I agree 100% about Marty. Probably the best lessons on UA-cam. As far as taking actual lessons, sometimes it's more beneficial when someone is present to explain things in a different way or tell you when you're doing something incorrectly. Not everyone learns the same way, or as easily as others. Last, but not least, there's absolutely nothing wrong with learning to read music. Nothing bad comes from it and it can help with understanding music and becoming a more capable and versatile player. If you're going to take lessons, you might as well learn theory, in which case, you might as well learn to read music. It's not necessity, but, again, it isn't harmful in any way. Only beneficial.
I learned on a classical guitar and I would learn metal songs on that thing because I didn't know if I would totally get into guitar when I first started. Well I did and after a year or so I switched over to electric, and later got a new acoustic. It doesn't matter what guitar they get, what matters is how well they put it to use.
Of course it matters. If they are going to STRICTLY play classical guitar for their entire life. Their parents are rich ass snobs and the other kids will be playing classical violin and classical flute, you don't get the guitarist a B.C. Rich Warlock. There IS A DIFFERENCE. You're a gamer though, how should I expect you to know better?
groovydjs Well I, unlike some other people, have determintation and conviction to learn an instrument with what I have, no matter how crappy it is. If I get into the instrument, great, I'll upgrade. And I like how you just assume that I'm a gamer. Although I am a gamer, but making music is priority for me.
thesound606 agreed, i always, if im learning on a NEW type of instrument, get a not crappy but low quality instrument, only then, if i can get a great sound out of a **** instrument, will i move up to a good quality keeper! ive been playing guitar for 10 years and only 3 weeks ago had my 1st real mex fender
Excellent advice for newbies. I just listened to this as I was restringing my guitar, just had it on in the background because Scott's advice is always sound. Pardon the pun.
LOL, you know I had to go there with that guy. Holy cow. I can't believe how many people get sucked into that mess. I've had so many people bring me one of his guitars and ask if I could even make it playable. They are just SOOOOO out there that I don't know how that hombre sleeps at night knowing that his name is on those things. lol
Thank you so very much Mark! Yeah, Marty is a great guy with what seems like tireless energy to crank out an amazing volume of quality lessons. He is the "Go To" guy for so many people. I don't know if he knows how important he is to so many people all over the world. Great to have you here Mark! If I can ever help with anything, run it by me and I'll do my best to answer it for you. Many thanks for writing in and I hope your musical journey is a great one! Scott
It's no different on my end my friend. I never play most of them. I have 2 that I play all the time and the others are here just because. lol I sold the Stagemaster 7 a few months ago when I dumped 200 of my axes. Sorry about that. I don't even have any 7 string guitars any longer. I really don't find most of my guitars interesting enough to play. They are here because I always wanted one to look at, but I knew that they sounded horrible for what I personally want from a guitar. lol
Many thanks my friend. Yeah, we are 2 totally different kinds of people and 2 different kinds of lessons etc. for sure. I love to get into the gear end of it and blow the lid off of the hype and teach REAL WORLD licks and stay away from SONGS as much as possible. I TRULY believe in teaching guitar and then letting people learn the songs on their own when they have the skills to do so. They will remember it a LOT more that way. Many thanks man! Scott
14:13 Electric Guitars are generally easier to play than Acoustic Guitars because of the easier action and thinner strings. This is what motivates the kids to play.
Thanks my friend. You are exactly right. OUR guitars from back then were all horror stories. What you can get NOW for so little money is amazing. You REALLY have to love computers and CVC machines and mass production for THAT kind of thing. It gives the beginner a REAL chance at happiness playing a guitar. It's great!
They don't ship them that way. They become that way with temperature and humidity changes. So, not only the ones that are shipped halfway around the world (which could destroy the guitar), the ones that are simply shipped from Nashville to me in the desert, any guitar, electric or acoustic will be a TOTAL mess when it arrives. So, it's just mother nature killing them. Wood should not be used in guitars at all. In a perfect world, they would all be carbon fiber or graphite etc. NO PROBLEMS.
Did you get a true diversity system (2 antennas), also, is it so old that the frequency range that it operats on is in the frequencies that were sold off? Yep, frequencies that a LOT of wireless units were sold and people had to simply trash their old wireless units and buy new ones that weren't on those frequencies. Back on to the true diviersity thing, one antenna will pick up your signal when the other one has interference, better models will automatically switch frequencies as needed too.
True. I would never spam anyone in any way, and if you hear from me, it will be from me. I don't allow a single other person in my messed up little world. lol If I screw anything up, it's all my fault, if I do something good, it's still my doing. I hate junk mail in my regular mailbox and my email mailbox, so....I don't send that crap. lol Much appreciated my friend!
You need to move your sorry butt down the road. You are dead wrong and just as stupid as all of the other private teachers out there. Your days teaching are long past, and definately numbered. Start looking for another job and stay off of UA-cam unless you want to teach here. This is the future and the now.
You don't need to read sheet music to be a SERIOUS player player. NEVER tune by ear. Worst thing you could ever do. Harmonic tuning is SOOOO very off that it is NEVER a good thing to do. I'm going to have to block you simply because of WAAAAAY too much bad information. Sorry dude.
Not if you do it right. You can have it so low that if you blow on the strings....it will play a chord and no buzzes. It's all in knowing what you are doing with the action and the truss rod adjustment. No need for any buzzing on any guitar.
Yeah, if they are going to be taking lessons, they HAVE to learn what THEY want to in order to even get them to practice at all. After the bug has bitten them and they start exploring the guitar on their own.....your job is done and done well.
Horrible isn't it. I hate that they even exist and people are moronic enough to fall for a Wal-Mart style music store. I'm ashamed that no a single conversation can be had without GC being brought up in some way. lol
Awesome. If there is one thing that Nady makes that actually works, it's wireless units. I don't trust much of their other stuff, but I've never had a problem at all with the wireless stuff.
Oh mercy, that dude gets on my nerves so bad. They should put him in a room with Geraldo Rivera and Anthony Weiner and let them all have a go at each other. 3 really freaky dudes right there. lol
Oh mercy, that dude gets on my nerves so bad. They should put him in a room with Geraldo Rivera and Anthony Weiner and let them all have a go at each other. 3 really freaky dudes right there. lol
Maybe, maybe not. They have a REALLY bad reputation with quality control. So, it is about 50/50 with Gibson. It's just a brand name, the longer they are around, the less their name seems to be worth.
