Best guitar tuners according to redditors
We found 171 Reddit comments discussing the best guitar tuners. We ranked the 43 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 171 Reddit comments discussing the best guitar tuners. We ranked the 43 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
If you have a guitar or other string instriment, then this tuner is really awesome! I bought one for my boyfriend this past christmas and he uses it constantly.
Snark tuner for the acoustic guitar. Lightweight, clips on the neck, and only $10 at Amazon.
http://smile.amazon.com/Korg-KORG-PITCHBLACK-Pitchblack-Chromatic-Tuner/dp/B0015RIN6U
Not exactly low cost, but I'd say definitely worth it.
im a snark enthusiast. (mm super tight®)
The Issue
As I see it, a beginner has two main issues when it comes to choosing a guitar:
Entry Level Guitars
In response the first thing I would say is that any guitar is better than no guitar. You don't want to get something that really sucks to the point of it being really hard to play and inhibiting progress. But the quality of entry level guitars is actually pretty high, so I wouldn't be too worried about it.
Next, don't feel like you have to make the 'perfect' purchase. The reality is that you probably can't. Even if you are committed and certain you'll stick with it, you'll not be able to know what your preferences are long term. That's okay. The only way to learn what your preferences are is by playing lots of guitars. So think of this as the first, but not necessarily the last guitar you'll ever own. So if all you can afford is the basic $100 Squier then that's totally fine. I started with one and many of us have done the same. On a very basic level try to get a guitar that you like. You want to like how it looks as that can inspire you to pick it up. You want it to feel good in your hands on a very basic level.
There is no magic bullet though. A $100 guitar is just fine for learning, but it won't have the same level of long term quality or value. Realize that if you stick with it you'll probably have to upgrade. That's totally okay, but that is part of the deal when you only spend $100.
Best Value
I maintain that there is nothing wrong with starting with a $100 Squier. But these guitars aren't perfect. By getting the price that low you make some sacrifices. In terms of long term viability these guitars tend to struggle. They just aren't made to the higher quality standards, so after a few years they may start to fall apart. The wood, metal hardware, finish, and electronics just aren't that rugged.
If you are a little more committed, willing to spend a little more, and spend some time and energy learning about things you can step up a level. If you can manage to bump your budget up a little to about $300-$500 and are willing to entertain the idea of a used guitar, then you can get some fantastic value.
Why consider a used guitar? It is all about depreciation. Pretty simple stuff. A brand new Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster is $400 brand new. Play that guitar for a month and it becomes 'used'. This means its value drops to maybe $300. In reality though, the guitar is basically the same. Very good to excellent condition used guitars can be functionally identical to new guitars, but by buying used you don't take the depreciation hit. You can go ahead and sell that $300 used Telecaster in 6 months for about $300 and go even.
But to buy used you need to be armed with more knowledge. You'll need to spend some time researching threads on 'what to look for when buying a used guitar' - and there are plenty of them on any guitar site, including /r/guitar.
Specific Recommendations
I tend to recommend 2 different families of electric guitars in this situation.
I recommend these for a few reasons. They are generally widely available. You shouldn't have a hard time finding one on your local Craigslist, eBay, Reverb.com, guitar center used, etc... They have a reputation of being high quality instruments. It is not uncommon for an experienced guitar player who has nice guitars of $1000 or more to be totally willing to own and play one of these. This is not as true for the $100 Squier or Epiphone. They offer some nice versatility to cover a wide range of musical genres and styles. They are quite durable instruments. They are easily modified into an instrument that can compete with something costing 2x or 3x its price tag. They are pretty stable long term investments. You won't get to a point 5 years from now where you think, man this guitar sucks I need a new one. You may want to get other guitars for variety of enjoyment, but you won't have to upgrade because it is falling apart. These guitars have a very solid presence on the used market, so if you don't stick with it you can easily sell it for close to what you bought it. Cheap $100 starter guitars have basically 0 resale value.
Some honorable mentions go do Epiphone, Peavey, and Yamaha. They make pretty solid stuff in this price range as well.
Kits
I want to comment a little on kits. I personally think they're a little overrated. The appeal of a kit is the hope that you're getting everything you need, even if you don't know what you need. But you at times end up paying a little more without getting something you'll actually need. The quality also tends to be pretty low.
So you can get a little better value by getting individual pieces yourself. It requires a little more research to arm yourself with some knowledge, but you can do it. Start with a guitar. You'll need a tuner. I recommend a Snark clip on. You'll need some picks. Get whatever you want or feels good. You may want to get an amp at some point. I recommend the Fender Mustang series. You'll also need a cable. Spend $20 on a simple, yet durable cable. Build your gear over time and you'll end up with better stuff.
That one isn't as good as this one. https://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN-10S-Pedal-Tuner/dp/B008MXY7QA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496275937&sr=8-1&keywords=snark+pedal+tuner
If you're in Denver drop by, I'll give you my spare Kay.
That said, getting one is a good start. There's a balance though, if you pay a lot you'll get one that works well and you'll know that the times when it sounds bad are because you're just learning. If you get a crappy one, rebuild it and then play it and it sounds bad then it MIGHT be the instrument and it MIGHT be you which can add some stress. Personally I went with the cheapest I had access to, rebuilt it and the I've played it for a couple of years and only recently discovered that the high frets are in the wrong places making it impossible to stay in tune above, say the 14th fret.
I started with the "complete ignoramus" book https://www.amazon.com/Bluegrass-Banjo-Complete-Ignoramus-Book/dp/1883206448 , learning some tunes and then took actual lessons from a human. You'll need finger picks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhLInd4ZhjE (if you aren't going to learn clawhammer https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=AMv0rT4CYPg) and a tuner https://www.amazon.com/Snark-Super-Tight-Instrument-Tuner/dp/B00646MZHK.
Then get on banjohangout and try
Why not just get a $10 Snark clip-on tuner?
He won't know what he wants. Just get him something good inexpensive. Depends on how limited your budget is. Craigslist used would be your best bet, but I have you a good list that would take a lot of thinking out of the equation
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/DTY30-000.htm
Tuner:
Case: call elderly and have them suggest an inexpensive 000 hard case that will fit with the guitar above. They'll probably do a combo discount if you ask.
Picks:
Strap:
Guitar stand:
The best clip-on tuner I have found is the snark super-tight. I was a big fan of the old ones, but this newer model is damn near perfect. The only time it lets me down is when the whole band is playing, the latent vibrations can cause it to have issues. Between songs though, its a champ and it looks cool.
Also if you have trouble with the B, try tuning to the 12th fret harmonic instead. The tone will have less over/undertones and is an octave higher which helps quite a lot.
