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Electric Or Acoustic
The most basic decision you have when you're buying a guitar is electric or acoustic.
There is a popular myth that it's better for beginners to start with an acoustic guitar, then move over to an electric. There may be some advantages to learning on an acoustic guitar, but the advantages of learning on an electric are probably greater.
Electric guitars are generally easier to play than acoustics, and ease of play is very important to beginners. There is no real advantage to learning on a guitar that is harder to play. It's possible that in the long term, learning to play on an acoustic could make you a better player. But you will almost certainly learn and progress more slowly than if you start on a guitar that is easy to play. And for my money, the faster you learn to play, the better.
The Origins Of The Myth It wasn't that long ago that electric guitars were a lot more rare than they are today. In the 1960's and 70's, popular music used a lot more acoustic guitar than more recent recordings. Electric guitars were more expensive, compared to acoustic guitar. Also, the overall quality of electrics was not as consistent as guitars built today.
You can get a good-playing cheap guitar in 2007 for about 200 dollars. A cheap electric guitar in 1970 also cost about 200 dollars. And it wasn't nearly as nice as what you can get today for the same money - not adjusted for inflation.
Unless you are interested in acoustic music, you will probably be happier with an electric guitar. Dollar for dollar, they are probably a better value than acoustics. They are more durable, less delicate than acoustics. You can also do more of your own maintenance on an electric, since most everything is either bolted, screwed or soldered in place.
Chances are that most of the music you like is played on electric rather than acoustic. There is much more electric guitar music recorded today than acoustic music. Electric guitars outsell acoustic guitars everywhere hands-down.
See Make Your Guitar Easier to Play. See also How To Find The Right Guitar For You.
What about an amp? There are many choices for guitar amps today that didn't exist a few years ago. You can now get a battery-powered practice amp for as little as $20. Danelectro makes a good, inexpensive battery-powered amp, but there are also others. New models are coming out all the time.
Problems and solutions with battery amps Loose parts in the amp, especially the battery and the battery cover, can rattle. If you hear a rattle at high volume, you should check the battery and cover first. You can mute the rattle by taping the battery down, or stuffing a small piece of paper between the battery and the amp - experiment. Check for any other attached parts that might produce a rattle, and try to glue, tape or remove - whatever works. Since the speaker is very small, you will probably find your best sound with the tone turned down to the left (full bass).
Electric Guitar Effects Younger players get bored with acoustic guitars because they can't imitate the sounds they hear in songs on the radio. Younger players really like effects like distortion and reverb, because it makes their guitar sound like the one on the CD. This helps keep their interest during the critical early-learning period.
Electric guitars techniques like string-bending are easier on electric guitars. Electric guitars are usually sold with much lighter strings than the strings they sell with new acoustic guitars. It is possible to set up you acoustic guitar so that you can use many electric guitar techinques.
© 2002, 2007 Greg Varhaug
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