Guitar - Beginner selection help

[Deleted member 9794]

Hello All - I've signed up for a 6 week beginner guitar course in January so I need a guitar. I like the sound of acoustics but I'd like the ability to control the volume and not piss off neighbors (or embarrass myself) so I think I want an acoustic-electric. I'm not above buying used so I swung by a pawn shop that had an acoustic-electric for $189 - Jasmine Takamine (not sure of the model number) Jasmine Guitars - Dreadnought Models - the guy said it could probably use new strings so that'll be around $80. It looks like I could get one new for $199 on the internet w/ free shipping BUT I do have stuff I could trade at the pawn shop to reduce the price or maybe make an even swap (subwoofers, amp, swords).

I'll go check around at other local music shops and stores tomorrow but for now does anyone with experience have any recommendations?

 

[yfz6r]

I've been playing guitar for over 10 years now. Currently play a fender acoustic and an Ibanez electric. Cheap crate amp hooked up to GNX3 pedal for whatever sounds I desire.

For a first guitar, stay cheap. Look at a Fender Squire acoustic. That was my first and I still play it. Great sound, very light, affordable.

Many people forget something very important. Acoustic-electric guitars require an acoustic amplifier for quality sound. These are EXPENSIVE! An expensive guitar is also needed to take advantage of these amps. They have to capture the natural resonance of an acoustic guitar. So my advice on acoustic-electric is to stay away until it is something you need. Just learning, you will not need an uber-loud acoustic set-up. Acoustics without an amp can get plenty loud depending on your strumming force.

I would also recommend a cheap electric guitar with a small amp. You then have the option of clean sound or distortion. It is always fun experimenting with both while just learning new things.

Stay away from a pawn shop. Buy a guitar new. Anyone who gets rid of any guitars doesn't have a passion for the hobby (unless giving it to a nephew or something). I have 5 guitars and wouldn't dare get rid of one.

Did you say the guy at the pawn shop wanted $80 for putting strings on a guitar? Strings are about $7 and take 3 minutes to put on!

check out zzounds.com
I've used them, they always have the cheapest prices. Here are some recommendations from me:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--EPIDR100
http://www.zzounds.com/item--FEN0950816
http://www.zzounds.com/item--EPILPSPIIPPEB

Epiphones are great budget guitars. Fender and Ibanez have guitars for all levels.

One more thing. Whatever guitar you get, go to a local music store and get the lightest guage guitar strings you can. Playing a guitar hurts like a mother****er at first.

 

[Deleted member 9794]

Did you say the guy at the pawn shop wanted $80 for putting strings on a guitar? Strings are about $7 and take 3 minutes to put on!

Not exactly, he referred me to a local music shop and said it would be about $80 to get new strings put on. Thanks for the heads up!

I would also recommend a cheap electric guitar with a small amp. You then have the option of clean sound or distortion. It is always fun experimenting with both while just learning new things.

So just to clarify, would you recommend a cheap electric over a cheap acoustic starting out (not acoustic-electric but just acoustic)?

 

[yfz6r]

So just to clarify, would you recommend a cheap electric over a cheap acoustic starting out (not acoustic-electric but just acoustic)?

Unless you are dead-set on an acoustic. Just for the simple fact that you can get so many more sounds out of an electric with just a simple cheap amp. My first electric was an ibanez with a small amp for around $150.

Here is a fender set-up with everything you need
Squier SE Special Strat Package at zZounds


If you go the electric route, your instructor will most likely have an amp ready for student use for classes.

 

[Bloke]

Depends on where you want to practice too. My electric guitar I love to play, but the tones do travel through walls relatively easily, granted I could plug in headphones and do it that way but either way my neighbours complain much less when I'm playing on my acoustic.

Oh and be aware if you have soft hands, playing an electric or steel string acoustic, it will hurt quite a bit if you practice for long periods at first but your skin will toughen over time at the ends of your fingers. I love playing my nylon strung acoustic for hours without discomfort but I have been left with weeping fingers after thrashing out some tracks on my electric.

Btw $80 for new strings... Omfg. That's mental. Like the guy above says, strings cost nowt and tbh if you're not confident fitting them your guitar teacher will/should be able to help you, once you do it once though it's a piece of cake.

 

[RoadTrip]

I have 2 acoustic guitars, a cheap Yamaha and an entry level Martin. Actually, both are great guitars, but the Martin tone really transports you.

My suggestion is to get a cheap one that you don't mind getting banged up, I would go with a big dreadnaught style body with a spruce top, my Yamaha is not even really solid wood, but it still sounds great (called the Eterna). New strings are a must, and typically you even need new ones on a new guitar as they sour rather quickly with oxidation, there is a big difference in sound from new to old strings, it is only like $20 for a new set installed at an honest music store.

I only play an hour or so a week, it really doesn't matter to me that I am not that good, I just love to participate in music and not just listen to it only, just get a cheap one and dedicate yourself to playing at least an hour a week. Many peeps play like the dickens for a few months and just give it up cause they get bored, that's why I say space it out a bit but stay dedicated over the long haul, for me it's not about being good, it's about participating in the music, it lifts my spirit.