Better uke setup, still cheap:
I'll also assume that, since you are a Redditor and know what's up, that you don't need to be told to get a metronome like the Korg MA-30.
So borrow a couple of textbooks instead of buying and set that money aside; that should be about enough to get all of this. Or save money some other way... A friend of mine had a serious Starbuck's habit. I don't think he even realized it, but he was dropping $5-$10 every day at Starbuck's and whining about how he had no money. Coffee at home and two months later, his first uke.
Last, strumming... practice the living crap out of your strums. Count out loud. Use a metronome. Write down the patterns. Speaking and writing the strum patterns is important, drumming them out with your hand (off the uke) is also important. You need to think of the strum as a rhythm that's independent of your uke, like this magical, ideal, Platonic rhythm, and you with your poor wooden uke and your sad meat fingers have to try to mimic it; anything you can do to understand the rhythm better -- whether or not you do that thing on your uke -- will help improve your strum.
I use a Snark chromatic tuner. Probably the best tuner I've used. This one is good for guitar. There's also the SN-2 which works for many more instruments, but costs a bit more.
You want a Snark. I prefer to tune by ear (use a tuning fork for the reference) but I got a snark for noisy environments. Best I've ever used.
> You'll also need some kind of tuner.
and I'd recommend a snark tuner
Pro-Tip: run a cable from the 1/4" jack to a guitar tuner like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002HPMTZU/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1474837208&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=guitar+tuner&dpPl=1&dpID=413TVoW7T2L&ref=plSrch
Once you know where in the airspace your notes are, it becomes a matter of transitioning from one note to the next.
Number 1 tip. Get yourself a clip-on digital tuner. Something like this.
Take the time to make sure you're in tune.
When you tune a stringed instrument, it's generally a good idea to be "tuning up", so you start with a lower pitch and tune up into the correct pitch. It leads to a more stable tuning.
As far as playing, I'd play on just one or two strings for a little while, feel out the notes. Play it pizzicato, which means plucking with your fingers, for now.
Put on some simple and non-cluttered blues or jazz and try to find some notes. It's easier than you think. Have some fun!
I love Snark tuners. They're awesome and cheap
http://www.amazon.com/Snark-13-JQCT-G3R2-SN-1-Tuner/dp/B003VWJ2K8/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1369762112&sr=1-1&keywords=snark+tuner
https://www.amazon.ca/Snark-SN6X-Clip-Ukulele-Current/dp/B01H74YXNQ since its highest priority?
Just some very unique shaped clip on tuners. Snark makes some similar ones.
I haven't played a KA-15S, but I've owned a KA-C for years now and have been very happy with it. I would imagine the quality would be similar and think it would not be a bad choice unless someone else chimes in. I will say I did end up liking the concert size better, but that's a matter of choice more than anything. As far as tuners, I will occasionally use an app in a pinch, but I keep a Snark tuner in the case with my ukulele. They're cheap, work well and I have around five of them around the house. I would also advise the case, if only for traveling. I carry it with me just about everywhere. I picked up an fairly inexpensive soft-shell case at GuitarCenter, but there are plenty of other options.
This seems like a gimmick to me, and a waste of money. If you want to give your musician friend a practical, cheap gift I recommend these.
It's 11 bucks shipped and it works better than any tuner I've ever used. I mean just check out the reviews. I have a large collection of stringed instruments and this thing works on virtually anything I clip it too. I've even started tuning drums with it.
I agree
I have a tuner that attaches to my guitar, what I did was bend the string until it changes notes on the tuner. Then I repeated that same feeling over and over again until I got the muscle memory down.
Tuner in question.
FWIW, you can get a decentish pedal tuner for [$20 on Amazon] (https://www.amazon.com/Donner-Chromatic-Guitar-Tuner-Bypass/dp/B00MO6KKSK)
Allegedly, it's accurate to ±1 cent, but I can't say for sure. I have one, and it works well enough for my purposes.
https://www.amazon.com/Snark-Clip-Chromatic-Guitar-Tuner/dp/B0046A04LU 15 bucks man.
get this one Snark tuners are the be all end all of tuners unless you want to get into electric guitar pedals down the road. Every guitar store I have been to carries them, I'd be surprised if they dont around you, plus there's always amazon.
Mine is the blue one, but as long as it supports guitar you're fine, I think the black is the newer model or something.
Snark is the way to go! Welcome to the world of guitar :)
Any bass/guitar player is always happy to have another one of these. And they're only $10.
Oh, and another stand can always be used.
Oh boy! Yes. First of all, anyone saying play slow scales to a drone for intonation is absolutely right. My intonation has improved dramatically over the last year. This appears to be a life-long commitment, according to Edgar Meyer. The Korg TM-50 is an awesome tuner/metronome that also produces drone tones.
I've also found The Art of Double Bass Playing and A Double Bassist’s Guide to Refining Performance Practices to be very inspiring and informative. The scale and bowing exercises in the latter are great, and they both offer a lot in the department of just thinking about the bass and its unique challenges.
Next, be careful! Last weekend I decided to play sitting on a stool instead of standing to see if I could improve my left hand position. It took several hours to get comfortable, and in doing so I did something wrong with my neck and could not move my head without terrible pain for the next five days! As you're experimenting with your posture and hand position, remember that the bass is a big beast, and it may bite you.
Another great thing to do is take a lesson. Find a bass instructor at your local college or someone in the local symphony and get a one-off "how am I doing?" session. It's very helpful.
Lastly, I guess, is to go very slow. If there's a scale, a shift, or a passage giving you trouble, take it very, very slowly. You'll likely discover what you're doing wrong. It takes patience and discipline, but it can be valuable.
A lot of this can be boring as hell, and it seems like you're not getting anywhere, but then every so often you'll realize that you're suddenly doing something that you couldn't have done even a month ago. Hey, progress! It's like magic.
So, that's what I got. Have fun!
Get a Snark, they're small, back lit, and cheap as hell.
https://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN1-SN-1-Tuner/dp/B003VWJ2K8
Snark makes a good clip on tuner. We use these at a few band programs where I teach.
I looked in my gig bag for inspiration - it turns out that I just have way too much shit in there, most of which is under £15. Cheaper DIY options offered where applicable:
Conspicuous consumerism at its finest, ladies and gents.
You should just buy a guitar tuner. They are like $20. Like this one.
You could also do it by ear online - just google "online guitar tuner." Here's a site.
If you are still struggling I can try to answer some specific questions.
Okay, so...
Watching the clip /u/TheJiggersUp posted below, I don't see him playing his mandolin, so I don't have much to offer on style... I would presume he's going to play in a more classical/European style, as opposed to an American, bluegrass-oriented style. He has a bowlback mandolin rather than a flat-back or carved-top style instrument, but I don't know of any playable bowlback models that cost ~$100.
