Need Music help
 

I wana get my wife a guitar for her birhtday. Money is no object. . Shes never played. But its her dream. But I love her and her dream is my dream.

So. I come to the people I trust? GIM

Anyone know where to buy a guitar on line or phone order to send to another state, shes away working for now. Shes studieng biology in Alaska , so I have to ship it, as Im not going soon.

And what teaching manuals etc. shes never played an instrument.

What to buy, etc......... How does one learn the guitar by themselves in Alaska?

I need answers, Birthday is april 20th, so I have time.

Peace Out.................


And I say silver to her and she says go for it. F' in A

JDROCKINFELLER; I love that handle you there?

Serious request folks Thanks...........Conner

Re: Need Music help
 

Acoustic guitar , not electric.

Silver 11$by friday? hum , i hope . sob, it will be 20 30 and well feel use to it,

Good luck from your buddy Conner

Re: Need Music help
 

Try musiciansfriend.com I have been happy with them. Great prices and ship promptly. If money is no object Takamimi (sp) makes one of the nicest acoustics I've heard. There are lessons on DVD available there as well.

Rock On
Prag

Re: Need Music help
 

Money no object...Martin or Taylor acustic...great guitars...hold their value and beautiful sound...

http://www.mguitar.com/dealers/dealers.php

http://www.taylorguitars.com/

http://www.samedaymusic.com

Also seems to me ernie ball's books on music are good for beginners:rock:

Re: Need Music help
 

I can't tell you where to buy, but I agree with the acoustic.

No matter how much you are willing to put into it, I suggest putting about 1,000 to 1400 into a Washburn acoustic or siomething similar at this point. Peoples hands are different sizes and this can play into it also, if she has small hands be sure to get something with a smaller neck - necks/ brands vary with the brand/model.

No matter what the budget now, I suggest not going over it at this point. If she gets further into it, she will have her own preferences for what she wants and the extra money would likely be a waste at this time.

Washburn are well made, good value for the money, and have good necks on them. Martin of courrse are a classic standard. While I love the tone of a Martin, I have never quite liked their necks. The neck someone likes often is determined by their hand type.

The Washburn is what I would buy for myself if I were to get one at this point in time. I am a former bass player from decades ago _grin_ and have had various guitars over the years.

The last time I looked, it was not easy to find guitars at a discount on the internet, you might be better served by buying from a local dealer and having it drop shipped.

There are a number of books, I suggest you get some books that teach chords, and chord structure.

Mel Bay books have been around forever, I don't remember seeing anything I liked better for beginners.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087...lance&n=283155

Get her the basic chord book,

And the complete method for modern guitar
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087...lance&n=283155

Those ought to be sufficient to get her started.

I suggest that if she cannot find a volunteer tutor for free - that you pay for lessons also.

Even with the books, someone has to show you how to hold your hands, arm, wrists, etc. and show you some basics - at least it will be a lot easier.

As mentioned before, people have different sizes/types of hands and this plays into how different people will actually form the chords different at times, so another knowledgeable person showing/helping will make a difference. Often another enthusiast will volunteer to help at no charge in order to have someone else to play with _grin_

She can get chord charts/lyrics off the internet, for things she likes to sing.

IMHO, one of the most important things is to get them playing stuff they like early - whatever that may be.

While I haven't kept up in years - the basics remain the same _big grin_

Re: Need Music help
 

Thanks folks. I appreciate it. Ive been doing research and Gim helps me put a perspective on things. Thanks again. I never paid much attention before , but I think theres a music guy in the county, ;Ill look.


And by the way ; I made a bet with her; she bet 11$ price of silver by friday and I bet against , .. " Me the dont bettor." lol

Ive been burned so many times this silver bull is just f'in amazing, fouk, we could watch this shoot up to 18$, and then watch the fireworks!!!!!!

Went to wallmart and bought a coleman stanley! Brand fnin new, in the box; 23$. Adjusted for inflation: I paid less than the 1988 price. Better f--kin the goods in the world now before they get us huh? Its comin to an end! Ya gota go sometime so why worry about it! Peace

Re: Need Music help
 

Thanks AU-AG, Thanks for the washburn link .

AJrocks:Thanks great info.


Preciate it Prag, gonna read up on that one tonight.

I want to give her the best chance of being succesful ,

Thanks again folks. PEACE , CONNER

Re: Need Music help
 

really like the Takamini - used to have one - it was small and almost a 7/8 size - but really just a standard size and not a jumbo. Had a great tone and a nice neck - the neck was a little small for me - finally sold it because arthritis in my fingers started bothering me when I was playing.

The overall small size made it real easy to just sit at home and play with - larger boxes can be a little uncomfortable if you're sitting for hours at a time

Probably should have kept it, might have been better with the exercise_grin_

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/home/...itar&src=00630

Re: Need Music help
 

The Japanese really do make some nice guitars. Like everything else they make in mass, they learned from the best. Us.

