That guitar is a piece of junk, it will sound like crap, it will go out of tune much faster than a better quality instrument, and -- most importantly -- it will be more difficult to fret notes and be harder on your (non-calloused, tender) fingers. All of these reasons will discourage you from playing it, and as a beginner, it's absolutely critical that you stay motivated and keep playing even though you suck and your fingers hurt.
If I was in the market for a beginner acoustic guitar, I'd buy something from Godin (their brands include Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, and Norman) in the ~$300 range. Those guitars are made in Canada, sound great, are a joy to play, and are excellent quality.
Good to know, as i said though im not lookng to spend alot right off the hop. I know 300 isnt alot of money but for something that i may hate im not looking for that price range.
another option
Odyssia Acoustic guitar
Last edited by flamesfan55; 07-14-2011 at 04:37 PM.
I will throw a vote in for an Art & Lutherie acoustic guitar. Pretty cheap and sound really good for the price. Should be able to get one for aroud 200$-300$. 100$-200$ possibly on kijiji.
edit: if you don't want to spend 300$ on a guitar, i'd say go for a second hand one that's decent quality.
Good to know, as i said though im not lookng to spend alot right off the hop. I know 300 isnt alot of money but for something that i may hate im not looking for that price range.
Honestly, I really can't recommend any guitar below that price range, even (or especially) for a beginner. If you're unsure if you'll like it or not, take the advice someone posted earlier and get a rental guitar before buying. All the experienced guitarists in this thread are repeating the same advice: cheap guitars are both more difficult and less rewarding to play, which makes them a terrible choice for a novice guitarist.
[edit]
Or do this:
Quote:
edit: if you don't want to spend 300$ on a guitar, i'd say go for a second hand one that's decent quality.
cheap guitars are both more difficult and less rewarding to play, which makes them a terrible choice for a novice guitarist.
Quoted for truth. If you try to learn on a cheap cheap, you'll likely just hate the experience and never want to pick it up again. Having something that's playable and also sounds half decent is a reason to keep picking it up and practicing. Things like the action being too high, fret buzz, dead notes, and the guitar constantly falling out of tune will make you want to smash it Pete Townsend style.
Edit: Looking at all of the well priced guitars on Kijiji makes me really wish I was right-handed
I got a 6 string Simon & Patrick when I started learning, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them. They're inexpensive for a solid top Guitar, and they sound better and better as they age. You can pick them up for about $300ish at Guitarworks. Never pay the stick price though; if you go to Guitarworks and they even smell that you're considering buying something, they'll knock off money right on the spot.
S&P are great guitars. May I also recommend a Seagull or Norman guitar. All three come from La Patrie, Quebec, a small village that apparently attracts guitar makers. Seagull and Norman are also solid-top, very playable, sound great, and in the sub-$500 price range. Haven't looked at guitar prices recently, but Seagulls used to go for around $350, Normans for around $400.
I was really taken by their playability - really low action - and sound: The cedar-top seagull (I think it was an S6) was warm but loud with great bass. The spruce-top B-20 was very crisp with bell-like trebles and decent bass.
Would also recommend looking used. Take along a guitar-knowledgeable friend to look for signs of defects/problems with a used guitar, just in case.
I second that also. Got my girlfriend a Norman for Christmas and it sounds fantastic too. I can't say whether it plays well or not because it's a righty and I'm not, but it does sound nice and warm. She's just learning, and she hasn't had any complaints so far.
All three come from La Patrie, Quebec, a small village that apparently attracts guitar makers.
It's not a coincidence. S&P, Seagull, Norman, and A&L are all sub-brands of Godin Guitars.
Quote:
Godin started building Robert Godin's guitars in 1972 in La Patrie, Quebec.
Godin Guitars' head office is located in Montreal, and they build their instruments in six factories in four different locations, three in Quebec and one in New Hampshire.
Godin Guitars makes instruments under several different labels. Norman makes entry- to mid-level acoustic guitars. Art & Lutherie makes entry-level budget guitars. The Simon and Patrick brand make mid- to high-range steel-string acoustics. La Patrie manufactures classical guitars. Seagull is known for manufacturing solid wood entry- to mid-range acoustic guitars.