What does exist is the Rogue RM-100A which is a not-great but more-or-less playable mandolin for under $100. (Some individual instruments seem to be better than others, but it's just a luck-of-the-draw thing.) If you were to get one, you'd also do well to get some different strings for it, get a decent pick designed for mandolin (a guitar pick won't work well for this instrument), and maybe consider having it professionally set up (or possibly even trying to do the work yourself... perhaps someone else can point me to the book available on setting up a Rogue to be less awful.) I would also highly recommend getting a chromatic tuner; you spend quite a bit of time tuning this instrument, and as a beginner, it's really helpful to have one of these. If you have a smartphone, a metronome app would also be a good thing to get; otherwise, there are a million cheap, electronic metronomes on the market.
So the Rogue is a cheap, low-quality instrument -- NOT a good instrument, just the least-bad at the sub-$100 price range -- but it can get you started. I know, because that's how I started. It's designed for bluegrass more than traditional mandolin music, but you can learn the rudiments of any/every style on it.
After that, to just start learning how to play, I recommend Don Julin's book. Yes, it's "for Dummies." It's still an excellent beginner's book. He focuses primarily on American styles, but he also covers other mandolin traditions, and when you're first starting out you really just need to learn the basics no matter what style you favor. He also does some nice intro-level youtube lesson videos. There are lots and lots of other mandolin lessons available on youtube, too, and are a decent way to start out if you can't afford private lessons.
Finally, start saving up some money for a better instrument. Sooner than you can imagine, you will reach the point where the Rogue can no longer keep up with you, and begins to hinder your progress, so you need the upgrade to keep learning. The most common recommendations I see are the Eastman 304 or 305 and the Kentucky KM-140. Both are solid student instruments that will serve you well for a long time, and both can be had with professional set-up and a hard case for ~$450. I have an Eastman 305 myself and I adore it. Or perhaps there's a more traditional bowlback model out there that you'd like better, if you aim to play that way. I know very little about those.
It's a great instrument, and fun to learn. And it's entirely possible to come from zero background with stringed instruments and still make good progress. Good luck!
Edit: Oh, also... certainly it would be a good thing to learn (or re-learn) how to read standard musical notation, but a lot of mandolin music is available in tablature (or tab), which is a much easier system to use and doesn't require the ability to read music. The Julin book I linked to above uses both.
Edit 2: Also, here's a recent thread on the Rogue, just so you can see some other people's opinions.
You're right, the instrument does not factor in as much as one's interest. Totally right.
Of the packages listed, the first Yamaha one for $159 looks very nice. You'd definitely get more than your money out of it. Yamaha has a great rep. for longevity.
I own this Rogue for $79 and love it to death. I taught Grade 6 and students were allowed to play whenever they wanted - it never got any rest from students or teachers.
I'd get this Snark tuner, this guitar strap, these strings, this string winder, and finally this stand. Oh, and these thin picks.
That gives you a grand total of $119.24. I've either owned or used all of these products and can vouch for them.
Now, the other thing I'm thinking of... there's this instructional book on Google Books, where you get the first 64 pages for free. It's a great resource, but the name escapes me. If I think of it, I'll write back. I hope this helps.
I use this clip on tuner.
It is a true chromatic tuner that works great for what we need.
Weezer, Nirvana, Hendrix, GNR, SRV.
D# for the win.
She would probably like a metronome:
http://www.amazon.com/Korg-TM50BK-Instrument-Tuner-Metronome/dp/B00923H7MA/ref=zg_bs_11965901_1/180-2467413-4840916
If your acoustic doesn't have a 1/4" output, then something like the Snark Clip-on Tuner works well most of the time.
I agree. You can never really have too many packs of strings. If he doesn't have a Snark tuner yeat, I highly recommend them.
I think the best option is a Korg Pitchblack. Way more reliable than polytune or TU-x, in my opinion.
Cheaper too!
http://www.amazon.com/Korg-KORG-PITCHBLACK-Pitchblack-Chromatic-Tuner/dp/B0015RIN6U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427770170&sr=8-1&keywords=korg+pitchblack
TC Polytune Clip tuner
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00ZU4G0ZK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487420782&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=polytune+clip&dpPl=1&dpID=41dX8QiM6uL&ref=plSrch
Emphasis on small. They are surprisingly cheap. I have a Fender one, it was like $10
https://www.amazon.com/Fender-FT-004-Guitar-Ukulele-Mandolin/dp/B005MR6IHK/ref=sr_1_1
That would be an amazing gift... When would you be planning on buying it?
Also
Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner for Guitar, Bass & Violin (Current Model) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H74YV56/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KQIZxbPQXW565
Hey fellow Texan (H-town here)!
Guitar Center in San Antonio has the following:
USED
White Schecter Omen 6 for $175 (used): https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Schecter-Guitar-Research/Omen-6-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar.gc
A good, basic dual humbucker guitar with pickups that can do high gain well. Good for rock and metal.
That's the only used one on their website in your price range that I'd recommend; the others are either too crappy or feature a Floyd Rose tremolo and you don't need that hassle on your first guitar.
NEW
Yamaha Pacifica PAC012DLX HSS for $180
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/PAC012DLX-Pacifica-Series-HSS-Deluxe-Electric-Guitar.gc
A good Strat-style guitar with a humbucker and two single coil pickups that is a lot of guitar for the price; in the price range it's tough to beat Yamaha Pacificas. Good for blues, rock & country.
Ibanez AX120 for $200
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez/AX120-Electric-Guitar.gc
Good starter vintage-style dual humbucker guitar. Good for blues and rock.
Squier Affinity Telecaster for $200
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier/Affinity-Telecaster-HH-Electric-Guitar-with-Matching-Headstock.gc
Decent dual humbucker telecaster deluxe-type guitar. Good for blues, rock & country
Of those, I'd choose the Schecter, the Yamaha or the Ibanez.
AMPS
Boss Katana 50 for $229
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Boss/Katana-KTN-50-50W-1x12-Guitar-Combo-Amplifier-Black-1500000025313.gc?pfm=item_page.rrt1|CategorySiloedViewCP
A great, very versatile 50 watt 1x12 combo amp with a ton of effects and . I had one of these and loved it until I decided to upgrade to the Katana 100 head. It sounds great right out of the box, but connect it to your PC with a USB cable and use the free Boss Tone Center software to edit all kinds of settings, choose from 50-odd different built-in Boss "effects pedals" and save unlimited presets.
Fender Champion 40 for $200
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/Champion-40-Guitar-Combo-Amp-Black-1367516484871.gc?pfm=item_page.rrt1|CategorySiloedViewCP#productDetail
Another nice, versatile 1x12 combo amp, this one 40 watts, with a more modest effects set, but still really good sound.
