Bubba po

But you can still learn to be half-decent on the guitar, it might just take you longer.

You shouldn't just cherry-pick the stuff you want to play, though - get a good teacher who'll thoroughly ground you in the basics, then you'll be able to learn everything you want to play - either by ear or tablature - for yourself.

farmerwrx

Epiphone Les Paul Body - Cherry Sunburst Flamed 1995 on eBay (end time 24-Jan-10 14:06:07 GMT)
Epiphone les paul custom Limited Edition-SilverBurst on eBay (end time 26-Jan-10 21:00:58 GMT)

mrtheedge2u2

Rob, if you can get it for 200 quid you will not be disppointed at all.....

Remember, you will need to get an ok amp and if you want to not get too bored/disappointed quickly then get on loot/ebay and buy yourself a run-of-the-mill fx unit as you will need to remember that very few songs now use simply clean/"dirty" setting.....

Klaatu

I hear what you say but, some people think they can, and, really, they can't. Driving is a good example. Most people are crap. Sure, they can get in the car and change some cogs, but, drive? Puhlease!

Like playing an instrument, you have to have talent. Sure you can string a few chords together and "sound like" U2 (In ones mind) but in reality you don't.

I played bass, but I am no Mark King or Steve Butler. I used to race rally cars, but I am no Stig Blomqvist.

A man has to know his limitations. *ahem*

Bubba po

It doesn't really matter, if he's playing for his own pleasure. He will have a lot of fun doing it even if he never becomes a performer. Some of the most talented guitarists I've ever seen are virtually unlistenable to me because they're not "communicating", they're just disappearing up their own anuses with technique and widdly-widdly shredding. You don't have to be the best guitarist to communicate with an audience and entertain people, as Marc Bolan would agree if he were alive.

Do you feel that you "failed" at bass because you were no Mark King or Steve Butler? If so, then you're looking at music entirely from the wrong perspective. Many people wouldn't even rate Mark King and I've never heard of Steve Butler, even with the help of google.

I'm a "limited" guitarist but I've been fortunate to have been in a few good bands, got a lot of pleasure out of it, and entertained a ******* LOT of people over the years. But I'm no [insert personal guitar god here]. Rob might have similar good fortune and get similar pleasure out of it, if he perseveres.

It's possible to transcend your limitations because, frankly, most people who listen to music haven't a clue whether you've played it correctly or otherwise - the only person who knows is yourself. They do seem to be able to tell whether they're watching a decent band or not, though.

Basically, I think that if you let your self-doubt and self-criticism cripple you before you start then you'll never do a damned thing.

Klaatu

Yeah I hear what you're saying, but in relation to the OP, U2 etc, well, c'mon.

I suggested the OP get nylon strings, assuming he is a beginer, as that will be easier on fingers. I never failed as a bass player and as I said, I still have hard skin on my finger tips, built my own amp etc...all those round wound strings...the best. If you've not seen Mark King play, well what can I say. Steve (Geeza) Butler, Black Sabath...only the, supposed, "worlds best" bass player...I am not sure google will help you there.

Bubba po

Ah, you mean Terence (Geeza) Butler. With you, now. I've seen Mark King play. He has amazing technique, but it doesn't add up to any form of music that I would consider moving, uplifting, exhilarating or otherwise.

Each to their own.

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

What do you think to this one, i really like the colour of the sunburst vinatage. I like that one because firstly it says brand new and also the colour is the one i like, maybe i could offer him £225 which would be good for one of these guitars brand new based on the dealer prices ive seen.

Is their anything i need to ask the seller ?

NEW LES PAUL PLUS STANDARD GUITAR - VINTAGE SUNBURST on eBay (end time 22-Jan-10 20:07:40 GMT)

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

The main reason i want to learn to play the guitar is because of the type of music i like, U2 have a unique relaxing sound with quite a lot of their music, they also have a lot of guitar solos and from what ive read they are not hard to learn because they are fairly basic in guitar terms. I appreciate that a lot of what The Edge does is electronically enhanced but the chords seem reachable for a beginner like me to learn once i have grasped the basics, i would say that their is no better buzz in music than being able to play a riff from one of your favourite bands. Thats the buzz i would get from it.

Klaatu

Also known as Steve, Terry, Geeza and Terance..all of the above, so I had a 25% chance of stating a name I knew that you knew too. Never mind.

Yes, Mark King for amazing technique, the music was 80's pop, so what do you expect. But the technique is important IMO and it was crisp and accurate.

David Lock

You could ask if it comes with a gig bag. Probably not but worth asking.

You will also need a strap which won't be supplied.

