Really stoopid rookie mistake. Help!

[FallingRock71]

Just got back from the Guitar Center in Nashua, New Hampster. I was completely alone in the acoustic room for like 45 minutes! You probably can see where this is headed! I've only been learning guitar for a little over a month now. I can only convince my guitar to give up the very simplest of tunes. Think like three strings and no chords simple! This is the first time I actually picked up and "played" a guitar in any shop. Not that I am all that embarrassed or anything it's just that I didn't(and still don't to an extent) know what the hell I was doing. Anyways, I respectfully fondled as many high end guitars as I could. I felt like a 5 year old locked in Toys R Us with my best friends overnight! I spent $149 on my beginner/beater guitar. I dearly love my git, but after playing some $3000 guitars I know where the extra money goes! Wish I had taken a notebook and wrote down all the models I played. My favorites were a Martin HD 28 and a Larrivee L 19 vine edition. They were both incredible to this noob, but by far the L 19:love: would have been the one to follow me home had I been MUCH more convincing to my girlfriend. That baby was so much easier to play than my guitar. I know, DUH , but seriously that thing forkin amazed me. Played like butter if that makes any sense. I could have done without the extra bling, but she was still very beautiful none the less. I now have the worst case of GAS to date in my short time with guitars. I just can't justify a purchase till I actually learn to play but DAMN. My fun came to an end when another customer walked in and went straight to a certain guitar and proceeded to work some fingerstyle magic on it. I could tell by his actions and the look in his eyes that he was on a mission. I didn't want to be the pesky rookie making noise while he was trying to pick "the" one.

 

Alright sorry I'm rambling, but what a spectacular day off! Cept for the major GAS attack of course. What the hell did I think would happen?

 

Will have to put in a good word for the GC in Nashua later too!

 

Any known remedies for GAS besides the obvious?

[Hudman]

You have great taste!

 

You should check out the Larrivee L-03 or L-03R. Pretty much the same guitar with less flashy bling. You can buy a new one for apprx. $800 or a used one between $500 and $600.

 

Visit this website and click on the link for the Larrivee price list. You will be surprised at the great prices.

 

http://www.notableguitars.com

 

Jason is the owner. He's a great guy to do business with. I bought an L-03 and an OM-03 from him. Excellent prices and outstanding service.

[FallingRock71]

 

You have great taste! You should check out the Larrivee L-03 or L-03R. Pretty much the same guitar with less flashy bling. You can buy a new one for apprx. $800 or a used one between $500 and $600. Visit this website and click on the link for the Larrivee price list. You will be surprised at the great prices. http://www.notableguitars.com Jason is the owner. He's a great guy to do business with. I bought an L-03 and an OM-03 from him. Excellent prices and outstanding service.

 

 

Thanks for the link to Notable. Can't justify buying another guitar yet but when I do, Larrivee is on the short list fo-shizzle. That L 19 vine edition was priced at $2599 way too much for a second guitar. Well for MY second guitar anyway. Definitely gonna do my homework on the less expensive less blingy Larrivee's. Under a grand for a guitar like that baby I played today is sounding really good. Screw it, I'm gonna go ahead and hit the Mega Millions tomorrow night. Been meaning to do that anyways.

[rjoxyz]

Good for you. Up to a point, the additional cost of higher quality guitars pays direct tonal dividends. Hopefully, this will inspire you to work toward "deserving" such guitars.

 

I did not get more serious about improving my playing until I realized a good guitar motivated me to improve. I am 48 and started "playing" in college. I now have 2 Martins (including an HD-28)`and a Larrivee L-03. I will never play well enough to justify the expense (or number) of the guitars I own, but they definitely inspire me. I do not "deserve" them, but I can at least rationalize the ownership (my wife can't).

 

When you get to the point you feel you will stick with this pursuit, consider investing in a solid wood guitar. I can think of no better place to start (and perhaps end) than the Larrivee L series.

 

I suspect you have been bitten by the "bug". God help you!

[Dan Hall]

Way to go Rock, cool feeling ain't it, to figure out what it's all about. Good on ya.

[KATMAN]

You can work your way up slowly to the higher end guitars.Try a Walden,not as expensive as a Martin,but nice tone and solid wood.

