So you want to spend your wad on a guitar and become a rock star of just wanna strum and be the local Troubadour. My first bit of advice about guitars. Don’t invest a ton of money into your first guitar. Just because you spend $1500 on a Les Paul custom doesn’t mean it will make you play any better. Playing guitar is about method and theory not about how cool you look standing in front of your mirror admiring yourself. I’d say that I’ve seen 60-70% of most guitars ending up on ebay, craigslist or garage sales because Jo Shmo finally figured out that playing guitar is something that you actually have to work hard at and spend time learning.
Now Jo’s guitar becomes a great deal to pick up cheap. You see guitars are like cars, as soon as you leave the guitar store their value drops by 50%. Another great place to buy guitars is at a Pawn Shop. All of my guitars have come from pawn shops. You see, around April time Pawn shops are looking to reduce their inventory for taxes. Give them a ridiculous offer on anything you’re interested and I’m sure you’ll walk out with a great value. That’s because Jo Shmo took his $1500 Les Paul in and Guido gave him a measley $500 bucks for it, Jo couldn’t finish paying it back, so Guido kept the guitar and just needs to make up the $102.87 that he is out and figures getting $300 is doubling his investment. I personally scored a classic 70’s Gibson Victory Bass and an old school Platinum series BC Rich Bich (back when they were still made in the USA) for under $150. So have fun and Haggle Away!
My best advice would be to spend a modest amount on that first guitar ($200-300) and then a modest amount on lessons. By far, having a real live guitar teacher is the best method for learning to play, but at $35 an hour for a weekly lesson can break your bank in a short amount of time.
Since the first baby steps
of guitar playing steps are more involved with learning theory and technique I’d highly suggest investing in how to books (but they can be BORING) or even better than that a real person on video lessons. You will likely find that you much prefer this because you can stop mid stream and repeat as many times necessary to learn what you want, when you want. And why not get started for FREE (see links below), now that’s even better. If a guitar video system is not willing to give you some of the first lessons, I’d say forget that one and move to one that will. These first steps are basic and EVERYBODY has to get through them. Most methods at this level are very similar, it’s the intermediate to advanced levels of lessons that will cost you. But learning doesn’t have to be expensive, search around and find a video guitar learning program that suits your needs. And SAVE that money for when you’re more knowledgeable about the features of a guitar and what you really like and need to play.
I’ve found that Ben Edwards JAMORAMA is a great place to start learning guitar. A simple no nonsense approach from a great guitar teacher. Ben offers both electric and acoustic lessons which are incredibly inexpensive considering the cost of real teacher lessons. Tryout a 6 session course absolutely FREE!
Get some FREE lessons from him at the link below:
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Need to buy a guitar - learn how to do it the smart way.
May 15th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Hi, it’s a bit offtopic but may I ask you where did you get this blog template? I’m going to start bloggin as well, I’m a bit noob though but I really like it
Let me know… Anyway, nice website! 
May 29th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
I really enjoyed your article and would like to know if I provide a link back to your site if I can use your article on one of my sites?
May 30th, 2010 at 3:28 am
Yes sure lesley
May 30th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Your site is great. It has given me a lot of interesting information. Nice one!Thanks for sharing.;)
June 12th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Oh! I would love to learn how to play guitar!
Thanx for this site and the wonderful articles you provide.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
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