ideal acoustic guitar for beginners image
jen
I would like to buy an acoustic guitar and learn how to play. :)
What do I need to know? Certain brands to go for or avoid, or does it matter? Is buying used a bad idea? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Answer
The best thing you could do is go to a guitar store and test drive a bunch of different guitars, since each brand tends to have its own feel. Since you're a beginner, you'll probably do better with a guitar that has a thin neck and low action (strings close to the fretboard), as those things will make it much easier and more comfortable to move smoothly between chords.
I'd avoid buying a guitar at a mass merchandiser such as Wal-Mart or Target, since music stores have guitars that cost about the same, but which are meant to be played. Guitars that aren't made by reputable manufacturers tend to have chunky necks and high action, which makes them challenging to play. But there are guitars that cost less than $100 that are ideal for most beginners.
Ibanez makes fantastic guitars that are built like rocks, sound amazing and are often nicer than guitars costing twice as much. They're also known for having thin necks and low action. Jasmine by Takamine guitars are also very user-friendly and priced low. I'd avoid Epiphone, since they have really fat necks that make them difficult for beginners and people with small hands to play. If you handle a bunch of different guitars, you'll have a much better idea why thin necks are easier than thick ones.
I'll post some links to guitars worth considering, though it's always best to play a bunch of them before choosing one. If you read the reviews, you'll see that there are lots of great guitars that don't cost a small fortune.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SGT120NT-SAGE-SERIES-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=512326
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S35-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516451
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S34C-NEX-Cutaway-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516458
The most important thing is to find a guitar that feels really comfortable and natural in your hands. You should try them while you're sitting, too, since that's probably how you'll practice. Guitar bodies range in size, so one person's idea of a comfortable guitar is another's nightmare. Trust your instincts, since they'll serve you better than anyone else's opinion. The more comfortable your guitar is to you, the more you'll be inclined to play and the sooner you'll become a great guitarist. Good luck!
The best thing you could do is go to a guitar store and test drive a bunch of different guitars, since each brand tends to have its own feel. Since you're a beginner, you'll probably do better with a guitar that has a thin neck and low action (strings close to the fretboard), as those things will make it much easier and more comfortable to move smoothly between chords.
I'd avoid buying a guitar at a mass merchandiser such as Wal-Mart or Target, since music stores have guitars that cost about the same, but which are meant to be played. Guitars that aren't made by reputable manufacturers tend to have chunky necks and high action, which makes them challenging to play. But there are guitars that cost less than $100 that are ideal for most beginners.
Ibanez makes fantastic guitars that are built like rocks, sound amazing and are often nicer than guitars costing twice as much. They're also known for having thin necks and low action. Jasmine by Takamine guitars are also very user-friendly and priced low. I'd avoid Epiphone, since they have really fat necks that make them difficult for beginners and people with small hands to play. If you handle a bunch of different guitars, you'll have a much better idea why thin necks are easier than thick ones.
I'll post some links to guitars worth considering, though it's always best to play a bunch of them before choosing one. If you read the reviews, you'll see that there are lots of great guitars that don't cost a small fortune.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SGT120NT-SAGE-SERIES-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=512326
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S35-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516451
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S34C-NEX-Cutaway-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516458
The most important thing is to find a guitar that feels really comfortable and natural in your hands. You should try them while you're sitting, too, since that's probably how you'll practice. Guitar bodies range in size, so one person's idea of a comfortable guitar is another's nightmare. Trust your instincts, since they'll serve you better than anyone else's opinion. The more comfortable your guitar is to you, the more you'll be inclined to play and the sooner you'll become a great guitarist. Good luck!
What's a good acoustic guitar for a beginner?
elena
I plan on learning the guitar during the summertime. I'm not really sure what to buy or what a reasonable price would be, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Answer
There are actually good, playable guitars available for as little as $100. But there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all guitar, so the best thing you could do is go to a music store and test drive a bunch of different guitars. Each brand tends to have its own feel. Since you're a beginner, you'll probably have an easier time learning on a guitar that has a thin neck and low action (strings close to the fretboard). Those things will make it much more comfortable to form chords and move smoothly between them.