ETC
Fishman clip on tuner $15:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fishman/FT-2-Digital-Chromatic-Clip-On-Tuner.gc
Or, from Amazon, a Snark clip-on tuner for $9
https://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN1X-Clip-Chromatic-Current/dp/B01H74YV56/
Instrument cable (18 ft) $17
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Musicians-Gear/Instrument-Cable-331175.gc
A dozen picks, Dunlop Tortex .88mm $6
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Dunlop/Tortex-Flex-Standard-Guitar-Picks-J52062.gc
Or, a dozen assorted picks to allow you to find the type/weight you like, %5
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Perris/The-Hope-Collection-Variety-Guitar-Pick-Pack-12pc.gc
That should do it for you.
I would definitely recommend getting new strings and having the guitar set up by someone who knows what they're doing, but Guitar Center charges $50 for a setup plus strings. That's more than I like to spend. I'd call around and find a smaller music store that does setups for less. I'd recommend .09 gauge strings to start off with. You can always go heavier later if you want. You can't go wrong with Ernie Ball, D'Addario or GHS Boomers strings.
if you do get a tuner, make sure to get a clip on. they're convenient, easy to use and you can just leave it on your peghead so it's always there for you. I use this one from Snark. I've been using mine heavily for a year with no issues.
Haha awesome contest, my friend!
Here is what I fancy! I need it to tune my Fender lol I'm still learning!
Also here is an awesome photo of me and my dog, Kaliko. He looks UTTERLY TERRIFIED in this photo. But I swear he ABSOLUTLY LOVES ME! lol
Wow...that was easy
Go down your local pawn shop and get an inexpensive (not cheap) acoustic guitar. Bring someone who knows something so you can avoid the garbage that's out there. I bought my first acoustic that way for $70 and still have it. Head on over to the guitar reddit, there are tons of resources available for free. Get a stand and a decent tuner. Keep the guitar/stand in the room you spend the most time in, then it's easily accessible, you can pick it up anytime, if just for a few minutes. Tune it up every time before you play. For a hundred bucks, give or take, and some stick-with-it-ness, you can have a lifetime of enjoyment.
Here's a decent, cheap tuner.
http://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN1-SN-1-Tuner/dp/B003VWJ2K8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318088803&sr=8-1
Snark: http://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN1-SN-1-Tuner/dp/B003VWJ2K8
It's fast and accurate. It's all I ever use now. Tried 2 different Boss and a Korg.
Harmonic overtones!
edit: clip on tuners are cheap! Get one!
There's an in-game tuner that works just fine for me, although other people seem to have trouble with it. You get a tuner when you get the guitar. I got one of these. You should also get some picks and a strap. Be sure to keep that in mind when factoring in your costs.
If you're on a budget, I'd suggest a Snark. If you can spend a bit more, I'd suggest a Polytune Clip.
Phone apps do a perfectly satisfactory job of tuning - I recommend Pitchlab Lite for Android or iOS.
The Snark SN-5 is the one to get. They have more lights/resolution. Buy a few, they are easy to loose, and they are less effective when the rubber foot pops off.
Looks like a good set up for a first pedal board, your ear will suss out what you like over time :) The only thing I'd be wary of are those cheap POS power bricks, but like I say - first pedal board, there's no point going overboard on costs.
You're also missing probably the most important pedal of them all: A TUNER. You're looking at Donner, so for £15 this is an essential: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Donner-DT-1-Guitar-Chromatic-Display/dp/B00MO6KKSK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1541505596&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=tuner+pedal&psc=1
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I don't know why you have an overdrive AND a distortion, but that's just me.
You can get a decent one from Amazon for a minimal investment. It's less intimidating to pick up an instrument if you get one that doesn't cost a fortune and still sounds good. If you have wee baby hands, get a Soprano, but otherwise the Concert sizes just sound nicer and they're just as easy to play.https://www.amazon.com/Kulana-Concert-Ukulele-Mahogany-Binding/dp/B01AAH5BIS
If you love it, and you want to upgrade your sound, please consider buying from an independent store. They are wonderful assets to the community, and have a wealth of knowledge, offer lessons, and can guide you as you develop as a musician. They can be intimidatingly cool-looking when you go in, but they're mostly just big music nerds who love to share their knowledge.
The ukulele is supposed to be one of the easier instruments to learn, so don't stress about it. Just enjoy yourself.
A couple of tips:
3.Jumpin' Jim's Daily Ukulele is the best starter book. It's got 365 well known songs in there at degrees of difficulty ranging from suuuper easy to somewhat challenging. And there are kid's and Christmas songs in there too.
I hope you go for it! Even though I haven't used mine nearly as much as I want to, just bringing it down for a few strums soothes me and brings me joy.
get a snark. cheap and tiny but they work fine for just playing at home. then you don't even have to worry about being plugged in.
Ah, yeah so it works the same as these clip-on tuners. Only difference being it turns the machines for you... not worth it for me.
Maybe something like [this luthier kit] (https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Luthier-Tools-Stainless-Winder/dp/B00XVN3Z5K) , might be worth finding out if he does his own setups, this might be a good thing to have if he doesn't have one already.
This kind of clip on tuner is also a great investment and it makes it way easier to tune without plugging into anything. Beyond that, maybe an effects pedal, but you'd have to know pretty specific information about his guitar playing in order to make the right choice, and if he has 20 guitars, he probably also already has what he needs.
My last suggestion would be something like this [guitar cleaning kit] (https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Care/dp/B0149DGPLQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1491938781&sr=1-6&refinements=p_36%3A1253547011)
Singing was not bad but the out-of-tune guitar was so distracting. If you're having trouble tuning by ear, this will help: Snark SN-5 Tuner for Guitar, Bass and Violin
Definitely don't use an app for your tuner. I recommedn the Snark clip on tuners: http://www.amazon.com/Snark-Super-Tight-Instrument-Tuner/dp/B00646MZHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421186467&sr=8-1&keywords=snark
The display is user friendly, and all of my beginning students find them easier to use than a traditional tuner.
While I don't recommend a tuner app, I do recommend a metronome app. They work great!
Snarks are awesome.
These string winders are awesome.
Couch makes really good guitar straps.
I use a snark tuner. Love this thing to death. Works on everything, guitar, bass, drums, trumpets... No reason to put another pedal in your chain if you don't need it.
Snark: http://www.amazon.com/Snark-Instrument-Clip--Chromatic-Tuner/dp/B003VWKPHC/
You probably won't need a compressor, as the pf500 has one built in for ya. :)
Pedals are completely up to you depending once again on your music. I played with no pedals at all for years. But I do have a few OD's/Fuzz, Bass Chorus, Bass Wah and some others that I like to funk around with from time to time.
