Acoustic Guitar

[BillybobBojean]

Hello,

I am a complete beginner, I would like to learn how to play acoustic guitar.

Is there anything important I should know about buying one??? I don't even know what to look for.

I'd prefer some advice from you guys rather than some crap salesman.

Thanks a lot!

Billy

[nutsadamus]

Boy, salepeople sure have a bad rap around this forum.

Anyway, like most things, it depends on how much you wanna spend. Since you're a confessed beginner, I suggest bringing someone who plays with you. That way, at least you can get an idea of how different guitars sound. If that's not an option, then look for reviews on guitar specific sites,
http://www.guitar-review.com/ http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/ http://www.guitarworld.com/ http://www.guitartips.addr.com/

In the end though, you have to be the judge of what feels and sounds good to you.

[ad2326]

if ur gune buy an acoustic, ur best looking for the cheap way out
try get your hands on a nice full sized one for a good price, and if u cant do that go for a 3/4, they sound almost the same

shop around, test some guitars in the shop and see what you like, its gotta feel right after all

happy hunting!

[TensTheBlend]

I've taught guitar for over 30 years and helped many to buy a guitar. In the entry level department a Takamine is a safe bet. They have some OK steel string guitars in the $200 and up range. If you can go higher Larrivae guitars are awesome starting at $450-$600 or so. Bascially the cheaper guitars are mostly plywood, which sounds cheap and doesn't have much volume. The next step up is a guitar with a solid top, but plywood elsewhere. The mid price level Larrivaes are 100% solid wood which is quite a bargain. Most 100% solid wood guitars are $800+. Popular pro level guitars would be Martins and Taylors, in the $1500 and up range...

[TCONNELLY]

BillyBob,
I'm a "crap" salesman, I've been in the businessabout 11 years. I will give you my opinion, which you can take to heart, since I'm only giving advice, not soliciting a sale. I agree with some of the other guys that say you should buy a solid top gutar. The top is the "speaker" of the guitar, and solid tops give the best volume and tone.Since I like to keep customers happy, I tend to steer beginners toward models that I sincerely believe are great values.
Here are some of my favorites.
Yamaha FG-403S
Ibanez AW-10NT
Art & Lutherie 13043
All are solid spruce tops with die cast tuners(those are the good tuners)
Street price should be around $200-$250
The A&L guitar we sell w/hardshell case for$299.
Good luck,
Tim

[Enlightend]

I don't know as much about guitars as some people do(like some on this thread, thnx for the info BTW), but I can give you some input. If you want to play below the 5th fret without cursing alot I suggest checking out the action on that thing. Sure, you can adjust the action later, but maybe it will be harder to do on some models, or near impossible. The action is how high the strings ride above the fretboard. It never ceases to amaze me, how horrendous the action is on most guitars I come across. I've played guitar for years and when the strings ride high, my fingers be slippin, and I just can't play at the level I can and need to. People tell me that if you put the strings too low, you'll suffer twanging noises and what not, and this is probably true with many guitars, but nevertheless a well-designed guitar should not do this. For example a friend of mine has a custom-made ESP, that thing is like pure heaven, I have never seen nor experienced(when I can pry it from his hands) action like that, and the sound.........and lest someone say acoustics are different, my Grandpa had an acoustic with excellent action, he was actually the one who taught me about the importance of this variable when getting a guitar.

I would suggest just going to all the stores and play on them. If salespeople are making you nervous, consider politely asserting that you want to spend lots of time checking them out. It is vital that you find one that feels good to you, it has to vibe with you. When you find one that feels right and sounds to your liking you will know it, and you may or may not have to spend too much $$.

I liked an Ibanez I played on at Guitar Center, forgot the model # but it had a funky color and sounded beautiful. I played on some Martins and they didn't impress me in some cases. This is just my own opinion, I would suggest checking the action if you hope to play lower on the fretboard; and find one that sounds and feels right to YOU. You will have to suffer for a time and play an hour or so a day to develop the pads(calluses) on your fingers that will allow you to play chords etc with ease. Once you get those pads you will be on your way, but remember to play enough to keep them there. What I did when I first started years back, was go over chords, over and over again, this way I (painfully) developed my pads and learned lots of chords. Next thing you know you'll be amazing all your friends, jumping from chord to chord, and maybe more.... Hope this helped, comments anyone....

