What Guitar to buy?

Question

So, I've never played a chord in my life, don't know how to play, but I've put it off long enough...its time to learn to play the guitar. I write, and the songs I write inevitably come out in a "blues"style, and I love BB King (who doesn't?). What would be a good guitar to learn on? I would imagine Electric, but I'm open to suggestion. I have small hands, so I would imagine the neck would have to be small as well, but outside of that, I really don't know...any suggestions? Make, model, acoustic, electric, electric-acoustic, cut-away, hollow body, slim-line...its all somewhat overwhelming for the beginner, so any help is much appreciated... THANKS!

Answer 1

The first, most important thing you can do is go to a music store and try out a few guitars. You may not be able to play much, but you can still see what FEELS good to you (neck size, string height, etc.). There's also no reason to spend a ton of money on your first guitar, as your preferences will change as your playing progresses.

My personal recomendation would be to start out on electric. They're quite a bit easier on the fingers, and there's so many more sounds that can be acheived to play with. As for any extras, I would recommend a modeling amp and a slide. A modeling amp would be able to get you all the amp tones you need (along with some effects), while the slide would be great for blues and experimenting with different tunings.

Do NOT buy a starter pack. They tend contain very low quality parts, and nothing in the pack will be of much use to you once you get a little better at playing.

My personal favorite guitars for blues tend to be hollowbodies, and luckily for you they tend to have shorter scale lengths (great for smaller hands). I'm sure you already know this is the same preference that BB King had.

If name brands are important to you, then there's plenty of sites out there for you.. but if you don't mind lesser known brands, you could save quite a bit on similar quality instruments.

I hope this'll be a good start, just ask if there's anything else you want to know.

Answer 2

Good to hear you want to play!
There are anumber of different guitars that can be used for a reasonable price.
The simplest way is to try a Squier Stratocaster. It's the cheaper knock-off of the Fender strat, but it
s a pretty good way to start learning the blues!
You can pick one up for under $300.00 with a small amplifier at any good music shop like Guitar Center or Sam Ash.
Strats are good to play, because you can play rock, blues, jazz and almost any style on them.
The necks are standard, but are easy to play on. You can even have the action set lower so that the strings will be lower and easier to fret.
Another style for blues and jazz is a semi-hollow in the style of B. B. King. He uses a Gibson ES-335 model that he calls 'Lucille'. The name brand is about $2,000 - 3,000.00, but you can buy a knock off for less than $500.00.
If you want an acoustic, try an Ibanez or Yamaha.
If you want tolearn the blues, go for it! It's best to learn some basic chords to start with though.
Good luck, have fun and keep on playing.
P.S> I use a Fender Strat and also have an Epiphone semi-hollow.

Answer 3

If you don't have much money, go for a Jay Terser Stratocaster knockoff. I love the Tele, but if you're really into blues, the Strat is the more classic axe. You have to spend quite a bit more if you want a hollow body like BB's Lucille. An electric is much easier to finger for a beginner and a cheap acoustic is brutal to play and to listen to. You can pick up an inexpensive little amp for under $100 and spend around $130 on the Terser and be quite set for a while.

Answer 4

Low price solution for starting out blues: The Fender Stratocaster. It's an electric guitar many guitarists have used from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton. That baby will follow you from beginning and intermediate and even expert. Brand new standard runs for around $399. As you get to blues master (and you feel like really spending) you may want to look for a Gibson semi-hollow body. Blues machine.

As for amplifier, the most important, you want a tube amp for the blues sound. They will cost around $399 as well. Fender valve king will work.

Go to your local guitar shop or guitar center and look for Stratocasters and tube amps and you will be set for the blues.

Answer 5

I now recommend the Behringer guitar with USB port and software for around $130. If your hands are VERY small, try starting up at the 12th fret and working your way down the fretboard - the frets are closer together the higher up the fretboard you go.

I also very strongly recommend that you get a teacher - they can save you a lot of time and teach you to avoid bad habits. Be sure they are QUALIFIED - anybody can hang out a sign that says "guitar teacher", but not everyone is going to be the right teacher for you, so look around, and good luck.

Answer 6

I'd say your best bet is some form of Ibanez or get a LTD guitar (but with Seymour Duncans, not EMG actives). For $400 you could easily organize a good one of either. I'd avoid those others though but that's just me. In the end the only solid way is to go into a shop, try them out.

Answer 7

Daisy Rock (think thats the name) makes guitars specifically for females, might want to try one of those out, B.B. King i think plays a guitar with humbuckers

Answer 8

my first guitar was a peavy raptor exp which worked really good for me but im more into punk rock but it should work good for blues

Answer 9

fender stratocastor, only guitar you will ever need