Just bought my first guitar-Stellar Les Paul, and need help to know what else to buy?

Question

Hi I just bought a Stellar Les Paul copy, but it doesn't come with anything. I know I need a hardshell case, but what kind? What accessories to buy for a beginner...I would imagine picks, new strings (from what I hear about these guitars, but what kind of strings?), an amp, cord, tuner etc...
I'm trying to learn to play the blues. I've heard that I'd need a tube amp for that. Keep in mind that money IS an issue...what do I need to get started? (Assume I know nothing about guitars...which is pretty much accurate anyways...)

Answer 1

As a guitar player for 8 years, here is my advice:

If you shop for used equipment, that's okay because you can get fairly good deals that way. But just about all musicians I know treat their gear just like Michael Vick treats dogs. You gotta be careful what you buy, always make sure everything works on it. Personally, I usually buy brand new stuff because music equipment is made so cheaply nowadays that it ends up breaking with even a little bit of use.

A great place to buy brand new equipment for about the cheapest price is Musician's Friend (www.musiciansfriend.com) or a large music retail store like "Sam Ash" or "Guitar Center." The only disadvantage to these is that Musician's Friend is a mail order catalog so you can't try the gear for free, although they do let you test it for 30 days and you can send it back but they don't reiumburse the shipping charges. As for Sam Ash or Guitar Center, they always tend to be really busy and in my experience they aren't as people friendly as a local music store. But if you know exactly what you want, they usually have a big selection and decent prices. Just don't pay full price for a "display" item. People come in and just treat the display items like crap at those places.

There are also smaller, local music stores. These places are usually more people friendly and they will help you out personally. The only disadvantage here is that they are usually more expensive to buy from because they can't compete with the big music chain stores prices. But you can just go in and tell them you're a beginner and ask for any advice on what to get and they will help you out. If they will just talk to you about it without trying to sell you something then you're at the right place. But be careful. If they immediately try to get you into buying something within a couple seconds of talking, try somewhere else.

As far as strings, I would play with ".009" or ".010" guage strings. That number is the guage of the highest (or smallest) string on your guitar. If your hands get stronger than you can try a heavier guage, but I play with 0.010 guage (or some just call them "tens"). I think Stevie Ray Vaughan played with .013 or something like that. Really thick things.

For an amp, there are two types: Tube and Solid State. Tube amps have the best tone and are a whole lot more expensive than solid state. You mentioned price is a big issue so you're probably gonna want to get a solid state amp. I would definitely recommend getting a brand new amp because, like I said before, buying used music equipment is kind of risky. Tube amps have such a better tone but they are probably just too expensive for a beginner to invest in. But have someone play both kinds for you so you can see what they sound like. And don't be afraid to play around on them yourself, even if you only know 2 chords.

Also, if you end up getting a solid state amp, there are effects pedals that can change the sound of your guitar. Some of them can give you the tube tone that you would want for blues playing while still playing through a solid state amp. A good overdrive pedal for blues playing is the Ibanez Tube Screamer. It's a little green box/pedal that sits on the floor. You plug your guitar into it and then it runs into the amp and you've got great bluesy crunch! Those things are about $75-100.

As for a case, I would stick with the mail order catalog musicians friend. They have many different cases that are specifically designed for the les paul shaped guitars.

I'm starting to get tired typing all of this so if you need any more specific advice just e-mail me. Good luck.

Answer 2

There's some good advice here, but the thing you should be spending your money on first and foremost is TRAINING - find a QUALIFIED teacher that can show you what to do and how to avoid bad habits that can plague you later on. If you want to master the instrument I urge you to consider CLASSICAL guitar training, even if its on your electric guitar!

As to a case, how often do you take the guitar anywhere? If you take it to a guitar lesson once a week a decent padded gig bag will be fine for you if you are reasonably careful. If you think you need something tougher, then get a hardshell case, but see if you can get a good used one to save a little money.