Enlightend

PS>I usually play with the guitar resting on my left leg. I used to do it differently and I know alot of people don't wear it that way, but I found that I simply can't perform at the level I want otherwise. Who gives a sh%t how it looks to anyone else, just like with standing and playing, when I do that I pull the guitar all the way up so it's riding high. I don't intend to practice day in and day out with my guitar hanging down around the floor so I can look cool to everyone.

I also would like to suggest checking out Blues scales, they are easy and can be used with a wide variety of songs. They will help you get a feel for the guitar and scales.

[ALBERTPIKE]

I have been playing guitar and performing for over 30 years and am still learning, still buying new equipment. In defense of "crap" salesmen: most of those guys are guitar players, too. Most of them know a lot more than I do. You might save a few bucks and take a chance at musicians friend, but you'll be better off in the long run to develop relationships with salespeople you trust. In fact, a "crap" salesperson just found me the used baby grand piano I was looking for and saved me about $5000. Go to your local music store and make some new friends!

P.S. RE: Enlightend: Martin guitars are not for beginners, as Stradivarius violins are not.
[This message has been edited by ALBERTPIKE (edited 08-24-2002).]

[This message has been edited by ALBERTPIKE (edited 08-24-2002).]

[Enlightend]

"P.S. RE: Enlightend: Martin guitars are not for beginners, as Stradivarius violins are not."

I guess I'm not certain what you mean here, do you mean 1)That I shouldn't have mentioned Martins because the originator of this thread is a beginner, or 2)I must be a beginner because I did not give Martins a raving review? I've been playing for about 10 years, so I don't really consider myself a beginner.

Several years ago I went down to Walmart and bought a pair of tennis shoes for like $20(or less). A friend commented on them, told me he really liked them. When I told him where I found them he said, "Shhh!" lol. These shoes have lasted me for many years, they are very comfortable, there is little wear and tear and they still look good. Why on earth would I pay more?

I don't know what you meant there, I just happen to feel that in some cases people are to a great extent purchasing a name. . . .maybe I need to try out more models.

[ALBERTPIKE]

Enlightend:
Didn't mean to critizize your post. In fact, I don't think the lower end guitars they are making are up to the old standards. Martin guitars are not known for their easy action, which, as you point out, makes it hard on beginners. They may also not be right for those who prefer a lighter action and may not suit your style in that regard. There are, indeed, many good guitars to choose from. A vintage Martin is the holy grail in acoustic guitar tone to my ears, however.

[Enlightend]

Gotcha. Maybe I need to try out more models. Regarding (bad)action, where I start to struggle is when I get high(tonewise) on the fretboard. I like to do all kinds of stuff with acoustics, and move around a lot. I don't see any way around it, when those strings are so far off the fretboard that around the 12th fret, you could place a thin baloney sandwich in there, how could anyone play up to their potential?(or if it's bad enough, play at all) It takes longer(or worse) to depress the string, and I feel like I have to be a surgeon to hit it every time comfortably/correctly, lest my finger slip .......I'm not saying most models in the stores are this bad, but nevertheless I am always amazed at how poor the action is. To each their own! I move around alot and often play difficult passages, I need good action all over. . .

[Enlightend]

I've been checking out these two guitars:

Ibanez PF5 Acoustic Guitar:
http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=p.IBAPF5MS&z=1504797722419


Washburn D10S Solid Top Acoustic Guitar:
http://www.zzounds.com/love.music?p=p.WASD10SB&z=1504797722419

Any input on these two models? They certainly look nice and have some good specs. Yesterday I tried out some other models at a local store, like the Seagulls(I believe they are called). They were OK. Personally I liked the sound of the Ibanez Performance model better. What do you folks think of Washburn? Any input appreciated.

[Stevan Rogers]

Buy an older Gibson ie a B25 or similar. Small to medium body don't especially worry about the ease of playing, that can usually be setup to play the way you like it but what do you know at this stage. I've been playin for 30 years and some of my setups are pretty tough to play for beginners but they give me a better sound. I bought a Yamaha FG250 in 1969 new for under a hundred bucks and over the years it has aged wonderfully. Concentrate on the top, solid spruce or cedar and dont mess with electronics for now. If you bought a Martin D28 prewar for 10,000 bucks and it had never been played it would sound like **** .
Materials must fatigue structurally inorder to sound good and that comes from years of playing. Buy an older cheaper non collectable and have it setup by a good acoustic tech in your area.