You could put together a restringing kit, with the following things.
OPTIONAL
This is about $50 and will last a lifetime (except the strings).
Set-up means that they'll level the frets and set the action of the bridge to the right height. That prevents buzzing and generally makes the uke easier to play.
Lots of the lower price ukes are fine instruments, but they just do not get set-up properly in the factory.
Ukuleles are not hard to tune, but hard to keep in tune sometimes. I'd make sure that you stick with a ukulele that has machine tuners (vs friction tuners).
I would also encourage you to get a cheap electronic tuner. It'll be much more fun to learn on a uke that's in tune. This is a [good one](
http://www.amazon.com/Korg-GA1-Guitar-Bass-Tuner/dp/B002HPMTZU/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1335134237&sr=1-1) to start.
https://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN-10S-Pedal-Tuner/dp/B008MXY7QA
In the videos I've seen that show it, it looks much much more precise. I use one of these bad boys. They are waaaay better than the 2011 RS tuner and you can just always leave it on. Hopefully that won't be necessary in the new game.
clip on vibration tuner FTW. they are about $10. GCEA, from the 4th (closest to you) string to the 1st (closest to the ground).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VWKPHC/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B004Z17008&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0AGNJBKJY52KPA291JHR
I just started learning guitar myself, but I was under the impression (at least from my friends that have been playing much longer than I) that restringing is something you can easily learn yourself. I've never done it myself, but I'll likely give it a shot. Obviously the method varies by guitar brand.
As for tuning, that's actually really simple. Any of the guitar shops will sell a tuner that you can clamp on the neck of the guitar and tune strings one-by-one.
Edit: you'll find a tuner like this at most guitar stores for $20-30. This is the one that I have and it works fine: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0046A04LU/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1977604502&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B004HY64N2&pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_r=0QRMBDHFMFW7MF0R5RBE
disconnect it always from your guitar when not in use and keep it coiled up in a safe place where the chair can't roll over it or someone can step on it, etc.
an adapter can help because then you just plug in a patch cable to your guitar and the RealTone Cable remains in one spot rarely moving. A lot of us use drop pedals but a simple tuning pedal #referral will achieve this as well
How about a really nice clip-on tuner? I just got a Polytune Clip about a month ago and I'm in love. Great display, better than any other clip tuner I've used and really quick and accurate. About $50.
You can stretch the strings a bit to help keep tune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7DxlcE2A2M
The in game tuner has very forgiving leeway I find. You can be +/- quite a bit and it will let you pass the tuning.
Chromatic tuner apps are OK. I personally use a clip on tuner and check it every day to make sure it's on point. You can pick them up pretty cheaply. This is the one I use but there's better ones out there. I find it better than when I tuned by an app on my phone.
I recommend you check the tuning after each song to see if it's still OK and make any adjustments, until it requires none. Then check every few songs, then every day when you first pick it up to play.
Songs with a lot of bends will pull your guitar out of tune quicker too so that's something to keep in mind.
https://www.amazon.com/Korg-CA40-Large-Display-Chromatic/dp/B000EE8YPK/ref=sr_1_9?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1485060730&sr=1-9&keywords=tuner
this one is pretty good. and as a general rule real tuners > tuner apps.
i picked a TC Polytune, its great for everything
https://www.amazon.com/TC-Electronic-PolyTune-Clip/dp/B00ZU4G0ZK/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1484494745&sr=1-1&keywords=tc+polytune+clip
I'd veto the Tuner for now, especially if you're just starting out. Kaptoo is right in a Tuner being something you can keep forever, but you can just as easily get a clip-on Snark and use that money elsewhere.
I'd recommend a good distortion or fuzz pedal. I feel like a good fuzz energizes my solos, giving me more grit and sustain. The best fuzz I've played through so far is Analogman's Sunface, but that's expensive. The Swollen Pickle sounds great, but I feel like you get even more fuzz with the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff for a lot less money. It's tried and true and Jack White has used one for a decade. But the Pickle's still a great pick, too! I like Way Huge.
It's good to get an overdrive and a separate fuzz to go between that crunchy jangle and full blown mayhem. The Fat Sandwich is a great pick for the Overdrive/Distortion category, but so is the Boss Blues Driver
I'm really into ambient rock, so a reverb was essential for me. I started out with the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail which is a good starter verb with Room, Hall, and Spring built in (Flerb is almost useless unless you do sound design for alien robots). Though I did notice a drop in volume with it on. I've heard good things about the Malekko Chicklet Reverb and the Boss FRV-1 reverb as well. YMMV.
But for $50 more you can get the Neunaber WET reverb which sounds phenomenal and doesn't cost as much as a Strymon...
Otherwise, wahs are a really popular starting point for pedalboards, but I don't use mine as much as others seem to.
And then, you can always get a delay pedal. I started with the MXR Carbon Copy which is a great pedal and it still has a place on my board, though I moved to a Strymon eventually. Way Huge also makes an analog delay called the Aqua Puss. Worth checking out
Happy hunting, my friend! You're starting a lifelong journey, here...
It's really one of the most rewarding things I've ever taught myself. Get a cheap tuner and look up a few chords, almost anything can be simplified to use the same three or four chords. Uhhhh...G, C and A? Idk I'm rusty. There's easy tab online for nearly any song you can think of.
hmm...This is cheapish, Snark SN5 Tuner I'm a musician and this would come in handy....This contest made giggle because my brain turned it into a song based off of I feel like Dancing.
Guitar, Amp, Instrument Cable, Headphones, Auto-Tuner, Metronome, Capo, Picks, Strings, Stand, Strap, Bag, String Winder, Polish & Cloth
Don't make them spend more than ~$200 on this. Consider pitching on for some of the accessories at least (though be aware that some of them are quite necessary right off the bat, such as a tuner).
You won't be able to appreciate the difference between a $100 guitar and a $5000 guitar by sound for at least a year and just to get started you need a bunch of supplies (see list above) and the cost adds up quick.
The guitar won't break unless you abuse it. Squier instruments are decent. In fact, you could even get something like a First Act at Walmart for under $100 and still not be able to appreciate the difference for quite a while.
Highly recommend getting 3-4 sets of extra strings, especially if you'll be in a situation where getting to a music store will be a two-to-three day wait.
Also, as much as I love pedal / rack tuners, I wouldn't recommend dropping $100 on one since Rocksmith already has a fairly-accurate tuner built in that you are required to utilize before your first song of the day (or if you have to change tuning.)
