Ok...so after a long time of thinking...me, a 14 year old guy from Colombia, South America have decided to start playing guitar.

I mostly listen, and plan to play, metal; proggresive, power and death most of all.
So i asked my dad; he told me that yes i could play, but start in acoustic and then move on to electric. The price is almost the same since he aggreed to buy a GOOD acoustic.

My argument is, well, why start on acoustic, if the electric, as i've read, its easier; meaning that acoustic is harder to learn and i wouldnt be really using it for the music i really want to play.

So, any advice, on how should i start, and what arguments could i use to convice him that starting in electric is a better option?

I advice you to choose an electic guitar. Because, there are many techniques on the el. guitar which you can't play on the acoustic.

if you're getting a free guitar, get the one that you're dad will get you.

there are certain things that you need to learn to do that you won't be able to do with your electric for a while anyway. enjoy the tones and tunes on your acoustic first and it'll make you a stronger electric guitar player.

to get an electric first, you'll fall in love with the distortion channel on your amp and you'll potentially handicap your development.

i would def look into both options really. acoustic is what i started on and that was a good choice imo. but when i go my electric, there was no turning back. i would probably say that acoustic is good to start on as a lot of electric players don't know how to use them and there are a lot of times when people are just sitting around and there is an acoustic just lying there and people are like, play it for us! and then you can

here is an idea for you.

your dad agreed to get you either a good electric, or a good acoustic right? which im guessing 300-400 price range

if thats the case,
split it up so you get the best of both worlds,

for your kind of music you would want to look into the Ibanez jumpstart electric guitar pack-$200

and a fender acoustic starter pack-$200

so you can do both..


acoustic builds strength, electric builds strength








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From personal experience, I started on acoustic and the transition to electric was a first a bit awkward due to the different chord voicings, and string weight.

In your case, the guitar should pick the guitarist.

Take a look at both guitars, and try to picture yourself with each one and eventually you'll find the guitar you want.

Buy used, and you can afford both.

For a beginner with your taste I would recommend an Ibanez electric guitar and a Line 6 Spider 212. These will retain their value if you bought them used unlike buying a new starter pack.

Browse craiglist.org for your area and BE PATIENT and you can find some good deals on used equipment.








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do you have anybody to help you pick out the best guitar and amp for the music you want to play?

a nice acoustic is wonderful to have...i am an Ovation fan myself. but if you are a metal head,you probably want to crank out crunchy power chords.....as much as i love my Ovation's they dont do the distorted metal stuff very well.

buy the guitar you will WANT to play.....that is an important part of learning....actually PLAYING ! lol .








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Get whatever inspires you to play more.

Acoustic playing will make your fingers stronger and your callouses harder faster. But I've witnessed less time practicing (or it just sits in the corner) because it doesn't sound like the music that inspired you to want to play.

If you go electric however, keep in mind an acoustic in the very near future for the aforementioned toughening of the fingers. Also, you can play the acoustic anywhere...the back porch, the park, Around the campfire (my favorite)

Starting with electric has the hazard of learning less or slower. You can play one chord or one pentatonic scale and make it sound like you are rocking out. For some people, that keeps them from progressing musically. With acoustic, you have to work a little harder and know a little more about playing for it to sound like you know how to play.








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generaldefault wrote:

Get whatever inspires you to play more.

Acoustic playing will make your fingers stronger and your callouses harder faster. But I've witnessed less time practicing (or it just sits in the corner) because it doesn't sound like the music that inspired you to want to play.

If you go electric however, keep in mind an acoustic in the very near future for the aforementioned toughening of the fingers. Also, you can play the acoustic anywhere...the back porch, the park, Around the campfire (my favorite)

Starting with electric has the hazard of learning less or slower. You can play one chord or one pentatonic scale and make it sound like you are rocking out. For some people, that keeps them from progressing musically. With acoustic, you have to work a little harder and know a little more about playing for it to sound like you know how to play.

good call !
sound advice indeed.......no pun intended








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"That is not dead which can eternal lie
.... Yet with strange aeons even death may die"


proud member of G.A.U.P , and C.G.A.A

I disagree with the purchase of both guitars at once--since you'd be choosing lower quality instruments.

If you buy 2 cheapoes, you won't truly benefit. Low quality instruments breed hatred and contempt!

The reason for starting on Acoustic vs. electric is BECAUSE, Acoustic is harder. You need to master the acoustic before you can really master the electric. If you start with an acoustic guitar, it will help your overall tone, clarity, accuracy, etc. These are all vital parts to playing any style of music. You ask any of your guitars hero's what they think, and they will tell you the same thing. This advice is coming from a professional. I have been in the music industry for quite sometime, and had the pleasure of sharing the stage with many National Touring Acts! Start on Acoustic, view the Electric as a reward for all the hard work, and time and effort you put into mastering the Acoustic! Whatever you do, DONT buy from a mail order magazine, and DONT buy from a department store, and please, Thoroughly check out, wherever you're buying the instrument(s) from. Alot of people think a guitar, is a guitar, and this is not the case. Make sure the guitar is set up properly, and everything has been adjusted, assure the intonation, action, truss rod, etc, etc. are all where they need to be. If you need help purchasing any type of guitar, let me know, and I would be more than happy to assist you!

Anyways, from a professional standpoint, and my full hearted opinion, start with acoustic.. You'll be kicking yourself if you dont. I mean, if you just want to learn some power chords, and do messy sweep picking, and have no idea what the advantages of alternate picking, and proper finger placement, and even just the proper way to hold your pick ( keep those fingers away! hold only between your thumb, and pointer finger, and keep the other fingers extended.. This will keep them out of the way, and increase speed, and make your playing much easier, and fluid), Then start with an electric, and crank your gain up to 11, and be the laughing stock of all your buddies, and other professionals.. But I strongly reccommend starting with acoustic..

Anyone who wants to argue about it, feel free to message me..

Thanks
Mark








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