What are some really good acoustic guitars?

cheap fender acoustic guitars image

philip

I'm thinking about getting a new acoustic guitar because mine sounds like shit, sort of ;D
so my first question is what are some really good acoustic guitars, and second is,do you have to buy a really expensive one if you want it do sound really good, or are there cheaper ones that sound the same but, you know, cheaper?

Answer
good acoustic guitars from my experience are Martins, Alvarez, Yamaha, Fender, and Dean.
Martins are usually expensive but very much worth the price. you can find a cheaper Martin but i dont know how great they are.
Alvarez, Yamaha, Fender, and Dean - you usually get what you pay for. Their high end models are great, and their low end models are decent. you can usually find a good guitar around the 400 to 650 dollar range. much lower than that and they start getting sketchy.
If you are willing to spend the money you can get an amazing guitar with no worries. if you dont have the budget you might have to settle for a solid good guitar.

What is the best beginner acoustic guitar to buy?

My aim is to learn the acoustic guitar and then move on to the bass guitar.
I was thinking about buying the Yamaha FG700 acoustic but then i was given advice saying that Yamaha is crap and the Johnson acoustic guitars are better and cheaper.
I want to make sure that when i finally buy my acoustic guitar, i don't start wishing i bought a different one.

Answer
No matter what guitar you buy, you're probably going to wish you'd bought a different one. It's the nature of things.

That said, I have zero experience with Johnson guitars (never heard of them). But I've played some good Samicks and Corts. Then there's the low-end Epiphones and Squires (owned by Gibson and Fender, respectively). Of course, if you'd like to try something totally different, you may look at an Applause by Ovation -- they have a round, Lycra back, which greatly changes the feel of them. Although a bit of warning: people generally either love or loathe round-back guitars; there's very little middle-ground.

The key is to play as many as you can lay your hands on and find out which guitar feels the most comfortable in your hands; if it's not comfortable to play, then you're never going to play it. Then eventually you can move up and get a Gibson, Taylor, or Martin (the real King of the Acoustic Guitar).

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What's the best kind of acoustic guitar for a beginner?

rate acoustic guitars for beginners image

Nes5y

I want to learn guitar and I'm not sure what guitar is best. Price doesn't matter very much, but if it's cheap and cheerful, great! Help?

Answer
There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all guitar, so the best thing you could do is go to a guitar store and test drive a bunch of different guitars, since each brand has its own feel. As a beginner, you'll probably do better with a guitar that has a thin neck and low action (strings close to the fretboard), since those factors will make it much easier and more comfortable to move smoothly between chords.

Ibanez makes fantastic guitars that are built like rocks, sound great and are often nicer than guitars costing twice as much. They're also known for having incredibly thin necks and low action. Takamine and Jasmine by Takamine (a budget offshoot of the parent company) guitars are also very user-friendly for beginners and people with small hands. Lots of beginners buy Epiphone, since the guitars are well-made and sound nice, but Epiphone guitars have really chunky necks that can make them challenging (and frustrating) to play, since they require more finger strength and dexterity. If you've got large, strong hands, that might not be an issue. But I'm female and have small hands, so some guitars are just physically impossible for me to play, including most made by Epiphone.

Here are some links to reasonably priced guitars that are worth considering. They all have thin necks and low action and are rated well by guitarists who play them.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SGT120NT-SAGE-SERIES-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=512326
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-PF25WC-PF-Series-Acoustic-Guitar-with-Case?sku=620452
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

The most important thing is to choose a guitar that feels really comfortable and natural in your hands. The world is full of guitar snobs who insist there's no such thing as a good guitar that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars, but those people are more concerned with the name on the headstock than a guitar's playability. I bought a second-hand Ibanez more than 20 years ago figuring I'd use it to learn and then upgrade to a better guitar. I eventually did get more guitars, but the cheap old Ibanez is still my primary guitar for both recording and playing live because it sounds and plays better than any other guitar I've tried. And my brother, who plays Gibsons and Martins exclusively (a guitar snob) and owns a recording studio, had borrowed my guitar for recording because the sound is absolutely pristine.

Trust your instincts, since they'll serve you better than anyone else's opinion. If you compare a bunch of guitars side by side, chances are one will just feel like it belongs in your hands. The way you feel about your guitar is more important than the brand name or the price and there are lots of great guitars that don't cost a small fortune. And the more you love your guitar, the more you'll practice and the sooner you'll become a great guitarist. Good luck!

What's a good acoustic guitar for a beginner?

Dani

I really want to learn the guitar, but I have no idea how to go about that.
What kind should I be looking for, and features, brands, etc?
What's the best for a beginner?
Any help would be amazing!
i need a guitar before i get a teacher.
and i know a few people that play the guitar, but i'm not sure they'd be willing to actually teach me.

Answer
The best thing you could do is go to a guitar store and test drive a bunch of different guitars, since each one will have its own feel. Since you're just getting started, you'll probably want a guitar with a thin neck and low action (the distance between the strings and the fretboard), since that will make it easier to move around comfortably between notes and chords.

Ibanez makes fantastic guitars that are built like rocks, sound great, and are often nicer than guitars costing twice as much. They also tend to have very thin necks that make them very user-friendly. Jasmine by Takamine guitars are also great for beginners, since they're extremely comfortable for most people to play. The bodies aren't too thick, the necks are very thin, and the action is low. Jasmine guitars are also very reasonably priced. Epiphone makes great guitars, as well, but the necks tend to be rather fat, which can make them challenging to play. But you'll have a better idea which guitar is best for you if you visit a guitar store and handle a bunch of them. Also, make sure you try playing them sitting down, since that's probably how you'll practice. Some guitars have very large bodies that throw a lot of sound, but which also make them a little cumbersome.

