slow_fingers Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hello everyone! A new member to the forum here, as well as a new player of the guitar. I started playing in Feb this year due to the fact that I got my first child in Jan and have to spend a lot of time at home. So I decided to learn to play. Since I am somewhat musically inclined, I think I have picked up the concept of playing rather quick (although I do not claim to be good). A couple questions: 1. Due to an impulse purchase and cheap price, I bought a Squire Affinity Strat package with small amp. I am now looking to trade it in for something new or used in the $300-$500 range. What would you get? 2. I read a post that talked about PC software which will slow down a song and keep it in tune. Doeas anyone have any names? 3.I read a lot of terminology that I have no clue as to what is being said. Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch Jay also, I do a lot of research on my own. What are some good web sites to check out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbrock1san.rr.com Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 I would probably upgrade the amp first. The Squire is fine for learning and through a decent amp most experienced guitarists could make it sound like a million dollars. Someday, you want to upgrade but you won't get BOTH a good guitar and amp for $300-500. I recommend a real tube amp with both preamp and power amp tubes. Fender Blues Jr. $400 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe $450-500 Peavey Classic 30 $400 Used Marshall combo Vox I'm not an expert on amps and what is currently on the market, but I do know what sounds good and there are some very nice amps out there that will serve you well. I also recommend a tuner if you don't already have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael saulnier Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 SlowFingers... Did you see this thread? EEK! AAAAK! ARRRRGGGG!!! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=002414 Maybe one of my toys would be the ticket for you? guitplayer I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael saulnier Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 Jay, Just to show you I'm not just a mercenary spammer... Here's some answers to your questions.... 1. Due to an impulse purchase and cheap price, I bought a Squire Affinity Strat package with small amp. I am now looking to trade it in for something new or used in the $300-$500 range. What would you get? There are a lot of decent guitars in your price range... some of the choices are more suited toward different styles of music... for example Rock / Heavy players like Ibanez's, ESP's, Jackson's, Korean Hamer's, Korean PRS's and others... For more blues/jazz players, you could pick from other strats like a Jimmy Vaughn, a used American Standard strat or Tele, Hamer Echotone, or used Epi Joe Pass... just to name a few. To paraphrase one the "old timers" here Tedster... If you aren't an experienced guitar shopper, take someone with you who is... they can help you understand more about what you're comparing, better judge feel and sound, and probably have a good idea if something's a good deal. It's also useful to listen while they play and tell if YOU like the sound. But in the end, buy a guitar because it feels right or "talks" to YOU. Even if that means that you disagree with the sales guy, your friend, or whoever... if you dig it... buy it. 2. I read a post that talked about PC software which will slow down a song and keep it in tune. Doeas anyone have any names?I've seen a number of multi-effects units that have this feature... I know some of the Digitech ones do... not sure if they have software versions... 3.I read a lot of terminology that I have no clue as to what is being said. Any suggestions?If you haven't been to www.harmonycentral.com you should check out their on-line content and links. The boards are a bit more juvi and flame oriented there, but they have a HUGE amount of player product reviews, a very complete listing of all sorts of products, links to many other sites, and they're a great "jumping-off" point for a lot of the music stuff on the web. One note about the reviews on HC, take them with a grain of salt. Many people give their new toys "10's" across the board... without really putting it on a scale that represents all other choices... go look at reviews of something you own and have opinions about... and see if what you see is similar to what you think... Good Luck and welcome again to one of the BEST and coolest musician places on the net. guitplayer I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAPetrarca Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 When I read the HC reviews, I usually throw out all the 10's across the just because nothing's perfect and the reviewer is probably still having a honeymoon with it. Then I'll usually throw out all the 1's across the board just because I doubt something could be that bad and in the