Beginner needs gear advice

[blink182fan]

Hi! I want to play electric guitar and I know there is a lot of equipment stuff involved and I know nothing about that. So for a beginner, what kind of stuff do I need and what are some good brands to look for? I don't want to spend money on something I really don't need so please help me out! Thank you!

[SLY]

If blink182 is your ultimate band , then all you need is strat copy guitar , a Boss distortion pedal , and a small practice amp.
For a guitar that can do more styles , you may like to have a floyd rose tremolo & 24 frets in it.

[Dr_simon]

Well, where to start.....

Squire by Fender make really nice guitars, for intermediate / beginner players. I used to have a Squire Strat in the early 80s and it was fantastic !

If you like Blink 128 check out the link below:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SQU318200

However it you want an axe with more versatility I'd go for a more standard model.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6015&Category=Electric_Guitars

Now, in terms of whistles and bells well all you really need is an amp and if you are playing in your bedroom well even an amp is not necessary (I don’t bother with one if Im only doing scales).

The nice people at Squire do a "Starter pack" with an amp, a cable, a guitar,a gig bag, a pick and an instructional video.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=11890&Category=Electric_Guitars

I think Ibanez make one also, I don’t like Ibanez kit in general however you might ! This is where it is an advantage to go to a store and try out different packages.

On the other hand, people like Fender, Marshall, and Vox all make micro amps which clip to your belt (these are all very small but make an amazing amount of noise).

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6646&Category=Guitar_Amplifiers

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10856&Category=Guitar_Amplifiers

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=2348&Category=Guitar_Amplifiers

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=2349&Category=Guitar_Amplifiers

In addition you will want a cable, a strap and some picks all of which you can get at your local music store.

Don’t be afraid to buy on line, it is often cheaper than going to a store however it has two main disadvantages:

1) You don’t get to play the bit of kit before you buy

2) You don’t get to play other nicer / nastier bits of kit which can give you an idea or either what to avoid or what to grow into.

One last thing you may want to consider is a song book by your favorite artist that has chord shapes in the back (though chord shapes are easy to find on line). Make sure that this book contains tunes you a) like and b) know well enough to hum.

And finally....(pauses for breath).. welcome to Guitar tricks .com this place is full of people at all levels of ability, who are usually happy to help enthusiastic beginners.
Good luck

S

[Dr_simon]

Oh yes you may also want to think about a tuner, a spare set of strings and a metronome !

[blink182fan]

Wow! That's a lot of stuff! Ok, question....If I am having a band like Blink-182 and All-American Rejects (West Coast Punk Band in other words) Is it ok to go with a guitar that you guys talked about for blink fans or should I get one of the others for more "well-rounded" feel. Like I said, that is the only music we are playing. Yeah, I feel very very dumb asking all these questions but you got to learn somewhere right? :)

[Dr_simon]

This is a question only you can answer and to be in a position to do that you probably want to play a few different axes in a few different stores and find one you feel comfortable with. Don’t rely on brand names, they can offer a guide line i.e. a squire will be cheaper than a Gibson, however all guitars are different, even ones of the same model by the same manufacturer. So.... save your pennies, try as many as you can and go shopping !

Have fun

[SLY]

If that's your first guitar , I highly recomend that you take one of your freinds who has more experience with guitars to the store , so that he/she can try them out and help you to choose .... And NEVER EVER trust what the salesman says !

[mc9mm]

Originally posted by SLY
And NEVER EVER trust what the salesman says !

Yes yes, the man speaks the truth.

Bring a friend who knows guitars, a pick, some food money
and a good mood and you'll have a fun shopping day.
If the salesman do gets in your face:
Wine about how you don't like the fretboard radius, how
string height is too low, how the color is making you sick,
and that the store has a weird smell, and he'll leave soon enough
(Your friend can help you with all the jibberish).
Have a fun day shopping.

[PonyOne]

Check out the Kramers at musicyo.com. The Focus guitars are good for what you want to do, especially the Fatboy model, plus they're cheap as it gets. I've played them, and know my stuff, and can honestly say that they're comparable in quality to a real Fender.

Also, when you grow out of Blink 182, you'll have something that you can still play. Oh and the All American Rejects are from Oklahoma, i think...

[blink182fan]

Ok, gonna sound very stupid but I am just making sure ok, so humor me. On the focus, It said its for hard rock so that covers punk too right? I know, stupid question, but I don't want a guitar made for nirvana music or rob zombie.