If you want to do some research before going to a guitar store, Musician's Friend is a great resource. You can search by brand, price and customer rating. Customers also post reviews of the instruments that will let you know which guitars are great and which ones have "issues." Here's a link:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/acoustic-guitars/6-string

The most important thing is to choose a guitar that feels very comfortable and natural in your hands. A lot of people will try to steer you toward their favorite brands, but guitars are very personal and one person's dream guitar is another's nightmare. And no matter what anyone tells you, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good guitar that will last decades. I have lots of guitars, but my favorite is still a second-hand Ibanez I bought more than 20 years ago, when I was just learning to play. Trust your instincts. The more comfortable you feel with your guitar, the more you'll practice and the sooner you'll become a great guitarist. Good luck!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Help Needed - I'm gonna buy a good branded accoustic guitar next week!!?

buy electro acoustic guitar uk image

Arth

I'm a beginner
Budget up to 7000Rs
Suggest Branded only like epiphone fender ibanez..
and round off price tooo please!!!

Answer
Even good brands make some real turkeys so I would never buy a guitar I hadn't actually played and that had the right sound and feel. There are plenty of brightly painted, relatively inexpensive guitars in the shops (I'm in the UK) but the ones I have tried have not been well enough made. Looks are not the most important feature of a guitar. Sound and feel are far more important. It is better to pay for quality than cosmetic appearance.

There are things to look for on a guitar (sound board construction, machine head quality, straight neck, tight/adjustble action, fret height uniformity, richness of sound) that only an experienced player will recognise so it worth taking someone like that with you to buy your guitar.

All of the mid-priced/expensive brands seem to make good instruments most of the time and, for the price, I have never come across a bad Yamaha or Takamine. A friend bought a very nice Gretsch electro-acoustic guitar while visiting America for half the price we'd pay in the UK so they might be worth a look.

Where can I buy a martin OM-1E guitar in the Uk?

dave12welv

I've seached online but cannot find one anywhere. Don't really want to wait for delivery from the USA

Answer
That;s a helluva of nice guitar. Here is a UK link :)

http://www.bonnersmusic.co.uk/buy/Martin/OMC-1E_Electro_Acoustic_Guitar

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What are some good acoustic guitars?

best acoustic guitars for beginners in india image

Haley

I am a beginner and I am looking for an acoustic guitar that is cheap and worth its money. Not over 150 dollars. With accessories.

Answer
check out musicians friend. They offer plenty of good quality instruments and have a good return policy if you are not satisfied. go to every local music store and play as many as you can. Take a friend with you who plays and knows a bit about guitars. Ask the sales people for advice, believe it or not they really do want to help you get the best instrument for the price. avoid big box stores like wal mart or target because the instruments there are usually junk and/or have not been set up right. Plus no one there knows anything about them!
almost all inexpensive guitars that have different names are made by the same factories and are, in fact, very similar in construction and quality to each other. There are good quality instruments made in korea, china. india, mexico, and the list goes on, and they all make good instruments.
Check out rogue and ibanez as well as fender or epiphone

Does anyone know how much it will cost to buy a good Acoustic guitar in Japan?

Verycuriou

I'm moving to Japan, so I would like to know how much it costs to buy a guitar there. So I can decide if should buy it there or buy it here(in India) and then take it with me there.

Answer
On Ishibashi's (one of the bigger musical instrument sellers in Japan) online shop acoustic guitars start at ¥8,000 for beginner models and run up to the millions, though most seem to be in the 50,000-150,000 range.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

How big should a guitar be for an adult?

cheap martin acoustic guitars image

Q. I'm buying a cheap acoustic guitar for my boyfriend and I've looked online and all the ones that are 36 inches say they are "Children's" guitars. How big should a guitar for an adult be?
I know nothing about guitars so any help is welcome.

Answer
I don't know what stores you are looking at, but real guitars for adults are never sold in "inches".

They are sold with no labeling at all referring to size OR they may be "3/4 size" for children.

Do NOT buy a cheap guitar from a place like Wal-Mart or Target for like, $100. They will be awful to play. They are hard to play because of the cheap construction of the neck and bridge, and they cannot be tuned.
I'm not joking. They are made so imprecisely (the location and spacing of the frets on the neck), that they will always sound out of tune.

Having played guitar as a serious hobby and in a few bands for the past 30 years, let me give you some honest advice. Expect to pay about $300, for an acoustic guitar that is at least playable, meaning the strings won't be absolute agony to hold down, it will stay in tune, and will have a pleasant sound. Anything cheaper is total frustration.

If you are looking on-line, you can look at Musicians Friend or American Musical Supply (google them, they are easy to find), and look for something in the $250to $350 price range.
I have bought from both of those on-line places before, and they have always been reliable, even buying instruments through the mail. If he is serious about playing, it is much MUCH better to go to a local music store where you can try out the guitars, because there is a lot of variation in what you'll get for your 300 bucks.

(Of course, if your budget is bigger, you'll get a BIG jump in quality if you can get into the $700 guitars, and still other big jumps at the $1200, $1600, and so on, level. Yes, good guitars really do cost that much, and with good reason).

If you have a choice, TRY to get ones with a SOLID top (not laminated). Unless the description SAYS it has a solid top, it doesn't, believe me. Next up, you want solid back and sides (again, it will say if it has this). But now you are getting up into the $700 and up range.

Brands in $300 price range that make decent instruments, that I have actually tested out, are Guild, Yamaha, Ibanez, Takamine, and Epiphone (there are others). I have NOT been pleased with Fender's acoustic guitars, so I'd stay away from them, despite their well-respected name in amplifiers and electric guitars.

The really good stuff, like Martin, Taylor, Seagull (cheaper than the other two!) are $800 - $3000.

