is there some other thread for guitarists? Because I would think a ton of people play it. Its such a popular instrument. Oh well. I've been playing for about 3 years and am pretty decent. I'm not a metal head so I haven't really taken the time to learn to shred. Nor do I feel anyone needs to. I'm more into how guitar is used as a songwriting tool. I love writing songs on an acoustic guitar. Its just a nice way to express yourself and get some emotion out through messing around on the fretboard.
And eek, I highly recommend dropping that Squier Strat as soon as you possibly can. Sell that, buy a mexican strat and replace the pick ups. make sure the mexican strat has an alder body because thats how you get the classic fender tone that everybody is after. Well...its not the only way. but it is one of the things that helps. And buying a mexican strat(make sure you get a deal, dont buy it for 300-400 dollars cuz thats not going to help your case) is a ton cheaper than buying an american. If you gut the piece of crap mex strat's then you can get a sick guitar for a ton cheaper. thats what I'm doing right now.
Since you're a beginner I wouldn't rush into anything though, just have fun and learn songs until you can start writing your own. Then start writing your own if thats your thing. And if not...just keep getting better.
I personally use an Epiphone Elitist Les Paul and some piece of crap Line6 amp from the 80s. A flextone II I think. it sucks. I'm buying a Marshall SLP 1959 reissue coming up. then I'mma modify that shiz. Ok enough ranting. I tend to talk waaaaaaay too much about guitar.
Eh, I'm happy with the Strat. It's an electric and it's a pretty good guitar. I bought it because of my P.O.C. First Act Acoustic. The bridge was falling off, the strings were extremely old (I didn't have enough money to replace them back then), and the frets were way too small. I wanted an electric, and Guitar Center had a sale on the pack that had the guitar, an amp, a case, and some cables.
I'm getting an actual acoustic soon, a Yamaha F335. I tried one out at GC recently, and had some fun playing with it. It's only $150, too.
I've already written a few songs, but they're pretty simple. Just a chord progression with some distorted power chords in the chorus or bridge, and sometimes a solo.
I really don't plan on learning shred at the moment. I know some basic tapping, hammer-ons/pull-offs, and sliding, but not stuff like sweep-picking or hybrid picking.
Meh, I'm getting along just fine.
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Sqwl
That's why I normally play stuff by Radiohead or Incubus when I'm testing a guitar.
