Guitar for Novice

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Sep 2, 2004
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My son has had a few (like 2 or 3) guitar lessons and likes it. He has been spending a fair amount of time "practicing". I've borrowed a friend's guitar for the first month, but need to think about getting him one. (He is 16 and fairly big if guitars come in different sized-shows how much I know)

I don't even know what the prices are but using a knife analogy, I'm thinking Spyderco, not William Henry or Frost Cutlery.

He is currently using an acoustic and hasn't mentioned anything about wanting an electric.

Thanks.
 
At 16 he'll want a full-sized guitar - there are smaller guitars designed for kids, but they generally sound terrible :)

Your best bet is to find a friend who can play, and take him to a music store. You're looking for something used, but in good shape. A new guitar (like anything else) loses a ton of value the moment you walk out of the store with it. By buying used, you'll be getting more guitar for the money, and if your son decides he doesn't want to stick with it, you'll be able to sell it for close to what you bought it for.
 
I would recommend a nice acoustic-electric. I think the Ovation/Applause makes a really nice one for around 300 dollars. the neck is a bit easier to play than a normal acoustic guitar, and the electric option is nice if he decides to go electric someday. It will not sound like an electric guitar, but if he likes it he can get an electric later.
 
I have heard good stuff about Takamine, Yamaha, and Ibanez for your low to mid range Acoustics. I would recommend something in the $300 to $500 range. Taylor and Martin are the premium brands but you are going to pay a premium price also.Go to a music store and actually play the guitar and if possible have an experienced player come with you to advise you.
 
You need to take him shopping, He needs to find the one (or models) that feel and fit him right and nobody but him will know this.

You'll have to steer him towards Playability and not just by looks alone.

My kids Play and own Strats, Sometimes I think the only reason they picked this Guitar is, it is the Model they grew up with.
 
When I wanted to get "back into" guitar, I went down to the local Guitar Center outlet. They pretty much will let you play everything... Only keeping the really high-end stuff behind the counter.

You didn't say how much you were looking to spend, or if he's wanting electric or acoustic... Tons of good axes out there, and many at reasonable prices.
 
My son has had a few (like 2 or 3) guitar lessons and likes it. He has been spending a fair amount of time "practicing". I've borrowed a friend's guitar for the first month, but need to think about getting him one. (He is 16 and fairly big if guitars come in different sized-shows how much I know)

I don't even know what the prices are but using a knife analogy, I'm thinking Spyderco, not William Henry or Frost Cutlery.

He is currently using an acoustic and hasn't mentioned anything about wanting an electric.

Thanks.

For the money, you can't beat Yamaha, either acoustic or electric. I've played on some of them that out-perform some of the high end acoustic guitars simply because the owner added a custom made compensated bone saddle for $25 USD which changed the sound of the lower-end guitar (both tone and volume) to that of a good quality mid-range guitar! :thumbup:

You didn't mention which country you're in, but this too will impact your decision. Takamine and Morris are excellent mid-range guitars if you are on the western side of the date line, while Yamaha and Washburn are the best buys on the eastern side. Regardless of which brand you buy, remember that the quality of sound coming out needs to be equal to the amount of effort going in. If your son is working hard to learn to play, but his best efforts result in poor tone because the guitar is cheaply made, he won't have much encouragement to play. :)

As you don't know about the ins and outs of what makes a 'good guitar,' buying a used guitar can be dangerous unless you have a knowledgeable friend to go along with you to check out the intonation at the 12th fret, neck bow, face or bridge rise, etc. A new guitar from a reliable shop will avoid all that. You do want a full size guitar. As for the decision to play acoustic or electric, today's composites are a good compromise. The cut-away models give access to the bottom of the fret board, the electrics can be used if wanted but still giving you an acoustic sound if you don't. They do, however, add to the cost.

Every guitar brand and model has its own distinctive sound, but at this stage of ability, you son won't know what it is that he really prefers. Don't spend a lot of money on a 'great' guitar (Martin, Guild, Fender, Gibson, etc.,) but don't buy a piece of junk either. You can find some nice sounding instruments in the $300-$400 USD range.

Stitchawl
 
thanks for the post i don't have much to offer as i'm a new player myself. i find myself drawn to the applause/ovation line. right now i'm learning on a g and l asat telecaster that a friend let me borrow. i like the electric but i'd like to have an acoustic guitar as well. not to hijack the thread but any info on the applause would be appreciated. thanks,ahgar
 
thanks for the post i don't have much to offer as i'm a new player myself. i find myself drawn to the applause/ovation line. right now i'm learning on a g and l asat telecaster that a friend let me borrow. i like the electric but i'd like to have an acoustic guitar as well. not to hijack the thread but any info on the applause would be appreciated. thanks,ahgar

Because of the Lyrachord back, the Ovation guitars have a very distinctive sound, very powerful and project well even without amplification. Every time I hear one, I think of Glen Campbell.... :rolleyes:
It's not a sound that "I" particularly like, but a lot of good musicians do, and there is nothing 'wrong' with it.

