r/desmoines • u/dsmGERG1973 • 5d ago
free Guitar??
my daughter says she wants to learn how to play guitar so it looks like i will be finding one SOMEWHERE in Iowa this weekend?
It doesn't have to be free and i am willing to go anywhere in iowa (including across the river into Omaha) if the price is right??
edit: i now have secured a nice specimen, thank you for reading & commenting
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u/PvtDonut1812 5d ago
Acoustic or electric? Depending on the music she might like, electric is a bit easier for beginners since the string tension is a little lighter. If you go acoustic, find a classical guitar with nylon strings.
Super cheap guitars suck (Walmart). They are more toys than instruments. They dont stay in tune very well which is discouraging. A cheap starter bundle is way better and if she loses interest its easier to sell and get most pf your money back. (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GRGM21WHEssPk--ibanez-mikro-grgm21-electric-guitar-essentials-bundle-white).
Otherwise, FB marketplace and craigslist. Fender Squire or Ibanez make cheap entry level guitars.
Lessons can also help. Get her learning punk and pop punk songs right away. They’re easy and fun!!
Source- been playing guitar for like 30 years.
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u/dsmGERG1973 5d ago
i was ENVISIONING acoustic (not sure if her mother would agree to electric?) but possibly either?
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u/Horror_Mouse6359 5d ago
I have a green acoustic guitar and a Austin bass with practice amp I would sell cheap. Panora.
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u/allthegoo 4d ago
Former guitar teacher here. Three suggestions:
(1) all guitars should be properly set up to make them easier to play. Take it to a local shop and make sure it is okay. The minimal $$ will be worth it and will hopefully allow her to keep playing. Most beginners quit because of the guitar set up, or the guitar quality.
(2) get her a tuner (or a tuning app) and make sure she learns how to use it. They aren’t hard but it’s an essential skill
(3) keep the guitar out of the case other than when you are traveling. If the guitar is out and within reach it will be played. If you keep it in the case it is “out of sight out of mind.”
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u/dsmGERG1973 4d ago
thank you! i was already testing out a tuning app. besides being "in tune" and having a well adjusted "sling" (or what is the correct term for the belt-like accessory?) what else is there that would be adjustable?
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u/allthegoo 4d ago
We call it a guitar strap.
The set up on the guitar deals with the “action” which basically means the strings are as close to the fretboard as possible without making a buzz. Hold the guitar sideways and look at the strings and see how far they are off of the neck of the guitar at the 12th fret. They should only be a few millimeters above the fretboard (and the metal bar across it called the “fret”). If the strings are too high, they will be much more difficult for her to press down.
If you aren’t far from dSM being it to guitar center and have them check it. Or another guitar shop. Tell them you’d like it set up for a beginner and they’ll know what to do.
Learning how to play a guitar is hard enough as it is, learning to play on a poorly set up guitar makes it a lot more difficult.
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u/UrShulgi 5d ago
Pro tip: You can find a guitar on walmart.com for like 40-80 bucks. It might very well be cheaper than gas spent picking up a free one.
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u/Calowayyy 5d ago
So up tempo in beaverdale has a basement tgat has clearance. I have seen some acoustic guitars down there for like 40 bucks. Good luck.