Thinking of learning guitar

Kampfjaeger

Kampfjaeger

Joined
May 21, 2001
Messages
1,668
Hi guys, I'm considering learning to play the guitar - purely for personal pleasure. Can anyone here make a suggestion as to what kind of acoustic guitar I should get? No amplification is needed and I believe I need the steel string variety.

/I'm not leaning toward classical/Segovia stuff.
//Am willing to pay up to around $300
///Slashies!
 
Nice steel-string acoustics start around $800 and go way up from there.
I think Martin (one of the best known makers) has a lower-priced line now, however. You can pick up the economy (non-US-made) Ovations for probably around $400 new and they play very nicely. There are a lot of nice-playing instruments available these days and deals can be had in used guitars, but
DEFINATELY STAY AWAY FROM CHEAP (WHEN NEW) GUITARS!!! (I'd be weary of a guitar that's cheaper than about $400 new unless you have it checked out and played by someone that's very good and is not a salesman.
The reason is that cheaper guitars are often difficult to play, go out of whack easily and will discourage you when you're beginning. It's best if you know someone closeby that's already very good that can help you screen potential acquisitions at first.
Guitar is a great instrument and is very easy to pick up the basics (i.e. you can sound good pretty fast)
Good luck!
 
There are lots of exceptions. I decided to get "back into" my guitar recently, having not played actively for about 10 years.
Problem....No money. Or not much, anyway. After perusing Craigslist and such I couldn't find anything used that I wanted, so I went to the local Guitar Center chain, where they have lots of stock.

I was quite surprised at what one can get for one's money today. After playing half-a-dozen instruments in the 200-250 dollar range, I ended up with a Mitchell (apparently Indonesian manufacture) that was well set-up, has excellent fit and finish, and sounds pretty decent. It has a laminated top, of course, but had a more balanced sound than the 200 dollar Fender solid-top dreadnaught that was my second choice.
This instrument came set up from the factory with excellent intonation and a good playable action.
So, it's possible. No, it's not as nice as the Martin D-18 I sold years ago, but it keeps my fingers busy!
 
Check out Seagull, their S6 is a very popular affordable model with a solid top and good tone. Takamine has some low priced models that are suprisingly good for the price. Applause is Ovations lower priced line and are very playable. Alvarez is another brand you may want to look at. One point, play or have an experienced guitarist play before you buy. Consistency can vary quite a bit between guitars. There is something to finding a 'good' one. Some just have better tone than others. By this, I mean two identical models from the same maker can sound and play differently. Some issues can be resolved by a good setup, others can't. Given the choice, find one that won't require extensive after-purchase attention. If you have any experienced guitar playing friends you can engage it really helps avoid getting a guitar with issues. On the positive side, many of the pacific-rim products are amazingly good in the build quality department. That aside, you can concentrate on color, body style and tone. As a beginner, ease of playing should be high on the priority list as well. Good luck...
 
Pretty discouraging first reply in my opinion...

I have been playing guitar for a number of years, and I have played 200 dollar guitars that kicked 4000 dollar Gibson/Martin/Taylor ass as far as tone and playability. You dont have to spend big bucks to be able to enjoy a nice guitar. Here are some manufacturers to check out:

Seagull
Epiphone
Fender
Ibanez
Washburn
Alvarez (excellent guitars)
Takamine

Go to your local friendly and knowledgeable guitar shop, take some time and play around. Like an above poster said, there are many different makes, models and brands that are under the 300 dollar price tag that all feel and sound different. Find a guitar that sounds great to you, and makes you comfortable. Buy the guitar that speaks to you, and you feel in your heart is the right one for you. It always seems to work out that way for me.
 
I keep seeing the Yamaha's around my school and have a few friends with them. Some play pretty nice and some are kind of junk. :confused:
 
I play Taylors.......

I went with an Alvarez for my 15 yr. old who is just starting out. I think Alvarez gives the best bang for the buck at the entry level. They come with a hard case too which you don't find much these days at the lower end.

You will have to get a low end guitar set up. Heck even some expensive guitars need a setup when new.
 
Washburns!!!!!
Tacoma!!!!
Dean acoustics have always seemed to be a bit of an underdog, but they sound pretty good, IMO.
Do a little research, and STAY AWAY from companies that don't actually make their own acoustics, like Fender!
They just slap their label on it, and you now you have to pay a second middleman for the goods.:thumbdn: Not good.
 
Don't waste your money on a cheap guitar! Buy the best that you can afford. If you buy a cheap guitar and enjoy playing, you'll want to upgrade later (amplifier compatible, etc). I bought an 'expensive' $300 Takamine 20 years ago and it sounds as good as a Martin. The more the years pass, the less pain you feel from spending money on expensive items.
 
There is a threshold, of course, beyond which one should not go...

Still, remember that many famous pickers made do with homemade or catalogue-purchased axes, pawnshop specials, and whatever.

One can always try this....
corina.jpg
 
I've been playing for over ten years now and my acoustic is a solid topped Alvarez that I've had for just about that long. It was about $400-500 and has been a great instrument. I would advise getting something from a reputable company w/ a solid spruce top. That will probably push the budet up a little but it's well worth it in the long run.
 
For $300? Seagull. Great guitars at that price. Solid top, light finish (some of thoe Asian brands seem to apply a finish with a heavy hand, at least I think so).

Otherwise, I wonder if it would be possible to find like a Martin DX1 or a Taylor 110 used for around that price? I don't hang around the used guitar market, so I wouldn't know.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I really appreceate it. I've read some nice things about the Washburn D10S series.

This is what they have to say about it on Sam Ash Music's website:

The World’s Best Selling Acoustic Guitar earned the distinction with superior craftsmanship, tone and value. Voted Number 1 by Acoustic Guitar magazine as the best guitar under $500. This beautiful Dreadnought features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Nato neck with a 20-fret Sonokelin fingerboard and chrome Grover style tuning machines. Case not included.

What do you think? Runs 199.99
 
DX1R A fabricated, (not hand-made) guitar. Shop around, I got mine for $400 several years ago. Since I got my Taylor 414-CE, the Martin has become my "Beater" one I carry when I go out of town, camping. Elixir strings, & brass locking tone pins & you will have a great acoustic package.
 
You can get very nice imported steel string acoustics for a lot less than $800. I have a Fender that was made in Korea that is pretty nice. I think was $300 about 4 years ago. One of my nephews who plays professionally was pretty impressed with it. The Yamaha guitars are also nice.
 
pcnorton said:
I liked this guy's acoutic work better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZTziYivOLA&mode=related&search=

Wow...Hamer ons and pull offs on an amplified guitar is one thing but on ana acoutice a different matter.


Paul
Click to expand...


I'll agree, he's a competent guitarist, and the techniques employed are much harder on an accoustic... And if you want to see some classic masters of the different Guitar techniques, check out both the video and the album "Saturday Night Live in San Francisco," with Al DiMeola, Paco DeLucia and John McLaughlin... but...

The techniques of Funtwo weren't as obvious due to the poor quality vidography... The simultaneous mutings, multiple string pickings, strummings AND Harmonics were much more technically challenging than the percussive school of Guitar playing...

That being said, thanks for the link to that video - I really dig anything derived from the Flamenco style of Guitar playing, wether on steel or nylon strings! Good stuff there! :thumbup:
 
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