I’m looking for ~affordable~ home recording equipment. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? Do you know of any complete bundles/packages worth buying?

I like yamaha mixers. They are cheap. You will need to get a USB adapter that goes from XLR to usb. As far as mics go, Shure mics are great. go to this site and check out recording packages as well…

musiciansfriend.com

I just love music and I want to play so many instruments, but how I would someone figure out what instruments they can really shine with and find the ones that really fit them?

Just go to a music store and play around with some of the instruments. Find friends that have different instruments you can try. If you go to a school you can sneak into the music room and play some stuff as well. Also think about what instruments you pay attention to most while listening to music. Then you can decide on what instrument you want to actually buy.

I’m looking for an online store where I can buy a cheap acoustic guitar and a USB MIDI keyboard in Canada. Does anybody know what is the best store to buy them?

The best ever guiter store on the face of the earth is guitarcenter.com
Good luck & hope I helped.

I’m looking for a good solid Acoustic/electric guitar to last me a long time. Price range: $500-1000.

From what I’ve played I like the sound and craftsmenship of Ovation guitars the best; however, I played some Alvarez guitars that looked like good deals (list price: $900, on sale for $449, etc.).

The thing is, the store (different than where I played the Ovations) fit them with REALLY thin strings (at least it seemed to me), so the playablility was superb whereas the sound was a bit… well, thin.

Does anyone have an Alvarez that they love/hate/kind-of-think-is-ok?

Taylors are very good guitars. I believe Martin makes a few guitars in that price range now. I suggest you play a Taylor and a Martin. My experience that dollar for dollar, Martins are better, especially over time. Look for solid wood construction…spruce, rosewood, etc. Some of the new "smart woods" you find on Martins and other fine instruments are very good as well, but they wont age as nicely as a solid wood guitar.

Take a look a Guild, Gretsch, and even Yamaha in that price range. If you are going to drop a thousand bucks on a guitar, you are making a long term committment here. So try before you buy.

Bottom line is, if you could get a Martin in the thousand dollar range, go for it. I’ve been playing acoustic guitars since somebody stole my drums back in 1970. And I’ve played some really fine guitars. But my D-28 is the sweetest sounding acoustic I’ve ever heard, and people I’ve played and recorded with agree. You are going to get a fine instrument in this price range. Just make sure you get one that gets better with age the way you will.

EDIT: For Majorette

Yeah, that 310 is a fine axe. I met a guy on Block Island many years ago. He was playing a Taylor that was actually one of the first Taylors out there. Back before they were mass produced. One word. SUUUUUUWEEEEEEET!

My friend is getting herself a guitar, and she wanted a portable electric one. So, she has two basic questions.

-Do Smokey Amps or smaller amps like that one come with the cable to connect to the guitar, or does she have to buy it separately?
-How do you connect a Smokey Amp to the guitar? Is it the same as any other amp, or are there different instructions?

Well, to answer your questions:
-Sadly, they don’t come with the cable, you have to buy that yourself… sorry…
-Yeah, you connect it through an input on the bottom of the amp just like a normal amp.
Hope this helped!

I have just bought an electric guitar and now want to buy an amp. What wattage should I use for my amp if I just want to play in my room or garage?

You didn’t say what kind of music you want to play or what your budget is…both kind of important items.

For what you describe, anything over 20 watts is like using a cannon to kill a fly!

Guitar Player magazine recently reviewed several low power amps (under 20 watts or so). Search on guitarplayer.com for the write ups. That will give you a good starting point.

The Epiphone Valve Jr. series are a great. You can get a 5 watt combo for around $160. These amps are just fun. Super simple (just a volume control…like the old Fender tweed champs). Plug in and play. I keep a couple around for the studio and jamming with friends,

If you’re really into effects, the look at the Line 6 Spider series. You can get into thoses for around $100.

Greetings from Austin, TX

Ken

You can buy them for as little as 50 quid or spend 1000s. What do you get for your money and is it really worth paying more?

Brand, woodwork and better quality strings.

The more expensive guitar really feels good in your hand. The texture of the guitar and the frets are closer to the strings. The hook that holds the string are also made with better materials unlike the cheap ones which will break if you are not careful.

Whats best is that expensive guitars are hand made by professionals and quality is always kept in check unlike the cheap ones which are machine made and quality isn’t that of a concern. Its like, if it looks like a guitar, it passes the quality check.

Got £150 for christmas and was just wondering what a good guitar would be good to buy. I’ve been playing for about 3 years and haven’t had an acoustic guitar. Thanks alll

Here is a top 10 of great priced guitars these are all great guitars especially the top 3
i really like the seagull S6 £260 and the takamine g-series £195 great guitars!!! kinda pricey though but very much worth it!!!
and the yamaha FG700S Folk acoustic guitar is very good too and more in the price range your looking for you can find it for around £130 – £150
http://guitar.about.com/od/acousticguitar/tp/top5acoustics.htm

And do yourself a favor dont listen to the guy who answered below me he obviously knows nothing about guitars because the guitar he’s telling you is so great SUCKS!!!!!

trust me it goes out of tune, has no tone, poorly
constructed, poor customer service, most guitar
shops wont carry it due to the poor craftsmanship
and poor customer service to get problems fixed
I have played one and I know poor quality when I
hear it!!!!! Im a professional musician and have
played for 16 yrs.

I was trying to figure out which job goes with the engineering of guitars and basses but cant think of it.. can anyone help?
there has to be some kind of work behind it due to making of pick ups and the change in shape and wood can alter the feel and sound of a guitar

I disagree with both of the previous answers. I’m a drummer, and I didnt want to become a musician. so i went with materials engineering in the hope that someday i might be able to design custom cymbals

But there are a few options you could consider. My school USED to have an audio engineering program. I wouldve done it too if they werent cancelling it. but look into that.

Mechanical is just good all around. Im sure you can put it to use in designing guitars.

Electrical would be good if you’re designing pickups or amps etc. Having engineering background is important if you’re going to be doing any sort of designing. In reality, however, to be a guitar maker, i think you just have to be a guitar maker lol. good luck

I’m really getting into playing the acoustic guitar. Should i get lighter or heavier strings for my guitar. I really like playing classical music and fingerstyle guitar. which gauge would be better for that type of music????

Do you have a steel string, or nylon string

with nylon the heavier strings are called "high tension"

with nylon and steel strings, a heavier gauge with have a bigger sound
the lighter gauges are easier to bend, but don’t sound quite as fat, and will wear out quicker
you can compromise, with custom gauges, that have a light top medium bottom