reviewers mind, they're comparing it to something out of the same league. I've found that leaves me with a fairly good assessment of what to expect. If it ends up exceeding your expectations then you scored. If it falls short, you won't have been expecting a 10 and ending up with a 1. Make sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingerstyle_Jim Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 On the research side I'll assume you mean playing tips and info online, hear's a good site, all free: http://www.wholenote.com They also have info on gear, Jim http://www.jimgraham.ca My SoundClick Page My New Music Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Wing Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 Originally posted by slow_fingers: I read a lot of terminology that I have no clue as to what is being said.Join the crowd. The only thing I understand are the motorcycle analogies! There are two theories about arguing with a woman. Neither one works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 Originally posted by gatorwing: Join the crowd. The only thing I understand are the motorcycle analogies!Huh. 'At's doin' good. I don't unnerstan' nuthin'. Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 Slow_fingers Welcome. This is a fun place. Don`t worry about the terminology. The important thing to keep in mind is that frabulated dissonance increases in the etheric plane as the distance from your fingers to the pickup surface increases in increments of root squares. See? pretty soon you`ll be washing down double espressos with single malt like the rest of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 Welcome Slow Fingers. I'll just add that if you can find one used, a Mesa Studio Caliber is a great, all tube small amp that will work great for practicing all the way to gigging. They sold new for around six bills so they would be less used. Another consideration for upgrading might be new pickups for your guitar. If your neck feels good but the guitar just doesn't have enough 'balls' to it's sound, that might be the ticket. Good Luck! -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 Originally posted by guitplayer: To paraphrase one the "old timers" here Tedster... If you aren't an experienced guitar shopper, take someone with you who is... they can help you understand more about what you're comparing, better judge feel and sound, and probably have a good idea if something's a good deal. It's also useful to listen while they play and tell if YOU like the sound. Old timer!?!?! You callin' me an old timer? 'Scuse me, while I find my bifocals. Where'd I put my teeth? Dadburnit, ran outta Geritol, too. Why, sonny, in my day, we had respect for our elders!!! Seriously, though, welcome aboard, and Guit is absitively right. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboDog Posted July 12, 2002 Share Posted July 12, 2002 I love giving new players advice, but it seems these bastards always beat me to the punch. Guitplayer is dead on. Grab a nice used tube amp. We can help you figure which ones to look for if you give us a budget and the style of music you will most likely play. Ditto with a guitar. When you settle in some more, look for a nice used guitar. We can help there as well. And, there are many teachers on this site. We'll be glad to give you material to work on. Don't be afraid to ask about terminology. You gotta learn it somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slow_fingers Posted July 13, 2002 Author Share Posted July 13, 2002 Originally posted by TurboDog: I love giving new players advice, but it seems these bastards always beat me to the punch. Guitplayer is dead on. Grab a nice used tube amp. We can help you figure which ones to look for if you give us a budget and the style of music you will most likely play. Ditto with a guitar. When you settle in some more, look for a nice used guitar. We can help there as well. And, there are many teachers on this site. We'll be glad to give you material to work on. Don't be afraid to ask about terminology. You gotta learn it somewhere.Ok, thanks...so if you would, give me something to work on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael saulnier Posted July 13, 2002 Share Posted July 13, 2002 OK, It would help to have a bit of a starting point... - Know all the "cowboy chords"? Meaning open chords at the head end of the neck... E, A, G, D, C, F, Am, Em, Dm... Can you jump from one to another in time... Practice till you can. Try some three chord rhythms like E, A, D and G, D, C and C, F, G and A, D, G and some 4 chord ones like Am, C, G, D or Em, G, D, C or D, G, C, F or Dm, Am, C, G Make some up your self... Play these progressions backwards and forwards... Try two strums per chord, then one, then three... vary the speed of your strumming, and try fingerpicking as well... As you get used to jumping, you'll start burning in the sounds of these chords, and the shapes of them... Plus you'll probably start to detect some songs within them... But