A lot of the Squier stuff is becoming more popular than the USA junk. America had better watch it or they will be out of the production business all together.
Yeah, there are HUNDREDS of string changing videos on here. Hell, I can't believe people actually take guitars to music stores to have their strings changed. lol
groovydjs Wow, that was a really quick reply! I am actually installing new pickups in my guitar today for the very first time. Not so much because I didn't like the cheap ones that came with my guitar, but because I decided to mess with the guitar and now need to put everything back together. We'll see if I can figure out where all the screws go..
Very much so my friend. It should remain just as low on the first fret as the last. So, don't ever take it to whoever did THAT to it. lol It's just a matter of adjusting the truss rod and the saddles, that's it. Any instrument that isn't warped, can be set up to play perfectly withing a matter of 10 minutes tops. TONS of great, professional instructions here on UA-cam on how to do it yourself. I would never pay anyone a dime to do it when you have all of the instructions here for free.
LOL, I've heard of them asking customers questions so that they could answer another customer's question. lol I have heard that there is one over in Las Vegas (a couple hours down the highway), but you'd never catch me there. I don't think that Vegas has a real music store. I mean sure, there are places that sell guitars and amps, vintage and new etc., just no REAL music stores. lol
SO very true. They have always had it down when it comes to acoustic guitars. Their bottom of the barrel acoustics are so much better that so many high end guitars made by others. Even if the woods aren't "proper" etc. they make up for it in design and playability. They have craftsmanship and quality control, no matter what country they are made in, Washburn sees to it that their standards are met.
EXACTLY! Doing what you wanted to do online gives you all of the freedoms that "formal" instructions don't. YOU are in control and that does tons for any possibility of success in learning. I'm so glad that you picked it back up and are doing well now! Now you will never stop.....you can't, and that's a great thing.
CLASSIC! I love it. It's truly sad. He should really be put away for ripping people off the way he does. It's just a major lie being sold on TV and he should be held accountable. I truly believe that. lol
Cool find on the SG! I'm glad that you did the fixing up and setting up using the good folks here on UA-cam to guide you through it. Pretty much ANYTHING can be taught on here and save you all that money that the guitar techs get. Marty is certainly deserving of getting the shout outs! That guy busts his but to give it all away! Not many folks will do that. He will have quite the legacy that folks will appreciate. I wish I could leave the comments up, my temper won't allow for it. lol
I would actually WELCOME him to do it. lol I would love to get him in a court room and say "OK.....Here's one of your guitars that I purchased NEW online.....now play it for everyone". The rest would unfold so humorously. lol
My pleasure. Marty deserves all that he gets. He works hard at all of this and maintaining a certain image and level of professionalism. I give him full props. The amount of hours that he's dedicated to all of this is staggering!
Hello Scott, I am not sure how i feel about you yet. I like watching you though. I find it weird in this video. I agree with every single word of this video. I don't ever agree with anyone that much.. I am shocked. If anyone disagrees with aNY part of this video, you need mental help. If any parent that ever asks me about lessons or first guitars, I will send them here... for sure, nice post.
The Ol' Sears Silvertone, that was my first guitar back in the late 60's my parents got me.. your advice is so right on, especially for kids I was 10 and I wanted to play rock and I took lessons and they had me play so much crap I didn't like. I quit after a year, now 45 years later, I've decided to pick it back up, got me a Les Paul and I too found Marty last March and have been learning quite a bit, now I'm here with you Scott, just bought your Blues back to the roots, I'm having fun with that... Thanks Scott for all your info, love the NO BS approach... keep rockin
I'm soaking up info like a sponge. Thanks so much for pouring out your heart's contents. What people do not realize is that this "rambling" of yours has costed years and dollars of your life, and you are voluntarily disclosing this information. So I wanted to thank you SO MUCH for just being an open book. If it means anything to you, there are real human beings behind our smartphones or computers saying in our minds, "Thank God so much for this guy Scott. Man, what a person!" So yeah...God bless you a lot, brother, and much health and peace to you. I do not play guitar (only a bit of keyboard and drums) but I am preparing my life to undertake this big guitar-learning adventure...and you're part of that knowledge foundation. I have more fun learning what I do not know than practicing what I do know, and receiving new information like this is immensely gratifying. Peace be with you and may Christ bless you!
Hello Scott. You have summarized my past 2-3 years of searching for guitars for my children. Thank you for taking the time to record and post this information for everyone. I also found the Beginners, How to REALLY Set the Tone On Your Amp very informative and useful. Regards, Peter
Scott, everything I've watched of yours makes complete sense so far. So some people don't like your style...bwaaah. The internet is full of people who need to argue a point. I share your way of saying "Look, this is what I've found to be the case, like it or not". Some things you know and you can share. You're only an fool if you waste your time trying to convince those who disagree. Keep doing what you do - I've already put lots of it into practice, for example I'm ALWAYS looking after my nuts. I've got into buying cheap unloved guitars to prove the point that if you spend some time setting them up right, they can play REALLY well and often better than the expensive stuff. It's become a crusade :-) PS I was converted to your way of looking at it when I watched your accurate review of the Martin Fudgepacker. 'Nuff said.
i totally agree that in this day, you can find just about anything online. we dint have that option back when i was a teen, although, my lessons were $5 for a 1/2 hr when i started. i think they went up to $7 or $10 or something before i ended up quitting. HOWEVER, for someone who is taking their VERY FIRST lessons, dont you feel that having human interaction may be important to catch any form problems that they may have, before they develop bad habits that stick with them?
I think it *is* very helpful to have human interaction for certain kinds of students. Some are just not that musical, or driven to play. But they still want to learn. so for these kids, a teacher can be their inspiration and you never know, a spark might be lit within them and they take off!
