best acoustic guitar 800 dollars image
B.J.
Would a $1,999 Gibson acoustic guitar sound a lot better than a $199 Ibanez acoustic guitar and $699 Taylor acoustic guitar, or are you just paying for the design and nice finish? If you can be specific, please do.
Answer
A guitar under 200 bucks is, well, no damn good.
200-500 is a GOOD amateur-class guitar.
700-1000 is generally entry-level pro quality.
1000 dollars and up is 'custom' quality. That is, best of everything put together. The highest end guitars can run around 3K. More, and your paying for vintage, usually.
Making that spread a little more complex, some brands are known for having strengths and weaknesses. For example, in the upper end, an Epiphone Les Paul is the real deal, a serious musicians guitar. At the lower end, Epiphone makes junk. Ibanez guitars are famous cost/value guitars... they make cheap guitars of notable quality for the price. Some guitar makers are famous for one model and everything else they do is junk. Some make great acoustics, lousy electrics. Some the other way.
The differences are in woods (although, in guitar woods, it is usually good vs cheap) hardware (chrome is cheap and wears fast, plastic loses finish and eventually breaks, while graphite and steel last forever) electronics (cheap components and wiring over quality) and craftsmanship (a guitar made by human hands will cost more than a manufactured one... usually any guitar under 500 bucks is mass-produced). Finish depends in intended material/look. Some finishes are soooo deep that scratches don't make it far and never show, and are easily filled and buffed.
Rounding out the price factor will be options: passive vs active pickups, locking bridges and tuners, one way or two way trem bars...
So yes... there is a real quality difference between a 199 guitar and a 1999 guitar.
It is generally accepted that NO ONE should buy the cheapest guitars. Novices should start in the 200-300 range. After a year or three, move up to the best guitar you can afford, especially if you intend to play in front of people for money. If you never intend to leave your room no matter how good you get, you can get buy with guitars between 300 and 800 bucks, depending. A novice usually can't appreciate a GREAT guitar. As soon as you play well enough to know the difference, one should start to seriously begin trying as many guitars as possible, to learn your preferences.
As far as cost, you are paying for a guitar that will sound better, physically play better, and require less fanatical care (although you really should be a fanatic anyway) to remain in good condition. TO keep a cheap guitar going, you have to replace some of the hardware every five or so years, depending on use. A 1000 dollar and up guitar is usually configured JUST as you want it, and will never require repairs if you care for it well.
EDIT: Kab's analogy is very good... most of us have 700 dollar guitars that will 'get us there.' And Mikey's right about Gibson acoustics. They are an example of a manufacturer that has a few pet beauties, and their acoustics ride on that reputation without living up to it.
A guitar under 200 bucks is, well, no damn good.
200-500 is a GOOD amateur-class guitar.
700-1000 is generally entry-level pro quality.
1000 dollars and up is 'custom' quality. That is, best of everything put together. The highest end guitars can run around 3K. More, and your paying for vintage, usually.
Making that spread a little more complex, some brands are known for having strengths and weaknesses. For example, in the upper end, an Epiphone Les Paul is the real deal, a serious musicians guitar. At the lower end, Epiphone makes junk. Ibanez guitars are famous cost/value guitars... they make cheap guitars of notable quality for the price. Some guitar makers are famous for one model and everything else they do is junk. Some make great acoustics, lousy electrics. Some the other way.
The differences are in woods (although, in guitar woods, it is usually good vs cheap) hardware (chrome is cheap and wears fast, plastic loses finish and eventually breaks, while graphite and steel last forever) electronics (cheap components and wiring over quality) and craftsmanship (a guitar made by human hands will cost more than a manufactured one... usually any guitar under 500 bucks is mass-produced). Finish depends in intended material/look. Some finishes are soooo deep that scratches don't make it far and never show, and are easily filled and buffed.
Rounding out the price factor will be options: passive vs active pickups, locking bridges and tuners, one way or two way trem bars...
So yes... there is a real quality difference between a 199 guitar and a 1999 guitar.
It is generally accepted that NO ONE should buy the cheapest guitars. Novices should start in the 200-300 range. After a year or three, move up to the best guitar you can afford, especially if you intend to play in front of people for money. If you never intend to leave your room no matter how good you get, you can get buy with guitars between 300 and 800 bucks, depending. A novice usually can't appreciate a GREAT guitar. As soon as you play well enough to know the difference, one should start to seriously begin trying as many guitars as possible, to learn your preferences.
As far as cost, you are paying for a guitar that will sound better, physically play better, and require less fanatical care (although you really should be a fanatic anyway) to remain in good condition. TO keep a cheap guitar going, you have to replace some of the hardware every five or so years, depending on use. A 1000 dollar and up guitar is usually configured JUST as you want it, and will never require repairs if you care for it well.
EDIT: Kab's analogy is very good... most of us have 700 dollar guitars that will 'get us there.' And Mikey's right about Gibson acoustics. They are an example of a manufacturer that has a few pet beauties, and their acoustics ride on that reputation without living up to it.
I want to learn to play the Guitar. Which is the best guitar for beginners?
A.S.K
I like the sound of the acoustic guitar.
Answer
Of course its all about how much you can spend. Yamaha dose have nice solid top guitars for 200-300. I think the Washburns give more for the money. When starting out ease of playability is very important. Shop with someone knowledgeable about acoustic guitars.
If your price range is 500-800 range Martin makes some very nice low end guitars such as models DX-1 and DM. Also for that price Blueridge offers the BR160 and BR140 that are all solid woods and will last a lifetime if taken care of. Guild also has nice solid guitars in the 600 range.
Don't go out and buy a 100 dollar cheapo if you are serious. But don't rule out getting a nice used guitar for a great price. Guitar Center and Sam Ash carry used gear as well.
Good luck.
Of course its all about how much you can spend. Yamaha dose have nice solid top guitars for 200-300. I think the Washburns give more for the money. When starting out ease of playability is very important. Shop with someone knowledgeable about acoustic guitars.
If your price range is 500-800 range Martin makes some very nice low end guitars such as models DX-1 and DM. Also for that price Blueridge offers the BR160 and BR140 that are all solid woods and will last a lifetime if taken care of. Guild also has nice solid guitars in the 600 range.
Don't go out and buy a 100 dollar cheapo if you are serious. But don't rule out getting a nice used guitar for a great price. Guitar Center and Sam Ash carry used gear as well.
Good luck.
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Title Post: What is the difference between the mid-priced and super-expensive guitars?
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