If you would like an additional, non-in-game tuner, I'd recommend a $50.00 Polytune head-stock tuner. They're very accurate and their little watch batteries last a surprisingly long time.
http://www.amazon.com/TC-Electronic-PolyTune-Clip/dp/B00ZU4G0ZK/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1463877836&sr=1-2&keywords=polytune
Standard tuning going from the thickest to the thinnest string is E-A-D-G. If you think the E string is too deep compared to the rest of them, play the 5th fret of the E string along with the open A string. The notes should be the same if tuned correctly and should resonate. If you hear a kind of "pulsing" beat sound then they are not tuned correctly to each other.
If you're looking for a new tuner, I'd recommend this. I have one and in terms of accuracy and ease of use it blows other chromatic tuners away.
If the strings turn out to all be tuned correctly and you still feel like your E string is a little looser than you would like, you could invest in a heavier gauge set of strings. This would help to maintain the string tension and make the deeper strings less floppy.
I'd pick up a cheap snark tuner for around $10. The online/app ones are fine, but it's really, really nice having a dedicated one handy right next to your instrument at all times.
This little guy is not too expensive, but some combo amps now come with a tuner and/or metronome/rhythm function built in, like the Roland Micro Cube Bass RX.
I used to play violin so I had a tuner lying around. A nice one, not a phone app. I wanted to learn how to sing too so a couple months ago I started humming and holding notes for as long as I could. My voice has improved significantly since starting. (Not affiliate link below)
http://www.amazon.com/Korg-CA-40-Large-Display-Chromatic/dp/B000EE8YPK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1406876532&sr=8-4&keywords=violin+tuner
I am one of the people who doesn't use a metronome on my phone. I like having a physical metronome in my case. I have used the Korg TM-40 tuner/metronome for years, and it is pretty darn durable. I've dropped it off my stand on to hard wood floors, onto concrete, and tile. It still works fine, but looks sub-optimal. However, I don't remember paying $60 for it; I only paid about $35 at a local music shop. My fellow section leader had the TM-50 which was essentially the same unit. I recently picked up the DeltaLab DMT-1 metronome as my backup metronome. I grabbed it for $7 at Guitar Center. I've only been using it for about a week now, and I've got no complaints.
Buy this $12 tuner from Amazon. It costs something like $30 from Guitar Center so don't get it there.
Add one of these $7 combination string winders and cutters. Just do it. You'll thank me.
As /u/AlphaAgain said, virtually any metronome will do. I'm a classical musician, and the metronome that I see the most often is the Korg TM-40. I'll find a link. It's a great metronome, mine has lasted me all my collegiate career.
EDIT: It appears as if it's been discontinued. The TM-50 is their new metronome that's similar.
Regardless of if you have perfect pitch I would recommend buying a tuner so you can check yourself without needing to ask people on reddit haha. They’re pretty cheap, I would recommend this one
You should pick up a guitar tuner like this, that will make it much easier to see if it tunes up properly and stays in tune. Clip it to the nut at the top and start tuning it up from there. Doing it by ear is almost impossible if you have no experience with the instrument, in my opinion.
The rattling in the gourd is normal. Little pieces break off inside the gourd sometimes and rattle around when moved. So odds are that's a non-issue. And from what I can tell the sitar looks to be strung up properly and looks alright from a distance. Once you get it tuned up you should be able to get an idea if anything is wrong with it.
​
The one thing I'd check for is if the neck is warped or bent at all, because that seems to be a common issue sometimes.
My personal favorite.
Here are my accessories in a backpack I take to every gig:
I hope this helps!
I use a Snark that my dad gave me. It's a digital tuner that clips on the end of the guitar. I'm not sure if it changes hz or not. My friends tried it out and said it was accurate, tho.
Edit: Found the one like mine on Amazon There are different ones there you can check out, too.
Honestly the best thing you can do is grab a friend who has been playing for a while and have them play anything you're thinking about buying. There should be some takamines and yamahas on your local craigslist, their lower end offerings are good bang for the buck. Then have your friend go to a music shop with you and have a guitar tech set up the guitar. While you're there buy a clip on tuner and a humidifier.
It's worth talking to him and seeing which body shape he likes best. You can find Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster, Mustang, SGs and even Les Paul styles for about the same price. Starting with something that you really like and identify with can make a huge difference to keep motivation at that harsh beginning.
Anyway, here's my recommendation:
You can't really get a good amp and it won't make that much difference at the beginning so it's best to focus on the guitar for now. I started with an amp similar to that one (maybe even worse) and it was perfectly capable for years.
A very solid choice for a first guitar. You can get the Telecaster version for about the same price but that specific Strat is on sale today at MF so it might be worth picking it up.
Here you also have the choice of spending a bit more and going for a $180 $200 guitar, such as the Yamaha Pacifica, the LTD EC-10, a Jackson JS22-7 or even a Jazzmaster, which is my personal favorite choice. All these other choices depend drastically on the style of music he likes to listen and play. That's why it's worth talking to him beforehand.
Anyway, considering you're going for the first strat, here's the other recommendations to finish the package:
Some people love them, other hate, but it's fact that they're great for people starting out and even just playing/practicing in their bedroom. I use these as my every day strings. They don't rust and contrary to regular strings that will last you 2-4 weeks, these last several months.
Just so he can test and choose between several picks.
Just a solid and simple cable.
Fantastic, accurate and reliable little clip-on tuner. I've been using these for years and they're very well regarded.
Total: $246.11
EDIT: Of course that after I finished typing this whole post I went to check the value pack kit posted here and realized that the first Squier kit is basically what I selected plus a nice discount. Well, fuck me... I'm still keeping the post up.
By the way, if you do get the kit at $200, consider getting a setup done to the guitar for about $40~$50. All guitars usually require it but it's much more important on these cheap ones. They usually play like garbage out of the box and to be playable they require a basic setup.
I've had some great success with Donner pedals. Their cheap clones, but well made and sound great. Most of their pedals range from $30 to $70.
They have a dead-simple looper for $75. I also use a tuner, clean boost/overdrive, and multi-effects pedal by them.
So you'll definitely want a guitar stand. Don't put your guitar away, the more you see it, the more you'll want to play it. Grab one of the small clip on tuners, the snarky brand one's are pretty good, and they're dirt cheap. You'll want a string winder too, and keep a couple extra sets of strings around. My favorite strings are the martin SP series strings, very lively tones.
As far as lessons go, while I know a lot of people get a lot out of them, I'd say your best bet would just be finding songs you want to learn how to play, and learning how to play them. These days, you can find a Youtube walkthrough on how to play almost any song. After learning songs you want to play, the abstract concepts of what actually makes up that song will start to soak in. This in addition to learning all your basic chords, and you'll be off and running in no time. The thing I'd be worried about as far as lessons go would be if it ends up feeling like a chore. That being said, it's all up to you.
