First guitar

[Boubou]

Hi guys, new guy here.Never played the guitar, thinking about it. I saw today a standard MIM telecaster for $460 canadian.
Originally i was thinking of getting a Squier tele not to spend much money in case i dont like it or whatever, since i never played and beside i would not be able to play the guitar to decide if i like the sound. Any comments, suggestions, thanx.
Also comments on learning by myself buying books or taking lessons, you have to realize i am 45yo and will probably not play in a band or make a carreer out of it

[maestrovert]

you really can't go wrong with a good Tele....
and remember a good Tele is NOT necessarily an expensive Tele.....

a good tuner is highly recommended .....

i'd suggest starting with song books of the music you're most familiar with....for example, if you really love the Eagles, buy a song book, and use the block diagrams of the chords....play along with recordings/radio etc

but above ALL

HAVE FUN !!!

[radarman]

I don't think you can go wrong with a Squier tele, especially the CIA (crafted in Indonesia) Squiers of late.

The are currently only $169 US at Musicians Friend, and around $200 elswhere.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...e_pid/510470X/

you can then upgrade the pots and switch to CTS and CRL respectively and change the cap and then

schazaam!!! nice tele


for very reasonable money

and they play great.

[gaz]

Originally Posted by Boubou

Hi guys, new guy here.Never played the guitar, thinking about it. I saw today a standard MIM telecaster for $460 canadian.
Originally i was thinking of getting a Squier tele not to spend much money in case i dont like it or whatever, since i never played and beside i would not be able to play the guitar to decide if i like the sound. Any comments, suggestions, thanx.
Also comments on learning by myself buying books or taking lessons, you have to realize i am 45yo and will probably not play in a band or make a carreer out of it

Hey Boubou
If you spend a little bit more , an American made guitar is so much more gratifying to play...I payed 475.00 for an american standard on ebay, and it is nice(It was barely used at all)...the MIM cut corners in all areas, if you are just starting out, just the feel of the guitar could make or break your ambition...I have bought seven guitars off different ebayers and have not had a bad experience, yet...just look till you find one in your range, and bid up to your maximum, and just wait...I probably had bid on five different ones before finally getting the one I did. Also I would bid on the ones with very few interested, which kept the bids low. ( I got a rosewood fretboard, which I feel has a warmer tone, most guys would prob. prefer the maple, for the twang.) That is up to you...happy hunting...
Most important; Be sure to pick it up DAILY, at least 15 minutes a day, cause when you skip a few days , the familiarity you have built up with the instrument just flies out the window. Hope this will help, best regards, Gaz

[Tdot]

Since you and I are pretty much in the same shoes, I'll throw in my 2 cents.

7 months ago I bought my first solid body electric. That was after about 6 months of looking, touching, and strumming various brands. I soon realized why Fender's are so popular, they just feel good. And to my surprise the more I picked up, the more I liked the Tele. (I'm a compulsive collector, but not an impulsive shopper).

I thought about the Squier (in case it ended up in the closet), but the Chinese label scared me (didn't know there was more than one series of Squier). So I looked at MIM and USA models. The USA's were very nice but seemed out of the budget and simply overkill for my lack of skill. My target was going to be an MIM Tele.

One day while looking around, I picked up a "Highway 1" Tele, and was so tickled I bought it. This Tele is Made in USA with mostly USA Vintage hardware and pickups, the Strat version is made in USA and has Standard hardware like the MIM's. (That USA label will probably hold it's value better than MIM if you want to sell it).

Looking back I think I would have been happy with an MIM, but now when I stop in the shop's and try a few things, I can feel a difference between mine and the MIM's. I also wouldn't be afraid to buy a used one.

To Do:
-Search the forum for "Highway 1"

-Search the Amp Central Station section for starter amps. Then ask questions.

-Go to a local shop and hold, strum, feel, the Tele's. Don't be embrassed, they see a hundred people a day do the same thing. They don't care what you sound like and unless you break strings or start pulling knobs off, they won't remember you until after you buy something. Oh, electric guitars make sound without plugging in, so listen for differences without an amp.

-Search the web for "Guitar Tabs" for easy to learn, easy to read music.

-Buy a beginner book with chords and songs (with tab).

-Take at least 1 or 2 personal lessons just for the sake of holding the guitar, placing your hands correctly, and seeing someone playing up close.

-Check the many DVD lessons so you can see and copy someone play.

I don't intend to be on stage or even play for family parties. I don't have time for serious practice, but I'm learning a lot, it's fun, and a great stress reducer. On top of that, the guitars are very interesting as an object, instrument, and historic influence. (I see why they are also collectable, I already have a wish list). Best of all, now when I hear songs, I can say to myself "I know how he did that" or even better "How did he do that?" then entertain myself trying to figure it out.

[jwells393]

For an amp I would suggest you look at the Peavey Classic 30. Great all tube amp for the money and can probably had used for around $300.
There are a lot of great books out there. I would suggest the Progressive series . They now come with CD. I would also recommend Arlen Roth's Masters of the Telecaster . However, it's a little more advanced and doesn't fully explain everthing .........

[Boubou]

Thanx guys for the replies. a few comments, after snooping around here yes I am aware of Arlen Roth's book, it's on the list, also yeah a few private lesssons would be a good investment even if i learn through books and guitar tab web sites. I am Canadian, so to me MIA, MIM or made in china, it's all the same, they are foreign made (JOKE) ! But however, I checked musicians friend, due to manufacturer's spec which may vary from country to country they are only allowed to ship paper clips and chewing gum worldwide. eBay, a lot of the sellers ship USA only, plus currency exchange, customs, etc. One of my fears is spending $2000 for a nice MIA tele, playing for six months then use it to gather dust , thats why i was thinking of a Squier, however when i saw the MIM at around $450 in a local store , it seemed like a better alternative, I will check (have already done it actually)the local classified for used MIA
Thanx
PS: i also gathered that an all tube amp is better, especially if i want distortion??? While on the subject of distortion, smaller (Amp) is better for those people who just want play for pleasure, that is it does not need to be so loud for distortion, therefore keep the peace with neighbours, wives dogs and cats?

[geddins]

Hey Boubou (get it??)

I'll just chime in here about the amp....you may want to consider a Tech 21 Trademark 10. It's not tube, but has some really really great sounds in it. I think it's perfect for "home use" and the like.

Just my .02

[KuuKOO]

Some suggestions from a fellow Canuck:

- Get a friend who knows how to play to help. I was sold a Hondo tele about 12 years ago and it was sooo heavy and sounded terrible through my cheap amp. I just didn't like it-- and consequently didn't play it. I didn't pick up an electric for years.

- Guitars are REALLY overpriced here in most stores. L&M is great if you're financing (at crazy interest rates), but you can do a lot better on Ebay or trying to get a used one from a decent dealer in the USA. You might be surprised. If it's US or mexican made there shouldn't be any duty. Again, however, get someone who knows to help.

- Squiers and Mexican teles are pretty good investments for a new player. They are better on average than ever, imho. I'd go for a Squier '51 for overall best bang for the buck. Cheap, easy to play and a surprising number of sounds for a starting player.

- Get some lessons. It's hard to know what you like and don't without lots of practice. Here in Toronto I got lessons at Ring Music-- which had a bonus so I could try out the axes pre/post lessons!

Hope that helps.

KK