New Expensive Hobby...Guitar

[Tylerlsu2008]

Tapped out on spending on watches for at least a few years and ready to enjoy what I have.

But now, have decided to pursue guitar -- been having the itch for a few years.

Dabbled in bass about ~20 years ago (was not good...), so basically starting from scratch.

Any tips to a newbie welcome.

Oh, and I got convinced to jump in the deep in and went with a Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Bourbon Burst...

[Dan Pierce]

I've always been more of a old Fender bass guy but have owned Gibson, Hagstom, Dean, Gretsch, Travis Bean, Kramer, Danelectro, Jerry Jones, Ampeg, Warmoth, G&L, Regal, Yamaha, Guild, Lakland, to name a few.

Really depends on your type of music & personal taste. A Gibson Les Paul is a great start. A Tele and/ or Strat would be nice additions. It all goes downhill from there.

And we haven't even started talking acoustics.
dP

[Tylerlsu2008]

The Gibson felt nice with the slimmer neck and I believe shorter scale vs the fender. Initially I was assuming I start with a strat, but instead ended up spending way more...

Now just have to work on getting these small-ish hands to cooperate

[brandrea]

I can’t help with bass guitar, about all I know how to do is chord and play campfire stuff on an acoustic …

What I can say, is that some of the best times I’ve spent are singing and playing along with friends around a cottage campfire.

Enjoy the new found interest

[Tylerlsu2008]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I can’t help with bass guitar, about all I know how to do is chord and play campfire stuff on an acoustic …

What I can say, is that some of the best times I’ve spent are singing and playing along with friends around a cottage campfire.

Enjoy the new found interest

Ah, sorry if unclear.

I’m doing electric guitar this time around, not bass. Just a bit of bass was my only previous experience.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Tylerlsu2008

Ah, sorry if unclear.

I’m doing electric guitar this time around, not bass. Just a bit of bass was my only previous experience.

I hope you enjoy it


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[AzPaul]

When my sweetheart mentioned she wanted, 'Les Paul', for Christmas, I was worried because I don't know much about guitars. Then she clarified and said the kind with two s's.

[Bazil]

I bought a Yamaha Sunburst , I learnt by watching a YouTube tutorial by Justin Guitar an Australian that broke it all down fantastically for me ..

[BraveBold]

Collecting, playing or both?

If playing (but with a possible future market for collectible) I strongly suggest MusicMan guitars. I only have one (a Petrucci Majesty BFR) but easily the nicest guitar I’ve ever played. My other electric guitars are mostly American made PRS and Strats.

[BigJim67]

www.thegearpage.net

Fun place, lotsa knowledge.

Started paying when I was 12, playing in bands since 11th grade, such a fun hobby!

[Tylerlsu2008]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Collecting, playing or both?

If playing (but with a possible future market for collectible) I strongly suggest MusicMan guitars. I only have one (a Petrucci Majesty BFR) but easily the nicest guitar I’ve ever played. My other electric guitars are mostly American made PRS and Strats.

Playing -- don't see myself collecting guitars. But then again...could see that changing one day if I really get into it.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Tylerlsu2008

Tapped out on spending on watches for at least a few years and ready to enjoy what I have.

But now, have decided to pursue guitar -- been having the itch for a few years.

Dabbled in bass about ~20 years ago (was not good...), so basically starting from scratch.

Any tips to a newbie welcome.

Oh, and I got convinced to jump in the deep in and went with a Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Bourbon Burst...

Yeah, the guitars, the amps, the pedals…

That’s all going to add up…$$$$$$$$

Probably a lot more fun than watch collecting though…if you can play…


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[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Tylerlsu2008

Playing -- don't see myself collecting guitars. But then again...could see that changing one day if I really get into it.

Any strong preference in terms of musical genre?

I play most genres. Exception is country (though there are some great players).

My advice is to immediately start with the genre you enjoy listening to or have an active interest in learning to play. If that means bebop jazz, neoclassical metal or prog metal… so be it (and good luck!)

If you are passionate about the music, the ability (through practice) should follow. Just have realistic expectations and enjoy the journey.

Btw, if you have a preference for style / type of music already, I also suggest considering emulating the gear choice to at least some degree of your favorite players in that style.

If you have diverse interest, then it comes down to budget… I am not budget constrained for guitars (unlike some other instruments, you can build a pro-level rig for a few thousand dollars). I can cover virtually all my interests with three amps (Mesa triple rectifier, Fender Twin and Roland JC120), some pedals and a few electrics.

If you go digital with the amp, you can cover it all with one.

Enjoy!

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

When my sweetheart mentioned she wanted, 'Les Paul', for Christmas, I was worried because I don't know much about guitars. Then she clarified and said the kind with two s's.

[Bluside]

A Les Paul is a great guitar.

Yes, you can spend a lot of $ in the guitar world, but I think it's still cheaper than watches. Enjoy.

(I have quite a few)

[golftime]

I can identify with this thread. I played lots of electric and some acoustic guitar as a kid, but that was many, many years ago. I still love music, mostly rock, and from time to time I look at the guitar market. I have friends who play and the one thing I have learned is everyone has different favorites and there is a lot to choose from. Whew, this could get expensive!

In addition to the old favs like the Strats and the Les Pauls, there are newer names such as Ibanez and PRS and others that are excellent as well. The biggest issue for me is I know to get back into it, hoping to get even close to where I was at one time, would require a pretty big commitment as far as practice. My friends who still play tell me they pick up a guitar pretty much every day.

[White Collar Boy]

Nice work getting a Les Paul Standard. What amp are you using? If nothing yet, my advice is to find an old silverface Fender combo, and don’t worry about an old Twin Reverb being too big (if it’s staying at home and there’s space) or too loud, as they sound beautiful even at low volume.

