Hi, I recently discovered this great site. This is my first post – Hiya all.
I am in the classic category of forty-something, been-meaning-to-learn-the-guitar-since-I-gave-up-at-20 - category. Now I am back taking it seriously. 8)
I have an equipment question: My first ever guitar was a Spanish (no name), nylon stringed guitar. I learned the basics on that. I purchased a cheap-ish (Washburn D10S) steel string acoustic a few months ago & will soon feel confident enough to tackle the ‘easy songs for intermediates' section. (Calluses r coming along nicely thanks). BTW I think David Hodge is a great teacher.
I enjoy a variety of styles and will no doubt need to have more than one guitar. I am emotionally attached to acoustics but being a bit of a gadget-man I can't resist the lure of electric. Plus I do occasionally want to venture into the no doubt fun-filled terrain of audio effects, playing about with my playing on the computer, etc etc.
So, my question: I think to satisfy my style preferences I will need to own a nylon-string & a steel-string acoustic and an electric guitar. Would it make sense to combine the latter two and buy a steel string electro-acoustic, so I only need to have two guitars? (Budget reasons!)
If so – any recommendations on what I should get in the region of 250 quid ($500)? or perhaps you could direct me to a source of unbiased info re acoustic vs electro-acoustic vs electric.
Thanks
“Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is go where they can find you.” - Winnie the Pooh
A steel string electro-acoustic is not a substitute for an electric guitar at all. It's an acoustic guitar with a pickup to easily amplify it.
Perhaps you're thinking about a semihollowbody electric? They're not acoustic guitars at all. They're electrics that happen to play a little louder unplugged than a solid body.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
You can get some inexpensive clip-mics to attach inside your soundhole which will give you a reasonable sound through an amp, leaving your budget free to go buy an electric (and an amp)
Best,
A :-)
"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk
Ta for the swift responses.
So, If I read you right, there are options to make my acoustic sound louder or feed into a PC if I want that, but if I am interested in electric then I should go for a proper electric guitar plus amp and not expect an electro-acoustic to do the job.
“Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is go where they can find you.” - Winnie the Pooh
Right.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Thanks guys. Time to fish out the piggy bank :)
“Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is go where they can find you.” - Winnie the Pooh
Won't be the last time. :D
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Won't be the last time. :D
It's the truth.... :D
The soundhole pickup that Alan mentioned will work just fine... for now.
But eventually your eyes will stray to a particularly pretty acoustic/electric.... And perhaps a hollowbody electric for some of the jazz and blues styles... maybe a 12 string... and a bass of course.... perhaps a resonator... and at least a couple of different styles of electric guitar and amp. Gadget guy? Well, there's an endless list of pedals and effects, and..... oh, have you got a recorder or drum machine yet?? :wink:
Sorry, but you're on the train now and it's a 'no stopping' express. Just relax, and keeping feeding that piggy bank. It's got a busy life ahead of it. :D
Cheers,
Chris
If you are looking for a steel string acoustic, I'd go to the best acoustic I could afford. The "electro" part in an electro-acoustic is around 100€. You can get a very good solid top acoustic guitar in the 300€ range and to add the Alan's mic when you needed to record or when you want to play with effects. For recording, I use a normal (condenser) mic.
Won't be the last time. :D
Sorry, but you're on the train now and it's a 'no stopping' express. Just relax, and keeping feeding that piggy bank. It's got a busy life ahead of it. :D
Cheers,
Chris
Ohmigod :!: - how do I break this to my wife? I told her it was a cheap hobby that I can pursue from home, not too noisy if close the study door & once i got a decent guitar that would be it as far as expenses go. :?
Now, you mentioned a resonator, and also hollowbody electric . . . :D
“Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is go where they can find you.” - Winnie the Pooh
The guy doesn't even have 5 posts yet and you already turned him into a guitar junkie!!!! You guys should be ashamed of yourselves!!!! :P
BUT, if you are looking, make sure you test everything out (kick the tires so to speak). If you don't feel comfortable testing an axe, bring someone with you or ask a salesmen. They usually don't have a problem ripping out a lick or two for you.
Good luck and most importantly, have fun!
Tell your wife it's a lot cheaper than bass fishing. Send off for boat and tackle catalogs and scatter them around the house if you have to. Harley-Davidson brochures could be useful as well.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
. . . Send off for boat and tackle catalogs and scatter them around the house if you have to. Harley-Davidson brochures could be useful as well.
:lol: he he.
Good idea. There's more to playing the guitar than meets the eye!
“Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is go where they can find you.” - Winnie the Pooh
If you get an electo-actoustic you won't get the tone of an electric guitar. An electro-acoustic will just sound like an amplified acoustic guitar. I think electro-acoustics are mainly for people who are going to perform on stage b/c a standard acoustic won't be loud enough to compete with drums, electric guitars, etc. I think there's more effect options if you get an electric.
Actually they're a substitute for miking an acoustic on stage. Lets you move around freely.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