I probably mentioned in comments on another of your videos but when I was young n foolish years ago I worked in a music store (the family business). they were guilty of pushing the whole classical music thing & having to learn piano before learning anything else which I never bought into myself. I started on an electric guitar (which I still have 26 years later). But they didn't do that really scammy thing you mentioned in this video, they didn't spend half the lesson reviewing stuff or making teachers pay rent on the studios (instead the store took part of the lesson fees, $8-10 a lesson at the time, costly but not the most in that area back then). Instead they'd always try to get the practicing each day between lessons (almost all did once a week), the teachers would get annoyed with students who never practiced at all cause they got tired of always reviewing the same stuff and would suggest the students who didn't practice that they do something else instead (as in not taking music lessons) since they weren't getting a thing out of it. But I gotta say even back then I agree with what you said about letting kids learn an instrument n style they prefer not forcing them into classical only. The place I worked insisted on always classical and tried to insist students start on piano even if they wanted drums, woodwind, guitar, whatever else. the amount of student churnover in that place was incredible. I saw plenty of kids who wanted to learn drums or electric guitar but got forced into classical guitar or piano instead and invariably they'd quit out of frustration n boredom before their 1st months lessons was up. me being a bit older and working full time I was lucky enough to get my own way. instead of the boring as fork el degas classical guitar I had (and still have) a Vester stage series (which nobody but me has ever heard of these days). I could go on but this is already a very longbutt comment.
I have no idea where to place myself on the scale (beginner, intermediate, professional). I've been playing for over 50+ years, but with age came strokes,(5) and neuropathy in my fingers. Only on my left hand! Now I'm going for a Les Paul style guitar, because Telecasters (which I've been playing for years), are an unforgiving guitar. That includes going for .007s.
My dad started me out on a steel string acoustic straight away. Within 3 days i drew blood, My attention span for learning Guitar was higher than most so i used to nick the tips of my fingers with razor blades and burnt the tips on the toaster to speed up the killing of the nerves (Worked)! I really wanted to play like the Eagles after seeing my first concert of them on the Telly, so after i did learn to play their music i moved onto Pink Floyd/David Gilmour. Now i can play side by side with his music, not one day or $ spent on lessons and i still can't read a letter of sheet music or tab. And kinda have no intention to.
When I first started watching your videos, I thought you were going to be just another ignorant opinionated "guitar teacher", but you are actually a great guy! Keep Rocking man!
This is one of my favorite videos. When people ask me about guitar lessons for themselves or their kids, I send them to this page. By the way, thanks for being 'yourself'.
Man I wish I could have had this video 10 years ago when I bought my first guitar... which was the dreaded Esteban acoustic... and was a horrible decision for a first guitar because I wanted to play rock and metal mostly, but I got the Esteban because I listened to someone that said that an acoustic should be your first guitar.
+groovydjs Hi, Scott. I've been learning a lot from these videos about guitars. I was learning the acoustic guitar but in the last couple of years started getting into rock and I really wanted an electric. I've got a strat style thing I made in a school club but of course I want to start saving up for something better. My favourite players are really obscure because I got into rock through exploring Japanese music because I'm studying Japanese, but the top 2 play a Duesenberg Starplayer TV with a lot of distortion and a Fender American Standard Strat with bridge humbucker playing sounds that range from pop rock to what people tell me is a sort of retro rock sound to something more Green Day influenced. As for American bands I like Green Day and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Anyway, I've been eyeing up a Epiphone Les Paul Standard for a while and now I have done some more research an Ibanez Roadcore RC320 but I watched some of your videos and you talked about stuff like getting the Peavey T60 used and I was wondering what sort of guitars you might reccomend I look for used and inexpensive. The Peavey sounds great but has got really expensive. What do you think? (btw I'm in the UK)
What I really hate is, you go to a store, they have like 100 guitars, 90% used, 10% which you don't want, but they online store is loaded, so you point to a guitar on the monitor and they will order one for you, if you pay the money right now... Great, so you pay. Why? You don't have a choise, all stores are like this. You pay and wait 2-3 weeks for the axe to arrive. There it is, they unboxit for you, you grab it and look for any problems on the finish, on the hardware and already they are rolling they eyes... And of course you find some flaws (I guess that is my luck...). I brought an Ibanez RG350DX like this, and paint was falling of from the painted neck screws, I noticed a small hole next to the jack plates screw (I think they pre drilled it first in the wrong place) and the finish had sratches next to the tunning keys I guess from the auto tunning machines they use. Not to mention the fret ends were sharp and not polished, oh yeah and a nice dent in the tremolo bridge cavity, which pokes your yes out when you look down at the guitar in standing position. Anyway I informed the seller, he pulled out a sheet, lets fill this out, we should photograph everything (which we cannot do in the shop, they need quality 50MB camera photos, right...) and send it to the lockal Ibanez distributor which will inspect it, send it back to the fukkin indonesian factory, where they will go through the errors with the quality insurance guy how was reponsible for this specific instrumet and IF my complainment is accepted, they will send another RG350 only takes 1-2-3 months. Remember I had to wait almost a month for my pre paid guitar. At this pont I was like, fuck this, fuck that, fuck you, fuck Ibanez, fuck guitar shops. I was searching for weeks for a guitar in this price range which has a decent floyd style term system and trust me you don't have much choise with all those FR specials around. So I took my axe home, did a full fret job, throw out the Zero Stop system (which only makes the trem stiff asf), stuffed some sponges in the trem springs, rewired the pickup with a pushpoll coil split and just played the shit out of it. The trem is supperb and I give it a hard time all the time, I don't want to hold back for anything. Is this a flawless instrumet? NO. Is it working? Yeah. I'm I satisfied? Fukk no, but I don't care anymore.
Thanks Scott, always good to see an artist that also recommends another artist. When are you going to do a pedal board discussion. Maybe doing them the same way as you do guitars, what is cheap but good, reasonable and better, expensive and worth it, and finally, the NOT WORTH ANY MONEY pedals. The price is relative, but we always like to think we're at least getting something worth the price we pay for it. You've shown your 10G guitar and prefer a less than a grand guitar for sound. Info like that is really beneficial. I've learned a lot from you, and I knew it all already (ha!)
Hi, I need your help.... I am a going to buy my first electric guitar... being a beginner, exactly what type of genre i am into( metal or rock or country).... After very difficulty i have shortlisted guitars that i wish to buy, namely Epiphone Les paul Standard and Ibanez Rg350dxz....but now i am confused and can't decide between these two..... what do you think which is better in terms of versatility, tone as i don't plan to buy a second guitar in near future....