[RRGHOST1]

Just bought myself a new Fender Precision Vintera in Dakota Red and a Fender Stratocaster Vintera in Seafoam Green.
A bit like Dan Pierce i am a Fender lover but do like Rickenbacker basses and Warwick are ok. Our band Spirit of Memphis is all Fender guitars and all Fender Amplification.

[RichM]

You got the Les Paul, now all you need is the Marshall Half Stack.

I learn a lot of stuff from You Tube. If you’re into the Beatles, Mike Patchelli is excellent. Also check out 12 Ft Chain for classic 60’s RnR.

Practice everyday! Good luck

[austinp]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

When my sweetheart mentioned she wanted, 'Les Paul', for Christmas, I was worried because I don't know much about guitars. Then she clarified and said the kind with two s's.

Ha! Love it.


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[rjd1]

My other obsession - have been playing 45 years and though I consider myself primarily a player, my collection is now up to just shy of 60 guitars. New Guitar Days are equally fun as New Watch Days. I’ve owned a bit of everything over the years - hundreds of guitars - but at the end of the day, I’m a Les Paul guy too. Enjoy!

[White Collar Boy]

Originally Posted by rjd1

My other obsession - have been playing 45 years and though I consider myself primarily a player, my collection is now up to just shy of 60 guitars.

Blimey. Which is your favourite guitar? Are you a fan of the (IMO unfairly maligned) Norlin-era Gibsons?

[DougUSMC]

Originally Posted by rjd1

My other obsession - have been playing 45 years and though I consider myself primarily a player, my collection is now up to just shy of 60 guitars. New Guitar Days are equally fun as New Watch Days. I’ve owned a bit of everything over the years - hundreds of guitars - but at the end of the day, I’m a Les Paul guy too. Enjoy!

Hear, hear!!

I'd argue that there's no difference between the two. As a lefty, it's even trickier for me to find some guitars, so very few "come and go". Once they're in the collection they tend to stay.

Also a LP guy here, usually teamed up with a Marshall or a Two Rock. Though I will say I love a PRS for some things, Fender for others, and almost anything else in between.

Then there are times I only pick up one of my acoustics for months on end.

I'd be careful of calling the LP "the deep end", because once you really start looking you'll see it's dipping your toe into the big kids pool. My newest acoustic (Lowden) wasn't priced all that differently than my Sea Dweller.

[TickTockChuck]

I went through my guitar phase (aka GAS, Guitar Aquisition Syndrome) about 15 years ago during the peak of the vintage guitar craze. I never actually acquired an actual vintage guitar (due to ridiculous prices at the time), but did get many fine custom shop reproductions from Gibson, Fender and Martin. I'd have to say my favorite is a '57 Gibson Custom Shop gold top Les Paul. Very easy to play (shorter scale/less string tension) with great tone. My favorite Fender Custom Shop guitar is an early 50's Nocaster with Abby pickups. Finally my favorite Martin is a full mahogany D-15, which is one of their less expensive guitars, but has incredible warm tone. Also too many amps & pedals to list. It probably is more fun than watches to be honest. If you can find that one magic guitar that sings to you, you really don't need anymore. Cheers.

[enjoythemusic]

Does anyone make a high-quality handcrafted instrument to your spec guitar? Nothing against off-the-shelf and vintage stuff, but wouldn't something custom be a goal too?

[DougUSMC]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Does anyone make a high-quality handcrafted instrument to your spec guitar? Nothing against off-the-shelf and vintage stuff, but wouldn't something custom be a goal too?

I have "a few", I tell myself it's "because I don't have a lot of options otherwise, as a lefty"

The first was a PRS Private Stock Hollowbody II, that really set the bar for all others to follow.

Next was a Les Paul 59 reissue Made to Measure

Then a Fender Custom shop strat

A Lowden ancient bog oak Wee Lowden

Now waiting on another Les Paul, 58 reissue this time.

They all do their own thing.

[enjoythemusic]

^^^

well-played.jpg

[elau1958]

Guitar is just about as expensive as watches, at least in the entry level watches. I have an original Epiphone that my Dad gifted me back in the early '70s when they were still manufactured in Japan. Play it my entire adult life but four years ago I got into buying new guitars. Added to my collection since is two Taylors, one acoustic and one electric, an Epiphone electric and one Fender Telecasters. The two Taylors cost an arm and a leg so I know collecting guitars is definitely not for the faint of heart. Now I am after a PRS that is made right here in Annapolis and it will easily set me back a 5-figure price tag. But the workmanship is so worth it and when I do buy one, I seriously doubt it will ever be played. Most likely be in a glass case hanging on the wall.

[TickTockChuck]

Originally Posted by elau1958

Guitar is just about as expensive as watches, at least in the entry level watches. I have an original Epiphone that my Dad gifted me back in the early '70s when they were still manufactured in Japan. Play it my entire adult life but four years ago I got into buying new guitars. Added to my collection since is two Taylors, one acoustic and one electric, an Epiphone electric and one Fender Telecasters. The two Taylors cost an arm and a leg so I know collecting guitars is definitely not for the faint of heart. Now I am after a PRS that is made right here in Annapolis and it will easily set me back a 5-figure price tag. But the workmanship is so worth it and when I do buy one, I seriously doubt it will ever be played. Most likely be in a glass case hanging on the wall.

I agree guitars can get expensive and somewhat addictive. Sounds like you have a nice collection. The thing about guitars is that search for an elusive tone which provides a much deeper emotional connection than other forms of collecting. Also guitars are a form of art. I never got into the exotic boutique guitars with rare tonewoods and am happy with major brand custom shop offerings. Guitars are really a fun hobby and I love visiting music shops more than Rolex ADs....ha! Cheers

[BraveBold]

The tone is in the fingers. At least most of it once you get solid gear.