***The Official Guitar Thread***

[Bassmansam]

I have the Katana 100 and THR30ii.

They are very different. THR30iii is my go to practice amp. It sounds insanely good and the bluetooth is brilliant for practicing along with songs. I really can't fault it. There was an update available for it before Christmas, and since then it sounds amazing. Stereo effects, portable and even transportable with the battery. I love it.

Which THR are you looking at?

The Katana 50 has more effects and of course output.

thanks for that info, im looking at the tr10ii, the model below yours. Do you think the wireless versions are worth it?

i have the katana mini at the moment which was good but it’s very limited effects wise.

 

[NickK]

Just ordered 12bh7a-str and ecc99s - this is for a headphone amp.. but I have some plans wrt adding socket for instrument level input. The amp itself should be reasonably clean, but the idea is to be able to add a guitar stage in there. Also have plans for digital in it too. Hmm tube overdrive

 

[2StepSteve]

thanks for that info, im looking at the tr10ii, the model below yours. Do you think the wireless versions are worth it?

i have the katana mini at the moment which was good but it’s very limited effects wise.

I still haven't picked up the wireless unit. Shortly after this range of THRs were released, Line 6 had a recall on the G10 wireless transmitters and they vanished from retailers. I haven't looked at getting one since. I think it depends how important wireless is to you, for me it's not really an issue plugging in a cable. I have my THR30ii on the table in front of me, and play there.

I will likely end up getting one, sooner or later though. I can see it being useful for playing and practicing in the garden in the warmer months.

 

[Bassmansam]

I still haven't picked up the wireless unit. Shortly after this range of THRs were released, Line 6 had a recall on the G10 wireless transmitters and they vanished from retailers. I haven't looked at getting one since. I think it depends how important wireless is to you, for me it's not really an issue plugging in a cable. I have my THR30ii on the table in front of me, and play there.

I will likely end up getting one, sooner or later though. I can see it being useful for playing and practicing in the garden in the warmer months.

Ah right, wireless isn't majorly important but its a nice bonus. I keep changing my mind between the TRH and Boss Katana 50mk2. The katana is so much cheaper I'm finding it hard to justify the price of the trh especially as if I want to gig at some point i can use the katana. I also like the option to switch the power to .5, 25 and 50 watt.

 

[Danthus]

I want to learn to play the guitar but I need a guitar.

I don't want to spend a fortune so I am guessing start with an acoustic one.

What should I be looking for?

 

[2StepSteve]

Ah right, wireless isn't majorly important but its a nice bonus. I keep changing my mind between the TRH and Boss Katana 50mk2. The katana is so much cheaper I'm finding it hard to justify the price of the trh especially as if I want to gig at some point i can use the katana. I also like the option to switch the power to .5, 25 and 50 watt.

I would pick the Katana. It's way more versatile, lots of effects and as you say, you'll be able to play louder if need be.

 

[2StepSteve]

I want to learn to play the guitar but I need a guitar.

I don't want to spend a fortune so I am guessing start with an acoustic one.

What should I be looking for?

What's your budget?

Bare in mind that acoustic is harder on the fingers to play compared to electric, but don't let it put you off. There's no rules on which one you should learn first. Pick electric or acoustic depending on what music you like.

If you're OK to buy second hand (I get it may be a bit of a punt as you'll be going in blind)... Second hand Yamaha is where I'd look for acoustic. The FG series can be had often for under £100 on eBay and Facebook market place. If buying second hand take it to a tech to get setup properly though.

 

[ik9000]

yamaha FG400 series and if you think you'll stick with that guitar for a while I'd recommend getting one with a pickup and cutaway, back in the day the go-to recommendation used to be the FG412sc (solid top cutaway) no idea what their current model is. That's a big dreadnought that will handle itself unplugged in a small room/small micropub etc and has a basic pickup +preamp.

 

[Danthus]

I wouldn't have a clue what a guitar cost. I'm just stuck on my own during lockdown and what something to do.

 

[AKAK]

As an alternative suggestion my first guitar was a Fender CD-60S costing £125 at the time. Nothing about it feels cheap. I agree getting a model with a cutout and pickup would be more versatile.

 

[ik9000]

whatever you buy ask them to "check the nut and saddle, and set the action" for you. You should be able to strum loud open chords without any fret buzz (strings rattling on the neck) but push down the string easily all along the neck without feeling like you're pushing a cheese grater half a mile. Think doorbell travel that kind of effort and distance (max). Also make a point of asking what gauge of strings it takes. So easy to forget to check what they've set it up for!

 

[Danthus]

What’s a cut out and a pick up?

 

[Dup]

What’s a cut out and a pick up?

Cut out helps you get right down to the bottom of the neck (like an acoustic). The body has a cutout near the bottom frets.

Pickup enables you to plug it into an amp or audio interface.

They're not features you need to worry too much about as a beginner and if you take to it you might fancy buying something more exotic once you get into the rabbit hole of guitars

I would find a decent used Yamaha as suggested and have someone local give it a once over to adjust the action & stick some nice new strings on. Otherwise a badly setup guitar could make playing feel impossible which catches some people out.

That said acoustics can feel like a physical workout so take time to get used to but it's rewarding when you start to hook it up (I'm still a beginner indont dedicate enough time to it).

 

[a1ex2001]

If it is acoustic you want get a Yamaha f310 off Facebook or eBay they are a steal
Second and hand, then get someone to give it a decent setup if necessary. Electric is a slightly more mixed bag but you won’t go wrong with a Yamaha Pacifica and a boss katana mini to get you started.

 

[Danthus]

Is this suitable.

I don't mind paying that much.

Yamaha F310 (guitarguitar.co.uk)

 

[a1ex2001]

Is this suitable.

I don't mind paying that much.

Yamaha F310 (guitarguitar.co.uk)

For me it is a brilliant place to start out, I’ve played a few owned by mates down the years and they have all sounded good and most importantly being comfortable to play.

Second hand it is an even better bargain Facebook and eBay are littered with them as they are such a popular beginner guitar and loads of people quit after a week, learning an instrument isn’t as easy as some would like.

Please remember to budget for a setup having suffered learning on a badly setup guitar for years getting it back after the action was set properly was truly eye opening and finger saving!

 

[ik9000]

i still have my first yamaha and it has aged fantastically. No pickup, but it sounds rich unplugged and for home recording does well. It's got more mids than my rosewood bodied main acoustic, and can sound quite nice for finger picking stuff.

 

[Danthus]

Can anyone suggest any good resources on Youtube for an absolute beginner?

 

[Dup]

Can anyone suggest any good resources on Youtube for an absolute beginner?

Justin Guitar has a modernised beginner course on his website for free. I thinks it's all been recently refilmed. Probably a good start as any. I would also recommend an actual teacher especially if you fancy learning specific songs but it's just no legally possible right now (and I don't think virtual 1 on 1 is good value for money compared to in person).

 

[Calpol]

Bit of an indulgence but I've finally bought a dream guitar