So I'm coming back to try and learn the guitar again after my last attempt over 5 years ago, and this time I hope to make the effort count. I figured one way to do that would be to set up an account here and begin asking some questions , start doing my research, and generally get myself oriented. I suppose that my first question would be to ask where a good place to start learning would be (as general lack of knowing where to start and how to proceed from there are big reasons that I never finished learning the previous times). Basically I think my problem is that I don't know enough to know where to start. So what books, websites, videos, etc. would you recommend to a beginner?
Secondly I really want to start learning how to build guitars, what all the parts do, and how to replace or add parts onto existing guitars. Mainly I want to learn this because I'm A) a bit of a gear head, B) a bit of an artist that loves to customize, and C) because I figure that the more levels that I can be invested in the instrument, the better the chance that I won't put it down. I'm looking at studying the book "Make Your Own Guitar" by Melvyn Hiscock, but if there's better books or other resources out there, I'd love to hear about them.
Lastly, I don't have a guitar yet, but the one I'm looking at is the Epiphone SG-Special electric. I love the styling of the instrument, and it seems like a good piece for the price range (about $170 at guitar center). I'd love to know if anybody on here has had any experience with one, and wouldn't mind knowing some of the ins and outs. Like I said before, I would like to be able to upgrade it in the future so any advice on what to replace would be appreciated (I know that personally, I'd like to throw a custom pick guard on asap, as I know the SG-Special doesn't come with one).
That's about all I can think of asking for now. Sorry about the wall of text, but I wanted to give a full picture of where I'm at. :)
1) Best place to start is the lessons section right here: https://www.guitarnoise.com/lessons/
2) Good way to learn about building a guitar is to take one completely apart and put it back together. Upgrade the bits and pieces while you're at it. Another good way is to start with a kit; cheap ones from Saga or decent ones from Carvin. This is basically assembly but you'll get to refinish it and learn quite a bit.
3) I don't know about that particular guitar, but I usually suggest buying used. You get much more bang for your buck. You might get a $250-300 guitar for your $170 budget, with better woods and other components.
"Everybody got to elevate from the norm."
welcome to the forum. I have built a few lap steels. easier than electric guitar or acoustic.
I found parts and info on this site:
A very simple one's here: http://buildyourguitar.com/resources/lapsteel/
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
I dont like the SGs because the guitars body is so light, and the headstock so heavy, that you have to hold the neck upright or it'll fall to the floor. That was annoying to me. A good strap with plenty of grip might work for you though.
I have an Epiphone SG Special and I love it. It's my favorite axe. I have a $600 Ibanez Artcore and a Danelectro DC-3 as well. My SG gets picked over all my others. It plays so well and it stays in tune. Everytime I pick it up to play I plug it in to a tuner just to make sure it's in and 95% of the time, it is. It's the cheapest guitar I own but it's also the best playing and sounding guitar I own. I love it and I will never part with it.
Peace!
