I am a 70 year old beginner who also is legally blind and has arthritis in both hands. I recently got the itch to try and learn guitar. My question is concerning selection of a beginners guitar. I tried a Yamaha Pacifica and found it too heavy. I know it only weighed 7.5 lbs. but the combination of age and arthritis has seemed to wear my strength down, I also have smaller hands so I’m figuring a shorter scale might be better.
My current thoughts are to maybe look into a Epiphone SG Tribute or Tribute Plus. They seem to be reasonable priced and of decent quality. I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on these guitars or any others that you think might be appropriate.
I would like to play some of the music I grew up with ( Stones, Springsteen, Joe Walsh, Various Blues Artists, etc.)
My suggestion would be to consider headless guitars like the HILS HN3 that I own if weight is a concern… mine weighs in at a smidge under 5lbs (2.2kg). Sure none of the players you mention would ever play headless but you don’t generally need a specific guitar to play a specific type of music.
As regular guitars go, SGs are usually quite light, but make sure you get a strap as some can be prone to a bit of neck dive. Other people might be able to comment on the specific guitars you mention
Hi Mark,
I just purchased a Slinger Strap for my wife for Christmas. She is quite petite and holding a bass can be a challenge. It transfers some of the weight to a waist belt with options for a 1 and 2 shoulder strap versions. I selected the double strap that I included in the link below. We have only tried it with one of the straps and she was impressed with how much easier it was. I have it ready for 2 straps now. I would recommend the locking tuner option as well. Harness Strap | Double Shoulder Guitar Strap - Slinger Straps
This is a very good suggestion. If weight is an issue, it’s a pity you’d need to rule out a bunch of guitars you might like. This kind of smart strap that distributes weight will be a life save for you @Marco56
@Marco56 can you get to a guitar shop? Staff in guitar shops are almost always helpful and knowledgeable. If you can get to one of the bigger ones (e.g. Andertons, or Guitar Guitar if you are in the UK), they’ll have multiple staff in the shop such that if one of them is lacking the required knowledge they’ll pass you on to someone who does have it.
If you can get to a store you’ll be able to feel how each guitar reacts with your body. A well balanced guitar may feel better to you than the lightest guitar in the store.
If you can’t then GuitarGuitar have an online chat function. My singular experience of them was that they said they didn’t know and it would be better if I could get to a store (at least they did not try to pretend they knew). I think Sweetwater in the US have the concept of “Sweetwater Engineer” - so you get to talk to a knowledgeable salesperson by phone.
I think you will get good advice from people on this forum, but most of us don’t have your particular situation, so it’s a little difficult for us to know what’s best to advise.
Hi Mark.
Sounds like yer looking for a electric guitar. But weight is a issue.
Have ya considered acoustic. They’re usually lighter.
If ya gotta have a electric. Consider a Epiphone Casino or Casino coupe. Both are in the 5.5 to 6.5lbs range. Or any other hollow body electric guitar. They just got less mass than a solid body or semi hollow body. Less wood, less weight.
imho, yer doing fine with looking at Epiphones. I like them and 2 of my 3 daily players are Epiphones. One electric (a casino) and one acoustic. Guessing the acoustic weights in around 5-6 lbs. It’s a dreadnaught so it’s kinda a big guitar if that’s a concern.
Also, if ya go electric. Consider yer gonna need a amp.
They take up some more space. These days, there are many small, light weight amps available. So this may not be of concern to you.
Myself, I’m 65 nearing 66. I got regular old style combo amps. These do take up space. Generally not something ya put on your tabletop. Regular 'ol combo amps also are generally heavy. Mine are 28lbs, 34lbs, and 48lbs. I like to play on my back stoop, sometimes electric which means moving one of my amps. I can still move the lighter ones. The 48 pounder, not so much. It’s bigger and obnoxious to move, let alone it weights 48lbs. It stays put.
I got the acoustic since I like to play on the back stoop. It’s light and easy to take outside. The electrics require multi trips to move around. The acoustic requires one trip.
If ya think acoustic is ok. I’d highly recommend my Epiphone DR-500/MCE. It’s easy to play and sounds astonishingly good. Like really good! Like so good I don’t think I need a martin or a taylor. They are obsolete so you’d have to get one of them used.
Good luck and have fun on your new adventure! It’s a great pass time/hobby.
Justin Guitar is a great place to lean to play and have support via the forum. And Justin is just a plain good teacher imho. He explains well plus shows you what he’s explaining via video.
If you are wanting a lightweight, short-scale electric, try the PRS SE Hollowbody Standard. It’s a 25" scale length (Gibsons are 24.75) and a true hollowbody, not a semi, and all mahogany, so it’s light; about 6.5 pounds.
Thank you Jim. I appreciate you taking the time to write. I have considered an Acoustic but most advice I’ve received leans in the Electric direction for a 70 yr. old beginner. I’m keeping all options open. I did forget to mention in my post that I do need a dark fretboard as I cannot see the strings against a light maple background. Needing a light weight, left handed guitar with a dark fretboard certainly limits my choices.
I have back and shoulder problems but found that a well balanced guitar made it more comfortable than a light guitar. A Pacifica should be well balanced. An SG probably less so.
You don’t have to stand and play. I have a stool and a physiotherapist showed me how to sit in the correct way to reduce stress on my back and shoulders. Made a big difference.
Some guitars are definitely more comfortable to play while seated than others. And sometimes that can be a really personal thing. I have a Les Paul and strongly prefer playing that one standing up. It’s kinda awkward to play while seated, IMO. Others may not have the same experience with that type of guitar.
My acoustic is REALLY comfortable to play seated in the “classical” position.
Either an electric or an acoustic can be a really good starting point for a beginner. Just depends on what works for you. Sure, electrics tend to have lower string tension and that can make fretting chords easier. But you do need extra gear to get much sound out of them and on top of that you’ll have various knobs and switches and maybe software settings (between the guitar and your amp/modeler/headphones/computer) that change how it sounds. And yeah, they’re almost universally heavier. With an acoustic, it’s just the guitar (maybe a pick…or not).
