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Electric vs Acoustic for learning


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Does anyone have any suggestions which is better to use while going through this course?  Electric or Acoustic?  Thanks for any suggestions. I currently have an acoustic. 

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1 hour ago, Jkindgren said:

Does anyone have any suggestions which is better to use while going through this course?  Electric or Acoustic?  Thanks for any suggestions. I currently have an acoustic. 

@Jkindgren There isn't really a "better" guitar to use for the course. Provided your guitar is in decent shape with good strings and properly set up (I recommend a pro do this if you're not familiar) then, in my humble opinion, the best guitar is the one you will actually use!  Some will say an electric is a bit easier to learn on, and others will say learn on an acoustic first which will make learning electric easier later. If you have a decent acoustic (it doesn't have to be fancy or expensive either... something in the $400 > $500 range would be quite sufficient) and are happy with it, then just go with it.  Later in the course, there are lessons which a more dedicated to electric guitars but for now, its fine.

Happy learning! Neil

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Similar to Neil, I would say that the guitar that inspires you to play is the one to start with. As your ability and tastes grow then venture out into other styles, genres and types of guitar and maybe even other instruments.

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@Jkindgren  Jeff, I agree with Neil. Consider what kind of music and guitar(s) you want to play, any past experience, and go from there. Your acoustic will serve you well for now.

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Thanks everyone for the information.  My acoustic is in good shape.  I may get a professional "setup", but other than that it's good.  I think I will stick with that for now.  Once I get better I'll spring for an electric.  I am still in session 2 so I have a ways to go.  I know I'm only playing Jingle Bells and simple stuff, but it is pretty cool to be able to play something that sounds like a song.  Thanks again for the info.

Jeff

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Hi Jeff,

I'm a fellow newbie taking my second crack at the course. I knew I wanted to play both types of guitar, so I bought both. My acoustic is a nice Larrivee I found for a good price on Reverb. It plays like a dream and sounds wonderful. I didn't intend to go all out right away, but I'm glad I did. When I'm having a challenge, my breakthroughs often come while playing this guitar. My electric is a Squire Modified '51 that I like a lot, but as a bargain guitar, it is more challenging to play. I bought a second amp not long ago when Sweetwater was blowing out their Blackstar Artist 10ae amps. I totally love the sound of this amp, everything I've heard from it. I most highly recommend getting an amp whose sound you really like. The sweet sound (to me anyway) brought my enjoyment of electric practice on par with my acoustic practice. Before I had to force myself to play electric on alternate days. The two types of guitars feel much different while playing, in my limited experience.

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2 hours ago, pkotof said:

My electric is a Squire Modified '51 that I like a lot, but as a bargain guitar, it is more challenging to play.

Why do say it is more challenging? My first thought was that it has not been set up properly but maybe I should hold my thoughts until I know more about what you mean by more challenging.

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scale length between guitar's could be a factor on how you place your hand.

yes switch back and forth often.. 

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The electric strings are easier to fret energy-wise, but more challenging due to the shape and maybe, as you say Eracer_, scale length. I'll have to check. It has a telecaster neck (I don't know one from another yet) that feels awkward after playing the acoustic. The strings are low with no fret vibration originally. (It's time to restring both.) I'll still have someone check the setup. Thanks Fretless!

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Totally agree with Neil and others all great comments.. now as you move along it is customary to treat yourself to a new guitar.. as a suggestion also look for good and great guitars on closeout.. someone in the old forum found all of us a Takamine EAN 40c at Musicians Friend with hard-shell case for $300.00  . I also bought a Epiphone SG 400 Pro as a scratch and dent from Sweetwater for a couple hundred dollars.. nothing wrong or visible just was played in the store. I had them all professionally set up by my Luthier.. enjoy and welcome !  

Edited by columbo
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pkotof, one more thing, if I may: when you take your guitar to be set up I think it will help the technician if you also take your acoustic to show him the differences and what you prefer, because while one player may want a really low action, others want a bit higher. The techie will need to work out what you want so that he can set it up for you, not just a generic setup.

Edited by Fretless
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Yes, Columbo, I plan to investigate a twelve string when I can actually play a guitar well enough to make sure I want six more strings! Also, I have been wanting to get a prs starla since I heard one probably two years ago this summer. Now that I got that single-ended amp (with so many less options to confuse me), I realize I don't yet know enough about electrics to spend a lot on one. So same applies to electric. Thanks for the GAS enabling. :-)

Great idea Fretless! I will do that.

Now time to walk the dog and get to playing!

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