Oh, and for historical information, my first guitar was an Ovation (I don't care for them anymore, but they do still make fine guitars). It cost $200 in 1978, so today, it would be
$750. Next was a Seagull around year 2000 that cost $600, and just recently, a BEAUTIFUL Taylor that cost about $1700.

How big should an "adult" guitar be?

Q. I'm buying a cheap acoustic guitar for my boyfriend and I've looked online and all the ones that are 36 inches say they are "Children's" guitars. How big should a guitar for an adult be?
I know nothing about guitars so any help is welcome.

Answer
it should be regular standard size. Try getting him an epiphone acoustic they are good and inexspensive. look at some martins and wasburns, look at their size. it might help give an idea of the standard size acoustic guitar.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is a good material that resonances like wood for an acoustic guitar?

best acoustic guitar wood image

Doctor Doc

I may be mistaken but I heard that they use wood in acoustic guitars because it is good for sound resonance and vibration... I am wondering if there is other materials that are just as good for amplifying sound...I think you get the picture. Please and thank you.

Answer
Ya some plastic such they build sandboxes out of. go to Walmart and ask to feel some sandboxes. then go to guitar center and ask if they have guitars that are made from the plastic of sandboxes.

What type of wood is good for building an acoustic guitar?

Kristina

I wanna build a nice acoustic guitar with good sound not a cheap walmart brand what type of wood would that be?

Answer
Are we talking classical or steel string acoustic? They use different woods.

I'm a girl who has an interest in woodworking and instrument building. (I even went to a violin making school for a while) I was interested in making a classical guitar, so I got a good book to see how it was done. Good grief!!! Let's just say I haven't made one yet! haha People DO make them, however, and if you want to give it a try, get some good books on making the kind of guitar you like, then be prepared to spend some $$$$ to get started.

Here's my favorite company for guitar tonewood and tools (even though I haven't made one). http://www.lmii.com

Best luck!!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

if i start out playing acoustic guitar and then switch to electic will it be harder for me to play?

cheap acoustic guitars second hand image

atomic_flo

cause im going to learn to play guitar and electric guitars are EXPENCIVE so im thinking about starting out on a cheap acoustic till i have enough cash for electric

Answer
So far, good answers; yes, most people start on acoustic. Yes, a cheap acoustic may very well be a piece of junk that won't last and will be hard to play.

So let me take this a bit further for you--everything a beginner should think about--

1) Instrument: go to a very good music store--a Sam Ash, Guitar Center, or the big local shop that sells orchestral and band instruments. These stores don't sell junk. Try out as many guitars as you can in your price range (or slightly above). Try them out for feel--even if you don't play yet, you can put the neck in your left hand and see if the fingers feel good pressing on all strings, you can strum right the right hand and see how the arm likes being draped over that body.

Once you have several that feel good, have a sales clerk or a friend play the same tunes on each while you turn your back. This blind listening test is the best way to judge the sound.

Now, since you're on a budget, the next step is to wait for one of your preferred models to go on discount--or to find one online at ebay (only get one that comes with warranty), http://www.musiciansfriend.com or maybe even http://www.shopgoodwill.com but if it's goodwill, you'll need maybe another $100 in reserve in case you need to take it to a repair shop (try one of those music stores listed above) for adjustments.

2) Find a teacher. As a beginner, you'll make lots of mistakes, and you won't catch all of them. If you don't get the right fundamentals at first, you risk long-term not being able to play up to your potential, and maybe even getting nerve and joint repetitive motion injuries.

Cheapest teachers are found by putting a note on a bulleting board at the music department of a local college and landing a guitar major. Second choice would be to try one of the music stores listed above.

After about a dozen lessons, your fundamentals will be sound; then you can drop lessons and self-educate. Try getting books, cds, dvds, etc. from ebay--you'll save money.

3) Plan to practice for not more than ten minutes at a time, several times a day, at first. This yields fastest progress. Second week, extend the time up to 12 minutes--and keep going up a couple of minutes a week, eventually dropping back to 4 then 3 then 2 practices, until you've built the stamina and knowledge to benefit from a one-hour practice (or longer) daily.

What is a good beginner acoustic guitar?

Kat

Honestly I don't know anything about guitars but I really want to learn how to play an acoustic guitar and then electric guitar. So...what is a good acoustic guitar for beginners? And also do they make any self teaching books on acoustic guitars? Sorry if some of that doesn't make sense! lol

Answer
Yeah, there are self-teaching books, as well as online resources. But my advice to you is this: Find a friend or an instructor to teach you the basics at the very least because it'll prevent you from starting of with bad habits. It's alright to do the later parts on your own, but things like how to hold the neck, posture etc need to be correct from early on because they're hard to fix once it's a habit.

A good acoustic guitar for beginners?
Well first of all, it's important to have a budget, or the saleperson at the shop will try to get you something expensive that you don't even need.

Once your budget has been decided, look at all the guitars in your price range. Now here comes the difficult part: You're going to have to try them. I know you probably can't play yet, but it's still important you hear and test them. Do NOT get the first instrument you see that you can afford, or the nicest looking one, too many people make that mistake.

First, have someone play it for you, and see if you like the sound it produces. Also, strum the strings yourself, and see if you like it. Pluck individual notes and take notice of how long the note holds. It's generally a rule that better guitars have better sustain, meaning that the note will ring longer. Next, hold down the strings. Notice how hard you have to push to get them down. A better guitar shouldn't hurt you too much. If it feels like it'll bust your fingers if you hold on for longer than a few seconds, it's probably not the ideal choice.

Next, wrap your hand around the neck, with your thumb under, and your other four fingers on strings within reach. Does it feel too thick? Too thin? Only you can decide, because it's personal preference. Also, check the tuning pegs, turn them and the should offer some resistance, but not too much. Finally, check for overall construction, make sure it's all in good shape.