I took your advice and got a Washburn (WD25SCE) which sounds great BUT the action is to high. Do you have a video on how to lower the action? Plus I got your special on different songbooks and they are great. Love them, nice job!
I'm really wanting to get my first legit 6 string. I tried a few years ago, and I hated it. The guitar was too heavy, the neck was too wide, and the strings hurt like hell. I recently got a real down-home Cigar Box Guitar (yeah, I know, not the 'real deal' ) and I noticed that it actually played better than the Squier Strat my dad got me in a pawn shop those years back. (considering lowering the action, but I do dig my slide...) I want to get something that's gonna give a nice blusey sound that's still got some meat on the bass end. What brand/type of pickups would you recommend?
Hi Scott thanks for your videos, they are very informative. I have a question for you, could you recommend an acoustic guitar that has a nice deep bass tone to it. I went to a lot of music stores here in Alberta but I can't find one that has enough bass. Maybe I am too picky so in your opinion "which I respect" what guitar company has the deepest bass sounding guitar. thanks man. Just to be clear I am not talking about an "acoustic bass" I am looking for a normal 6 string acoustic guitar. Cheaper the better. Or even some of the people that comment could give me their opinions of what acoustic guitar they think has a lot of bass. Also if your answer is a very expensive guitar is there a more affordable one that is close to that one I don't have 2k or up, to shell out, I would spend around $1000 though if I had to.
I may have to look up your lessons... I always wanted to learn to play guitar, and have found procrastination is much easier. BUT I am heading to see one of my favourite guitarists in June (Tommy Emmanuel), and think that may be just the motivation I need. Must say, I do like your videos. May disagree with occasional things, but who agrees all the time.
Hi Scott, you are such a truthful honest guy. Everything you have mentioned is spot on. Your knowledge is priceless. Personally I have learned so much more from you. I agree, forget books forget TABS and I am speaking from my own experience that video lessons are the best source for learning. Reason being because you can at your own pace repeat the video. Believe it or not but guitar books will put you off because either you become impatient or frustrated or you do not understand. Been there and done that. Do I have books? yes! Several starting at a young age. Waste of my money, and you are better off to pay someone like Scott or Marty that will guide you slowly through each lesson that you will grasp. Learning guitar to me, is to grab your guitar and get into playing and it should be fun, and not stressing you out. Scott Grove a professional guitarist who knows every little trick and has taught me so much! I have high respect for you Scott and I thank You.
Without watching the vid, I see so many people buying cheap guitars for their children or for adults who are to learn on, and then if they give up, the guitar goes in the loft/garage/sold. I tell people to buy a good mid range second hand guitar, and put extra lights on it straight away. I see some many guitars with heavy strings on, and i can't hold down a chord and i work out as well as play. If they are not getting anywhere after 6 months, then they can sell it for what they paid for it or near that. Guitars are getting cheaper and cheaper, the Fender acoustic I tried for $130 was far better than the Yamaha i first started with, and paid the equivalent of $300 for in the early 80s. A decent acoustic travel guitar is a good idea. Buy second hand and take along someone who plays, and then buy and forget about any irrelevant scratches etc
Thaddues, I recommend an instrument that doesn't require the pinky and ring as much, although that isn't easy to accomplish. Stick to simple songs? Power chords? Dunno.
WEll I ordered a fender cd60ce All mahogany acoustic online shipped to GC to pick up and get set up. Ive been playing and all...so I think after being a player for a while ordering a guitar online is OK....after the research has been done and it is a well rated instrument
4:40 There is also the Cordoba Fusion series which is a nylon classical guitar with a skinnier neck for people that don't normally play classicals. I do play classical guitars and I do agree a normal Classical guitar would not work for a child who wants to learn because of the much wider neck, but yes, Cordoba Fusion would be worth looking into, Cordoba in general is worth looking into, amazing guitars.
Hey Scott thanks for all the info and lesson you give. I got the 64 meg memory stick and love all the guitar information on it. So went and bought my first guitar on ebay a nice gibson and got it yesterday. Guess what the neck was about busted off most likely from some ding bat at the postal throwing some thing on the box and busting the neck off. But seller is working with me so will try to get me another one and may be have better luck this time.. Thanks for all the lesson. You Rock.
Hey @groovydjs Scott there's a website that im using and I dont know if youve heard of it. It's called guitartricks.com If you know of it can you tell me what you think of it?
He's right, taking personal lessons now is ridiculous, with a little effort you can find everything you need for free on the net- chord charts,scales,songs to practice,ect,ect, to practice, then you have UA-cam!
Hey Scott, Glad you got the cahoonas to tell the truth and to promote someone else because they are good at teaching. So glad I found your site and youtube videos.
thanks for the shout, great job that you are doing! take care bro!!!
marty
I agree 100% about Marty. Probably the best lessons on UA-cam. As far as taking actual lessons, sometimes it's more beneficial when someone is present to explain things in a different way or tell you when you're doing something incorrectly. Not everyone learns the same way, or as easily as others. Last, but not least, there's absolutely nothing wrong with learning to read music. Nothing bad comes from it and it can help with understanding music and becoming a more capable and versatile player. If you're going to take lessons, you might as well learn theory, in which case, you might as well learn to read music. It's not necessity, but, again, it isn't harmful in any way. Only beneficial.
I learned on a classical guitar and I would learn metal songs on that thing because I didn't know if I would totally get into guitar when I first started. Well I did and after a year or so I switched over to electric, and later got a new acoustic. It doesn't matter what guitar they get, what matters is how well they put it to use.
Of course it matters. If they are going to STRICTLY play classical guitar for their entire life. Their parents are rich ass snobs and the other kids will be playing classical violin and classical flute, you don't get the guitarist a B.C. Rich Warlock. There IS A DIFFERENCE. You're a gamer though, how should I expect you to know better?
groovydjs Well I, unlike some other people, have determintation and conviction to learn an instrument with what I have, no matter how crappy it is. If I get into the instrument, great, I'll upgrade. And I like how you just assume that I'm a gamer. Although I am a gamer, but making music is priority for me.
thesound606 agreed, i always, if im learning on a NEW type of instrument, get a not crappy but low quality instrument, only then, if i can get a great sound out of a **** instrument, will i move up to a good quality keeper! ive been playing guitar for 10 years and only 3 weeks ago had my 1st real mex fender
Excellent advice for newbies. I just listened to this as I was restringing my guitar, just had it on in the background because Scott's advice is always sound. Pardon the pun.