Stringsdirect - Online Guitar Strings and Accessories is decent on-line accessory shop.

dl

farmerwrx

if you can get that for £225 bargin ! go for it

Luan Pra bang

Epiphone make different grades of les Paul so make sure the one you get is proper mahogany and maple version a Les Paul Standard Plus and not one of the cheap versions with bolt on necks. I still think you should get a nylon strung guitar though.

Luan Pra bang

I would also consider getting a slightly different guitar Les Pauls have great tone (I have one myself) but if you really want to rock get one of these Ibanez Jem 555 For Sale Manchester Liverpool guitars guitar amps for sale

Dimarzio pickups make it ROCK. A friend made his own guitar (not very well IMO) and once he put some of those Steve Vai dimarzios on it it was just mental. For those that have never tried a guitar with those pickups give it ago.

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

Just one quick question about the Epiphone Les Paul, this may seem a daft question to those with guitar knowledge, why don`t the Epiphone Les Paul`s have a lever on the rear like you see on some similar electric guitars, a type of tensioning lever ?

Molbyman

iTrader: (2)

Where do you live? I would suggest you get a good teacher before spending money on a guitar. Heres a link to a concert that my son's teacher runs two or three times a year. All the students learn the parts individually and come together on the night and perform infront of 100+. Amazingly it works. My son's on the far left.
His teaher is in Kidderminster if your local to the Midlands.
YouTube - Mark Beard playing Metalica, part 2

mrtheedge2u2

Rob, are you referring to a tremolo handle that sits near the scratch plate?

Mate, for someone who is a novice to all this, you really do not need to worry so much about the finer details...

CrisPDuk

Get the Les Paul anyway

Even if you turn out to be completely inept - which is doubtful, I'm inept and even I can string three chords together You'll still have one of the most beautiful guitars ever made to hang on your wal


To be fair, Adam Clayton's pretty handy

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

It was more about curiosity than anything else, i was just wondering why some had that and others didn`t.

Anyway, ive taken the plunge bought my first ever guitar. Its an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Plus in vintage sunburst. It should arrive in 48 hours, i`ll post some pics after its arrived.

My first gig is lined up for next week where i`ll be playing that classic riff "Doe Ray Me" followed by "Oh when the saints go marching in", its £15 entry which includes a free cuppa and some dark chocolate hob ****

David Lock

You may mean a Whammy Bar but this is on the front of the guitar down at the bottom. It raises and lowers all the strings together slightly which changes their pitch. Some guitarists don't like it because it can leave the strings slightly out of tune. Generally for added effects on rock stuff. See any Hendrix video. Also Jeff Beck.

Tremolo arm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


dl

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

Having got my guitar i need some recommendations for the following.

1. A good beginners amp
2. Guitar strap
3. Guitar to amp lead
4. A guitar bag of some kind
4. A guitar plucker

Is their anything else i need to get up and running that ive missed ?

David Lock

A few spare picks. They come in different weights so I would start with some medium thickness ones and see how you get on. "Lost" picks are usually to be found in shirt top pockets or bottom of washing machine. In an emergency cut the corner off an old credit card.

A complete set of spare strings and 2 or 3 extra individual strings for the top ones which break fairly frequently. A huge choice but my lad uses Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings weight 9 - 42 IIRC. Just personal preference but ask your teacher when you identify one.
An electronic tuner which are not expensive. Tuning by ear is a pain.

dl

farmerwrx

you won't go wrong getting one of these amps to start

Roland Cube Guitar Amp on eBay (end time 24-Jan-10 15:43:29 GMT)

this is a great little clip on tuner

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Digital-Cl...item518fd4f46c

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

Thanks David for the tip on the picks and the info about the guitar strings



That amp looks ideal, i`ll be bidding on it nearer to the end of the auction and that tuning gadget looks as cheap as chips and very useful. Thanks Farmer

farmerwrx

i have one of the amps and the tuner and would recommend them to anyone

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

I can`t believe what ive let myself in for here in learning to play the guitar with no musical background whatsoever

From researching on the net i`m going to have to learn about musical notes from how they are layed out and what they mean etc, it certainly looks daunting and when your commiting to something like this with no knowledge as your definitely in it for the long haul.

farmerwrx

learn a few basic chords then have a look at this site and try to find a few songs you know that have about 3 easy basic chords and go from there
Guitar Tabs, Guitar Chords and Lyrics - Chordie

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

Thanks Farmer, i think i`ll take it very slowly and try to enjoy it along the way, a learn to walk before you can run kinda approach and try to take it all in.

David Lock

Stop posting and start practicing..........

d

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

That could be difficult without a guitar seeing as mine won`t be here till friday at the earliest or monday/tues of next week ?