Do this, and decide on what is best. Try not to look at the brand names, because honestly, at entry level they're usually all made in China and of similar materials, and sometimes even in the same factory. So, get the one that sounds and feels best regardless of brand.

However, just to give you an idea of what is worth looking out for, the following brands are popular amongst beginners and are generally good value. Don't be afraid to try something else though, remember, it's whatever feels and sounds best.

- Takamine
- Yamaha
- Ibanez
- Seagull
There are others of course, just as there are brands to avoid, so I'd suggest testing them out. Oh, and in my opinion, cheap Fender guitars suck. So avoid them like the plague.

Good luck, hope this helped and have fun! =)

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is the best type of acoustic guitar?

acoustic guitar for female beginner image

PurplePeng

I'm a beginner in guitars. I want an acoustic guitar. Please/Thx

Answer
There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all guitar, so the best thing you can do is go to a guitar store and test drive a bunch of different guitars. Don't even think about buying a guitar at a store that doesn't specialize in musical instruments! Best Buy, Target and lots of other stores sell guitars, but most of them are unplayable and you'll never find those guitars (Maestro by Gibson, Lyon by Washburn, etc.) for sale at stores that specialize in musical instruments. For the same price or less at a guitar store, you'll get a guitar that's designed and built to be played.

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). Some brands are much more user-friendly in that regard than others. Jasmine by Takamine and Ibanez acoustics both have thin necks and low action, as a general rule, so they're favored by many beginners, females and players with small hands. In contrast, Epiphone guitars tend to have really chunky necks that make them challenging to play. If you compare a bunch of brands side by side, chances are you'll find that some just feel more comfortable and natural in your hands than others. Trust your instincts.

You'll also want to sit down while you're trying guitars, since that's probably how you'll practice. Guitar bodies range in size from really thin to super deep. Deep-bodied guitars throw tons of sound, but they can be very uncomfortable to play while sitting. You'll want to make sure your left hand (I'm assuming you're right handed) can wrap nicely around the guitar's neck so you'll be able to form chords and move smoothly between them, but also that your right arm can reach easily around the guitar body for strumming.

I'll post some links to guitars worth considering so you can read the reviews. But handling guitars is the best way to find one that fits you. The most important thing is to choose a guitar that feels right in your hands, since that will determine how much you practice. If you enjoy playing, your first guitar won't be your last. You don't have to choose the guitar you can play at Carnegie hall ten years from now. Your first guitar needs to be comfortable and fit your hand and body sizes, though. And if you go to a good music store, someone there will be able to steer you in the right direction.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/jasmine-by-takamine-s35-acoustic-guitar (A remarkable guitar for the price.)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/jasmine-by-takamine-s34c-nex-cutaway-acoustic-guitar (A different body style you may find more comfortable.)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ibanez-sgt110vs-sage-series-acoustic-guitar (This is actually the sort of guitar you could play for decades. And the neck is beautifully thin.)

What is a good acoustic guitar for a beginner on a budget?

<3

I need to keep the price under or around $175.
I don't want a Wal-Mart piece of crap. I just want a good guitar for myself, who was never played a guitar. I'm 5'2", around 110lbs and 13, if that makes a difference.

Thanks

Answer
Ibanez has a fantastic model called Sage that sells for $180, but which would serve you well for decades. It has a solid wood top (that's the most important factor in determining sound quality), whereas most guitars in its price range are made from laminated wood. It's built like a rock, as well. When I tried it at Guitar Center, I thought it was priced wrong because it played like a $500 guitar. It's the sort of guitar you can play for decades and pass down to your own children, it's so nicely crafted.

Beginners, and especially beginners with small hands, tend to have a much easier time learning on guitars that have really thin necks and low action (strings close to the fretboard). Ibanez guitars are famous for having incredibly user-friendly necks. I'm female and have fingers the size of Vienna sausages. After lots of desperate searching, I found that Ibanez guitars were perfect for me. I bought a second-hand Ibanez more than 25 years ago figuring I'd use it to learn and then upgrade to a better guitar. I did eventually get more guitars, but the cheap old Ibanez is still my primary guitar for both recording and playing live because the sound is pristine and it feels like it was custom made for me. And my guitar snob brother, who owns a recording studio and swears only Gibson and Martin guitars are worth owning, often borrows my Ibanez for recording projects because the sound is perfect.

I'll post a link to the Sage, in case you're interested. If you read the reviews, you'll find I'm not exaggerating about how nice it is.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SGT120NT-SAGE-SERIES-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=512326

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

How to learn acoustic guitar chords and everything else about playing a guitar?

best acoustic guitar dvd lessons image

Ghamanpree

I've never played before, I just want to know the chords, how to read a chord chart, and the other basic things a (acoustic) guitar player should know. Thanks.

Answer
The best way is to do guitar lessons as sometimes people don't have the motivation to do it at home. You could drop by to your local music store and pick up a beginner guitar method book, they usually come with a CD/DVD. Also the internet is at your finger tips so jump on Youtube and find some tutorials.

Would acoustic guitar be hard to learn if I already know how to play the violin well?

