classic guitar from Gibson or Fender.
     
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  6. Sceeto

    Sceeto Well-Known Member

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    How much did you pay for it? If you don't mind me asking. Sometimes you can get a vintage Gibson on ebay for around the same price as a new reissue. That way you get an incredible guitar as well as a great investment because those guitars appreciate big time. I got a great deal on a 1967-175. It's a jazz guitar. It's awesome! The thing is, with the vintage guitars, you have to be very careful with them. I would probably start with a cheaper Ibanez or something like that. My first guitar was an Ibanez 260 that I got for $240 bucks. I did eventually change the pick-ups to active EMGs for awhile. Try to get a guitar with good action.(when the strings aren't high above the fretboard, when they're low to the neck). This is very important!! As a beginner, if you get a cheap guitar with really high action, it can be very hard to play, even for a professional and thus will turn you off to playing because it will be far too uncomfortable to play. A good tip is to bring someone whom you trust and who knows guitars to the store with you and get their opinion.
     
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  7. unluckyluciano

    unluckyluciano For My Hero JetsSuck

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    can't go wrong with a fender strat....... just saying....
     
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  8. anlgp

    anlgp ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A

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  9. unluckyluciano

    unluckyluciano For My Hero JetsSuck

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    I have a strat thats why I say that :lol:

    In all honesty though the only problem I have with it is its harder to work on. I did have an ibanez which wasn't to bad and I have an acoustic metal string fender. MOstly yeah test out the guitars and see which ones you like. Me personally, I would buy a metal acoustic then sign up for lessons at the local community college and learn some classical first. But different strokes for different folks......
     
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  10. anlgp

    anlgp ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A

    I have a strat too :up:

    and a cyclone (sunburst which they don't make it in anymore IIRC)

    and an acoustic..

    I've never worked on my own guitar. any book or anything you could recommend?
     
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  11. Sceeto

    Sceeto Well-Known Member

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    There are many books and videos on that, but you have to have some old guitars to experiment on, for you definitely will butcher a few while learning. =)
    I have a couple of strats myself.
     
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  12. Sceeto

    Sceeto Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, but make sure it's an American made one. The others are junk. IMO. Ibanez aren't American, but they're ok, though those have gotten real expensive over the years. I don't play them, it was only my beginner guitar. Keep it American, just because they're much better quality.
     
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  13. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    For what its worth... I bought a cheap Ibanez off a friend of mine, thats what I started to use to learn on. It served pretty well for that purpose. I later went out and bought an acoustic, which I barely play. Followed by an Epiphone Les Paul. I didn't want to spend the money on the Gibson since Im not the greatest guitar player, I just play for fun, something to do, and because, like you said... you just want to be able to sit down and play some of the songs you know and love. Personally i LOVE the les paul. I love its look and its sound. If you like it, and want to save some cash, get the Epiphone version. Im definately not disappointed with mine. Well, maybe I am a bit. I got it in all black, I probably should have gotten it in the sunburst. I think If i remember correctly it was around 500 bucks or so a couple years ago when i bought it. '

    That being said, most important for you is to go to a guitar shop, sit down, and try out a few different models. Pick what feels right to play. Of course, youve got to enjoy what it looks like as well. You'll know by sitting there playing with it for a bit if its the right one for you or not.

    good luck! btw... a pic of my 3 is below if interested. The Ibanez, the acoustic and the les paul on the right...

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. daphins

    daphins A-Style

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    Thank you all for your input. I took my buddy from work (long time metal head who can make his guitar SCREAM) to look over it when I picked it up on Friday. It was as billed a brand new Gibson that had been on a wall. It has a natural finish (no lacquer) and looked AWESOME. When it was all said and done I paid $500.00 for it with a fitted hard shell case. I've been looking and can't find them for anything less than $799.00 and as much as $1100.00. Plinked on it a bit (still need to get an amp...any suggestions are welcome but I think I'm going to get a cheap peavey vypyr to learn on), my buddy played it and vowed that when he got a new guitar he'd get an explorer lol. He really loved it and couldn't stop saying how easy it was to play.
     
  15. DevilFin13

    DevilFin13 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I learned on a cheap Ephiphone. I still like to play it because I'm so used to it. I picked up my Charvel EVH the other day and it felt weird just because I'm so used to the Epiphone. I also have a Peavey Wolfgang that I really like. Both of my EVH guitars sound great and are pretty easy to play. I just don't like to put the wear and tear on them. I don't know what the "right" way to do it is. So I'd just go for the one you feel looks cool and is comfortable for you.

    This is the Charvel I'm talking about. Obviously I'm a big Van Halen fan.

    [​IMG]
     
  16. anlgp

    anlgp ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A

    I like the whole one knob thing. Very dick dale.

    What do you need other knobs for? Gimme a volume knob and that's it.
     
  17. DevilFin13

    DevilFin13 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I don't remember the whole logic behind Eddie just using the one pickup and therefore one knob. But yeah, I get great tone out of just that pickup and its cool to not have to worry about other knobs.
     
  18. Sceeto

    Sceeto Well-Known Member

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    Hey Bro! Growing up, I was a psycho, die hard VH fan. I practically worshiped Eddie. I had a lot of influences from many different kinds of music, but Eddie was the biggest one for rock.....cool! =)
     
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  19. funkdat

    funkdat New Member

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    Next time you buy one you should look into getting a Washburn.You can always find high end ones on line that are just as good if not better then Les Pauls.For around 500.00 or 600.00.

    I come from a family that has owned a music store for over 30 years on and off and we all think high end Washburns are better then any Gibson/Les pauls.

    Just so you know what i mean by high end..... i mean the Washburns that are made in there custom shop in Chicago and not the ones they have made overseas.

    Anyways if you get some time to kill go and try a custom shop Washburn and tell me what ya think of it.
     

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