[ceenare]

 

I felt like a 5 year old locked in Toys R Us with my best friends overnight! My fun came to an end when another customer walked in and went straight to a certain guitar and proceeded to work some fingerstyle magic on it. I could tell by his actions and the look in his eyes that he was on a mission. I didn't want to be the pesky rookie making noise while he was trying to pick "the" one.

 

 

Hey FallingRock71,

As a total rookie myself, I know the feeling when an Eric Clapton comes in and sits down beside you and starts pickin away. I recently visited a shop that has a sound booth and it occured to me that the store would likely allow anyone to use it. That way one can pick away undisturbed... and not hurt anyone else ears... I cant wait to go back...

Vern

[kwakatak]

 

You have great taste! You should check out the Larrivee L-03 or L-03R. Pretty much the same guitar with less flashy bling. You can buy a new one for apprx. $800 or a used one between $500 and $600. Visit this website and click on the link for the Larrivee price list. You will be surprised at the great prices. http://www.notableguitars.com Jason is the owner. He's a great guy to do business with. I bought an L-03 and an OM-03 from him. Excellent prices and outstanding service.

 

 

He speaks the truth. Jason really took good care of me as well!

 

I had a similar experience with another Larrivee OM-03R a couple of years back. The shop was foolish enough to let me play it undisturbed for a half hour without checking to see if I even intended to buy. Even though I had my credit card (with a $0 balance) in my pocket I knew that my wife would not approve so I made it out of there without more than a couple sets of strings for my trouble.

 

As for the L, well wait until you try several in different tonewoods with and without a cutaway. My favorite is actually the plain-jane (and now discontinued) mahogany/sitka L-03. There's a walnut version that's got me curious now though.

[FallingRock71]

12 hrs later and I'm still playing that L 19 in my head. I play a lot better in my head too!

 

Today was a lesson in guitar karma. The main reason for the side trip to GC was to pick up some strings for my girlfriends son. He's been playing a Yamaha electric without a b string for over a month. He broke the high e string a couple of days ago. He works full time and doesn't have a car right now so trips to the guitar shop are few and far between for the guy. Couldn't stand to see him suffering anymore so I figured I'd help him out a bit and surprise him with some strings.

 

You've all probably have heard of or experienced GC horror stories. The staff at the GC nearest me has always been good to me. It's the other customers that make it well lets just say less than enjoyable. The time of day I visit has a lot to do with it(never ever go on a Saturday afternoon), but there always seems to be at least one person trying to make my ears bleed via electric guitar. I usually make a mad dash to the acoustic room(think old commercials with OJ rushing through the airport), hurry to get whatever gear I am there for in the first place, and get out in an amount of time that is inversely proportional to the decibel level of the the store and the number of people in it. This is pretty much what I expected of the GC in Nashua.

 

I walk in and I hear something refreshing. It was myself thinking in a GC! There was 2 or three guys playing electrics through amps all at very respectful levels. The place was smaller than the GC near me but laid out better. The book section was more wisely stocked. The GC near me has lots of beginner books but only the first in the series. This place had the complete series of books that I am learning from. Just a good store in general. As an added bonus, it is conveniently located within walking distance of two shoe stores. Great for those with members of the fairer sex in tow. Didn't have much for me in a size 14 though dangit.

 

Yup great day off. I set out to do a good deed and experience instant karma.

 

rjoxyz, I'm definitely stuck on guitar.

 

It's down the road a ways but I definitely have my eyes on a better guitar. I'm trying to quit smoking. Maybe the acoustic room with all the fine guitars is the "happy place" I can go to in my mind when I think I need a smoke. Let's see if I put away that $150 bucks a month that I'll save by not killing myself with smokes even that gorgeous L 19 could be mine in no time!