St33n

So I've been playing violin for about... this would be my 6th year. I've suddenly had this feeling of wanting to play acoustic guitar, lol, probably because of the music I listen to all the time =O

But I was wondering if it would be hard to teach my self (through books, some friends possibly, online resources) to learn acoustic guitar. My friend told me it would be a lot easier for a violin player. You think so? =O

Answer
It's great to allready have the musicial knowledge that you have....but the violin finger board is way smaller then the guitar, and the strings on the violin don't hurt as much as the strings on the guitar, playing barre chords may be a problem at first as your not use to that at all...and barre chords can be quite difficult in the beginning it calls for a lot of strenght especially in your index finger....I teach acoustic and classical...and I tell all my students to first start on an acoustic when learning, so I'm glad that your going to do that. I would love to see you have a private teacher but if that's not possiable it is possiable to teach yourself, it's just that it's easier with a teach....there are a lot of good sites that teach with a tutor, Cd, video, and DVD's.....you can have your pick....of course you have to pay for their products....but there not much, at least I don't think so. Some of the sites give a few free lessons to start.....maybe that will give you an idea if this is the way that you want to go. I don't like the sites that give all free lessons as they are not complete....and I think that they leave the student hanging....I'll give you a few at the end and you be the judge !!!!!!!!
http://www.meineke.free.fr/ (only good free site)
http://www.jamplay.com/ (6 free lessons)
http://www.billbrutal.com/
http://www.guitarchordsmagic.com/
http://www.justinguitar.com/
http://www.learntoplayguitar.net/
http://www.guitartutoronline.com/
http://www.absolutelyunderstandguitar.com/
http://www.top100guitarsites.com/
http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/
http://www.learn-to-play-guitar-online.info
http://www.guitar.about.com/
Free Sites :
http://www.guitar.about.com/
http://www.freebasicguitar.com/
http://www.abclearnguitar.com/
http://www.wiki.com/ (this site claims to teach you acoustic guitar rapidly, I'm not sure about that, so check it out and see what you think, I haven't had the time to look at it lately)
http://www.8notes.com/ (this site has a lot of interesting things for guitarist, it even has a free electronic tuner on it's homepage, and where it says chords, you can click on the chord that you want to lean to make and it shows you how to make it !!!!!!!!!)
http://www.cyberfret.com/
http://www.ultimateguitar.com/
The last two are tab for guitar, I don't like tab, but I'm not sure if you going to read music notation, so I thought that I'd send a few, I hope that something here helps, and I wish you good luck, violin was my second instrument....I still say that someday I will get one and study it, bye !!!!!!!!!!!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What are the best quality acoustic guitars for learners?

best acoustic guitar quality image

What are the best quality acoustic guitars for learners?
I'm 22.
I really want to learn the guitar but i don't want to waste my money on Ͼrap...
The guitar will have to be somewhere around £100 - £200.

Answer
Like I said start with a Gibson. If you shop around you can get one for 200-300 dollars.

Electric Acoustic - Is it possible to play fast riffs on electric acoustic guitar?

Mark O

Also, I would welcome any recommendations for a mid- to high quality acoustic guitar to purchase for my girlfriend.

Answer
First question first. The answer is yes--you CAN play fast riffs on an acoustic-electric guitar. However, it must have 'fast' action and it needs to be strung with the lightest gauge acoustic strings you can find. There is also the matter of Technique. Hand strength and motor skills are vitally important to playing fast riffs on ANY instrument. I am not an advocate of the traditional appproach, which is to practice scales and other exercises until they are forever engraved in your brain. Rather, I think it is more effective and enjoyable to balance formal practice with playing what you WANT to play.

Question#2
How much do you want to spend? A typical mid-to-high quality acoustic guitar could run you anywhere from $1,500 to $!!!!!. Guild, Martin, and Gibson have guitars from the mid-to-high range. Also, there is Taylor, Breedlove, Cruz, and others, some of them makers of fine custom-built guitars.
It is impossible to recommend specific brands and models because everyone has different tastes. WARNING: If your gf doesn;t know how to play guitar, DON'T waste the money. Most gutiars that are bought as gifts quickly become shadowcatchers, dustcatchers, or worse. If she DOES play guitar, be sure to TAKE HER ALONG. For her to really appreciate what you're doing, she needs to LOVE THAT GUITAR! This ain't no diamond ring, but to a guitar girl, it's d*mn close.

Best of Luck!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What are the best acoustic guitars for under $100?

best acoustic guitars image

GTgamer

I just want a start-up acoustic guitar for now. Once I get better i'll probably try to buy a better quality guitar but for now what are the best acoustic guitars for under $100( preferably $60-$80). The walmart guitar is $60 but I feel there is a better guitar out there for a similar amount.

Answer
I've played and taught classical and acoustic guitar for almost forty years and have yet to hear one for that price that sounded good....the best one that I ever hear that's inexpensive is the Yamaha acoustic, it's $200.00 even less when one sale...and Guitar Center is very good at giving you a deal if you ask. This guitar is one of the better ones for that price, go and play them and you'll see what I mean, now remember if they have five Yamaha's try then all as they all have a little different sound, and make sure that you play the notes up and down the fingerboard to check for buzz's, check the action also, make sure that the strings aren't to hard to press down. Also ask if they sell second hand Yamaha's, some of the Guitar Centers do. If you find one that you like ask the clerk to play it for you to make sure that it's the sound that you like. All the very cheep guitars are so bad that I'd advise you to wait until you save more money, at least the $200.00 for the Yamaha. Some of these guitars that they sell at Sears and Penny's are so bad to play, not only do they sound bad but the strings sit so high off the fingerboard I don't know how anyone can even play them. If the Guitar Center doesn't have any second hand Yamaha's try Sam Ash, or a Pawn shop...good luck...bye !!!!!! I hope I helped you with this, I'd hate to see you get something that sounds horrible and is almost imposable to play !!!!!!!!!

What are some really good acoustic guitars?

philip

I'm thinking about getting a new acoustic guitar because mine sounds like shit, sort of ;D
so my first question is what are some really good acoustic guitars, and second is,do you have to buy a really expensive one if you want it do sound really good, or are there cheaper ones that sound the same but, you know, cheaper?

