- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Learning to play on a crappy guitar
Posted on 2/9/17 at 7:33 am
Posted on 2/9/17 at 7:33 am
I've been learning to play acoustic guitar for about a year now and was wondering if the cheap Johnson guitar that I have is hindering my ability to learn.
I've heard that some guitars are easier to learn on than others.
I've heard that some guitars are easier to learn on than others.
6
Posted on 2/9/17 at 7:45 am to NatalbanyTigerFan
quote:
I've been learning to play acoustic guitar for about a year now and was wondering if the cheap Johnson guitar that I have is hindering my ability to learn.
I've heard that some guitars are easier to learn on than others.
It really depends on the cheap guitar. A guitar's action isn't dictated by cost. A more expensive guitar will probably sound better, but it won't necessarily be easier to play. Scale length and neck dimensions probably have more to do with it than anything.
That said, I learned on a super cheap guitar that I still keep as my standard tuning guitar for when that itch hits me. It's also easier to pick up because I don't worry about keeping it in a case.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 10:55 am to Jester
Have a good friend who's a luthier and he had to do some work on the guitar to bring the action down.
I still have the habit of mashing the strings down super hard to get the tone Im looking for.
I still have the habit of mashing the strings down super hard to get the tone Im looking for.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 11:25 am to NatalbanyTigerFan
My first acoustic guitar was cheap-cheap. Played it for 3 or 4 years, even played some gigs with it.
The cost of the guitar will not slow you down from learning. If anything, its a mental game you are playing with yourself thinking you need an expensive guitar.
Good action and keep the strings clean/new and you will be fine.
The cost of the guitar will not slow you down from learning. If anything, its a mental game you are playing with yourself thinking you need an expensive guitar.
Good action and keep the strings clean/new and you will be fine.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 12:00 pm to NatalbanyTigerFan
quote:
I've heard that some guitars are easier to learn on than others.
They absolutely are.
The question is how much are you willing to spend?
I've taught guitar lessons for 7 years - 2 years full time. You have to have a guitar that is going to sound good when you play it correctly or you'll get burned out. Never fails, and I'm pretty up front with people nowadays when they come in with a piece of crap.
Maybe a luthier can help you out, but I usually recommend spending a few hundred on a guitar if you're serious about learning. If it's the typical ~$80 Johnson student guitar, then I would definitely suggest upgrading.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 12:13 pm to StringedInstruments
I ended up "giving" my son my Alvarez. Trying to find him something for what I thought a beginner kid guitar was impossible.
One is basically a toy. The other is impossible to keep in tune and I fear the bridge flying off every time I tune it.
I even had to put classical strings on it. I could not get steel strings to tune to pitch on the thing.
One is basically a toy. The other is impossible to keep in tune and I fear the bridge flying off every time I tune it.
I even had to put classical strings on it. I could not get steel strings to tune to pitch on the thing.
Posted on 2/9/17 at 12:58 pm to StringedInstruments
It's a Johnson JG 620 S
Pretty cheap....probably why it was given to me free
Pretty cheap....probably why it was given to me free
Posted on 2/9/17 at 1:07 pm to NatalbanyTigerFan
I can only speak from my experience but I had access to my brother's old Gibson when I was a kid and as frustrating as it is to learn to play guitar, I probably would have given up if I had to struggle with a cheapie guitar in those early years.
Posted on 2/10/17 at 2:12 pm to NatalbanyTigerFan
Buying crappy guitars makes no sense these days. There are very solid, giggable instruments available in the $200-300 range, especially used. And if you buy used you can probably get 90% of your money back if you decide it's not for you. Whereas instruments in the $100 range are toys or worse, and you can't give them away when you're done.
Posted on 2/10/17 at 11:34 pm to Cold Cous Cous
quote:
There are very solid, giggable instruments available in the $200-300 range
I got a steal of a deal on a lightly used Yamaha for $200 bucks a few years ago. I got it professionally set up and it plays better than most high end guitars I've gotten my hands on.
The best piece of advice that I could give you is that if you have your current guitar set up and still find the guitar to be unplayable, then look to upgrade. You can find quality instruments that can be "upgraded" for much less than you think.
Posted on 2/11/17 at 4:45 am to NatalbanyTigerFan
I learned on a $150 Abiline.
I did take it to a guitar shop and they adjusted the Bridge to lower the strings.
It took time.
I probably got more committed to getting better when I got a better guitar.
I did take it to a guitar shop and they adjusted the Bridge to lower the strings.
It took time.
I probably got more committed to getting better when I got a better guitar.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News