New Playa

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by S Larkin on December 19, 2009 at 6:17pm

I have three guitars, two mandos and a banjo. I haven't started the banjo yet so it hangs on the wall. I have found that the others on the wall get less play than the one on a stand in the corner, just easier to get to I guess. If you get a stand that has a strap to "lock" the guitar in the cradle it might help keep it safe, but of course, it depends on who you share your space with. I found a lot of good lessons on the web just by searching-- some free, some a nominal cost, and have selectively picked up some DVDs that helped. I took mando lessons for about 6 weeks, but found that I could do just as well with the web and DVDs. I found some friends to Jam with, which provides the motivation that a teacher would provide. Good luck and happy picking.

Permalink Reply by Lisa McCormick : Guitar Teacher on December 19, 2009 at 6:17pm

Hey Tim-

Congrats on your new guitar! A Fender acoustic starter pak is a great way to get started.

Personally, I think hanging it on the wall is a great idea, because it is out of harm's way, yet really easy to pick up when you've got a spare few minutes.

You can buy official guitar-wall-mounts, but here's my secret low-budget solution:

I buy "utility hooks" at the hardware store for under $2 a piece. They are made of steel, and the little arms are coated in red rubber. They are designed to put on your garage wall to hang rakes, shovels, etc. But they also work great for guitars and other stringed instruments. I've been using them happily for many many years. I've got guitars, a banjo, a mandolin, and an acoustic bass all over the walls of my studio.

You could certainly add additional padding to the little arms if you wanted (foam rubber? old t-shirts and duct tape?), though I have never done so myself.

Important: Just make sure that you are mounting them on the wall properly, in such a way that they will be able to very safely support the weight of the guitar.

As to your other question, about lessons: Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a guitar teacher who is a good fit for you. Ask around, interview potential candidates to find out their speciality and teaching style.

Or, you might want to try a professional online lesson site, like Guitar Tricks. (full disclosure: I am an instructor there). It can be a great way to go - low-cost, flexible time-wise, tons of options as to skill level, preferred style, etc.

Keep us posted on you and your new guitar!
Merry Christmas - Lisa

Permalink Reply by Walt Pilcher on December 19, 2009 at 6:55pm

Hi Tim,
Welcome to the Acoustic Newb group. I have two stands so my guitars are handy all the time except in the winter when I keep them in their cases at night with a Planet Waves humidifier because the gas heat in the house keeps the air too dry for them. One is the FretRest HT1010 with a strap, and the other is a Hercules with a folding yoke - very easy to lift the guitar out of. I'm not saying this is better or worse than hanging them on a wall, but I don't have a wall I'm willing to mount a hanger on, and in addition I can move the stands around in the room and take them with me to gigs. Can't do that with a wall hanger!
Walt

Permalink Reply by Bernie on December 20, 2009 at 7:57am

I usually keep my guitars in their cases until I am ready to play one of them. After it is out of the case and I find that I want to play one of the others I put the guitar I was playing on a Hercules stand

Permalink Reply by Denny Baer on December 20, 2009 at 8:34am

Hi Tim and Welcome,
A few months ago I also bought a new acoustic guitar. I was told to always store my guitar in the case and for this time of year get a humidifier for it. I was told this by both the salesman at the music store, who has been a friend for decades, and my guitar teacher. I don't know where you live, but here in Wisconsin, the winters get pretty dry. So even though it is sort of a pain taking the guitar out and putting it back in, when it's not in my hands my acoustic is in the case.

After buying the new acoustic I asked my friend to look at an old acoustic I would "play" on now and then. Even though it sounded OK to me, he said it was junk. The top was caving in from the tension of the strings and the wood drying out over the 35 years I had owned the guitar. I always left it out.

My two cents, good luck.

Denny

Permalink Reply by Newbie Dean on December 20, 2009 at 8:46am

I agree with Denny B. that the winters here in Wisconsin are dry. That was one of the reasons I looked for a laminate (select spruce) top for my first guitar. The information I gathered on my search led me to the laminate top because they are less affected by the humidity level/environment. I guess the solid tops are better in sound production but are more "fragile". I wanted a guitar I didn't have to worry about taking out on the deck or down to the lake for a camp fire session. Besides, I only play for ME and if the sound isn't perfect, I'll never know at this stage of my learning (9 months). If I would get another guitar in the future, I'd probably look at a solid top and then be more aware of the humidity.

Dean

Permalink Reply by Donna Zitzelberger on December 20, 2009 at 9:37am

Denny is correct. Solid wood guitars should be stored in their cases with humidifiers if the humidity is less than 45. Here is an article from AG:

http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe6a1570746600747417&m=fefd12707...

The dry winters can be pretty rough on guitars. I play my guitars throughout the day, so they are out and in their stands during the day. At night, they all go back in their cases with the humidifiers. If it is a really dry day, I put a humidifier in the guitar when it is in it's stand (while I'm not playing it). The kind of humidifier that covers the sound hole will work in this situation; so I'm thinking if you really want to keep it out all the time, you could use a humidifier that covers the sound hole.

That being said, the Fender acoustic in the starter pack is a laminate guitar. I don't know if these rules apply for laminate guitars.

The best lessons would be with a private instructor. There are also lots of lessons on line. A nice place to get your feet wet would be justinguitar.com -- it's all free. You may want to experiment with those lessons for awhile and then go from there.

Permalink Reply by tim on December 20, 2009 at 7:11pm

thanks people, live in FL so dry humidity is definetly not a problem...will probably get a stand. Is it OK to play an A chord with 1 finger??? My fingers are so big (seems)that I cant fit 3 in 1 fret. Am I beginning bad habits or will I get it, I still try.
Thank sagain I will try not to bog down the board..

Permalink Reply by Clark Ellison on December 20, 2009 at 9:51pm

A lot of people play an A with one finger. You will also find that same technique used in barre chords. SInce this is your first guitar you may want to check the width of the neck at the nut as those of us with "fatties" need a little more room for the finger tips. After you get a little more comfortable with being able to make a chord try a guitar with a wider neck and see if it works for you. The draw back is you have to strech the fingers farther on some chords and for me the pinkie believes the rest of the fingers need to work while it just watches.
Humidity, any time you run the AC or heater you reduce the humidity in the house. Unlike the drums or the piano you will find you take the guitar outside and the change is not good for it. Just try to keep it around the same level as much as possible and the same with temperature. You do not want to take it out out in the open air after it has been the air conditioned house for a week when it is 95 temp and 85 humidity outside. And last what do you mean you got this for Christmas? Opening the presents a little early? Enjoy it.

Permalink Reply by Ron Lane on December 21, 2009 at 8:24am

Seems like a lot of us can't get 3 fingers in a fret playing "A". I've tried a couple different ways but they all sound about the same. Been trying to use the 2nd finger on 4th string method for easy chord transition but it's hit and miss. I did try barreing the 3 strings. I think that will work just gotta practice it some more as I'm not playing Barre chords yet. A is a good place to start I guess.
I keep my guitar on a wall hanger all the time. I find I play it much more often. A couple or three times an evening I'll just walk into my den take it off the wall and play as long as time allows. Usually until my fingers get too deeply groved to hold down the little strings. We don't have really dry winters here and we have a dehumidifier for the humid months.
I felt a wall hanger was best for me because it doesn't take up any floor room and it keeps the guitar away from inquisitive kitty's.