Guitar Players - opinions wanted

Arch-Angel · 4th April 2006, 1:41 PM

Has anyone got any opinions on the Yamaha "Silent Guitar" range?

I am new to guitar playing. Been practising with a hand-me-down acoustic, but it's really not a good quality one or anything. I'd prefer to learn acoustic, but I need the silence of an electric because the guys I live with all start work early.

Is the nylon one the better choice for me? I am under the impression that nylons are easier on beginners hands, and still all right for chords/strumming as well as a bit of pick work...

The Silent Guitar's sounded all right to me (plus I love the look) but I was wondering if anyone with a bit more experience could comment on how they actually play!

Cheers!

shredder · 4th April 2006, 3:02 PM

Do they actually make noise? Just really quietly I presume?

Can't comment personally on how they play (alright I presume - Yamaha aren't a fly-by-night operation - of course you get what you pay for, so if they're cheapish then don't expect the world) but just be aware that half of learning and improvement is in the ear... so I'd be a bit dubious about spending a significant portion of your training using an instrument that you can barely hear. Not saying don't get one, as it may be perfect for you, but just be aware of that aspect...

For example an electric player who trained for 10 years but never plugged in, would very quickly be brought down several pegs if he finally plugged in and tried to play the things he thought he could play - all the details in the playing that he previously wasn't aware of would suddenly be big glaring bad habits or ommisions that he'd trained himself into over 10 years (& very difficult to train yourself out of, by that stage). Same principle goes for acoustic.

Arch-Angel · 4th April 2006, 4:46 PM

As far as I can see the make of the guitar is actually quite good quality. And that mirrors the $1000 price tag IMHO.

Here is the link to the guitar in question.

The main difference between this and a regular electric (at least I think) is that there is no need for a seperate amp when using headphones.
You can basically just plug the headphones straight into the guitar and away you go- its all on board. Without headphones or a speaker though it is almost completely silent

It also has the Line-in for hooking up to a CD player to practice with.

Again, I have heard the guitar in action (courtesy of a neat little demo by the friendly shop salesman) but I would like to pind out how they play.

Santah · 4th April 2006, 4:57 PM

Well imo nylon guitars are definetely the best type of guitar for learning on. The strings are softer on the fingers, and the neck is bigger so its easier to learn all the basic chords without accidentally muting strings. On the other hand, your hands will be killing you when you start doing barre chords

but yeah anyway the positves outweigh the negatives.

Never played the silent guitar, but I do own a yamaha classical acoustic so I guess the feel of it would be the same. Yamaha acoustics are good, the build quality is top notch and if you treat it right your guitar will last you a VERY long time without needing any repairs. My mum has a yamaha classical that is about 40 years old now and its still going strong. The silent guitar seems to suit your needs so I say go for it.

shredder · 4th April 2006, 6:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch-Angel

As far as I can see the make of the guitar is actually quite good quality. And that mirrors the $1000 price tag IMHO.

Here is the link to the guitar in question.

The main difference between this and a regular electric (at least I think) is that there is no need for a seperate amp when using headphones.
You can basically just plug the headphones straight into the guitar and away you go- its all on board. Without headphones or a speaker though it is almost completely silent

It also has the Line-in for hooking up to a CD player to practice with.

Again, I have heard the guitar in action (courtesy of a neat little demo by the friendly shop salesman) but I would like to pind out how they play.

I see... it does look quite good, upon inspection. I have seen similar (but lesser-quality) quiet practice guitars before and had my reservations about them (as above) but this is clearly in a different class.

I would reiterate that it's probably pretty decent to play, given the Yamaha brand and obvious non-budget overall build. Hell, even my $350 budget-brand nylon string is awesome to play compared to most steel-string acoustics below $1000, is barely worse to play than my shred Ibanez electric below the 12th fret.

You might find some opinions on Harmony Central too, they have a lot of user reviews.

schmuppet · 9th April 2006, 10:25 PM

I have a steel string one. Personally I don't think that it is worth the RRP but I managed to get mine for $649. At that price I think it was a pretty good deal. Plays OK (hasn't had a decent setup though) but I think the build quality is lacking for an instrument that has a $1399 sticker price. Sounds nice through headphones and doesn't make a lot of sound when unplugged, so it is probably suitable for what the OP is after.

Santah · 9th April 2006, 10:49 PM

I found a review of that guitar in one of my Aus guitar magazines. If you want I can scan it for you. It was a favourable review and the guitar was chosen to be part of their "top gear" list things.

AJR · 9th April 2006, 10:52 PM

Reviews for the nylon version and reviews for the steel string version.

I've played them both using headphones and I was quite impressed, especially how it could sustain nicely even though it had no real body!

I'd suggest you go play it yourself and compare it to a few other guitars.

Willybomb · 15th April 2006, 2:56 PM

Funny enough, I think the guitar player in Christina Agulara's band was playing one, at least on the live dvd..

4th April 2006, 1:41 PM	#1
Arch-Angel Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,596	Guitar Players - opinions wanted Has anyone got any opinions on the Yamaha "Silent Guitar" range? I am new to guitar playing. Been practising with a hand-me-down acoustic, but it's really not a good quality one or anything. I'd prefer to learn acoustic, but I need the silence of an electric because the guys I live with all start work early. Is the nylon one the better choice for me? I am under the impression that nylons are easier on beginners hands, and still all right for chords/strumming as well as a bit of pick work... The Silent Guitar's sounded all right to me (plus I love the look) but I was wondering if anyone with a bit more experience could comment on how they actually play! Cheers!

9th April 2006, 10:25 PM	#6
schmuppet Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 416	I have a steel string one. Personally I don't think that it is worth the RRP but I managed to get mine for $649. At that price I think it was a pretty good deal. Plays OK (hasn't had a decent setup though) but I think the build quality is lacking for an instrument that has a $1399 sticker price. Sounds nice through headphones and doesn't make a lot of sound when unplugged, so it is probably suitable for what the OP is after. __________________ Successful Trades: woofer, sanjayschrapel, Murcluf, rommy, JeffK, rival81, toady_25, Scooterpig, Rickster, HappymaN, adr_an, joshmryan, nop, gelfing, Callum, THELTD, vatofale, vindicator, conehead, flash, davidivankovic, Loop Goose, AzNBoi, pendu1um, cougar14, FB008, CrazyDez, atmo, Mr Dolby, supanoodle, FRaNTiC, mcgeeyencken

9th April 2006, 10:52 PM	#8
AJR Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,141	Reviews for the nylon version and reviews for the steel string version. I've played them both using headphones and I was quite impressed, especially how it could sustain nicely even though it had no real body! I'd suggest you go play it yourself and compare it to a few other guitars. __________________ "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa

15th April 2006, 2:56 PM	#9
Willybomb Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ballarat Posts: 6,273	Funny enough, I think the guitar player in Christina Agulara's band was playing one, at least on the live dvd.. __________________ Rockstarguitar - Guitar lessons in the Ballarat area Looking to teach or learn guitar? Then you need my book! 30+ successful trades and counting Offical OCAU Musicians Guild Member #15 OCAU Guitar Players club

4th April 2006, 3:02 PM	#2
shredder Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Dec 1991 Posts: 7,227	Do they actually make noise? Just really quietly I presume? Can't comment personally on how they play (alright I presume - Yamaha aren't a fly-by-night operation - of course you get what you pay for, so if they're cheapish then don't expect the world) but just be aware that half of learning and improvement is in the ear... so I'd be a bit dubious about spending a significant portion of your training using an instrument that you can barely hear. Not saying don't get one, as it may be perfect for you, but just be aware of that aspect... For example an electric player who trained for 10 years but never plugged in, would very quickly be brought down several pegs if he finally plugged in and tried to play the things he thought he could play - all the details in the playing that he previously wasn't aware of would suddenly be big glaring bad habits or ommisions that he'd trained himself into over 10 years (& very difficult to train yourself out of, by that stage). Same principle goes for acoustic.

4th April 2006, 4:46 PM	#3
Arch-Angel Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,596	As far as I can see the make of the guitar is actually quite good quality. And that mirrors the $1000 price tag IMHO. Here is the link to the guitar in question. The main difference between this and a regular electric (at least I think) is that there is no need for a seperate amp when using headphones. You can basically just plug the headphones straight into the guitar and away you go- its all on board. Without headphones or a speaker though it is almost completely silent It also has the Line-in for hooking up to a CD player to practice with. Again, I have heard the guitar in action (courtesy of a neat little demo by the friendly shop salesman) but I would like to pind out how they play.

4th April 2006, 4:57 PM	#4
Santah Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,416	Well imo nylon guitars are definetely the best type of guitar for learning on. The strings are softer on the fingers, and the neck is bigger so its easier to learn all the basic chords without accidentally muting strings. On the other hand, your hands will be killing you when you start doing barre chords but yeah anyway the positves outweigh the negatives. Never played the silent guitar, but I do own a yamaha classical acoustic so I guess the feel of it would be the same. Yamaha acoustics are good, the build quality is top notch and if you treat it right your guitar will last you a VERY long time without needing any repairs. My mum has a yamaha classical that is about 40 years old now and its still going strong. The silent guitar seems to suit your needs so I say go for it.

9th April 2006, 10:49 PM	#7
Santah Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,416	I found a review of that guitar in one of my Aus guitar magazines. If you want I can scan it for you. It was a favourable review and the guitar was chosen to be part of their "top gear" list things.