Answer
good acoustic guitars from my experience are Martins, Alvarez, Yamaha, Fender, and Dean.
Martins are usually expensive but very much worth the price. you can find a cheaper Martin but i dont know how great they are.
Alvarez, Yamaha, Fender, and Dean - you usually get what you pay for. Their high end models are great, and their low end models are decent. you can usually find a good guitar around the 400 to 650 dollar range. much lower than that and they start getting sketchy.
If you are willing to spend the money you can get an amazing guitar with no worries. if you dont have the budget you might have to settle for a solid good guitar.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is the best acoustic guitar for a beginner?

acoustic guitars for beginners image

Lena A

I'm just starting out, and am looking to make an acoustic guitar out there my own. My price range is around 200-350, and I really want a guitar that will make me love playing music. What is the best acoustic guitar for a beginner?

Answer
There are a lot of different things to consider when buying a new acoustic guitar. For a beginner it is important to weigh up quality with price. It is much better to go for a acoustic guitar that is on the lower end and then as you get better buy a better guitar.

Having the best guitar won't make you the best guitarist so there is no point investing in a really expensive instrument.

For around $200 or $350 i would suggest purchasing perhaps a Yamaha FG700S Folk Acoustic Guitar.

I hope this information helps.

Check out the site below for more information about acoustic guitars. You can also sign up for a free guitar lesson.

Is Taylor a good brand of acoustic guitars for beginners?

I can sort of play the keyboard, I do not really play any other instruments. I cannot read music notes but I know the basics. I want to become a singer/songwriter and I want to learn to play the acoustic guitar. As a beginner I found two Taylor acoustic guitars online at Best Buy that are cheap enough for me to save my money and buy one of them. I would like to know if it is a reliable brand for beginners.

Answer
Taylor makes great guitars so in general, you can't go wrong with that. However, buying guitars online can be something of a hit and miss affair when you're just starting out.

You really should be able to try the guitars first before you decide to purchase the instrument or not.

I suspect you've been looking at the Baby Taylor guitars. Although these are good guitars, they are not full size. They are somewhat limited in volume and tone. You should really go for a regular full size steel string acoustic. And again, you definitely want to try this out for yourself...

You will definitely do best if you buy from a dedicated guitar/music dealer. Oh, and stay well away from First Act instruments. These are nothing but kids toys.

Edited for spelling errors...

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Acoustic vs Acoustic Electric Guitar?

best acoustic guitar for youth image

Bryar

I already own a lower quality acoustic guitar on which I've taught myself, and relatively soon I'm looking to upgrade. I participate in my youth group's worship team, so it would be nice to have a good guitar for playing and singing along with, but at the same time, I'm afraid that the option of an electric acoustic will sacrifice the tone for when I'm playing leisurely with my friends with no amp. At the moment I only sing for worship but I'd like to sing and play guitar in the future. I'm really looking for a nice balance I suppose, but I'm inexperienced in buying guitars. Any input or recommendations would be strongly appreciated, thanks in advance!

Answer
I dont know what you're budget is but I can recommend some guitars to check out.
I recently bought a Martin gpcpa4 rosewood and rate it very highly.
I played Taylors and more or less every electro acoustic in the store and that's the
One I chose. Cost 1300 quid but its worth it.
I also liked the yamaha ll16 at £750 but it doesnt have a cutaway.
I hated taylor under £1400.
The tanglewood tw1000 was nice at 900.
I would get an all solid guitar because it will sound so nice
The older it gets, especially martins. You can get 0% finance now days
which is nice so you can get something special and pay off monthly.
I want to say dont waste you're time trying loads of
Different guitars and just try martins but its up to you to find
Out for yourself. Also when your in store testing guitars stay
Away from the sound proof booths.a £50 guitar will sound
Good in one of them but when you get home it will sound crap
. Make sure all the strings sound balanced
Plugged in and unplugged when you strum them.

How do you tell what size a guitar is?

I recently found an acoustic guitar in my basement, but I can't tell if it's proper size or a 3/4 model for youth. There aren't any markings on it identifying what size it is, but considering I last used it when I was around 10 or younger, it very well could be. Short of comparing it to another guitar, is there any way I can determine what kind it is? Thanks

Answer
use a ruler

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is a cheap acoustic guitar that sounds good?

acoustic guitars for beginners cheap image

Q. I'm looking to spend around 50 to 65 dollars what is a good acoustic guitar for a beginner? Thanks.

Answer
Ahh, man. I would recommend two starter guitars but they are out of your price range. So I'll recommend them anyway :D

For ~$100, I recommend the Epiphone DR-100. I had the step up, the one for around ~$180, and it was such a nice guitar. Sounded beautiful, with a beautiful sunburst finish (then it fell over, landed on the neck and broke D: such a sad day! It just tipped forward off the stand!!!!!!! arg).

Epiphone acoustics are great! And 100$ is pretty cheap. I recommend splurging an extra $35

Look at my source. It's a little out of your price range, but if you shop around, I'm sure you could find this for under $100

What is a good beginner acoustic guitar?

Kat

Honestly I don't know anything about guitars but I really want to learn how to play an acoustic guitar and then electric guitar. So...what is a good acoustic guitar for beginners? And also do they make any self teaching books on acoustic guitars? Sorry if some of that doesn't make sense! lol

Answer
Yeah, there are self-teaching books, as well as online resources. But my advice to you is this: Find a friend or an instructor to teach you the basics at the very least because it'll prevent you from starting of with bad habits. It's alright to do the later parts on your own, but things like how to hold the neck, posture etc need to be correct from early on because they're hard to fix once it's a habit.

A good acoustic guitar for beginners?
Well first of all, it's important to have a budget, or the saleperson at the shop will try to get you something expensive that you don't even need.