Anyway, I like the focus ones, and they are a good price since I have no money. And I really like the Tom DeLonge guitar and thats not bad either. So I will get the focus one before I get the other one, or vice versa, since the blink-182 one is more expensive and it won't take long to resave up for the focus.

Now about going to a music store to get all my other equipment. You all have said don't trust the sale man (which I already knew because they are like car salesman, all the same). You all have said go with a guitar playing friend or whatever. Problem is, the only guy I know that plays guitar lives like 15 minutes away and his mom would never let him shop with me cuz I'm a girl and she doesn't want him getting into a relationship, which is crap, cuz we aren't gonna make out or something at a store. But yeah, so there's the take-a-friend-to-music-store idea. Have a solution?

[iamthe_eggman]

Originally posted by blink182fan
On the focus, It said its for hard rock so that covers punk too right? I know, stupid question, but I don't want a guitar made for nirvana music or rob zombie.


You can use almost any guitar for almost any kind of music. You can use a Telecaster for heavy metal or a Squier for neo-classical (OK, maybe I'm taking it a little far there). Anyways, never mind what the description says the guitar is made for; basically it just gives you an idea of what kinds of tones you can get out of it. However, for punk music, you don't really need to get picky with tone.

I can understand how it might feel a little intimidating to go into a guitar store with little or no knowledge of guitars and try to buy one cold. I did that for my first electric and acoustic guitars, and just happened to luck out and get two good quality guitars. In this situation, it may be good to use the salesman, if they're not too pushy. Feel free to annoy him by asking all kinds of questions, and always ask "why?" if he says one thing is better than another. Always be careful of the upsell! If you have a budget, try not to let the salesman convince you to exceed it.

BTW, how old are you? Is there any chance you'd go in with your parents? Generally older folks have a better sense of value, plus you might be able to get their help in getting a nicer guitar.

Finally, don't bank on liking Blink182 <shudder> forever. At some point in the future, you may want to expand your guitar playing horizons, and you don't want to be stuck with a Tom Delonge one-pickup special. The only reason that his guitar only has one pickup is because he never used the other two on a standard Fender Strat. That means that you can get all his tones and more with a Standard Strat.

Wow, another long post! Looks like I'm starting to rival PonyOne!

[SLY]

Originally posted by blink182fan
Have a solution?

Get other friends of yours and your guitar guy to go shopping with you (I think that should be ok with his mom). :D
Anyway , if you get so frustrated , get the cheapest guitar you can find ... Few months later you'll be able to judge a guitar's playability and tone, so probably you're gonna pick up a new better one (happened with lots of my friends).


iamthe_eggman - Dude, I don't know if going with parents is a good idea ... Actually my father still doesn't know why the heck can this piece of wood with metal pieces , strings and some magnets cost hundreds up-to thousands of bucks ! ;)

[theeshredder]

Well, for punk music tones I would go for anything cheap that has single-coil pickups. Squiers are really good for a first guitar and they're very versatile. They're used for almost every music style.

<That's good advice,theeshredder, but YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHOUT TO BE HEARD. Please turn off your caps lock.>

[Edited by Lordathestrings on 07-17-2003 at 11:25 PM]

[PonyOne]

The Focus' are pretty good for any style. It's basically a Strat, and as we all know, strats are fairly versatile guitars. As soon as you start getting into uber-powerful death metal, then you should start looking into more death-metally guitars, for example.

But in the meantime, a Focus is versatile enough that you can go ahead and play mallpunk chords, and then you can progress to Sex Pistols and Pennywise-brand punk (which is harder, faster, and more aggressive) or you can progress to Year Of The Rabbit (www.yearoftherabbit.net) style alt rock, and you'll be in the clear until you can afford a new instrument.

Generally speaking Squiers are too much of a crapshoot... at best you get an okay guitar, at worst, you have a piece of trash. I have a Kramer Baretta, which is an upper-level model, and it is a serious piece of work... killer sounds come out of that thing.

For now just get something, your first gear is usually never really awesome stuff. If you get a Kramer and a Vox Pathfinder amp ($120) you'll be way ahead of the curve, and will be able to explore anything tat comes your way stylistically. Well maybe not EVERYTHING, but, enough of it. Then after you have more of an idea of what you want to play, how you want to sound, and how much you can spend, you can shoot for a more pro-level guitar.

And keep posting here... this is probably one of the best guitarist resources on the net.

