Guitar Beginner

[alanhayes]

I have just recently started playing the guitar, I am really enjoying it and want to buy an Electric Guitar, would it be a bad idea to buy one so early on in my guitar playing career or would it actually help further my skills?

[IndieSinger]

I would be inclined to say "wait a while", for the simple reason that you want a good electric guitar (else you'll curse yourself in the future). But if you were to buy a good one now and then you find out playing the guitar was a passing phase, you'll have wasted a lot of money. Don't forget to get the best out of a guitar you definitely need a decent amp. (�200 minimum if you're serious) and perhaps even an FX pedal (�100 minimum again for a decent one). Although you could sell it on for a bit less. Also, when you first start out, one could assume your knowledge of guitars is fairly basic. I'd reccommend getting to know a bit about guitars and if/when you do go to buy a new electric guitar, take someone who knows a lot about guitars! It's a lot of money to invest for something you're going to hate more and more as you get better and better.

Or if money isn't too much of an object for you, you could get an average electric guitar like a Fender Squire Stratocaster with a 10 watt amp., which won't be particularly expensive (but isn't a cheap department-store version either) and then if you get really good and really enjoy it, you can get another one. The standard colours are red, black and sunburst. But be careful you don't look for the fancy Fender Squire Stratocasters - same name, but about 6 times the price! They're usually the white or pale ones with like pearl finishes.

But beware! It's seriously addictive... And good luck whatever you decide to do :)

[alanhayes]

Thank you very much for all the info IndieSinger, it was good of you to take the time out to answer my question so thoroughly! I am totally sure (at the moment and I hope for ever) that I want to keep playing for a good long while so I think I might go for the guitar you have mentioned. Thank you again, and dont worry, I will take a mate of mine who is in a band when I go to buy it!!

[sft42]

As a guitar tutor and player of several years I would say that if you have an acoustic now then stick with it for a while yet till you can hold down at least a few tunes and have mastered the basics during which time you can be saving up for a better guitar.......I am assuming that you want an electric to play the style of music that you like listening to? If so then try just learning to play some songs you like on the acoustic first of all then transfer that knowledge to an electric later on......I have 14 guitars now and have collected them from loads of vaious sources and would recommend giving ebay a try as well as your local exchange and mart as there can be some good second hand bargains to be had when you do come to fork out the folding.

[BadBob]

alanhayes, I have an electric guitar that I don't want anymore. Its a pretty good one and I had all the electrics sorted out by a shop in denmark street not so long ago. It all depends where you live. I'm in Kent but I could bring it to London or somewhere not too far (I have friends and family around the country so I could fit it in with a visit). I'm part of the Karma Army and under the good friday agreement you can have it for free. If your interestd contact me via this site www.v60consulting.com