learning guitar

So I saw an ad on the front page for Rocksmith 2014 and it really got me thinking I should try and learn to play the guitar.  I am almost 45 with no known music aptitude, but I think I ought to at least give it a shot.  Give me something to do besides use the computer!

So I'm thinking of getting the PC version of Rocksmith 2014 along with, maybe, the Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack, or the Epiphone Les Paul Performance Pack.  The only differences between the two packs appear to be the amplifier (and price):
- Player Pack with Electar 10: $199 at Guitar Center
- Performance Pack with Electar 15: $269 at Guitar Center

Thoughts?
Frank



Edited by infocat - January 02 2014 at 23:03

I ended up buying an Epiphone Les Paul 100 and Acoustic G20 amplifier. Just the guitar was $249, but I'm pretty satisfied.

Funny you mention the buzzing.  I buzz mostly on the low E string.  I actually took it back to have them look at it yesterday and he said its fine, and when I "demonstrated" it he said it was how I was plucking the string upwards.  Which I was.  But I still can't quite get it to stop buzzing even when I think I'm playing it correctly.

I know I should get an actual teacher, but I'm simply not a people person, so I'll probably just continue on as I am.

A bit (just a little) miffed in that I saw a beautiful "Epiphone Les Paul Special II Plus Top Limited Edition - Translucent Blue" guitar there yesterday, which I probably would have gotten instead of the the 100 had it been there then.  Cheaper, for one thing ($179, I think).  But its so good looking!  Not that that's what's important, but...!  The one I got is just "plain black" with an off-white pick guard.  Still looks good, but not "special".

I guess if I'm still making progress a year from now I can treat myself to something a bit more "appealing" to my eye.

infocat wrote: I ended up buying an Epiphone Les Paul 100 and Acoustic G20 amplifier. Just the guitar was $249, but I'm pretty satisfied.Funny you mention the buzzing.  I buzz mostly on the low E string.  I actually took it back to have them look at it yesterday and he said its fine, and when I "demonstrated" it he said it was how I was plucking the string upwards.  Which I was.  But I still can't quite get it to stop buzzing even when I think I'm playing it correctly.I know I should get an actual teacher, but I'm simply not a people person, so I'll probably just continue on as I am.A bit (just a little) miffed in that I saw a beautiful "Epiphone Les Paul Special II Plus Top Limited Edition - Translucent Blue" guitar there yesterday, which I probably would have gotten instead of the the 100 had it been there then.  Cheaper, for one thing ($179, I think).  But its so good looking!  Not that that's what's important, but...!  The one I got is just "plain black" with an off-white pick guard.  Still looks good, but not "special".I guess if I'm still making progress a year from now I can treat myself to something a bit more "appealing" to my eye.

I like the look of both styles. The blue is a little more textured, but I'm partial to black. The buzzing could be from not holding the string tightly enough against the fret or with a similar result position one's finger too far from the fret one's trying to play, closer to the one below it. Plausible for a beginner, but if those two things don't account for it, then the action is too low. Apparently there is also some history of Epiphone users being concerned about buzzing. I did a Google search with 'Epiphone' and 'buzz' as keywords. I would recommend sticking with it presuming the buzzing is confined to a few frets and limit your time on those frets. As your playing progresses, you can think about upgrades.

Buzzing is common in the beginning and could be from any number of things.   HackettFan may be right about holding the strings down, for example fretting a barre chord properly is quite a challenge for most beginners; holding all six strings down with one finger and playing a clean chord takes time.   Or as the store said, it could be the way you're picking--  if you pluck a string without a clean attack, the pick can vibrate back against the string and cause buzzing or fall-out.

The point is, these things should improve as your feel for the neck and body become finer.   Good luck, have fun and experiment.   And think about a teacher eventually, someone you like and respect, it's usually worth it.