[PonyOne]

Originally posted by blink182fan

Now about going to a music store to get all my other equipment. You all have said don't trust the sale man (which I already knew because they are like car salesman, all the same)


HEY!!!!!!!! I'm a car salesman dammit..... I sell Lexus' and VW's, and I'm 19, play guitar, and I never try and screw people unless they try and screw me... I have legitimately saved people THOUSANDS of dollars on cars. The main reason people say that we're liars is because they buy a car, they're kind of ambivilant about it, they're like "oh why'd I buy an Infiniti? I coulda bought a BMW" and they don't realize that it's not really the truth; that when you see an ad on TV saying that you can get a Mercedes for under $30,000 that it's $29,995 PLUS tax, liscencing fees, and they only have ONE car at that price, and it's the ugliest and least popular color, it has no options, etc. They say we're liars because THEY couldn't make up their mind and need to justify why it was that they blew 35g's because they were indecisive.

Grrrrrr.... anyway....don't worry, I'm not mad at you, i'm just going off cause I had a bad night... heheheh

They way to tell if a music store salesman is legit, or is a total asshole who's trying to rip you off so he can get commission. Tell him you don't know how to play, you don't have much money (tell him you've got however much to spend you actually have), you just wnat to learn, and see what he does. If he goes "okay, here, this is a $90 guitar and this is a $90 amp" then he's probably cool. If he goes "oh well this things a great deal, it's only $300, and I can sell you this amp for $250" then he's a crappy salesman who probably doesn't even know his products.

Go for the Focus. And If you try out a guitar and amp combo, remember that if you play that guitar or that amp with a different amp or guitar, it won't sound the same.

[SLY]

When I said not to trust what salesmen's says at the guitar store , I didn't realy mean anything about lying .

Salesmen are one hell of a MYTH SPREADING source , and most guitar store salesmen I've met in my life donno real crap about music,guitars, or anything related ... Now that I'm somehow experienced with guitars and so , I usualy spend so much time laughing at what the salesman was saying after a visit to a store with a friend or something.
And if I try to correct them , they're very hard to persuade ! ;)

Anyway , when you buy something based on a poor advice by a salemsman or a friend , it's your problem not theirs ... Don't spend so much money on something you're not quite familiar with.

[blink182fan]

Originally posted by iamthe_eggman
[QUOTE]Finally, don't bank on liking Blink182 <shudder> forever.

Personally, I'm insulted...kidding..but I do get what you are saying. Going with my parents, not a good idea considering the fact my mom doesn't really think I am serious about this whole thing. Not really supportive...*eye roll*

I do have a fairly good idea of what I am going for. The fact that I hve to learn how to play...I'm figuring the cheaper focus is a good choice until I can play! Good decision right?

Ok, glad I found this site, really helpful. Wish me luck too!

[Benoit]

I started playing with an guitar bought in the Sears catalogue, then went with a Hando II strat copy that had a fretboard twisted from all sides.

After 2 years of playing, since I new I was gonna stick with it, I bought a very used Gibson SG, still my main guitar today.

My first amp was a rigged turned table and I'm still playing with a 15 watt roland amp.

All this only to say, get the cheapest guitar and amp you can find, a distortion pedal would be nice but get one used. If you stick with playing the guitar after 6 months, then start thinking about upgrading to something better to play with a band if that's what you're looking for.

I always say to people who want to start playing the guitar to get USED stuff. That way it doesn't cost you a lot. A beginner will not sound better on a 300$ guitar than he would on a 100$ guitar. In the beginning it's all about learning to use the guitar and getting your fingers to work in a different way.

Just trying to save you some cash and if it cost less, your parent won't be too against it. I still remember how this was like, trust me you don't want to run a bill so soon :)

Just a suggestion, as much as playing with a drummer is fun, I wouldn't recommended it in the first months. You'll need a big amp ($$$) for that. Just a mistake I made early on, busted my amp/turntable lol

And one thing, eggman is right. I play trash/metal/rock/blues/classical on my Gibson. The guitar won't make the sound. You will.

take care

[Edited by Benoit on 07-19-2003 at 10:00 AM]

[Dr_simon]

Sage advice from Benoit !

Don’t get carried away by the marketing and hype (propagated by sales men / advertising agencies…these products will improve your: playing/ salary / sex life /will make you play like Van Hallen etc etc), that only serves to part the unwary from their cash ! Just like Marlbro, they wont make you a real man / woman either !