Go to a large music store and have the shop help put 3-4 different guitars around you so that you can play a quick chord strum on each, and listen for the differences in the tonal quality. Not for 'good' or 'bad,' but instead, for 'I like' or 'I don't like.' Some will sound mellow, others will sound strong, while others will sound gentle.... You need to find the brand and the model that makes the sound that 'you' like. If it turns out to be Ovation, try several different models. If it's the Applause that you like, try several different Applauses. Each will have its own sound, but you have to play them side by side to hear that. You don't need to be a trained musician to listen and know what you prefer. It's actually pretty easy. :)

Stitchawl
 
Best thing to do is take your son to a Guitar store. I am not a big fan of the Guitar centers or Sam Ashes of the world, But they have a huge selection. Let him play on the guitars. I would stick to Yamaha's, Fender line acoustics, Epiphone,.. anything in the 300 to 500 dollar range. Then work with the salesman to bring the price down. Its almost like buying a car. Most lower end guitars do not come with a case. (Remember That tidbit of info.) Work with them, trying to throw in a softshell case for free or reduced price.
Unless he really wants an acoustic electric then check them out. Acoustic electrics are OK. But some lower end models come with shoddy electronics. I would stay away. Use the 'keep it simple' principle. I don't recommend Ovation. They do not sound nice 'unplugged'. Their fiberglass backing is slippery when sitting down and do not add well to the comfort. They are comfortable when standing. But not many kids stand and play often when learning. (Some musicians would disagree with me. But every student I taught sold their Ovation to get a more traditional body)
Stay with an all wood construction. I would try the Yamahas first. They have some of the best lower end Acoustics.
 
For a beginner's electric, I'd say go with a Squier strat. That's what I learned on, and most of the guys I know learned on as well. Squiers are good values, that's why there are so many of them out there. I think it's easier to learn on an electric than on an acoustic- the action is almost always lighter and easier on the fingers. Also, you can play it unplugged, so it won't be so incredibly noisy and awful at first.

Then, when your son is older and can play better, get him a G&L. G&L guitars are hands down the nicest I have ever played. (better than Gibson, better than the American Fenders)

A big +1 on going to the store with your son, and taking an experienced player with you to check the guitar out. Squiers tend to vary in quality- they can range from excellent to abysmal- even on identical models. Make sure to check the neck- make sure it's stiff- there should be no flex. Look down the neck to make sure it's straight. Check the gap around the neck joint- it should be tight with no cracking. Play each of the strings all the way down the fretboard, and make sure there's no buzzing. Plug the guitar in and make sure the wiring's good- turn up the amp and listen while you turn the volume and tone knobs- there should be no hissing or popping. Check the pickup selector switch and make sure all of the settings work.
 
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I agree with stitchawl on the ovation/applause sound, but when they are run through an amplifier, they sound very good. the main reason I like the ovation for a beginner is that the neck is really nice for learning, and as an acousitic you can practice and play anytime and not have to have an amp as you would an electric.

I have several Strats, a Tele, a Martin and an applause that i bought as I was learning 23 years ago, I still have a special place for my applause. It's now my beater guitar that goes on camping trips and such.

If you do have a guitar center near, definitely go and check the guitars out in person.
 
Go to a large music store and have the shop help put 3-4 different guitars around you so that you can play a quick chord strum on each, and listen for the differences in the tonal quality. Not for 'good' or 'bad,' but instead, for 'I like' or 'I don't like.' Some will sound mellow, others will sound strong, while others will sound gentle.... You need to find the brand and the model that makes the sound that 'you' like. If it turns out to be Ovation, try several different models. If it's the Applause that you like, try several different Applauses. Each will have its own sound, but you have to play them side by side to hear that. You don't need to be a trained musician to listen and know what you prefer. It's actually pretty easy. :)

Stitchawl
Probably the best advice I've seen in this thread.

A guitar should be bought on SOUND, not on brandname.

I happen to have a very nice secondhand takamine that I think is amazing. It cost me around $200.

My brother has a Yamaha that cost him about double that. Both of us prefer the sound of the Takamine, other people that we know prefer the sound of the yamaha. When it comes down to it your son should have a guitar that HE likes playing. Best way of finding that is just sitting down and trying a few and listening to the differences.
 
Hey guys. I guess it's funny that my first post in a knife forum is in regards to a guitar. Anyway, I started playing a few years ago and went with an Ibanez GRX20 for about $150.00 and would highly recommend it. It's a very well built instrument with nice low action on the strings. If your son likes rock music and distortion I would also highly recommend a Marshall Amp, in my mind nothing caries distortion as well a a Marshall Amp.
 
The Ovation accoustic/electrics are great for a beginner. If you want a good quality decently priced electric look at ESP and Ibanez. There are ALOT of online courses nowadays to learn guitar, and even on Youtube you can have just about any song you might want to learn demonstated in pretty good detail for free.
I'm self taught, but if I had the net when I was younger and playing in a band the net would have made my learning curve much less curvy;-)
 
Hey guys. I guess it's funny that my first post in a knife forum is in regards to a guitar. Anyway, I started playing a few years ago and went with an Ibanez GRX20 for about $150.00 and would highly recommend it. It's a very well built instrument with nice low action on the strings. If your son likes rock music and distortion I would also highly recommend a Marshall Amp, in my mind nothing caries distortion as well a a Marshall Amp.

Welcome to the Forums, Zorr.:)
 
Or, you could make your own:

ry%3D320


That's my second cigar-box number, and I just completed a banjo made from a chunk of PVC sewer pipe.
 
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