With the value of the Dollar over the Yen right now you get a LOT for the money. I have Japanese made, B.C. Rich, 6 string and Bass guitars. Unbelievably low price for the quality over American made. I would have paid three times as much for similar guitars with a "made in the U.S.A." sticker.

If you must buy American, the Ovation has a nice sound and is very comfortable. Their B Line is the Applause and is very affordable.

Ask serious players about the Takamini. They will confirm my praise.

Prag

Re: Need Music help
 

Oh forgot to tell you, when it comes to guitars and opinions everyone's got one too:musicus:...my self I finally got my Dad's 52 guild Acustic, not even the 2-3,000 martin's and taylors compare to the feeling and the tone of this...by the way guild is foriegn now, don't like them...

But you are welcome for the advice:coolbeer:

Re: Need Music help
 

How do you learn in Alaska? Same as you do anywhere else. Find someone to show you what they know. Go to bars and watch the guitar player (electric or acoustic). Also, you can go online and there are many DVD/VHS instructional videos available. Check out Sugarhill recording http://www.sugarhillstudios.com/ I think they represent a good number of players who also have videos. You may have to poke around there to find them.

Buying an instrument is a 'personal' thing. If it were me buying, and I've played for 35 years - I now play fiddle - I would seriously consider a Collings from Texas. http://www.collingsguitars.com/ My guitar player has two. Sure Martins and Taylors are good guitars, but Collings hand makes theirs. They will make one to your specifications too. For example, my guitar player had them create a Dreadnaught with Rosewood back and sides with an Adarondack spruce top. $4000. A very impressive instrument. You can also get mahogany back and sides. The former is 'bell-like' in sound and projects forward. The latter is good sounding and projects in a 360 pattern.

Try to get a real wood instrument, i.e., not plywood back and sides (or top even). Ebony fingerboard - lasts the longest.

Does she finger pick? Then try a smaller folk series or the 0018 series. Like I said, this is a personal thing.

Next is do you buy one that is brand new, or used? Some times the used cost more than the new.

PM me and I'll help you any way I can. Check out my band www.ceolceili.com
GH

Re: Need Music help
 

I have a Ovation, Fender 12 string, Yamaki (20 year old favorite), Guild......I wish I had a Taylor:rock:

Re: Need Music help
 

Get something in-between re costs. When she starts to observe the limitations of the device then she'll most probably know what she wants next.

Hand-size is an important parameter.

Also get "The Guitar Handbook" by Ralph Denyer. A good intro.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/067...Fencoding=UTF8

Another good one is

"The New Complete Guitarist" by Richard Chapman and Les Paul
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/078...Fencoding=UTF8


I only have "The Complete Guitarist", an older copy, but this one should be good as well.

Good luck.

Golden Regards
Uncle

Re: Need Music help
 

Taylors are wonderful, but they do require more care as to humidity, temperature, etc.

A good Takamine will take more just left out on the stand use and still sound good.

If you have a friend who plays ... guitars are one of a kind, even factory guitars. You get the best if someone who plays well tries out the exact one. But, few Taylors are not good. Fine instruments! Ditto higher grade Takamines. They vary, but you won't get a dog.

Set up and strings matter too. If you can get it set up, and those long lifestrings put on it, elixir, it will save her having to change strings all the time or suffer major reduction in quality of sound. Beginners generally hate changing strings.

Re: Need Music help
 

Agree on the humidity/temperature changes. An 'all wood' vs plywood guitar is subject to various afflictions with regard to climate changes.

Best to start her out on something less expensive, but not less than say $800. The quality will be lacking and you won't get a return on it when you trade up - or, if she decides she's not interested anymore you can sell it for what you got into it. Martin has one at about $800. Martin keeps its value.

Also, ask her what style of music is her fancy. If she likes and wants to learn classical, then you need to look at a Classical style guitar. They don't have steel strings (nylon) and they are easier to play. The main complaint from new learners is that the strings hurt their fingers. That's because they have not built up calouses yet. If they get past the sore finger issue, then its smooth sailing - 'cept for the learning.

Then you have onboard pickups...

Just like cars, they all have 4 wheels and drive the same. BUT they all have varying degrees of quality. FWIW

Re: Need Music help
 

I want to thank am/pm, au-ag, prag and rich and Goldhedge and the other s , on helping me find a guitar for my wife that wants to learn guitar. Its her birthday this month.

I went with the Seagull S-6 Origional accustic , and I used Musicbuy. I got her the guitar and a free hard case and instruct. cd, for under $400.00.

GIM what a great group.

Thankyou, PEACE OUT! CONNER

Re: Need Music help
 

Re: Need Music help
 

how'd that $11 bet go??

Re: Need Music help
 

Travis ? Howd you know?

Re: Need Music help
 

Well I lost it, then we double or nothin to 11.25, she won that one too, now were doubling or nothing again for a 12.00 price by close tomorow.

Ill probably lose that one too, oh well LOL