kiwipom
Veteran Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 1,262
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Post by kiwipom on Jan 3, 2018 7:21:40 GMT
I’m a bass player with about 1400 gigs over 35 years or so - and never thought I’d ever play a 6 string at home with any competence, but about 10 years ago I decided to treat myself to an electro-acoustic The advice that others have given is spot on – buy the best that you can afford to speculate on – either a good 2nd hand named brand or a new guitar, but not the “basic” range – try to buy into the mid-range if you can I tried many mid-range Fender acoustics and others like Crafter, Aria etc etc – I found some a bit constrained and “meek”. I’m an avid Yamaha BB series bass enthusiast and really like their consistent attitude to quality across all price ranges/models, so I tried many of the Yamaha acoustic 6 string models too – they were great but none really grabbed me Then I tried a mid-range Takamine – it was just more “alive” with sustain and “sang” far more than the others - I got the Korean made G series www.takamine.com/EGS330SC for about NZ$750 ( I think they now make them in China but to the same spec/standard, so they are now slightly cheaper ) If you’re going to GAK, bearing in mind your budget, along with many others, I’d try this one www.gak.co.uk/en/takamine-gd30-blk-black/912731Good luck in your search |
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smq
Rocker Rollin'
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Post by smq on Jan 3, 2018 8:45:23 GMT
E minor to D and back again. Minimum fingers  PS C is a b***er. There's always something. No! No! Just checked. That's G. C is OK. You'll need G as well though. C and G are a canter. It's B and Bb that are Satanic for beginners. Speak for yourself - C and G are already taking me to hell and back |
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smq
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 257
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Post by smq on Jan 3, 2018 8:47:27 GMT
I’m a bass player with about 1400 gigs over 35 years or so - and never thought I’d ever play a 6 string at home with any competence, but about 10 years ago I decided to treat myself to an electro-acoustic The advice that others have given is spot on – buy the best that you can afford to speculate on – either a good 2nd hand named brand or a new guitar, but not the “basic” range – try to buy into the mid-range if you can I tried many mid-range Fender acoustics and others like Crafter, Aria etc etc – I found some a bit constrained and “meek”. I’m an avid Yamaha BB series bass enthusiast and really like their consistent attitude to quality across all price ranges/models, so I tried many of the Yamaha acoustic 6 string models too – they were great but none really grabbed me Then I tried a mid-range Takamine – it was just more “alive” with sustain and “sang” far more than the others - I got the Korean made G series www.takamine.com/EGS330SC for about NZ$750 ( I think they now make them in China but to the same spec/standard, so they are now slightly cheaper ) If you’re going to GAK, bearing in mind your budget, along with many others, I’d try this one www.gak.co.uk/en/takamine-gd30-blk-black/912731Good luck in your search Thank you so much. That’s exactly where I’m headed! It’s the holding down the strings bit to form the chords I’m finding really hard at the moment. Would this sort of model make that a little easier do you think? |
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smq
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 257
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Post by smq on Jan 3, 2018 8:48:31 GMT
Speak for yourself - C and G are already taking me to hell and back  Wait until you try B and B flat.... You’re enjoying this.....👿 |
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kiwipom
Veteran Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 1,262
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Post by kiwipom on Jan 3, 2018 11:26:36 GMT
The string pressure technique will come in time, the finger soreness will pass and the feeling of being embarrassed/inadequate fades as you achieve more! - after a few years of home noodling, I’m still pretty poor with barre chords to be honest- but it’s amazing how many credible renditions of songs you can do with a smattering of a few chords - E, E7, Em, Em7, F, G, G7, A, A7, Am, Am7, B7, Bm7, C, D, D7, Dm, Eb etc etc all without a safety net!… ….and occasionally with a stray pinky you’ll stumble across something by accident like C#m….or F6 and think “what the f*ck is that?...hmmm it actually sounds quite classy…I did that…”  As above, never give up….  |
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Post by Whoppa Choppa on Jan 3, 2018 15:21:14 GMT
Wait until you try B and B flat.... You’re enjoying this.....👿 F, F5, and F6... low down near the head..... |
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Post by madturk on Jan 3, 2018 19:34:44 GMT
To remember the notes for the strings in the order of thickest to thinnest...
Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears.
EADGBE.
