Originally Posted by: HYPH A CIDEOk I'm really new to the guitar world and what to have. I bought a Epiphone Les Paul Goth Edition, Korg GA-30 tuner, and a Line 6 15w Spider III. Ive been playing about 2-3 hours a week and loving all the stuff Ive been learning. I must add that I learned more in 1 week on Guitar Tricks On-line lessons than reading a beginner lessons book a whole month.

Well here is the things that I've noticing lately, and from your all feedback I'll run down to The Musicians Friends warehouse down the street from me and stock up a little on things.

I don't know to much about picks, but I have learned you cant use the same one forever. Should I move up a size to lose the flimsiness or just get 46mm Ive been using.

Next thing I'm gonna tell you, your gonna laugh. I'm using the strap off my Guitar Hero game from my XBOX 360. Its starting to hurt just a bit!!!! Need a new one quick hehehe!

I also would like to maybe update my strings I sure the stock ones aren't the best to be using. seems like my 5th and 6th string rattle on some frets when I have it open. Hope that not a real bad thing.

So maybe you all can tell me what would be best to pick up, and things I might need for the future. Money is no thing, but I don't wanna go drop a load of money on expert stuff that I'm not ready for yet if you know what I mean. I know I know laugh it up hehehe.

Thanks,
Charles W

Charles...Metal, I assume? (the Goth is pretty metal)

For Picks, I would suggest the Dunlop Jazz III. It's a tiny fella and takes a little getting used to but I've been using them now since the late 80's and if I used a standard size plectrum, I feel like I'm holding a dinner plate. It's a good pick because it gives a clean, biting attack to the string. What a stiff pick does is reflect the force you put in to the attack of the pick. A flimsier pack essentially absorbs and diminishes the attack. The Jazz III reflects what I put on to the string so I feel I have control of the output. Not that flimsier packs are bad, I prefer them with strumming acoustically, so I think the pick is part of it's application.

For a strap, go with a soft leather strap. Since you have a little weight with an Epi LP, a nylon strap might dig in a little much. I used to have a Gibby LP years ago and hated a nylon strap...dug in to my shoulder. The leather tends to conform.

String...My favs are D'Addario XL .09's. I've been using them since '84. Always bright and seem to break less often. I'm not a chronic string breaker but when I've veered away from these, it happens more for me. Could be me...Anyway, always sound good.

Pick up, particularly for metal, I'm a sucker for EMG's. They are powerful and clean. For me, it allowed me to dial in my amp tone to my ear without have to fight the 'personality' of the pick up.

So, there you are.