Ebay is a good place to start looking for some of the axes mentioned in this tread thus far. Playing the guitar will really hurt at first, but as you progress the skin on your fingers hardens, your finger become more supple, you coordination improves and your fingers get stronger. Then their is a whole bunch of learning to do !

Daunting...yes, worth it..... every second (IMHO) !

Don’t spend too much at first, you may hate it / find your partner hates it / need to study or work harder than you’d thought in which case you stand to loose cash.

However if you find you love it and progress rapidly , then getting a new axe becomes very exciting, especially if you feel you have earned it.

[blink182fan]

Ok, you have all helped a lot. I know a lot about the guitars and all that. Now, amps... I need one that's a good quality but, cheap--er.. I know some people have mentioned a few but yeah...

I'm going with the focus guitar, I like it and I showed it to my guitar playing friend and he says its a good one for starting up and he liked it.

I got a cataloge from musician's friend and like American music supply or somthing like that. So if you guys know of any good...cheap amps in those mags, that would be good too! thanks a lot!

[Benoit]

Well, I once had a peavey Rage. can't remember the model tho

150 or something like that, not sure

It was pretty good for the price, I think you can get one for under 100$.

It was only a 15 watt but you don't need more than that to jam with other guitarist and to practice.

[blink182fan]

ok..so...also, what are good amp brands and stuff. That way I can look around and find one on my own if I really need to so I know what's right for me.

Remember, all I need right now is for practice by myself while I learn. I can upgrade later for practice with a band.

Thanks again!

[Dr_simon]

You could just get an amp modeler like a pod or a Digitech RPx or GNXx and a set of headphones. This will stop you upsetting people and also offer a vast range of effects and tones. If you are in your bedroom practicing you really don’t want a Marshall JCM800 full stack!

[blink182fan]

Originally posted by Dr_simon
You could just get an amp modeler like a pod or a Digitech RPx or GNXx and a set of headphones.

And I can find those where? Just walk into a music store and ask for it? Or can I find it cheaper online? By the way...how much do those 2 run?

[Benoit]

yeah that's a good advice, for one you'll get a really good sound :) that way, always sounds better with headphones.

I know a guy that bought an RP100 for 87$

Just so you know, The Jonezter plays with an RP100. If you don't know him he's a host here and this is he's website http://www.thejonezter.com

Just a little advertising for him lol

but the rp100 is really good, it has great effects and by buying a effect pad like that, you won't have to upgrade later, you'll only have to buy an amp and use that pad with it.

Good stuff DR_simon.


just make a search on the net for it look what came up on ebay : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2545496052&category=38070

I don't know the seller so don't take my word for it :)

[Edited by Benoit on 07-19-2003 at 07:44 PM]

[Dr_simon]

Check out

http://www.8thstreet.com/digitech-store.asp

and have a look around.

Also:
http://www.digitech.com/

You can usually find samples (mp3.. not the best) to down load of what the various patches can sound like

I really like Digitech, I use the GNX2 and record direct from it.

I also like the POD by Line 6 though that is more expensive!

[blink182fan]

Do I really need this expensive stuff for now? It's about as much as the guitar itself.
Can't I just get a regular amp, nothing special--for cheaper!
Any recommendations for that?

[PonyOne]

Here are some amp makers, and some of their pros and cons (IMHO, not stepping on anyone's toes):

-Crate: cheap, simple, but pretty bad sounding, generally... these do not get my recommendation. I got one as my first amp and it was dead, so I traded it for my Vox, I think it was an act of God...
-Peavy: cheap, pretty well rounded sound, you can usually find really dope old ones on slae for really really cheap.
-Randall: pretty good overall, moderately priced, but more metal/hard rock-ish. I have a friend in an alt-punk band who uses one though.
-Vox: cheap, good for classic rock/surf/ska (more british-style), pretty good for punk. These get my personal recommendation.
-Marshall: can be cheap as long as you look low-end, sound okay, i mean who the hell doesn't use one at some point (other than me)... they tend to focus more on high end sound in my experience. Good distortion.

This is my personal recommendation: V9168 Pathfinder 15W 1x8 Combo Amp (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030719213413209179053188627928/g=home/search/detail/base_id/89093) This was my first amp. So I'm kind of biased. But the thing is solid.... it's been snowed on, had subway doors close on it, fallen out of cars, rain, sun, cats, etc and it still plays like new. Great sound. I like old ska-punk bands like the Specials and the thing is perfect for that, you can also get a ton of other sounds out of it. And, bet of all....... it's cheap, and you won't have to upgrade it (I still use it as much as my bigger, swankier Roland amp).

