Re: Easier to learn on acoustic or electric?
- From: Chris Bolus <chris@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 16:33:56 GMT
On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 02:46:23 +0000, Raiden Caribbean Cool <no@xxxxxxxx>
wrote:
>Sorry for the question that may seem a little silly, but I've had a
>steel string acoustic for a while now and I have to hold the strings
>down incredibly hard to get anything sounding decent. I think its an
>okay guitat as it cost around £100 three years ago.
>
>My friend tells me electric is easier to learn as it isn't as harsh on
>the fingers. Would I be able to hold the strings down a little less hard
>and still get a good sound?
>
>Maybe I'm just doing it wrong though, I've never had a lesson in my
>life, but I thought I'd ask before buying an electric.
Electrics are IME much easier to fret, especially at the cheaper end of
the market, which £100 is. I'm not really sure why, though I suspect
string gauges play a big part.
That said, guitars in the shop can vary a great deal in their action.
When I bought my acoustic the shop had three of the same model, in
different colours. The one I chose was by far the nicest to play as it
had the lowest action - they others could no doubt have been fettled to
be as good, but this one was right "off the shelf".
I had similar problems to you while I was learning (I should point out
that this was 30 years ago!) Later on I realised what a dog my guitar
was (though I kept it up to last year when it became a neck donor!) and
bought a far better one for just £60 off Ebay. OK, so that was a gamble,
but I knew what I was looking for this time, and have successfully
pulled off the same gamble twice more since.
One of the plus points about persevering with a stiff action like yours
is that you should build good finger strength; I can hold clear barre
chords easily now!
A good luthier ("guitar surgeon") will probably be able to improve the
guitar you have - even your local guitar shop should be able to help
with a proper setup, but I suspect it will never be as light to play as
a well-sorted electric. Look, listen, and take advice in this group and
you should be able to find something that plays well (and that's the
most important thing) for around £150 - Yamaha Pacifica, Squier, Vintage
are three good names to look out for. Whatever you do, try the actual
guitar you're buying - like I said, they all vary.
--
Chris Bolus (change o to zero to reply by email)
I love cheap guitars, me. But I'm learning to appreciate expensive ones!
.
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- Easier to learn on acoustic or electric?
- From: Raiden Caribbean Cool
- Easier to learn on acoustic or electric?
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