LOL, you know I had to go there with that guy. Holy cow. I can't believe how many people get sucked into that mess. I've had so many people bring me one of his guitars and ask if I could even make it playable. They are just SOOOOO out there that I don't know how that hombre sleeps at night knowing that his name is on those things. lol
i bought and old nady 49R. i just need something that works...and it works...so im glad
Scott what do you think of Lag Guitars? They seem to have all the quality specs you speak of like the proper bridge for intonation act.
Justin is great as well.
hey scott whats your opinion/review on Ernie ball coated strings? thought mabye theyd cash in on what elixir is missing out on/ refusing to produce
Not for the MOST part....for ALL the parts.
Thank you so very much Mark! Yeah, Marty is a great guy with what seems like tireless energy to crank out an amazing volume of quality lessons. He is the "Go To" guy for so many people. I don't know if he knows how important he is to so many people all over the world. Great to have you here Mark! If I can ever help with anything, run it by me and I'll do my best to answer it for you. Many thanks for writing in and I hope your musical journey is a great one!
Scott
It's no different on my end my friend. I never play most of them. I have 2 that I play all the time and the others are here just because. lol I sold the Stagemaster 7 a few months ago when I dumped 200 of my axes. Sorry about that. I don't even have any 7 string guitars any longer. I really don't find most of my guitars interesting enough to play. They are here because I always wanted one to look at, but I knew that they sounded horrible for what I personally want from a guitar. lol
Much respect to you and your style. No BS is always the way!
Thank you for the straight talk.
Esteban? Is that not the guy who looks like Zorro?
Many thanks my friend. Yeah, we are 2 totally different kinds of people and 2 different kinds of lessons etc. for sure. I love to get into the gear end of it and blow the lid off of the hype and teach REAL WORLD licks and stay away from SONGS as much as possible. I TRULY believe in teaching guitar and then letting people learn the songs on their own when they have the skills to do so. They will remember it a LOT more that way. Many thanks man!
Scott
14:13 Electric Guitars are generally easier to play than Acoustic Guitars because of the easier action and thinner strings. This is what motivates the kids to play.
Thanks my friend. You are exactly right. OUR guitars from back then were all horror stories. What you can get NOW for so little money is amazing. You REALLY have to love computers and CVC machines and mass production for THAT kind of thing. It gives the beginner a REAL chance at happiness playing a guitar. It's great!
They don't ship them that way. They become that way with temperature and humidity changes. So, not only the ones that are shipped halfway around the world (which could destroy the guitar), the ones that are simply shipped from Nashville to me in the desert, any guitar, electric or acoustic will be a TOTAL mess when it arrives. So, it's just mother nature killing them. Wood should not be used in guitars at all. In a perfect world, they would all be carbon fiber or graphite etc. NO PROBLEMS.
Did you get a true diversity system (2 antennas), also, is it so old that the frequency range that it operats on is in the frequencies that were sold off? Yep, frequencies that a LOT of wireless units were sold and people had to simply trash their old wireless units and buy new ones that weren't on those frequencies. Back on to the true diviersity thing, one antenna will pick up your signal when the other one has interference, better models will automatically switch frequencies as needed too.
True. I would never spam anyone in any way, and if you hear from me, it will be from me. I don't allow a single other person in my messed up little world. lol If I screw anything up, it's all my fault, if I do something good, it's still my doing. I hate junk mail in my regular mailbox and my email mailbox, so....I don't send that crap. lol Much appreciated my friend!
You need to move your sorry butt down the road. You are dead wrong and just as stupid as all of the other private teachers out there. Your days teaching are long past, and definately numbered. Start looking for another job and stay off of UA-cam unless you want to teach here. This is the future and the now.
You don't need to read sheet music to be a SERIOUS player player. NEVER tune by ear. Worst thing you could ever do. Harmonic tuning is SOOOO very off that it is NEVER a good thing to do. I'm going to have to block you simply because of WAAAAAY too much bad information. Sorry dude.
Not if you do it right. You can have it so low that if you blow on the strings....it will play a chord and no buzzes. It's all in knowing what you are doing with the action and the truss rod adjustment. No need for any buzzing on any guitar.
Yeah, if they are going to be taking lessons, they HAVE to learn what THEY want to in order to even get them to practice at all. After the bug has bitten them and they start exploring the guitar on their own.....your job is done and done well.
Horrible isn't it. I hate that they even exist and people are moronic enough to fall for a Wal-Mart style music store. I'm ashamed that no a single conversation can be had without GC being brought up in some way. lol
Awesome. If there is one thing that Nady makes that actually works, it's wireless units. I don't trust much of their other stuff, but I've never had a problem at all with the wireless stuff.
Oh mercy, that dude gets on my nerves so bad. They should put him in a room with Geraldo Rivera and Anthony Weiner and let them all have a go at each other. 3 really freaky dudes right there. lol
Oh mercy, that dude gets on my nerves so bad. They should put him in a room with Geraldo Rivera and Anthony Weiner and let them all have a go at each other. 3 really freaky dudes right there. lol
Maybe, maybe not. They have a REALLY bad reputation with quality control. So, it is about 50/50 with Gibson. It's just a brand name, the longer they are around, the less their name seems to be worth.
A lot of the Squier stuff is becoming more popular than the USA junk. America had better watch it or they will be out of the production business all together.
Yeah, there are HUNDREDS of string changing videos on here. Hell, I can't believe people actually take guitars to music stores to have their strings changed. lol
TABS are NEVER a good idea. They hurt much more than they help. Simply following a good teacher online (with zero TABS), will do a great job.
There you go folks! A 100% true and typical experience with that guy's junk gear. Just say no! lol Thanks for the story JIZZ!
I 100% disagree. The saying "You can't polish a turd" applies here. These sayings have been around for generations for a reason.
Great thing about electrics...........headphones via the amp. The parents won't even have to hear the acoustic.
Hi my man, you can always locate me at mrmrswoodworker@aol.com I'm on that email day in and day out. Cheers.