You don't want to buy a guitar at a store like Target or Best Buy, since the ones sold at non-music stores are really more like toys than musical instruments. They're mass produced with the sole goal of keeping the prices reasonable, so many of them are unplayable. But music stores are hoping to earn return business, so their buyers won't stock guitars unless they're designed and built to be played. They often cost less than the ones at Target and Best Buy, as well.
Ibanez and Jasmine by Takamine guitars are ideal for most beginners, as well as female players, because they have thinner necks and lower action than most acoutsic guitars. They're also well made, sound very nice and warm, and they're often nicer than guitars costing twice as much. The only brand I'd recommend against, at least while you're new to guitar, is Epiphone. Epiphone makes nice guitars, but they're known for having really chunky necks that make them challenging for beginners and people with small hands to play.
If you handle a bunch of different guitars, chances are some will just feel more comfortable and natural in yourhands than others. Be sure to try them while you're sitting, since that's probably how you'll practice. Guitar bodies range greatly in size, so you'll want one that allows you to strum without being a contortionist. Gigantic guitar bodies are great for performing live, but many of them are impossible to play while sitting. But most guitar brands offer guitars in different sizes and depths, so follow your instincts. The more comfortable your guitar is to you, the more you'll practice and the sooner you'll become a great guitarist.
I'll post some links to guitars worth considering, all of which have thin necks and low action. If you read the reviews, you'll get a better idea what other players have to say about them. But the way your guitar feels in your hands is more important than the price or the name on the headstock. It's worth test driving a bunch of guitars at a music store, even if you plan to buy online. That's the best way to figure out which brand/model is perfect for you.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S34C-NEX-Cutaway-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516458
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S35-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516451
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SGT120NT-SAGE-SERIES-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=512326 (A bit more money, but this is the sort of guitar that would serve you well for decades and you could hand down to your own children, it's so nice.)
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-JamPack-IJV50-Quickstart-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar-Pack?sku=519456 (This is a starter pack with everything you'd need to get playing.)
There are actually good, playable guitars available for as little as $100. But there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all guitar, so the best thing you could do is go to a music store and test drive a bunch of different guitars. Each brand tends to have its own feel. Since you're a beginner, you'll probably have an easier time learning on a guitar that has a thin neck and low action (strings close to the fretboard). Those things will make it much more comfortable to form chords and move smoothly between them.
You don't want to buy a guitar at a store like Target or Best Buy, since the ones sold at non-music stores are really more like toys than musical instruments. They're mass produced with the sole goal of keeping the prices reasonable, so many of them are unplayable. But music stores are hoping to earn return business, so their buyers won't stock guitars unless they're designed and built to be played. They often cost less than the ones at Target and Best Buy, as well.
Ibanez and Jasmine by Takamine guitars are ideal for most beginners, as well as female players, because they have thinner necks and lower action than most acoutsic guitars. They're also well made, sound very nice and warm, and they're often nicer than guitars costing twice as much. The only brand I'd recommend against, at least while you're new to guitar, is Epiphone. Epiphone makes nice guitars, but they're known for having really chunky necks that make them challenging for beginners and people with small hands to play.
If you handle a bunch of different guitars, chances are some will just feel more comfortable and natural in yourhands than others. Be sure to try them while you're sitting, since that's probably how you'll practice. Guitar bodies range greatly in size, so you'll want one that allows you to strum without being a contortionist. Gigantic guitar bodies are great for performing live, but many of them are impossible to play while sitting. But most guitar brands offer guitars in different sizes and depths, so follow your instincts. The more comfortable your guitar is to you, the more you'll practice and the sooner you'll become a great guitarist.
I'll post some links to guitars worth considering, all of which have thin necks and low action. If you read the reviews, you'll get a better idea what other players have to say about them. But the way your guitar feels in your hands is more important than the price or the name on the headstock. It's worth test driving a bunch of guitars at a music store, even if you plan to buy online. That's the best way to figure out which brand/model is perfect for you.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S34C-NEX-Cutaway-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516458
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Jasmine-by-Takamine-S35-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516451
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SGT120NT-SAGE-SERIES-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=512326 (A bit more money, but this is the sort of guitar that would serve you well for decades and you could hand down to your own children, it's so nice.)
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-JamPack-IJV50-Quickstart-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar-Pack?sku=519456 (This is a starter pack with everything you'd need to get playing.)
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Title Post: What do I need to know about buying a guitar?
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