Inexpensive beginner acoustic guitar

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Wondering if this is any good...

Learn Guitar with the Keith Urban Player Guitar Set

Nice Chinese special mass marketed on TV...: as good as a cool collar!

[VaSteve]

I wwnt to the Martin factory last week. OMG were those nice.

[911dean]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

If you wanna play electric blues, just go on CLASS and buy one of the many squiers starter packages that are for sale. Someone bought it for their kid for Christmas (or themselves!) and they didn't learn it in 6 months so it's time for it to go...

Can't play blues on a pointy guitar.

I'd go this route or just start looking for Squire or MIM Fender telecaster or strat. You don't need an amp immediately, as you can hear it without one. I really like my tele.

[GG Allin]

My wife wanted a guitar a few years ago. My life long guitar playing friend recommend a Seagull. He said they had great build quality for the money. I bought one, it's sat ever since. I suppose it's good to have it around the house with two daughters. Maybe one of them wiill pick it up one day.

[Head416]

If for some reason that doesn't work out, I believe Guitar Center still has a 30 day return policy on used guitars.

[stuartj]

There some great comments in this thread, but for a beginner, too much information? As a guitar student myself, heres what I'd suggest.

All the big brands make a good learner guitar, just get one and start playing it. If it sticks, you will be a wanting another one soon anyway, so don't invest too much concern inot this acquisition.

Don't worry about truss rods, actions, intonation, nuts, fret nibs, rare rain forest timbers, solid vs laminate etc. sounds boards, bracing.....Just get a guitar and start playing it.

Get a good book and some lessons. Play your guitar.

If you want to learn to play guitar, don't buy an electric guitar first off. You can always tell when someone learnt this way, just hand them an acoustic guitar.

You might consider a gut/nylon classical guitar first off- strings are kinder to fingers, fret boards are broader. Just get one and start playing it.

So mostly, just buy/borrow a cheap playable guitar, work out how to change the strings and play the snot out it. The next guitar you buy, you will not need to ask here. You will be asking at "rarebrazilliontonewoods.com".....

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

Hi Dave! Thinking about the Epiphone you linked too!

BTW This T-Bird!

OMG!!! I have been lusting for a 62-67 Bird for a long time. Just not in my financial cards right now. You do know that T-Bird is my nick name, it's even on my American Express card..
On the guitar, I bought one for my son in law last Christmas on a recommendation from a guitarist friend. He loves it. His is natural fish rather than the sunburst one I sent you the link to. It comes both ways. Played GREAT right out of the box. I went the extra yard and put a set of good tuners on it that cost almost as much as the guitar! Didn't really need them but it looks killer with a set of pearloid keystones on it. Fit and finish is top notch and on par with guitars costing much more. Good tone woods as well. If you use sweet water ask for Brandon, he is my rep there and tell him I sent you. He's a good guy and you will have the guitar over night.

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by targa911S

OMG!!! I have been lusting for a 62-67 Bird for a long time. Just not in my financial cards right now. You do know that T-Bird is my nick name, it's even on my American Express card..
On the guitar, I bought one for my son in law last Christmas on a recommendation from a guitarist friend. He loves it. His is natural fish rather than the sunburst one I sent you the link to. It comes both ways. Played GREAT right out of the box. I went the extra yard and put a set of good tuners on it that cost almost as much as the guitar! Didn't really need them but it looks killer with a set of pearloid keystones on it. Fit and finish is top notch and on par with guitars costing much more. Good tone woods as well. If you use sweet water ask for Brandon, he is my rep there and tell him I sent you. He's a good guy and you will have the guitar over night.

I DID know your nickname was "T-Bird" but I didn't think that it related to the car. It was my grandfather's car, and you can read more about it here:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/834336-grandpas-thunderbird-here.html


Just an FYI, the Charvel 550 got a clean bill of health from a friend who plays guitar. The seller was a really cool guy that had a bunch of guitars, and he let my buddy play a bunch of them and play a couple songs with him. It was a lot of fun. He took $120 for the guitar, and there isn't a scratch on it. My buddy Tony said that the action was already lowered, and it played "really easy." I downloaded a chord chart, and I'll start messing around with it this week.

I just wanted to express my thanks for everyone that had advice. I knew that I was going to get some information that I could use from this forum. You guys are the best.

[5String43]

One more thing - I'd suggest stringing your new guitar with light-gauge strings, or maybe even steel-and-silk strings, to make it easy on your fingertips for the first few weeks.

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

You need a Gretsch to go with that car.

Give me a couple years Monsignor Cheese! I do have a hankering to learn some rockabilly licks with a gee-tar to match.

[targa911S]

that car is awesome! sure would look good in front of my frank lloyd wright style house..godd for you on the guitar. good job.