[babablowfish]

I go to the GC in Nashua also. I have always found it to be a pleasant experience and bought my Parkwood Jumbo there. Not to dis GC in any way, but if you are interested in high quality guitars and knowledgable staff, you should also visit Acoustic Oufitters in Stratham NH. They carry Larrys, Gibsons, Guilds, Corts, Tacomas, Breedloves, Bourgeois, Martins, Santa Cruz. They are well-known and respected in these parts. Here's a link:

 

http://www.aomusicshop.com/aom/contact.asp

[GrandStation76]

See Karma, and divine forces helped you find those guitars. I have to say for a "rookie" to pick the hd-28 lv-9 at first try, there are obviously some unseen forces guiding you;) Good choice:thu:

 

Stick with it. 15 years ago my friend took all these lesson, and always hatted teaching the rookie , me, some things, but would graciously do so(you know how it feels to show someone something you find so simple, but you have to show someone else multiple times, it can get annoying,especially if you just want to play) anyways, I turned out to be a way more technical player than him, and now he wants me to teach him things:)

 

If you can spend at least $500, look into a Epiphone Masterbuilt and have them through in a free setup. Its a great looking guitar, plays and sounds great too. Its the only "lower priced" guitar that comes close to instruments 2-4 times as much. People (me included) always think they can't justify a nice guitar when they start off, when in all actuality if they had a nicely setup great sounding guitar, it would make for easier practice, and most likely long term commitment. Besides if you get a good deal on something like a Martin, resale value is always high.

Keep trying you'll get to use that 4th string soon enough!

[kwakatak]

 

I go to the GC in Nashua also. I have always found it to be a pleasant experience and bought my Parkwood Jumbo there. Not to dis GC in any way, but if you are interested in high quality guitars and knowledable staff, you should also visit Acoustic Oufitters in Stratham NH. They carry Larrys, Gibsons, Guilds, Corts, Tacomas, Breedloves, Bourgeois, Martins, Santa Cruz. They are well-known and respected in these parts. Here's a link: http://www.aomusicshop.com/aom/contact.asp

 

 

There ya go!

 

... and looky what they got here:

http://www.aomusicshop.com/aom/instruments/detail.asp?tbl=tbllarrivee&id=64&sectionid=guitars&prodid=10&returnurl=guitars

 

There's your L-19 without the bling: an L-03R, which is structurally the same guitar but with satin finish and tone woods that aren't considered "master grade" only because of the visual qualities. The -03Rs are just as nice and may actually sound more "open" than their gloss brethren because the satin finish is supposedly thinner.

[hammergjh]

If you live near Boston, you owe it to yourself to go to The Music Emporium on Mass Ave in Lexington. This is an all acoustic guitar shop. Everything from beginner S&P's, Seagulls to high end boutique 12 thousand dollar luthier models. Absolutely great shop. They carry Martin, Taylor, Seagull, Larrivee, Collings, Tippen, Blue Ridge and many others. A good selection of accessories too. I've bought all my acoustics from them and they and only they work on them.

 

www.themusicemporium.com

[rjoxyz]

rjoxyz, I'm definitely stuck on guitar.

 

[missedmyexit]

If you live near Boston, you owe it to yourself to go to The Music Emporium on Mass Ave in Lexington. This is an all acoustic guitar shop. Everything from beginner S&P's, Seagulls to high end boutique 12 thousand dollar luthier models. Absolutely great shop. They carry Martin, Taylor, Seagull, Larrivee, Collings, Tippen, Blue Ridge and many others. A good selection of accessories too. I've bought all my acoustics from them and they and only they work on them. www.themusicemporium.com

 

 

I bought my OMC MARTIN there. Great guys, the place is basically setup like a giant living room of Acoustic Guitar Goodness. The sales person (I believe it was the owner from looking at the site) was attentive without being overbearing. I never been in the store before and I was tentative about spending the money on a guitar I didn't really research or know the going price of but I ended up getting it and found out I got a great deal.

[Dave W.]

 

That baby was so much easier to play than my guitar.

 

 

This tells me that maybe your current guitar would benefit from a professional setup. For a beginner, a guitar that plays easily will make for much faster improvement in your ability. You will need to invest at least 1/3 of what you paid for the guitar ($50), but it would be money well spent at this point in your learning period. At this point, your playing skills will add far more to your sound than a high end guitar will, and a guitar that plays easily will speed that along greatly. Baba seems to be in your area, maybe he could help you find a good tech, that is really important. Enjoy.

[LaurentB]

J (...) My favorites were a Martin HD 28 and a Larrivee L 19 vine edition. They were both incredible to this noob, but by far the L 19:love: would have been the one to follow me home had I been MUCH more convincing to my girlfriend. That baby was so much easier to play than my guitar. (...)