String winder : https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Accessories-Pro-Winder-Guitar-String/dp/B0002E1G5C
Tuner : https://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN5X-Guitar-Violin-Current/dp/B01H74YV56
My Favorite Strings : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002CZST4
Floor Tuner, it appears it's the same company that's just slapping different names on them...
https://www.amazon.com/Donner-Chromatic-Guitar-Tuner-Bypass/dp/B00MO6KKSK
I use a cheap Snark Tuner https://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN5X-Guitar-Violin-Current/dp/B01H74YV56/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1550018516&sr=1-4&keywords=guitar+tuner
or if I can't find that I use one of the free guitar tuner iPhone apps.
Congrats on the chair no matter how you end up in it. Lead is the most fun thing to play IMO.
Second what the other user said. Very much warm down if this is a HS or college band that rehearses daily.
It’s been a while since I played lead but always remember to warm up a few high notes, too. I would always do more standard warm up stuff and not go too high. It always made the first few runs feels stiff or out of tune.
Also would suggest getting one of those clip on tuners (like this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H74YV56/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KVVBCbF52XJ5H ). I clip mine on my bell to watch tuning. Upper register stuff can be hard to hear for me. This one is on sale for like $8 right now.
Disclaimer: I was never that amazing of a lead player but I studied under one hell of a lead player who had lots of good tips.
What about a clip-on tuner? http://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN1-SN-1-Tuner/dp/B003VWJ2K8
This banjo tuner would help me become a rockstar.
These for if your school doesn't have gauntlets (whole line will need them).
These are pretty handy if you don't have one, they do everything drumline related.
These are great for practicing, they're heavier than your average sticks.
People say this is the best book ever in terms of learning.
Everyone should use a metronome when practicing.
I first taught myself guitar in the early 70s. (yes, I'm old)
I bought a guitar from my buddy for five bucks, went to the music shop and got some strings, a basics book with a lesson on tuning and a few songs in it and a pitch pipe. (I don't recommend a pitch pipe, get yourself a chromatic tuner like the highly rated Snark http://www.amazon.com/Snark-Instrument-Clip-On-Chromatic-Tuner/dp/B003VWKPHC/ref=pd_cp_MI_0.)
Pick out a two chord song like Jambalaya and work it to the bone using C and G7. Then advance from there. Try to start with something simple like that first.
Youtube can be a terrific resource, but, for me, keeping it simple in the beginning made it doable.
YMMV
I bought mine on Amazon for $130, the store that was selling through them might no longer be with them. As for a tuner, this is what I use and it works excellently.
Depends what your budget is. I'm a big fan of these cheap $10 clip on tuners. On my main electric guitar rig I have a nice tuner pedal but I love the clip on tuner for my home practice electric (so I don't have to spend money on another pedal tuner) and for my acoustics. They're better than the traditional tuners with mics because they don't require a quiet environment to tune - you just clip it to the headstock and it picks up the notes via conduction/vibrations of the guitar rather than sound through the air. It also responds pretty quickly, it's a great value for $10, IMO.
If he moves around a lot while plugged in and/or plays live and your budget is a few hundred dollars, you could look into a wireless guitar system. I like the Line 6 G50 but the Line 6 G30 is also good and a bit cheaper.
An Ebow is $100 and can make some really interesting sounds on guitars.
If he plays live solo/acoustic, a percussion stompbox adds a lot to the sound, IMO. There are different types with costs ranging from the one I posted to a couple hundred dollars. I've never played with one but the artists I've seen playing solo with one sounded really cool.
I know you said you want to avoid a Guitar Center gift card, but I always appreciate those. Musicians (and enthusiasts of anything really) can be particular about what they want to add to their setup, so sometimes the best thing is to give them a gift card so they can buy whatever they want, whether it's some strings, picks, an interesting strap, pedals, etc. My siblings and I would always give my dad GC gift cards and he saved them for a couple years until he had enough to put towards a really nice Taylor acoustic guitar.
DR color coded guitar strings
https://www.amazon.com/DR-Strings-NMCE-10-Electric-Multi-Color/dp/B00DND2SN8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481154810&sr=8-1&keywords=dr+colored+strings
Snark Tuner
https://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN1-Guitar-Tuner-Blue/dp/B003VWJ2K8/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1481249934&sr=1-3&keywords=snark+tuner
Both good stocking stuffers
Is this the tuner you're talking about?
Speaking from experience as both a violinist and teacher, obviously the best thing to do would be to see a teacher - but I definitely understand that isn't an option for everyone financially or time-wise. That said, here's my advice:
Start from the very beginning. Essential Elements is an awesome book series to teach you the basics, especially if you're rusty on reading music. The interactive CD helps quite a lot, and you should use it.
Put finger tapes on your instrument. Here is a good instructional on how to do it. I don't recommend the violin fretboard as it's too busy; the tapes are much easier to look at while you're playing.
Buy a tuner! If finances are a concern, you can download an app to your phone/tablet, but a digital tuner is your best option. I use this one and swear by it, particularly as it also has a metronome.
Practice using a full-length mirror. Since you don't have a teacher watching you play, you'll have to take on the role yourself. Particularly watch your left wrist (is it folding in against the instrument?) and your bow arm (is your bow moving straight and is your right shoulder hunched?). It sounds crazy, but practice in the bathroom...it usually has great acoustics and a large mirror. It works!
Make playing comfortable. If you need one, use a shoulder rest - they aren't especially expensive and make a great deal of difference in holding the instrument securely and comfortably (you don't want to be pinching your shoulder upwards or angling your head downwards). The Kun is an industry standard and works well for most beginners. Also, use a stand - do NOT put your music down on your bed or on a table and hunch over to read it, as it totally ruins your playing posture and prevents you from bowing properly.
I hope this helps!
I like that tuner great, but:
Amazon -- same price
Musicians Friend -- also same price
Others will probably chime in with ideas about fixing your intonation which is probably (partially) your problem but what helped me was changing out the factory strings and putting on a decent set of new ones.
Also; don't trust the in-game tuner; it's far too generous and forgiving even though the game itself isn't. Either get a headstock tuner (any of them, even the super-cheap ones seem to work better than the in-game one); or an in-line tuner.
for guitarists/bass players: Clip on tuner
http://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN1-SN-1-Tuner/dp/B003VWJ2K8
Is there really a major difference between tuning pedals?
I've been playing casually for years, but recently got a group together to play a cover band gig for charity. Figure I should get a pedal to use on stage vs. my usual phone app tuner...