I just gained even more respect for you Scott!
Just wanted you to know that.
Many thanks my friend. A lot of people give me crap about this video, but I 100% believe in every word I said in it. Much appreciated!
Scott
groovydjs Wow, that was a really quick reply! I am actually installing new pickups in my guitar today for the very first time. Not so much because I didn't like the cheap ones that came with my guitar, but because I decided to mess with the guitar and now need to put everything back together. We'll see if I can figure out where all the screws go..
Scott, you rock . the more of your videos I watch of yours, the more you impress me!. You are one in a million and we are all lucky to have you!!
That is as sad as it gets right there! I'd pop that kid's pop right in the mouth! lol
Very much so my friend. It should remain just as low on the first fret as the last. So, don't ever take it to whoever did THAT to it. lol It's just a matter of adjusting the truss rod and the saddles, that's it. Any instrument that isn't warped, can be set up to play perfectly withing a matter of 10 minutes tops. TONS of great, professional instructions here on UA-cam on how to do it yourself. I would never pay anyone a dime to do it when you have all of the instructions here for free.
So very true my friend. I'll put a note on there about that. Much appreciated!
LOL, I've heard of them asking customers questions so that they could answer another customer's question. lol I have heard that there is one over in Las Vegas (a couple hours down the highway), but you'd never catch me there. I don't think that Vegas has a real music store. I mean sure, there are places that sell guitars and amps, vintage and new etc., just no REAL music stores. lol
SO very true. They have always had it down when it comes to acoustic guitars. Their bottom of the barrel acoustics are so much better that so many high end guitars made by others. Even if the woods aren't "proper" etc. they make up for it in design and playability. They have craftsmanship and quality control, no matter what country they are made in, Washburn sees to it that their standards are met.
EXACTLY! Doing what you wanted to do online gives you all of the freedoms that "formal" instructions don't. YOU are in control and that does tons for any possibility of success in learning. I'm so glad that you picked it back up and are doing well now! Now you will never stop.....you can't, and that's a great thing.
CLASSIC! I love it. It's truly sad. He should really be put away for ripping people off the way he does. It's just a major lie being sold on TV and he should be held accountable. I truly believe that. lol
Cool find on the SG! I'm glad that you did the fixing up and setting up using the good folks here on UA-cam to guide you through it. Pretty much ANYTHING can be taught on here and save you all that money that the guitar techs get. Marty is certainly deserving of getting the shout outs! That guy busts his but to give it all away! Not many folks will do that. He will have quite the legacy that folks will appreciate. I wish I could leave the comments up, my temper won't allow for it. lol
I would actually WELCOME him to do it. lol I would love to get him in a court room and say "OK.....Here's one of your guitars that I purchased NEW online.....now play it for everyone". The rest would unfold so humorously. lol
My pleasure. Marty deserves all that he gets. He works hard at all of this and maintaining a certain image and level of professionalism. I give him full props. The amount of hours that he's dedicated to all of this is staggering!
They did them wrong. They go as dead as any regular string.
Hello Scott, I am not sure how i feel about you yet. I like watching you though. I find it weird in this video. I agree with every single word of this video. I don't ever agree with anyone that much.. I am shocked. If anyone disagrees with aNY part of this video, you need mental help. If any parent that ever asks me about lessons or first guitars, I will send them here... for sure, nice post.
The cowboy song seemed pretty awesome to me....lol, I remember playing things like that back in the beginning. It was awful haha
The Ol' Sears Silvertone, that was my first guitar back in the late 60's my parents got me.. your advice is so right on, especially for kids I was 10 and I wanted to play rock and I took lessons and they had me play so much crap I didn't like. I quit after a year, now 45 years later, I've decided to pick it back up, got me a Les Paul and I too found Marty last March and have been learning quite a bit, now I'm here with you Scott, just bought your Blues back to the roots, I'm having fun with that... Thanks Scott for all your info, love the NO BS approach... keep rockin
Luke Mosse has been blocked for being a douche.
Simply some of the best advice right here.
They make Nylon String Acoustic Guitars which have thin necks.
Yep, this guy is dead on! Perfectly said!
I've got a rackmount nady wireless system that I use on my guitar on every gig. No problems ever. I love that thing!
And how long did you stay with Josh?
I'm soaking up info like a sponge. Thanks so much for pouring out your heart's contents. What people do not realize is that this "rambling" of yours has costed years and dollars of your life, and you are voluntarily disclosing this information. So I wanted to thank you SO MUCH for just being an open book. If it means anything to you, there are real human beings behind our smartphones or computers saying in our minds, "Thank God so much for this guy Scott. Man, what a person!" So yeah...God bless you a lot, brother, and much health and peace to you. I do not play guitar (only a bit of keyboard and drums) but I am preparing my life to undertake this big guitar-learning adventure...and you're part of that knowledge foundation. I have more fun learning what I do not know than practicing what I do know, and receiving new information like this is immensely gratifying. Peace be with you and may Christ bless you!
Who me? Fuckin' A Right! lol
Hello Scott. You have summarized my past 2-3 years of searching for guitars for my children. Thank you for taking the time to record and post this information for everyone. I also found the Beginners, How to REALLY Set the Tone On Your Amp very informative and useful.
Regards,
Peter
LOL, Way too funny!
shit.. i never thought id see you plug marty schwartz. for some reason i thought youd dislike him..
Nope.
Why?
Electric guitars have low action which works
Scott, everything I've watched of yours makes complete sense so far. So some people don't like your style...bwaaah. The internet is full of people who need to argue a point. I share your way of saying "Look, this is what I've found to be the case, like it or not". Some things you know and you can share. You're only an fool if you waste your time trying to convince those who disagree. Keep doing what you do - I've already put lots of it into practice, for example I'm ALWAYS looking after my nuts.
I've got into buying cheap unloved guitars to prove the point that if you spend some time setting them up right, they can play REALLY well and often better than the expensive stuff. It's become a crusade :-)
PS I was converted to your way of looking at it when I watched your accurate review of the Martin Fudgepacker. 'Nuff said.
very helpful video - well put across
i totally agree that in this day, you can find just about anything online. we dint have that option back when i was a teen, although, my lessons were $5 for a 1/2 hr when i started. i think they went up to $7 or $10 or something before i ended up quitting. HOWEVER, for someone who is taking their VERY FIRST lessons, dont you feel that having human interaction may be important to catch any form problems that they may have, before they develop bad habits that stick with them?
I think it *is* very helpful to have human interaction for certain kinds of students. Some are just not that musical, or driven to play. But they still want to learn. so for these kids, a teacher can be their inspiration and you never know, a spark might be lit within them and they take off!
I probably mentioned in comments on another of your videos but when I was young n foolish years ago I worked in a music store (the family business). they were guilty of pushing the whole classical music thing & having to learn piano before learning anything else which I never bought into myself. I started on an electric guitar (which I still have 26 years later). But they didn't do that really scammy thing you mentioned in this video, they didn't spend half the lesson reviewing stuff or making teachers pay rent on the studios (instead the store took part of the lesson fees, $8-10 a lesson at the time, costly but not the most in that area back then). Instead they'd always try to get the practicing each day between lessons (almost all did once a week), the teachers would get annoyed with students who never practiced at all cause they got tired of always reviewing the same stuff and would suggest the students who didn't practice that they do something else instead (as in not taking music lessons) since they weren't getting a thing out of it.
But I gotta say even back then I agree with what you said about letting kids learn an instrument n style they prefer not forcing them into classical only. The place I worked insisted on always classical and tried to insist students start on piano even if they wanted drums, woodwind, guitar, whatever else. the amount of student churnover in that place was incredible. I saw plenty of kids who wanted to learn drums or electric guitar but got forced into classical guitar or piano instead and invariably they'd quit out of frustration n boredom before their 1st months lessons was up.
me being a bit older and working full time I was lucky enough to get my own way. instead of the boring as fork el degas classical guitar I had (and still have) a Vester stage series (which nobody but me has ever heard of these days). I could go on but this is already a very longbutt comment.
I have no idea where to place myself on the scale (beginner, intermediate, professional).
I've been playing for over 50+ years, but with age came strokes,(5) and neuropathy in my fingers. Only on my left hand! Now I'm going for a Les Paul style guitar, because Telecasters (which I've been playing for years), are an unforgiving guitar. That includes going for .007s.
What! No spandex anymore???? ;-)
Marty and you and are awesome compliment to each other.
For what is worth, DONT give your kid a folk guitar....the strings just hurt too much.
My dad started me out on a steel string acoustic straight away. Within 3 days i drew blood, My attention span for learning Guitar was higher than most so i used to nick the tips of my fingers with razor blades and burnt the tips on the toaster to speed up the killing of the nerves (Worked)! I really wanted to play like the Eagles after seeing my first concert of them on the Telly, so after i did learn to play their music i moved onto Pink Floyd/David Gilmour. Now i can play side by side with his music, not one day or $ spent on lessons and i still can't read a letter of sheet music or tab. And kinda have no intention to.
When I first started watching your videos, I thought you were going to be just another ignorant opinionated "guitar teacher", but you are actually a great guy! Keep Rocking man!
This is one of my favorite videos. When people ask me about guitar lessons for themselves or their kids, I send them to this page. By the way, thanks for being 'yourself'.
Man I wish I could have had this video 10 years ago when I bought my first guitar... which was the dreaded Esteban acoustic... and was a horrible decision for a first guitar because I wanted to play rock and metal mostly, but I got the Esteban because I listened to someone that said that an acoustic should be your first guitar.
Scott, not to alarm you, but i think that there is a ghost behind you.
At what point in the video?
thanks..yes i learned.. and Yes..dood..you do ramble.. thanks for the hook up to Marty. bookmarked your sight.. i will be back..
+groovydjs Hi, Scott. I've been learning a lot from these videos about guitars. I was learning the acoustic guitar but in the last couple of years started getting into rock and I really wanted an electric. I've got a strat style thing I made in a school club but of course I want to start saving up for something better. My favourite players are really obscure because I got into rock through exploring Japanese music because I'm studying Japanese, but the top 2 play a Duesenberg Starplayer TV with a lot of distortion and a Fender American Standard Strat with bridge humbucker playing sounds that range from pop rock to what people tell me is a sort of retro rock sound to something more Green Day influenced. As for American bands I like Green Day and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Anyway, I've been eyeing up a Epiphone Les Paul Standard for a while and now I have done some more research an Ibanez Roadcore RC320 but I watched some of your videos and you talked about stuff like getting the Peavey T60 used and I was wondering what sort of guitars you might reccomend I look for used and inexpensive. The Peavey sounds great but has got really expensive. What do you think? (btw I'm in the UK)
You make a lot of sense in what you are saying i believe i would be able to play the guitar. To me your an alright Guy!!!! Keep on, keeping on!!!!!!!!
What I really hate is, you go to a store, they have like 100 guitars, 90% used, 10% which you don't want, but they online store is loaded, so you point to a guitar on the monitor and they will order one for you, if you pay the money right now... Great, so you pay. Why? You don't have a choise, all stores are like this. You pay and wait 2-3 weeks for the axe to arrive. There it is, they unboxit for you, you grab it and look for any problems on the finish, on the hardware and already they are rolling they eyes... And of course you find some flaws (I guess that is my luck...). I brought an Ibanez RG350DX like this, and paint was falling of from the painted neck screws, I noticed a small hole next to the jack plates screw (I think they pre drilled it first in the wrong place) and the finish had sratches next to the tunning keys I guess from the auto tunning machines they use. Not to mention the fret ends were sharp and not polished, oh yeah and a nice dent in the tremolo bridge cavity, which pokes your yes out when you look down at the guitar in standing position. Anyway I informed the seller, he pulled out a sheet, lets fill this out, we should photograph everything (which we cannot do in the shop, they need quality 50MB camera photos, right...) and send it to the lockal Ibanez distributor which will inspect it, send it back to the fukkin indonesian factory, where they will go through the errors with the quality insurance guy how was reponsible for this specific instrumet and IF my complainment is accepted, they will send another RG350 only takes 1-2-3 months. Remember I had to wait almost a month for my pre paid guitar. At this pont I was like, fuck this, fuck that, fuck you, fuck Ibanez, fuck guitar shops. I was searching for weeks for a guitar in this price range which has a decent floyd style term system and trust me you don't have much choise with all those FR specials around. So I took my axe home, did a full fret job, throw out the Zero Stop system (which only makes the trem stiff asf), stuffed some sponges in the trem springs, rewired the pickup with a pushpoll coil split and just played the shit out of it. The trem is supperb and I give it a hard time all the time, I don't want to hold back for anything. Is this a flawless instrumet? NO. Is it working? Yeah. I'm I satisfied? Fukk no, but I don't care anymore.
Thanks Scott, always good to see an artist that also recommends another artist. When are you going to do a pedal board discussion. Maybe doing them the same way as you do guitars, what is cheap but good, reasonable and better, expensive and worth it, and finally, the NOT WORTH ANY MONEY pedals. The price is relative, but we always like to think we're at least getting something worth the price we pay for it. You've shown your 10G guitar and prefer a less than a grand guitar for sound. Info like that is really beneficial. I've learned a lot from you, and I knew it all already (ha!)
Thank you for your honesty! I have been to your's and Marty's sites and both of you offer more than money can buy. Again, all I can say is thank you.
Hi, I need your help.... I am a going to buy my first electric guitar... being a beginner, exactly what type of genre i am into( metal or rock or country).... After very difficulty i have shortlisted guitars that i wish to buy, namely Epiphone Les paul Standard and Ibanez Rg350dxz....but now i am confused and can't decide between these two..... what do you think which is better in terms of versatility, tone as i don't plan to buy a second guitar in near future....
I took your advice and got a Washburn (WD25SCE) which sounds great BUT the action is to high. Do you have a video on how to lower the action?
Plus I got your special on different songbooks and they are great. Love them, nice job!
I'm really wanting to get my first legit 6 string. I tried a few years ago, and I hated it. The guitar was too heavy, the neck was too wide, and the strings hurt like hell.
I recently got a real down-home Cigar Box Guitar (yeah, I know, not the 'real deal' ) and I noticed that it actually played better than the Squier Strat my dad got me in a pawn shop those years back. (considering lowering the action, but I do dig my slide...)
I want to get something that's gonna give a nice blusey sound that's still got some meat on the bass end. What brand/type of pickups would you recommend?
Hi Scott thanks for your videos, they are very informative. I have a question for you, could you recommend an acoustic guitar that has a nice deep bass tone to it. I went to a lot of music stores here in Alberta but I can't find one that has enough bass. Maybe I am too picky so in your opinion "which I respect" what guitar company has the deepest bass sounding guitar. thanks man. Just to be clear I am not talking about an "acoustic bass" I am looking for a normal 6 string acoustic guitar. Cheaper the better.
Or even some of the people that comment could give me their opinions of what acoustic guitar they think has a lot of bass. Also if your answer is a very expensive guitar is there a more affordable one that is close to that one I don't have 2k or up, to shell out, I would spend around $1000 though if I had to.
I may have to look up your lessons... I always wanted to learn to play guitar, and have found procrastination is much easier. BUT I am heading to see one of my favourite guitarists in June (Tommy Emmanuel), and think that may be just the motivation I need. Must say, I do like your videos. May disagree with occasional things, but who agrees all the time.
Hi Scott, you are such a truthful honest guy. Everything you have mentioned is spot on. Your knowledge is priceless. Personally I have learned so much more from you. I agree, forget books forget TABS and I am speaking from my own experience that video lessons are the best source for learning. Reason being because you can at your own pace repeat the video. Believe it or not but guitar books will put you off because either you become impatient or frustrated or you do not understand. Been there and done that. Do I have books? yes! Several starting at a young age. Waste of my money, and you are better off to pay someone like Scott or Marty that will guide you slowly through each lesson that you will grasp. Learning guitar to me, is to grab your guitar and get into playing and it should be fun, and not stressing you out. Scott Grove a professional guitarist who knows every little trick and has taught me so much! I have high respect for you Scott and I thank You.
Without watching the vid, I see so many people buying cheap guitars for their children or for adults who are to learn on, and then if they give up, the guitar goes in the loft/garage/sold. I tell people to buy a good mid range second hand guitar, and put extra lights on it straight away. I see some many guitars with heavy strings on, and i can't hold down a chord and i work out as well as play. If they are not getting anywhere after 6 months, then they can sell it for what they paid for it or near that. Guitars are getting cheaper and cheaper, the Fender acoustic I tried for $130 was far better than the Yamaha i first started with, and paid the equivalent of $300 for in the early 80s. A decent acoustic travel guitar is a good idea. Buy second hand and take along someone who plays, and then buy and forget about any irrelevant scratches etc
Thaddues, I recommend an instrument that doesn't require the pinky and ring as much, although that isn't easy to accomplish. Stick to simple songs? Power chords? Dunno.
WEll I ordered a fender cd60ce All mahogany acoustic online shipped to GC to pick up and get set up. Ive been playing and all...so I think after being a player for a while ordering a guitar online is OK....after the research has been done and it is a well rated instrument
4:40 There is also the Cordoba Fusion series which is a nylon classical guitar with a skinnier neck for people that don't normally play classicals. I do play classical guitars and I do agree a normal Classical guitar would not work for a child who wants to learn because of the much wider neck, but yes, Cordoba Fusion would be worth looking into, Cordoba in general is worth looking into, amazing guitars.
Scott ROCKS! Strait forward! I personally have advanced Big time from his instruction! Thank you Scott (PDM)
Hey Scott thanks for all the info and lesson you give. I got the 64 meg memory stick and love all the guitar information on it. So went and bought my first guitar on ebay a nice gibson and got it yesterday. Guess what the neck was about busted off most likely from some ding bat at the postal throwing some thing on the box and busting the neck off. But seller is working with me so will try to get me another one and may be have better luck this time.. Thanks for all the lesson. You Rock.
Hey @groovydjs Scott there's a website that im using and I dont know if youve heard of it. It's called guitartricks.com
If you know of it can you tell me what you think of it?
He's right, taking personal lessons now is ridiculous, with a little effort you can find everything you need for free on the net- chord charts,scales,songs to practice,ect,ect, to practice, then you have UA-cam!
Hey Scott, Glad you got the cahoonas to tell the truth and to promote someone else because they are good at teaching. So glad I found your site and youtube videos.
Great lesson defenetly worth to watch