Birthday Decisions

[the_cobbinator]

I have a problem. For my b-day I can get an acoustic guitar (Washburn), or best buy gift certificates. What would you guys go for?

 

[Solid Fro]

You can choose your birthday gifts?

 

[Duke]

If you're interested, or can already play, I'd get the guitar.

 

[Gil]

What model Washburn.
The D-10 is one of the best selling guitars in the U.S.
I agree with Duke. Go for the Axe.
As life goes on, and gets crazy, it'll be a heck of a lot better than a psychologist.
Trust me. My "Therapist" is in the case across the room waiting for our next "session".

 

[Raptor65]

How much are the gift certificates worth??

I'd go with the gift cert. because you could probably get more stuff depending on how much they're good for.

 

[the_cobbinator]

It would be a D10 S Solid Top Acoustic. No I don't get to pick, but it's probable that I would get 1 or 2 $50 certificates. I don't know how to play, but my uncle is a phenominal guitar player, and is going to show me.

 

[milefile]

Get the guitar. I had a Washburn. They make great acoustics.

 

[Magic069]

Get the guitar, its a gift that truely could keep on giving.

 

[Naoki]

Originally posted by Viper Zero
You can choose your birthday gifts?

I can Most of the time, my parents just take me shopping for my brithday. I can get whatever I want (within reason). They usually let me spend $150-$200.

 

[KosmikFool]

Sure, for your Brithday you can, but we're talking birthdays here.

 

[Squid]

id say gift cards but if i were u pick guitar have ur uncle teach u

 

[under18carbon]

Pick the guitar.
I just got one ( acoustic guitar ) two days back, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

 

[Codename 47]

go with the guitar.. if taken care of it will last you a life time.. its just amazing how after a long day you can sit down play a guitar and just fell more relaxed and layed back.. its good to know how to play an instrument too..

 

[under18carbon]

And guess what? I can play The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army song now! Get the guitar man!

BTW - I know it's an easy song, but hey I just got it 3 days back. (1.7.2003)

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I can't play guitar, so I voted for the certificates.

 

[sn00pie]

I can't play certificates, so I voted for the guitar.

 

[under18carbon]

^^

 

[TarnishedAngel5]

I'd go guitar. They can be really useful at time...and when you're mad, you can just go off and play.

 

[the_cobbinator]

Thanks everyone I decided to go with the guitar. I played it a little and it sounds fabulous.

 

[Raptor65]

I'd go guitar. They can be really useful at time...and when you're mad, you can just go off and play.

Going off and playing an instrument when you're mad is only good if you're are really great at it. I've tried it before and I end up just getting more pissed off because I keep messing up or I just don't sound good. Then you start to feel depressed because you feel like you're no good at anything. So I just pop in a CD of my favorite band or if I'm really pissed, a classical cd.

 

[milefile]

Originally posted by Raptor65
Going off and playing an instrument when you're mad is only good if you're are really great at it.

Good point. But you only have to be able to play something you like. You don't have to be "really great".

 

[under18carbon]

I decided to go with the guitar. I played it a little and it sounds fabulous.

Great!

 

[Raptor65]

Good point. But you only have to be able to play something you like. You don't have to be "really great".

Well,yeah, I guess that's true.

 

[Gil]

Originally posted by the_cobbinator
It would be a D10 S Solid Top Acoustic. No I don't get to pick, but it's probable that I would get 1 or 2 $50 certificates. I don't know how to play, but my uncle is a phenominal guitar player, and is going to show me.

You can also get book/cd combos (with tablature) to show you the way also, between lessons.
Especially, after you get the basics down. There is also a book that I'd recommend to "unlock" the secrets of playing. It's called "Fretboard Logic SE" It outlines the CAGED system.
If you practice this system you will also be phenominal in a fairly short time.
Some folks will talk down Tab as a bad thing cause it doesn't teach you to read music. It just maps out where you put our fingers. But once you get chords down, it can be a really fast way to learn lead lines and "licks" from your favorite songs.
I learned the intro to Bon Jovi's "Wanted dead or alive" in about an hour with this method.

Another investment in your success as a guitar player is a bottle of "Witch Hazel". You can get it at Wal-Mart or any drug store for less than a buck. As you develop your callouses on your left hand fingertips they will be very sore. Pour some Witch Hazel in a small bowl, and soak your fingertips in it. It will pull the sting out. Good luck.

 

[the_cobbinator]

I have callouses from playing baseball, and electric bass, but after learning guitar my hand will be one big callous