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Hey there,
Need some help from you experienced guitar players out there. A few summers ago I bought a cheap acoustic guitar ($99 US Fender Squire - entry level) and I regretted it ever since. I can't play it for more than 10 minutes before my fingers start to ache from holding the strings down.
I want to get another one but don't wanna spend a whole lot of cashola - probably about $250 Cdn max. I'll probably end up buying it off the net, so a make and model would be very helpful.
Thanks guys :mrgreen:
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It might just be the strings... I play guitar and i know nothing about them but i've played for five years and headed several bands. How often do you play? cuz i know when i started i had to build up the calluses on my fingertips and they hurt for weeks!
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I don't play a WHOLE lot, but it's not a problem on my Godin electric guitar. Somehow I don't think the strings are the problem...I think it's more an issue of the height of the strings from the fret board - I have to put more pressure on them to connect, know what I mean?
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take it to any guitar store, they can adjust the height of the strings for you. Usually this works but sometimes the guitar is just to far gone to be fixed. It shouldn't cost much. You can try and do it yourself but if you are not that experienced just take it in to a shop.
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Hey Good idea Bauer - so obvious too! Thanks :wink:
But if that doesn't work, I'm still open to suggestions on a new one.
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there is so many different makes and models of guitars. I suggest going down to any shop and playing before you buy that way you know what you are getting. The hard part is going into a store and actually picking something up and playing it. at least it was for me at first. I took my teacher down with me who just happens to also be a friend. He wasn't into any perticular brand name but he did have me try a few until I picked one I liked in my price range, which was $200-300 CND. I got a martin goya and love it. this was about 9-10 years ago though. The key is to actual have it in your hands, have fun with it no one is really listening to you play around. it's not like we are rob baker or anything like that. but I was pretty self conscience we I started learning. anyhoo just my b strings worth.
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yeah that's exactly the thing Bauer...everytime I go onto a music shop the sales guys are right on me, ask me what I want, and then stand there in front of me the whole time. It's like they're waiting to be dazzled or something and then I play my one string note :oops: It's annoying as bloody hell :x . I don't play in front of people, like ever, so going in there and trying one out in front of them really sucks. But I guess I don't have a choice if want a guitar I'm gonna like.
*sigh*
I wish they had private sound-proof rooms.
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A lot of places will leave you alone while you try stuff out, at least the last time I was in the market that's what I found. At first they'd come up and ask you if they could help out. If you just tell them your situation and a general idea of what you're looking for, like price and play, etc. they'll point you in the right direction and let you try them out. At least at any good music store that is.
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I still stick by the el-cheapo Yamaha acoustic myself. I bought mine almost 8 years ago now, and I still thinks it's great. I believe it was around $200 CDN, maybe a little more. Either way, the neck is very playable and it stays in tune.
Also, you might wanna try a super light set of strings. I used Adamas lights for a while and it was almost as easy as playing my electric. If you don't mind sacrificing tone, you can also actually put electric strings on instead.
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Thanks for the tips everyone :thumb:
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You stole the words right out of my mouth D-Man, I'm coming up on my 2 year anniversary of buying my first guitar....I got sick of singing along while my friends played so I bit the bullet and bought my own...BEST thing I've ever purchased...My first guitar was a Yamaha FG 403 MS... it was cheap, about $225 CDN. And man do I love it, it sounds better than when I first bought it...or maybe I'm just getting better. But, my other suggestion is to go with super light guage strings they are much easier to press and hold down.
Enjoy.
Goulet!!!
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It just sounds like you need your action adjusted. Squire make fine guitars. Take it in and get your intonation done, and your action lowered. It'll run you around 50-100 bucks.
You should get your guitar set up every year.
Good luck!