Once your budget has been decided, look at all the guitars in your price range. Now here comes the difficult part: You're going to have to try them. I know you probably can't play yet, but it's still important you hear and test them. Do NOT get the first instrument you see that you can afford, or the nicest looking one, too many people make that mistake.

First, have someone play it for you, and see if you like the sound it produces. Also, strum the strings yourself, and see if you like it. Pluck individual notes and take notice of how long the note holds. It's generally a rule that better guitars have better sustain, meaning that the note will ring longer. Next, hold down the strings. Notice how hard you have to push to get them down. A better guitar shouldn't hurt you too much. If it feels like it'll bust your fingers if you hold on for longer than a few seconds, it's probably not the ideal choice.

Next, wrap your hand around the neck, with your thumb under, and your other four fingers on strings within reach. Does it feel too thick? Too thin? Only you can decide, because it's personal preference. Also, check the tuning pegs, turn them and the should offer some resistance, but not too much. Finally, check for overall construction, make sure it's all in good shape.

Do this, and decide on what is best. Try not to look at the brand names, because honestly, at entry level they're usually all made in China and of similar materials, and sometimes even in the same factory. So, get the one that sounds and feels best regardless of brand.

However, just to give you an idea of what is worth looking out for, the following brands are popular amongst beginners and are generally good value. Don't be afraid to try something else though, remember, it's whatever feels and sounds best.

- Takamine
- Yamaha
- Ibanez
- Seagull
There are others of course, just as there are brands to avoid, so I'd suggest testing them out. Oh, and in my opinion, cheap Fender guitars suck. So avoid them like the plague.

Good luck, hope this helped and have fun! =)

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Good websites that has free lessons for acoustic guitar beginners?

acoustic guitar beginner tabs free image

Cory

I just started playing the acoustic guitar about 3 weeks ago. I know a few chords and i know how to read tabs and thats really all i know. I need some help finding a good website that has lessons for acoustic guitar beginners. I would greatly appreciate it.

Answer
you could go on guitaretab.com and search it. there's stuff like that on there.

Experienced Flamenco players, what's the best way for complete noob to learn Flamenco Guitar?

Noah

I have very little (almost a complete noob) experience on a ukulele (only learned a few notes to strum), but I have little interest in the uke. I want to learn guitar, and more specifically flamenco guitar (though I have an interest in country music as a whole, too), but I have no idea where to start. I can't read music, and I have a very basic understanding of tabs.

What's the best way for a complete beginner like me to learn? I realize going to Spain or hiring an instructor (in person or online) are the best routes, but neither are something I can do right now. I may seek one out in a few years, but in the mean time I need to start off with something else. So what is my next best FREE option? I have enough to buy an inexpensive acoustic guitar and a few instructional dvd's, but that's it. I'm a very patient person who's willing to put in the basics for months before even attempting a song, so what do you experienced players think would have been the best route if you had to restart from the very beginning without having an instructor (at least for 3 to 5 years), but needed to self-teach?

Should I learn classical, or look through a much more limited selection of flamenco instructional dvd's? I've looked through a few, but they seem geared toward those with a little experience with classical guitar already.

Or do I just learn classical first, and then 'unlearn' a few things when I move into self-taught flamenco a year or two later?


I'm so confused because it seems like there's just a limited amount of flamenco self-teaching aids, and they seemed geared toward those that know a bit about guitar already. There's slightly more classical self-teaching aids, but I've heard I'm going to have to UNLEARN (seems less efficient) a few things when I finally do move to flamenco. And then there's just basic acoustic guitar (country, pop, etc) with so many free instructional videos online...

So what should I do considering I'm a complete beginner with a little bit of funds and only enough time to spend 2 to 3x a week learning the absolute basics right now?

My ultimate goal? In 10 years to be playing flamenco well enough on my own that I can enjoy picking through various songs from memory and having fun...

Answer
Spend as a minimum, $300 on a steel-stringed acoustic having good volume and tone. Next, start with Country to get the feel of chord changing and specific runs from one chord to the next.

Flamenco style playing will come as your expertise builds with fingerstyle playing. Start with learning some basic Flamenco-style songs such as "Malaguena," "Espana Cani," "The Breeze and I," "Kiss of Fire," "Marie," and similar Spanish-feeling tunes. I have more on my mind, but cannot recall their titles.

Russell E had provided some excellent tips in that fanning chords is one good way to get that Flamenco touch. You can experiment with the chords of E and Am by downstroking with your four fingers on the nails and then reverse the approach by starting with the little finger and end with the forefinger on the upward swing. I believe nails are crucial to get that volume and control you would need.

What's more, developing your own unique style of playing is ever important. You can mimic other great Flamenco players up to a point, but remember--it's your playing that counts. The same goes for the Country genre.

For many years I copied the deliveries of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis only to eventually learn that there can only be one Atkins and one Travis in the guitar world. I developed my own style of delivery that has nuances of Atkins, Travis, Montoya, and others--to include Lightnin' Hopkins and Jimmy Reed--both credible Blues' players and singers.

Don't forget the lure and captivity that Delta Blues can offer. The tunes and lyrics are simple and so are the chord progressions, but they can create moods where they are in the infancy stage.

Buy a quality chord book and a beginner's guitar manual such as published by Hal Leonard and Mel Bay. Don't forget to focus strongly on the music theory sections in the book as that is one attribute you must build upon.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What accesories do you need to start playing acoustic guitar?

buy acoustic guitar beginners image

MusicLuver

So I want to buy an acoustic guitar. What things should I buy along with the guitar? (I'm a beginner)

Answer
You'll need a guitar, of course. Also, good additions are a strap, a case, and an electric tuner. Also, you might need some books or sheet music. If you don't want to buy these, you can find lots of free tabs online.
Good luck!