the first step is to get some dexterity to the point that you can switch with accuracy and timing... How's that for your first free lesson? guitplayer I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted July 13, 2002 Share Posted July 13, 2002 Bravissimo, Guit!!! "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitefang Posted July 15, 2002 Share Posted July 15, 2002 Some 20 years ago, while shopping for a good, new sound system, I listened to scads of familiar, top-name brands and was piqued at the fact that they projected what I considered sub-standard bass response. Mentioning this to a salesman, I recieved the reply "Well, that's the big thing now! People are looking for more headroom. Crisper highs. Bass isn't that important right now." Good thing that's changed! But what on Earth does this have to do with buying a guitar? I feel that ANY market is corrupted with companies doing their damnedest to push some recent "trend" concerning whatever it is they sell. Guitars are no different. As for my forementioned dilimna? I stuck to my guns and bought a system that sounded just like I wanted. You should try the same while guitar shopping. Figure out just what you want from an axe, and don't deviate on the say-so of a salesman that pushes some designer based crap to clear the stockroom. You said you're starting a family, so what you buy will have to suit you for many a year. Kids make it difficult to fritter away hard earned $$ buying new instruments every other year just to keep up with "the latest trend" in gear! Oh, yes! By the way....welcome to the forum! Whitefang I started out with NOTHING...and I still have most of it left! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_Frenchie Posted July 17, 2002 Share Posted July 17, 2002 2. I read a post that talked about PC software which will slow down a song and keep it in tune. Doeas anyone have any names? Hi, As a newbie myself, I just can help with the slow down software : there a free solution : - Use Winamp and one of their plug-in (that may not be the best audio quality you've heard, but if your goal is to slow down to pick-up what other guitarists play, it fits the bill ...) Hope this helps. Stan Love + Learning + Music = LIFE !!! (some money welcomed as well ...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrave Posted July 17, 2002 Share Posted July 17, 2002 Check out this one... Slowblast It's available by itself or included in some of their other product packages. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ME: "Nobody knows the troubles I've seen!" Unknown Voice: "The Shadow do!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcerq Posted July 18, 2002 Share Posted July 18, 2002 for slowing down music I think this is THE app: http://www.ronimusic.com/amsldowin.htm Loads of features (up to 400% slow down without chaning the pitch!) and very easy. Also allows you to load mp3's and CD tracks... Also try searching Kazaa for other software Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slow_fingers Posted July 18, 2002 Author Share Posted July 18, 2002 Thanks a bunch for all the info, and for the welcome mat! So what is a "tube" amp,and what is the difference between amps? And what are the pros and cons of the different styles of necks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_Frenchie Posted July 19, 2002 Share Posted July 19, 2002 Thanks a bunch for all the info, and for the welcome mat! So what is a "tube" amp,and what is the difference between amps? And what are the pros and cons of the different styles of necks? For tube amp read myles111 posts, you'll learn a lot (but as he is biased (pun intended) toward tube amps, listen by yourself to different amps and pick the one YOU like, be it a transistor amp). For necks first thing : you must like the shape of it (you'll know when you will think that you play easier and faster on one neck). Now some "general/generic" infos (mean that there are many exceptions ...), - thick necks usually bring more sustain, - set necks (glued in not bolted on) usually bring more sutain as well the better being neck thru body (that is the neck is the center part of the body as well with wings glued on to obtain o complete guitar), - neck wood is important maple necks tend to sound brighter, mahogany fuller, - necks made of one piece of wood tend to warp more easily, - fingerboard wood : maple tends to sound brighter, rosewood fuller, ebony in between, - fingerboard shape : the flatter the faster for soloing (but can be more tiring for rythm work), - frets : the finer the more accurate the tuning can be, larger one are usually better for string bending, taller frets seem to improve both clarity and sustain. These are just general guidelines ... except for the "YOU must feel at home with YOUR neck", there are in no way carved in stone. Hope this helps. Stan. Love + Learning + Music = LIFE !!! (some money welcomed as well ...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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