Ideally I'd buy the Boss - but would something like this cut it for a small gig? https://www.amazon.com/Donner-Chromatic-Guitar-Tuner-Bypass/dp/B00MO6KKSK/
I'm partial to the Snark SN-2 tuner myself. Get the SN-2 All Instrument tuner, it's more versatile than the "Ukulele" tuner and costs the same.
For the short term, try a smartphone app, or if you can tune by ear, there are youtube tutorials that play the tones.
I have this little cheap Korg tuner, but you could use your phone too. At the end of a practice session, play what you think is an "on pitch" note and then look at the tuner. You can see how off you are.
Alternatively, this tuner here has a line in so you can plug in the guitar (electric or acoustic-electric) and tune without worrying about external noise. It's also got a built in metronome, which has come in handy for me. Korg TM-40
If you're looking for something deathly inexpensive, this is just a tuner without the metronome, but has the same input jack as the one I posted above. Korg GA-1
As with any of these, there's going to be a bit of a learning curve, especially with new players, but once your girl gets acclimated to what strings produce what notes and how to tune each string, she'll be on her way. I've been playing for around 7 years or so completely recreationally, and I didn't end up getting myself a tuner until about a year and a half ago, and my guitars sound so much better in comparison to when I tuned each string relatively or by ear like a couple people suggested above.
This is what I use. http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-TU300-Chromatic-Tuner/dp/B000SJJCX4/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1422352154&sr=1-1&keywords=behringer+tu300
You will also need 2 guitar cables, 1 to connect the out to the amp (I use a short one), one to connect the guitar to the in (I use a long one).
Rocksmith cable goes in the bypass.
It works really well, is cheap, and you have a tuner for if you want to play straight through the amp without RS. JUst an ideal solution for me.
If you are a gear snob or plan to become a professional or whatever you can get a more expensive Korg tuner if you like, but this setup is perfect for me.
You do lose the effects the game puts in, but I haven't found a song yet that I prefer the RS amp/effects modelling on to just the clean sound through the amp.
If its ok that its a tad bit over $10
or
New strings
I've really been wanting to commit myself to learning how to play an instrument and the uke seems like an easy place to start! I'm in the process of saving up for a good uke and these would definitely help me succeed!
I want to learn something new.(:
I would be very happy if I got this! Quite Interesting
$20; works off vibration or built-in mic:
Snark ST-2 Super Tight Chromatic All Instrument Tuner https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01H62TQ68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OVHbBbWBJKVJW
Clips to your headstock and it’s always there but is never in your way.
I strongly recommend the d'Addario clip on tuners.
They have a much more precise indication of "in tune" and "not", that is much more finely delineated than the Snarks.
Concealable:
Micro
My favorite: Eclipse
Everybody uses the Boss tuner but they're all fine. If you're on a budget you can just grab the Donner pedal for twenty bucks.
https://www.amazon.com/Donner-Chromatic-Guitar-Tuner-Bypass/dp/B00MO6KKSK
yeah, people who are starting out often buy them together along with this [tuner] (http://amzn.to/1oKEfl4) , which seems to be pretty popular. If you are a complete beginner you can also check out [this one] (http://amzn.to/UBcWO2)
I got really frustrated with the strings that came with my uke. After a month I swapped them out for these Living Water Strings and it made a huge difference. After 2 weeks of breaking them in (literally tuning after only a few minutes of playing for 2 weeks), my uke now stays in tune and needs only slight tuning after its sat more than a few days without being played. I rarely have to even tune my E and A strings with these. They are much thinner than nylon strings, so that took a little getting used to but I enjoy how they sound a lot more and they are softer to the touch.
Edit: also, get a vibration tuner. I have a Fender and it's great, I hear the snark is good too. The apps are okay in a pinch or on the go but, these are small, easy to use, inexpensive and more accurate. It will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
a lot of those bands use guitars like Les Pauls and SGs with a HH pick up configuration. i personally would point you toward the epiphone Les Paul or SG. They are made from mahogany which will give you a darker sound for heaver stuff. http://amzn.com/B007AGR6KE this is an epiphone SG that would kick ass for your first guitar or a cheaper one here http://amzn.com/B0002D01IG that would work alright, on the les paul side here is a great one http://amzn.com/B0002CZURO
but for a cheaper one i would recommend this one http://amzn.com/B0002CZUV0 . however, the same guitar comes with a bundle with an amp and everything to get you started for 200$ here http://amzn.com/B00A6D50L0 . also because your going to be getting into guitars im going to point you to some places for you to learn how to to play and reliable places to buy stuff from
for lessons http://www.justinguitar.com/
for guitar tabs http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/
to learn how to read a tab http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lessons/for_beginners/how_to_read_tabs.html?no_takeover
places to buy stuff
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/
http://www.zzounds.com/
http://amazon.com/ <it works but i would not use it as my primary for guitar stuff
also try to stay away from guitar center until you have a good knowledge base or they might just rip you off. Sam ash is a good store and any localy owned shop will probably do you good. if you live in the Atlanta GA area i highly recommend Ken Stanton Music but they only have 5 stores :(
oh yeah also your going to need to replace guitar strings when you do buy one (well you don't need to but i would do it) so here is a video on how to do that http://youtu.be/DrLKlJS1wEo . now your going to have to buy new strings at some point. The 2 brands i highly recommend is daddario and erine ball (i personally like daddario) a pack of string from them is like 5-6$. now strings come in different sizes for beginners i would recommend a set of 9s like these http://amzn.com/B0002H0A7E or these http://amzn.com/B0002M6CW6 . just follow the video on how to replace strings and you will be good.
you will need a tuner also. for a beginner i would get on that clips on the head stock like this one http://amzn.com/B005MR6IHK also with that you need to learn what notes to tune a guitar to E standard tuning is EADGBE (Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddie) but with your music taste you are going to need to learn E flat and Drop D aswell. E flat is (Eb,Ab,Db,Gb,Bb,Eb) and drop D is just E standard with the 6th string tuned down to D (DADGBE). any way that should be enough to push you in the right direction for learning guitar. hope it works out for you. if you have questions you can just PM me or something.
bkev covered mute strings well.
Regarding online tuners, they are fairly accurate.
If you want to buy one, I've been using Snark SN-5 which is easy to see in bright lights, and is only about $10.
but you can get by with the Snark SN-1 which is a little over $8 just fine.
With these, the battery lasts a long time, and you don't have to go online to tune-up. Just clip it onto your guitar and go.
There are plenty of others as well. Check them all out.
I have this one.. No complaints yet.
This would be a good starter one.
This one is a bit more money, but I've heard good things about it too. It also comes with everything but the kitchen sink, and the gig bag is supposedly rather good.
Grab a tuner too. Yes, apps work. A tuner is really really handy though!
At the price you're willing to pay, I'd honestly avoid a solid wood top.