In that price range on Kijijii I'm going to suggest that you are quite unlikely to get a guitar that has been maintained, and likely has issues a beginner won't know how to check, like neck relief, nut and bridge height, etc. You're also unlikely to be able to inspect the internal bracing to make sure nothing is loose or cracked.
If you're going to go used via Kijijii and not get ripped off (even an expensive-at-retail but poorly maintained/maladjusted guitar is as bad as a cheap one unless you're gonna get it set up), take someone knowledgeable along.
Seriously, budgeting $300 rather than half that, as others have said, is going to make a world of difference. $300 these days is what, a couple Friday nights entertainment at most...
You seem insistent on that price point because you're uncertain - that's why you should be seriously considering a rental. If you rent, and fall in love over an 8 week period, the $300 will be nothing down the road, and probably you'll know quickly whether to start saving or not for your own before the rental is up.
I've done the cheap route, and it put me off playing for close to 10 years, which I dearly regret - When I spent $150 on an electric, because I needed the other $79 or whatever for the crap amp, and another $30 or whatever for the crap tuner, and the salesman was desperately trying to get me to spend the princely sum of $300 on a proper used Gibson SG (and skip the amp initially) for exactly the reasons everyone here is repeating, I shoulda listened, even though that SG wasn't as shiny....sigh..
Good luck whichever approach you take though - it's tremendously rewarding to own an instrument, to be learning and developing, for the deeper appreciation of music it'll give you, and lots of other reasons.
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Alright since everyone was very clear on what I shuold do, what are some names that I should be looking at. Dont give me prices of $400 guitars cause I wont be paying that much.
Alright since everyone was very clear on what I shuold do, what are some names that I should be looking at. Dont give me prices of $400 guitars cause I wont be paying that much.
You'll do well with any of these brands: Seagull, Norman, Simon & Patrick, or Art & Lutherie. They're all made in Canada by Godin and are excellent value.
If you're buying used, I suggest bringing along a friend who's knowledgeable about acoustic guitars as I'm assuming you won't know what defects to look for. Cosmetic scratching on the body won't make a difference to the guitar's sound or playability, but problems with the neck or fretboard could ruin the instrument.
The reality is that the skills transfer over directly to acoustic......so why take the more difficult path to get to the same place? Build your skill, calluses and finger strength on the electric.
Any good guitarist will tell you to practice your electric pieces on your acoustic ( I would recommend playing both, starting with the acoustic)
For better and control and technique.
Once you build up strength in your fingers your playing becomes much more fluid.
Guitar is an art form and there are no shortcuts, well especially if you want to master the instrument within 6-8 years :P
As for the callus argument, man up
I started guitar at 13 and I didn't give up because my fingers hurt, it builds character and will increase your control with the electric ( as said earlier)
If this man recommends learning acoustic, one should listen
There is a reason his vibrato is so fffing good.
So does this GOD
I would recommend a Peavey guitar for beginning they range in prices and quality so you know you are getting a good product
(as opposed to Epiphone or squire)
Plus, once you feel you need a better sound for the guitar you can replace the pickups.
As for a stronger sound for the amp, Distortion Pedal and echo / or reverb effect pedals
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FG700S/
Yamaha is a good starting Acousitc It says 199.99 so the max you will pay is probably 230
This is also a great site for ordering music accesories and instruments
I started with a crappy 1970 taro acoustic and a 299-315$ epiphone les paul. The tone of your guitar is 80 percent the player, It doesn't hurt too have a quality guitar though
Last edited by Rhetts_the_Best; 07-16-2011 at 12:12 AM.
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I recommend it to most chicks, but at the end of the day the Baby Taylor is a great guitar at the $300 price range. Makes a great travailing guitar as well
It a 3/4 scale guitar
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Thanks to everyone for the help with buying a guitar, I ended up buying a Norman Acoustic last night. Any tips on where I should start with learning how to play?
Thanks to everyone for the help with buying a guitar, I ended up buying a Norman Acoustic last night. Any tips on where I should start with learning how to play?
The Alpine acoustic-electric guitars are taken from the mold of the Sequoia series, but the Alpine adds a cutaway body design and innovative on-board electronics. The cutaway body style provides increased access to the upper frets, while the natural sounds of the Alpine series are reproduced by the NEW Barcus-Berry Breeze IV (solid top models) or Breeze II pickup and preamp systems.
