Beginner acoustic guitar?

Luke

I'm really wanting to learn guitar. I don't want to spend that much money, but I want a decent guitar. Any ideas on good but cheap guitars? Keep in mind I'm a beginner! Thanks!!

Answer
A decent entry level guitar (avoid things advertised as "beginner guitars"; they're usually junk) will run you about $150-300. You should only buy it from a music store or guitar store after trying it out personally. Take along someone who already plays guitar if you can.

Avoid buying online, especially Ebay. Also avoid discount stores and big box stores. Most guitars under $100 are also to be avoided, although Epiphone and Jasmine have adequate models at $100. I don't recommend buying your first guitar used - used guitars can have issues that are not obvious to the nonplayer and which may be expensive to fix. Pawnshop guitars are notorious for being overpriced and in poor repair.

Yamaha, Jasmine, and Epiphone are some entry level makes that offer good value. In this price range nearly all the guitars you encounter will be all plywood construction. There is nothing wrong with this when you're starting out - at this point you are looking for a guitar that is durable and easy to play, not for wonderful tone, and anyway, some plywood guitars can sound surprisingly decent. Yamaha does offer a few models with solid spruce tops in this price range and they are highly recommended - check out the FG-700S. Note that if the ad doesn't say SOLID spruce, it's plywood.

Hope this helps.

What is a good beginner acoustic guitar?

Shiloh

I want to start learning how to play the guitar. I don't have much money to spend on an expensive one, but I don't want a guitar that's going to fall apart on me easily or sound crappy either. Any suggestions with online links would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
When I started playing guitar, I was self taught. I bought myself a cheap, $74 First Act Guitar from Walmart. The thing was a guitar-shaped piece of crap. Whatever you do, do not buy a guitar that doesn't come from a reputable GUITAR STORE. I suggest Guitar Center. When I started taking lessons, I went to a studio where I was good friends with the owner, Mario Otero, who was a Grammy Nominee. He and all the instructors recommended a Yamaha Gigmaker. When I bought mine it was around $300. They are very reliable. They are also GREAT for beginners. However, I would recommend them only for beginners. If you are going to take lessons, then ask your teacher or the store owners what guitar would be good for you. If you have any self-taught experience, you may not be a beginner and you can get yourself an electric guitar. Guitar center has great guitars, used and very inexpensive. Ask the store clerks for help. When you buy the guitar, ask the clerk to check the guitar to make sure the neck isn't warped, is straight, and everything is working fine. The most important thing to remember is that the quality of your guitar depends on you. Take care of it. If you live in a dry place (For example, I live in a desert) then you will need a sturdy case and a humidifier. This keeps your guitar from drying out. If your guitar dries out, the neck warps. This is the same with a guitar kept in a very damp place. You will need something to keep it dry enough, or the wood will soak up too much moisture. Ask the clerks at your store for help with this, as well. I hope this answer helped, and you find a great guitar that will last for years to come.
Also, Whatever you do DO NOT BUY YOUR GUITAR ONLINE. Go into a store and TRY IT OUT. You will be glad you did. :)

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What is a good acoustic guitar to buy for beginners?

acoustic guitar for beginners online image

Alexis

Im planning on taking acoustic guitar lessons, but dont know what a good guitar would be to buy. I dont want anything to expensive and I need one thats good especially for a13 year old beginner. If you could add links of different guitars, That be great!

Answer
I don't know whether you are looking for a steel-string guitar or a classical guitar (both are acoustic), but either way, your best bet is to visit a music store and ask to try out some guitars in your price range (which should be at least $100 and probably about $150-300). Yamaha, Epiphone, and Jasmine are examples of decent makes for beginners. Avoid buying online or from discount stores or big box stores. There is a lot of unplayable junk out there, especially in the sub $100 range, and you don't need to waste your money on a lemon.

P.S. In case the issue comes up, a 13-year-old most likely needs a full size guitar, which means that scale length is 24.5 - 25.5" and body size is whatever you find comfortable. "3/4 size" guitars are for kids of 8 or 10.

What acoustic guitar brand should i get for a beginner and price range?

Missinthec

i was thinking an acoustic guitar, maybe black.
would yamaha be a good brand for beginners?
i don't know much about guitars, and what price range should it be in? i heard that you shouldn't get one too cheap. so im not sure.
Thanks for helping!

Answer
I could name you brands of guitars I've heard, and brands I've played, and brands I like, but it wouldn't make a difference. Instead of telling you which brand is king, here are some tips:

Honestly, my best advice is to go to your guitar shop and look at the brands. You can go online to get one, but it's a hit or miss when talking about how you'll like the sound and the feel.

Type: If you're a beginner, I would go for a nylon string guitar, as a nylon string guitar is easier on your fingers. The first guitar I played was on a Yamaha classical guitar, so I think Yamaha's are great. But I wouldn't say only get the Yamaha, because there might be a better guitar you find there.

Price range: Below $500. I wouldn't say you need a minimum, as long as you don't get the "Learn guitar in whatever kit" with the cheap ass acoustic the size of a breadbox at Barnes & Noble, but probably not under $100 (unless it seems legit. If you can't tell, probably don't get it).

Size: Find a guitar that you like at the shop, based on the size and feel. In classical guitars there isn't much of the size issue (they're pretty much all the same size), but if you get a steel string, there will be a great variety of sizes. Concert size, dreadnought, curved back, jumbo, etc... Size is just a couple of numbers and dimensions. What matters is how it feels for you to play it. If it's too big or small, the size will get in the way of learning the guitar. So the best thing to do is not worry about the brand name and experiment with different sizes.

Sound: You don't want it to sound terrible, but it doesn't matter as much as the feel. It's great to have a nice sounding guitar, but it's not going to make a difference. A guitarist might sound better on a new Alvarez than a half a century's old Yamaha, but a great and experienced guitarist playing an old, rickety guitar will always sound better than a beginner with an expensive and exquisite sounding Martin or Taylor.

Pawn Shops: Is there one in your area? Go! They'll almost always have guitars in store, so check it out. When dealing with pawn shop guitars it's almost always necessary to have an expert, or anyone who knows about guitars with you, so ask your guitar teacher to go shopping. If your pawn shop is a nicer one, some or all of the guitars might be new. Sometimes, guitar manufacturers will sell new models to pawn shops, just because there is a blemish in the wood, or a weird pattern. The pawned ones are very cheep, but the "outlet" models will still be cheep. I got a new Michael Kelly from a pawnshop for $150, and it's been great for five years so far.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW A GUITAR EXPERT, but still want to go to a pawnshop, look out for a couple of things.
1) Play the strings: Go up each string, and play them at each fret (not long), just to make sure there is no buzzing. If you're not sure what this means, or you're having trouble with this, ask the pawn shop guy to do it. They all pretty much have basic guitar knowledge, if they aren't experts.
2) Sight for problems: From the base of the guitar, look up across the fret board. If you, see a strange bend back, or if any frets look out of place, or crooked, not good. Again, ask the pawnshop guy.
3) STAY AWAY FROM CRACKS: It might mean that the guitar is cheap as dirt, but with use, the crack will spread, and your precious little antique of a guitar will crack in two, with damage beyond repair in a guitar shop.

Thats pretty much it. I hope that you can use this advice and get yourself a great guitar.

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