[i]<Jeeeezuz H, Christopher, PonyOne !!! After 1200+ posts you should know enough to use the vB code to shorten those d##n URLs! Everybody, word up, when you post a long URL, your post ends up being three screens wide.>

[Edited by Lordathestrings on 07-20-2003 at 01:28 AM]

[Lordathestrings]

I have a bunch of amps and speaker cabs at my disposal, but you know what gets most of my practice time? An old 1981(?) Ampeg G-18 transistor 'practice' amp. This thing has killer tone - good enough for recording. And I got it for $60 on eBay. Don't just take my word for it, check out this review on Harmony Central. Click Here (http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/Ampeg/G_18_Combo-01.html)

BTW: I also have a VT-22 and a VT-40. But I'm not about to part with my lil' G-18! :D

[Dr_simon]

The RPx solution is much cheaper than an amp and is more versatile in terms of tone and sounds produced, check:

DigiTech RP100 eBay Item number 2545405500 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2545405500&category=38070)

or

DigiTech RP200 eBay Item number 2545881917 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2545881917&category=41419)

less than 100 bucks !

(this is not expensive....

This is expensive !
Soldano SLO100 Super Lead Overdrive Head (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030720050241012217254180654946/g=home/search/detail/base_id/39433)

Soldano Lucky 4x12 Speaker Cabinet (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030720050241012217254180654946/g=home/search/detail/base_id/43579)

So, no, you don’t need an amp or a processor to start playing your new axe, but it will make it more fun and that is the most important thing ! You also don’t have to get everything all at once, take you time, try things out, see what your friends are doing etc etc

This thread has provided plenty of food for thought but we cant say..."oh yes you want a ..bla bla bla," everyone's playing is different as defined by the sounds they want to make and don’t want to make and part of learning to play the guitar is discovering this.

SO, get out there and break a string, best of luck!


[not bloody Edited nearly enough by Dr_simon on 07-20-2003 at 07:09 AM]

<Jeeeezuz H. Christopher, Dr_simon !!! After 660+ posts you should know enough to use the vB code to shorten those d##n URLs! Everybody, word up, when you post a long URL, your post ends up being three screens wide!>

[Edited by Dr_simon on 07-20-2003 at 05:38 PM]

[blink182fan]

Ok thanks. I think that's a good amp. And its not expensive and you seem to swear by it so I figure I can't go wrong with that Vox.

If you guys have any more recommendations or any other equipment you think I should have, tuners, picks, etc. Tell me!

By the way, what kind of picks should I get. Like, I looked at my cataloge and they have like decimals under the pick description and I have no idea what the h@#$ those mean. So, give me a hint so I know what pick I need and then I should be done for starters. But I will return here! This site is the best I have found!

Later!

[Lordathestrings]

What picks??... That's kinda like asking what size of gloves we think you should wear! Stroll into a music store and buy an assortment. Even the expensive ones are like 3-for-a-dollar. If you use the search (http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/search.php) icon at the top of the page, and type in picks (http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/search.php?query=picks&forumchoice=-1&booleanand=yes&searchin=all&searchdate=-1&searchuser=&searchdateline=&exactname=yes&action=dosearch&getdaily=&pagenum=) as the keyword, you'll find at least 168 threads on this Forum that mention picks. There are as many opinions as there are players!

[chucklivesoninmyheart]

Those numbers tell you how thick the pick is.The higher the number,the heavier(thicker)it is.The smaller the number,the thinner it is.When I started playing guitar I used thin picks because it was easier to shred and run across the strings.Then I went to medium as I got better and I was also sick of breaking/wearing out the thin picks(they dont last).Now I use the heavy(thickest)picks for better control.

Theres also different shapes and materials picks are made out of.I use the big triangle picks Clayton makes.You can even find picks made of different metals,woods and rocks.All of which effect the sound in a different way.

Sit down in a music store and try as many as possible.Once you find one that feels good and comfortable stick with it until you "grow out of it" or have different needs.I cant say ive ever seen a person evolve and advance on the guitar without seeing a different pick in there hands.

Later!

p.s the "technical" name for a pick is a plectrum.You'll get confused looks if you say that though...

