Is guitar a rich man's hobby?

Question

I was recently told by a guitar player that unless I had at least US$2,000 to plunk down on a guitar and amp, not to even bother attempting to learn.

According to him, a guitar that costs less than US$1,000 was a toy, and he himself would never spend less than US$2,000. He had the same policy for amps.

Opinions?

Answer 1

The greatest players in history started out with pawn shop hand-me-downs. The guy you talked to is full of himself

Answer 2

I beg to differ. My husband is a guitar player. Right now in our living room there is MAYBE $2000 all together. That includes a power amp, a cabinet, a processor, an electric and an acoustic guitar. The processor and cabinet are Behringer, and they sound amazing. The Power amp is Crate. I would look at Musicians friend and see what they have. Look at the scratch and dent sales also. My husband got a $700 for $250 bucks just because it had a minor scratch.

Answer 3

It sure can be, but it doesn't have to be.

Whoever told you that is really, REALLY a jerk. That's just not true.

You can find really good, inexpensive (NOT cheep. Cheep is still bad) guitars and amps on online music stores, and ALWAYS check eBay. There are quite a few deals out there.

Just to prove my point, I'm in a band as the bassist. I once decided to try my hand at learning the guitar, so I bought a $150 Epiphone from Musician's Friend. My guitarist has a Gibson SG, which he bought USED for $400. He ragged me for weeks about my guitar until he played it, and now he likes mine better than his.

The point is, you don't need to plunk down two grand to learn the guitar. Conversly, don't buy just the cheepest thing you can find, because it won't sound so hot. Find something that is within your price range that is from a reputable manufacturer and buy that.

Good luck with the guitar!

Answer 4

hes an a s s.

its ur decision to play the guitar, u dont have to be rich.

if you think u'll love that hobby then go for it.

Answer 5

Don't listen to him I put up my $400 guitar against his $1000 guitars and the tone I got blew him away. I also did the same with my amp he had 4 top of the line amps ( 2 Mesa Boogies and 2 Marshall's ) and he was impressed by my sound. For the record he was a former touring act and a sales rep at Guitar Center. So what Im trying to say is you dont need to spend that kind of money for a great tone. That guitarist you talked to might spend the money just to brag but he probally can't play that well.

Answer 6

Yeah... it might be a rich man's hobby but a poor man's living.

Answer 7

pawn shops..online...ebay...

garage sales....

If you really want to do it..I wouldn't listen to him. There are ways! :D

Answer 8

That guy is a jerk. Guitar playing is for anyone who loves music and loves to have fun. Don't listen to his insipid rambling. I play the guitar and my Yamaha is like $200. All my friend have guitars that are around $200.

Answer 9

I have an acoustic guitar that cost a little over $200. It works fine.

Answer 10

Are you sure that the guitar player you were with hadn't fever when he told you that ???

NO, NO and NO, wrong. you can have any guitar and learn anything with any guitar. I'm a professional keyboardist now, i started playing electronic keyboards using a small Casio which my dad bought from a toy boutique. So what??

Any instrument is sufficient for anyone to learn the basics and even become excellent with that toy.

All i can say is that the guitarist you know is just making a very high self esteem to himself and his fingers, all the instruments are not toys, think Music not US$...

And tell him that you don't need an Ibanez GEM7 to learn some shredding ...!

Good luck.

Answer 11

He's a pompous, full-of-himself idiot who apparently cares more about the name on the guitar's headstock than he does for the music being played on it.

Of course if you have the money and can afford to spend US$1,000 on an instrument, and the same for an amp, then goody for you.  But there are lots of  excellent musicians out there who play much less expensive instruments and sound great doing it.

Bottom line -- the music comes from within YOU, not from the price tag on your equipment.

Answer 12

Let's give your "guitar player" advisor the benefit of doubt he deserves. It sounds as though he may be a professional, or at least aspiring to be one. Quite naturally, an instrument as he described will produce better sound, and will probably play easier. However, if you are earnest in learning guitar, rest assured you do not have to "initially" shell out two thousand bucks!! There are many, many models of guitars- - -very suitable for beginners. Several of the sources listed above are excellent suggestions. GOOD LUCK!