[dennis in se pa]

As was already mentioned just get a cheap one to start out. After you practice for awhile what "a good one sounds like" will come to you. I have been practicing for a little over 2 years now. I started at age 61. I have 10 thumbs, but read somewhere that if I keep at it I will improve. This is true! I will never be real good as a guitar player, but progress is very rewarding. Dexterity exercises are important. Pattern recognition is important. Keep at it, when you start to get a feel for playing the guitar you will feel very rewarded, and you will find that you practice more. Good luck and enjoy.

[yazhound]

Epiphones make some nice entry level guitars, and so do Guild. The build quality is much better than in the old days, most esp in the asian rim mfrs.

[mikesride]

go to the pawn shops and bring a friend who plays.

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by 5String43

One more thing - I'd suggest stringing your new guitar with light-gauge strings, or maybe even steel-and-silk strings, to make it easy on your fingertips for the first few weeks.

The PO put new strings on it right before he sold it. After a couple hours practicing, I'm inclined to agree with you! I think I'll try to stick with it for a week and then decide. To my untrained guitar ear (but with a music background). This guitar sounds very pleasant! It's plenty loud and has, to my ears at least, a very nice harmonic quality to it. I feel good about the money I spent on it, and think this was a good choice.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

The PO put new strings on it right before he sold it. After a couple hours practicing, I'm inclined to agree with you! I think I'll try to stick with it for a week and then decide. To my untrained guitar ear (but with a music background). This guitar sounds very pleasant! It's plenty loud and has, to my ears at least, a very nice harmonic quality to it. I feel good about the money I spent on it, and think this was a good choice.

Congrats! I was going to change course and tell you to go buy a $5000 guitar , but I'm glad you found what you did. The first couple of weeks are challenging because you really are asking your hands to contort in ways they never had before, and they aren't used to holding the steel strings. Beginners will often talk about calluses, but with time, you will just play and not even think about them. Sounds like you've got a good setup-that makes a HUGE incentive to keep playing. Don't hesitate to go to the light/extra light gauge. With time, depending on playing style, you might want the meatier strings- but enjoy it either way! P.S.- the funniest thing about this thread (for me) was watching all the "guitar" adds placed below it in the advert sections!

Edit: Also- one way to learn guitar is tab.- For example- You mention you have a musical background (a huge help-which I didn't)- but Tablature is nice because it shows you how chords and favorite songs are actually played out on the fretboard of guitar (as opposed to a piano or something). The only word of warning though- is there is a lot of "S@#$!" tab which is completely wrong- so you end up spending a lot of time learning something wrong- so if you have a favorite song and want to know if some internet tab is good or not- post it here so we can check it out for you

[Westy]

Lot's of opinions, so here's mine. What if you don't like playing after a year. Your Martin or Taylor will gather dust for many years because you will always be 'Getting around to it'. You can get a Takamine like an F340S for 100-150 all day long. Throw some Martin marquis strings on there and it will sound really nice. Had one for 30 years before I busted leather and bought my Martin.

Start cheap and see how ya feel about it. Go to your local Guitar Center on almost any holiday weekend. Always have sales, and lots of free info.

Great (and free) lessons can be had here Guitar Lessons - Free HD Video Guitar Lessons Online . Nate Savage is a simple and friendly teacher who can take you as far as you want to go. And please.....don't learn your G chord using your index finger,,,,,and don't shy away from F and B chords while you're learning. It'll set you back so much it's ridiculous.

Learn simple songs at the beginning. Eagles and Jimmy Buffet come to mind. Learn to use your thumbs. And lastly, your left fingers will feel like razor blades are slicing them. That's just the dues you have to pay. 3-6 weeks and that will be gone forever. Good luck and have fun.

[Westy]

Well crap. Guess I should have read the entire thread.

[unclebilly]

I was in this exact same boat about 5 months ago when I was off work with high blood pressure. I settled on an Art and Lutherie Dreadnaught in cedar. It is a lovely guitar and very similar to the Seagull S6, both made by Godin in Canada.

I bought it used and it came with the case, picks, humidifier, etc for $150. It had been played 2-3 times. I learned a few chords and then put it away when the weather got nice out. I will be getting back into again this winter.

You can get the Gibson tuning app for your smart phone and guitars for dummies is online.

As mentioned, get the guitar that fits you best. The fancy guitars may be unplayable for a beginner.

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Go electric. So much easier to get started on over an acoustic. If you don't get something decent to start on, it will hold you back and you may just say screw it.

+1 here. But if acoustic is your deal, play the Epiphone acoustics and spend a lot of time on youtube.

One thing that has really helped me is actually playing with other musicians. It gives you goals, that don't seem to happen when your sitting in a room alone.

I'd recommend a Squire tele.