[JacquesP]

Hey folks!

As I was browsing the web in search of a good guitar forum, with Canadian content, I came across what seems to be the best around: right here!

Anyway, a bit of "old" history:
Played guitar in a few "garage" bands which ultimately lead to some gigs which paid just enough to pay the rent.
Went back to school and the guitars were, unfortunately, neglected for years.
Recently decided to get back to playing (or should I say "practicing") and realized that my skills have been lost, for the most part. Heck! I am even having a hard time to find the proper chords, and that's besides having very sore fingertips again! (Feels like I'm back to 1969 ... Yeah , I am that old).
Then again, I'm getting back to it and it will only get better.

Had a Les Paul back in 1974 and a beat up Fender Jaguar ... sold that to pay for school. (regrets now).
I still have basic instruments: an acoustic Ibanez 12 strings (1973), an acoustic Norman B30 (1984) and a rather recent Ibanez electric (2007) which I don't really like. I will likely get rid of the electric Ibanez.

The main reason I am here today is to get some advice with this:

I have small hands/fingers and looking to buy "something" electric which would make my guitar playing life easier. The electric Ibanez ... too large, frets to large, action is "OK" but certainly not what I would like it to be.
So I'm thinking of going back to a Fender Jaguar -- which I just loved back then -- (more so than the Les Paul).
I'm sure some players here have similar physical "restrictions" with their hands/fingers being too small (that's DNA ... nothing I can do about it).
What are you people using?
Any suggestion(s).
I want a very easy action, smaller fret size and a great sound electric guitar and, at my age, the price doesn't matter.

Well, that is it for today and I am looking forward to reading some replies.

Cheers!

JP

 

[Mooh]

Hi

 

[rhh7]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[greco]

I have small hands/fingers and looking to buy "something" electric which would make my guitar playing life easier. The electric Ibanez ... too large, frets to large, action is "OK" but certainly not what I would like it to be.
So I'm thinking of going back to a Fender Jaguar -- which I just loved back then -- (more so than the Les Paul).
I'm sure some players here have similar physical "restrictions" with their hands/fingers being too small (that's DNA ... nothing I can do about it).
What are you people using?
Any suggestion(s).
I want a very easy action, smaller fret size and a great sound electric guitar and, at my age, the price doesn't matter.

Well, that is it for today and I am looking forward to reading some replies.

Welcome to the forum JP!

I hope you enjoy being here and becoming part of our "community"

We are probably similar in age.

In general, I think you will find an electric guitar much easier on your fretting hand and much more "enjoyable" from a playing perspective as it is easier to employ many techniques, has a lot more sustain and a huge tonal palette. The acoustic purists are now going to be after my hide...LOL


As far as guitars are concerned, it is mainly a case of doing some shopping and trying anything that appeals to you. Rinse and repeat.

What are you people using?

People are using everything!

Sometimes it is helpful to eventually determine if you tend to prefer single coil, P90 or humbucker pickups.

Please remember that the amp is at least 60% of the equation with an electric guitar and this has to be part of "the price doesn't matter".
Do you have an amp now?
Do you like it?

Realistically, what is you budget for a guitar and amp?
Are you comfortable buying used? This can save you a lot of money while opening doors to spectacular guitars and amps.

What type(s) of music do you want to play?
Most guitars and amps can cover many "genres" but knowing what you want to play will help folks here to make suggestions that are more "typical" to a genre.

These are just some quick thoughts.

I look forward to reading the comments from others.

Good Luck with your search and please keep us updated.

Cheers

Dave

 

[oldjoat]

Welcome .

 

[JacquesP]

Thanks for the reply, Greco !

In general, I think you will find an electric guitar much easier on your fretting hand and much more "enjoyable" from a playing perspective as it is easier to employ many techniques, has a lot more sustain and a huge tonal palette. The acoustic purists are now going to be after my hide...LOL

Indeed, it is, for me, easier to play an electric guitar vs. my acoustic ones. I don't downgrade the acoustics but I am at a point that I want an electric guitar that will be easier on my hands and fingers. I'm way past the point of wanting "finger bleed" like I did when I first started with a horrible guitar back in the sixties! LOL.