[Dr_simon]

Nearly Bloddy edited by Bloody Dr Simon

LOTS anything to annoy you mate!!! Are you having a bad day or something ? Have a beer, chill out smell the flowers !
Jeeezzzz !


[Edited by Dr_simon on 07-20-2003 at 05:49 PM]

[iamthe_eggman]

LOL at Lord! I like what you've done to this thread!

Yeah, so, anyways, ummm...

Good advice to just get a cheap practice amp. Make sure that it has two channels (that means that you can switch from a clean to a distorted sound with a button or foot switch). A couple good amps I've seen are the Peavey Rage 15W and I had a Fender Frontman 15W.

You don't need to have great tone with your first amp; in fact, you probably won't be able to distinguish "good" from "bad" tone for a while (at least I couldn't), until you play long enough to develop your own tastes.

Are you buyingthis stuff online or from your local music store?

[blink182fan]

Originally posted by iamthe_eggman
Are you buying this stuff online or from your local music store?

Musician's Friend...I have the cataloge...well at least for the amp. For the guitar I'm using musicyo.com.

Just a question, do you guys know of any good basses that my friend can get. Something cheap like the focus I am getting since she knows how to play bass just as much as I know how to play guitar...not at all.

Thanks again!

[blink182fan]

Ok, I was just talking to someone else at another site and the said for amps...go with a Peavey.. I looked and the peavey is cheaper(89.99 vs. the 119.99 Vox). But I don't know if it is better. Can someone please tell me what they think about it so I know if this person is crazy or not.

Bottom line: Which is better, the Vox (pathfinder model) or the Peavey (rage 3 model)?

Thanks again for the help!

[b_hoves]

for my first bass i got a second hand yamaha for $130-150.
i was into soft punk (blink is soft punk) at the time, and it worked out great.

[PonyOne]

Vox is still #1, IMHO...

Your friend could always get the Kramer Focus bass. I don't remember how much it is. My first bass was a Yamaha, too, I paid like $95 for it, the tone wasn't that great BUT it helped me learn it.

[blink182fan]

PonyOne--You do seem to know what your talking about. I will check out the focus bass and e-mail it to her. I think I am going to go with the Vox since you seem to be diehard about it. And I'm not really going for loud( which is why the other people recommended the Peavey).

Ok, I might actually be covered for a while. You have all been a big help and you can look forward to hearing from me again, seeing that right now I know nothing. Hopefully sometime I will be one of the people rattling of everything I know about guitars but for right now I will leave that up to you guys!

Later!

[PonyOne]

Just go ahead and add your opinion where you feel you should add it, and listen to opinions, and you'll get quite a bit out of these forums; I did, i think everyone else who's been here awhile has, too.

I was different from all my friends when I started learning, when i was like 15 and 16, because they all wanted to crank their volume, gain, and EQ's as high as they could go and play screaming solos and dropped power chord riffs. Whenever we jammed at my place, I was like "dude, turn that sh!t down, I don't wanna get evicted! Plus it's f-ing annoying." Except I actually swore, of course...

Personally I think that you get more out of listening to your instrument and the way it sounds, and actually getting a feel for playing, taking it slow and natural, than just jumping in headlong, learning someone else's song 2 weeks after you get your gear and acting like you know everything. I'm the only one of my friends, after 5 years, who still gets things out of it and has a good time doing it.

[blink182fan]

I want to order that focus from Musicyo.com..but they don't have it in the color I want... UGH!!! Does anyone know when musicyo restocks? Please help me out again!!

[pmeg568c]

i wud also reccommend an overdrive pedal as well bcuz that is what most punk bands use instead of distortion (which u shud use neway)!

[PonyOne]

Overdrive is distortion... usually overdrive is a term used for light distortion, like you find in blues and classic rock.

Musicyo restocks every month, so in a few days they may have the color you want. If not, I don't recall exactly how he did it, but hairbandrckr got a color on I think it was a pacer, that they aren't even supposed to make, by contacting them. You could try that.

[dinell2]

I wish I had done the same thing. Great advice... on taking an accomplished player friend with you to the Guitar Store. Don't forget the pawn shops. Sometimes you can find a jewel. A lot of the times, the salesmen won't know what he has if it is a busy pawn shop and they have high turn over. Do your research on the product before you even get inside the store. This way, if you meet a knowledgable salesman, this will help you get level with him on his playing field. Order free magazines and newsletters for the going price of the guitar of your choosing. If you buy and have it shipped, get the free shipping.