What is a good brand of an acoustic guitar?

tara t

Me and my sister are going to buy acoustic guitars today and we have no idea about them, what are some good brands or types, in Ontario, Canada? We aren't singers or anywhat professional, we just want to learn to play the guitar. And what's the average price for one? Thanks!

Answer
If you are just starting, id suggest a beginner acoustic.
try taking a look at the brand Mitchell. here it is on guitar center

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Mitchell-MD100-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar-100176981-i1166436.gc

It says $130 just wait for a sale it will only be $80ish.

dont go over the top and buy anything more expensive. my first guitar was a $50 dollar first act lol. and i would not recommend getting a First Act. This Mitchell guitar is a great beginner guitar

Good Luck!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What kind of acoustic guitar would be best for a beginner?

cheap acoustic guitars under 50 image

tea kettle

I was thinking about getting those cheap guitars (under 50) from maybe walmart or target, or maybe even Downtown LA

Do you think the quality is okay for a beginner who just wants to learn how to play for fun?

Answer
$50 guitars are not much more than kids toys. If you will go to pawn shops you might get lucky and find one for $50. I would suggest taking someone who knows how to play with you so that they can see if it is playable. If you'll save your money around $200 will get you a much more playable beginner instrument.

Good luck.

What is a cheap acoustic guitar that sounds good?

raymond

I'm looking to spend around 50 to 65 dollars what is a good acoustic guitar for a beginner? Thanks.

Answer
Ahh, man. I would recommend two starter guitars but they are out of your price range. So I'll recommend them anyway :D

For ~$100, I recommend the Epiphone DR-100. I had the step up, the one for around ~$180, and it was such a nice guitar. Sounded beautiful, with a beautiful sunburst finish (then it fell over, landed on the neck and broke D: such a sad day! It just tipped forward off the stand!!!!!!! arg).

Epiphone acoustics are great! And 100$ is pretty cheap. I recommend splurging an extra $35

Look at my source. It's a little out of your price range, but if you shop around, I'm sure you could find this for under $100

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Buying an acoustic guitar for the first time?

best acoustic guitar for beginners children image

Tina Pell

Hey! I'm 19 years old and I'm looking into buying an acoustic guitar. I don't want to go wild and spend a lot of money so it's okay if it's not a top brand, since I'm only a beginner. I want to make sure I'm not buying a childrens one either, lol. Do you guys have any tips for buying an acoustic guitar for the first time?

Answer
You should only buy from a store that specializes in musical instruments, since the guitars sold at places like Target and Best Buy are mroe toys than musical instruments. For the same amount of money or less at a music store, you can get a guitar from a reputable manufacturer that was designed and built to be played.

I'd recommend looking into Jasmine by Takamine guitars. Takamine is a very respected guitar manufacturer and many professional guitarists play Taks. Jasmine is Takamine's entry-level guitar line. Basically, the guitars are built to the same specs as their pricier cousins, so they're incredibly user-friendly, but they're made from less expensive materials so the prices can be kept low. And Jasmine by Takamine guitars are ideal for most beginners, since they have fairly thin necks and low action (strings close to the fretboard). The thinner the neck and the lower the action, the easier it is to form chords and move smoothly between them.

There are tons of guitars available for less than $150, but some brands are not as playable as others. Epiphone guitars, for example, are well made and sound nice. But they've got incredibly chunky necks that make them very challenging for beginners and most females to play. Ibanez guitars, in contrast, have very thin necks and are regarded very highly by beginners, speed players and people with small hands.

I'll post some links to guitars worth considering, all of which have thin necks, low action and overwhelmingly favorable reviews. Ideally, you should go to a guitar store and test drive a bunch of different brands, since each brand tends to have its own feel. But if you'd prefer to buy online, the reviews will give you a good idea which guitar will serve you best. Any of the ones I link, though, will provide you with years of reliable service.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/jasmine-by-takamine-s35-acoustic-guitar
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/jasmine-by-takamine-s34c-nex-cutaway-acoustic-guitar/516458000000000
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ibanez-sgt120-sage-series-acoustic-guitar (This one is a little more expensive than the Jasmines, but it's the sort of guitar you could eventually pass down to your own children, it's so nice. It has a solid-wood top, which you don't usually find on a guitar priced below $300. Frankly, this guitar would be a bargain at twice the price.)

What do they mean by a guitar being high in action?

Bryce C

What does a guitar of High action mean, and whats the difference between steel strings and nylon strings, and what usually comes on an acoustic guitar? And how do i determine which size guitar i get? And if there is a specific guitar you suggest for a beginner would you please let me know.

Answer
high action was already covered, well, hmm, my acoustic has ridiculously high action...it's hell.... make sure you look for a guitar with low action....seriously...

steel strings/nylon strings: steel things are made out of steel (metal), nylon strings are made out of nylon. pretty self explanatory. =) nylon strings are usually on classical guitars, and steels are on electrics and acoustic. the difference between classical and acoustic is that classic is somewhat bigger.

get the size guitar that feels comfortable to you. just playing playing them at the store and holding them, you'll know when one's too big for you. some have bigger bodies (the main part of the guitar) either in size or thickness...if you're short you want a smaller guitar... you also have some that are shaped so you can play those high high frets, if you need that, get that, they're the guitar with the "caving" near those high high frets. however as a general rule of thumb, unless you're a really quick 8 year old on yahoo answers, don't get a children's guitar ;)

for a beginner....hmmm I dunno. Get a quality acoustic guitar I would say, one that you can play comfortably. Once you can play an acoustic comfortably electric is a breeze. What kind you get all depends on your budget really... get the one that sounds best to you for your budget.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers