Guitar Setup - Beginner

neutralizer · 15th August 2007, 7:57 PM

Hi Guys,

Looking to get back into guitar and have basically concluded that all my old gear is shit. That, and, I've almost totally forgotten how to play so there isn't much point venturing around stores testing guitars.

I'm really interested in two things at the moment:

1) What guitar?
I'm interested playing in rock and metal, though I'm definately a fan of clarity (though this might come down to electronics).
So far I've been told to look at the Yamaha Pacifica.

2) What equipment to hook it up to my PC?
Rather than get an amp (at this stage) I just want to be able to hook it up to my PC and listen through headphones. What gear is required for this? What soundcard is recommended?

Budget is around the $400 mark for the guitar and then I'll evaluate the other electronic crap, but probably another $400-$600 for that.

Cheers

-Rift- · 15th August 2007, 9:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neutralizer

Hi Guys,

Looking to get back into guitar and have basically concluded that all my old gear is shit. That, and, I've almost totally forgotten how to play so there isn't much point venturing around stores testing guitars.

I'm really interested in two things at the moment:

1) What guitar?
I'm interested playing in rock and metal, though I'm definately a fan of clarity (though this might come down to electronics).
So far I've been told to look at the Yamaha Pacifica.

2) What equipment to hook it up to my PC?
Rather than get an amp (at this stage) I just want to be able to hook it up to my PC and listen through headphones. What gear is required for this? What soundcard is recommended?

Budget is around the $400 mark for the guitar and then I'll evaluate the other electronic crap, but probably another $400-$600 for that.

Cheers

A Fender Squire or Ibanez GIO (or whatever there calling their base RG range these days) is pretty versatile. I find that at this price range its not worth going into well I specifically need this because I need to play rock metal, just a guitar that feels nice enough to play is sufficient.

As for the PC thing I'm using a guitar port which is pretty good. Sounded like a POD going through my computer and its cheap (well mine was

)

sheezymaneezy · 15th August 2007, 9:58 PM

If only you were local because I'm selling a Pacifica which is basically new.

Great guitar too, so I'd recommend them.

-=ButFli=- · 15th August 2007, 11:46 PM

Personally I would recommend against learning guitar through headphones. Even the cheapest and dirtiest amp ~$100 will be a lot better.

I would also recommend the Yamaha Pacifica. I have one and it is still going strong after 3 years.

OverDriven · 16th August 2007, 4:46 PM

im going to say what i always say when someone wants a beginners guitar in the low range
pick one that you like based on looks, because that is what is going to want you to pick it up over and over again.
look around on the internet for guitars and find the one that you like best and just buy it.

sandwichamwin · 16th August 2007, 4:55 PM

I agree with overdriven, theres only so much budget guitars have to offer. Get one that you think looks rad and you're more likely to play it. Pacificas are pretty decent guitars but if you're a rock/metal fan, who wants to blast that out on a strat style guitar...? Mabye a low end ibanez or other pointy guitar is what you're after. There's heaps out there. Go to your local music store, they'll do you a deal on a entry guitar and amp pack, aswell as throw in some strings, picks, free service, etc.

I'd also go the practice amp over the pc with headphones.

neutralizer · 16th August 2007, 5:38 PM

Whats the reasoning behind an Amp over PC? (Apart from portability etc which isn't an issue). Also I wouldn't be playing solely through headphones I've speakers as well, just need to save other people in the house the pain of listening to me learn

sandwichamwin · 16th August 2007, 5:54 PM

well you'll need a decent soundcard and software or else it will just sound like crap. Then you'll probably bugger your speakers if you turn it up at all, so you'll want to replace them. An amp is cheaper and you can plug headphones into that too

.

Marlborosmoker · 16th August 2007, 10:22 PM

All the good practice will have a recording out anyway if you ever want to record yourself (roland cube at least). Plus you have to get low latency drivers for the soundcards which can be a PITA to find.

Strats are fine for metal and rock. As long as its got a Humbucker at the bridge.

shredder · 17th August 2007, 5:35 AM

Several of the newer plug-into-your-PC guitar units are actually a low-latency sound device themselves, so there are no issues with worrying about your PC's soundcard. They're also made to feed your PC a signal such that it's not going to "fry" anything - pretty silly otherwise.

I don't think it's a big deal, get what you want to get. While I agree in some ways that an amp is ideal (that's what guitarists tend to use, after all), there's no point getting one if you're just going to be worried all the time about people hearing you/getting annoyed etc, to the point where you hardly ever use it. That would pretty much defeat the point. In that case you'd be a lot smarter to get what suits your situation.

nibennett · 20th August 2007, 6:06 PM

+1 for the yamaha pacifica. I've got a black and white one that is 4 and 1/2 years old and still going strong.

Some of your guitar multi effects boards plug into your computer to record as well.
I'am getting a Digitech RP350 multi effects board next week for my birthday. $438 from holden hill music. These boards have the effects and can plug into the computer for recording via USB when you want to, not sure how good for recording yet.

Heatsink · 21st August 2007, 3:46 PM

I would pay a visit to a local music store that stocks these USB Guitars by Behringer. There are a lot of knockers for behringer gear, dont pay too much attention to that. For $239.00 this set up looks as though it would suit your situation to a tee. You may have to spend $50 for a set up from a guitar tech but otherwise I am sure you be kept occupied for a couple of years at least with this little set up.

http://www.behringer.com/IAXE624-BD/index.cfm?lang=eng

Cheers
Peter

shredder · 21st August 2007, 4:07 PM

Computer depicted is not included. Good thing they told us.

Those look cool though. If they play semi-decent then they'd be fun.

muzzy · 21st August 2007, 10:09 PM

you can get 4 channel behringer mixers for 100 bucks, that might be more useful in the long run

15th August 2007, 7:57 PM	#1
neutralizer Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney, Northern Beaches Posts: 1,390	Guitar Setup - Beginner Hi Guys, Looking to get back into guitar and have basically concluded that all my old gear is shit. That, and, I've almost totally forgotten how to play so there isn't much point venturing around stores testing guitars. I'm really interested in two things at the moment: 1) What guitar? I'm interested playing in rock and metal, though I'm definately a fan of clarity (though this might come down to electronics). So far I've been told to look at the Yamaha Pacifica. 2) What equipment to hook it up to my PC? Rather than get an amp (at this stage) I just want to be able to hook it up to my PC and listen through headphones. What gear is required for this? What soundcard is recommended? Budget is around the $400 mark for the guitar and then I'll evaluate the other electronic crap, but probably another $400-$600 for that. Cheers Last edited by neutralizer; 15th August 2007 at 8:00 PM.

15th August 2007, 11:46 PM	#4
-=ButFli=- Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New Farm Posts: 2,920	Personally I would recommend against learning guitar through headphones. Even the cheapest and dirtiest amp ~$100 will be a lot better. I would also recommend the Yamaha Pacifica. I have one and it is still going strong after 3 years. __________________ Meat is no treat for those you eat.

16th August 2007, 4:55 PM	#6
sandwichamwin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,493	I agree with overdriven, theres only so much budget guitars have to offer. Get one that you think looks rad and you're more likely to play it. Pacificas are pretty decent guitars but if you're a rock/metal fan, who wants to blast that out on a strat style guitar...? Mabye a low end ibanez or other pointy guitar is what you're after. There's heaps out there. Go to your local music store, they'll do you a deal on a entry guitar and amp pack, aswell as throw in some strings, picks, free service, etc. I'd also go the practice amp over the pc with headphones. __________________ flickr

16th August 2007, 5:54 PM	#8
sandwichamwin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,493	well you'll need a decent soundcard and software or else it will just sound like crap. Then you'll probably bugger your speakers if you turn it up at all, so you'll want to replace them. An amp is cheaper and you can plug headphones into that too . __________________ flickr

16th August 2007, 10:22 PM	#9
Marlborosmoker Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 909	All the good practice will have a recording out anyway if you ever want to record yourself (roland cube at least). Plus you have to get low latency drivers for the soundcards which can be a PITA to find. Strats are fine for metal and rock. As long as its got a Humbucker at the bridge. __________________ Guitar Amps and Bass for sale- Fund my next amp purchase

15th August 2007, 9:58 PM	#3
sheezymaneezy Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,400	If only you were local because I'm selling a Pacifica which is basically new. Great guitar too, so I'd recommend them.

16th August 2007, 4:46 PM	#5
OverDriven Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,076	im going to say what i always say when someone wants a beginners guitar in the low range pick one that you like based on looks, because that is what is going to want you to pick it up over and over again. look around on the internet for guitars and find the one that you like best and just buy it.

16th August 2007, 5:38 PM	#7
neutralizer Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney, Northern Beaches Posts: 1,390	Whats the reasoning behind an Amp over PC? (Apart from portability etc which isn't an issue). Also I wouldn't be playing solely through headphones I've speakers as well, just need to save other people in the house the pain of listening to me learn

17th August 2007, 5:35 AM	#10
shredder Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Dec 1991 Posts: 7,200	Several of the newer plug-into-your-PC guitar units are actually a low-latency sound device themselves, so there are no issues with worrying about your PC's soundcard. They're also made to feed your PC a signal such that it's not going to "fry" anything - pretty silly otherwise. I don't think it's a big deal, get what you want to get. While I agree in some ways that an amp is ideal (that's what guitarists tend to use, after all), there's no point getting one if you're just going to be worried all the time about people hearing you/getting annoyed etc, to the point where you hardly ever use it. That would pretty much defeat the point. In that case you'd be a lot smarter to get what suits your situation. __________________ My taste is impeckable.

20th August 2007, 6:06 PM	#11
nibennett Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 147	+1 for the yamaha pacifica. I've got a black and white one that is 4 and 1/2 years old and still going strong. Some of your guitar multi effects boards plug into your computer to record as well. I'am getting a Digitech RP350 multi effects board next week for my birthday. $438 from holden hill music. These boards have the effects and can plug into the computer for recording via USB when you want to, not sure how good for recording yet.

21st August 2007, 3:46 PM	#12
Heatsink Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1	I would pay a visit to a local music store that stocks these USB Guitars by Behringer. There are a lot of knockers for behringer gear, dont pay too much attention to that. For $239.00 this set up looks as though it would suit your situation to a tee. You may have to spend $50 for a set up from a guitar tech but otherwise I am sure you be kept occupied for a couple of years at least with this little set up. http://www.behringer.com/IAXE624-BD/index.cfm?lang=eng Cheers Peter

21st August 2007, 4:07 PM	#13
shredder Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Dec 1991 Posts: 7,200	Computer depicted is not included. Good thing they told us. Those look cool though. If they play semi-decent then they'd be fun. __________________ My taste is impeckable.

21st August 2007, 10:09 PM	#14
muzzy Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: brisbane Posts: 205	you can get 4 channel behringer mixers for 100 bucks, that might be more useful in the long run