Is It Easier To Learn Guitar With A Better Guitar?
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at
5:13 am
I have a really cruddy acoustic guitar that cost about $150 and i hate it. It always detunes and it sounds bad. Would it be easier to learn on a guitar that sounds good? Is an epiphone les paul standard good?
US $9.99
It is much easier to learn to play on a decent quality guitar. My first guitar (I’ve been playing for more than 30 years) was poor quality and had very high action. (What did I know about guitars when I bought? Nothing.) Because of the high action, i.e., the strings are too high above the fretboard, it was tough to form chords properly and barre chords were impossible.
Generally, a $150 guitar should be of decent quality. Before you run out and get a new guitar, take yours to a guitar shop that does repair work, and have them check it out. The place where you originally bought it would be ideal if they have a repair tech. Tell the guy, in detail, the kinds of problems you’re having.
Your guitar may need to be properly set up, may may need new tuning machines, or other work. Or maybe you just need new strings; some otherwise good guitars come with poor quality strings when sold. The cost of a little work by a trained tech can give you a better guitar for a lot less than the price of a new one.
You’ll also be happier with this guitar, instead of buying a new one but having to look at your old one sitting there unused.
BTW, if you really want the Les Paul, go ahead and get one down the road. But IMHO spend at least $350-$400. The $150 ones are quickly thrown together and don’t have all the features the $400 ones have (like only one p’up instead of two, etc..)
If it’s something you’re really into a good rule of thumb
is to buy the best you can afford.
In regards to guitars – some are better than others.
Even the same type of guitar – some models
are made better than others.
sit down and try several differnt models.
Having a knowledgeable
technician adjusting the electronics or hardware
can make a difference too.
You may have reached the point where
you need a better constructed guitar.
The guys in my band play a Strats and Telecasters.
They go out of tune also. As your skills improve
that may be something that happens less often.
Depends on your style, ow hard you play.
Epiphone’s aren’t bad guitars.
if your learning..dont blame the guitar..blame yourself..before you get to the les pauls u gotta learn how to play buddy…..ive benn playing with a crappy don pablo guitar for 2 years..im movin up cause i learned!!
Your guitar has to be at least playable….if you hate the sound I can’t imagine that your enjoying practice. I know in the very early days I had a Sears cheap guitar, and I mean cheap…..I was very young…..the strings were about an inch above the fret board…..and this made it a killer to play….I hated it…..I always say that when you start guitar get an acoustic that has good action….and a sound that you love…..it is easier to play on a decent guitar……but guitar playing in general in not easy, it takes time and patience…..and you have to condition your hands and fingers, and until you get callouses on your fingers it can be quite painful…..there’s nothing wrong with the Les Paul to start on, it’s just that I like my students to start on acoustic, electric doesn’t sound good until you know how to play it !!!!!!!!!!!
Have you tuned your strings properly? that could be a problem if you havent.
and u should learn playing the guitar, i think its easier to learn on nylon strings. then, once u get better and eventually master it, u should buy a new and better one with steel strings.
I repair gibsons and fenders and own them also. Epiphone, surprisingly enough, is a very good buy with a lot of bite and a very good action.
It is easier for sure, to learn on a decent guitar. I learnt on a $70 guitar and today and mastered the guitar until I could afford a good one.
All said and done, Epipbone sells for $600, and well worth it. also Fender Squier combo sells for $250 and comes with the amp, guitar tuner etc….. Also a good buy .
It is always nice to have a good instrument. A good instrument inspires you. Someone I know of had a kid’s violin when he was young and was so disgusted with it that he threw it under his bed one day. At that point, his parents bought him a good one and he was as happy as a lark