Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sticks]

This one's mainly for the musicians here. I'm going to go visit Nagwon Arcade this weekend hopefully and pick up a new (or used) guitar. I'm leaning towards a Yamaha Pacifica 112, Squier Affinity Strat or any other decent brand name beginner guitars, although i've heard the Pacificas are the better of the low priced bunch.

Also going to get a Zoom pedal (or similar) with a headphone output jack since I live in a dorm/apartment with thin walls and/or a Vox AMPlug.

Any suggestions on what I should look out for? Or suggestions for guitar models I should be checking out as well. Keep in mind i'm a complete beginner. I'm going alone but speak some decent Korean and pretty much have the whole morning and afternoon to waste.

Anyone want to come with?

[eamo]

I would just go and play as many guitars as you can in your price range. I've always found on guitar shopping trips that one guitar will stand out as the most comfortable, playable and best sounding...

.....guitars have a way of calling out to their destined owners.......heavy, man.

I would personally hate to only ever use headphones for amplification.......yuck.......so I'd recommend a small practice amp like a Roland Microcube which has lots of built in effects. I think they're only about 180,000 new. Absolute bargain. I have one myself. It's amazing what a varied and quality sound you can get with it.

You neighbors won't mind you playing at moderate volume during the day......it's very common to hear people practice piano and violin as you walk around Korean streets, why not guitar?

[Oreovictim]

I'd just get some cheap piece of crap for your first guitar. That way, if you get tired of the guitar after a few weeks, it's not a total waste of money. Don't even buy an amp for your first month. Take some time to learn your basic chords - power chords, open chords, and barr chords. After you learn them, treat yourself to an amp.

I wouldn't even mess with crazy effect pedals or anything just yet. Have a basic set up first. A lot of pedals like delay, chorus, phaser, and compressors, make people sound a lot better than they are. They're cool, sure. But they hide poor technique. (Especially compressor pedals.)

I know this guy back home. Started out on a Peavy strat. Switched to a $1,700 Gibson Les Paul after three months. Kept the Les Paul for several months, and then traded it in for a John Petrucci custom model. He had that guitar for a several months, and then picked up a Steve Lukather custom guitar, as well. He went really crazy on effects and amps, too. To this day, he still cannot barr a single chord, and if you told him to play an open "D", "C", and "G" chord, he would look at you with a blank look.

Too much info. Good luck on your purchase!

[fezmond]

it's been years since i've played one, but the pacifica was always a nice starter to pick up and great value for money.

the korean made stuff like cort is also decent and is usually cheaper than most other brand names.

i'll second eamo and suggest a microcube. compact, great sounding, cheap and has a few effects build in too.

[Sticks]

Nabbed myself a Cort G250 and microcube for 370,000₩ with the usual accesories and such. I think I did alright. Had a little play with it and it seems very good for what I got it for. Thanks everyone.