You might want to consider upgrading the quality of your circuitry (pickups, etc.) in about a year, but right now its more important that the guitar is set up properly and stays in tune. Learn how to properly change the strings.

As to the gauge of strings to use, start with the nines, and then try the tens. Tens will give you better tone, but if you don't have strong fingers they could be a problem for you. They could also be a problem for your guitar if the guitar is adjusted to take "nines" - it may require a truss rod adjustment to take the heavier gauge strings.

You don't "need" a tube amp... but you WANT one, and I'll explain: for just learning how to play you need to be able to hear that you are hitting the correct notes, etc. A tube amplifier is NOT required for this, but a tube amplifier has a certain kind of sound that isn't really available with solid state amplifiers (the explanation is technical - tube amps sound better, in general). Also remember that if tubes are bad it can make a fantastic amplifier sound terrible, and that not all tube amplifiers are created equal. There are some incredibly inexpensive tube amplifiers out there, but I recommend a Fender Pro Junior, or a Fender Blues Junior as great starter tube amps. The Blues Junior has more features, but they are both powerful enough so that you won't have to replace them for a while, and if you use a microphone, can fill an arena with the proper sized P.A. system. I own many tube amplifiers - some are better for certain things than others. Try to get a good quality used one from somebody you know or trust and have them show you how to use it. Also, learn how to take care of tube amps - they require a little extra care, but the TONE is what makes them worth it. A used Fender Blues Junior in good condition sells for about $300 - I have one (that I might sell... maybe!).

You will definitely need a cord - it should be at least ten feet long - get a decent one - the cheap ones do not hold up very long. A tuner is VERY handy, and they are inexpensive, but your computer will give you access to websites where you can tune your guitar - as long as you are on the internet, you can do that. You should have a cleaning cloth to wipe down your guitar and strings after practicing, and a strap is a good thing to have for stability even if you play sitting down.

Above all else, relax! This is supposed to be fun. Take your time, play accurately first, and faster later. Any more questions? Contact me.

Answer 3

For now hit up the local papers to get a nice cheap (but working!) practice amp. YOu can always save up for a nice amp later on.

You will need strings:
1) I disagree with the previous poster - you should get .010s ... they are a little meatier than .009s and have a good tone for blues. The bending will come as you develop finger strength. I like D'addario strings. Try some different sets as you go until you find just what you like.

2) a cord - no longer than 10' is PLENTY long enough. I good 5' cord will serve you well.

What you may want:
1) A gibson hardshell case. It is WELL worth the investment for the protection to your guitar.
2) A slide. I recommend a brass one, or steel ... whatever fits your fingers. I have had mishaps with glass ones. Brass has the best tone and sustain.
3) A capo
4) A strap
5) A tuner.

And finally
LOTS of recordings of various blues guitarists from the 1920's up to today!

Answer 4

If you want to 'bend' the strings bluesy-style, I'd look at some 009s first. They're fairly thin. I prefer Ernie Ball for electric and Elixr nanoweb for acoustic.

You don't 'need' a tube amp to begin with as they are pretty spendy and do require a bit more maintenance. My practice amp is a 30W Marshall that has a "CD-In" plug where I can either plug in a CD, MP3 or computer speaker output to 'play along' with.

I also picked up a program called "Riffster" from NovaDSP that can take a track, slow it down, change it's pitch and isolate certain parts to identify and practice.

Finally, learn the 'blues scale' - that's critical to the playing style. For that matter, learn all the scales, modes and keys, and practice til your fingers hurt. Then, keep on practicing.

Have fun!

Answer 5

well if i was you i would buy the amp fist because is important so you can hear your self ha,ha well and then buy a guitar leasson for beginners or ask for help, or Internet i would help you if you want sending you messages with cords scales etc.. ad you have a good guitar so that's good. and you will need to buy pics but that is not that expensive 60 cents no more tan a dollar and well you may need that tube amp if you want but on this days there is effects,pedal that can give you the same sound and sometimes cheaper