Please remember that the amp is at least 60% of the equation with an electric guitar and this has to be part of "the price doesn't matter".
Do you have an amp now?
Do you like it?

I do have an amp ... nothing fancy (and I certainly don't need a 100W Marshall); it is a Crate V18 tube amp. Good enough for the small room where I play, I think.
This is nothing like the old Fender Twin Reverb of the past but it will do.

Realistically, what is you budget for a guitar and amp?
Are you comfortable buying used? This can save you a lot of money while opening doors to spectacular guitars and amps.
I most certainly am looking into used gear (guitar) as well as the new stuff but because music stores here are rare (only two in my hometown), it is quite limited in offerings. Granted, one store has Fenders (no Jag's) and Gibsons (Les Paul and SG) and a few other seemingly good brands but I am still "stuck" with this idea of having a Jag.
Of course, I will have to return there and try a few ... I might be surprised, who knows?
Budget wise: (guitar only) would be about $1500 -$2000.
What type(s) of music do you want to play?

Old stuff: Eagles; Led Zep (no fancy solos though); CSNY (Crosby Stills Nash and Young); The Who; Beatles; Jethro Tull; Deep Purple; Santana; Uriah Heep; and a whole bunch of very different songs/music themes/types (mellow stuff) in French and English.

To sum it all: a great action guitar that will be "gentle" on my small and aging fingers and hand!

Cheers for now and thanks again for the reply!

 

[JacquesP]

Hi

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome .

Thanks, guys !

 

[Jimmy The Gent]

Welcome Jacques!

 

[Guest]

Welcome aboard Jacques!

easier on my hands and fingers. I'm way past the point of wanting "finger bleed"

I remember that well when I started too.
This may upset some ..
I put electric guitar strings on my acoustic way back.

 

[cbg1]

the appeal of the jaguar may be the shorter scale length.... may be a good thing to keep in mind as you look for your new electric...
welcome to the forum
it's the best one around imho

 

[greco]

I do have an amp ... nothing fancy (and I certainly don't need a 100W Marshall); it is a Crate V18 tube amp. Good enough for the small room where I play, I think.

Nice amp!

the appeal of the jaguar may be the shorter scale length.... may be a good thing to keep in mind as you look for your new electric...

Excellent suggestion and one I never think to mention.

 

[DaddyDog]

It's extreme, but ever tried a Rickenbacker? Super skinny necks. Very difficult to find a new one. Not as tough to find used. But don't be surprised if it has some quality issues that need attention. I know a guy that replaces Ric pickups all the time. I have a 1975 360-6.

 

[JacquesP]

Welcome Jacques!

Thanks, Jimmy.

 

[JacquesP]

Welcome aboard Jacques!

I remember that well when I started too.
This may upset some ..
I put electric guitar strings on my acoustic way back.

That was the ransom to pay back then!
And it reminds me of:
"I got my first real six-string
Bought it at the five-and-dime
Played it 'til my fingers bled
Was the summer of sixty-nine"
Cheers!

 

[JacquesP]

the appeal of the jaguar may be the shorter scale length.... may be a good thing to keep in mind as you look for your new electric...
welcome to the forum
it's the best one around imho

That is one of the considerations (scale length) and, of course, the "action" must be easy on the ol'fingers!
Checking that out soon at the music store; hopefully they'll have a Jag in stock.

 

[mawmow]

Welcome JacquesP !
As you already saw, you will get good hints here.

Unfortunately, I cannot help with your electric inquiery sice I play only acoustics.

 

[JacquesP]

360-6.

Hi!
I've just checked this model and ... it looks big! The guitar body, that is.
Prices, new, are around $2000 (USD).
Then again, the neck seems just right.
Anyway, I don't think there is a store nearby to try it ...

 

[JacquesP]

Hi!
I've just checked this model and ... it looks big! The guitar body, that is.
Prices, new, are around $2000 (USD).
Then again, the neck seems just right.
Anyway, I don't think there is a store nearby to try it ...

 

[Frenchy99]

Bienvenue Jacques !

 

[CDWaterloo]

Hi JP. Welcome to the GC! I have a 1974 Gibson SG Standard with a nice neck. It's by far the most comfortable guitar to play for me. Having said that, I think a jag could be a good fit for you as well.