Starting Out

[icanryme2002]

I want to learn how to play guitar, thats the main thing. I've decided to post this in the Electric forum because thats what I've decided to start with (I have heard things about electrics having easier action (I read)). Anyway back to business I want to start playing guitar, It's always been a dream of mine. I have never been able to play an instrument with any skill. When I was 8 my parents bought me a shitty junior acoustic guitar, this thing was horrible, no matter how hard I tried I could never get it to work (worst action ever). Then a couple of weeks ago I found my aunts guitar, a Seagull 6, lo and behold I could actually play it.

This leads to my second point, I need a guitar. Now I'm kind of picky about this, I don't want a POS Walmart plywood piece of kindling that can't hold a tune. I want a guitar with a good reputation that wont cost me a fortune (less than $200), the guitar I get first doesn't even need to play. This is where it gets interesting, (If anyone who reads this has a guitar like what I'm talking about for sale in the GTA please contact me.) I want a project. Something that would be worth its while to repair, like redone paint, cracked wood and new electronics. I don't want to be a luthier but I want to make a guitar my own. I figure I can rebuild it over the summer and then when you can't cure epoxy all that well I will learn to play. Can anyone help me?

[Edutainment]

If you want a guitar and an amp for under $200, you're choices are fairly limited. I started with a Squier Strat which is $200 on it's own and there's a pack that comes with an amp. That's what I got. Forgot the price (check musiciansfriend.com) At rondoguitars.com they have some pretty cheap (under $150) guitars that I'm hearing good things about, haven't tried 'em though.

Some advice, practice. I got a guitar and gave up teaching myself, then didn't do anything about it for a while. Lessons help, as long as you practice. I'd suggest going to a site like ultimate-guitar.com (tab site) and searching for your favourite songs.

[shiva]

Just went through this, as I am pretty new as well.

Rondo is a good option, BUT... a lot more cost than the actual price. Shipping, customs, extra taxes etc can really add up. I worked it out that a 200 guitar can add roughly $150 on top of that with them, as they use only UPS.

Same with a lot of internet sites. Best bet is to deal with a Canadian dealer for a start. That way you don't have any surprises with extra costs like Custom clearance charges. Just make sure you get a quote on shipping.

I decided to do it the easy way with my Kid. I found a Ibanez Geo, new around 150 at a local dealer. Enough left over to get a cheap amp, a cord, and a cheap strap. $200 plus tax, and though it's not the greatest guitar on the planet, it's a decent guitar for the price, plays nicely, and is certainly a lot better than the packages you can find at department stores.

Certainly good enough if you want to get your feet wet, and see how much you like it. Some stores may give you a package price as well.

[icanryme2002]

rondoguitars.com looks to be squatted, and I want to try the refurbishing route.

[GTmaker]

When I was 8 my parents bought me a shitty junior acoustic guitar, this thing was horrible, no matter how hard I tried I could never get it to work (worst action ever).

As it often happens, history is about to repeat itself.

[icanryme2002]

As it often happens, history is about to repeat itself.

How so? ______

[GTmaker]

How so? ______

For under 200 dollars, you will get just what your hoping not to get.

Take your time....save up some cash and then get a decent playable guitar.
For the same reasons that you can buy 200 dollar guitars there are also thousand, two thousand and many thousand dollar guitars. You get what you pay for.

Maybe, just maybe, there will be that special garage sale where you'll find a vintage whatever that you can pick up for a song and dance , fixer up and you'll have braging rights for years to come.

Good luck and I hope you'll find what your looking for.

[Edutainment]

^^What he said. If you just save up a bit more, you can get a good Epiphone or Squier, or you can get a MIM (made in Mexico) Fender Telecaster or Stratocaster used on Craigslist for ~$300 ($500 new).

[dwagar]

if you have a friend that plays, that you can take with you to check out a guitar, watch the local ads, you'll find something in your price range.

as someone mentioned above, start with lessons. And practice, practice and more practice.