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Post by Railroad17 on Jan 3, 2018 22:13:33 GMT
Thanks all! Indeed, I am no “spring chicken” (thanks for that 😂) and am looking into finding someone locally to take some lessons. My youngest son plays a bit and has got me started on a couple of basic chords and I’ve found some basic online videos so was planning to get a little more competent before paying for tuition (as well as toughening up my girlie fingertips - can only seem to do about 10 minutes at a time at present before strings are seeemingly close to chopping my fingertips off!) I’m just using a very modest steel strung acoustic guitar at present and unfortunately I am nowhere near being able to strum a basic tune! Literally at the forming chords stage and struggling to avoid dampening the strings as my son keeps telling me 😟 I’m fairly determined to persevere with this and will let you know how I’m doing in a month or two........ How's the set up on the acoustic?....is the action too high? (The distance between the string and the fretboard). Is it a decent guitar?....a shitey one can put you off for life. It's better to learn on an acoustic...harder to play than electrics, but it toughens you up and you get a good grounding. Once you start playing an electric, you'll be amazed at how easy it is to do. I played acoustic from the age of 15, and only picked up an electric about eight years ago. Get stuck in. It'll be the best decision you ever made. It was for me. "I played acoustic from the age of 15, and only picked up an electric about eight years ago." I knew it. When did the accordion idea take shape? Read more: statusquo.boards.net/thread/10015/advice-total-novice#ixzz53A7dOssr |
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Post by Railroad17 on Jan 3, 2018 22:14:59 GMT
There’s a great shop in Brighton (GAK - guitar amp and keyboard shop). Will head down at the weekend and try a few out. Will probably clear the shop as I strum along to the only chord I’m half competent at (E minor I think) 😬 Prices seem to range from £70-1000. I’m guessing upper end for experts so £200-300 should get me something pretty decent? You sure about the nylon strings 😏? £200-£300 will get you a good acoustic. Try as many as you can. Take as long as you want. Go for the sound and feel that you like. You'll know when it happens. Do not - under any circumstances - even LOOK at a nylon strung guitar. That way leads to disappointment, loneliness, no sex whatsoever, and eventually - death. Good luck. Let us know what you bought. "That way leads to disappointment, loneliness, no sex whatsoever, and eventually - death." Like supporting Crystal Palace? Read more: statusquo.boards.net/thread/10015/advice-total-novice?page=2#ixzz53A83JHFa |
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Post by Railroad17 on Jan 3, 2018 22:16:40 GMT
The string pressure technique will come in time, the finger soreness will pass and the feeling of being embarrassed/inadequate fades as you achieve more! - after a few years of home noodling, I’m still pretty poor with barre chords to be honest- but it’s amazing how many credible renditions of songs you can do with a smattering of a few chords - E, E7, Em, Em7, F, G, G7, A, A7, Am, Am7, B7, Bm7, C, D, D7, Dm, Eb etc etc all without a safety net!… ….and occasionally with a stray pinky you’ll stumble across something by accident like C#m….or F6 and think “what the f*ck is that?...hmmm it actually sounds quite classy…I did that…” As above, never give up…. "The string pressure technique will come in time, the finger soreness will pass and the feeling of being embarrassed/inadequate fades as you achieve more! " Using this thread to advertise your own perversions...I'm surprised at you. Read more: statusquo.boards.net/thread/10015/advice-total-novice?page=3#ixzz53A8HHnOX |
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Post by Railroad17 on Jan 3, 2018 22:25:37 GMT
Scottish fielders unhappy with umpire turning down LBW appeal at Lords.  |
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Post by Railroad17 on Jan 3, 2018 22:34:06 GMT
Scottish fielders unhappy with umpire turning down LBW appeal at Lords. The way every single Londoner dresses. Every single day. No exceptions. Ever.  You touch my family album again and there will be trouble. I suppose you dislike the Kilted Jock as much as I hate these Cockney wankers..point taken..er..a bit. |
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Post by Railroad17 on Jan 3, 2018 22:35:05 GMT
I forgot to add "Guvnor"
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Post by vivfromcov on Jan 3, 2018 23:35:40 GMT
To remember the notes for the strings in the order of thickest to thinnest... Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears. EADGBE. I learnt it as Every Apple Does Go Bad Eventually! I like this thread. Good luck with it smq . I am tempted to get my old accoustic out of the wardrobe and revisit my folk singing days! When I got into Quo, I bought a cheap electric guitar and tried to progress to barre chords but never managed it....  Maybe I should have another go! My younger son got a Takemine a few years ago. He did very well teaching himself Oasis songs off youtube. |
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smq
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 257
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Post by smq on Jan 4, 2018 20:11:11 GMT
Again, thanks so much for all the tips, advice and encouragement. A little update:
I did nearly 2 hours practice last night and similar tonight - still rubbish but slightly less so 😂. E minor to E major now sounds passable! Also working on A minor 7 I think which goes to C major with finger 3? (But Son has also got me practicing some pentatonic scale thing which gives the fingers a bit of a rest!)
Also booked my first proper lesson for Tuesday afternoon!
And then back down to earth! Son comes in while I’m practicing and works out in his head the intro to POMM just like that! Little so and so 😤
Absolutely buzzing....
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Wait until you try B and B flat....
Maybe I should have another go!