 

Well, while you can't change that much dramatically about the sound of a guitar (except for using the right strings and details lile that) you can sometimes improve the playability of a relatively cheap guitar, by having the saddle sanded down to the right height and having the neck adjusted. That really can make a big difference if it's not optimally set now.

[babablowfish]

 

This tells me that maybe your current guitar would benefit from a professional setup. For a beginner, a guitar that plays easily will make for much faster improvement in your ability. You will need to invest at least 1/3 of what you paid for the guitar ($50), but it would be money well spent at this point in your learning period. At this point, your playing skills will add far more to your sound than a high end guitar will, and a guitar that plays easily will speed that along greatly. Baba seems to be in your area, maybe he could help you find a good tech, that is really important. Enjoy.

 

 

The luthier who works on all of my guitars is Steve Pierce in Lawrence MA.

You can email him at matsp@comcast.net or phone 978-974-0768 (he previously gave me permission to post his info.) Steve builds beautiful mandolins, dobros, banjos and guitars. He charges very reasonable prices.

[FallingRock71]

Someday I'll learn how to use the damn multi-quote. Bear with me por favor.

 

Dave W., Thanks to this forum, I planned on getting my guitar profesionally setup before I even bought it. After receiving the guitar and checking out Dr. Freeman's "Is my guitar sick thread," I noticed that the action is only like 1/64 higher than it should be. I figured I could live with it and that it may help build my callouses. I've earned me callouses now and the action doesn't really bother me at all. Well I guess it didn't bother me at all until yesterday's fantabuluos fondling of all those wonderful guitars! I think I can handle sanding down the saddle a bit on my own. The one and only problem I did find with my guitar is the nut. When I capo at the second fret there is no clearance at the first fret. I haven't noticed any problems resulting from this but again I'm a rookie. Perhaps you guys could shed some light on this prob for me. The strings do seem to sit a little deep in the nut. The nut is something I'm not touching on my own so maybe it is about time for a setup.

 

Which brings me to Babablowfish, I live in Norton, Mass. I've only lived here since November of 2006. I'm an Okie in a strange bizzare land! Don't get me wrong, the people of New England have really impressed me. I just don't know enough of em. Back home, one of my Mom's friends owns a music store which is a friend to Vince Gill and Reba and numerous other established musicians. Some of you would probably recognize the late owners name. I'm sure they could have hooked me up in a heartbeat. There I go rambling again. What I meant to say was thanks Baba. I'll have to look Mr. Pierce up sometime. Looks like its only about 80 miles to Lawrence. Not bad at all. Those beautiful mando's might get me sidetracked though. Oh and I'll have to check out Acoustic Outfitters too. A little further away but still under a hundred miles. I'm loving these smaller states!

 

hammergjh, Thanks for the info on The Music Emporium. I had come across their website before and was impressed by the brand names they carry. Was planning a trip in the near future. Heck it's only 50 miles.

 

Thanks again everyone! Can't imagine what it was like being a guitar noob before the internet came along.

[LaurentB]

 

(...) Thanks again everyone! Can't imagine what it was like being a guitar noob before the internet came along.

 

 

Well, there we were, battling on with cheap Maya Stratocaster imitations with baseball-bat-like necks, not knowing that wasn't normal, trying to figure out how the hell Mark Knopfler did that 'Sultans of Swing' lick so smoothly, while using the wrong fingering (on that same Maya), destroying my tube amplifier because I switched it on without the speaker cabinet connected, etc. etc...

[Dave W.]

 

Thanks again everyone! Can't imagine what it was like being a guitar noob before the internet came along.

 

 

When asked, I used to tell people that I had been playing for 30 some years, but since I still suck, now I say I first picked up a guitar 30 some years ago. That said, I really got back into my playing a couple of years ago and found this site. I have learned more in those 2 years, than in the first 30 combined.

 

Unless the neck specs of the guitar you loved was much different than yours, I still think you should have a pro look at it. Now, while you have the enthusiasm to learn, is the time to have a guitar that plays like butter. Whether it has a solid top and sounds good or not, does not matter.