 

[MistahT]

I'm a music teacher, been playing guitar almost 20 years, play daily in my instruction, also proficiently play piano and a few other instruments, I'm an operatically trained singer and learned guitar repair from my father who's been playing and repairing longer than I've been alive. Time for me to chime in

I have a Takamine Jasmine acoustic-electric and I paid $140 for it in minty condition with pre-amp. Yours might be a more expensive model. I definitely recommend an acoustic (or acoustic electric) because it's easier to go from acoustic to electric, than it is to go the other way. I've seen it with lots of my students. Want to be versatile? Learn on an acoustic. Add to your collection later!

Like posted above, even superb strings shouldn't cost more than $20 or $30 and you should swap them yourself.

On the new vs used discussion, I say go used. Brand new off-the-assembly-line guitars aren't broken in yet. The parts might move a little and the sound is going to take years to mature. Plus, I'd rather spend $200 on a used guitar that was much more expensive than $200 on a guitar that cost that to produce. If you've ever gone from a crappy instrument to a quality instrument, you know exactly what I'm talking about.


But the most important part is that you enjoy playing! Play on!

 

[danieljardim]

Just bought a Fender stratocaster (i think that's how it says) starter package with amp and accesories for 100 on black friday. I played guitar for about 5 years but it's being 7 without playing.

 

[mikebaileyvienna]

me too!

Also a guitar player. Have owned 3 electrics, 2 electric acoustics, 3 or so acoustics, and two basses, and a uke.
* electric is very cool but precision is required to sound good, plus there is the lugging of gear to anything other than you parlor
* bass is very very fun -- everyone should play some bass, but to play it for anyone else (by yourself) is a real experience is salesmanship!
* elec-acoustic is cool because you have the versatility and portability of an acoustic but you can grow into an effects pedal and an amp and experiment with sound. While it is true that an acoustic-specific pedal and an acoustic-specific amp are pricey, neither are a real requirement until you are playing for audiences. Amps and pedals on craigslist are plentiful adn cheap.
* straight acoustic is the beginner's guitar, and can be the extreme expert's guitar, can be $99 and can be $3,000. To play a melody (or a rock riff) is a challenge because of the tension/thickness of the strings.
* finally, nylon strings and electric strings bend much easier than acoustic strings, are easier on the fingers, and allow the advanced player to express himself. Acoustics are more for strummin' until you become a master.

I'd say the Ibanez medium body nylon string electric-acoustic is the FZ6R of the guitar world. Its accessible by beginners, has a massive potential for growth, has player comfort as a consideration.

AND you can come to my house and I'll string 10 guitars for $80. That is a criminal price and the guy who gave you that quote is a crook. Stay away.

 

[leprecaun jon]

i have been playing for about 9 years....when i started the recommended you start with an acoustic.... most of the musicians i have met...agreed the better you are on an acoustic the better you will be on an electric....i actually sold my electric to help pay for my fz6r though they are great fun and i loved mine....electrics in my opinion are not the best learning platform... i started on a fender acoustic electric...my only guitar right now is a taylor acoustic...plain and simple ..i traded my ovation in and payed the rest for my taylor

im not going to lie when i started playing all i wanted to do is learn how to shred.... the best way to do that is learn a mixtures of styles on acoustic....classical finger picking and blues will help a lot if thats what your into... but any way im kinda rambling good luck and have fun... btw yamaha acoustics are bullet proof and cheap....mine wasn't the easiest to play because my bridge was f*cked up.... and local pawnshops crawl with good deals...the ones around here seem to be begging to get rid of some of the ones they have...just saying..

 

[Hellgate]

Good stuff gentlemen! I envy all of you who can play. I can play the radio..

I bought a bitchin' Gretsch 6118 back in about 1996. I always wanted one, and back in that lifetime I could buy one so I did. I tried for a year and gave up. To this day I wish I'd never sold it...

This Christmas my gift to myself is a Blue Stratocaster. It's a reward for a Kickstarter project.

THIS time I'm going to learn damn it!

 

[RoadTrip]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD1KqbDdmuE

 

[leprecaun jon]

Good stuff gentlemen! I envy all of you who can play. I can play the radio..

I bought a bitchin' Gretsch 6118 back in about 1996. I always wanted one, and back in that lifetime I could buy one so I did. I tried for a year and gave up. To this day I wish I'd never sold it...

This Christmas my gift to myself is a Blue Stratocaster. It's a reward for a Kickstarter project.

THIS time I'm going to learn damn it!

not to hijack but strats are great! lol you can turn them into anything!

i have gone through a few guitars

in order

fender DE acoustic electric ( it was blonde in color with gold accessories) one of my favorites.
yamaha ( i dont remember the model but it was as old as me) acoustic

1988 kramer f1000 ( basic guitar but kramers are great project axes and collectables)

2004 schecter c1 plus flamed maple top solid mahogany body and neck with Seymour Duncan hb102s ( wont its off ebay foe $300...was my first buy on ebay ever.... i sold it 2 years later after some pick up work...for $475)

a brand new 2009 ovation celebrity cc28...( traded the fender for it)


and then traded the ovation for my current beauty...that i wont ever part with my taylor big baby.....there are a few models of the big baby...not sure which mine is i just know it was a $600 guitar... with a promo that took $120 off my ovation payed for 230 of it and i paid the rest lol